New Info For 2016

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Britain’s first two-berth caravan with a double bed is unveiled for 2016

Coachman has reduced its caravan weights by up to 70kg and unveiled two unique new tourer layouts for 2016.

The manufacturer's new Pastiche 470 has a double bed at the front of the caravan and a wide dining area in the centre, while the new family model is in the Vision range.

It’s the Vision 570, with two lounge areas and beds for five, with the option of a sixth berth.

The difference between this layout and other twin-lounge arrangements is that the wardrobe is in the rear sector, between the two settees. Two drawers and a cabinet are under the wardrobe.

And there’s a hidden feature here; what looks like a slim drawer, directly below the wardrobe, pulls out to form a table for two.

The other unique element of this layout is that the microwave-dresser unit is opposite the kitchen, just forward of the central offside shower room. The MTPLM of the Vision 570 is 1525kg.

Weight reduction

Coachman has reduced weights of models in all four of its ranges for 2016. The biggest weight drop is in the Vision range, where the transverse island bed 575 goes down by 70kg, to 1470kg MTPLM. The six-berth 580 (with bunk beds) is reduced by 60kg, to 1510kg. The twin-bed 565 model is also reduced by 60kg; its MTPLM is now 1485kg.

Two models are down by 35kg; the two-berth, end-shower-room Vision 450 now has an MTPLM of 1285kg and the side-dining-area 520’s MTPLM is now 1430kg.

The other two models in the range, the two-berth, end-kitchen 380, and the fixed-bed 560, are reduced by 25kg; their MTPLM figures are now 1185kg and 1475kg.

Unveiling the 2016 models at Tickton Grange Hotel, Beverley, Jim Hibbs, Coachman’s executive chairman, said: “Our focus for the 2016 season has been on weight reduction while not compromising on Coachman’s quality.

“The 2016 Pastiches are all less than 1535kg, even with the introduction of Alde heating. And reductions of up to 50kg on the VIP and Laser ranges will ensure that the 2016 Coachman collection will be accessible to a larger range of towcars.”

Construction

Coachman has moved to bonded construction. The company has been working with sealant and bonding agent specialist, Bostik, with support from the University of Hull’s engineering department, to develop the construction system.

Coachman’s managing director, Martin Henderson, explained: “Over the past two seasons we have begun to employ Advanced Bonded Construction (ABC) techniques.

“ABC has allowed us to reduce weight by replacing timber with lighter, stronger PU components and removing screw fixings from the exterior of our caravans.

“Combining advanced PU materials with ABC has enabled us to produce much lighter, precision-manufactured caravans which are also better and stronger. In addition, we have been able to virtually eliminate the threat of water ingress through the caravan shell, and have absolute confidence in our 10-year water ingress warranty.”

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What else is new for Coahman Caravans in 2016? Pastiche

Alde heating arrives in the Pastiche range for 2016. And all weights have been reduced.

The biggest reduction in weight in the Pastiche range is 55kg; that’s the transverse island bed 575, which now has an MTPLM of 1510kg.

Two models go down in weight by 40kg. These are the fixed-bed 560, which now has an MTPLM of 1515kg, and the twin-bed 565, now 1535kg. The side-dining-area 520 now has an MTPLM of 1465kg; that’s reduced by 35kg. The smallest model in the range, the two-berth, end shower room 460, is 30kg lighter, at 1325kg.

VIP

One VIP model, the side-dining-area 520, is reduced in weight by 50kg, to 1550kg. The fixed-bed 560 is now 1590kg, down by 45kg. Three VIPs are reduced by 35kg. These are the island-bed 545 (now 1635kg MTPLM), the twin-bed 565 (now 1625kg) and the transverse island bed 575 (now 1615kg). The end-shower-room two-berth 460 is reduced by 40kg, to 1415kg.

Laser

The model with the biggest weight reduction in the twin-axle Laser range is the 650. It goes down by 30kg, to 1810kg. This is the unique island-bed layout introduced for 2015, with the bedroom and en-suite arrangements segmented from the rest of the caravan by a solid door. Two more (sliding) doors divide the showering and washing area from the bedroom.

The Laser 620, with a side dining area, is reduced in weight by 10kg, to 1830kg. The fixed-bed 640’s MTPLM is now 1800kg, reduced by 15kg.

And there's more Aerials

All Coachman models get new television aerials for 2016. These are the Status 570 models, with integrated AM, FM and DAB radio reception capability. They replace the Avtex aerials fitted to 2015 models.

Tables

It may look like our Caravan magazine test editor, Val (right), is super strong, but a major contribution to Coachman's weight reduction comes from the introduction of new tables in all models.

These are less than half the weight of the tables formerly in Coachman models, yet feel sturdy.

For more information, visit the Coachman manufacturer homepage.