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quoteFew retailers have taken to campervans as seriously as Venture Caravans and Motorhomes, operator of two sales outlets – one at Watford Gap, Northamptonshire, the other in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.
It’s at the former site that Venture has set up its own manufacturing plant, making its own campervans under the Redline name. And it stresses how it wants to do things the right way, citing being audited by the Vehicle Certification Agency for Type Approval and its status as a National Caravan Council Approved Manufacturer, stating its vehicles also exceed BS EN 1646 European Health and Safety Standards. And it backs them up with a three-year conversion warranty.
The Sport GT campervan here represents Redline’s first foray with Ford – until now it’s been making campervans based on Volkswagen’s Transporter.
Unsurprisingly, then, it’s adopted a classic campervan layout – designed to fit into the latest T7 version of Volkswagen’s Transporter as well as its Ford equivalent here, the Transit Custom.
With the latter, for production models, engine/transmission specification starts with the Transit Custom in high-level Titanium trim, with 150PS engine and six-speed manual transmission as standard. You can also choose between long- and short-wheelbase variants. It’s the latter here, but Redline adds, at this stage in its development as a manufacturer, it’s also happy to build to order.
Plus, the Sport GT will be available on VW’s T7, with prices starting at £59,995.
Whichever base vehicle you opt for, Redline’s conversion work includes Thermo-Shield construction with 8mm foil back foam and 25mm Dacron insulation for the main bodywork. The elevating roof is Redline’s own design, featuring a GRP exterior and twin-walled polycarbonate inner panel, with canvas from renowned French tent manufacturer Cabanon, and stainless steel hinges. The design also includes mesh ventilation panels on each side and a large front window area, with the ability to zip out a significant section when the weather allows.
Pre-wiring is also in place for solar panels, a tracking system and awning light. The furniture is all made in-house using CNC cutting machines and a cam and dowel production process that makes units sturdier.
There’s also a massive choice of furniture and edging, flooring colours and upholstery styles.
You’ll see plenty of familiarity in other fittings in the Redline Sport GT campervan. The rear seat/bed is a RIB Altair 112 unit, with Isofix. It’s a fixed unit – so you don’t get the flexibility of a seat system on rails – but the big news here is future models will have a Mobiframe sliding bed/seating system, which is also some 112cm wide.
There’s also a double bed in the elevating roof section, with a somewhat thin memory foam mattress.
The kitchen is as per a typical campervan, with its two-ring gas hob and sink combination and a Dometic CRX50 compressor fridge with a small freezer compartment – but note Redline also squeezes in a grill. And, as well as the usual lower-level storage and wardrobe etc, there are small but very handy lockers over the kitchen area. There’s also a sliding table with two attachment fittings.
Also on-board are 45-litre fresh water (with external filling point) and 20-litre 20L waste tanks.
There are plenty of nice touches throughout the Redline Sport GT campervan, too. Like the wireless charger, dimmable LED lighting, two 230V sockets, loose carpet section for the living area, some half a dozen USB portals, and more.
Individual choice is a massive theme here. But it’s all backed by strong manufacturing principles. If that’s what interests you, the next stop is the configurator on the Redline website…
To find out more about insuring a Redline Sport GT or your current campervan visit our campervan insurance page.
Verdict: Choice a-plenty, backed by a good quality build
Plus: Flexible build and specification options
Minus: No shortage of rivals (or is that a plus?)
In-a-nutshell: Reassuring
Alternatives: Knights Custom Conversions Prestige Plus, Landseer Artisan, Panama P/12, Rolling Homes Kingsley, Sherwood Campers Loxley Edition SWB, Swift Monza, Wellhouse Leisure Misano 5, Wildtracks Explorer
Redline Sport GT factfile
| Model | Redline Sport GT |
| Base vehicle | Ford Transit Custom Titanium |
| Dimensions | 5.05m L x 2.15m W x 2.06m H |
| Berths | Four |
| Travel seats | Four (optional five) |
| Maximum weight | 3,175kg |
| Payload | 617kg |
| MPG estimate | 36-42 |
| RRP | From £58,995 |
| Safety & security | Pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, hill-start assist, cruise control with intelligent speed assist, rear camera, front and rear parking sensors, Isofix on rear seat, torque vectoring control, lane-keeping alert, driver alert, speed sign recognition, sidewind stabilisation, tyre pressure monitoring system, wrong way alert, trailer sway control, carbon monoxide and smoke alarms, electronic immobiliser, electronic handbrake, automatic lights and windscreen wipers |
| Key options | Solar panel (from £569), leather upholstery (from £2,599), bike rack (from £549), Fiamma wind-out awning (from £899), Webasto diesel heater (£1,499), external gas BBQ point (£349), external shower (£449), Westfalia detachable towbar (£999), Thatcham Cat 1 alarm (£499) |
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