Escape Campers becomes first UK van converter to get vehicle approval from Renault UK

A van converter exhibiting at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show this week has also become the first UK converter to have its vehicles approved by Renault UK.

Peterborough-based Escape Campers has only been converting campervans for just over a year, having initially built up a business building ambulances.

Escape Campers has already launched a range of campervans based on three of the best vans for a camper conversion – the Ford Transit Custom and VW Transporter, as well as the Renault Trafic. However, it is the Trafic-based models that are taking pride of place on its stand at the NEC this week.

They include the Escape Crusader, a four-seat, four-berth pop-top model available on both a short wheelbase and long wheelbase with leather upholstery and a diesel heater. This model is also available as a Day Van with a kitchen unit and rear bench that can be completely removed to provide more storage space inside. Usually retailing at £52,995, this is on sale during the show for £48,495.

The company’s Ford Transit Custom-based models, also on show, include the Escape Apex, with a similar layout to the Crusader and also with diesel heating. This model, usually retailing at £68,995 but on sale at the show for £62,995, also ups its offroad capabilities with a 3000W inverter and charger and a 280Ah lithium leisure battery.

Both models also include an air fryer as standard, rather than an oven.

Another converter to be showing a campervan on the Ford Transit Custom at the NEC Show is Bilbo’s – the converter is displaying a prototype. The new Adamo XLs from Bailey are also making their debut, with the three models all coming to 8m in length.

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PeterBaber

Peter Baber is Reviews Editor of both Practical Motorhome and Practical Caravan. He has been reviewing motorhomes for the best part of a decade now. His first caravan reviews date back to the early 1990s when he first worked on Practical Caravan, before he embarked on a 20-year career in business journalism which saw him edit a wide variety of magazines, and launch a few too, including one that won an award. Although he enjoyed that, he always knew he wanted to come back. Peter reports on all the new models that make it to dealer forecourts each season, giving his judgement online and in magazine reviews. He has twice been shortlisted for a Caravan Writers Guild award. When he is not working, apart from going on motorhome trips himself (mostly local to where he lives in West Yorkshire, but also last year right across France) he likes trying to write novels, cooking, throwing the odd pot, and has just taken up tennis.