Chausson is one of Europe's highest-volume motorhome manufacturers and a cornerstone of the Trigano Group portfolio. Positioned in the budget-to-mid-range segment, Chausson motorhomes offer excellent specification for the price, with practical layouts, proven base vehicles and a strong dealer network across Europe.

The range is built on both Ford Transit and Fiat Ducato platforms and spans three main categories: van conversions, low-profile coachbuilts and overcab (alcove) models. The key model lines are:

The Flash series — Chausson's bestselling range since its 2005 launch. The original series sold out in two weeks, and the Flash has remained the brand's volume seller ever since. The Flash 610 was named Motorhome of the Year in 2014.

The Welcome series — introduced in 1995 and representing the more premium end of the Chausson range, with higher-specification fittings and equipment. The Welcome Premium and Titanium sub-ranges offer the best Chausson has to offer.

Chausson motorhomes are extremely popular on the UK used market, offering significant amounts of motorhome for the money. They're a common sight at every motorhome rally and campsite in Britain, testament to their affordability and practicality.

Chausson has roots stretching back to 1907 when brothers Gaston and Jules Chausson founded a company in Paris manufacturing heaters, tanks and automotive bodywork. The company became a significant player in French industry, producing coolers for the aviation sector during World War I and expanding into bus and commercial vehicle bodywork.

The motorhome division was born at the 1980 Paris Motor Show with the introduction of the Chausson Odyssé 4000, a high-top conversion based on the Peugeot J9. The first overcab models — the Acapulco 44 and 56 — followed in 1984, and by 1990, the motorhome operation was established as its own company, Chausson Camping-Cars.

The Trigano Group initially acquired 49% of the new company in 1990, before taking full ownership in 1994. Under Trigano, Chausson adopted its defining philosophy: "a good product at the right price" — focusing on genuine utility, practical equipment and competitive pricing rather than luxury.

Today, Chausson motorhomes are designed and manufactured at the Trigano VDL plant in Tournon-sur-Rhône in the Ardèche region of France, one of the largest motorhome factories in Europe, producing approximately 8,000 units per year. Van models are produced at a dedicated plant in Italy. Chausson is sold in more than 15 European countries and is one of the most popular motorhome brands on the UK used market.

Exceptional value for money — Chausson's founding philosophy of "a good product at the right price" defines the brand. These are motorhomes that deliver a lot of specification, space and equipment for a price point significantly below premium European competitors. New Chaussons undercut brands like Hymer and Rapido by tens of thousands of pounds.

Practical, family-friendly layouts — Chausson excels at designing layouts that work for real families. Models like the Flash series offer bunk beds, generous living space and clever storage solutions that make extended family touring comfortable and practical.

Ford Transit availability — Chausson is one of the few European brands to offer a full range on Ford Transit chassis as well as Fiat Ducato. Many UK buyers prefer the Ford for its dealer network, parts availability and driving characteristics.

Huge production volume — with approximately 8,000 units per year from one of Europe's largest factories, Chausson benefits from economies of scale that keep prices competitive. This volume also means parts are readily available and second-hand examples are plentiful.

Award-winning compact models — the Flash 10 was named Compact of the Year in the UK, and the Welcome Sweet won the European Design Award. Chausson consistently produces well-designed smaller motorhomes that appeal to couples.

If budget is your primary concern — Chausson offers more motorhome per pound than almost any competitor. If you want a well-specified, practical touring vehicle without the premium price tag, Chausson should be on your shortlist.

If you want a Ford Transit base — many UK buyers specifically want a Ford rather than a Fiat, for dealer network familiarity and parts availability. Chausson's extensive Ford-based range gives you genuine choice in this area.

If you're a family touring — the overcab and bunk-bed layouts in the Flash range are specifically designed for families. You get genuine sleeping capacity for four to six people with practical living space that works on extended holidays.

If you want plentiful used choice — Chausson's high production volumes mean the used market is well-stocked with examples at every age and price point. You can afford to be selective and find exactly the right specification, layout and condition for your needs.

If you're new to motorhoming — the accessible pricing and forgiving, practical nature of Chausson motorhomes make them ideal first purchases. They're not intimidating to drive, maintain or live with, and the financial commitment is manageable compared to premium brands.

Water ingress and damp — this is the most frequently reported problem with used Chausson motorhomes. Poorly sealed windows, doors and roof fixtures can allow water to penetrate the bodywork, causing structural damage. Some owners have reported serious damp issues on relatively new vehicles with low mileage, suggesting manufacturing quality varies.

Budget-level build quality — Chausson motorhomes are priced competitively for a reason. Interior fittings, upholstery and fixtures are not as robust as premium brands. Owners report rattles, creaks, cracking plastics and loose stitching that reflect the price point. Expectations should be calibrated accordingly.

Ford Transit injector problems — Ford-based Chaussons have been affected by well-documented Ford Transit injector failures. Symptoms include irregular revving, juddering, poor fuel economy and complete engine failure. Some owners have required engine replacement at very low mileages.

Rear fog light MOT issue (UK-specific) — some Chausson models were delivered in the UK with French-specification rear light clusters, where the fog light is on the left instead of the right. This causes an MOT failure and requires modification.

Security concerns — Chausson and Roller Team motorhomes on Ford Transit chassis are among the most commonly stolen in the UK. Additional security measures such as steering locks, OBD port locks and tracking devices are strongly recommended.

Parts and warranty hassles — owners have reported slow parts supply from France and difficulties with warranty claims, particularly when UK dealers have changed or stopped stocking the brand.

Comprehensive damp check — the single most important check on any used Chausson. Use a calibrated damp meter on every wall panel, around every window frame, along the floor edges, in the overcab area and particularly around the rear garage doors. Many Chaussons develop damp around window seals that weren't adequately sealed from the factory.

Check the base vehicle carefully — on Ford Transit models, research the injector recall history and check for symptoms of injector failure (juddering, rough idle, poor fuel economy). On Fiat Ducato models, check cam belt history, clutch operation and gearbox condition. Both platforms need thorough mechanical inspection.

Verify rear fog light compliance — check that the rear fog light is on the correct side for UK MOT compliance (offside/right). Some French-built Chaussons were supplied with French-specification rear lights. This is cheap to fix but catches out unwary buyers.

Test all interior fittings under load — open and close every cupboard door, operate the bed mechanisms, check that wall-mounted items are secure, and look for abandoned screw holes that suggest multiple fitting attempts at the factory. Interior fittings on budget-range motorhomes need careful inspection.

Check for security modifications — given the theft risk on Transit-based models, check whether additional security has been fitted (OBD port lock, steering lock, Thatcham-approved alarm/immobiliser). Factor in the cost of security upgrades if absent.

Test all appliances and systems — run the Truma boiler (checking for leaks at plastic pipe fittings), test the fridge on gas and electric, run the heating system and test all 12V and 240V circuits. Check the condition of the leisure batteries.

Chausson motorhomes are covered by a manufacturer warranty when new, typically backed through the Trigano Group. However, warranty transfer and support can be complicated on the UK used market, particularly if the original selling dealer has changed brands or ceased trading.

Given the well-documented damp susceptibility and potential for Ford injector or Fiat mechanical issues, an independent warranty backed by the RAC is strongly recommended for any used Chausson purchase. These warranties remain valid regardless of which dealer you bought from and provide protection against the most costly potential failures.

OakTree Motorhomes offer up to three years of RAC-backed warranty, providing essential peace of mind on a brand where individual repair bills can easily exceed the cost of multi-year warranty cover.

When buying a used Chausson, look for a dealer that offers an independent warranty backed by a provider like the RAC. This means your warranty remains valid even if the dealer ceases trading. OakTree Motorhomes offer up to three years of RAC-backed warranty, covering the average ownership period.