Post by JaG - Jean & Graham on Dec 4, 2013 22:16:07 GMT
Date Purchased: September 2011 (New)
Purchase Price: £14,700 (discounted due to end of year clearance)
Towed Mileage: Approx 8,000 miles
Details:
Video footage:
Specification:
Length: 7.97m (26 foot 2 inches)
Internal: 6.12m (20 foot 1 inch)
Width: 2.29. (7 foot 6 inches)
Height: 2.58m (8 foot 5 inches)
MTPLM: 1500kg
MIRO: 1270kg
We purchased this caravan whilst at the Camping & Caravan Club, National Feast of Lanterns at Newark in late August 2011, taking delivery mid September 2011.
Exterior finish:
The outside bodywork is bonded and made of polyester, which makes it very hard wearing and will not dent or scratch badly if taken too close to hedges, etc. The windows are tinted quite dark which makes it quite dark on the inside at the end of the day before sun down. They are of a good quality so we keep them well coated with MER polish to protect them. two low level sidelights are fitted to the fronts - we would have liked to have seen high level ones fitted as the casing for doing so are there, though not used. The rear light cluster is substantial and access to changing bulbs is easy via the two screws. The roof is also a one piece bonded polyester which comes with a 6 year water ingress warranty (now 10 years). The is a large opening rooflight above the lounge area and one above the rear bedroom. Two lockable lockers either side of the front house the battery in one and external electric point and small storage for items in the other. An external gas point is fitted on the nearside front. bear in mind that this caravan is taller than normal, at 2.58m therefore a standard porch awning will not fit. We had ours altered to fit at a cost of £90..cheaper than buying and carrying a full awning.
Towing:
The first thing that stood out a mile was the stability; it did not move an inch either way all the way back home. The Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi had ample power to pull it along effortlessly at it's maximum road permissible speed. Adria have made this possible by extending the 'A' bar to almost twice the length of a standard one. The heels are set back slightly therefore creating a more stable effect.
Loading:
When the caravan is empty we found the nose-weight heavy at 100kg. The loading is designed to take almost all of it's 230kg at the rear end under the double bed. Loaded full, almost all at the rear will only reduce the front nose-weight by 25kg to 75kg. Access is via a locker either side of the caravan, at the front of double bed on the inside and a spring loaded base under the bed, which opens half way on either side to the vertical position. The spare wheel was located in the front, which did tend to lessen the amount you could put in the front locker weight wise. We decided to move to under the caravan on a proper Alko wheel carrier just behind the wheels. If we had a puncture it would be difficult to get out, even though it slides out so, at a later date, we may decide to move it inside under the bed space.
Lounge area:
The lounge area is a wrap around settee although we found the narrow seat across the front part is only any good for small children. The side seating takes two comfortably and is quite comfortable too. There is a fold down table above the front narrow seating which has very poor shelf supports. If you lent on it it would collapse. We had to change these within a few weeks with a more substantial arrangement. There is a useful wide shelf along the front which is handy for putting cups, or glasses on to avoid spillage. Under seat storage is ample on the nearside though a little restricted on the offside due to hot water tank, battery charger, battery box and piping inside. There is a pull out rack between the front side seats to make up the front double bed. This is a simple operation and the bed can be made up in a few minutes. As we often go out as three, with our granddaughter coming with us, we have addressed this issue. To save making up the double bed we have made an extension that clips in across the doorway to make a full length single bed; works well and makes morning pack up easy and quick.
Four fawn coloured overhead lockers are deep and ample to store items in. The hinges are spring loaded and we have found that none of them have been forced open whilst travelling, even with them fully loaded with heavier items. In both corners of the front there is a shelf with support on the front, ideal for such items as loaves of bread, condiments, etc.
Rear bedroom:
The rear bedroom has a full sized island double bed. Either side are deep wardrobes, which have hanging space, a shelf and two deep cupboards above. Each side of the caravan are overhead lockers, one on each side and a deep shelf, also one on each side. The mattress is full width in two parts, joined in the middle by a seam. It is made like this so that when the storage area is accessed the mattress parts easily to allow access. Personally we did not like the mattress as it seemed too tight in the frame and had no give when lay on it, so we changed it for a memory mattress. Now we don't want to get up in the mornings because it is so comfortable and holds heat in winter yet cool in the summer. One thing we have found is that damp will accumulate underneath the bed due to it being a large locker space so we have made a plastic sheet cover for the under bed frame and put a thin mattress topper between that and the bed mattress...perfection, no damp rises at all.
At the base of the bed on the nearside is a storage cupboard for the main foldable table, which gives a handy narrow ledge that we put the projector clock on at night. On the offside is a shower cubicle with two folding doors. It is of a good size and the seal on the door is good. We like the idea of the shower and toilet/washroom being separate from each other. There is both 12v and 240v sockets at the bottom of the bed. We have fitted a carbon monoxide/narcotics alarm in this location. Lighting is via a single/double bulb light inside the shower cubicle. We have since fitted a 1.2m LED strip under the overhead lockers at the head of the bed.
Main inside centre area:
On the nearside is the stainless steel sink and draining board, built in Thetford Fridge and small freezer box. The freezer box is of an adequate capacity for basics such as ice-cream, ice cubes, a couple of pieces of meat and fish. The fridge is a poor design because the fins from the cooling system protrude too far into the fridge and restrict the width of the top shelf. having said that the bottom shelf is OK and the storage box below id ample. Space in the door is quite good with a storage shelf and bottle shelf.
The cooker is a Caprice Mk III Spinflo, which has 3 burners, grill and oven. The hob is good, as is the grill however, the oven has poor heat circulation and the flame is too far into the oven, hence some items get burnt. We have opted not to use the oven, using for storage of tins instead and have fitted a microwave in one of the overhead kitchen area lockers.
the three overhead lockers are deep and ample. On ours one houses the plates, the centre one above the wheels holds the microwave and the forward one holds the cups and beakers.
Under the sink are two deep pull out narrow drawers and a drop don door under those. There is storage under the cooker as well as a to shelf floor cupboard facing forward. On the edge of this cupboard is a 240v socket; we have added a continental and a 12v socket.
On the offside, from the bedroom end is the toilet/washroom. This is very compact and a little on the small side for a larger framed person. The sink has a cupboard underneath, there is a swivel Porta-potti and shelves and a cupboard on the wall. The whole room floor area is of a plastic moulding to stop water ingress.
In front of the toilet/washroom is the drinks cabinet, with six bottle capacity and ample space for loose items, though make sure you pack them away before travelling or the mirrors inside will be broken. below the cocktail cabinet is a sizable shelf for standing a TV on and a large drawer for all of those 'odd bits'. Underneath the drawer is the Truma heater, which runs on either gas or electric, though the electric side takes some time to accrue heat. For a quicker warm up run on gas and electric then switch off the gas if on EHU. The heater has the option of being either convection or blown air, which takes quite a long time to get warm. The pipework the heat runs around the caravan in is not insulated therefore most is lost by the time it gets to the back bedroom. Controls for the heating are above the heater. And where is the thermostat? Would you believe it, it is behind the heater meaning it goes off for an extended period until the rear of the heater cools down. There is a solution, and we have fitted it. It is a remote sensor that we have put just inside the rear bedroom area. Solves the problem and the caravan now keeps a stable temperature. Most of the caravan controls are on the wall in this area...heating control, water heater control, 12v socket, 240v socket.
Window furniture:
All windows have cassette blinds and fly screens which, although not of a high quality are practical and have not given us any problem.
Insulation:
Bonded insulation in both the walls, ceiling and 50mm on the floor. The caravan heats up fairly quickly and maintains its heat with little effort. It does however cool down very quickly in cold weather, just like any other caravan I suppose.
Conclusion:
This year we spent seven weeks while touring Western France and Northern Spain doing most of our cooking in the caravan. The strange thing is we had everything we needed to do everything we normally do....so why is every cupboard full in our 3 bedroomed home?
Purchase Price: £14,700 (discounted due to end of year clearance)
Towed Mileage: Approx 8,000 miles
Details:
Video footage:
Specification:
Length: 7.97m (26 foot 2 inches)
Internal: 6.12m (20 foot 1 inch)
Width: 2.29. (7 foot 6 inches)
Height: 2.58m (8 foot 5 inches)
MTPLM: 1500kg
MIRO: 1270kg
We purchased this caravan whilst at the Camping & Caravan Club, National Feast of Lanterns at Newark in late August 2011, taking delivery mid September 2011.
Exterior finish:
The outside bodywork is bonded and made of polyester, which makes it very hard wearing and will not dent or scratch badly if taken too close to hedges, etc. The windows are tinted quite dark which makes it quite dark on the inside at the end of the day before sun down. They are of a good quality so we keep them well coated with MER polish to protect them. two low level sidelights are fitted to the fronts - we would have liked to have seen high level ones fitted as the casing for doing so are there, though not used. The rear light cluster is substantial and access to changing bulbs is easy via the two screws. The roof is also a one piece bonded polyester which comes with a 6 year water ingress warranty (now 10 years). The is a large opening rooflight above the lounge area and one above the rear bedroom. Two lockable lockers either side of the front house the battery in one and external electric point and small storage for items in the other. An external gas point is fitted on the nearside front. bear in mind that this caravan is taller than normal, at 2.58m therefore a standard porch awning will not fit. We had ours altered to fit at a cost of £90..cheaper than buying and carrying a full awning.
Towing:
The first thing that stood out a mile was the stability; it did not move an inch either way all the way back home. The Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi had ample power to pull it along effortlessly at it's maximum road permissible speed. Adria have made this possible by extending the 'A' bar to almost twice the length of a standard one. The heels are set back slightly therefore creating a more stable effect.
Loading:
When the caravan is empty we found the nose-weight heavy at 100kg. The loading is designed to take almost all of it's 230kg at the rear end under the double bed. Loaded full, almost all at the rear will only reduce the front nose-weight by 25kg to 75kg. Access is via a locker either side of the caravan, at the front of double bed on the inside and a spring loaded base under the bed, which opens half way on either side to the vertical position. The spare wheel was located in the front, which did tend to lessen the amount you could put in the front locker weight wise. We decided to move to under the caravan on a proper Alko wheel carrier just behind the wheels. If we had a puncture it would be difficult to get out, even though it slides out so, at a later date, we may decide to move it inside under the bed space.
Lounge area:
The lounge area is a wrap around settee although we found the narrow seat across the front part is only any good for small children. The side seating takes two comfortably and is quite comfortable too. There is a fold down table above the front narrow seating which has very poor shelf supports. If you lent on it it would collapse. We had to change these within a few weeks with a more substantial arrangement. There is a useful wide shelf along the front which is handy for putting cups, or glasses on to avoid spillage. Under seat storage is ample on the nearside though a little restricted on the offside due to hot water tank, battery charger, battery box and piping inside. There is a pull out rack between the front side seats to make up the front double bed. This is a simple operation and the bed can be made up in a few minutes. As we often go out as three, with our granddaughter coming with us, we have addressed this issue. To save making up the double bed we have made an extension that clips in across the doorway to make a full length single bed; works well and makes morning pack up easy and quick.
Four fawn coloured overhead lockers are deep and ample to store items in. The hinges are spring loaded and we have found that none of them have been forced open whilst travelling, even with them fully loaded with heavier items. In both corners of the front there is a shelf with support on the front, ideal for such items as loaves of bread, condiments, etc.
Rear bedroom:
The rear bedroom has a full sized island double bed. Either side are deep wardrobes, which have hanging space, a shelf and two deep cupboards above. Each side of the caravan are overhead lockers, one on each side and a deep shelf, also one on each side. The mattress is full width in two parts, joined in the middle by a seam. It is made like this so that when the storage area is accessed the mattress parts easily to allow access. Personally we did not like the mattress as it seemed too tight in the frame and had no give when lay on it, so we changed it for a memory mattress. Now we don't want to get up in the mornings because it is so comfortable and holds heat in winter yet cool in the summer. One thing we have found is that damp will accumulate underneath the bed due to it being a large locker space so we have made a plastic sheet cover for the under bed frame and put a thin mattress topper between that and the bed mattress...perfection, no damp rises at all.
At the base of the bed on the nearside is a storage cupboard for the main foldable table, which gives a handy narrow ledge that we put the projector clock on at night. On the offside is a shower cubicle with two folding doors. It is of a good size and the seal on the door is good. We like the idea of the shower and toilet/washroom being separate from each other. There is both 12v and 240v sockets at the bottom of the bed. We have fitted a carbon monoxide/narcotics alarm in this location. Lighting is via a single/double bulb light inside the shower cubicle. We have since fitted a 1.2m LED strip under the overhead lockers at the head of the bed.
Main inside centre area:
On the nearside is the stainless steel sink and draining board, built in Thetford Fridge and small freezer box. The freezer box is of an adequate capacity for basics such as ice-cream, ice cubes, a couple of pieces of meat and fish. The fridge is a poor design because the fins from the cooling system protrude too far into the fridge and restrict the width of the top shelf. having said that the bottom shelf is OK and the storage box below id ample. Space in the door is quite good with a storage shelf and bottle shelf.
The cooker is a Caprice Mk III Spinflo, which has 3 burners, grill and oven. The hob is good, as is the grill however, the oven has poor heat circulation and the flame is too far into the oven, hence some items get burnt. We have opted not to use the oven, using for storage of tins instead and have fitted a microwave in one of the overhead kitchen area lockers.
the three overhead lockers are deep and ample. On ours one houses the plates, the centre one above the wheels holds the microwave and the forward one holds the cups and beakers.
Under the sink are two deep pull out narrow drawers and a drop don door under those. There is storage under the cooker as well as a to shelf floor cupboard facing forward. On the edge of this cupboard is a 240v socket; we have added a continental and a 12v socket.
On the offside, from the bedroom end is the toilet/washroom. This is very compact and a little on the small side for a larger framed person. The sink has a cupboard underneath, there is a swivel Porta-potti and shelves and a cupboard on the wall. The whole room floor area is of a plastic moulding to stop water ingress.
In front of the toilet/washroom is the drinks cabinet, with six bottle capacity and ample space for loose items, though make sure you pack them away before travelling or the mirrors inside will be broken. below the cocktail cabinet is a sizable shelf for standing a TV on and a large drawer for all of those 'odd bits'. Underneath the drawer is the Truma heater, which runs on either gas or electric, though the electric side takes some time to accrue heat. For a quicker warm up run on gas and electric then switch off the gas if on EHU. The heater has the option of being either convection or blown air, which takes quite a long time to get warm. The pipework the heat runs around the caravan in is not insulated therefore most is lost by the time it gets to the back bedroom. Controls for the heating are above the heater. And where is the thermostat? Would you believe it, it is behind the heater meaning it goes off for an extended period until the rear of the heater cools down. There is a solution, and we have fitted it. It is a remote sensor that we have put just inside the rear bedroom area. Solves the problem and the caravan now keeps a stable temperature. Most of the caravan controls are on the wall in this area...heating control, water heater control, 12v socket, 240v socket.
Window furniture:
All windows have cassette blinds and fly screens which, although not of a high quality are practical and have not given us any problem.
Insulation:
Bonded insulation in both the walls, ceiling and 50mm on the floor. The caravan heats up fairly quickly and maintains its heat with little effort. It does however cool down very quickly in cold weather, just like any other caravan I suppose.
Conclusion:
This year we spent seven weeks while touring Western France and Northern Spain doing most of our cooking in the caravan. The strange thing is we had everything we needed to do everything we normally do....so why is every cupboard full in our 3 bedroomed home?