Full review

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Wildtracks Discover

Wildtracks Campervans offers completely bespoke conversions and a choice of base vehicles – predominantly the popular VW Transporter and Ford Transit Custom, but also occasionally the larger Volkswagen Crafter. However, 90% of its customers choose either its Discover model, shown here, or the Off Grid Package.

The company can source vans for conversion or convert customers’ vehicles or, as here, it builds some campers for stock. Typically, it uses vans that are less than six months old with only delivery mileage recorded and, although its conversions are not currently type approved, Wildtracks plans to go down this route in the future.

The specification

This example is a long-wheelbase Transporter in desirable Highline spec with the popular combination of the 150PS (148bhp) engine and DSG twin-clutch automatic’ transmission. First registered in late 2020, on a 70-plate, it is newly converted and has only 500 miles on the clock, so is all but brand-new.

The £62,000 price tag here seems competitive, not least because of the base vehicle spec and the optional Sports Pack fitted – that’s side bars, 18in alloy wheels, a front spoiler and lowered suspension. Alternatively, Wildtracks also offers an off-road look with beefier tyres and a raised ride height.

A standard Discover conversion, built on your own VW van, starts at £16,500 including VAT on a short-wheelbase Transporter (add another £2k for the LWB). That price includes a Skyline pop-top roof with a bifold bed base (giving more headroom when stowed) and memory foam mattress. This show model also had a new key-operated roof closure system, which avoids the use of straps and is said to reduce wind noise on the road, thanks to better sealing. The scenic canvas that opens up the front of the roof on hot days is an extra cost option.

The Discover conversion also includes two opening, tinted side windows with blackout curtains and a pair of fixed rear quarter windows. The interior is insulated and carpeted and a 12mm hard-wearing Altro floor is fitted.

The layout

Swivel cab seats are included, here with the infinitely preferable single passenger seat (although a double seat can be used). The rear bench is a two-seater from either Titan Beds or, as in this example, RIB. The layout is the conventional side kitchen format, albeit with the advantage of extra floorspace (very useful with pets), as the long-wheelbase T6.1 donates an extra 400mm between the cab and rear sofa. The furniture is custom-made using high-quality 15mm lightweight plywood and features tambour doors for the tall unit in the rear corner, which is split into two zones, one accessible via the tailgate and one from the living area.

Ensuring a more upmarket finish than in many VW conversions, all the doors and worktops are edge banded, there’s a trio of soft-closing drawers for more practical storage, and all the cupboard doors fit flush to the units. Real wood or stone worktops are available, too, while a wide choice of flooring, furniture board and carpet trim is available.

There are no real surprises in the appliances used, including a Lavanda hob and sink combination in stainless steel and a top-loading 45-litre compressor fridge from Vitrifrigo. Victron electrics are used, including a battery-to-battery charger. Two three-pin 230V sockets and two USB ports are provided, as well as an AGM leisure battery. Heating is by Eberspächer’s diesel-fired blown-air system, which is an optional extra on the conversion.

The Off-Grid Package

If the Discover is Wildtracks’ bread and butter conversion, then the Off Grid Package (from £19,995 on a SWB van) adds the jam. For this, the spec extends to include a Smart Beds Evolution R seat/bed system on sliding rails, a Skyline roof with scenic canvas, Propex HS2000 gas-fired heating, an underslung gas tank, solar panel, underslung fresh water tank (instead of a portable water carrier in a kitchen cupboard) and an inverter.