CAMPAWAY CASA

Innovative designers have packed a surprising amount into this eye-catching camper, including a toilet

- Peter Baber

The CampAway range of VW-based raising-roof vehicles is produced by a third party for Warwickshire firm Broadlane Leisure, following its own design. Hitherto, these have been fairly standard layouts, but February’s Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show unveiled a model that caught our eye.

Broadlane says the Casa is trying to attract customers who want a camper but need a toilet, and those who might go for a coachbuilt, but want a vehicle they can park in their drive at home.

We immediately liked the new ’van because while it does indeed have a toilet at the back, it still manages to have a forward-facing raising-roof, giving you plenty of headroom.

You can swivel both of the cab seats, although we found the driver’s seat slightly compromised by the large unit set immediately behind it (this didn’t affect driving, however).

There is a third travel seat, and all three are comfortable to sit in, with a large, round pedestal table that is easy to reach. The table leg is stored under the third seat. Production models will have a storage slot for the tabletop behind the driver’s seat.