We expect a lot from compact coachbuilt motorhomes here in the UK. Anything up to 6m in length but with full motorhome facilities. And, increasingly, bodies that are just that bit narrower than what was previously considered the 1.30m-plus a norm, too.
Short, narrow, sweet
Germany’s Dethleffs answers the calls with its Globebus Go T15 model here. It’s based on Ford’s Transit with 130bhp and six-speed manual transmission as standard, with options for automatic and 155bhp powerplant. Ford’s finest is these days, a particularly pleasant vehicle to drive and comes with a well-appointed cab with a general feel of quality about it.
In this video, we take a look inside the 2024 Dethleffs Globebus Go T15 motorhome:
The bodywork is all GRP and the 16in black alloy wheels come as standard. At 60cm, the habitation door (which stays on the UK offside) is that bit wider than many. Full UK versions will, of course, be right-hand drive.
It’s a floorplan – or rather, a sleeping arrangement – that hasn’t always found favour in the UK, because of potential access issues with the permanent transverse double bed at the back, although there’s no arguing with the garage space below it gives you. Not the most spacious, but it will come in handy for safe stowing of a bike and more.
As we’ve come to expect from many a European-built motorhome, the kitchen in the Dethleffs Globebus Go T15 keeps things simple.
There’s a two-ring hob under a smoked glass hinged cover, with an open, circular, stainless steel sink to its right. There’s a good-sized cutlery drawer directly under the hob.
To the right of this, a 149-litre fridge with freezer compartment is set just off floor level for easier access.
Things get a bit more expansive in the well-appointed washroom, where there’s a swivel-bowl toilet, a shower on a riser bar, all in a plastic inset and an inset handbasin between the two. Complements include a toothbrush holder mug, chrome racking for shampoo bottles etc, shower tray with two plugholes, a trio of clothes/towel hooks, and a storage unit that includes open shelving as well as a tall locker. The clever bit is the swing wall that creates a full shower cubicle when needed.
To the front of the Dethleffs Globebus Go T15 motorhome, it’s a standard lounge using the cab seat swivel facilities and a forward-facing rear bench seat, with an extendable, side-fixing table.
The lounge seating makes a third berth for sleeping, while the aforementioned rear bed is certainly comfortable enough – it has a seven-zone cold foam mattress featuring climate-regulating fabric on a slatted wooden base. Dimensions are 1.98m x 1.37m/1.32m.
Elsewhere, standard equipment ranges from a 6kW diesel-fuelled Truma Combi heating and hot water system to a flyscreen for the habitation door, to a 95Ah leisure battery, and soft-close upper locker doors.
There’s also pre-wiring in place for a reversing camera (for a discount on your motorhome insurance with Caravan Guard), roof-mounted air conditioning, solar panel, and a satellite TV system (there’s an adjustable bracket in place in the lounge ready to take your flatscreen TV, too).
With the usual Dethleffs build qualities and details to the fore, this is the type of motorhome that packs a lot in to its compact dimensions. But, you will want more. Just some of the many optional extras are listed opposite. As ever, be wary of reducing your payload too much – although in this respect the configurator on the Dethleffs website is a particular help.
To find out more about insuring a Dethleffs Globebus Go or your current motorhome visit our motorhome insurance discounts page.
Verdict: Meets the compact, narrow-bodied brief with style and quality
Plus: Overall build and detail touches, good use of internal space
Minus: Pricey, especially when you start tackling the extensive options list, rear bed limitations
In-a-nutshell: The usual Dethleffs quality, with the choice to equip to your preferences/budget
Alternatives: Auto-Trail Excel 620G, Bailey Alora 69-4S, Bürstner Nexxo Van T 590 G
Dethleffs Globebus Go T15 factfile
Model | Dethleffs Globebus Go T15 |
Base vehicle | Ford Transit low platform chassis-cab |
Dimensions | 5.99m L x 2.20m W x 2.69m H |
Berths | Three |
Travel seats | Four |
Maximum weight | 3,500kg |
Payload | From 508kg |
MPG estimate | 28-32 |
RRP | From £69,400 on the road |
Safety & security | ESP (Electronic Stability Program), ABS with EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution), safety brake assist, rollover protection cab, emergency brake support including emergency brake light, hill start assist, crosswind assist, rollover protection cab, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, tyre inflation kit, lane departure warning, Ford Quickclear windscreen, lane assist with drowsiness warning, high beam assist, smoke detector |
Key options | Package X (rear-view camera, 3m awning) (£980), automatic transmission (£2,400), 155bhp engine with manual transmission (£1,420), 155bhp engine with automatic transmission (£3,180), towbar (£1,590), Isofix for rear seat (£320), Dethleffs Moniceiver (DAB radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto etc) (£1,450), Winter Comfort Package (pipe insulation, diesel-fuelled heater system, electrically heated fresh and waste water tanks, XPS insulation etc) (£2,260), water filter kit (£293), Multimedia Package 1 (£1,330), Multimedia Package 2 (£1,428) |
![2024 Dethleffs Globebus Go T15 motorhome 2024 Dethleffs Globebus Go T15 motorhome](https://www.caravanguard.co.uk/news/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/floorplan-1.png)
Good article on this motorhome. Watching the video certainly made up my mind that I would not entertain looking at this van on the basis of the bed….Not wanting to climb over to get out through a small central exit/entrance for the bed. Also no provision for a headboard for the bed….. Windows at both ends?? Do these designers not sit up and/or read in bed??