An environmentally aware approach to camper conversions
SUSTAINABILITY is a key message from this converter, based in Barnstaple, and it goes a lot further than simply adding ‘Eco’ to the name of its latest, flagship conversion, which we spotted at the Southwest Motorhome & Campervan Show at Shepton Mallet.
Maybe it was the £63,999 price tag that caught our attention first, or the fact that this VW was sporting the ‘swamper look’ with side bars and 18in Wolfrace Explorer wheels wearing General Grabber off-road tyres, but there’s more to this campevan than first meets the eye.
‘Eco’ isn’t just in the moniker of this conversion, Taylored Campervans even has an ‘Eco’ tab at the top of its website. The company is actively redesigning its conversions to use less materials, especially seeking a reduction of metal and plastic components. It says that it is always looking to use more sustainable replacements for the usual materials and, recognising that manufacturing always has a carbon footprint, also offsets this via north Devon tree-planting business, Trees For Good Causes. “Part of the Taylored pledge is to continue looking at every part of our business and challenging ourselves to do things differently in the pursuit of sustainability”, it says.
Of course, the VW is the part that doesn’t really change. It’s the ever-popular T6.1; a Highline with the 110hp engine and five-speed manual gearbox. It’s a 23-plate pre-registered van, effectively all but brand-new with just 300 miles on the clock, while the Candy White base vehicle also features a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, a glazed tailgate, multifunction steering wheel and App Connect.
More familiar features are the Westdubs M1-tested rear-hinged pop-top and the RIB seat/bed unit (both standard items from Taylored, although others can be installed), as well as the classic side kitchen layout. All the furniture is CNC-cut and everything bar the upholstery is done in-house. Soon, you’ll spot little differences like the finger holes to open cupboards, rather than plastic catches, and the elegant folding wooden leg for the table which attaches to the front of the galley without the usual metal rail. Even screw caps are made in-house from wood, rather using plastic fittings.
An extra-cost option seen here is the Sterling Power induction hob, which is mated to a Clayton power unit with inverter. The company says a kettle can be boiled in less than two minutes and this gas-free option is ideal for those doi
