Dethleffs Advantage Edition T 7051 EB motorhome

Berths: 3 Travel seats: 4 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Gross weight: 3,499kg Payload: 461kg

Dethleffs Advantage Edition T 7051 EB motorhome

Dealer specials are usually British-built, entry-level motorhomes with a few extra toys and some bespoke graphics and soft furnishings. Here, then, is something slightly different. Firstly, it’s a German ’van that’s exclusive to Lowdhams. And, secondly, at over £60k it misses the entry-level sector by a wide margin.

In fact, originally, Dethleffs had decided not to market its Advantage Edition models in the UK, partly because on the Continent these are on a Citroën chassis. That all changed when Lowdhams put in a substantial order for these vehicles, on the proviso that right-hand drive models came on the sister base vehicle from Fiat, which is so much better known in the leisure industry here.

The motorhomes themselves are basically a pair of layouts from the well-established Advantage range, but with a whole host of added equipment. Choose from T 7051 with an island bed or T 7051 EB with low-level twin beds. Bathroom, kitchen and lounge designs are common to both, as is an overall length of 7.40m – a typical size for this sort of floorplan.

So what’s in the Edition Pack that makes all the difference here? Well, you won’t be surprised by the silver cab (nicely merged with silver graphics on the motorhome body), the alloy wheels, the sat-nav, reversing camera or roll-out awning. The satellite dish and flatscreen TV move the spec up another gear, though, meaning that you get a total of over £7k-worth of extra gear for just £1,995 on the list price. At £62k all-in these ’vans look conspicuously good value, even compared with British competitors.

Based on a low-frame Camper version of the Fiat Ducato chassis-cab, the Advantage Edition sits quite low, at 2.76m overall, with no drop-down bed in the ceiling requiring it to be taller. On the outside, you’ll also note the upmarket flush-fit windows and the wide door with a high entrance which requires an external step.

It comes with Dethleffs’ Lifetime Plus construction, too, and a six-year water ingress warranty. The walls, roof and floor are constructed entirely without cold spots or wood inserts. GRP on the floor and roof provides increased weather protection, while insulation is high-density, water-repellent XPS foam. An inboard fresh water tank (125 litres) and powerful Combi 6 EH main/gas heating are a boon to winterisation, too.

Inside, the most unusual aspect is, perhaps, the bedroom of this EB version. Where you might expect steps to take you up to high-level beds over a lofty garage, here the twin beds are at a domestic-style height. Add the centre infill cushion and you have a vast sleeping area in which you can comfortably sit up for breakfast in bed. Wardrobes suspended over the foot of each bed are far from intrusive.

Ablutions follow the current fashion of a toilet room on the offside and shower on the nearside, with the former’s door opening round to close off the whole rear bedroom area. The kitchen, meanwhile, includes a low-level oven and tall, 142-litre fridge.

The lounge has twin sunroofs for a very airy feel, plus smart duo-tone fabric and a TV set at a comfortable viewing height.