Full review

Words & photos: Peter Vaughan

The Dethleffs Globebus Go T45

While we love the pared back, utilitarian and modular Yoka Go launched by German manufacturer, Dethleffs, last year, it’s not coming to the UK market. Not yet, at least. 

But its sister model, the Globebus Go, is also new, compact and based on the Ford Transit. It’s more conventional and on sale here. 

There are two layouts, the T 15 with a transverse double and the T 45 with fixed single beds. While the T 45 featured here is longer than the average full-sized campervan, at 6.69m, it is narrower than the average coachbuilt. 

Anyone who has extensively driven one of these more compact models will know the difference that 10 or 15cm makes when on the road and parking. It’s also telling that there has been a real resurgence of narrower models from motorhome manufacturers across Europe.

Another significant but often overlooked dimension is height and the Globebus Go’s 2.69m is pretty close to campervan size. That could make a difference to handling, especially in windy conditions and on motorways.

The beds

There’s a good reason, too, for this model being longer than most panel vans and that’s its single beds. These are very generous in size at 1.99m long by 81cm on the nearside and 1.90m by 75cm on the offside. 

They are  also fairly high to allow for a good load space below – the garage height is 1.02m, which should be adequate for most cycles. However, the steps up to the beds are excellent, so access shouldn’t be a problem.

There’s also a ladder to use when the middle panel is slid out to make one larger bed – an optional extra that requires infill cushions.

There are wardrobes under the foot of both beds and two further lockers above the heads, but this makes sitting up here for a morning cuppa tricky. 

Open shelves on each side make the area feel more spacious than if lockers were fitted, but the lips won’t keep everything at bay whilst travelling.

The washroom

The washroom and kitchen are in the middle, opposite each other, and it’s here where the compact dimensions are most obvious. Yet, the aisle does not feel overly narrow. 

It’s possibly the washroom that has sacrificed space, but it’s functional, even offering a basin on a swing wall to shut off the toilet area when showering. The sliding door to the washroom also makes access easier.

The kitchen

The star feature of the kitchen has to be the fridge, with a staggering 149 litres of capacity. A two-burner hob and round sink take up most of the worktop available, but a folding section at the end of the unit creates more preparation space. 

There’s loads of storage in this area, with three drawers next to a cupboard that contains the bin. Note the rails on the side of the fridge for hanging accessories and the like – Dethleffs sells a range items that will fit here.

The lounge

The final element is the half-dinette lounge – the two cab seats swivel around to face a bench that’s equipped with two seatbelts. The table has an extension, so all four folk can dine. 

The telly stores on the washroom wall (the bracket is supplied as standard) above the bench seat, making it suitable for viewing only from the cab seats. 

The options

Unusually for a German manufacturer, the options list is pretty short and includes an automatic gearbox on the standard 130hp engine, or a more powerful 155hp unit.

There's also an awning, bike rack, alternative Calypso fabric, a reversing camera, 6kW diesel/electric heating, roof-mounted air-con, a lithium battery, 100W  solar panel and winterisation for the underfloor waste tank. 

Choose wisely, though, as costs can soon ramp up and options will reduce your payload, too.

Where to buy

Dethleffs has 12 dealers around the UK, including BC Motorhomes in Scotland and 3 A’s Leisure in Wales.

In England, Bardsea Leisure in Ulverston is the furthest north, and Highbridge Caravan Centre and  Southwest Motorhomes cover, err, the southwest. 

Other long-standing Dethleffs retailers include Lowdhams in Nottingham and Pullingers in Essex.