Yucon 7.0 GD campervan

Base vehicle: Mercedes Sprinter Price from: N/a Berths: 2/4 Travel seats: 2/4 Length: 6.97m Width: 2.02m Height: 2.74m Gross weight: 3,500kg Payload: 349kg

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Yucon 7.0 GD

You probably won’t be familiar with the name Yucon, although it has actually been around since 2019. This is Frankia’s campervan brand, which debuted with a rather one-of-a-kind Mercedes Sprinter, which was deemed a bit too niche for UK tastes.

Since then, the Yucon range has been expanded gradually; most notably with the addition of Fiat Ducato-based models a year ago. These take advantage of Frankia’s ownership by Groupe Pilote and are actually built in France.

So, for 2023, the Yucon line-up includes both Fiat and Mercedes-Benz-based models, in lengths from 6m up to 7m. There are fixed double bed and single bed layouts, as well as pop-top options (on both base vehicles) for those who need a family vehicle. But the big news is that Yucon is now coming to Britain, via long-time Frankia importer, SMC Motorhomes of Newark.

Here, it’s the longer Mercedes model that’s grabbed our attention and it adds another permutation to the range – four-wheel drive – although this 7.0 GD is also offered in rear-wheel drive form. As a 4x4, there’s another reason to choose Merc over Fiat, as the latter is front-wheel drive only. And off-road capability is enhanced by the Sprinter’s chunky All-Terrain rubber and generous ground clearance – although that does make it more of a climb to get on board.

The spec

The Yucon is available as a 3,500kg vehicle (with over 300kg of payload) but you’ll want to upgrade to 4,100kg with the heavier four-wheel drive model, which has over 700kg of carrying capacity. Mercedes power units offer up to 190bhp, while the nine-speed automatic transmission is also available.

As a continental campervan, the Yucon has its sliding door on the offside (that won’t change with RHD), as well as a typically European floorplan with a half-dinette and single beds.

Like most Mercs, there’s also a full-height walkthrough into the cab, but no overcab sunroof. Externally, graphics are restrained and the habitation windows are flush fitting.

The lounge

The half-dinette lounge is a good size, with more room to move than in many rivals. The table is generous, too, at 800mm by 600mm before deploying its extension leaf. When travelling you can also slide the inboard rear seat away from its neighbour to create more elbow-room, but the beautifully stitched chocolate leather upholstery is an expensive option.

The kitchen

The kitchen also benefits from this being a longer vehicle, so there’s more worktop here, as well as plenty of storage in a total of seven drawers. The worktop extension flap is engineered with Teutonic solidity, while the 77-litre compressor fridge is set at floor level, with a large shelved locker (internally illuminated) above. The two-burner hob and sink combination unit is as seen in many campervans of this ilk.

The washroom

Much more unusual is the washroom, opposite. Here, the furniture is gloss white and a solid door hinges open to reveal a spacious ‘little room’ with a bench cassette toilet, rather than the more-often-seen swivel type. Above the loo, a large basin slides out like a drawer. Behind the mirror, there’s lots of cupboard space for your toiletries and medicines, all kept in place with sensible lips on the shelves.

Then, when it comes to showering, you won’t be short of room, while twin drains in the tray and a corner shelf for your shampoo confirm that the details haven’t been forgotten.

The beds

At the back, twin single beds also take advantage of the Sprinter’s 7m length. With both beds measuring 1.96m long, this could be the reason to buy if you and your partner are both tall. There’s an infill between the beds to give more shoulder room and this can be extended from 1.13m to 1.56m for an even bigger bed.

You’ll find a wardrobe under the nearside bed, but the main garage space is reached via the back doors. Space, again, is bigger than the norm, with storage height of up to 900mm.