Vantage Sol

STRONG ON SUBSTANCE - LOW ON HYPE

August 2010 – Words and photos by John Page

From the vibrant city of Leeds Vantage Motorhomes are relatively recent to the business of constructing Campers, with the prototype launched in 2007. They have two valuable advantages however; the years of manufacturing quality furniture and the thousands of miles of Camper travel experienced by the Naylors over all sorts of terrain from desert to mountains and beyond. So observant practical experience was the incentive to encourage Scot Naylor to build a vehicle that embodied the ideas and improvements over conventional thinking on the subject. A brave decision because the competition, large and small, is competitive, innovative and in many cases, like Vantage, family owned. So what is special about a Vantage Camper? The short answer would be, a different way of looking at where the priorities ought to be. And it is this approach plus enthusiasm that runs like mercury from Scot to the guys building Vantage Campers that has created leisure vehicles of a different breed.The handover of our Sol by Scot was the most detailed and informative we have yet experienced – a procedure that obviously helps to imbue confidence in a new vehicle and therefore the enjoyment of it. After which my lady nav spelt out the route we ought to take for Wharfedale and the Caravan Club’s quiet location of Strid Wood near Bolton Abbey – a paradise for riverside walkers.
Construction

Fiat’s long wheelbase, all-steel high-top roof Ducato is the foundation on which Vantage work their transition process from panel van to sophisticated Camper. The necessary incisions are cut, insulation for all surfaces added and the wiring harness fed into the various housings before the walls, floor and ceiling structure are fixed in place. All the furniture is machined in house from tough, lightweight ply and every surface that is visible acquires its ultra tough foil wrap surface. It is by far the most rugged surface material I’ve seen to date: it also happens to look fantastic. This process is inherited from experience in the furniture business and it will most likely outlast anything else currently used for Camper furniture construction.From the basis to the nitty-gritty and the Vantage philosophy on layout detail that’s starts with a level floor from the cab to the galley unit. Beyond that the lounge floor is raised several inches and that is the key factor to achieve roof lockers on a sensible level, the inclusion of the fresh water tank within the body and storage lockers beneath both long seats of prodigious capacity. Every door hinges open with minimum effort when needed and stays firmly shut at any other time. The rear doors give access to the gas compartment and a central sliding stowage locker for accessories normally needed when you first arrive on site. Light and heating switches are always at a comfortable height and the same applies to the 12v Control and monitor panel on the bulkhead above the cab.
On the Road

Whilst the cab seat frameworks are by Fiat the swivel mechanisms and upholstery with leather panels is by Vantage, in perfect harmony with the overall scheme. 120bhp from the 2.3-litre TD motor through six-speeds is a good package for a respectable cruising speed giving you, the sensible pilot a fuel consumption that ought to be comfortably in the low thirties mpg. Don’t expect it right away though.A combination of Fiat soundproofing under the bonnet and engine bulkhead plus a total lack of squeaks etc out back made for a pleasantly low noise level in motion that also helped to keep the driver calm on the motorway and the Leeds ring road Grand Prix. I jest of course; very few Clarkson fans were showing on the Saturday morning. In fact the most important noise dynamic is from some of our road surfaces – varying from quiet tarmac to diabolically coarse and pot-holed whatever county you travel through. Air conditioning with the temperature at around 26oC was a real bonus and although there was no chance of using the cruise control this time, when the occasion arises it will no doubt do its stuff.No doubt about the deterrent effect of the remote locking though when, forgetting I had locked all doors before bedtime –slid open side door in the morning to immediate blasting out of the alarm signal. Switch off hurriedly and act nonchalant to whoever else gets up at 6.30am.
Ad-Vantage-Us

If only but we can dream as well and Vantage Sol would be at the top of our wish list. In a long march of Campers over the years this one was exceptional – the successful result of an entrepreneurial striving to produce a vehicle that goes the extra mile, in practicality, durability and the aesthetics. The end product of this approach will undoubtedly be real customer satisfaction with an enhanced value in the long term.First, to the really important business of lounging, on cushions possibly firmer than you might be used to but which yield well progressively to encourage the serious sprawl you’ve surely earned after all that walking along the lovely banks of the river Wharfe. Next dining – with a choice of small circular up front or large rectangular at the rear, both placed without fuss and stowed afterwards in the dedicated space above the cab.Whether reading, scanning the TV or catching up on the wildlife outside, this horseshoe shape lounge/diner has a great deal in its favour. Two can always lean back comfortably or nap even and four or more need not feel crowded in this dimension.Plenty of fresh air in the extraordinary beautiful warmth of a real summer spell through the pair of modest size roof lights. Heated or cool air courtesy of the Truma blown air system is helpful and powered by mains electric or from the gas cylinders. Lighting exclusively from LED fittings is by twin banks of neat spotlights used in groups or individually depending on your mood.
Sleep Time

Here the basic principle is that the various cushions and sliding support sections enable a choice of twin single beds, a standard size double, a super bed or, our choice, of something in between at about 1.82m by 1.52m or five feet by six in the old money. Whatever you choose the make-up procedure is childishly simple and hassle free. Why? Because the three beautifully made supporting sections slide smoothly to where you want them and otherwise stow neatly in their housing. Wherever you lay your head there’ll be a spotlight placed just so. Sleeping heads to the rear makes for good TV viewing before sleep. Cab privacy and anti-condensation is provided by the one-piece insulated Silver Screen placed easily outside the windscreen, held in place by the closed cab doors and Velcro under the mirror arms. Arguably, the most effective of all cab screen devices. Decidedly firm were the bed cushions that seem less firm as sleep overtakes.
The Meal Machine

Here especially is the evidence of camping experience. Extra folding flaps at each end of the workspace – the column of electrical sockets as a safety feature when using the appliances and the compact drying rack they are both practical and ingenious. Every inch of this compact galley has been carefully planned. But surely the piece de resistance is the pillar of drawers to keep all the implements where they are immediately on hand. The drawers fit and open immaculately.Across the gangway the Waeco compressor fridge/freezer belies its 80-litre capacity as it easily contained the small mountain of food we took on board. Economical and virtually noiseless the Waeco has it for compact campers.Draining board and draining rack are all part of the clever tackle. Not forgetting the item that is ignored by so many Camper and Coachbuilt makers; the essential waste container here built into the unit below the oven, simply accessible, capacious and with easily disposed liners. Add the pair of adjacent roof lockers and you have to conclude that the Vantage kitchen is born from experience.
Washroom

A new slant on the tried theme of folding sink above the loo concept has separate quality faucets and a place for soap and toothbrushes, plus a full width shelf for the tackle with a classy circular mirror above. A quick draining flexible duck board on which to stand safely and neat corner rack for the shampoos etc when showering are all part of the thinking. Lift the sink slowly to drain then clip it into place to give maximum space for your shower. Thoughtful is the outside illuminated switch to operate the pair of lights inside so you don’t have to fumble for a switch in the small hours.
Stowage Here is a simple formula – a place for everything to avoid clutter. Consequently those items needed when you first arrive such as mains cable, outdoor table support, water tank filling hose and drinking water container are immediately available when the back doors are opened. Also in this area the gas locker with space for two 7kg cylinders and the spanner to connect pipe to regulator are easy of access. Considered in total the planning of the storage compartments and their accessibility are an object lesson in thoughtful planning.
Summary

This vehicle is a classic example of the value of experience when manufacturing a leisure vehicle. Nothing about it is casual, vague or questionable. Painstaking is the word for the way the complete machine has been planned and put together. However, when we first arrived on site there was a minor panic when the entrance step refused to extend. So what’s amiss? The carefully labelled fuse seemed fine, so clean it and slot it back in. Problem solved. That minor event highlighted the detail of positioning the charging unit and fuse assembly fully visible and accessible in the wardrobe.Back at base after returning this special Camper we spent some time chatting about why in particular was this machine so different even though the layout is conventional. Simple really, because it’s more than experience, more than using the best materials you can source, more than producing a truly informative brochure – it’s that rare quality of enthusiasm. You can’t buy it, you can’t even learn it, it’s part of one’s psyche. Better watch out this man Scot has only just started and best of all he’s backed by a team of enthusiasts.

TECHNICAL DATA

Vehicle specification: Vantage Sol two-berth high-top Camper

Price of vehicle tested: £44,850. Basic: £41,950

Vehicle kindly loaned for testing by: Vantage Motorhomes, Newmarket Green, Leeds, LS9 OQJ, Tel: 0113 240 5040

CONVERSION

Overall length: 5.99m

Overall width: 2.28m mirrors folded

Overall height: 2.57m

MPTLM: 3500kg

Payload: 550kg

Construction: all-steel body with plywood walls and high-tech insulation

Fresh water capacity: 72-litres fully insulated

Waste water capacity: 50-litres fully insulated

Gas storage capacity: two- 6kg cylinders

Auxiliary battery: TWO 100Ah leisure batteries

Refrigerator: Waeco 80-litre fridge/freezer

Water heater: gas/electric hot water

Space heater: gas/electric blown air

Lighting: all LED well positioned lights throughout

Upholstery: leather trimmed light tan fabric

Other equipment fitted: alloy wheels, reversing sensors, cruise control, TV, Awning, solar panel

BASE VEHICLE

Type: Fiat Ducato long wheelbase high-top Camper chassis

Power unit: 2.3-litre, four cylinder turbo diesel

Maximum power: 120bhp @ 3600rpm

Maximum torque: 320Nm @ 2000rpm

Transmission: six-speed manual to front wheels

Steering: power assisted rack and pinion

Braking: servo assisted system to disc brakes with ABS

PERFORMANCE

Fuel consumption: 30mpg estimated

Maximum speed: 85mph approx where legal

Comfortable cruising speed: 60-70mph depending on road conditions