If you tour abroad a lot, it might make sense to go for a Continental caravan with the door on the Continental side. Most European manufacturers with a UK presence have now switched to offering doors on the UK (near) side, but some still have theirs the Continental way. The advantage is, you can match more easily with European campsite infrastructure, and it is easier to get into the van if needed when you stop on the road. Here are some good used buys that we found.

ADRIA ADORA ISONZO 613DT PLATINUM COLLECTION (2017)

Adria Adora Isonzo 613DT Platinum Collection (2017)
  • Layout Transverse fixed bed
  • Berths 4
  • L/w 8.25m/2.45m
  • MTPLM 1750kg
  • Payload 195kg
  • MIRO 1555kg
  • PLUS POINTS Excellent storage
  • MINUS POINTS No TV aerial as standard

Our review said…

Adria Adora Isonzo 613DT Platinum Collection (2017)

The lounge is spacious, with plenty of natural light aided by the modern looks and the large skylight above. Wraparound seating is the format, in true Continental style. There’s also a fold-up coffee table above the window seat.

The kitchen is a delight, with characteristics common to other Adria caravans, although there’s room for improvement.

Storage is a strong point and you have plenty of space for pans. The Isonzo’s kitchen is also relatively well-equipped, with Adria’s exclusive stainless-steel combined sink and three-burner hob. But we’d expect four burners and, ideally, a dual-fuel unit at this price.

The full-width end washroom has access via a sliding door and the van sleeps four with ease. The front converts into a huge double bed by pulling out the seat-base extensions then rearranging the sofa cushions. The rear bedroom comes with a comfortable, very large island double bed with a split mattress.

Full review

KNAUS STARCLASS 480 (2017)

Knaus Starclass 480 (2017)
  • Layout End washroom
  • Berths 2
  • L/w 6.72m/2.32m
  • MTPLM 1500kg
  • Payload 205kg
  • MIRO 1285kg
  • PLUS POINTS Comfy beds
  • MINUS POINTS Alde heating is optional, not standard

Our review said…

Knaus Starclass 480 (2017)

The Knaus StarClass 480’s exterior is very much in line with convention – it’s all white with a grey stripe down the middle. You do get a stable door, however, which many UK manufacturers have dropped. The entrance area of the 480 feels like a domestic hall, with a large mirror directly opposite the door.

In the kitchen, the black/dark-grey theme continues with the chunky kitchen worktop, which is generously sized, even with its large sink and drainer.

The area around the four-burner dual-fuel hob is well lit, and along with a Thetford oven and grill, you get a microwave – which is unusual for a Continental caravan.

The designers have managed to squeeze in a basic separate shower cubicle by hiding it behind the mirror in the ‘hall’.

For sleeping, you simply pull out the slats under the front chest and then slide the seat cushions onto them.

Full review

HYMER NOVA GL 470 (2017)

Hymer Nova GL 470 (2017)
  • Layout End washroom
  • Berths 2
  • L/w 6.88m/2.30m
  • MTPLM 1700kg
  • Payload 170kg
  • MIRO 1530kg
  • PLUS POINTS Comfortable seating converts into a great bed
  • MINUS POINTS You’ll need a hefty tow car

Our review said…

Hymer Nova GL 470 (2017)

The tourer’s retro, boxy shape almost harks back to the 1960s. You’re sure to admire the alloys and large external locker doors.

Step inside and the first thing that you notice is a hall-like space with a padded hanging rail for coasts, alongside useful cubbyholes for keys.

The brushed-steel effect on the kitchen drawer fronts adds to the feeling of subtle quality that we’ve come to expect from Hymer caravans.

Over the Thetford Aspire oven and grill, there’s a dual-fuel four-burner hob, with an Amica microwave above, next to two lockers.

The end washroom is huge. There is a large shower with its own shelving and a separate rooflight and flyscreen.

The sofas in the Hymer Nova GL 470 are long enough to be used as twin beds, but when fully made up, the double is a huge 6ft 10in x 6ft 7in.

Full review

ERIBA TOURING TROLL 542 (2016)

Eriba Touring Troll 542 (2016)
  • Layout Fixed twin beds
  • Berths 3
  • L/w 4.71m/2.10m
  • MTPLM 1300kg
  • Payload 360kg
  • MIRO 940kg
  • PLUS POINTS Very lightweight
  • MINUS POINTS No lounge or oven

Our review said…

Eriba Touring Troll 542 (2016)

The troll’s curved, aerodynamic shape has remained more or less unchanged since its inception 55 years ago. The box-section frame supports two-sectioned aluminium panels for its front, rear and sidewalls; the top, which houses the pop-up roof, is in GRP.

The caravan has its entrance door and services on the wrong side for the UK, which is fine if you do most of your touring on the Continent.

The nearside kitchen has a stainless-steel sink with a domestic-style chrome-plated tap and a laminated cover. A two-burner gas hob with a glass lid is set into the worktop.

The washroom is small but very well thought through. The shower tray forms the washroom floor, and there is a Thetford electric-flush bench toilet with cassette.

The Eriba Touring Troll 542 is marketed as having fixed twin beds, joined at one end, but you can buy an infill to make them into a double.

Full review

ADRIA ALTEA 552DT TAMAR

Adria Altea 552DT Tamar
  • Layout Bunk beds, front lounge
  • Berths 6
  • L/w 7.61m/2.30m
  • MTPLM 1400kg
  • Payload 125kg
  • MIRO 1275kg
  • PLUS POINTS Flexible sleeping options
  • MINUS POINTS No microwave

Our review said…

Adria Altea 552DT Tamar

The Adria Altea 552DT Tamar doesn’t have a central chest. Instead, there’s a rather flimsy flap of a table, which is better folded away so that you can make the most of the spacious lounge, which comfortably seats five.

In the kitchen, instead of the traditional UK layout with a hob/oven/grill combination, there’s a combined oven and grill sensibly sited at chest level, to the left of a three-burner hob with its rings in a line rather than in a cluster. This is designed to be a better fit for multiple pans, and on the whole, works well.

The washroom is small, but the clever ‘ERGO’ design makes the most of the space available.

There’s a good front double, formed by sliding out the slats from beneath the sofa cushions. Next there’s the offside dinette, which makes a lower bunk by dropping the table. Finally, at the back, there are two fixed bunks.

Full review

KNAUS STARCLASS 480 (2018)

Knaus Starclass 480 (2018)
  • Layout Fixed bed
  • Berths 4
  • L/w 6.98m/2.30m
  • MTPLM 1600kg
  • Payload 325kg
  • MIRO 1275kg
  • PLUS POINTS Large fixed bed
  • MINUS POINTS Little equipment included

Our review said…

Knaus Starclass 480 (2018)

As standard, you get a U-shaped front lounge with wraparound seating. There is a sunroof, but it doesn’t open. However, along with the large Heki roof vent, it lets plenty of natural light into the lounge.

The side kitchen in this Knaus caravan offers excellent cupboard storage, with a mega-sized cutlery drawer. There is a Thetford oven with separate grill, as well as a dual-fuel hob, and the sink is finished in black enamel, complete with drainer.

Tucked in on the left is the shower cubicle, although some might find it a tad small. It is lined, though, and the washroom floor area is generous. A Dometic toilet is fitted below the side window. The handbasin is a good size.

The settees in the front lounge can be used as single beds. Alternatively, there’s a make-up double, formed by sliding out the slats.

Full review

ERIBA TOURING TROLL 530 ’60 EDITION’ (2018)

Eriba Touring Troll 530 ’60 Edition’ (2018)
  • Layout Fixed rear beds
  • Berths 3
  • L/w 5.79m/2.10m
  • MTPLM 1400kg
  • Payload 435kg
  • MIRO 965kg
  • PLUS POINTS Low weight and huge payload
  • MINUS POINTS Tend to have high price tags

Our review said…

Eriba Touring Troll 530 ’60 Edition’ (2018)

Erwin Hymer Group launched this special ’60 Edition’ of the Touring Troll to celebrate six decades of continuous production.

A small parallel lounge at the front of the Troll 530 all seat two adults and two small children, although things will be a tad cosy.

The 530’s nearside kitchen unit is compact, but logically laid out, and it covers the basics for a caravan trip. There are two gas burners and with the glass lid lowered and sink infill in place, there’s a reasonable amount of work surface. A 70-litre fridge with separate freezer compartment is located on the right-hand side of the kitchen unit.

Accommodating a well-equipped washroom in a caravan with a body length of 4.66m is quite an achievement. The washroom floor forms the shower tray, with the mixer tap double as the shower head.

Al ’60 Edition’ models in the Troll range, including the 530, have fixed rear beds.

Full review

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