2022 Joa Camp Motorhome 70T

Chances are, the name Joa Camp is a new one to you, but when you see the company behind it you’ll be reassured.

Keeping it simple is the theme here, with a range of budget-priced coachbuilt motorhomes from France’s Pilote group. Calling the initial Joa Camp coachbuilt range quite simply Motorhome helps set the tone.

It’s Citroen’s Relay (an alternatively badged, but often less pricey version of Fiat’s Ducato) that provides the base here, coming as standard with a 2.2-litre, 140bhp engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, which should provide plenty of oomph for most folks’ needs.

It’s also a 3,500kg chassis, so is within reach of anyone with a full driving licence. That above-average 800kg starting payload also hints at less kit as standard. The option to upgrade to 3,650kg is surely superfluous in this instance.

Another example of the no-nonsense approach, T stands for twin beds. While 70 means… you’ve guessed it, it comes in at a centimetre under the seven metre mark for overall length.

What’s French for bargain?

The somewhat boxy design and minimal use of graphics on the Joa Camp Motorhome 70T – along with aspects such as standard black door mirror casings – offer immediate hints at a motorhome from the lower end of the price scale. There are contradictions, though – notably the colour-matched front bumper and cab door handles, and habitation door with a window. Nevertheless, the sides, roof and even the underside are GRP, while lower skirting is aluminium.

Inside, there’s a similar mix of obvious cost-paring and splashes of luxury. The furniture is flat rather than curved, for example. And those high-level fixed single beds at the back are a bit narrower than some (officially, 73cm) – with the advantage of this being the extra space between them, of course, as well as being sited lower compared to other, similar floorplans that put more emphasis on garage space below. Also, access is easier thanks to the fixed steps. Lengthwise, choose between 1.90m and a full 2m.

Each bed has a reading light on a stalk plus a section of padded headboard. Side windows have cassette roller blinds/flyscreens as well as net curtaining.

Forward of the nearside bed, the washroom in the Joa Camp Motorhome 70T is accessed via a space-efficient tambour door. The handbasin is fixed to a hanged wall section that swings over the swivel-bowl toilet when you want sufficient room for showering.

Over on the offside, the kitchen is restricted to a two-burner hob and rectangular sink, both in stainless steel. There’s also a Thetford Duplex combined oven and grill under the hob. A branded noticeboard to the right of the sink certainly jollies things up here.

There’s no worktop extension, but a small unit immediately opposite the kitchen offers a small, inset tray accompanied by a USB socket and locker underneath.

Storage includes a drawer under the sink, second drawer under that, plus a floor locker and a single, shelved locker overhead.

A slimline Dometic 133-litre fridge with removable freezer section and automatic energy selection should cater for all your food and drink cooling needs. A locker under the fridge is deep enough to house a waste bin.

Up front, the L-shaped lounge wraps around an offset fixed pedestal leg table that has full vertical and sideways adjustment. There’s also an inward-facing single seat just inside the habitation door.

Truma’s Kombi 4, operating from gas and mains electricity, provides the heating and hot water for the Joa Camp Motorhome 70T. Just note there’s a slight anomaly between the fresh (30 litres) and waste (95 litres) water tank capacities.

There’s plenty more as standard. Everything from cab air conditioning to lighting and a 230V mains socket in the garage area – which is also accessible from both sides.

You’ll want to consider the main options packs, too. The Chassis Pack gives you the alloy wheels shown here, as well as the padded steering wheel, LED day-running lights and more.

The Living Area Pack includes floor carpeting, overcab sunroof, travel use of the heating system, folding towel rack etc. And the most expensive, Pack Extra extends to a solar panel, Truma’s Combi 6, two extra sleeping berths (in the lounge), 8in screen stereo system with DAB, reversing camera and more.

It’s up to you, then, if you want to pile on the pounds or invest in a very wallet-friendly motorhome.

This Joa Camp Motorhome 70T was reviewed at Davan Caravans.

Verdict: Bargain buster that’s all but a Pilote in name

Plus: Hot price, great payload

Minus: Extras packs are pricey, no automatic transmission option

In-a-nutshell: Whoa, Joa! A real price pincher from Pilote

There’s more information on the Motorhome range on the Joa Camp website. Find out more about insuring this or your current motorhome on our motorhome insurance page.

Alternatives: Elddis Autoquest/Compass Avantgarde 194, Sunlight T 67 S