One of the big plus points about doing a cover shoot on this magazine is the opportunity it gives us lucky people to test out certain new models of caravan over considerably different driving conditions.
I knew we were going to have a chance to do this in September, when Coachman gave us the opportunity to review the new Laser 480 Xtra, the first ever 8ft-wide two-berth tourer and the van we picked as the best caravan for couples at the Practical Caravan Awards 2026, and photograph it for our cover.
I had been intrigued by this new model since its launch during the summer: it was an 8ft-wide caravan, which obviously means lots of space. But, due to it being only a two-berth, and so not having a weighty fixed bed, it can be towed by a relatively conventional car, rather than the bigger vehicles you might need to tow other 8ft-wide tourers. In my case, this was a Volkswagen Tiguan.
Big miles planned
Because the caravan was so new, we were only allowed it for a couple of days, and had to pick it up from one dealership, Grantham’s, and leave it at another dealership halfway across the country, Salop Leisure, two days later.
In the meantime, I would be taking it down to the south coast and the beautiful New Forest, where the shoot was actually taking place. So, all-in-all about 400 miles of towing was planned.
I had barely set out on this journey when I realised the occasional disadvantages of doing without a caravan-specific sat-nav system (see our guide to the best caravan sat navs if you’re looking for one). My phone sat-nav app (which has no tourer-specific settings) directed me down eight miles of single-track country lane where I was most fortunate that no traffic came the other way. One final recommendation to turn into a tiny track that was quite clearly marked ‘Not suitable for heavy vehicles’ finally persuaded me that enough was enough.
For the rest of the journey, or at least right up until a couple of miles before the end, I relied on my own intuition and sense of direction.
The caravan itself, however, did not complain at all. Admittedly, it comes with an AKS3004 stabiliser and Al-Ko’s ATC system fitted as standard. But most of the way along the journey – including when I had to navigate through some complicated roadworks where they appear to be getting rid of the final part of the rather-unloved Winchester bypass –
I barely noticed I was towing. The strap-on towing mirrors that I used behaved impeccably, too, although if you need help with yours, check out our guide on how to adjust towing mirrors.
The caravan park I was heading for is called Back of Beyond, and I did initially wonder how it could be called that when on the map it only appears to be half a mile or so away from the A31, a dual carriageway that I have always thought rather spoils the enjoyment of the New Forest, which is one of our newest national parks. Fortunately, that half-mile is a single track (again, no problem for the Laser) through dense woodland. You don’t hear or see the busy road at the other end.
At Back of Beyond
And the park itself is a lovely, welcoming place. Our new tourer model wasn’t fitted with a motor mover, so, even though it is a smaller 8ft-wide model, it still took more than two of us to get it properly positioned. But the pitch they had put us on came with its own picnic table next to an ilex tree. The bar, where they have a different caterer almost every night, was only a few steps away.
And, best of all, at the back of the park is a lovely nature reserve with a lake and an island where you can while away a good hour or so reflecting. Although there is a dog walking area in the park, they aren’t allowed in this section, so you won’t be disturbed by yapping.
What of the caravan itself, though? Well, as I had suspected, it provides you with a huge amount of space for just the two of you. With the table outside you felt as though you had a hotel all to yourself, with a substantial washroom attached. It’s hard not to think that part of this sense of space comes from not having a bulky bed taking up a huge amount of room. The double bed, meanwhile, is perfectly easy to assemble.
The caravan proved easy to move later, too, both on the switchback roads in the New Forest, and on the long cross-country drive to Shrewsbury. By this time I had forgiven my phone sat-nav app for its earlier less-than-ideal directions, so I decided to follow it when it recommended I avoid congestion by trundling down the back streets of what I later discovered was Kidderminster. Again, the caravan manoeuvred easily, as it did when we descended through bright red rocks to reach Bridgnorth. It almost felt as though we were entering middle earth.
If you’re apprehensive about towing for the first time or would like a refresher, take a look at our guide to caravan towing courses. They can have an enormous benefit, no matter your level of experience.
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