Full review

Few would argue that campervans are the most buoyant part of the leisure market, so it’s not surprising that major motorhome dealers are seeking a slice of the action. Last year, Marquis launched its Randgers, and now Lowdhams has the Summit.

Built by Wellhouse Leisure exclusively for the dealer’s outlets at Nottingham and Huddersfield, and based on the Ford Custom, the Summit is a high-spec campervan with the typical side kitchen floorplan, modern design and the peace of mind associated with a conversion that has National Caravan Council approval as well as Ford’s own QVM accreditation.

As standard, the Summit comes with all the spec you’d hope for in a vehicle that you’ll drive day in, day out. Cab air-con, cruise control, heated mirrors and a DAB radio are no surprise, but here the kit list also includes automatic wipers, a heated windscreen and heated seats. Of course, the Ford Custom has only recently been facelifted, too, one result of which is the car-like central multi-function display with reversing camera.

The 130bhp power unit (Euro 6 diesel) should be adequate for many buyers but a 170bhp option is available, while Ford’s automatic gearbox (£1,440) is very smooth.

The standard 16in alloy wheels can also be upgraded to the 18in aftermarket items for £1,395 and there are nine bodywork colours to choose from. Perhaps the most important option, though, is the SE Pack. Worth over £3,000 but currently priced at £1,995, this adds a mini-grill in the kitchen, an awning, colour-coded bumpers, half-leather seats and Ford’s rear view camera system.

The side kitchen – available in grey or white – includes a 42-litre compressor fridge as well as storage for a portable loo and the typical campervan hob and sink, plus that optional grill. There are useful top lockers over the kitchen window and a ‘hidden’ slide-out spice rack at the end of the galley. Towards the rear, the wardrobe has a shelf and a hanging rail, so you can choose whether to hang or fold clothes.

Both cab seats swivel easily without recourse to opening the doors and aided by the drop-flat handbrake. The rear bench – a German crash-tested unit mounted on a sliding rail system – has three seatbelts and a trio of adjustable headrests, and there are two tables – a neat coffee table for the cab and a larger free-standing unit.

As well as adding greatly to flexibility, the rear seat folds down to create a double bed that’s 1.88m by 1.27m (max). The rearmost section of bed can be raised to create a chaise longue arrangement, while the bed leaves enough standing room for undressing or using the loo. The bed is easy to make but quite heavy to lift back into its daytime position, while an optional roof bed (2.00m by 1.18m) is priced at £450.

Plenty of pin-style LEDs (including some in the base of the upper berths) provide excellent illumination in the evening, while flexible wand reading lights cater for both the cab and the upstairs bed. Lighting is just one aspect that’s better than in many rivals.