SOME CARAVANNERS HAVE always preferred to keep their vans on a single campsite rather than use them for touring. In recent years, this trend has become more prevalent, due in part to such factors as the ever-rising cost of fuel, additional traffic on the roads and the increased pitch fees charged by some touring caravan sites.

 

In addition, many people have less leisure time to take short breaks or long weekends. So when they do have a chance to get away, it’s much easier to go back to the same place each time.

 

With this in mind, we’ve chosen four caravans we think meet this breed of caravanner’s needs. These are vans with heavier-than-usual MTPLMs, and which have such features as fixed beds and bunks, fridge-freezers and hotplates, making them ideal for use in one place as a real home away from home.

 

Shortlist
Elddis Super Cyclone
Sterling Elite Explorer
Elddis Crusader Tempest

 

Winner, Best Caravan for Seasonal Pitches: Lunar Delta TI

 

Our WORTHY winner in this category is the Lunar Delta TI. Externally, it comes with heavy-duty steadies all round, an underslung 40-litre water tank, mudguards, and an Al-Ko jack. The nearside storage locker houses a 13A socket, and there’s an external barbecue point.

 

Importantly, too, a convenient pitch water-connection point has been fitted on the offside of the caravan and comes with a 25m connecting hose. A key-fob remote control operates both the awning light and alarm.

 

New kitchen touches for 2011

Inside, to the right of the entrance, there’s a Thetford 180-litre fridge-freezer with an LED display. Opposite this is the caravan’s centre kitchen. Equipment here includes a separate grill and 42-litre oven, and a new hob with three gas burners and a hotplate. Also new for 2011 is a touch-control extractor fan and clear roof light in the kitchen ceiling.

 

Separating the kitchen from the island fixed bed is a concertina screen. The bed has an aluminium lift-up frame, and a locker door in the nearside wall allows external access to the storage space beneath it. The wardrobe sits between the bed and the wall separating the bedroom from the daytime accommodation.

 

We prefer the standard fabric upholstery for the lounge furnishings, as the optional leather seating – though smart – prevents the use of the front lounge as a double bed.

 

At the rear of the TI is the washroom, which stretches the full width of the caravan. In addition to the shower cubicle, the washroom features a Thetford CWE toilet with electric flush. The Alde wet central heating is standard, too.

 

Price £21,995 MTPLM 1735kg MiRO 1575kg

Find out more about the Lunar Delta TI here