Full review

LIKE other British converters, Timberland has decided to utilise the long-wheelbase variant of the new Fiat.

Like the long-wheelbase Renault Master used for Timberland's other models, this is a big van at nearly six metres long.

Looking resplendent in silver metallic paint, the Destiny departs from Timberland’s trademark front lounge layout to offer a rear relaxing space that wraps around – taking full advantage of the new Ducato’s extra length.

A dark wood interior with ‘planked’ vinyl flooring does nothing to water down the feeling of space that this big panel van creates.

Masses of light, both artificial and natural, make the lounge a very pleasant place to be – both comfortable and convivial, especially during the foul weather that us motorcaravanning Brits must sometimes endure.

Only the exposed silver-painted steel on the inside of the rear doors adds a touch of industrial style to the proceedings.

The big lounge in the rear banishes all the other motorcaravan conveniences to the front end and here we find washroom – right behind the driver’s seat – and wardrobe.

A pull-out flatscreen TV rack is the last in line and serving the lounge at the perfect viewing height.

On the nearside, the kitchen protrudes across the side sliding door aperture and in fine Timberland tradition is complete with full cooker, deep sink/drainer and microwave.

The washrooms appointments are again pure Timberland with Thetford’s tip-top bench-type cassette toilet offering bigger waste tank capacity over its more ubiquitous – and cheaper – swivel-bowl brother.

This lovely loo has a trick to show you too, as its cassette has a pull-out handle and wheels to ease the strain of the ‘trip to the tip.’

At night, rear lounge becomes bedroom and two – unequal length – singles can be made. As you would imagine, unequal length motorcaravanners will be needed to fit these beds – he’ll be no more than 6ft, she 5ft 10in; probably.

The double fares better as its more-than-king-size width is complemented by an even, six-foot length. It's made using a strange slide-out box that contains the necessary thin caravan-style bed slats to fill the centre gangway.

Timberland’s take on the rear lounge camper looks pretty good, although the extras-laden show model had my wallet fluttering – 48-grand for a high-top!

Summary:

A sumptuous, top-of-the-tree high-top that rear lounge enthusiasts will love. Go easy on the extras and your bank manager will embrace you

Fact-file:

Make: Timberland Motorhomes
Model: Destiny
Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato LWB panel van, 120bhp
Price from: £38,495 on-the-road
Length: 5.99m (19ft 8in)
Width: 2.05m (6ft 8.5in)
Height: 2.60m (8ft 6.5in)
Gross vehicle weight: 3,300kg
Payload: TBA
Berths: 2
Travel seats: 2, including driver


•    This article was first published in the April 2007 issue of Which Motorcaravan.

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