The layout that changed everything: Why Sharon chose the Trouvaille MWB

There’s a moment many people reach when they’re looking for their next ‘van.

They’ve done the research. They’ve walked around the big shows. They’ve opened door after door, hoping something will just feel right.

And instead… they walk away thinking, is this it?

That’s exactly where Sharon and Neil found themselves.

Doing all the “right” things… but still not finding it

Sharon and Neil weren’t new to campervans. They already had experience and knew what worked for them – and more importantly – what didn’t.

But like a lot of people looking for their next ‘van, they couldn’t quite find the step up they were hoping for.

“We are a couple in our 60s, with a dog, and we all love hiking in the UK. We'd previously owned a lovely Ford Transit campervan (from another great family business) but after a couple of years of touring we decided we needed more height, more storage and more comfort but all in a package ideally less than 6m long. We did lots of research, went to the NEC show and visited a number of converters and dealers. Our conclusion was the market didn't offer what we wanted and we often felt underwhelmed by cramped and unimaginative layouts.”

Does this sound familiar? It’s something we hear all the time: people want more from their ‘van, but without going bigger, bulkier or more complicated.

Then came Harrogate

Sometimes, it only takes one visit to change everything!

For Sharon and Neil, that moment came at the Yorkshire Motorhome & Campervan Show, where they stepped inside the Trouvaille MWB High Top.

“Fortunately a decision to visit the Harrogate Campervan Show paid off when we came across the MWB Trouvaille on the Orange Campers stand. The first thing that struck us was how light and airy it feels inside the van. The cleverly designed layout suits us perfectly - having the kitchen and toilet at the back of the van means the daytime living space feels truly spacious and we have a serious amount of storage. Also notable was the build quality - so much better than a lot of alternatives.”

This is exactly why we always say: you need to step inside.

You can read specs all day long, but until you stand in a space that actually works, it is hard to picture what your life in the ‘van could feel like.

Designing a ‘van that actually works for you

What made the difference for Sharon wasn’t just the layout. It was how the ‘van could be tailored around how they actually travel.

“When making our decision to buy from Orange Campers what really stood out for us was how accommodating Orange Campers are. We specifically wanted an extra wide bed - Richard came up with a design that not only gave us a kingsized bed but the extra cushions and supports store really neatly behind one passenger seat. We both have dodgy backs so we have lots of bedding including foam toppers, quilted toppers, pillows and duvets and all these store in the large rear cupboard and the useful space above the cab. The kitchen space is excellent - ample room for food prep with a decent sized sink, a 3 burner hob, a large fridge (which is nice and quiet) and we went for a microwave which is proving super useful. The fixed toilet is perfectly adequate for our needs. We didn't want a shower - we're happy to use campsite showers and have the benefit of a 5.4m van.”

This is where innovation, design and quality really come together.

It's not about cramming more in, but about making better use of the space you have, so your ‘van feels easy to live in.

Real life, real trips, real comfort

Of course, it is not just about how a ‘van looks on day one. It's about how it performs when you're actually out there using it.

“We've now had our van for 5 months and we've been on a number of mini trips up to 3 nights away, at times experiencing heavy rain and snow. The van is very cosy thanks to the diesel heater which doesn't take long to heat up the van from cold. We also bought a deluxe external cab wrap which definitely helps to keep the van warm and it eliminates condensation on the inside of the cab windows. Our other extras included - WiFi/TV aerial, a safe, hot water, remis blinds and air suspension. All of these have proven to be great additions. Another feature which for us sets the MWB Trouvaille apart is the ability to carry a bike in the van. We have an ebike which at 22kg is too heavy to load onto an exterior rear cycle carrier but with the assistance of a simple, portable ramp the bike can be wheeled in to the back via the barn doors. Orange Campers fitted some lashing points to ensure the safe transport of the bike.”

Being able to safely carry an ebike inside the ‘van is a real game changer for many owners, and it's something Sharon and Neil hadn't seen done this well elsewhere.

It's these little things that matter – not just the initial build, but how the ‘van supports you trip after trip, whatever the weather!

Support that carries on long after handover

One of the biggest differences people notice is what happens after they drive away.

“On a final note, we've had a couple of minor snags which needed fixing, plus we requested some post-sale extras - all of these were sorted very quickly with zero hassle - a major advantage of buying direct from a reputable UK converter. Do we recommend Orange Campers - absolutely 😊”

That is what we mean when we talk about continuous care, long after you drive away. Because buying your ‘van is just the start...

Could this be your story too?

If you have been to the big shows, opened countless doors, and still not quite found “the one" then Sharon and Neil’s story might feel very familiar.

The best next step is always to come and see the ‘vans for yourself. Walk through them, sit inside, open every cupboard and ask all your questions.

Book a workshop tour to see exactly how our ‘vans are built, understand the thinking behind every design decision, and meet the team who bring them to life. Keep an eye out for our open days and coffee mornings too.

Book a workshop tour