COACHMAN LASER 480 XTRA

This 8ft-wide two-berth design makes for a spacious and stylish caravan that is relatively light in weight

- Peter Baber

Price £37,990 Berths 2 MTPLM 1550kg.

CARAVANS THAT ARE 8ft wide are nothing new. They have been fairly standard on the Continent for years, while in Britain they are becoming increasingly common. All the major manufacturers currently offer at least one range that comes in the bigger width.

So far, however, all these caravans have had one thing in common: fixed beds. Which means they are always going to be four berths at least. But what if you want the same space, but just for the two of you? What if you are happy to do without that fixed bed for extra room inside?

Coachman is clearly hoping there are enough people out there asking these questions, because this season it has launched the Laser 480 Xtra: the UK's first 8ft-wide two-berth.

We took it for a spin across the country and back on a short break at the Back of Beyond caravan park in the New Forest to find out if this new layout is a success.

Design

Despite its relatively diminished size compared with other models in the range, the 480 still has all the stylish Laser hallmarks - silver sides, a slightly more svelte-like front profile than you see in other caravans, and a rounded rear panel with understated Coachman branding. The front panel also features three large tinted windows and a long sunroof. The tint possibly explains why the grab handles are still black plastic, to match, when at this price you might have expected them to be chrome. Also as you might expect for a smaller caravan, you only have a single axle.

Towing