Horizons Unlimited Camaro db

Horizons Leisure Vehicles Ltd Camaro db 2011

The newest addition to Horizons’ range of van conversions, on the Peugeot Boxer MWB...

Based in Tamworth, Horizons Unlimited are known for their Ford Transit conversions but now, for the first time, they have moved to Peugeot’s Boxer panel van and yet have still managed to keep the price below the magic £40k. And they are now selling direct rather than through a sole dealer, as previously.

This Camaro layout was first tried in a Ford Transit 11 years ago as a customer special order, but it soon became a favourite and its practicality has resulted in this reincarnation in modern form. Both cab seats swivel to face the forward-facing travel seat on the nearside and an inward-facing bench on the offside, while at the rear is an L-shaped kitchen and a small corner washroom.

The new Camaro enters a busy market for van conversions, including major manufacturers like Autocruise and Auto-Sleepers, but medium-wheelbase models are less numerous than LWB versions. Far from being budget, the build-quality in this Horizons camper is outstanding; the company use proper wood and not laminate or paper-fronted plywood (or equivalent) to make their furniture. The hinges on the cupboard doors are extraordinarily strong too – although their handles don’t have positive locking so you’ll have to put heavy items underneath the seats or in the wardrobe (with its extra catch). The carpet is car-style matting, so despite being fixed in place it should be very hardwearing, and the half-leather cream-coloured upholstery looks very smart.

On our test drive this medium-wheelbase Peugeot Boxer felt very surefooted – in fact it flies along, thanks to the 2.2-litre 120bhp turbo-diesel engine with its six-speed gearbox. There are radio controls on the steering wheel and an extra shelf above the driver’s seats for your maps. When on site you simply swivel the cab seats and you’ve instantly got a comfortable, roomy lounge. The island-leg table slots between the rearward part of the seating area, and while it does block the alleyway from lounge to the kitchen/washroom, it is a good size for two to dine at, side by side, on the settee. On this pre-production model your legs dangle when you swivel the front seats, but a step will be put here to make sure that all the lounge’s occupants are comfortable.

The carpeted floor turns to vinyl as it slopes gently towards the galley. Another preproduction glitch is the height of the kitchen as currently it’s far too high for comfortable use by all but the tallest cooks, but future ’vans will see this height substantially reduced. Otherwise the kitchen is faultless, with a good-sized sink and drainer (covered by a Smev glass lid), a three-burner hob with Thetford’s Triplex combined oven and grill unit, and a lit cocktail cabinet in the corner with clips for two bottles of wine or spirits and three glasses.

Worktop space is generous both to the left and right of the sink, and in the far corner are a three-pin socket and the Truma heating controls. There are four high-level lockers, two of which contain plates and cups, and below the sink is a generous cutlery drawer, as well as a separate narrow cupboard for the table storage. There’s also a 64-litre fridge, plus lots of other storage compartments.

On the opposite side of the aisle is a generously sized wardrobe with shelved storage beneath for more clothes. The washroom is extremely usable too, with a swivel cassette toilet, a flip-down washbasin (in a layout such as this, in a vehicle of this size, it’s almost unavoidable) and a mirror-fronted unit above. Although you’re unlikely to use the shower regularly, there is a curtain and a wall-mount for the pull-out tap that would be great for emergency clean-ups. And with a reasonable-sized fresh water tank (for a panel van) you won’t run out of water too quickly either.

The transverse double bed takes just moments to ready – you settle the forward facing seat into its lay-flat position and then do the same with the inward-facing settee – there are no extra supports to mess about with. And surprisingly, the flatness of the seat cushions doesn’t have a negative impact on the lounge’s comfort.

This Camaro certainly isn’t a disappointment. Far from being a cheaper version of one of the big-boys’ efforts, this feels like an original which is built to last. Leather-style internal panelling, modern strip-lighting and solidly-built furniture make for a high-top that looks great and will be great to camp in too. And there are some nice little extras such as the storage for a folding table and chairs, as well as coats, behind the washroom wall (accessible by opening the rear doors). This is a ’van built by motorhomers for motorhomers.

To read the full motorhome review in PDF format exactly as it appeared in the July 2011 issue of Which Motorhome, click here.

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Capable two-berth motorhome that could be used on a daily basis thanks to being based on a MWB chassis. The layout is original and works well.