Good morning,
After renting 2 fitted vans and a camper van three times, we finally took the plunge and ordered a Challenger 240 Open Edition camper van in October 2021 which we received in May 2022. A 4-week test in June and July of that same year reassured us beyond our expectations about our choice, both from the point of view of its interior comfort, its size and its ease of driving (Ford Transit transporter, diesel engine 170 HP, 6-speed automatic transmission). We consumed 9.54 L/100 km over a journey of 1990 km while respecting the speed limits (80 km/h on national and departmental roads, between 100 and 110 km on expressways and motorways).
The particularity of this motorhome is that it has a hold at the rear of the same height as the living cell and accessible both from the inside and from the outside through a door at eye level located on its left rear, giving it a real additional room, equipped with shelves and storage drawers. At the right rear is another cargo door, this time of traditional height which also gives access to this room in which I have fitted a custom piece of furniture where all of the vehicle's equipment is stored, some accessible from the outside (armchairs, folding chairs, extension cord, water hose,), others inside (outdoor table, outdoor storage unit, outdoor gas stove, tray, leveling blocks, step stool, etc. ...). All this in order to maintain the advantage of this hold which increases the living space of the cell by 50 cm, giving us the impression of living in a 7.50m camper van.
We never travel without our bikes, so I added a bike lift bike carrier from BR-Systems which lowers them to the ground electrically and raises them in the same way to 1.10 m 😀. This bike rack is designed for 2 bikes with a maximum load of 60 kg. Always place the heaviest/largest bike closest to the wall.
Although this campervan has 4 beds, it is true that it is really ideal for a couple (this is our case!). The very comfortable 160X190 drop-down bed, lowers electrically onto the seat of the benches (after having lowered the table, also electrically) without having to move the backs of the bench. Which is almost the height of a normal bed. This vehicle has an extra dinette bed for 2 additional people, but we have made the decision for 2024 to no longer use it, due to regular damage caused by children of all ages. We have also decided not to equip our “caravan” with a television, because we judge that we watch it too much at home! On a camper van holiday, there are many other things to do
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT IN THE CAMPERVAN
1 “Leifheit” Rollfix 150 indoor wall dryer, 3 lines of 1.50 m, 1 geolocated MED alarm with
opening, volumetric and gas contactors (including soporific), on demand and for a fee
deposit of €500, 1 Camper 890 GPS from Garmin.
GUIDES AND BOOKS AVAILABLE IN THE CAMPERVAN
Atlas France of greenways and cycle routes (Chamina edition), official guide to the most beautiful villages of
France, Road and tourist atlas of France campers and vans 2022, ACSI volumes 1 and 2 2024
campsites and motorhome areas, the official motorhome area guide 2022
This motorhome will be returned to you clean, with a full tank of Ad Blue fuel and water, gray water drained and the toilet cassette emptied and cleaned. In this regard, a can of concentrated sanitary additive “Aqua Kem Blue” will be at your disposal in the camper van behind the driver's seat. After each emptying of the cassette, a dose will be added. We therefore ask you to return it to us in the same state of cleanliness. Otherwise, we will be obliged to withhold a cleaning fee of €80 from the deposit, the same for the toilet cassette that is not emptied and not flushed....but we are certain that this will not happen. ! A dishwashing kit including foldable bowl, dish drainer with tray, sponges, dishwashing liquid will be at your disposal as well as some condiments for the kitchen. The body of the vehicle can be washed at "Plouay washing", located near the Plouay motorhome service area, very easy to access, where the supplement of clean water, the emptying of waste water and the WC cassette can also be made. Additional fuel at the Carrefour Market service station, also visible from the service area. We will be able to park your vehicle safely on our land for the duration of your rental.
A fire extinguisher is attached to the seat frame on the passenger side (between seat and door) and a can of engine oil, coolant and windshield washer fluid will be at your disposal. This motorhome is equipped with a single propane gas bottle, given that the fridge is a compression fridge (135 L) operating only on electricity (12V and 220V) and that the heating operates on the fuel of the vehicle. Gas is therefore only used for cooking and heating tap water. Therefore, if you run out of gas (this will happen to someone one day!), we will ask you to buy a new bottle along the way, which we will reimburse you with proof of when you return.
I will surely have omitted some elements in this description which I tried to be as complete as possible, so do not hesitate to submit your questions to me and even to meet me and see the vehicle, prior to any rental
So, I hope to see you soon
Jean Pierre
NB: A black “Challenger” bag with instructions for the different equipment used in this motorhome will be stored on the shelf above the driving position, on the driver's side, as well as a binder where I took the liberty of insert some common sense advice and information that I found useful.