Wellhouse Volkswagen Caddy

Designed to wander where other Campers dare not try

Words and photos by John Page

Sensational comes to mind as a description of the latest Compact Camper from Wellhouse Leisure of West Yorkshire. Here is a terrific looking VW Caddy Maxi base vehicle melded to a practical two-berth Camper conversion from the company who specialise in creating leisure vehicles that are reasonably inconspicuous, fun to drive and not a lot longer than your average family saloon car. Caddy Maxi provides a new slant on the concept of Campers that can park virtually anywhere, with the drive and feel of a car plus all the gear for successful camping on or off the beaten track.

At just 1.89m high, 4.87m long, and 1.97m wide, it can slip under height barriers and park in car width slots at your local super market. For feel, specification and economy it is definitely comparable to a car and with none of the anxiety in traffic that larger leisure vehicles could provoke. In essence Wellhouse Caddy is a two-berth elevating roof Camper with four-seater people carrier capability. Living space behind the cab is spacious with cooking, crock washing and storage facilities within top loading lockers on either side.

Construction

Volkswagen are a phenomenon and have been ever since the 1950’s, a period during which the ubiquitous VW Campers are likely to have been produced in greater numbers worldwide than any other brand. An astonishing number still survive.

So the heritage is impeccable and Wheelhouse VW caddy bids to add another chapter to the saga. Our test vehicle is the prototype Wheelhouse Caddy with elevating roof and a complete camper specification. Accessed through a sliding door on the nearside, the layout is conventional with its fully belted twin seat convertible to a double bed, the life support systems along the offside of the vehicle and the elevating roof installed centrally to give standing room close to the galley apparatus. Two more rear-facing chairs are linked to the cab seat backrests in a tilted position and the table slides to the best position for food preparation and mealtimes. Tinted rear windows are part of the Cabby Maxi specification, ideal for camping and the picnic. Excepting the cab all furniture is constructed in the Wellhouse workshops using lightweight plywood with hardwood beech edges. Giving headroom of 1.8m the elevating roof top is an insulated GRP cap with fly-screened canvas sides. Zipped windows on three sides supply plenty of extra light and ventilation. The body is all steel partially galvanised.

ON THE ROAD

Driving with Caddy it’s difficult to believe that this Maxi version has commercial origins. An all disc brake system with ABS and EBD, the driver’s height adjustment, powered and heated mirrors and halogen lights – it’s all here to improve the driving experience. Under the bonnet the 1.9-litre, 104PS TDI supplies 2500Nm of torque, an extra urban fuel consumption of 54mpg and top speed where legal of 102mph. So how did it perform? Well, even though we’re back to leaf springs for rear suspension, the chunky MacPhees for the front wheels and the long wheelbase with small overhang and the anti-roll bars at both ends, produced for us a remarkably stable and relatively smooth ride quality around the A-roads and the lanes of West Yorkshire. Excellent seating too. And at 60mph the motor ticks over at just 2,000rpm.

Always appreciated and amazingly never copied in my experience, the driver’s door mirror in two sections has the very helpful quality of eliminating the blind spot when you are checking on the vehicle coming up fast from behind. Buyers will also be appreciative of the three-year comprehensive warranty and recovery assistance on tap 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.

CAMPING/PICNICING

Stop engine, raise the roof and tilt the back of both cab seats to complete four seats in a superbly spacious lounge. Sliding windows on either side open easily and close securely for security and everyone has a good view of the countryside. The gas burner slides easily into place from the housing towards the front of the storage lockers and a few minutes later we are enjoying the cup that cheers. With the sliding table clipped into place alongside the fridge locker there is now space to prepare lunch. By coincidence the chef happens to be sitting in the rear seat by the table so that the fridge and sink access flaps are within easy reach from a sitting position. Three strip lights are ample at twilight and courtesy of the remote we have the CD/Radio bringing us the dulcet tones of Nicholas Parsons and the panel of four with “Just a Minute”.  That rear seat with its high backrest is reclining comfort while the smaller front seats are fine for younger bodies.

SLEEPING

Time to zip the roof panels shut, add the clip on curtains downstairs and bring out the sleeping bags from the locker under the rear seat. It’s a most useful part of the storage arrangements where the heavy weather clothes are also tucked away. With the release lever at the front of the seat base raised it is now possible to slide the complete assembly forward causing the backrest to lower and mesh with an interlocking section to complete the firmly comfortable double bed. The whole process takes only seconds to be securely in place. The crew of two are soon asleep after a strenuous day enjoying the hills and dales of West Yorkshire. However, were there two children on board as well, they would of course travel safely on that fully belted rear seat and sleep alongside in the optional awning.

KITCHEN

With a little imagination nourishing food for active people can be simply prepared in the Caddy and a surprising amount of food can be stowed in the top opening Waeco fridge that operates from the twelve-volt system. Next to it the ingenious sink with its faucet has 12-litres of fresh water on tap. Although if you are on site somewhere, then like us you’ll probably prefer washing up at the camp facility where you splash away regardless. Soups, fruit and some of the tasty vegetable burgers figure largely on our menus together with home made bread rolls. Not forgetting the excellent no alcohol beer made by Becks of Bremen. The bottles are small so a six-pack doesn’t take up much space.

WASHROOM

There are three options: Choose an awning that is big enough to double as a washroom, use the facilities that exist on all good campsites today, or in summer, preferably near the Mediterranean, shower after your swim.

STOWAGE

Obviously the total capacity is limited but necessity is the mother of invention, so that when you explore every nook and cranny it is surprising how much can be tucked away. Above the cab for instance is a shallow but wide space ideal for documents, cameras etc that you prefer to keep out of sight. A locker between the cab seats is also helpfully deep. A hidden place on the dashboard top is neat and the door pockets will take an enormous amount of maps, drink cans and other paraphernalia. A rack attached to the tailgate can be a useful option. And lastly take into account the locker space on both sides of the living quarters at waist or floor level adjacent to the kitchen appliances.

VOLKSWAGEN CADDY OPTIONS

15” or 16” alloy wheels, Electronic Stabilisation Programme, Cruise control, Parking distance sensors, Towbar, Heated front seats, 104PS TDI motor with automatic transmission, 140PS, 2.0-litre TDI motor.

Summary

Our test Cabby is a prototype and it is probable that some details will be modified subsequently. It is though undeniably different, in concept, in practice and for the sheer panache and style of the machine. It will look good whatever colour you choose but to be seen more quickly in any situation choose this Tornado Red or Bright orange. The dimensions are a strong point where height and length are important because it is narrower and lower than some of the SUVs around and far less conspicuous overall.

The handling and performance also have more in common with car characteristics than the majority of light commercially based Campers. The mpg figures are frugal and long distance travel promises to be thoroughly enjoyable. For both Camping and picnicking the size is a bonus and, finally the price compares favourably indeed with all but a handful of micro class Campers.

TECHNICAL DATA

Vehicle specification: Wellhouse Volkswagen Cabby two-berth elevating roof Camper

Price of vehicle tested: £23,750

Vehicle kindly loaned for testing by: Wellhouse Leisure Ltd, Unit B, Sovereign Business Park, Barnsley Road, Shepley, Huddersfield, UK, HD8 8BL. Tel: 01484 600416. www.wellhouseleisure.com

CONVERSION

Overall length: 4.87m

Overall width: 1.79m

Overall height: 1.89m

MPTLM: 2,335kg

PAYLOAD: 600kg

Construction: all steel, partly galvanised body with GRP elevating roof.

Fresh water capacity: 12-litres

Gas storage capacity: integral with hob unit

Auxiliary battery: 90Ah

Refrigerator:  40-litre Waeco top loading fridge for 12 volt

Lighting: three fluorescent strip lights

Upholstery: Art grey fabric

Other equipment fitted: cab air con, halogen headlamps, driver and passenger airbags

BASE VEHICLE

Type:  long wheelbase Volkswagen Caddy Maxi

Power unit:  four-cylinder turbo diesel, 1,896cc

Maximum power: 104bhp @ 4,000rpm

Maximum Torque: 250NM @ 1,900rpm

Transmission: five-speed manual to front wheels

Steering: power assisted rack and pinion

Turning circle (wall to wall) 12.2m

60-litre fuel tank

Braking system:  dual circuit, servo-assisted system with disc brakes and ABS

PERFORMANCE

Fuel consumption: extra urban 54.3mpg

Maximum speed: 102mph, VW quoted

Comfortable cruising speed: 65-60mph