2004-2014 DETHLEFFS GLOBETROTTER XXL

Each month we focus on a great secondhand mainstream motorhome. We then tell you which is the best of the bunch, what to pay and which problems to look out for

Deutschland's Dethleffs deservedly enjoys an enthusiastic following the UK. 'Here' they are best known for their overcab and A-class motorhomes, although they began by making trailer caravans... 93 years ago! Arist Dethleffs built his first caravan to enable his family to accompany him on business trips and satisfy his life philosophy of 'Not without my family'.

That guiding principle still applies today; it was followed by the designers of the six-berth Globetrotter XXL.

Equally important were that the overcab leviathan should have not only a large garage, but one with serious load-lugging capability, plus the ability to tow heavy trailers. The Iveco Daily, with its well-engineered six-ton ladder-rack chassis, twin rear-wheel drive and bomb-proof engines, was a natural choice for the underpinnings.

The Daily has been in production for over 46 years, making our use of the term 'well-proven' unnecessary, although entirely appropriate.

Globetrotter XXL was unveiled for the 2004 model year. It was an aluminium-clad overcab coachbuilt built up to a high specification, not down to a price. It stretched the tape to 8.46m (27' 9").

A comprehensive inventory included Alde domestic-style radiator central heating with a heated towel rail, generous water storage, plus space for two 11kg LPG cylinders.

XXL is an unusual Luton coachbuilt because the original cab roof is not cut away. This facilitates a huge 'always available' Luton double bed and the ability to isolate the cab via a solid 'partition' sliding door.

The forward lounge in the XXL consists of a (UK) nearside double Pullman dinette, opposite which is an inward-facing settee.

The aisle-gap between the rearward-facing dinette seat and the settee can be bridged with the supplied infill base and cushions, to create an L-shaped six-seat 'corner' settee.