Full review

Here's a special edition Hymer with an en vogue non-metallic paint finish, grey furniture and a pack of extras. It adds up to a saving of £3,665 compared with a Free 600 equipped to the same level.

As well as the Campovolo paint, the Fiat Ducato base vehicle comes with 16in alloys, the 140bhp engine, cab air-con, cruise control, a leather steering wheel, front foglamps and a 90-litre fuel tank. The wheels – in matt black – match the skidplate, grille and headlight frames, while even the pop-top roof and awning (both standard on the Campus) are black.

Additional internal features include cab blinds, extra 230V and 12V sockets, a duckboard for the shower and Isofix for fitting child seats on the half-dinette bench.

Based on the Free 600, the Campus inherits the existing model’s layout unchanged. Swivel cab seats and a forward-facing two-seater bench make up the front lounge, while the kitchen and washroom live centrally and a transverse double bed occupies the stern.

Of course, a major consideration here is the addition of what Hymer calls the ‘sleeping roof’. The name is apposite because, unlike in VWs, the pop-top here isn’t for standing height but just to provide two extra berths. It makes the Campus into a practical four-berth.

Despite the size of the elevating roof, it’s easy to operate and, when raised, there’s a 2.00m by 1.30m double bed with a half-moon window on the nearside and flyscreened vents on the offside and in the front of the canvas. The long ladder required to access the bed is stored in two halves on the overcab shelf.

The only obvious downside to the pop-top is that it precludes any rooflights being fitted over the lounge or rear bedroom, so the interior does feel darker. It’s something that the pale grey décor aims to alleviate.

Certainly, there’s no lack of space in the rear bedroom, where Hymer fits a mattress that goes right into the recesses of the Fiat bodywork. Bed length, as a result, is a generous 1.94m, while the Hymer Komfort mattress should live up to its name. There are opening windows (premium, flush-fitting units) and the bedroom has radio speakers and reading lights on adjustable rails.

Of course, you can also fold away the centre of the bed for maximum load carrying, while optional outdoor chairs and table are also mounted for convenient access through the rear doors.

You’ll want to check out the washroom for size. It has plenty of room for using the loo, but showering will be more of a squeeze and headroom is just 1.76m with the duckboard in place. An opening window here is a plus, while the basin is a fixed corner unit.

Between the washroom and the half-dinette is a wardrobe with extremely useful shelved locker below, but this isn’t the only clothing store. There’s another wardrobe diagonally opposite, under the fridge.

The cooler is a 90-litre compressor type, mounted high for easy access. Alongside, the galley stretches partway across the sliding door and incorporates a Dometic combination hob/sink unit. There’s no oven or grill but you do get three extra-large kitchen drawers and a folding worktop extension.