Sunlight T60

Berths: 2 Travel seats: 4 Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Length: 5.98m Gross weight: 3,500kg Engine: 2.3-litre, 130bhp, Euro V+

The Erwin Hymer Group endeavours to cover all angles in motorhome design and production, through its own eponymous range and also its subsidiary brands, like Sunlight.

Currently, Sunlight offers 10 low-profiles and three overcabs, plus a couple of 10 Years Edition specials, and the entire range sells at below £50k. Tested here, the T60 – equal smallest in the range, at just under 6m long – is the cheapest, with prices starting at a remarkable £39,790.

All Sunlights now come on the facelifted Fiat Ducato chassis-cab with a widened rear track and powered by the 130bhp engine with six-speed manual gearbox. Upgrades to 148bhp and the Comfort-Matic robotised gearbox are available. The T60 has a 3,500kg gross weight, so is driveable on all licences, and has a gigantic payload of 865kg (provided you travel with only 20 litres of fresh water). The optional upgrade to 3,850kg would definitely be overkill.

Inside the cab, it’s the familiar Ducato with comfortable fully-adjustable captain’s chairs with twin armrests and all controls falling easily to hand. The only individualistic touch in an unrelieved black fascia is the Sony radio, with more colour changes to the display than a chameleon (the T60 comes pre-wired and the Sony is a Lowdhams dealer-fit, no-cost option).

As for driving, the T60 motored along as all small Ducatos should – briskly and enjoyably, with a relatively small turning circle. Roadholding and handling proved precise, despite the relatively high chassis. The suspension was a bit harsh, though, in fairness, this lightweight ’van was empty. Filled with holiday clobber, it would doubtless ride more smoothly.

Small Continental motorhomes usually have fairly minimalist kitchens but, although the T60’s kitchen is compact and rather lacking in worktop (we’d like a lift-up flap, but the lounge table is conveniently close by, instead), it still manages to squeeze in all necessary facilities.

The three-burner (manual ignition) hob and round stainless-steel sink sit side-by-side under white glass lids (if the hob lid were split this would provide valuable additional work space). A 113-litre Thetford fridge is below and the combi oven/grill – added for the British market – resides alongside.

Though it has four travel seats, the T60 really only sleeps two, although (optionally, for £195) it is possible to make an occasional child’s bed in the lounge using the cab seat, lowered table, and rearranged cushions. Behind a privacy curtain, the adults have an excellent double at the rear, accessed via a short, three-rung ladder. There’s also a small Heki rooflight and a window at the foot.

The bed tapers slightly – from 1.39m down to 1.30m – but the length is huge, at 2.10m and the separate longitudinal mattresses over sprung slats are very comfortable.There are two reading lights but headroom, beneath a bed-head shelf is just 62cm – too low for comfortable sitting up in bed.

This is a great bedroom layout, providing the comfort of a large permanent bed within a small ’van. However, as always, there is a downside: on nocturnal ‘comfort’ trips you’ll have to clamber over your partner, then negotiate three cold, hard alloy steps, in the dark, with your bare feet.

The Sunlight T60 is a splendid little motorhome built to a traditional and popular Continental layout. It provides good accommodation for a couple within a compact package, whilst still providing space and excellent payload for all their holiday equipment. It is well made, has a superb washroom, Brit-friendly kitchen and a big, comfortable bed. Best of all, the base vehicle is extremely well specified for the price, putting many more prestigious and expensive motorhomes to shame.

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The Sunlight T60 is a splendid little motorhome built to a traditional and popular Continental layout. It provides good accommodation for a couple within a compact package, whilst still providing space and excellent payload for all their holiday equipment. It is well made, has a superb washroom, Brit-friendly kitchen and a big, comfortable bed. Best of all, the base vehicle is extremely well specified for the price, putting many more prestigious and expensive motorhomes to shame.