Florium Baxter 60LG motorhome

Berths: 3 Travel seats: 4 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Gross weight: 3,500kg Payload: 571kg

Florium’s Baxter range of motorhomes is one of compact low-profiles, where overall width has been slimmed down from 2.34m of the Mayflower line-up to just 2.23m – that it enables it to retain the standard door mirrors rather than having the long-armed versions.

If you want modest length, too, then the 60LG is the baby of the range, at a van conversion-matching 5.99m.

Despite that, it still offers a fixed bed, so, if you’re looking at van conversions with a permanent double bed, here’s an alternative to consider.

This model is not new but it has been revised for 2018 with a new overcab moulding (which claims improved aerodynamics), new cupboard doors, a revised kitchen, and more shapely lounge seat cushions. There’s still an identical layout from sister brand, Fleurette, with lacquered pear wood furniture instead of Florium’s cedar/elm finish.

Both brands share the same neat bodywork with a non-deformable, hail-resistant polyester skin on the roof, a fully moulded rear panel which overlaps the sides and top, polyester side panels and exterior hatches with double seals. A combination construction with 30mm Styrofoam insulation is said to mate composite longevity with the exceptional sturdiness of solid wood.

It’s certainly a looker, with practical features like a low entrance step, as well as upmarket touches such as flush, framed windows. The slim body also integrates a roof rack with a roofline that drops down behind the habitation door. There’s also a deep locker under the bed with a loading hatch on the nearside and internal height of 570mm. Florium describes this area as having a load volume of 700 litres.

Inside, there’s a good use of space and, fortunately, the French bed doesn’t dominate. Of course, this has the usual access issues for whoever sleeps closest to the wall but the cut-off corner at the foot of the bed is not too dramatic and the overhanging wardrobe shouldn’t be an inconvenience. Mattress size is 1.88m by 1.30m.

The bed can be raised on gas struts to access the locker below, where the Combi heater is segregated and a pull-out bottle rack will hold eight of your best vintages. A magazine rack is fitted on the bedroom wall and there are two reading lights.

Alongside, the bathroom comes with a good-sized separate shower, the latest cassette loo with plenty of legroom thereon, a large wall mirror and an opening window. The only downside is the slim gap past the loo to gain access to the shower.

The kitchen comes with a three-burner hob with Baraldi extractor hood above, while three XXL-sized drawers cater for all your storage needs. The flip-up worktop (which partially blocks the entrance) is essential for meal preparation, while the 149-litre fridge/freezer between bed and lounge is surprisingly generous.

The just leaves a competent lounge with a settee that’s properly L-shaped rather than just a half-dinette with a token side section. The table is a permanent fixture in the usual continental style, while the side seat is so small that it’s most useful as a footrest.

If you enjoyed this review, you can read more like it in every issue of What Motorhome magazine.

You can get a digital version of this latest issue of What Motorhome magazine here.