Full review

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Three Bridge Trek

This converter has built its name around VW Transporter campervans but has now moved into the big league with its first conversion of the larger Crafter, or its sister van, the MAN TGE. At its first showing, the newcomer walked away with a class victory in the Caravan and Motorhome Club Design Awards for 2022.

Based on the 6.8m panel van, the Trek is a very different beast to the company’s Waterside, Infinity and Tourer conversions of the T6.1, with a key feature being the extra-large rear garage.

With access from the living area, as well via the full-height rear barn doors, this is almost a walk-in space. It measures 1.02m high, 1.22m wide and 1.49m long and there’s a long, thin drawer that pulls out on the offside in which to keep smaller items. There are removable lashing points, too, and a four-way bike rack.

The exterior

Externally, this model also had a 4.5m electric Thule awning, a rear ladder and custom-made roof rack, wheelarch extensions and 18in wheels with BF Goodrich off-road tyres. With the 175bhp (177PS) engine and eight-speed automatic gearbox, the Trek should have strong performance to go with its butch looks.

Another key feature is the pop-top roof, added to make this a four-berth campervan – of course, full standing room is already a given. The roof is a Skyline Aurora, which is electrically operated but with a manual override in case of failure.

The interior

Four travel seats match the number of berths, and rear passengers don’t get second-class seating as the pair of automotive-style rear seats have all the ergonomic qualities of good cab chairs, plus Isofix, while a sideways slide gives more elbow room when travelling but enough width in the aisle when cooking.

This is a completely gas-free campervan – heating and hot water comes from a Webasto Evo 8 diesel-fired system – and, to cope with the electrical demands of off-grid camping, the show model was fitted with a 5kW inverter, 300Ah lithium batteries and 360W of solar panels.

The kitchen

Adjacent to the seating area and running partway across the sliding door’s opening is a long, thin kitchen featuring an expansive oak worktop. The sink is recessed under the countertop and the hob is a domestic- looking double induction unit. There’s also a Miele microwave and a 95-litre compressor fridge.

The washroom

Unlike Three Bridge’s T6.1 campers, the Trek also benefits from a full walk-in washroom and it’s a good one, with plenty of space. There’s a bench cassette toilet, fixed washbasin and a yacht-like look, thanks to wood panelling that’s repeated on the living area ceiling. Fresh water comes from a 120-litre inboard tank, while grey waste is taken care of by an 80-litre underslung tank.

The bed

Beyond the kitchen and washroom, a ladder gives access to the Trek’s main bedroom. Here, side extension flares have been added to the outside to allow a full 6ft length for the raised double bed – in fact, it’s fractionally longer at 1.84m and has 700mm of headroom. There’s a large push-up Heki rooflight above the bedroom and cupboards are placed over just the foot of the bed.

Summary

Other features of this intriguing conversion include on-board WiFi and an infotainment system with a tablet on magnetic mounts, either on the wall behind the travel seats or the back of the galley (for viewing outside). The interior lighting has changeable colours, too!

There was much to impress about Three Bridge’s first big campervan and there’s more to come from this firm. Talk is of a lower bed option for those who need easier access (but don’t require such huge storage) and possibly a rear lounge version, too. Watch this space!