If you’re looking for a practical family motorhome that offers generous sleeping accommodation without breaking the bank, the Chausson Welcome 17 deserves your consideration. This 6-berth overcab motorhome represents a thoughtful balance between space, functionality, and affordability that has made it a popular choice among families entering the motorhome lifestyle.
Built on the reliable Fiat Ducato platform with the robust 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine, the Welcome 17 provides a solid foundation for family adventures. You’ll find it particularly appealing if you’re upgrading from a touring caravan or seeking your first motorhome purchase, as it offers genuine six-person accommodation within a manageable sub-7-metre footprint.
Welcome 17 Six-Berth Family Dimensions
You’ll appreciate how Chausson has maximised living space within relatively compact external dimensions. At approximately 6.59 metres in length, the Welcome 17 remains manageable on European roads while providing comfortable accommodation for up to six people. This careful balance makes it suitable for standard Category B driving licences, eliminating the need for additional qualifications.
The exterior features include practical additions that enhance your touring experience. You’ll benefit from an electric step for easy access, a side awning for outdoor living space, and a bike rack for transporting cycles. The reversing camera proves invaluable when manoeuvring in tight camping pitches, while the rear garage door provides convenient access to the storage area beneath the bunk beds.
Fiat Ducato 2.8L Turbo Diesel Performance
When you’re behind the wheel, you’ll find the 2.8-litre turbo diesel engine delivers adequate power for most driving situations. The five-speed manual gearbox provides appropriate ratios for motorhome use, though you might notice it’s geared more for torque than refinement, entirely appropriate for a leisure vehicle of this type.
The cab environment offers reasonable comfort with features you’d expect in a mid-2000s motorhome. You’ll benefit from air conditioning to keep you comfortable in warmer weather, electric windows and mirrors for convenience, and an airbag for driver safety. The reversing camera displays through a dashboard monitor, helping you navigate tight spaces with greater confidence.
Family Living with Forward-Facing Seats
The Welcome 17’s interior layout demonstrates Chausson’s expertise in space optimization. The front lounge area provides a sociable space with a side bench seat complemented by the swivelling driver and passenger seats. This arrangement creates a comfortable area for relaxing or dining when the vehicle is stationary.
For travelling, you’ll find two forward-facing seats with proper seatbelts, ensuring passengers can travel safely and legally. The lounge area includes storage options both above and below the seating, helping you keep the living space tidy and organised. A TV position is also incorporated into the design, allowing for entertainment during longer stays.
Overcab Plus Bunks Plus Convertible Lounge
You’ll find sleeping accommodation for six people distributed across three distinct areas. The overcab section houses a spacious double bed that makes excellent use of the space above the cab. This area provides a comfortable sleeping space for two adults while keeping the main living area free during the day.
At the rear of the motorhome, you’ll discover double bunk beds that are ideal for children or teenagers. These fixed beds provide dedicated sleeping spaces without the need for nightly conversion. The lounge area can be transformed into additional sleeping accommodation, completing the six-berth capacity and offering flexibility for different group compositions.
Full-Length Kitchen with Large Fridge
The kitchen facilities are positioned along the right-hand side of the motorhome, providing a practical cooking space for family meals. You’ll find hobs and a grill for preparing a variety of dishes, along with a sink for washing up. Storage is available both above and below the work surfaces, allowing you to store provisions and utensils efficiently.
A particular advantage is the full-length fridge, offering generous capacity for fresh food storage, essential when catering for larger groups. The kitchen’s position within the overall layout provides good access while maintaining separation from the lounge area, allowing for simultaneous cooking and relaxation activities.
Welcome 17 Bathroom and Privacy
On the left-hand side toward the rear, you’ll find the fully-fitted bathroom compartment. This space includes all the essential facilities: shower, toilet, sink and storage. While compact (as is typical in motorhomes of this class), the bathroom provides complete privacy and functionality for family needs.
The bathroom’s position adjacent to the rear sleeping area creates a practical night-time zone, while its separation from the kitchen and living areas maintains appropriate hygiene boundaries. The inclusion of storage within the bathroom helps keep toiletries organised and accessible.
Thoughtful Storage Including Rear Garage
You’ll discover the Welcome 17 offers thoughtful storage solutions throughout the vehicle. The overhead lockers in the lounge area provide accessible space for lighter items, while under-seat storage accommodates bulkier possessions. The wardrobe, positioned behind the kitchen area, offers hanging space for clothes alongside additional storage below.
The area beneath the rear bunk beds provides substantial storage capacity, accessible both from inside the motorhome and via the external garage door. This dual-access arrangement proves particularly useful for storing outdoor equipment, sports gear, or bulkier items that would otherwise consume valuable interior space.
Perfect for Budget-Conscious Families
The Welcome 17 is particularly well-suited to family touring holidays, offering genuine accommodation for parents and up to four children. You’ll find it provides a practical base for exploring tourist destinations, with sufficient comfort for stays of one to two weeks.
For couples, the Welcome 17 offers abundant space, though you might find more compact models better suited to your needs unless you regularly travel with guests. Weekend breaks, festival attendance, and summer touring all fall within the Welcome 17’s comfort zone, though its insulation and heating systems may limit comfortable use in extreme winter conditions.
Family Motorhome Alternatives from Mid-2000s
If you’re researching alternatives in this category, you might consider:
- Swift Sundance models from the same era, which offer similar layouts with British build approaches
- Auto-Trail models such as for example, Auto-Trail Apache 700 2011 Review: Spacious Family Touring with Practical Versatility, which typically feature more premium interiors but at higher price points
- Bürstner and Knaus offerings, which provide German engineering alternatives with different design philosophies
- Later Chausson models with improved ‘iRP’ construction methods, if your budget allows
Why This Welcome 17 Offers Affordable Entry
The Chausson Welcome 17 represents a practical, affordable entry point into family motorhoming. You’ll appreciate its thoughtful space utilization, genuine six-berth capacity, and solid mechanical foundation. The Fiat Ducato base vehicle provides reliable performance and widespread service support, while the habitation area delivers all essential facilities for comfortable family touring.
However, you should approach any used example with realistic expectations regarding build quality and potential maintenance requirements. A thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential, with particular attention to water ingress and systems functionality. With appropriate care and maintenance, the Welcome 17 can provide years of enjoyable family adventures at a price point that makes motorhoming accessible to a broader range of enthusiasts.
For families prioritizing space and practicality over premium finishes, the Welcome 17 continues to offer compelling value in the used motorhome market.
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