COACHMAN VIP 565

A more open living area and fixed single beds is a layout that still has appeal, says Peter Baber

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Price £37,220 Berths 4 MIRO 1517kg MIRO 1672kg.

CARAVANS WITH FIXED single beds and an end washroom used to be all over the place, but are somewhat rarer now. This season they don't appear in any line-up at Swift or at Erwin Hymer UK, and there is only one such model - the Unicorn Deluxe Cadiz in the Bailey line-up.

So it's good to see that Coachman has retained its one model with such a layout, the VIP 565, for 2026. However, it's rejigged the layout slightly, to move the wardrobe into the rear washroom and so perhaps create a more enticing dressing area.

Pitch and set-up

This layout means it is possible to have an external locker at both the front and rear on the van's nearside - in other words, plenty of opportunities for storing heavier items such as outdoor furniture that you might want to take out as soon as you set up camp. The gas bottle locker - one of two at the front is easy to access, even if you have taken advantage of the bare A-frame to mount a bike rack there. A gas point on the nearside corner also means you could set a barbecue up in no time.

All the other service points are nicely tucked away on the offside.

Lounge

A combination of a large Heki rooflight and a big sunroof allows plenty of daylight into a front lounge that can easily seat four.