Leyland Daf T244 Camper: You Know You Want To

Need to go anywhere, and then sleep there? This looks like just the ticket

We didn’t think it’d be possible to find a rival to the Unimog-based camper we featured in this slot last year, but somewhat incredibly, one’s just attracted our attention, once again in the PH Classifieds.

Perfect for a cuppa halfway up Kilimanjaro

It’s based on an old Leyland Daf T244 army truck. Need we say more? OK, so we probably do. In the late 80s, these things were rolled out to replace the previous Bedford MJ and MK (although the latter ended up staying in service), and they became stalwarts of the British Army, carrying any and everything over rough ground with aplomb. All sorts of derivatives were produced, for tasks as diverse as carrying troops, refuelling in the field, and even laying out mobile trackway with the aid of an extraordinary over-the-top apparatus.

We’re not sure what this one did in its past life, but it’s now been re-classified as a camper, and given what looks to be a particularly sympathetic renovation and conversion by the current owner. Resplendent in a rather natty silver paint job, it can boast sleeping quarters for two, a kitchenette, bathroom facilities and even a TV and DVD player. And with four-wheel drive, massive ground clearance and even a lopped-off rear end to prevent grounding out, it should be tough enough to head anywhere you fancy. Just the thing for the occasional weekend away on Eastern Steppe, then.

Roof-mounted pylon a nice extra touch

Mind you, bearing in mind the T244’s performance, it’s probably best to schedule a tad longer than that. As you might expect, the 5.9-litre Cummins 6BT turbodiesel engine is set up for pulling power rather than outright go, and while it should cruise around happily at 55mph on the flat, it might be a bit less willing to slog up hills. A quick scout through owners’ forums suggests that a few tweaks can lift its standard power output of anywhere between 110hp and 147hp, depending on the fuel filter it’s equipped with, to around 160hp, which might help matters.

That said, nobody's ever in the market for one of these things for performance, are they? Rather, its ability to get you to where you’re going – wherever that may be – and to provide you with comfortable accommodation when you get there is the big draw. As campers go, this has to be one of the coolest out there.

LEYLAND DAF T244 CAMPER
Why you should: Beats the hell out of the usual van-based white goods
Why you shouldn't: £28,000 is a lot of money to spend on something that can only just do 55
Yours for: £28,000

See the original ad here.

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TinyCappo

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