CMC Reimo FreeVan

Berths: 2/4 Travel seats: 5 Base vehicle: VW Transporter T6 SWB Maximum weight: 3,000kg Payload: 650kg

Only a handful of Britain’s many van converters have a reputation for durability and longevity. CMC Reimo is one of them. It is the only company in the UK authorised to build Reimo’s complete conversions.

The VW base vehicle is always a safe choice. But with better driving rivals from Ford and Renault now on the scene, the German firm has had to refresh the Transporter, although most of the changes in the new T6 have taken place under the skin.

While the dashboard may be new, it has Volkswagen’s typical logical approach. It’s also one of the most upmarket cabs available in the campervan market, although it does lack covered storage space.

Overall, the T6 feels like a high-quality product, and, with the Reimo elevating roof, its overall height is still 2.00m (excepting the roof rack fitted here), so you can slip under car park height barriers.

A big plus for the FreeVan conversion is the Reimo sliding seat system. When the rear seats are not occupied, you can slide the seat forward to give removal van levels of storage.

Alongside the seating is a bank of cabinets, with a wood-effect panel around the kitchen equipment. Other colour schemes are available. Unusually, the fridge is a removable Waeco 18-litre item: an integrated unit would make better use of the space. Next to the fridge is a small, stainless-steel Can sink/hob unit that’s specially made for CMC.

Both cab seats spin around easily. The resulting lounge is spacious and highly practical, thanks to the wipe-clean rubberised flooring.

The test vehicle lacked a roof bed. If you need the extra berths it’s another £500 (or £850 for the deluxe model with a sprung slatted base).

The storage space to the rear consists of two cupboards (the lower one housing the gas locker) and a wardrobe that is accessible but fiddly to use. Inside, there’s a small rail for clothes hangers, storage for the table leg, plus the RCDs and 12V fuses.

CMC has resisted the urge to panel in the back of the seat system to give massive loading space. With the seat slid fully forward, two or three adult bikes will easily fit in. Thanks to the 3,000kg chassis weight you’ve got the payload to take most items.

This is an abridged version of the full review appearing in the January 2016 issue of What Motorhome.

The FreeVan has a multi-purpose nature that makes it suitable for the school run and every kind of holiday or outdoor adventure. But it is pricey