8 Ball XL

Base vehicle: VW Crafter Price from: £120,000 Berths: 4 Travel seats: 4 Length: 6.85m Width: 2.03m Height: 2.59m Gross weight: 4,300kg Payload: 600kg

Words and photos: Peter Vaughan

The 8 Ball XL

Best known for its VW Transporter conversions, like a number of others, 8 Ball Camper Conversions has moved into the ‘big league’ with its very appropriately named XL – based on the T6.1’s big brother, the Crafter.

This is no ordinary Crafter, either. That was obvious as soon as it pulled onto the campsite behind the Wishing Well pub in Dyke, Lincolnshire. With rugged-looking KMC alloy wheels and BFGoodrich All-Terrain tyres and a 60mm suspension uplift kit, plus a winch, Thule awning, roof rack, rear-mounted spare wheel and even an offside ladder and surfboard holder, it looks set for adventure.

It even has steps built into the wheel carrier, so that you can climb up to clear snow off the solar panels (350W) on the roof. And, although the 8 Ball XL is not type approved, it’s pleasing to hear that the company only fits accessories that are either VW approved or TÜV tested. Windows are automotive-style, single-glazed glass.

The spec

It's spec’d to the hilt, too. Starting with a long-wheelbase (6.84m) van with 177PS/174bhp engine, eight-speed automatic gearbox and 4Motion all-wheel drive, it has then been upgraded to a 4.3-tonne maximum weight to ensure a sensible, usable payload. It has LED headlights, Side Assist, Comfort cab seats with air suspension and much more.

As Company Director, Colin Almond, asserts, “It has all the extras ticked!” On that basis, the total price, as shown, is not surprisingly around £120,000. A similar conversion (without all the toys) could be carried out on a customer-supplied Crafter for £42,000.

The layout

The layout makes full use of this big panel van’s interior space, starting with a rear garage designed to take two full-suspension e-bikes with 29in wheels – cut-outs in the barn doors’ trim panels make room for the tyres!

Of course, there’s a fixed transverse double bed over the garage, with ‘bulge’ panels on either side extending the width at sleeping height. That allows a good-sized, 1.89m by 1.40m bed (with an opening window at each end). A slide-out ladder provides access.

That’s not the only bed, as the RIB bench up front (which provides the rear travel seats) slides forwards and folds to make a flat bed. It even extends sideways as part of the night-time conversion, resulting in a bed that’s 1.79m by 1.10m.

In the day, the RIB seat and swivel cab chairs make a comfortable lounge/diner with a rather wobbly island leg table. Leather trim is usually standard but you don’t have to have a wall panel as vivid as the one here! The rear bench includes adjustable head restraints as well as Isofix for a pair of kiddy seats.

The kitchen

Unlike many campervans, the kitchen here is generous in size with plenty of worktop. All the furniture seems very solidly made, too, while storage is superb with no less than seven drawers. The fridge is mounted at waist height for easy access and the metal cupboard handles have a nice feel. Here, the appliances include a Dometic microwave and a Webasto diesel hob, but the latter is due to be swapped to an induction cooker.

To ensure that you’re not reliant on the barbecue when camping off-grid, the XL has three lithium leisure batteries (totalling 360W), as well as a 3,000W inverter.

The washroom

Opposite the galley, a black tambour door slides back to reveal a very spacious shower, made possible by the simple expedient of having a completely removable loo. If you don’t need it (perhaps when staying on full-facility campsites), the toilet can be left at home, or stowed in the garage. The washroom also includes a basic folding basin and wooden duckboard, while 8 Ball can fit a conventional fixed cassette loo, if preferred.

Also included here are Remis cab blinds, a 100-litre fresh water tank and Webasto diesel/electric heating.

The 8 Ball lowdown

Mike Hearst and Colin Almond both trained and worked as mechanics at Station Garage in Yorkshire, before 8 Ball Camper Conversions was born in 2011.

Initially, the camper side of the business was a sideline but it quickly grew. As time went on, 8 Ball decided to specialise in VWs, and that’s how the company grew into the business it is today. It now occupies purpose-built premises across the road from Station Garage. The company also offers camper hire.

8 Ball Camper Conversions sells direct from its premises in East Yorkshire, but you may also see its vehicles at some of the outdoor motorhome shows.

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