Dethleffs Trend T 6617

Berths: 2 Travel seats: 4 Price from: £46,995 Price as tested: £46,995 Type Approval: European Whole Vehicle

Trend Edition T 6617 is one of a range of two Fiat Ducato-based low-profile motorhomes introduced as 2013 special editions and now expanding into a regular production range of five layouts, including a couple of family-orientated overcabs.

The Trends aim to provide strong value-for-money in a simple, well-considered package and, whilst the T 6617’s on-the-road price of £46,990 is not exactly bargain basement, it’s towards the lower end of mainstream.

This model has twin low-level single beds over a large external storage hold. Because Fiat’s wide-and-low Camping Car chassis is used, the rear locker still offers reasonable space under the beds, which are set at an easily accessible height – it’s a good compromise, as long as you don’t need a full garage for bikes or a motorbike.

Externally, the Trend looks long, low and streamlined, with an aerodynamic prow and a big rear overhang. In reality, it’s not so long (just under 7m), but it’s certainly low, at 2.67m.

Living areas

Internally, there’s still useful headroom of 1.95m. The ’van looks very white, but it’s relieved by rakish grey and blue decals and the clever dark window surrounds. The windowless, largely plain, back panel has pleasingly-shaped rear light clusters, but no provision for a reversing camera, and the roof is GRP to avoid hailstorm damage – but unsightly gloops of sealant at its edges were not what we’d expect from Dethleffs.

Once inside, a low raised plinth carries the two swivelling cab seats plus the half-dinette, with its two forward-facing belted travel seats and wall-mounted table. On the offside, rearwards of the habitation door, is the kitchen unit, with a roof-to-floor wardrobe beyond; opposite is the washroom, and at the rear are the two single beds.

Base vehicle

The Ducato’s current black fascia is unrelieved by any silver or wood-effect highlights and has a gaping hole for the radio – at least the ’van is pre-wired for it and there are two extra speakers in the overcab’s side cubbies. Otherwise, the cab is well-equipped, with twin airbags, cruise control, automatically controlled air conditioning, ABS/EBD, ESP and traction control.

Pilot seats, fully adjustable and each with twin armrests promise comfortable travelling and, despite lack of through vision, visibility isn’t bad via the large door mirrors.

The kitchen

As Euro-kitchens go, this one’s pretty good. The linear unit houses a glass-lidded, three-burner gas hob , and alongside is the sink, under a separate glass lid. As always, there’s no drainer, but crucially, the sink is rectangular, rather than round, and, having some work surface alongside, any basic washing-up tray will abut.

Under the worktop, there’s a Thetford Duplex combi oven/grill and 113-litre Auto Energy Selection fridge with freezer compartment. Overhead storage is good, with three shelved lockers, but at low level it’s a different matter.

The washroom

Behind a wooden door with domestic handle, the washroom is impressive. Roomy, light and well laid-out, it has corrugated white plastic walls and a good-sized washbasin facing the door – the tap is moveable, so doesn’t impede access for face washing.

The shower tray forms the floor, so the toilet seat is a little high – a duckboard would solve the problem. For showering, the back wall holding the washbasin swings from left to right, and a full-length plastic flap attached to the door joins the swing-wall, making a watertight cubicle. The wheelarch intrudes a little, but isn’t a problem, and the shower tray has two drain holes.

Read the full version of this review in thedigital edition of the December 2013 issue of MMM magazine.

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The Trend T 6617 offers a well-specified, well-finished and practical layout in a value-for-money package