Evo Design Ford Custom

Berths: 4 Travel seats: 4 Base vehicle: Ford Transit Customer Limited

Enthusiastic windsurfer Jon Collier converted a typical camper – a 1970s ‘bay window’ Volkswagen Type 2. From this came the idea to start a business making campers. So far so typical. But, unusually, Jon has worked as a designer for a top London firm. So the Evo Design camper was always going to be design-led – and it shows. And despite being around for a couple of years, far fewer converters are offering the Transit Custom that’s base vehicle here.

The Custom’s cab goes for the Ford Focus look, with leather-clad, multi-function steering wheel also controlling entertainment and phone functions. The Transit Custom is in fact one serious rival to VW’s all-conquering T5, or even the new T6. Do bear in mind, though, that it’s taller, so some car park height barriers may present a problem. That increase in volume makes for a really spacious feeling in the living area. Because he furniture unit protrudes sideways at the front, cab seat action is confined to just the passenger seat, a shame in a camper designed to accommodate four people.

The rear bench hosts two fully belted places and flattens easily to form the main bed, which at 1.20m is a decent campervan double.

The furniture really does look good, with rounded edges and easy-to-operate catches that are better than the push-button variety. The fridge, at 50 litres, is a decent size and of the 12V compressor type, so it uses no gas, but quite a bit of power –a decently beefy leisure battery is fitted. If you’re planning to camp away from mains hook-up a lot, however, adding a solar panel might be sensible.

The other kitchen appliances are presented as one, with big drawers and a top-loading locker. Below the bench seat lurks another big drawer and a cupboard that provides a home for the portable loo.

Dining is all simple stuff, with a rail-mounted table for two and a cranked-leg version to serve the swivelled cab passenger seat.

Inside the tailgate, conventional thinking prevails, with a large boot area for all your kit. Here, too, are the gas locker, fresh water filler, external shower point and electrical distribution unit.

Finally, lighting is all LED, while there’s a little Bluetooth audio system with built-in speakers above the rear bench.

Evo’s camper combines the great base vehicle that is the Ford Transit Custom with a conversion to be proud of.