Swift is the UK's largest and most recognised motorhome manufacturer, with over 60 years of heritage stretching back to a single caravan built in Hull in 1964. Today the company produces an extensive range of motorhomes, campervans and touring caravans from their factory in Cottingham, East Yorkshire, and their vehicles are a common sight at every campsite and motorhome rally in Britain.

Swift's motorhome range covers every segment of the market. The Escape is the accessible, popular all-rounder. The Voyager (formerly Bessacarr) offers more premium specification for families and couples who want extra luxury. The Kon-Tiki sits at the top of the range as Swift's flagship luxury tourer. And the newer Trekker brings campervan flexibility to the lineup.

A cornerstone of modern Swift vehicles is SMART construction — a timberless, fully bonded bodyshell using GRP (glass reinforced plastic) panels with Styrofoam insulation. This eliminated the traditional timber frame that was prone to rot and damp, and comes with a 10-year bodyshell integrity warranty. It was a genuine step forward for the industry and has been widely imitated.

Swift motorhomes are built on the Fiat Ducato and Ford Transit chassis platforms, offering layouts from compact two-berths through to spacious six-berth family motorhomes. The range includes low-profile coachbuilts, overcab models and van conversions, with options for fixed beds, island beds, French beds and convertible lounge layouts.

Swift was founded in 1964 by Ken Smith in Hull, East Yorkshire. He partnered with Ken Day to build their first touring caravan, 'The Ten', which sold for £289. By 1966 Swift was operating from Hedon Road, Hull with eight employees.

The company grew steadily through the 1970s and 80s, launching its first motorhome in 1985 — the legendary Kon-Tiki coachbuilt, which proved popular not just in the UK but also in Sweden and Denmark. By 1995, Swift had become the UK's top motorhome manufacturer following the launch of the Sundance range.

Between 1996 and 2003, Swift acquired several competitors including Bessacarr (1996), launched the Bel Air A-class (1999), and acquired ABI touring caravans along with brands Ace, Award, Monza, Manhattan and Brooklyn. In 2012, Swift introduced the revolutionary SMART construction system — a timberless, bonded bodyshell that transformed the industry's approach to damp resistance.

Today, Swift Group is the UK's number one leisure vehicle manufacturer, building all caravans, motorhomes and campervans at their production site in East Yorkshire. The company remains privately owned and was the first UK manufacturer to achieve full European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval for every model.

SMART construction with 10-year warranty — Swift pioneered timberless, fully bonded GRP bodyshell construction in the UK. This eliminates the traditional timber frame that was vulnerable to rot and damp, and every SMART-built vehicle carries a 10-year structural integrity guarantee.

Britain's biggest motorhome brand — as the UK's number one leisure vehicle manufacturer, Swift has the widest range, the biggest dealer network and the most readily available parts and service support of any British motorhome maker.

The Kon-Tiki — first launched in 1985, the Kon-Tiki is one of the most iconic names in British motorhoming. It has been continuously produced for nearly 40 years and remains Swift's flagship luxury range.

Range and choice — from the compact Escape to the luxury Kon-Tiki, Swift offers more layouts, berth configurations and price points than almost any other single manufacturer, making it easy to find a model that fits your specific needs.

Good resale value — Swift's brand recognition, wide availability of parts and strong dealer network mean that used models hold their value well compared to less well-known manufacturers.

If you want the widest choice — no other British manufacturer offers as many layouts, sizes and price points. Whether you need a compact two-berth weekend tourer or a six-berth family motorhome for summer holidays, Swift has a model for you.

If dealer support and parts availability matter — Swift's nationwide dealer network is the largest in the UK. Wherever you are, there's likely a Swift dealer within reasonable distance for servicing, warranty work and parts.

If you're a first-time buyer — Swift's Escape range is one of the most popular entry points into motorhoming, offering well-designed layouts, modern features and competitive pricing. The brand's familiarity also makes financing and insurance straightforward.

If you want proven damp resistance — SMART construction with its 10-year warranty provides genuine peace of mind. For many buyers, this alone is reason enough to choose Swift over older timber-framed rivals.

If you value awards and recognition — Swift consistently wins industry awards across their range, from Practical Motorhome to the Caravan and Motorhome Club, providing independent validation of their design and quality.

Mass production means occasional quality issues — as a high-volume manufacturer, Swift motorhomes can sometimes suffer from quality control inconsistencies. Owner forums report issues ranging from loose fittings and poor sealant application to more serious problems like wiring issues. Not every vehicle is affected, but it's a risk with volume production.

Floor rot on 2005–2008 models — a well-documented issue where the floor construction on vehicles from this era was prone to moisture damage from underneath. Swift addressed many cases but it remains a concern when buying used vehicles from this period.

Electric drop-down bed issues — some owners of models with electric drop-down beds report reliability problems, particularly when the bed is loaded with bedding and items stored in overcab cupboards.

Dealer dependency for warranty work — some dealers will only perform warranty work on vehicles they originally sold, which can be problematic if you buy used or move to a different part of the country.

Interior specification can feel basic on entry-level models — the Escape range, while well-designed, uses more cost-effective materials and fittings. Buyers expecting a premium feel may need to step up to the Voyager or Kon-Tiki range.

Panoramic window cracking — reported across some Swift models, where large panoramic windows can develop stress cracks. Swift have worked to address this but it remains a known issue on certain older models.

Damp is always the priority — even with SMART construction, no motorhome is immune to water ingress. Insist on a thorough damp meter reading across all walls, ceiling and floor. Check around every window seal, roof light and external joint.

Floor condition is critical on 2005–2008 vehicles — press firmly across the entire floor, especially around the edges and under furniture. Soft spots or sponginess indicate the well-known floor rot issue. Check underneath the vehicle if possible for visible delamination.

Test the Fiat Ducato base carefully — check for clutch judder on pre-2010 models, verify cam belt replacement history, test all gears and listen for unusual mechanical noises. The Ducato is generally reliable but has known weak points.

Inspect SMART construction carefully — while SMART bodyshells are excellent, check the panel joints and bonding lines for any separation. Look for cracks in the gel coat and check that no water is tracking along panel edges.

Check the electric drop-down bed (if fitted) — operate it several times with bedding in place. Check the motor, runners and safety catches. This is an expensive repair if it fails.

Test all habitation systems — run every appliance, check every tap, test the heating on gas and electric, verify the leisure battery holds charge, and test all 12V and 240V circuits.

Verify service history and warranty status — check that all annual habitation checks have been completed (required for the SMART warranty). A complete service history with MOT records adds both value and confidence.

When buying a used Swift motorhome, check whether the SMART construction 10-year bodyshell warranty is still active. This warranty is conditional on annual habitation checks being completed — verify the full chain of certificates, as a gap will void the warranty.

Beyond the factory warranty, look for a dealer offering an independent warranty backed by a provider like the RAC. This protects against both base vehicle mechanical failures and habitation equipment breakdown. OakTree Motorhomes offer up to three years of RAC-backed warranty, providing comprehensive coverage for your investment.

Swift's extensive dealer network means parts are readily available, but coachbuilt motorhome repairs can still be expensive — particularly bodywork, heating systems and specialist appliances — making warranty cover a sound investment.

When buying a used Swift, 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.