McLouis is mainly known today as being one half of Fusion Motorhomes – a collaborative venture with UK-based Auto-Sleepers, which has produced ‘vans such as the McLouis Fusion 330 and Fusion 373.
However, during the late 1990s and the early 2000s they were a big-selling marque in their own right, offering a wide range of affordable coachbuilt conversions, which can be great news for those who are looking for the best used motorhomes to buy.
These McLouis models prioritised Italian design flair, plus a strong but lightweight construction, allowed even the largest ‘rolling palaces’ to be driven on a standard UK car driving licence.
Many of the models referred to below were also built prior to our chosen time interval. Back then, they were known just by model numbers and didn’t have range names. The overwhelming majority of our featured generation were built on the facelifted Ducato X/44, but early (2001) examples utilised pre-facelift base vehicles.
The most notable difference is that the earliest had different engines: a 1.9-litre TD or a 2.5-litre TD. Facelift versions were all common-rail direct-injection turbocharged units labelled JTD. All Lagan and Glen low-profile variants had the 84bhp 2.0-litre engine, whereas the Luton overcabs (some Glen and all Tandy models) arrived with the 127bhp 2.8-litre power unit.
All were front-wheel drive via a six-speed manual gearbox. There wasn’t an automatic option on right-hand-drive models. Lagan and Glen shared the same body width (2.2m/7’2.75”), but Tandy gained an extra 10mm/0.4” of elbow room, which seems a small increase considering the extra tooling costs!
A light-coloured grained finish to the cabinetwork prevailed. Lagan and Glen have hardwood-framed cupboard and locker doors. Tandy features smooth ones, albeit with a slight radius, plus a shallow full-length open shelf below the lockers. Tandy’s inventory also included some opaquely glazed high-level lockers as a design signature.
Standard specification for European purchasers included a typical contemporaneous European kitchen in the Lagan and Glen – the largest fridge that will fit, but only a two or three-burner hob, no grill or oven.
Some retailers, including the importer, Derbyshire-based Don Amott Leisure and South-East agent, Essex-based Pullinger Motorhomes, added a gas-fired combined grill and oven.
Such up-speccing was not required in the Tandy, which arrived with a slot-in domestic-style full cooker with four-burner hob plus a separate oven and a separate grill.
McLouis wasn’t just an early adopter of integrated moulded ABS wipe-clean (radiused) shower room furniture: we are pretty sure that the company were the first mainstream manufacturer of budget motorcaravans to include such a feature.
Lagan 251/252 and Glen 363 are shortish low-profile motorhomes with a permanent low-level rear corner double-bed with spacious washroom alongside, a centrally placed kitchen and a forward lounge-diner. The remaining similar-sized low-profile is the slightly longer Lagan 253G, the G indicating a full-width garage at the rear, above which is a permanent high-level transverse double-bed.
‘up there’
Glen 440 is a five-berth Luton overcab with rear bunks. Tandy 640 Plus is a longer version (7.16m/23’5.5”) of the Glen 440. The only rear kitchen model is the short-n-sweet five-berth Lagan 410 (5.54m/18’2.25”), which could be tempting for fans of motorhomes under 6m.
Flagship models include the 671 Plus and the 670G, both of which feature a permanent transverse double-bed at the rear. Once again, it is the height of the permanent bed that differentiates them. The 670G’s is loftier to enable a full size exterior-access garage below.
Enthusiasts of mob-handed motorcaravanning are advised to opt for the 640 Plus (which despite its numbering is the longest) because it sleeps seven and can safely seat five passengers for travel (seven optional).
What to look out for with a McLouis Lagan, Glen & Tandy
When you’re buying a used motorhome, there are various checks to carry out and things to look out for.
Base vehicle
No major issues. The 2.0-litre JTD unit is no ball of fire, but will cruise happily at motorway speeds. McLouis frequently didn’t fit substantial rear chassis extensions, deeming them unnecessary because of the mega-thick (70mm/2.76”) floor. Check that this hasn’t delaminated and isn’t ‘spongy’. In addition, make sure that substantial extensions have been fitted if there is a towbar present.
Conversion
As with any motorcaravan of this age, insist on a thorough check for water ingress, with a written report. The colour pigmentation on exterior skirts can fade over time but these are relatively easy to get re-finished by your local bodyshop, providing they can accommodate high vehicles. The only other amber flag is that early models had a soft grade of foam in the seat squabs and over time this may lead to ‘bottoming out’ as it were!
Our pick
The pecking order is: Lagan, Glen, Tandy – though any differences or shortcomings can easily be remedied as retro-fits. Thus, it isn’t worth holding out for a particular range. Instead, look at any with your chosen layout. Our pick for solos or couples is the Lagan 252/Glen 363. For families and groups we like the Tandy 640 Plus.
wipe-clean moulded furniture
What to pay for a McLouis Lagan, Glen & Tandy
These were very keenly priced when new and remain so in the pre-owned market. This generation is commonly available from £20,000 and occasionally from £15,000 RHD.
LHD personal imports are even cheaper. We spotted a low-mileage (around 2350 per year) RHD 2003 Lagan 410 at an asking price of £14,999 with five berths and six travel seats, plus useful accessories. Contact the Motorhome Depot, Stoke-on-Trent. The nearest equivalent today is a Rimor Saurus 12 Plus at £69,000.
Essentilas
- McLouis Lagan/Glen/Tandy on Fiat Ducato X/44 chassis-cab.
- Built: 2000-2006 in Colle di Val d’Elsa, Italy
- Low-profile and Luton overcab coachbuilts
- Overall length: 5.54m/18’2.25” (Lagan 251) to 7.16m/23’5.5” (Tandy 640 PLUS)
What we like about the McLouis Lagan, Glen & Tandy
- All under 3,500kg
- Practical payloads
- All with at least three travel seats (plus driver)
- Pioneers of integrated washrooms with moulded furniture
- Strong value for money
What we dislike about the McLouis Lagan, Glen & Tandy
- No automatic transmission option on RHD models
Or you could try:
See what I thought about buying a used Auto-Trail Cheyenne (2000-2009), a motorhome which was a volume seller, so there are plenty to find on the used market. Or perhaps you’d prefer a more luxurious A-class instead? If that’s the case, take a look at what I thought about buying a used Bürstner Elegance (2015-2021).
Alternatively, all of these are from Italian converters. On Fiat Ducato: Auto-Roller, CI Granduca/Carioca/Riviera. On Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: McLouis Stirling. On Renault Master: McLouis Lagan Plus. On Ford Transit: Elnagh King.
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