Best 6 berth caravan 2022 - Practical Caravan

Are you on the hunt for the best 6 berth caravan? Then chances are you’re an experienced caravanner and looking to expand your horizons so that the whole family can benefit from the increased space that a larger caravan affords. Or maybe this is your very first van and you’re hoping to start your caravanning adventure with something for all the family.

Whatever the case, there are some excellent large caravans on the market which should keep everyone happy.

We have looked around and used our industry expertise to pick out the winner of the best 6 berth caravan at the Practical Caravan Awards 2022, as well as revealing our shortlisted contenders and other top recommendations from recent years.

You’ll find tourers from some of the biggest brands featuring, including Swift, Bailey and Knaus – you can find out more about all of these in our guide to the best caravan manufacturers.

This year’s winner is the Swift Basecamp 6 – it’s a sporty tourer that we felt was ideal for family travel, and we really liked how easy it is to load and unload bikes too.

How we choose the best 6 berth caravan

A six berth caravan is likely to be used by those who want to be able to tour with the whole family. As a result, when we’re picking out the best 6 berth caravan, we’re looking at factors that include how practical the layout would be for all of you, the space you’d have and the storage on offer, amongst other things.

We’re well-placed to be assessing this. The expert team at Practical Caravan have decades of industry experience between us, giving us a good awareness for what we should be looking out for when identifying a truly great 6 berth tourer.

We regularly test and review vans too, with over 400 models in our caravan reviews section. We make sure we draw attention to the positives and negatives that arise as we test each vehicle – you can find out more about our testing process on our About Us page.

Our readers also provide a valuable insight, thanks to our Owner Satisfaction Awards. Here, we find out about how they got on when buying a van from one of the numerous brands out there.

Combining this lets us draw up an initial shortlist of models for the category, before we whittle it down to a final list. Each tourer is a worthy contender, and we’ll explain why they’ve made it onto our shortlist for the best 6 berth caravan.

The winner of the best 6 berth caravan is…

Swift Basecamp 6

best 6 berth caravan, Practical Caravan Awards 2022

Price: £24,995
Berths: 6
MTPLM: 1331kg
MiRO: 1165kg
Shipping length: 6.57m

Reasons to buy:

Easy to load / unload bikes thanks to the rear door
Easily manoeuvrable

Reasons to avoid:

Narrow lounge
Fridge is only 83 litres

Swift describes the Basecamp as ‘sporty, fun and stylish’ and we’d go along with that. We love its funky looks which single it out from other caravans. It has a SMART construction with GRP body panels and, with a MTPLM of 1331kg and a length of 6.57m, it’s easily manoeuvrable and perfect for family travel.

We liked the interior when we tested it – it’s upholstered in black, grey and orange, really adding to that sporty vibe.

The lounge is a bit on the narrow side, but, despite this, it’s nicely lit and the central window can open wide.

The two rear dinettes are comfortable too – we were pleasantly surprised by this, as the seat cushions are parts of the bunk mattress folded up. Both dinettes come with an LED light and a pair of USBs beneath each of the rear seats, ensuring there’s a charging point for all – an addition we really appreciated.

The kitchen worktop is smart. Here, you’ll find a three-burner gas hob and two mains sockets – there is also a round sink, which we judged to be ‘a good size’. A Dometic Series 10 two-way opening AES fridge is also included, although it’s only 83 litres – however, this is a tourer that’s more for quick adventures than longer tours.

Finishing off the kitchen is a Thetford Duplex combined oven and grill, although you don’t get a microwave.

In the front lounge, you can make up a double bed – it’s simple to do, we thought, as you just need to slide two platforms together and then pull out the support legs.

When it comes to the bunks at the back of the van, you’ll need to rearrange the cushions, although this doesn’t require infills.

Folding down all of the seats in the Basecamp 6 provides room for bikes, with eight holds in the front lounge alone, with a further four offered in the rear. A door at the rear of the van makes it easy to get bikes in and out too.

We were impressed by its good spec throughout while managing to keep the weight down and still offer sufficient storage for the travelling family. All this for under £25,000 – it’s easy to see how the Basecamp 6 made it onto our best caravan round-up.

Full review: Swift Basecamp 6

Also on the shortlist for the best 6 berth caravan are…

Elddis Avante 868

Price: £26,499
Berths: 6
MTPLM: 1724kg
MiRO: 1545kg
Shipping length: 8.05m

For a family of up to six the Avante 868 has it all. The rear side fixed beds are placed opposite the twin fixed bunks, making them ideal for parents who want to keep an eye on younger children. The front lounge offers ample seating and converts to twin singles or a double.

Knaus Sudwind 580 QS 60 Years

Price: £28,730
Berths: 6
MTPLM: 1900kg
MiRO: 1380kg
Shipping length: 7.87m

With its front-end double bed the Sudwind 580 QS offers something different for a family of up to six. A quality build with a fresh interior design, this is a tourer that younger families will love. We also like that the well-finished washroom comes with a Dometic loo too.

Bailey Pegasus Grande SE Palermo

Price: £28,099
Berths: 6
MTPLM: 1715kg
MiRO: 1535kg
Shipping length: 7.86m

This caravan represents outstanding value with its specification including a 100 watt Truma solar panel. The rear side fixed bunks will be a hit with children while the kitchen comes with a 153-litre fridge freezer, making it ideal for meeting a bigger family’s needs.

We also recommend the following 6 berth caravans from recent years

These are some of the other standout best 6 berth caravans from recent years, as picked by our team of experts.

Buccaneer Aruba 2019

STAR RATING – 4 out of 5

Price: £33,499
Berth: 6
MTPLM: 1983kg
Shipping length: 8.16m
Width: 2.44m

This luxurious twin-axle model features everything from a self-levelling system to cast iron pan stands. It’s run on an Al-Ko chassis and is 8.16m in length – the ATC anti-snaking system comes as standard.

The lounge is spacious and plenty of natural light floods in through five windows, a front skylight and a ‘Stargazer’ rooflight. The galley kitchen is arranged in full on the nearside. A dual-fuel cooker to the left of the kitchen unit features cast-iron pan stands and underneath a separate oven and grill. Next to the cooker there’s an oblong sink. The washroom is sited in the offside rear corner, but is arranged like an end washroom in all but orientation.

As well as a rear 6ft 3in long French bed, there’s a large make-up double at the front of the van and another two berths are on hand in the side dinette, in the form of a small double.

A well-designed and kitted-out tourer with generous dimensions.

BUY IF… you want a well-kitted tourer with a good use of space

PROs:
Superb spec makes most of space
Plenty of storage

CONs:
Will need plenty of towing power

Compass Casita 586 2019

STAR RATING – 4 out of 5

Price: £ 20,594
Berth: 6
MTPLM: 1460kg
Shipping length: 6.12m
Width: 2.26m

The entry-level Casita comprises four standard-width layouts and three twin-axled, eight-foot floor plans; ideal for seasonal touring. The standard-width 586 layout skilfully manages to manipulate a relatively small space, under 5.7m, to accommodate a family of six.

This layout has the dinette in the centre of the caravan facing the door, so you get a feeling of space and light.

The space in the midships nearside kitchen is good, although the three-way Dometic fridge is the standard size found in many two- and four-berth vans. The washroom has a good, square shower with bi-fold doors.

The nearside rear corner of the van has a pair of bunks, and a further two bunks can be made up by converting the dinette. At the front of the van the 2.1m long bed makes up in the standard way, with slats pulled out from the central chest.

BUY IF… you want versatile space at a good price

PROs:
Comfortable sofas
Good size washroom

CONs:
Small fridge

Swift Cruach Culmor 2019

STAR RATING – 4 out of 5

Price: £20,355
Berth: 6
MTPLM: 1491kg
Shipping length: 7.54m
Width: 2.25m

This dealer special, which is a single-axle family six berth, is constructed on an Al-Ko chassis with a timber free body shell. It’s well built and its base model is the best-selling Sprite Major 6TD. The front lounge area is large enough to seat six, and comes with Swift’s upgraded upholstery.

The kitchen is a side unit opposite the central washroom, while the washroom comes with a separate shower cubicle and an electric-flush loo.

For sleeping, the front-end lounge seating can be used as twin singles or quickly converted into a comfy double. At the back, there are twin offside fixed bunk beds and the dinette converts into a single bed and, if needed, a fold-up bunk.

BUY IF… you’re looking for competitively priced reliability

PROs:
Competitively priced
Comfy seats

CONs:
No dual fuel hobs
ATC is an extra

Elddis Avanté 866 2017

STAR RATING – 4.5 out of 5

Price: £ 21,499
Berth: 6
MTPLM: 1738kg
Shipping length: 8.05m
Width: 2.45m

With its 8ft wide body shell the Elddis is a spacious twin-axle caravan, that in spit of its size is not intimidating to tow. The Al-Ko chassis is equipped with ATC, shock absorbers and an AKS stabiliser, and at 1738kg fully laden it’s not as heavy as you might expect.

A kitchen-diner straddles the aisle in the centre of the van and consists of a well-equipped galley and a fabulous family dinette. The corner washroom is surprisingly large inside with a fully lined shower and a smart bowl sink.

Amazingly, all the beds measure 6ft-plus. You can use the sofas as singles or make them up into a double. Drop the dinette table, flip up the flaps on the sides and add in a couple of infills and you get a second large double, at a very adult-friendly 6ft 3in by 4ft 5in. And then there are those bunks at the back – or rather, the ‘sleeping pods’. These funky spaces look cosy and inviting, giving seclusion without feeling claustrophobic; and, at 6ft 4in, they are amazingly long for fixed bunks

BUY IF… you’re looking for a good price and a van that can accommodate a growing family

PROs:
Fantastic kitchen/diner
Flexible layout

CONs:
you’ll need a big tow car and driveway

Swift Sprite Super Quattro FB 2019

STAR RATING – 4 out of 5

Price: £21.645
Berth: 6
MTPLM: 1704kg
Shipping length: 7.98m
Width: 2.46m

The Sprite Super range might be 8ft wide, but the Quattro FB remains recognisably a Sprite. It still features that distinctive curvaceous Sprite front panel and, like all of the Sprites since the 2018 season, three front windows. The extra body width does make this row of windows look a little more squat on the road – as does the whole van, in fact. But you do get even more of a view from inside.

Step inside the Quattro FB and you will immediately notice the additional room that the extra width gives you – particularly if you are more used to standard British caravans up to now.

The neutral interior colour scheme might be a bit too grey and silvery for some, but it rather appealed to our tastes. And the two front settees are very comfortable. As standard, the Quattro’s side kitchen includes a separate oven and grill, three-burner hob and a Dometic fridge that is probably just large enough for the food of six people. As part of the Diamond Pack, our model also had a microwave.

There’s a small basin, a round toilet and a heating vent. The corner bed in the rear is comfortable, with a well positioned headboard. The double bed at the front is made by sliding two platforms together. More infill cushions are needed to make up the double bed in the middle.

BUY IF… you’re after comfort at a competitive price

PROs:
Spacious interior
Comfortable sofas

CONs:
Kitchen storage is limited

Bailey Pursuit 570-6 2017

STAR RATING – 4 out of 5

Price: £16,499
Berth: 6
MTPLM: 1450kg
Shipping length: 7.4m
Width: 2.24m

The largest model in the Pursuit range, when this launched in 2017 it was a welcome arrival for Bailey which was once known for its top-notch family caravans, but whose focus on multi-berth models had slipped in recent years. The 570-6 has its washroom in the centre (on the offside) rather than to the rear. Facing it is the kitchen, with the lounge up front and a pair of bunk beds plus a dinette at the rear.

The Pursuit utilises Bailey’s Alu-Tech construction system and what you see is what you get: there’s no options pack to get a door flyscreen, stereo, microwave, alloys, spare wheel or hitch stabiliser. Even the front sunroof is fitted as standard. The sunroof, along with the one-piece front window, ensures a bright, cheerful lounge area and the lounge should seat should seat six at a squeeze.

The Bailey Pursuit 570-6 has a decent galley for a budget van and comes with a standard microwave, two 230V sockets, a new square sink from Bailey’s motorhomes and a Thetford Triplex combined oven and grill, with a three-burner gas hob. Meanwhile, the offside washroom offers a fully lined shower.

The front bed is put together using slats and Ozio cushions, For adults, the sofas are too small to be used as single beds, but the double is a huge 6ft 8in x 4ft 10in, albeit with a step in it. The offside fixed bunks are large, at 5ft 10in x 2ft 3in, and each has a light and a window.

BUY IF… you want an entry level model with good kit levels

PROs:
Kids and adults get separate areas
No hidden costs in price

CONs:
Kitchen layout could be improved

Lunar Quasar 696 T/A 2019

STAR RATING – 4.5 out of 5

Price: £23,995
Berth: 6
Shipping length: 7.89m
Width: 2.44m

This Lunar has a rear room with fixed side bunks and a side dinette – ideal for children. The washroom and kitchen are both midships and there’s a nicely appointed L-shaped front lounge. It comes on an Al-Ko chassis with an AKS stabiliser hitch. There’s no ATC but we don’t see this as a major omission at this level.

The L-shaped lounge works well and feels more spacious than its size actually suggests – it’s comfortable and there’s plenty of legroom and floorspace. The L-shaped kitchen also works well and gives a good deal more worktop space as well as extra storage.

The position of the washroom means you have to walk through it to get to the rear bedroom or to the front lounge.

The front lounge is easily made up into a double bed using the slide-out section. Each of the two bunks at the rear has its own window plus wall-mounted storage pouch and LED reading light.

Opposite, the dinette makes into a large single bed with a fold-up bunk above it. Once they’re made up, all these beds look and feel comfortable.

BUY IF… you want a smart layout that works for all the family

PROs:
Brilliant L-shaped kitchen
Bunks

CONs:
No nearside window

Swift Sprite Major 6 2018

STAR RATING – 4.5 out of 5

Price: £17,430
Berth: 6
MTPLM: 1468kg
Shipping length: 7.31m
Width: 2.25m

Our Tourer of the Year in 2018, the Sprite Major 6 has much to recommend it. The curved profile that makes Swifts van so recognisable provides a sophisticated edge to a front panel that now has three separate windows – not something you would expect in an entry-level caravan. Our test model had been fitted with the £365 optional sunroof, as well as the £495 Diamond Pack that gets you alloy wheels.

Swift revamped its Escape entry-level coachbuilt motorhome range in 2017. Much of the design thinking in that seems to have flowed over into the new Sprite.

The side dinette on the offside is right next to the kitchen, and the dinette itself and the clip-on table that goes with it are probably only large enough for four small children or two adults. The kitchen takes elements from the new Escape motorhome, in the form of an elegant curved panel by the sockets under the microwave. There’s a hob and beneath that a Thetford oven with a separate grill.

The shower cubicle is huge. You could probably fit two kids in there at a time. In terms of sleeping arrangements, with this layout adults still have to make up their bed but it’s easily done. That front make-up double bed is 2.02 x 1.7m, or use the sofas as 1.8 x 0.83m single beds. The fixed bunks at the back measure 1.83 x 0.57m, so are long enough for teenagers, but are a touch on the narrow side.

BUY IF… you’re after a reasonably priced van with a well-designed base

PROs:
Great family washroom
Plenty of storage

CONs:
Need Diamond Pack to lift spec

Buccaneer Galera 2017

STAR RATING – 4.5 out of 5

Price: £31,699
Berth: 6
MTPLM: 2000kg
Shipping length: 8.14m
Width: 2.45m

This big twin-axle tourer rides on a BPW chassis with smart alloy wheels, and a Winterhoff hitch stabiliser plus an IDC electronic stability system.

A well-specified kitchen is essential for six, and the Buccaneer Galera comes up with the goods. There is a Dometic fridge and separate freezer, a microwave, and a full Thetford Aspire oven with a gas and electric hob. Excellent worktop space is also a plus point, and includes an extension flap.Meanwhile, the corner washroom is smart, although not particularly large.

The settees in the front lounge can be used as single beds, but at 1.81m (5ft 11in) they aren’t overly long, so most users will no doubt make them into a double measuring 7ft x 4ft 9in.

The bed-making system relies on pull-out slats, but making the side dinette into a second double is an easy task. The resulting bed isn’t as large as that up front, but it is really meant more for children or occasional guests. The two fixed bunk beds at the rear each have a light, curtain and window, plus good headroom.

BUY IF… you want a luxurious van in which to bring the kids and elderly relatives

PROs:
Well-built with a high-quality feel
kitchen area is superb

CONs:
You need to use slats to make up the front double bed
It’s not cheap!

Sprite Quattro DD 2017

STAR RATING – 4 out of 5

Price: £18,445
Berth: 6
MTPLM: 1624kg
Shipping length: 7.92m
Width: 2.24m

Based on an Al-Ko twin-axle chassis, the Quattro DD from the 2017 range of Sprite caravans should prove a stable tow, especially if you opt for the £595 Diamond Pack which includes an AKS stabiliser, as well as alloy wheels.

A large side kitchen is the key in a big family caravan, particularly one that’s equipped with the essentials. This comes with a combined oven and grill plus a three-burner hob. A Dometic 100-litre fridge is standard.

Side washrooms are renowned for being less spacious than end bathrooms, but the DD has a sizeable space.

The front lounge area can be made up into twin single beds using the super-thick cushions. Making up the double (2.02m x 1.80m) means using pull-out slats to bridge the gap. When it comes to the rear dinette, the two settees can also be made up as single beds – or a large, 2.02m x 1.33m double

BUY IF… you’re looking for good build quality and spec in a practical layout.

PROs:
You get a good specification
Kitchen is spacious and practical

CONs:
Another mains socket would be good, especially in the kitchen

• Selected from our independent caravan reviews scoring four stars and above (reviewed between 2017 and 2020). Prices correct at time of review but subject to change.

Those looking for a couples’ van might like to check out our 10 best 2 berth caravans. Alternatively, if you’re constricted by budget, you may like to consult our list of the best caravans under £20,000. If you’re budget can stretch a bit further, we’ve also compiled a list of the best caravans over £30,000.

If none of these models sound like the caravan you’re looking for, check the rest of our caravan reviews to see if there might be a model more suited to you – we’re uploading more all the time!

Or what about a motorhome? Check out some of these options Best 2 berth motorhomes, Best 4 berth motorhomes, Best 6 berth motorhomes , Best A-class motorhomes and more

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