Sunlight is the youthful, sporty entry-level brand within the Erwin Hymer Group, offering the same fundamental engineering and construction quality as its sister brand Carado but with a slightly more contemporary design direction. Built at the Capron factory in Neustadt alongside Carado, Sunlight benefits from enormous production scale and Hymer Group purchasing power to deliver genuine German quality at budget prices.

The range spans three main categories on Fiat Ducato platforms:

The Cliff — Sunlight's award-winning campervan range, available in three layouts from 5.4m to 6.4m. Based partly on Bürstner's City Van platform, the Cliff brings Hymer Group van conversion expertise to the entry-level market.

The T-Series (semi-integrated) — the volume seller, offering practical low-profile coachbuilt layouts at competitive prices. Owners consistently praise the build quality as significantly ahead of comparably priced British-made alternatives.

The A-Series (overcab/alcove) — family-oriented models with additional sleeping in the over-cab bed, maximising berth capacity.

Sunlight offers essentially the same construction quality and floor plans as Carado but with different furniture styles, graphics and interior design — a slightly more youthful aesthetic aimed at a younger demographic. The seven-year water ingress warranty applies across the range.

Sunlight was founded in 2004 by Hymer AG with the aim of creating a sporty, youthful entry-level brand. Launched under the umbrella of Dethleffs GmbH, Sunlight has been part of the Erwin Hymer Group since inception.

In 2005, the purpose-built Capron factory was established in Neustadt, Saxony as a joint venture between Hymer and Dethleffs. Production began in November 2006 on a 25,000m² site — formerly an East German agricultural machinery factory — employing around 310 workers. The Capron facility produces both Sunlight and its sister brand Carado.

Sunlight's first alcove and semi-integrated models launched in 2007 to immediate success, driven by attractive pricing on Fiat Ducato platforms. By the ten-year anniversary, Sunlight and Carado combined were outselling Hymer's own-badge ranges, with 5,200 vehicles produced in 2014–2015 alone.

In 2017, Sunlight entered the campervan market with the Cliff series, initially manufactured at the Erwin Hymer Group's San Casciano facility in Tuscany. The Cliff won the "Golden Motorhome" award in both 2018 and 2019.

Following the THOR Industries acquisition of the Erwin Hymer Group in 2019, Sunlight became part of the world's largest RV manufacturer. The brand continues to grow, now celebrating 20 years and firmly established as one of Europe's most successful entry-level motorhome brands.

Award-winning value — the Cliff campervan won the prestigious "Golden Motorhome" award in consecutive years (2018 and 2019), proving that budget pricing need not mean compromised design. Sunlight consistently wins recognition for delivering quality beyond its price point.

Youthful, contemporary design — Sunlight's interior and exterior design has a fresher, more modern feel than many competitors. The brand deliberately targets younger and first-time buyers with styling that feels current rather than traditional.

Hymer Group DNA at budget prices — the Capron factory, Hymer Group supply chain and German manufacturing standards deliver a quality level that belies the pricing. Owners frequently report build quality that exceeds expectations set by the price tag.

Proven reliability — with 20 years of production and hundreds of thousands of satisfied owners, Sunlight's reliability track record is well established. Forum reports of owners experiencing no faults after years of use are common and credible.

Growing rapidly — Sunlight's success has driven continuous expansion at Capron and a growing European dealer network. A brand on the up means improving parts availability, dealer support and resale confidence.

If you want a modern-feeling budget motorhome — Sunlight's design language is noticeably more contemporary than many budget alternatives. If you want something that looks and feels modern without premium pricing, Sunlight delivers.

If you're a younger buyer or first-timer — the brand is specifically designed for you. Accessible pricing, straightforward operation and youthful styling make Sunlight the ideal entry point for a new generation of motorhomers.

If the Cliff campervan appeals — the award-winning Cliff range offers genuine Hymer Group van conversion quality at budget prices. For buyers who want a capable, compact campervan without the premium of Westfalia or VW California, the Cliff is compelling.

If you want the seven-year water ingress warranty — particularly relevant for used buyers, the comprehensive body warranty provides genuine protection and peace of mind.

Budget interior specification — while youthful in design, the interior materials reflect the entry-level positioning. Expect functional rather than premium finishes, and don't compare directly with mid-range or premium brands.

Limited UK dealer presence — Sunlight is less established in the UK than in German-speaking markets. The dealer network is growing but remains smaller than domestic brands, potentially limiting servicing options.

Very similar to Carado — the two brands share construction, factory and often identical floor plans with different furniture. Some buyers question the logic of choosing between essentially the same vehicle with different graphics.

Predominantly LHD in the UK used market — many used Sunlight models available in the UK are continental imports in left-hand drive. Right-hand drive availability is more limited.

Budget perception affects resale — as a deliberately positioned budget brand, Sunlight may depreciate faster in percentage terms than premium siblings in the Hymer Group family.

Check the water ingress warranty status — verify whether the vehicle is within the seven-year warranty and whether all habitation service requirements have been met. This warranty is a significant value-add for used buyers.

Verify UK specification — confirm right-hand drive, UK gas system and UK electrical standards. Many used Sunlight models are continental LHD imports.

Check the Fiat Ducato base vehicle — standard Ducato inspection: cam belt history, clutch operation, gearbox synchros and oil leak check.

Conduct a damp check — use a calibrated meter on all surfaces, around windows and roof fittings. While the GRP construction is robust, seals can deteriorate on any vehicle.

Test all systems — run heating, water, fridge and electrical circuits through a complete test cycle. Verify leisure battery condition.

Check interior for wear — budget materials may show wear more quickly. Inspect upholstery, hinges and worktops appropriate to the vehicle's age and use.

Sunlight provides a seven-year water ingress warranty on body construction, matching sister brand Carado. This comprehensive warranty covers factory-sealed joints and provides genuine protection for used buyers within the warranty period, subject to maintained habitation services.

An independent warranty backed by the RAC is recommended for additional protection, particularly for vehicles approaching the end of the manufacturer warranty period or for comprehensive mechanical coverage.

OakTree Motorhomes offer up to three years of RAC-backed warranty, complementing any remaining manufacturer warranty and providing essential peace of mind.

When buying a used Sunlight, 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.