MMM – September 2019

September 2019outandaboutlive.co.uk 141

the well-plannedlittle room.
The fo lding toilet do or can also
close off the back of the ’van, just as in
many muchlarger coachbui lts. With
the Modul’Spacewardrobe deployed,
you havea full-width washro om that’s
remarkably generous for a campervan.
Just one odd featur e stops us
getting all euphoric atthis point –
the gap between the wardrobe an d
the toilet wall, meaning that this
otherwise oh-so-practical changing
areais not quite as private as it should
be. Rapido’s designers havebeen
tasked with finding a solution!

ALL IN THE DETAILS
Up front, the half-dinette might seem
a bit boring after the innovation
elsewhere, butwhy mess with
something that works? Both fron t
seats swiv el t o face a wa ll-mounted
table with swing-outextension – four

can dine here if you wantto reserve

the rear for relaxation, while the

galley is adjacent for easy servingup.

There’s generous lighting setinto the

base of the bed above with ambient

illumination around the window.

Of course,the half-dinette also

providesthe rear travel seats for this

four-berth, but this is n’t the sha peless

bench sometimes in flicted on

passengers. It comes with automotive-

style headrests and asquab cushion

that extends to support those with

longer limbs. Underneath, you’ll fi nd

the diesel-firedTruma Combi, which

providesthe blown-air heating and

hot wa ter, as well as twin leisure

batteries. Above the boiler aretrays

that a re ideal for airing your undies.

Doubling up the 12V supply is

necessary because the Li ving Van

comes with a compressor fr idge – a

tall, 90-litre un it mounted ri ght behind

the half-dinette. It makes a slight noise

but never enough to disturbeven a

light sleeper like me.

Opposite, the m ain galley unit is

quite compact but looks stylishly

appointedwith it s gas-on-glass hob

and dee p stainless-steel sink with

posh, metal Argo tap. At the fo rward

end are asmall flip-upworktop an d

a hidden compartment for bottles,

but the best kitchen featu re is the

trio of large dr awers. These come

with a central lo cking ca tch, cutlery

holder (top), storage dividers to

stop plates, cups, etc,rolling around

inside (middleand bottom) and abin

(bottom). There’s also a useful cover

for the hob to createmore worktop

when you’re not actually cooking. An

oven is also available as an o ption.

Of course,there areno upper

cupboards here because the drop-

down bed precludes them, butshe lves

with elasticated retainers above

the nearside window are ideal f or+

Dreamer Select’vans have the sameupmarket ambience and quality feelastheir Rapido cousins