CampAway VW Caddy rising roof campervan

Looking for something really car-like? This could be the answer...

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The CampAway VW Caddy

It’s hard to stand out when your neighbours are a pair of VW Transporter campervans, one in an extremely bold mauve and another featuring an equally unconventional duo-tone scheme of metallic blue and fire engine red. 

This isn’t the first time that CampAway has caught the eye with its colour schemes, but this campervan is not the brand’s usual T6.1 fare and it’s not here on account of psychedelic paintwork.

This as yet unnamed prototype conversion is, instead, based on the Transporter’s baby brother, the Caddy. It’s  not the latest fourth-generation model (because CampAway hasn’t been able to source a roof for that), but the pre-2020 van in long-wheelbase Maxi form.

Not only does that mean that this is a very car-like camper, ideally suited for daily driver duties, but it offers a saving of at least £20k compared with CampAway’s typical T6.1-based offerings. And, of course, from this colourful converter, it’s not a white van man design but in a far racier red with contrasting black multi-spoke alloy wheels. 

The conversion is described as “similar to a T6 but scaled down” and the example seen here is a guide to what’s coming. We spotted it at the inaugural running of Warners Shows’ latest event, Campervan Campout, where it was exhibited to test customer reaction. 

This is far from the first conversion we’ve seen of Volkswagen’s long-running compact commercial vehicle but it’s much more of a complete camper than VW’s own in-house Caddy California. 

The pop-top

That starts, of course, with the Westdubs pop-top, a rear-hinged roof in black with matching black canvas. Not only does this create standing room, but it comes with a fully opening scenic canvas, as well as the usual flyscreen windows on either side.

It even includes a roof bed, although with dimensions of just 1.47m by 0.73m (and a thin mattress on a solid base), this will only be suitable for younger kids.

The layout

Down below, it’s the typical side kitchen layout, as seen in hundreds of small campervans, but, despite an overall length just a few centimetres shorter than a T6.1, there’s a lot less internal living space here.

The rear seat is by FabworX and has a comfortable rake to its backrest, as well as two three-point seatbelts. To make a bed it simply slides forward and flattens, but, again, its size – 1.68m by 0.91m – caters for the more petite versions of homo sapiens. With the bed made up, a small floor area at the front still remains, however.

The kitchen

There’s less compromise in the kitchen, which comes with the same Dometic two-burner hob and sink combination as you’d find in many T6.1 conversions, as well as a typical 50-litre compressor fridge. It even has a decent amount of worktop space to the right of the sink, where you’ll find two three-pin sockets, a pair of USBs and a wireless charging pad. 

You’ll want to cook or wash up while sitting down as the galley’s gloss white counter is just 62cm high, but production models are expected to be able to store a Porta Potti in a kitchen cupboard. 

Storage

Extra storage is found above the galley in open-fronted shelves. Then, at the back of the camper, the boot space is rather limited but the nearside barn door has an unusual table flap. 

Summary

Clearly, with its diminutive internal dimensions and no swivel cab seats, the CampAway Caddy is no rival to the firm’s bigger Transporter models, but, for solo campers, or those looking for a day van on a budget, it could be worth a look. Adding to the appeal of this example was the 140bhp diesel motor and DSG automatic transmission – all for under £30k.

The company

CampAway is the campervan brand from caravan and motorhome retailer, Broad Lane Leisure. Its conversions are carried out – currently at the rate of one a week – by Journey Campervan Conversions exclusively for this dealership.

The CampAway brand was formed in 2020 and now includes a range of three models based on the T6.1 Transporter. 

The Classic has a typical side kitchen layout with rear corner wardrobe and can be upspec’d with the Platinum Pack. The Vista also has a side galley but with an extra window at the rear offside and a tall central cupboard. Finally, the Casa is much more unusual, with its single rear travel seat and rear cassette toilet. 

All models are built on pre-registered vans, with stock vehicles at time of writing ranging from £49,995 to £69,995. 

Broad Lane is also a dealer for Coachman and Swift motorhomes, while the CampAway Classic and Vista are available for hire. If you try one and go on to buy, the company says it’ll refund your rental fees.

Where to buy

CampAway conversions are available exclusively from caravan and motorhome dealer, Broad Lane Leisure, which has two branches in Warwickshire, at Alcester and Kenilworth. 

You can also see CampAway vehicles at some of the outdoor motorhome shows.