Orange Campers Trouvaille Actif rising roof campervan

The future looks bright for this Ford campervan

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Orange Campers Trouvaille Actif

When Fiat announced the end of the road for its short-wheelbase Ducato panel van, it rather pulled the rug from under a select few campervans, including Orange Campers’ original Trouvaille. But, necessity being the mother of invention, this small conversion company is responding with not one but two new models. 

Its longer (medium-wheelbase) Fiat Trouvaille is still being developed but already on the market is the new Trouvaille Actif, based on the Ford Transit Custom. 

The very first example appeared at last September’s Motorhome and Campervan Show Season Finale at Lincoln but, by January’s Motorhome and Campervan Sale in Peterborough, the design had already been tweaked and refined to what you see here. 

And this still isn’t exactly to production spec as that will feature just one sliding door and a rear tailgate (but chassis supply being what it is, Orange Campers converted what it could get). Well, at least this one is, appropriately, painted orange…

What’s included

The Transit Custom is also to Active spec, so 17in alloy wheels, two-tone (grey and body colour) bumpers, side running boards and an electrically adjustable, part-leather, heated driver’s seat come as standard. Orange Campers also specifies a 3,000kg maximum gross weight and 170PS engine as standard, along with a mechanical limited slip differential, which will be a boon on wet campsite grass. A manual gearbox is standard but an automatic is optional.

The layout

Inside, the Actif adopts a similar side kitchen layout to the Fiat Trouvaille – and countless other campers – but it aims to do so with a bit of added practicality, thanks to the campervan experience of company boss, Richard Tomlin.

The spec here is higher than most rivals, too, including items like the 150Ah leisure battery and 200W solar panel. 

The pop-top

Orange Campers has also switched to an SCA pop-top for this latest model. This top-quality roof rises higher at the rear, giving more room in the 1.95m by 1.12m roof bed (which is mounted on ClimaPlux springs for comfort). This pop-top is also a fully opening scenic type and upstairs sleepers benefit from a flexible wand reading light with USB port. Externally, a roof rack can carry up to 60kg.

The interior

Down below, it’s no surprise to see the popular RIB seat system (with Isofix) used. Here it comes in 1.20m-wide form, so the bed is a decent width as well as being easy to make (mattress length is 1.86m). 

Vanshades blinds provide blackout (and can optionally be neatly colour-coded to the exterior of the camper), while thermal screens are used on the cab windows. 

Two large cupboards are fitted under the seat (one can accommodate a portable toilet, which is included), and 12V, 230V and USB sockets are mounted on the base of the bench.

The kitchen

It’s perhaps the kitchen where Orange Campers can most obviously differentiate itself from its rivals, starting with a unit that’s deeper at the forward end in order to accommodate a class-leading size of fridge – a 90-litre Vitrifrigo compressor model. The combination hob and sink unit is more run of the mill, but the two good-sized kitchen drawers are a big plus (so much more convenient than cupboards). Then there’s the neat mini-table that slots in over the cutlery drawer.

The storage

Compared with the first Actif, the top lockers over the galley are now deeper, while the switch from pale wood to dark grey furniture as you move rearwards is unusual and visually successful. Two full-height lockers provide plenty more shelved storage, too.

Another aspect that helps with storage is putting the services – 45-litre fresh water, 40-litre waste and 15-litre LPG tank – under the campervan. 

And the spec extends to a Propex gas heater and external barbecue point. Clear side windows avoid the dark interior associated with tinted glazing and the conversion is backed by a three-year warranty.

Where to buy

Orange Campers sells its vehicles direct from the factory in Rotherham, where you can visit by appointment. 

You’ll also see the company exhibiting at many of the Warners motorhome shows – see outandaboutlive.co.uk/shows