TIMBERLAND ENDEAVOUR XIX

WITH ALL THE BELLS and WHISTLES

Words and photos by John Page

In the normal course of events the vehicles we usually have for tests are demonstration vehicles with a regular specification. For this months magazine the planned vehicle developed some complex electronic problems. Timberland plugged the gap offering an Endeavour to the very latest Renault specification and a fantastic list of options including the brilliant six-speed Quickshift transmission. Too good to miss although I viewed its dark red colour with some misgivings. Maybe it’s to do with Manfred Richtofen and his red Fokker Triplane in the First World War, brought down by Anti Aircraft fire after reputedly shooting down 80 Allied aircraft. I’ll admit that although red is not my colour of choice there was no doubt other traffic was inclined to give us more space than usual. Apparently dark colours can look bigger in certain lights. Conversely, at dusk dark colours are less visible. In poor light or extremely heavy rain, of which we had plenty, the headlights stayed on. Norfolk was our target again, for its wide dramatic skies, friendly people and that delightful other worldliness caused by its isolation from the main trunk routes.

Construction

To Renault’s all steel long wheelbase body Timberland apply rock wool insulation to the walls and roof and high-density polystyrene between the steel and plywood that comprise the floor. The effectiveness was proved during the second night when the temperature dropped quickly yet the interior was still comfortable after eight hours. Double-glazing for the windows also plays a part. Lpg for cooking and water heating is supplied from the 20-litre fixed tank under the chassis – a regular Timberland option. Cassette windows from Heki work in a very efficient manner and smoothly, as does the powered roof vent from the same supplier. No trivial matter this because there are Camper windows that can have you gnashing your teeth in frustration.

For the electrics this Lincs maker do their customers proud, by providing five 240v and two 12v sockets and by the sensible, potentially safe position of them. Two 100Ah leisure batteries is another example of their value for money approach. On safety, the fire extinguisher is placed close to the base of the driver’s seat, the smoke alarm under roof lockers on the offside and a carbon monoxide alarm against the rear nearside bulkhead. For me one of the most important safety items is the passenger airbag in the cab as standard while a number of makers are still dragging their feet on this issue. A final safety point, should you want to exit through the rear doors, the release lever for the offside door is easily accessible and once this is partially opened the nearside door can also open fully with its quick release lever.

Mobile in Style

An admirable characteristic of the French is their penchant to do things differently; it’s why I’ve driven mainly Citroen since the days of the DS 20. Without question the famous Light Fifteen saloon introduced in 1934 stayed ahead of its time until after the Second World War. Technically it was unique with front wheel drive, fantastic four-wheel independent suspension and unrivalled road holding. Endeavour’s Renault Master base continues the tradition, with superb double wishbone front suspension, the quirky but efficient hand brake, utterly simple to use six-speed auto/manual transmission plus all round visibility and a thorough approach to good ergonomics. You’ll see from the cab shot the ideal gear lever placing and a clear sight of the rev counter, speedo and gear position indicator through the steering wheel. Our travels covered a modest four hundred miles but adequate enough to decide that the ride quality was of the best. Components of that ride quality include a low revving16 valve engine achieving maximum torque at only 1600rpm, a smooth power delivery from the six-speed electronically managed transmission and plenty of sound insulation in the engine compartment. Once familiar with the Quickshift its simplicity of operation is a joy, whether in traffic to switch quickly into manual for the occasional overtake, or easing the vehicle gently onto chocks while in reverse on a down hill slope. Fuel consumption in conditions including seriously foul weather worked out at an overall figure of 27mpg. Spoilt with technology today it’s all too easy to take ABS and EBD for granted, after all you can’t actually see them working. However, driving through rain of intensity I’ve never seen before and with roads completely awash I was aware and grateful that the Endeavour was always under control.

Sunshine and Rain

Make an entrance via the sliding door and you’re bound to notice the generous width and depth of the powered slide out step and the welcome light at floor level; both safety considerations. The first impression now is of an uncluttered layout with plenty of daylight from the large windows and the wide rooflight directly above the centre of the seating area. Red is also the theme for the cushions but a soft colour muted by panels of fawn in the abstract design and the quiet contrast of curtains and carpet in fawn. With passenger seat reversed and the couch to sprawl on there was plenty of room for two to slouch feet-up or and use the cab chair for a bit of lean back comfort. On subsequent production models fitted with an alternative hand brake the driver’s chair will also reverse. Believe it or not after two glorious sunny days in July, on the third day the rain bucketed down for five hours lowering the outside temperature to a cool 13°C and the inside not a lot better. At this point we switched on the diesel heater – effectively bringing us up to a comfortable 21°C in around 15 minutes. Noisy initially, it ticks over fairly quietly thereafter. Radio reception from the standard Radio/CD of all our usual stations was especially good due probably to the mast that towers above the Runton Hills. The policy of a portable base for the table worked fine although it’s a bit of a fiddle to assemble each time. Alternative tables arrangements are there for the asking.

Sleeping

Of all the Camper beds in existence this regular Timberland double surely takes the biscuit for the simple foolproof method of preparing it. Push down on the release lever, grab the handle above it and pull. As the seat base slides the backrest topples in to the gap and the bed is made. Unrolling your duvet or sleeping bag takes a few seconds longer. Be assured though the immovable fit of the two bed sections and the firmly resilient cushion filling all makes for a comfortable sleeper. Ventilation and insulation details meant that on the warm nights a partially open roof vent was about right and heat loss minimal in the small hours. The sliding concertina blinds kit for the cab is another easy to use item that virtually eliminates windscreen condensation by allowing cool air between the blind and the glass to partially balance the air outside. In seriously cold winter weather some condensation will probably be inevitable. With care there is space under the couch to stash bed linen because this space is the housing for the electric control system, charging unit, blown air heater and a floor vent that must not be covered. Our sleeping kit was crammed into the locker above the cab.

Haute Cuisine!

By any standards the kitchen is lavish, with an area of worktop greater than you might find in the average coachbuilt motorhome, a full size domestic cooker and an amazing array of lockers and cupboards. The microwave oven was one from the option list. If your priority includes roast meals for four this is the galley for you. There are no less than fourteen varied size lockers in which to stow food and the meal machinery exclusive of the 86-litre fridge/freezer capacity. Drinking water is supplied via a cartridge filter and separate faucet alongside the kitchen sink mixer tap – a welcome alternative to the bottled water we usually carry. Five strip lights illuminate even the inside of the roof lockers and two of the extension loudspeakers will keep the chef humming. Does it lack for anything? Yes if we’re nitpicking, converting the three narrow lockers to slide-out wire baskets would be useful for fresh fruit and veg’ and the small cutlery drawer was a trifle narrow for our sophisticated meal making paraphernalia?

Washroom

Ingenious design has the toilet, wash basin and wall cabinet against one wall of the compartment that incorporates the shower tray and full length wardrobe. Privacy is by folding door for access to and from the kitchen and a shower curtain inboard of the rear doors that are also curtained. Thetford’s latest electric flushing toilet is a big improvement on earlier models with the operating lever now on top of the unit rather than its awkward position to one side. The warning light is also more visible and instead of the Herculean effort needed to heft the cassette to an emptying point integral wheels and a handle now make the chore easier altogether. A useful shelf accessible when the sink is raised and a wall cabinet with mirrored doors are adequate for the usual washroom collection of jars, tubes and ointment containers. With wardrobe opening into the centre space the washroom becomes a changing room.

Stowage

Opening the back doors gives unobstructed access to the toilet cassette and a locker handy for the vehicle jack, tools, mains cable and wheel ramps. The door mounted cycle rack is an option at £295. Locker space throughout is generous and the space under the couch is potentially useful but with safety reservations. A small alteration to the table width would allow it to be stowed in the locker over the cab rather than its present home just inside the nearside rear door. Apart from the generous number of pockets and cubby holes in the cab a recently introduced innovation is a concealed shelf above the sun visors handy for documents etc that are better away from the eyes of the curious.

Summary

In basic form with the 2.5-litre turbo diesel motor and six-speed manual gearbox the Endeavour can be complete for £38,495. This test example though costs £48,415, a difference of almost £10,000. It includes: Quickshift transmission, air con’, parking sensors, cruise control, passenger airbag, cycle rack, cab blinds, awning, colour coded paintwork, water purifier, diesel heater, electric step, powered skylight. Timberland list five layouts for the Endeavour and can modify these to some degree for individual tastes. There is a choice of colours and metallic paintwork as well an interesting choice of soft furnishings. Two items that would figure on our shopping list would be the passenger airbag and the Quickshift gearbox, for the elimination of the clutch and increased flexibility of control. Fundamentally it is a thoroughly enjoyable Camper from a manufacturer whose restless energy is forever focused on refining the breed.

Technical Data

Timberland Endeavour two-berth LWB Renault Camper

Price of vehicle tested: £48,415

Vehicle kindly loaned by: Timberland Motorhomes Ltd, Limber Road, Kirmington, North Lincolnshire, DN39 6YP. Tel: 0845 009 9998

Conversion

Overall length: 5.89m

Overall width: 2.35m incl mirrors

Overall height: 2.49m

MTPLM: 3500kg

Payload: 725kg approx

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

Fresh water capacity: 50-litres

Waste water capacity: 40-litres

Gas storage: 20-litre capacity fixed external tank

Auxiliary battery: two 100Ah leisure batteries

Refrigerator: 97-litre Dometic fridge/freezer for gas.12v, 240v

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

Space Heating: Eberspacher programmed diesel fuelled blown air heater

Lighting: mix of fluorescent strip lighting and adjustable halogen spotlights

Upholstery: modern abstract pattern fabric in red and fawn

Other equipment fitted: List as detailed in summary

Base Vehicle

Type: Euro 4, Long wheelbase Renault Master light commercial

Power unit: 2.5-litre, 16 valve Common rail turbo diesel motor

Maximum power: 120bhp @ 3500rpm

Maximum torque: 290Nm @ 1600rpm

Transmission: six-speed Quickshift auto/manual gearbox to front wheels

Steering: power assisted rack and pinion

Braking system: four wheel disc brake system with ABS and electric brake distribution

Performance

Fuel consumption: 27mpg

Maximum speed: estimated 85mph

Comfortable cruising speed: 65-70mph