Heavy-duty luxury

Do you love trucks so much you'd like to take one on holiday? Either of these two Mercedes-Benz RVs might be just what you've been waiting for.

The Vario Alkoven 1200 (in silver, with interior also shown) is based on a Mercedes-Benz Antos, while the Concorde Centurion 1200 (in white) is based on the Mercedes-Benz Actros. Both were displayed recently at the Dusseldorf RV expo in Germany – Europe's largest and most prestigious RV show.

European RV conversion specialists Vario Mobil and Concorde have used each truck as the basis for the ultimate in motorhoming luxury, and with the commercial strength on offer there's plenty of grunt to pack each model full of creature comforts.

Measuring 12 metres long and four metres high, the Antos-based RV features tiled and heated flooring, stone benchtops, leather upholstered sofas and two 32-inch flat-screen TVs. The hydraulic slide-outs increase living space when at rest, while the rear 'garage' is just big enough to take a small car – in this instance a Mercedes-Benz SLK (of course!).

The Vario Alkoven 1200 is powered by a six-cylinder, 10.7-litre engine producing 315kW (428hp), while the truck rides smoothly on air suspension and has a GVM of 25 tonnes.

The opulence continues with the Concorde Centurion 1200. Measuring 12 metres long and 3.85 metres high, it features hot-water multi-zone central heating, a smorgasbord of high-spec furnishings, a rear garage and a fully insulated cab with under-floor heating. The cab is integrated into the body and travelling companions sit behind the cockpit in two pivoting seats, while the living area also features slide-out sections for additional room.

An array of stainless steel appliances is found throughout the Centurion 1200, while a 500-litre fuel tank, 500-litre water tank and 100 litre of LPG afford a healthy range and plenty of leisure time between fill-ups. The vehicle's security is top-notch too – access is permitted via a locking mechanism with fingerprint scanner.

Beneath all the glitz and glamour lies the Mercedes-Benz Actros 2542 L with a GVM of 26 tonnes – a relatively light load for the 12.8-litre six-cylinder engine, which is rated at 310kW (421hp).

They're about as far as you can get from a humble tent but for those fortunate enough to purchase one a privileged experience awaits. How much would you expect to pay for road-going statements like these? Suffice to say pricing is available on application…