Hymer's Most Budget-Friendly Class B RV Is a Campervan With Family-Friendly Capabilities

Folks, Hymer is one of those RV and motorhome manufacturers that have stood the test of time and customer whims and, as a result, have basically taken over the European market with their machines. In short, they're a sort of Winnebago of Europe, but that's not what we're here to talk about today.

No, today is all about their Free Class B motorhome, a campervan designed to get you into the mobile living game for a rather low budget, considering the base vehicle is included in its €65,700 ($72K at current exchange rates) starting price tag. Best of all, the Free presents that flawless, German-engineered, and highly flexible interior Hymer has grown to be known for.

Now, there's a whole lot to talk about if we're going to dive deeper into the Free, so the best way to give you a quick understanding of what's in store is to take you on a little trip through a life lived out of this bedroom with wheels.

All that starts off with you behind the wheel of a Fiat Ducato base with 103 kW (138 hp) of spunk and the ability to carry around 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) of total vehicle and load weight. Better yet, a trailer with up to 2,000 kg (4,410 lbs) of goods is also permissible. Considering that a Ducato can go for as much as €54K, the rest of the goodies Hymer adds should make up for the difference in price, and it does. Actually, I feel it far exceeds what anyone can achieve with just €11,700 more.

Yet, it's upon finally arriving at your destination that you'll be able to unfurl the Free in all its beauty. If you've checked out the images in the gallery, you may have noticed that Free is a pop-top camper. This means the roof lifts to expose a camper's nest fit with a mattress for two guests. It's with this feature alone that Hymer extends this vehicle's accommodations to four guests.

Your life should go something like this: You reach your destination, park your Free, stretch your legs, and once you do, lift the roof into place, extend the side awning, and unload everything else you may have attached to your Free's body. This is also the stage where you might want to unfurl any portable solar panels you may own, ensuring off-grid usability.

Optional equipment and mounts for bicycles and countless other toys do exist, so you could easily break that $72K mark. Once you've unloaded your campsite gear, including chairs, a table, and even a tent annex, it's time to set up the rest of your mobile living experience, and this means we head inside.

Overall, three layouts are available on the manufacturer's website, and no matter which option you choose, each follows a similar plan: two swivel seats for a passenger and driver followed by a dinette and galley block vis-a-vis. Then there's the galley, which shares a wall with the dinette and, beyond that, the bedroom.

The differences, however, lie in the size of the bathroom and the particular bedding configuration you ultimately go for. Remember, flexibility is key for these machines, and each bedding area does have the possibility to perform multiple actions. Sometimes, you'll use this space to sleep, other times to lounge around, but almost always, there will be something stored underneath. My personal favorite is the 602 floor plan, as it includes a large north-south bed configuration that spans the entire width of the unit.

Once you've settled in for the next few days or so, it's time to take care of all those little evening tasks. This will include you whipping up a meal, among others, with the use of a two-burner top, sink with access to 100 l of water, heated, of course, and a fridge, all integrated into a neat block. Gather the kids and family and enjoy that meal at the dinette I mentioned, or why not outside by a fire?

Since the kids ran out of energy first, they'll head indoors and take turns showering, only to climb up into their rooftop nest later. As the night rolls on, it's you and your significant other's turn to head off to sleep. This time, your showers are followed by a tad of work in preparing the bedroom I mentioned. Good night.

The next morning, you awake to the sounds of a nearby stream and, from your bed, decide to swing open the rear doors to let in some fresh air and sunlight. Why not make some coffee and start your day right here, overlooking the mountain valley below?

Once everyone's up and fed, hop on those e-bikes you had mounted to the Free's exterior and explore the local lands. Best of all, after you've tired or become bored with the place, load everything up, head to the nearest gas station and supermarket, load up on supplies, and don't stop driving until you've reached the next X on your map.

Sure, the materials used to bring this puppy to life aren't of the same level and standard as those used in this manufacturer's more expensive units, but this is the budget option; what did you expect? Nonetheless, access to the campervan lifestyle for around $70K is a hard balance to strike, and Hymer has achieved it.