TIMBERLAND ENDEAVOUR XIX

Renault and Timberland - partners in creativity

Words and photos by John Page

A measure of this Lincolnshire manufacturer’s enthusiasm for their new Renault based Camper was their offer to make this demonstrator available to us for a full live-in test whilst in the midst of preparation for the October NEC International Caravan and Motorhome Show. It was duly appreciated. In principle the Endeavour floor plan retains the essence of Timberland’s traditional centre lounge configuration to meld with the latest LWB Renault Master base vehicle. Additionally XIX, without affecting the normal double bed make-up, gives two alternative sleeping arrangements – either two singles or a full vehicle width double bed. After a briefing on the nuts and bolts by Works Manager Lee Sowerby, we ignored the weather reports and headed south to the seaside and the Caravan Club’s Hawthorn farm campsite.

Construction

The advent of all steel high-top base vehicles has been a godsend for converters in that the integral construction carries the vehicle manufacturer’s full warranty and makers no longer have to remove a standard flat roof and stick a GRP top in its place. There is also an improvement in the look of the camper and for the Endeavour; Timberland adds high-level night lamps front and rear. From scratch production follows a pattern of cutting a series of holes in the body for windows, services and prescribed ventilation. The complex wiring, plumbing, gas and electric runs all have to comply with the standards imposed by everyone from the EEC to the NCC and many in between. Something of a minefield for the typical Motor Caravan hands–on Technical Manager. During a decade there has been a steady increase in the sophistication of the lifestyle equipment, so Endeavour is warmed by a diesel fuel heater, has gas or electricity to heat the water, two 100ah leisure batteries and 86-litres of fridge capacity. Sensible placing of all the control panels, switching and power sockets in the Endeavour makes for a safe and low hassle environment. Nevertheless a few minutes read of the manual helps to explain the working of nearly everything and were there an index and page numbers the exercise would be even more rewarding. Our shots of the charging unit, two heaters and water pump in the space under the couch is a good indication of the Timberland Attention to detail and various neat pipe runs. At night puzzled by the resistance of all doors to central lock, it took a little while to find out that the closing button has to be held down for five seconds when using it indoors. Easy when you finally know how.

On the Road

As the forerunner of the current rash of new base vehicles, Renault were the first to introduce six-speed manual transmission as standard, ahead of the game for dashboard ergonomics and alone in using double wishbone front suspension rather than MacPherson type struts, The dashboard cowl to prevent windscreen reflections was I think a first for light commercials. Our Camper also had passenger and driver airbags, cruise control and air con’ plus an unusually good quality, well designed CD/radio. Noise level was a degree or two above VW but lower than most and similar to the X2/50 Fiat. Ride quality on par with the X2/50. Wind strength on our first morning was high though with minimal effect on handling, and noises off from the rear concerned only the occasional rattle from the folding washroom door.

Power from the 2.5-litre, 16-valve dCi common rail diesel was smooth with maximum torque of 290Nm delivered at a low 1600rpm. With only 73 miles registered at our handover this was a very new engine, with its best yet to come. Due to extenuating factors including an unplanned off road track at low revs for twenty minutes and our use of the diesel heater an accurate mpg figure was not on but my estimate says better than 35 miles to the gallon.

Relaxed or Dining

A great looking Camper from every angle with graphics to delight the eye and a restrained front end the antithesis of its new Fiat rival. Hardly a seafront stroller passed us without a nod of approval or envy. Lunch by the dunes with the breakers rolling in and a clear blue autumn sky was a short interval of real peace during a hectic test programme. And how better to enjoy it than via the wide sliding door with an open plan lounge facing out; surely one of the best layouts for space to lean back and soak up the best view of your surroundings. In October with the door open wide we had the best possible view of the superb beach and sea birds inhabiting the scene. Lesser Blacked Back and Herring gulls, Sanderlings at the water’s edge and Cormorants brightened the day. Light from the Heki and windows all round flooded the lounge in harmony with the pale oatmeal cushion fabrics. Wall coverings of close pile in fawn added to the overall warm effect, with a degree of contrast from the walnut effect  furniture finish. Although eight fluorescent fittings might sound like an overkill for a lounge/diner it gave plenty of choice of where to direct the illumination. Regular production Endeavours are likely to have a spotlight/fluorescent mix.

All camper tables are some sort of compromise whether island leg, free standing or, from Timberland the portable island leg type we had. Yes, it can be moved at will but can easily be jogged. The top was a touch heavier than it need be, especially when retrieving it from its back door clips. Customers can however specify the type preferred.

Sleeping

Theoretically, child’s play to pull out the settee base and drop the backrest into the resultant gap. There is a knack of course and after the first little struggle one works out the best way to pull it into place. At first the standard double seems most logical – reflect a little though and a small extra effort to extend the singe seat adds the extra width for a full vehicle wide double bed and a 50% improvement of the comfort factor. Feet to the front will suit most with just a small niggle about reading lights not within easy reach. For cab privacy the pleated blinds for the windscreen work well; those for the door windows almost as good but the windscreen one in particular does little to reduce or eliminate condensation. The superb days were followed by distinctly cool nights though not cool enough to switch the diesel heater on. When you do and your preset temperature is reached it will tick over quietly after the early blast. For my money the most efficient and economical Camper heating, programmed when you need it and independent of the gas supply. LPG in this Endeavour from a 20-litre under slung fixed tank supplied only the cooker and water heater. Bed linen, usually the bulkiest item on board stashes easily under the single seat base or above the cab with a determined push.

Kitchen

So practical that the extra clip on flap stowed against the offside rear door was superfluous. With ample workspace on both sides, locker space to spare and well-directed lighting, it needed only a vent above the hob to challenge for Top Camper kitchen in 2007. Dedicated lockers for crocks and cutlery of course, five separate deep drawers for utensils and all the non-perishable foodstuffs that, together with 86-litres of fridge/freezer capacity all suggests a realistic appreciation of what is needed by campers that enjoy three meals of real food daily. Nearly forgot roof lockers including the one for alcoholic beverages and cordials. A square sink with integral draining board does of course eschew fashion, shame but in this case if you are prepared to accept practical considerations this sink is likely to please. Three strip lights and a decent size window give adequate illumination above where it’s needed and one of the four loud speakers might well keep the cook happily humming along. Twin mains outlets at back of the worktop over the fridge are positioned for safety, backed by smoke and CO detectors and the quickly accessible fire extinguisher bracketed behind the driver’s seat base. We thought the folding translucent partition between kitchen and washroom to be unnecessarily fussy – a point under consideration and possible replacement by a concertina door to clip neatly to one side and offer total privacy.

Washroom

At the extreme rear of the vehicle, the washroom cum changing room neatly accommodates a generous wardrobe opposite the flush toilet/washbasin assembly without any sense of being cramped. Such an arrangement is also handy when changing the toilet cassette, filling the separate water tank, using the shower faucet outside and for easy access to the vehicle tool kit. There’s sufficient elbow room to have a decent shower with immediate access to the wardrobe afterwards. Don’t wait until the cassette indicator is showing completely full because by this time it will have become excessively heavy. Ventilation by a small ceiling outlet is effective.

Storage

Obviously for our three-day spell with the Endeavour we didn’t begin to use the total stowing capacity, using none of the space under the couch and single seat and only part of the fair size wardrobe. Considering the total cubic space available though, we could have managed well with everything we might need for several weeks camping, including some awkward outdoor and photographic gear. Within reason Timberland are also receptive to individual feelings about how the wardrobe is arranged and, of course happy to fit bike racks etc’ to the rear doors.

Summary

In standard form Renault based Endeavour has a price tag of £37,895 ready to roll including the 2.5-litre turbo diesel. Were you to push the proverbial boat out and add the total paint job, powered everything, air con,’ cruise control, alloys, diesel heater, awning and passenger airbag, that could add £5,460. In the long term it is probable that those extras would help to maintain value of the vehicle. However we all differ on what is or is not essential and the standard price with the possible exception of the passenger airbag includes not only the true essentials but the gas tank and metallic paintwork as well. There’s plenty of competition for this increasingly popular type of Camper from the UK and Europe, something Endeavour will no doubt handle well based on our experience of the machine, and its specification relative to price.

Vehicle Data

Vehicle specification:  Timberland Endeavour two-berth high-top Camper

Price of vehicle tested: £43,355 including options mentioned in the summary.

Vehicle kindly loaned for testing by: Timberland Motorhomes Ltd, Limber Road, Kirmington, North Lincolnshire, DN39 6YP. Tel: 0845 00999988

Conversion

Overall length: 5.89m

Overall width: 1.63m excl mirrors

Overall height: 2.49m

MTPLM: 3500kg

Payload: 800kg approx

Construction: all steel body with insulated roof, walls and floor

Fresh water capacity: 50-litres

Waste water capacity: 40-litres

Gas storage: 20-litre fixed lpg tank

Auxiliary batteries: two 100ah leisure batteries

Refrigerator: Dometic 97-litre fridge/freezer

Water heating: Truma gas/electric boiler with 10-litre reservoir

Space Heating: Eberspacher programmed diesel fuelled blown air heater

Lighting: nine fluorescent fittings

Upholstery: modern abstract pattern tapestry fabric in oatmeal

Base Vehicle

Type: LWB Renault Master light commercial

Power unit: two-litre, 16valve, Common rail diesel motor

Maximum power: 115bhp @ 3500rpm

Maximum torque: 290Nm @ 1600rpm

Transmission: six-speed manual to front wheels

Steering: power assisted rack and pinion

Braking system: servo assisted system to all wheel discs with ABS

Performance

Fuel consumption: estimated 35mpg

Maximum speed: estimated 85mph

Comfortable cruising speed: 65-70mph