Dethleffs Globetrotter XXL A 9000-2 EB overcab

Base vehicle: Iveco Daily Price from: £213,500 Berths: 6 Travel seats: Length: 8.86m Width: 2.35m Height: 3.45m Gross weight: 6,700kg Payload: 1,650kg

Words Rachel Stothert, photos courtesy of Dethleffs

The Dethleffs Globetrotter XXL A 9000-2 EB

Overcabs may have fallen out of favour with many manufacturers, but this type of coachbuilt offers many benefits over an A-class or a low profile with a drop-down bed. Aesthetics aside, we are aware of the aerodynamic reasons for the other body types, but at this size (6.7 tonnes and 9m in length), I’m pretty sure the differences are negligible.

The Globetrotter XXL A, as the name might imply, is actually the biggest motorhome in the Dethleffs range with one layout on offer.

Based on the Iveco, possibly the biggest reason to buy this model would be the towing capacity – you can have a trailer weighing up to 3,500kg behind this, and the 3-litre 210bhp engine with automatic transmission should be more than capable of propelling the entire outfit with ease. That’s mainly thanks to the rear-wheel drive twin-axle that comes with air suspension as standard.

The cab

As befitting the luxury nature of this six-berth motorhome (with a price tag of £200k+), the cab and driving side comes pretty fully equipped – full LED low and high beam headlights; adaptive cruise, including lane-keeping assist; active brake assist with emergency brake function; and adjustable heated cab seats with hydraulic suspension.

The interior

As you step on board, you’ll notice it’s quite high up because there’s a double floor, containing storage and the winterised water system – this allows you to camp in much cooler temperatures with less risk of the water tanks and pipes freezing up. This, along with the 2.11m interior height, accounts for an overall height of 3.45m.

The habitation entrance door is a 70cm-wide version, with central locking, a window and electric closing aid.

The accommodation consists of a large lounge, spacious kitchen and washroom and fixed single beds at the back. Nothing special, right? Well, let’s start up front.

The lounge

Once you’ve arrived at your destination, step through into the lounge and shut off the cab. A solid wooden door, which can also be locked, closes off the driving compartment.

The standard dinette and sofa opposite comes with a wall-mounted table but there’s an option (£980) to make this an almost circular lounge – think of the letter ‘G’, with a free-standing table, which makes for a very cosy area to sprawl.

This area has extra travel seats for four with headrests and belts, allowing this motorhome to sleep and travel six. That’s the double over the cab, the twin singles in the rear and the lounge makes into another double bed.

The kitchen

Further back, the kitchen doesn’t compromise on space, either; a large concave unit holds the hob (a three-burner unit), a circular sink and worktop space for food prep.

There’s plenty of storage under this unit, too. The shape of this makes the fitting of an oven more problematic, so it’s located above the 177-litre fridge/freezer. This may be a little high for some, so make sure you consider this carefully.

What’s neat here is that the fridge and freezer doors can be opened from either side; your other half can be rooting in the freezer for ice, while you dig the lemon out for your ice and a slice.

The washroom

The washroom straddles the corridor to the bedroom. It has a large shower on the right and a toilet compartment with basin on the left.

The toilet door closes the front off to make an en suite, but there’s also a sliding door to close this off from the bedroom, for privacy when using the littlest room in the night or privacy if there’s more than two on board.

You’ll notice the small radiator in the shower, which indicated the presence of domestic-style heating, which comes from hot water, not hot air blown around the interior. This offers a much more even warmth which is less drying, many claim.

The beds

At the back, you’ll find the twin single beds, with steps up into them. There’s storage under both beds – accessed through doors and by lifting up a section of bed base. There’s storage in the steps, too.

There’s a central section of mattress to give you the arm room where you need it and the frame can be extended here to make a massive double bed, but you will need to access the bed via a ladder as the steps are covered over.

The overcab makes the second, permanently available double – a rooflight and two windows give ventilation and lights at either end allow you to sleep whichever way you want. A curtain provides privacy, while there is also an option to add electric heating here, too.

The third double makes up in the lounge; however, by deploying this bed, you’ll need to get rid of the ladder to access the overcab, so this is best as a very comfortable four-berth.

The options

Even though the standard kit list is comprehensive, you can further tailor this motorhome to your needs. Macerator toilets, upgraded electrics for more off-grid travelling, roof rails and 360-degree cameras are just a few options on offer.

A lot of money, but it’s lot of motorhome. If you want a lovely comfortable four-berth, with loads of payload and oodles of towing capacity, for your hobby or a sporting passion, then this Globetrotter will certainly fit the bill.