Endeavour - Road Test

So, what is it that makes them so popular? Is it manoeuverability, versatility and performance, with the added bonus of all steel integrity for the complete vehicle?
Timberland is a leading British manufacturer of the type, building on Renault and Fiat base vehicles. This Endeavour has all the attributes needed, developed from practical experience and ongoing testing. Designed specifically as a two-berth, there is genuine comfort for the cew en route, lounging around, at meal times and asleep. All this is achieved with the low hassle factor our Lincolnshire maker is renowned for.

Powering Through

Visually, there is a purposeful look about this machine, with no ostentation. The rear wheels as far back as they are make for good ride quality. Timberland's graphics on the silver metallic paint ad the finishing touch; its worthy of mention that customers have a good colour choice for their Timberland camper.
It is a comptact machine at just 1.74m wide and 2.49m high - sufficiently compact to make urban driving and parking easy with a minimum of fuss. Beneath the bonnet, the latest 2.5-litre common rail turbo diesel purrs away smoothly developing an amazing 300Nm of torque at the surprisingly low 1,500rpm engine speed.
With six gears to feed the transmission to the front wheels there is never any suggestion of the motor working hard, either at dawdling speeds or cruising at the legal limit. Good insulation of the engine compartment and the vehicle body all contribute to a low noise level, comfortable enough for us to listen to one of our CD's while motoring at 60 plus mph.
Renault's Createur D'Automobiles catchphrase is well earned given its standard of mechanical innovation. For instance, it is the only light commercial chassis maker to use a unique, double wishbone, independant front suspension. The company's pioneering spirit showed through once again, when it introduced their six-speed manual and automatic transmission.
Renault leads the field with a cowled instrument panel in the cab and a standard of ergonomics remarkable for its clarity and simplicity. All features are dedicated to driver calm on the job. In fact, sat at the wheel of this Endeavour, the sense of being in complete control, relaxed, with the best of visibility for and aft, was a most enjoyable experience.

Living in Style

Using the sliding door, you'll notice the deep and wide step for access and the automatic courtesy lamp at floor level. To the left - on the cab bulkhead - the simple and informative control panel, switches and LCD display brings everything to life and shuts off for safety whenever the ignition is turned on. A truly impressive lighting array of fluorescent fittings and spotlights leaves no dark corners and the four-speaker system for the CD/radio supplies quality sound reproduction.
Motorhome floor plans are many and varied, designed to make the best use of the space available. All are, to some extent, a compromise but the logic behind the Endeavour aims to make the metamorphosis from carriage to living unit as simple as possible.
Therefor the only effort needed once aboard is to rotate the driving seats to add the cab space to the lounge area. The reclining mechanism supplies armchair comfort in which to relax or watch the TV from its perch on the fridge console.
From a central position the couch is able to seat three adults or just one with their feet up, while the galley on both sides of the centre walkway extends to the rear bulkhead. Effectively, the layout is an open plan design creating a surprisingly spacious feel within a modest overall length of only 5.89m. With the side door wide open there's always an exceptional view of the surrounding countryside - to enjoy with a glass in hand and the sketch pad handy perhaps.
Regular table equipment for all models includes a tripod base and single leg support for mealtimes. The prime advantage of placing it wherever it's most convinient is a sound one we enjoyed but, usefully, the alternatives of a fixed island leg or folding table are also on offer.
Our British weather is a fact of life - never boring though - and this camper can cope even with the wildest fluctuations in temperature. Baking hot? Open the big Heki roof vent and windows to stay cool. Too cool altogether? Then the diesel-fuelled blown air heater will soon have the interior temperature comfortable again. The hidden factor, though, is the effectiveness of the rock wool insulation Timberland use for the walls, roof and floor.

Food for thought

Ample worktop space on which to prepare food is an essential to staying calm in the galley and the Endeavour examlpe is superlative. Rather than cram the galley into a corner, the arrangement here has the sink/drainer to the offside on a base of cupboards and drawers. Opposite, the fridge and cooker each withn worktop are separated with a storage console to complete the quite impressive spread of workspace on which even a disorganised cook might work happily.
With four hobs, grill and oven to cook on and 97 litres of fridge capacity, there'll be no possible excuse for stodgy cooking here. Running out of gas halfway through the Sunday roast should be a thing of the past too, now that a 20-litre fixed LPG tank is part of the standard equipment.
Racks for crockery, a wine cabinet and a cutlery drawer, together with a pair of large drawers and numerous lockers will definetly swallow all the food and ironware with space to spare. Two more examples of Timberland's thorough approach include a cartridge-type water purifier plumbed in and two 100Ah leisure batteries.

Night Time

The simplicity of Remis cab blinds for privacy and cab insulation is a modern change. Unfussy and effective, they do the job well and stow out of the way easily in the morning.
They have another use in high summer to reduce heat and give shade in the cab. They may be an optional extra but should definetly figure on your wish list. All other windows and the roof vent have smooth sliding pleated blinds in addition to flyscreens.
Famous in the camper world, the Timberland double bed operation and comfort get it unquestionably right. For make-up, you will have to press the release lever down and slide the couch base outwards. With no effort, the backrest tumbles neatly into the resulting gap and the bed is made.
The cushion filling is a scientific mix of foam filling getting the ratio of resilience to firmness absolutely ideal for sleeping on, as well as giving supportive comfort during the daylight hours. Reassuring after dark is the remote locking of all doors from inside and the knowledge, especially in the winter when you might have the heater ticking over, that a carbon monoxide detector and smoke alarm are installed.

Washroom and Storage

The logic of the washroom location across the back of the vehicle allows sufficient space to include the wardrobe opposite the facilities, with space between for the shower tray. That area also doubles as a changing room. An opaque folding section door divides the kitchen from the washroom or shower from the facilities.
Access to and from the washroom is also possible with the two rear doors open, from where it is possible to change the toilet cassette and retrieve the jack and vehicle tools. You could also use the extendable shower hose to wash down the dog or perhaps the mountain bikes. Ingeniously, the latest Thetford flushing toilet, the folding washbasin and double section wall cabinet placed one above each other are part ofn a space saving GRP column of clever practicality.
Typically, the bulkiest items to stow are a duvet or large sleeping bags, for which there are two options: under the couch or folded neatly and stuffed into the locker above the cab. For clothes and all manner of personal gear, the array of roof lockers and low-level cupboards will be ample. And there are numerous pockets in the cab doors, under and above the dashboard. For cycles the optional rack on the offside reardoor is the answer.

Verdict

Endeavour is an appropriate name for a conversion that places priority for ease of use and value for money at the forefront. The standard kit is most impressive, and in many respects ahead of its competitors. Enjoyable to drive, relaxing on location and handsome with it.