When you’re hunting for a motorhome that won’t break the bank but still offers proper sleeping for three, the 2010 Chausson Welcome Ws deserves serious consideration. This French-built ‘van takes a refreshingly practical approach to space management, with its clever garage bed system setting it apart from the usual fixed-bed crowd.
At roughly 6 metres long and staying within the crucial 3.5-tonne weight limit, the Welcome Ws won’t demand a truck licence or leave you wrestling with ferry weight restrictions. You’d be looking at a motorhome that could comfortably tackle everything from weekend breaks in the Cotswolds to longer Continental tours, assuming you don’t mind the slightly more compact dimensions that come with this size category.
The standout feature here is undoubtedly that transverse double bed above the garage, but it’s the way it works that’s genuinely clever. Rather than a fixed bed eating into your living space, this one winds up and down like an awning mechanism, giving you proper headroom when you need it and a comfortable double when you don’t.
Size and Practicality of the Welcome Ws
At 6 metres long and 2.3 metres wide, the Welcome Ws sits in that sweet spot where you’re not constantly worrying about car park spaces or narrow country lanes, yet you’ve still got enough interior room to live comfortably. The 2.76-metre height means you’ll clear most car park barriers, though you’d want to check those pesky 2.5-metre restrictions that seem to crop up everywhere these days.
That 632kg payload might sound generous, but when you factor in two adults, a child, clothes, food, and all the camping gear that somehow multiplies in storage, you’d need to pack thoughtfully. It’s perfectly adequate for most touring scenarios, but full-timing families might find themselves playing the weight game more carefully than they’d like.
Driving the Chausson Welcome Ws
The Fiat Ducato 2.3-litre engine with 130bhp should provide adequate motorway performance, though you wouldn’t expect it to win any traffic light grands prix. That 6-speed gearbox is a welcome addition; older motorhomes often made do with 5 speeds, leaving you hunting for the right ratio on hills.
You’ll appreciate the cruise control on longer journeys, particularly when you’re trying to stick to those Continental speed limits that seem to change every few kilometres. The electric mirrors and windows might seem basic by today’s standards, but they’re the sort of conveniences you miss when they’re not there. Driver and passenger airbags provide reassurance, though the 2010 vintage means you won’t get the comprehensive safety systems found on newer ‘vans.
Living Space in the Welcome Ws
The lounge area centres around a bench seat arrangement with two forward-facing belted seats, meaning four people can travel legally even though only three can sleep. This flexibility could prove handy if you’re touring with friends or extended family who’ve got their own accommodation sorted.
Storage appears well thought out, with cupboards above and below the seating area. That big sunroof at the front would flood the living area with natural light, crucial in a 6-metre motorhome where every bit of brightness counts. The additional skylight behind it suggests Chausson understood that smaller motorhomes need all the help they can get to avoid feeling cramped.
Welcome Ws Sleeping Arrangements
Here’s where the Welcome Ws gets interesting. That transverse double bed above the garage uses what sounds like a genuinely clever winding mechanism – think of it as a reverse garage door that creates your bedroom when needed. When wound up, you’d have full standing height in the garage area. When down, you’ve got a proper double bed without the usual compromises.
The third berth would likely convert from the lounge seating, though the exact mechanism isn’t clear from the specifications. What is clear is that you’re looking at genuine sleeping for three people, not the sort of creative interpretation that leaves someone on a cushion arrangement that’s more punishment than rest.
Kitchen Space in the Chausson
The kitchen keeps things simple with a two-burner hob, grill, and sink, the essentials for touring without the complexity that often goes wrong. That 97-litre fridge is properly sized for a 3-berth motorhome, giving you enough space for fresh food without dominating the kitchen area.
Storage below the kitchen should handle the usual collection of pots, pans, and provisions, though you’d probably find yourself being selective about what kitchen gadgets make the cut. In a 6-metre motorhome, every cubic centimetre counts, and the kitchen storage would need to work hard.
Bathroom in the Welcome Ws
The bathroom combines shower, sink, and toilet in what’s presumably a compact wet room arrangement. At this size and price point, you wouldn’t expect a separate shower cubicle, but a well-designed wet room can work perfectly well for touring use.
The key question would be headroom and elbow room – in a 6-metre motorhome, the bathroom often becomes the space where compromises are most noticeable. Still, having your own facilities beats campsite queues every time.
Welcome Ws Systems and Storage
That large garage with easy bed access suggests proper storage for outdoor gear, awning, and all the kit that accumulates on longer tours. The Fiamma awning and TV aerial come as standard, covering the basics for comfortable site living.
The reversing sensors on the back would prove their worth in busy campsites or when backing up to service points. It’s the sort of feature that seems minor until you’re trying to squeeze into a tight spot with other people’s expensive motorhomes inches away.
Other Motorhomes Worth Considering
If the Welcome Ws has caught your attention, you might also want to look at the Chausson Flash 03 6-Berth Bunk Bed Review, which offers a different approach to compact motorhome living with its own unique layout solutions.
The Chausson Welcome Premium 530 Upgraded Specification Review represents a step up in the Welcome range, potentially offering more refinement and features if your budget can stretch.
For a different take on the Welcome concept, the Chausson Welcome 17 Alternative Layout Review might offer alternative layout options that better suit your specific needs.
Final Thoughts
ome Ws appears to be a thoughtfully designed motorhome that tackles the challenge of fitting three berths into a 6-metre package without resorting to gimmicks. That garage bed system sounds genuinely useful rather than just clever, and the overall specification suggests a ‘van built for real-world touring rather than showroom appeal.
You’d be looking at a motorhome that should handle everything from weekend breaks to extended European tours, provided you’re comfortable with the space constraints that come with this size category. The 3.5-tonne weight limit keeps it accessible to standard licence holders, while the Fiat base should mean parts and service aren’t problematic.
As with any 2010 motorhome, you’d want to factor in potential maintenance costs and check that systems like the garage bed mechanism are still working smoothly. But if you need genuine three-berth capability without stepping up to a much larger and more expensive motorhome, the Welcome Ws deserves serious consideration.
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