Knaus Van TI 550 MD
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Description
Prices from: £47,995 Price as tested: £47,995 Berths: 2 Travel seats: 4 Type Approval: European Whole Vehicle
Key Features
Model Year
2013
Product Class
A-Class
Product Model Base
Fiat Ducato
Price from (£)
£46995
Length (m)
5.99
Berths
4
Belted seats
4
Main Layout
Garage
Full Review
The TI 550 MD comes with the Fiat Chassis, Van TI and Styling Packs as standard - in other words, you're getting them whether you want them or not.
It's a laudible move and it's pretty close to impossible to see anyone not wanting them, but there's much to be said for this. What's more surprising is how the price is still so competitive.The layout is tried and trusted, but has plenty of improvements in this guise. The smallest of a trio of Van TIs, the 550 MD sells itself as a two-berth with the facility to carry passengers.
There's a conventional half-dinette front lounge with a huge kitchen unit that extends into the doorway. You'll need to swivel the drivers seat too before you use the hob, such is its location. Despite Smev's three gas rings with spark ignition and a Dometic 9-series fridge, there's no room for an oven.
There are plenty of clever storage solutions, for instance just inside the main door is a pull-down bracket for a flatscreen TV, hiding it all away neatly when not required. But there are two coat hooks here as well, so you can't hang your jackets and watch TV at the same time!
A tambour door partitions the lounge from the bedroom and en suite facilities. You step up to the washroom, which also has its own tambour door.
The washroom is very cleverly designed, all panelled for showering, there's a swivel-bowl toilet, but the piéce de résistance is the washbasin. It's on a large panel that swings to that is disappears completely when not needed.
There are a lot of pleasant surprises on the Knaus, for example the way the door comes down to chassis level, with an inset step meaning there's no need for any other mechanism. Should it have been quieter to drive? Sure, but it's a top 'van.
To read the review in full, please pick up a copy of July 2013 Which Motorhome, or buy a digital copy here.
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Our Verdict
Knaus was always bang on track with this layout right from the start. 2013’s version is simply better than ever - and cracking value.
Advantages
Excellent all-round quality
Proven layout
Straightforward pricing
Disadvantages
Intrusive kitchen
