Using a motorhome in winter can be a chilly – and expensive – option. Heating costs can be high, and few vans are designed to cope with snow and ice. Slovenian company Tourne Mobil has set out to provide an innovative solution, creating a specially designed campervan capable of coping with extremes of temperature and even Arctic conditions, even when travelers are wild camping away from official sites.
“Tourne is an exciting, intelligent, custom-fitted campervan that changes the way we think about mobility, travel, touring, camping and more,” states Tourne’s David Svetlicic. “The entire Tourne experience is designed to liberate and inspire. To take you places in comfort, confidence and your individual style – anywhere.”
The new vans have been trialed extensively in the depths of Arctic Norway as well as within the low temperatures often experienced in central Europe. Slovenia is situated in one of the coldest areas of Europe, between Italy, Austria, Hungary and Croatia. Temperatures in Slovenia can be very low in winter, yet high during the summer. The vans can cope with temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees, keeping people warm, comfortable and with a steady supply of running water.
The final Tourne campervan resulted from design collaboration between the Slovenian company and a Norwegian dealer, Bilparter1, based on the edge of the Arctic Circle in the town of Trondheim. The vans are already popular in both Norway and Slovenia. Now the intention is to roll them out across Europe, launching in the UK at the national Motorhome & Caravan Show held in the NEC Birmingham. Dealers are being appointed in the UK and elsewhere. Sales are coordinated by the Norwegian partners.
Based on Peugeot Boxer/Fiat Ducato base vehicles with a total length of just over 19 feet, the Tourne Camper combines Scandinavian sleek design, elegance and functionality with Central European strength and durability. An additional factor was the years of experience in sailboats and sailing technology possessed by Tourne’s head of design. This knowledge was put to use in the creation of the sleek, weather-resistant features of the new campervan and utilizing the latest intelligent solutions throughout to ensure maximum flexibility and interior configurations.
Tourne campervan kitchen area [Photo by Tourne Mobil]
Given the intention to promote this vehicle as an all-winter touring option, suitable insulation was a priority. The Tourne cabin is wrapped in over 1-inch Armaflex Armacell elastomeric foam insulation, a much deeper level of insulation than is common on other camper vans. Most vans only have around 0.7 inches. In addition, the Armaflex Armacell insulation incorporates a closed cell structure, preventing any condensation and moisture accumulation, which leads to the development of mould. In the summer this level of insulation has the opposite effect, maintaining a cooler interior temperature.
But that’s not all. Additional warmth is provided by the use of Swedish underfloor heating foil, as well as a Webasto-Whale high performance hybrid heating system combining a low energy air heater with a boiler. All the drawers and cabinets have cut out tops which serve both as knobs and also provide constant air circulation. The low energy electric fridge is carefully placed on top of a cabinet so as to avoid the need for any cut outs into the exterior vehicle walls, thus reducing heat loss and the possibility of water leakage.
Any risk of water pipes and water systems freezing is minimized by the use of an interior fresh water tank, while the wastewater tank is thermally insulated and heated with warm air.
The van is extremely well lit. A light interior color scheme maximizes illumination and brightness within the van while the lighting systems are carefully designed for different uses: high intensity general lighting over the workspaces, night lamps within the sleeping area and focused lighting in the wardrobe. Large, double glazed windows are placed flush to the bodywork, so as to increase fuel efficiency.
Interior design has been carefully thought out. Tourne says they want to offer an alternative to the over-elaborate, impractical mini hotel rooms in mobile homes today. "Just like the technical parameters, our design too takes some distance from established trends – which is a complex challenge. Elegant and sophisticated design should not come at the expense of comfort, functionality, durability, technical properties and spatial limitations." The company believes that everything should be in its place: comfortable, solid and matching with comfort, performance and user satisfaction as the primary goal. Good design cannot be definitely described; it is something that has to be experienced.
Considerable attention has been paid to the need to provide extensive storage facilities. Traveling in the depths of winter does require thicker, and much more clothing, than is needed during warmer weather. A wide boot area at the rear of the vehicle provides enough storage to cope with luggage and even a bike or skis. Moveable shelves within cupboards provide a variety of storage configurations including wardrobes, drawers and chests. A pull out bench under the kitchen counter can be used for storage, a shelf, and a seat at the table or form part of a bed. A sliding divider between the living and boot area provides privacy, as well as easy access when necessary.
The Tourne Camper is surprisingly spacious, able to sleep four people in comfort on real beds, complete with thick mattresses. To achieve this, Tourne have created a special patented system known as the Dream4 Systemâ„¢. Beds can be set up and packed away within minutes.
One bed is situated at the rear of the vehicle. To set up, all you have to do is simply pull down the appropriate base and stretch out the mattresses.
The second bed is in the living area. As can be seen in this YouTube video, it is just like a child’s jigsaw puzzle.
Within minutes, the seats and fixtures are quickly transformed into a double bed. The table is lowered, and extended using jigsaw shaped pieces carefully stored in a unit behind the seats. The kitchen cabinet pull out bench provides extra space, deep square cut cushions fit together to form the mattress followed by an upper mattress providing extra airflow and warmth. All the mattresses are bespoke to fit the bed sizes and save on storage space.
Other facilities included as standard include a dual burner gas stove, stainless steel sink which can be covered to provide an additional work surface, easy locking cupboards, a full washroom, retractable sunshades and fly screen.
Tourne caravans are being manufactured exclusively in Slovenia and are increasingly becoming available elsewhere. Tourne’s David Svetilicic says, “We are very satisfied with sales. It is doing very well. We are selling in Scandinavia and Germany and are now looking for the right partners elsewhere in Europe. We want to choose the right dealers, people who understand our philosophy.”
Many customers find their way to Tourne’s premises, keen to see where the vehicles are being built. David Svetilicic says, “We like talking to and meeting our customers. It gives us feedback that we like to receive.”
For the time being, Tourne is concentrating on developing its sales within Europe, especially northern countries, where the need for warmth and comfort while travelling is essential for much of the year.
Camping, Features, Industry Edge, International, RV Lifestyle