Verdict
The 520 has a great deal to offer. We like the spacious end washroom and the overall ambience in this tourer. The build is good, yet the weight has been kept down, and the spec hasn’t been skimped on, either. We would have liked to see the side dresser a little higher and an extension flap for the worktop, but overall, this couples’ tourer should be really comfortable, whenever you tour. We think the 520 is better than its predecessor, the 462, and offers great value, too.
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If a 2 berth caravan is on your shopping list, the Adria Altea Aire 492 DT should definitely be on your radar.
Looking for something with a bit more space? A 4 berth like the 8ft-wide Swift Challenger X880 might be a better fit for you.
Alternatively, if there’s just two of you going on tour and you want something distinctive, the Bailey Discovery D4-2 could be a good option.
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Pros
Night lighting
Storage
End washroom
Spacious
Good spec and build
Cons
No kitchen worktop extension flap
Side dresser might be set a tad low
One of the new models from Elddis for the 2020 season is the Affinity 520, which provides a traditional end-washroom floorplan.
This caravan is almost certainly going to be high on couples’ buying lists for the new season. It promises more in the way of storage and general living space, plus that popular end washroom. The 520 is also competitively priced, at less than £23,000.
The 520 has a great deal to offer. We like the spacious end washroom and the overall ambience in this tourer
Pitching & Setting-up
The Affinity has new graphics for a fresher exterior. The profile looks good, although we think a facelift might be in order soon.
With SoLiD construction, build quality can’t be faulted. Aluminium sides are used to good effect, as are full-height one-piece moulded front and rear panels. It’s on an Al-Ko chassis, with ATC and AKS hitch.
Living
The lounge has parallel settees and a chest of drawers. It’s light and airy, with deep windows, and the sunroof and rooflight.
New soft furnishings help to enhance the feeling of comfort, with scatter and bolster cushions. The upholstery blends well with the cabinetwork, so it all looks up-to-date.
There is a mains socket at the front, plus USB sockets, while LED spots and locker lighting offer night-time illumination.
Overhead lockers number two on each side and are deep, for storage of bulky items. The panoramic rooflight houses integrated LED lighting. The central drawers provide an extending top, to use as a small table.
The CD/radio speakers are mounted in the overhead lockers right at the front, one in each corner. Elddis has put large access flaps on the seat bases, so there’s no need to rearrange the cushions every time you need to get to the bedding.
Kitchen
As you would expect, the offside central kitchen is well equipped. It has a full oven with a dual-fuel hob and a Dometic fridge/freezer, while the microwave is placed over the side dresser, at a sensible height.
The kitchen provides excellent storage in drawers, a cupboard and overhead lockers. We like the large sink. Night illumination is again full marks to Elddis, with four LED downlighters offering brilliant lighting.
There are twin mains sockets and the worktop is good, but it would have been even better with an extension flap. If you prefer a low work surface, the side dresser opposite could be right up your street.
USB sockets are also provided here, and this is where most users will put the TV to take advantage of the aerial socket.
Washroom
Fans of the end washroom will love the Affinity 520’s – it’s large and can be used as a spacious changing room, too.
The Alde heating is vented into the washroom, so there’s no radiator here.
You get a circular shower cubicle and a Thetford electric-flush toilet. We’re glad to see a side window, as well as a roof vent for added ventilation and light.
The deep handbasin is located below a large mirror and there’s also a sizeable cupboard underneath. Handy shelves are next to the double-door wardrobe, which is where the freestanding table is stored. There’s plenty of hanging space in the wardrobe, along with useful drawers.
Beds
As is standard for this kind of layout, the lounge is converted for night use. The twin single beds are 6′ 4″ long and easy to make up after a busy day, but if you prefer a double, that takes a little more effort.
The excellent double bed is set up using slats, which works quite well, although we’d rather see slide-out seat bases. But the cushions do slip neatly into place for your mattress.
Storage
The Affinity 520 offers excellent storage space throughout. The wardrobe in the washroom offers ample capacity for two on a long tour, while overhead storage is taken care of with deep lockers.
The kitchen boasts some great storage, too, and the side dresser provides two large cupboards and useful drawers. So a couple, even on an extended holiday, shouldn’t feel short-changed in this area.
Technical Specifications
Berth | 2 |
MiRO | 1219 kg |
Payload | 126 kg |
MTPLM | 1345 kg |
Shipping Length | 6.68 m |
Width | 2.26 m |