A VW California competitor with extra space, five seatbelts, German components and British design

Peter Vaughan reviews the CMC HemBil Escape-SL in long-wheelbase form. This VW Transporter T6.1 campervan has an extra-wide Reimo sliding seat system, four berths and five seatbelts but can, optionally, carry up to seven. The extra length creates more room inside, while the HemBil conversion mixes high-quality German componentry with British design and adds a dash of Scandinavian style.
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◼️ REVIEWED BY: Peter Vaughan, Group Motorhome Road Test Editor for MMM magazine and What Motorhome magazine Editor. Peter has been writing about motorhomes since the age of 14, has a love of touring France and is mad about old Italian sports cars.
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[@advtim1]

Don't know if it's just me but I'm getting quite bored of VW campers. It seems to become a case of seen one conversion and you've pretty much seen them all, I've been looking around for something that little bit different and came across a Polish company called WaveCamper that's doing a lwb Renault Traffic conversion that has done just that. Yes it has the side kitchen, but the way they have approached the bed and rear seats have definitely caught my interest.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Does it have European Type Approval, and is the seat crash tested? As for VW campers, there's a HUGE choice on the market but comparing the best (like this CMC) with some (I'm not naming them here) is like comparing a burger van burger with filet steak - both beef but... If you want a VW, look for a well-established converter with type approval for its conversions and a properly, safely installed seat system that has been fully tested.

[@advtim1]

@@MotorhomeCampervan I think my problem with the VW conversions is that there are just so many now and there is no real surprise when you slide back the door apart from the colour of the carpet lining and the cabinets. They all follow the same formula but I will concede that that isn't always the case in the self build category and there are a couple of commercial converters that have done a few tweaks on the theme but your looking at £90,000+ which for a transporter is getting into the realms of silly money. As for WaveCamper they definitely don't seem to have skimped on their suppliers. The are using the Schnierle rails and seating system fir the rear seats, which I believe is M1 tested,

[@travelling_stephen]

Vw has this cult following and the owners are like sheep. But I know a couple of vw sheep have gone over to ford custom vans and one to a Mercedes Vito and have both stated they prefer there new vans over the vw's they previously had.

[@_bav]

Peter, 20 inch wheels with the suspension upgraded accordingly will drive *much* better than with 17 inch wheels and the standard suspension. IMO, it would be madness to retain the standard suspension if you have no plans to lug around the loads that the Transporter was designed for - without those loads the ride is far too bouncy and crashy.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

But a T6.1 that's been converted and then loaded up with people and camping gear will be lugging around "the loads the Transporter was designed for" - more so than many vans doing light duties. Another reason to go for a T30 or T32, not a T28.

[@_bav]

@@MotorhomeCampervan Yeah, you could have a point with the van under review being a 5 seater/ 4 berth. My use case is driver + 1 passenger with a relatively light conversion due to GRP cabinetry and a Li leisure battery. Still went for the T32 though ;-)

[@karlospappy8908]

Nice van but 70k for a conversion with no shower room and carpet trim I don't think that's for me.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Try some of the larger campervans we've reviewed then. We've got a whole playlist devoted to larger campers.

[@JoeMaranophotography]

Sorry but for 74k I expect a 4WD DSG equipped Golf R engine!

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

You'll be lucky - have you seen the price of a base Transporter van in 2022? There aren't any petrol T6.1s now, either, so 204PS TDI is the most powerful option. But this one does have DSG. Do you really want to go that fast in a campervan, anyway?

[@_bav]

In that case, you need to adjust your expectations!

[@JoeMaranophotography]

@@MotorhomeCampervan For £74k I want to wipe my ass with gold leaf 🤣

[@Bobblenob]

That’s the problem with these campervan. You need to be a mountaineer to get into bed

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Why? The main bed is at seat height. We put our kids in the roof

[@tonysutton6559]

Front seat to cupboard top to bed. Easy.

[@xtrax38]

I'm sorry but 74 grand they can keep it. One can buy a brand new motorhome with more comfort for that. VW well over priced!!! No shower or toilet!!!

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Yes, but your brand-new (big) motorhome won't be a daily driver, so you need another car, another lot of insurance, a second road tax, more servicing...

[@tonysutton6559]

@@MotorhomeCampervan if you use this as a daily driver you'll soon knock up a high mileage and the resale value crashes. It's too many compromises at a very high price.

[@suzannecrawford50]

sorry too expensive, thats coachbuilt territoty.

[@xtrax38]

Absolutely

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Yes, but a coachbuilt does a completely different job and will, usually, be built on a much cheaper chassis. Would you take your kids to school in a big coachbuilt? Or take it down Cornish lanes with a 6ft 6in width limit?

[@_bav]

@@MotorhomeCampervan Not forgetting depreciation, which will result in a much lower TCO for a *decent* Transporter conversion applied to a well-specified base van.

[@xtrax38]

@@MotorhomeCampervan no I wouldn't but not paying 74 big ones for a badge

[@stephenhill2404]

I would love to see one of these LWB models designed for only two people with a shower/bathroom at the end.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Maybe you'd like the Westfalia Joker? Or we hope to review Knights Custom's latest VW soon as that has a shower

[@tonysutton6559]

£75,000 for an overnight/weekend camper? It's totally unsuitable for a couple to do, for example, the NC500 without using having to go shopping every day, stay on camp sites nearly every night and do your laundry every 2 or 3 days. I'd rather spend less money to get a 5.99m van conversion with a fixed bed, larger fridge, oven &/or grill and washroom. No cushion jenga and going to the toilet in the kitchen. I suspect that this will appeal to overpaid posers who want to show off at music festivals.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

I'm not an overpaid poser and I love my VW, which has just given us a superb holiday in Wales and will now go back to being a brilliant daily driver. No cushion jenga in this VW. Did the NC500 in May in my VW, too...

[@richard-ek2tq]

Thanks Peter, as ever another great in-depth review. You really hit the nail (or should I say, bed) on the head with the discussion on rear headroom in VW camper vans. As an attraction of the VW is the ability to use it as an everyday family vehicle it’s such a shame that it does not work for travelling if any of your passengers are anywhere approaching 6 feet tall (180cm in new money). This is a universal VW issue not specific to CMC or the Reimo seat. The problem is also much worse in the left rear (and, if applicable, front double) seats where the sloping roof line ingresses into head room much further. Such a shame, as it counts out the VW as an option for us.

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Have you tried one with a Reimo rear seat, rather than RIB? My 6ft 2in stepson can sit in the back of ours without a problem

[@peterwebb1026]

Hello Peter, thanks for the videos, very interesting! I’ve got a quick question about the Reimo seat/ bed if I may? Is it possible to have the end section nearest the back of the van in an upright position and the other sections flat so you can be reading or watching tv with your legs stretched out? Thanks Peter

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

It does remove for carrying bigger loads but it doesn't tip up for watching TV, etc, although it wouldn't be difficult to add some props to do this, I would have thought.

[@blackpool321]

Love the Peugeot t-shirt

[@MotorhomeCampervan]

Had many happy years with a 504 Cabriolet!

[@andrewbeale2585]

As ever Peter, a first class review and I can see why you went for CMC for your own campervan. Compared to my California Coast T6.1 2021 model, I see the following benefits of this van : LWB 5.4m means that much more storage, although at the expense of some maneuverability in car parks, the turning circle being that much wider The narrower kitchen allowing for three seats in the rear is an excellent solution in a LWB The Reimo seat and roof are both quality well-sorted components, the roof in particular being easier to manage with the straps than the California equivalent clips which are always hard work The flexible water tanks, much better than the California built in tank And of course the left hand rear sliding door. However the California scores with : Integral blinds and better automotive feel to everything inside (no carpet on the walls !) Higher residual values SWB still more manoeuvrable as a daily driver at 4.9m I suspect slightly lower at 1.98m meaning those 2m barriers are just negotiable Much better arrangements for 2 chairs and 2 table storage - a real winner I suspect that the driving of a Cali is just that much quieter and better than in a Transporter highline equivalent. And lastly price, my Cali Coast last year cost under £52k with Drive the Deal, a long way below this CMC

[@peterv3642]

Thank you for your comments, Andrew. I owned a California before buying a CMC Urban, the need for five seatbelts being the main reason to change. Both are great campervans but there are plenty of VW campers out there now which aren't good! Buyer beware! You're very lucky to have got your Cali for £52k - you could sell now and make a handsome profit!