Price range: £15,149-£18,649
Elddis tightens the range and loses weight in its new, streamlined, eight-layout 2013 Avanté line-up, featuring a brand new construction method and two new family models.
Elddis’s mid-market Avanté range continues to shed kilos following significant weight loss in its 2012 models. The 2012 Avanté range benefitted from significant weight reductions over the 2011 models, with the 462 and 554, for example, respectively losing an impressive 60kg and 95kg of body mass, while maintaining their generous payload. Although Elddis has yet to announce weights for the 2013 model range, these look likely to have been reduced again and it’s all down to a new method of construction.
Elddis has completely changed the way it builds its caravans. Chemical bonding is the new construction method, which Elddis says has reduced the use of external screws and bolts in its vehicles by 90%. It’s calling the process ‘SoLiD’ – Strong, Light, Dry.
New build method
Elddis enlisted the help of Henkel, a manufacturer specialising in chemical bonding for the aerospace and marine industries and in Formula 1 racing. It’s the same solution that is used to bond wings to planes, so it is strong, durable and waterproof.
The construction method involves keyway joints, maximizing bonding surfaces to evenly spread the working loads. When all the elements are bonded together, they, in effect, create a monocoque structure with a fully bonded seal against water ingress. This has meant Elddis has been able to lose some of the timber in the structure, reducing the weight further. According to Elddis the manufacturing process has also reduced the level of black streaks from leaching chemicals from bonding materials.
The manufacturer’s confidence in the process is sealed with a 10-year body warranty, which it says will not change. If a van suffers damage, it is fully repairable.
The Avanté gets a Whale Watermaster IC for its outboard water tank, such as an Aquaroll. IC stands for intelligent control, which means it can sense when the Aquaroll runs out of water and stops the pump running dry. It also senses battery voltage, which means you get a constant water supply regardless of battery voltage and eliminates the need for a surge damper. Its 13-litre Whale water heater will heat water faster and the Whale heater needs no furniture to house it giving more living space.
Minor changes includes smart red and black graphics, a wide grey front locker for easy access to gas cylinders, LED lighting throughout and Avtex 7-way aerial and TV as standard. Hobs are dual fuel and basins in the washroom are larger.
The range loses four layouts: the tiny 372, the fixed-bunk 554, the triple-bunk 566 and twin-axle 646. Two new family layouts join the range: the 576 single-axle and 636 twin-axle. Both are six-berths
Competitors in the mid-market are Sterling Eccles Sport, Swift Challenger Sport, Bailey Olympus II and Lunar Quasar.
2013 Elddis Avanté Range
Elddis Avanté 462
Classic two-berth layout with large front lounge with parallel seating and huge end washroom with roomy wardrobe. Range upgrades, including dual-fuel hob mean a £600 price hike on 2012 model.
Price £15,149
Elddis Avanté 540
The ever-popular fixed bed layout has a large end washroom. The blown air system is under the fixed bed but there’s still plenty of storage space. The mid-height microwave is a very practical improvement.
Price £16,599
Elddis Avanté 564
A four-berth with more living space. It’s essentially the same layout as the 540 with a dinette replacing the fixed double bed. Along with the new construction range upgrades include large washbasin and dual-fuel hob.
Price £16,599
Elddis Avanté 515
A double dinette five-berth with a transverse bunk over the rear singles. The front dinette has long sofas. Washroom and kitchen are midship. Range upgrades include TV as standard with bracket for TV at back. Price £16,599
Elddis Avanté 574
The twin single layout has seen its popularity soar in the last five years. The Avanté’s has a good-sized end washroom and kitchen. Would suit couple or those with teenagers. Range upgrades include space-saving whale heater and TV as standard.
Price £16,599
Elddis Avanté 576
One of the new family layout that manages to sleep six and have a huge rear corner washroom, all on a single axle. Fixed double bunks and a wide side dinette, which converts into a ¾ double by raising a flap on the side of seat deals with the sleeping arrangements.
Price £16,599.
Elddis Avanté 624
The classic fixed bed four-berth on a twin-axle has bags of space for a large end washroom. Range upgrades include TV as standard, whale water heater with IC controller, and large washbasin. Price is up £700 on the 2012 model.
Price: £17,999
Elddis Avanté 636
A new family twin-axle model that replaces the 646. The six berths comprise double fixed bunks and the wide side dinette that converts into a ¾ double, along with the front double. Large rear washroom and large kitchen with fridge freezer, and TV as standard all have family appeal. Price £18,649
