Verdict
The 2011 Sprite Musketeer TD is one of very few small tourers on the market which is firmly focused on the small family market. It’s not perfect but the flexible layout makes it equally practical for families, couples or grandparents needing occasional extra space when borrowing the grandkids. Sprite launched it at a sensible price and weight, too.
Pros
Small, with a sensible weight and price
Try to get one with the Diamond Pack’s essential extras
Cons
Storage is a bit tight
The rear bed takes some fettling to make all the cushions fit
Sprite is a caravan brand that has certainly endured the test of time. Probably one of Britain’s best-loved caravans, Sprite was reintroduced in 2005, to the delight of those who remember childhood family holidays in one. The Sprite Musketeer was dropped later that year, but it made a spirited comeback for the 2011 touring season with the family-friendly TB, which was joined a few months later by the EB.
Here we review the five-berth 2011 Sprite Musketeer TD, and our video review is of the Sprite Major 6 from the same year.
The front bed makes up easily and is the best berth for mum and dad, particularly if the fifth bed – a fold-out bunk at the back – is in use
Pitching & Setting-up
Manageable size and weight count in favour of the Sprite. The 4.7m body length means it is smaller than many fixed-bed four berths.
All the services are easily reached outside, and controls are mostly grouped together inside.
The Diamond Pack adds an Al-Ko stabiliser, among other things, which, if you are towing with a smaller tow car, is worth paying the extra for.
Upgrades over the similar 2010 models include an LED awning light and a more damp-resistant timber frame.
Living
The stand-out feature for families is the provision of two lounge spaces. If kids want to play or spread out, they can head to the back of the van to do it.
The front lounge is a little tight for five to dine, but provided some are kids, it copes fine. It’s comfortable and adequately lit, but the little lift-up table flap looks as though it may soon become a casualty with kids crashing about.
Both lounges can use the central sideboard unit as a TV stand, although not at the same time.
Headroom is pretty good, other than at the very front of the caravan.
Kitchen
Equipment levels in the Musketeer TD, are good, and if you take up the Diamond Pack option, a microwave oven is provided. The GRP granite-effect sink is a bit of an acquired taste but looks substantial and feels like a high quality bit of kit.
Storage in the kitchen isn’t ever so clever, so other lockers in the van need to be used for cooking equipment.
The large fridge and cooker with separate oven and grill would not look out of place in a more expensive tourer.
Washroom
The end-corner washroom works well, despite the tambour-style door, which doesn’t feel especially robust.
Storage is adequate, although the wet room arrangement may make it tricky to shower little kids in there without mum or dad getting doused at the same time. It feels more spacious than you might expect, and although there is a lot of plastic present, it feels pretty tough.
Beds
The downside of the rear-corner bed is that working out the best cushion arrangement is a chore. It gets easier, but a memory-foam mattress topper would improve the comfort.
The front bed makes up easily and is the best berth for mum and dad, particularly if the fifth bed – a fold-out bunk at the back – is in use.
If required, a curtain can be used to section off the back of the van once the kids go to bed.
Storage
There is no externally accessed storage, aside from a gas locker, but as space can get tight, careful packing is the order of the day if you are a family of five. It’s not a disaster, though.
The full-height double wardrobe works well enough, there are six roof lockers at the front end and a couple at the back.
Storage under the seats at both ends is likely to be taken up with bedding, if all beds are in use.
Technical Specifications
| Berth | 5 |
| MiRO | 1052 kg |
| Payload | 239 kg |
| MTPLM | 1291 kg |
| Shipping Length | 6.45 m |
| Width | 2.23 m |
