Full review

Words: Peter Vaughan

Photos courtesy of Rapido

The Rapido C-Series C50

A typical island bed motorhome is 7.5m long. There are shorter ones but few that are also of slim width. However, when Rapido launched its entry-level, narrow-bodied C Series range last year, it included the C86 – an island bed motorhome at 6.99m long and 2.17m wide. Now, for 2022, a fourth model in this line-up is even more compact, at just 6.59m.    

The specification

Basis is the latest Ducato and it looks typically Rapido with all-white bodywork and grey/red graphics. Upmarket framed windows and a large overcab sunroof feature, while the glazed habitation door is linked to the central locking and comes with an electric step. Construction is 100% polyester – roof, walls and underfloor – with Styrofoam insulation, while the alloy wheels shown are an optional extra.

That said, RHD models get a substantial upgrade in spec. Here, the Truma diesel-fired heater is upgraded to 6kW and fitted with a 230V element, and an oven, carpets, external shower, Traction Plus with Hill Descent Control and a leather steering wheel are all included. Add the Select Pack (£1,730) and the spec also includes a flyscreen for the door, a second leisure battery, cab blinds, a reversing camera, height-adjustable cab seats, and an Alpine multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.  

The layout

Despite its modest size, the C50 has a fairly generous garage with electric height adjustment for the bed above. Minimum garage headroom is 870mm, although this can be increased by 200mm, and the maximum load is 150kg. Overall payload, however, benefits from the model’s compact size and is over 600kg. Inside, you can choose from Bellagio (shown with optional high-gloss top lockers) or more contemporary Nacarat furniture, as well as a selection of cloth, leather or faux leather upholstery (extra-cost Milan trim here). The lounge swaps the C86’s small side seats for a more traditional half- dinette (with small L-shaped section). Cab reading lights are a plus, as are a table that folds in half and the huge sunroof. Not so good are the three floor heights here, while the flip-up jump seat/footrest by the doorway is a novel addition.    

The kitchen

The kitchen is necessarily compact and some of the storage seen here will be lost to the UK-spec oven. Drawers are centrally locked and the fridge is a supersized 140-litre model with bottle drawer. The hob is a stylish two-burner unit and there’s a slot-in worktop extension alongside.   

The washroom

There’s much less compromise in the washroom, where a swing wall creates a good-sized shower with its own showerhead, riser bar and basket for gels, etc. A teak-style duckboard, metal tap and clothes drying rail are included, too. Water capacities are 110 litres fresh and 90 litres waste, the former inboard, the latter heated. It’s the bedroom that’s the focus, though, and the comfy Bultex mattress measures 1.90m by 1.40m. The bedside tables are huge (with a 12V socket one side, USBs the other) and there’s room to sit up in bed, leaning against the upholstered, backlit headboard. The only issue is that it’s a bit of a squeeze to get past the bed on the nearside. That’s to be expected when fitting an island bed into a motorhome this small. The C50 has a lot of bases covered, considering its size.