Caravans with a washroom across the centre, a bedroom at the back and a lounge up front should feel as though they have three rooms. And with the level of spec Erwin Hymer UK adds to the Buccaneer, they should also feel like a real home from home.

Now this is exactly the type of thing you would look for if you’re a fan of a seasonal caravan pitch. So does this apply to the Buccaneer Commodore? I went to see one at Glossop Caravans to find out.

Pitch and set-up

At just over 1800kg unladen and 8ft wide, this is one hefty caravan. Fortunately, towing it should not be as daunting as it might sound, because this is a twin axle caravan, ATC, an AKS 3004 stabiliser and shock absorbers fitted as standard. As ever, just make sure you’ve been sensible with the car/caravan match.

Heavy-duty corner steadies keep it stable when you arrive on site, and the Commodore also has a hydraulic self-levelling system.

Lounge in the Buccaneer Commodore

The last time the Buccaneer had a serious overhaul, the interior felt a bit blingy, with dark furniture and pronounced surface edges. The designers have toned down those edges, I thought, although the dark finish remains.

It is offset in the lounge by grey settees with stylish cushions and bolsters, and there’s a bolster support by the door.

This area gets plenty of daylight, thanks to big windows and a SkyView rooflight.

Six LEDs in the rooflight housing provide good night-time illumination, along with the spotlights and ambient lighting.

Interior of the Buccaneer Commodore
Plenty of storage space in the central chest of drawers

There is a mains socket in the offside corner of the sill, and in the middle, a wireless charger with two USB ports.

An extension shelf at the top of the central chest rises level when pulled out, and is ideal for drinks and snacks.

The foldaway table is stowed further back beyond the fridge. It is plenty big enough for four, though.

Above the cupboard by the door, you’ll find sockets for a TV. The radio, linked to speakers, is in an overhead locker.

My only disappointment was the inside of the door. In luxury caravans at this price point, I would like to see a proper door handle, rather than a catch that you have to hold to close it.

Kitchen in the Buccaneer Commodore

The large skylight stops the kitchen from feeling dark. It lights up a large permanent worktop with mains sockets nearby, a big rectangular sink and a dual-fuel four-burner hob with cast iron stands that sits above a separate oven and grill.

The kitchen
The kitchen in the Commodore

The walls here are protected by splashbacks. A Dometic Series 10 two-way opening fridge and an 800W caravan microwave are housed across the aisle.

Washroom in the Buccaneer Commodore

The partition doors in the washroom are an improvement on the main door – the rear sliding door shuts easily, with a magnet.

Between these doors, there is a stylish shower cubicle on the nearside. There is ambient light only, and just one drainage hole, but that is probably enough in a self-levelling van.

Inside the washroom
Washroom houses a salad-bowl-style basin, big mirror and ladder radiator

The main washroom has its own roof vent, and LED lights. It includes a salad-bowl-style basin, a mirror and a ladder radiator.

Sleeping in the Buccaneer Commodore

The floor space around the island bed is fine, especially during the day, when the bed is rolled back. The area is flooded with light from a large Heki above.

There is a big padded headboard, plus spotlights and speakers under the overhead lockers. The dresser in the front corner comes with a mirror and USB ports.

The island bed
Comfortable island bed has a large padded headboard and spotlights

A smaller cabinet, with room for a small TV and sockets nearby, is in the corner.

The settees in the front are long enough for anyone under 6ft to use as single beds. The large knee roll means a bumpy-looking mattress if you make up the double bed with slats that come out from under the central chest. However, I thought it was very comfortable.

Storage in the Buccaneer Commodore

Both underseat areas in the lounge can be accessed internally through flaps and by lifting up the slats. The nearside locker is clear, with external access. The offside one houses the Alde heating, but still has space. There are also overhead lockers here and some open shelving, but the cabinet by the door is a bit small.

The bedroom has two overhead lockers and two slim wardrobes, one with three drawers and the other with two.

More storage is accessed by lifting the bed, but you do have to contend with the onboard water tank being located in here.

The kitchen has two overhead lockers, a cupboard with wire baskets, a column of three drawers and a pan locker.

The main washroom has two shallow double cupboards, with another larger one underneath the handbasin.

Alternatives to consider

The 2024 Coachman Laser Xcel 850 is another ideal option for fans of a seasonal pitch, providing space, comfort and plenty of luxury. Alternatively, there’s the Swift Elegance Grande 760 – it’s another luxury tourer that provides an opulent living space and has a stylishly sleek design.

Buccaneer Commodore specifications

  • Price: £45,599
  • Berths: 4
  • MiRO: 1801kg
  • Payload: 159kg
  • MTPLM: 1960kg
  • Interior length: 6.39m
  • Shipping length: 8.18m
  • Overall width: 2.45m

Spec list

  • Al-Ko chassis
  • AKS 3004 stabiliser
  • ATC
  • Remote control hydraulic self-levelling
  • External BBQ point
  • 100W solar panel
  • Underslung spare wheel
  • Al-Ko Diamond Standard secure wheel locks
  • 40-litre onboard water tank
  • Alde heating
  • Omnivent
  • Dual-fuel hob
  • Thetford K1520 MK2 oven and grill
  • 800W microwave
  • Eco Camel Orbit shower
  • CO and smoke alarms

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