A full five-berth that can be driven on a normal driving licence and still has a decent payload? This has got to be worth investigating…
Chausson’s First Line series targets value-for-money seekers, although if you like the look of the layout it’s also available in higher specification Titanium VIP and Titanium Premium variants.
But the key attraction of the standard Chausson First Line 720 motorhome is the initial on-the-road price of £55,240 – to which you can always add any optional extras you specifically want, of course. Introduced as a budget line in late 2021 by Chausson, it definitely lives up (or down?) to its price promises.
There’s a choice of Fiat or (as here) Ford base vehicles, the latter coming as standard with a 130bhp engine and six-speed manual transmission. Among the options are the 170bhp motor and a chassis weight upgrade.
There’s the slightest of colour mismatches between cab and the caravan bodywork. More importantly, Chausson’s coachbuilt section is faced in GRP and comes with a seven-year warranty.
No alloys is a pointer to where cost savings have been made (although you do get plastic wheel trims). Also, the habitation door – at 60cm, wider than some – stays on the UK offside, although it does come with a window.
Five go nap
The Chausson First Line 720 motorhome layout is all about flexibility. It can indeed cater for up to five folk – travelling and sleeping – although don’t be fooled by first impressions of a front lounge comprising inward-facing settees on either side of a hinged tabletop on an offset, fixed pedestal leg, that also offers the usual electrically operated height as well as (manual) fore and aft adjustments.
For travel, the settees convert into forward- and rear-ward-facing travel seats on the nearside, with a fourth single travel seat on the offside.
Over the lounge is a drop-down double bed that comes down to any level at the touch of a button, although it does impede slightly across the habitation door.
Beyond, the angled kitchen has a Thetford Triplex cooker (that’s the one with two gas burners, electric hotplate and a combined oven and grill) accompanied by a circular stainless steel sink. There’s a little bit of worktop in front of that, not much scope for any more.
Storage in the Chausson First Line 720 fares better. The main kitchen drawer has a handle that could double as a towel rail. Beneath this is a large locker with a shelf under the drawer, while a couple of high-level lockers follow the angle of the worktop.
Across the corridor is a Dometic slimline fridge/freezer with a family-friendly 134-litre total capacity as well as automatic energy selection. Among the other appliances, there’s a Truma water heater, while the (diesel-fuelled) heating is courtesy of Webasto.
Aft of the kitchen, it’s a step up to the shower cubicle on the nearside and toilet room offside. The former is accessed via two folding doors and, despite sitting over the wheel arch, seems spacious enough. Walls are plastic-lined, with two drainage holes in the (rather shallow) shower tray, while the shower itself has a riser bar. The roof light above is complemented by a drop-down clothes rail.
The door to the toilet room opposite can also be used to close off the en-suite facilities. The toilet room has a swivel-bowl loo and a fixed basin that sits almost flush with the worktop. There’s a high-level sliding door locker and a mirror, plus another hanging rail here. The large opening, opaque window is a big plus.
There’s an innovative touch at the back of the Chausson First Line 720, where the two bunk beds have full height adjustment. In the case of the lower bunk, that means you can optimise storage space in the garage below for travelling.
Storage is generous elsewhere, too. The wardrobe, between the bunks and the shower cubicle, is particularly commodious.
It all makes for a proper family van. Up there among the most innovative manufacturers, Chausson never disappoints when it comes to value for money, either. The First Line 720 motorhome is a great example.
*This Chausson motorhome was photographed at Highbridge.
Verdict: Ford-based flexibility for five
Plus: Bargain potential, kids love bunks, roomy layout thanks to drop-down main bed, clever rear bunks arrangement
Minus: Rear seat ravel not the greatest, minimal kitchen worktop
In-a-nutshell: High five for a bargain
There’s more information on the First Line range on the Chausson website. Find out more about insuring this or your current motorhome on our motorhome insurance page.
Alternatives: Benimar Tessoro 413, Roller Team Zefiro 675, Sun Living A 70DK
Chausson First Line 720 factfile
Model | Chausson First Line 720 |
Base vehicle | Ford Transit |
Dimensions | 7.19m L x 2.35m W x 2.92m H |
Berths | Five |
Travel seats | Five |
Maximum weight | 3,500kg |
Payload | 469kg |
MPG estimate | 28-32 |
RRP | From £55,240 on the road |
Safety & security | Electronic immobiliser, remote central locking, ESC (electronic stability control), twin airbags, Traction+, cruise control and speed limiter, Ford Eco pack (Stop-start technology, smart alternator, electronically-controlled fuel pump) |
Key options | 160bhp engine upgrade pack (£3,300), awning and solar panel (£1,450), 4,100kg chassis upgrade (£950), towbar £1,550) |
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