Leisuredrive Crusader (2009)

Leisuredrive Crusader 2009

THIS attractive two-berth with impressive standard specification, from Bolton-based converter Leisuredrive, seems great value for money on paper. As it turns out, this translates into real life too.

It’s a common sense approach to motorhome conversions that leaves off the bells and whistles in favour of solid build and practical design.

Built on a panel van base, this is not a ‘motorhome spec’ T5 – a key difference being that such vans have the seatbelt mountings for rear travel seats fitted at the factory; on the Crusader, Leisuredrive have mounted the metal fixings for the belted rear seats and velcroed on some rather smart hessian-style covered cushions with a practical and stylish burgundy leather-effect panels.

These seats are comfier as travel seats than as a settee – the backrest is bolt upright and non-adjustable, so laid-back lounging is out of the question. For a more comfortable seat, fight over the passenger seat, which swivels.

On the road, the Crusader is powered by VW’s lowest output van engine and the ride is smooth and rattle-free. Welcome cab toys include air-conditioning and electric windows, but the driver’s seat has limited scope to slide backwards, so longer-legged captains might struggle to get comfortable.

A ’van such as this is the cheapest way into new VW camper ownership. Like only a handful of converters, Leisuredrive use their own elevating roof design to give up to 2.22m of colour-coded headroom in a ’van that’ll ordinarily fit under a height-restricted car park entrance barrier.

The choice of a high-top comes at no extra cost.

It’s no surprise that doors open to reveal a side kitchen layout – most VW campers have these – but this is Leisuredrive’s own roof design, and bed construction, and it’s pretty good. Making (and unmaking) the bed is one minute’s work; it’s a long (if not massively wide) and firm double bed without ridges.

Dark red velour-look curtains surround every window, including the cab, at night and have a smooth action on rails. Lighting comprises three LED striplights, one adjustable spotlight and two reading lights.

When they’re all lit, there isn’t a dark corner, but keep a torch handy for peering into cupboards after dark.

Kitchen kit is comprehensive: fridge, oven/grill, plus two-burner hob and sink – both with glass lids. Inevitably, worktop space is limited, but the table stored down the side of the settee can be clipped onto its rail in the kitchen area if there’s a desperate need for more surface area.

This same table is a good height for dining, with diners limited to sitting side-by-side on the settee.

Kitchen storage comprises the fridge, flap above the fridge with space for one bottle on its side or equivalent next to the base of the sink, one drawer above the oven/grill which is large but can’t be stuffed full as the workings of the hob sit at the top of it, one large cupboard below the oven/grill housing the gas taps but otherwise free space.

When the bed is made-up, the fridge, wardrobe and rear side cupboard remain accessible; the underseat storage, oven/grill and cupboard below are not – so liberate the Porta-Potti and any kit you might need at night-time prior to bed-making.

Of the two underseat storage lockers, one stretches right to the back of the ’van and is also accessible via the rear tailgate; it’s big enough for fold-up camping chairs and other accessories. The other (with the Porta-Potti) stretches back to the back wall of the gas locker.

Heating controls are positioned on the sidewall of the kitchen, with two 230V power sockets mounted onto the side of a deep shelf that gives useful storage and has the wind-out pole for the Fiamma awning attached to the side of it.

The wardrobe sits in this unit – the door (with mirror inside) isn’t full length, but the storage space behind it is usefully deep – running all the way to the floor and along to the back of the ’van so it’s accessible through the tailgate.

The easy-to-use Zig control panel is behind the wardrobe, with a 12V socket below it. There’s no fancy digital display – just a simple battery gauge and three switches with fuses.

At the rear of this same unit, is another split-level cupboard accessible from the side and rear. The gas locker, with its two mini cylinders, is next-door.

One 25-litre water tank sits in the rearmost corner locker with the water pump, bringing fresh cold water to the sink’s tap. A portable waste container catches the other end of the equation from a waste pipe under the ’van.

For such a small space, there’s still capacity for all manner of gear. Anything bulky will have to be rear-loaded under the seats as the only limit to what you can fit in these lockers is likely to be what’s passable through the doors.

Bedding has a home during the day behind the rear travel seats. The only thing missing seemed to be hooks to hang wet towels or coats.

Webasto heating sprang into life at the turn of a dial to keep off the chill of an unseasonal four-degree night. Speak to Leisuredrive about extra winterisation.

You’ll have noticed that there’s been no talk of a washroom – this ’van doesn’t have one. There’s a Porta-Potti included if need’s must. If it’s not needed, leave it at home to free up more storage.

A longer version of this review was published in the December 2010 issue of Which Motorhome magazine.

A well thought out take on the traditional VW camper layout that is worthy of consideration.