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The Toyota HiAce HiLife Campervan Conversion
(Sleeping Capacity 2 persons)
The Toyota HiAce HiLife Overview
The Toyota HiAce HiLife campervan is a very basic
campervan, albeit based on a fairly high spec light
goods van. Mine has a 2.5 ltre TDI turbo - not nippy but
a fair top speed. The van as converted weighs in at just
short of 1.5 tonnes. The van is just under a tonne, and
with a capacity of 2,550Kg it tips the scales as a 3.5
tonne van - so it is limited to 50mph on ordinary roads,
60 on dual carriageways and 70 on motorways. I don't
normally drive it above 60mph for economy reasons. On
the flat it achieves the mid 30s, but in the Dales,
lakes etc. this can plummet as you go down through the
gears.
There are many Toyota HiAce campervan conversions - some
of the better ones are converted from Japanese imports,
often on the long wheelbase version. These usually boast
a toilet and shower. Mine is an Elddis - a venture
discontinued by the caravan maker. So much so that they
denied they made it when it was less then 5 years old,
until they were sent a photograph of the builders plate.
Even so, they failed to even respond to a request for a
part after several requests from an Elddis dealer. The
lesson there is, if you buy one, you are dealing with
the companies who make the various campervan accessories
- not too daunting because most dealers know them and
deal with them.
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The HiLife has fairly basic facilities. It has lighting
and power for the water supply (sink) via battery or
mains. The fridge is 3 way. The cooker has two hobs and
a grill. There is a gas heater - but the supply is in
the boot, so in really cold weather you do need to be on
propane. It has a 13 amp socket when you have EHU. It
sleeps two, if you are VERY friendly. If you are not
entertaining, you can get by without folding it right
back - so it takes seconds to get ready for bed. If you
need more space, you need to remake the bed every day.
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The fibre glass hi-top provides adequate headroom in the
living area, and the storage above the driver's cab and
rear provides very adequate storage for bedding and
luggage. It is a dream to drive on the open road - I can
drive it for hours without the back problems I get in
most cars. It is easy to drive on country roads, being
only a few inches wider than a family car, and shorted
than some estate versions of family saloons.
Conversion
Conversion by Elddis
Base Vehicle
Toyota Hiace.
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Pros and Cons |
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Pros |
Cons |
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Fairly economical and
very easy to drive and park. It won't go in
an NCP with a height barrier, but will fit
into most car parks, including Tesco's,
without too much trouble. |
No toilet or shower. The living space
is adequate for 2 people to eat, but if the
weather is bad it is too small for more than
a short period.
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Verdict:
I love it for what I use it for - weekends away with an
easy get away, hassle free travel, very quick set up,
practical living, comfort and sleeping for a short time.
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Reviewed by
Geoff Shumba for 365 Camping Caravanning
Reviewed 2010
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