Andy Jenkinson
See other caravan reviews written by Andy JenkinsonIs this the ultimate family caravan? Read our Buccaneer Galera review to discover if this luxury six-berth is the van to make your touring dreams come true
Overview
Buccaneer might have been under the Explorer Group banner since 1999, but it has its own identity and its caravans feature an all-singing, all-dancing specification.
The big news for 2017 has been the switch over from GRP sides to aluminium with a silver finish, and a new profile.
The 8ft width has been retained, but although the brand is still mainly for couples, Buccaneer now has a six-berth built to the usual standards.
Now, we’re aware that not a lot of families can afford a super-luxury caravan costing around £32k, but this is where grandparents might step in.
The Galera is ideal for grandma and grandpa to whisk away the grandkids for a weekend or longer, yet the tourer retains a luxury ambience.
The new model offers a section at the rear with fixed bunks, so grandparents or parents can have the rest of the van to themselves.
So is this a layout that has potential? Or will most buyers opt for the fixed-bed, four-berth options?
And to see other Buccaneer caravans for sale, click here.
Pitching and setting up
The new silver sidewall graphics really look the part, while the front and rear moulded panels are full-height and of a very smart appearance.
Wheel locks come as standard, and the Buccaneer has an easy-to-operate remote-control self-levelling system – ideal for a fast set-up. A Telco TV aerial is fitted, as is a 100W solar panel along with external mains and gas barbecue points.
The whole thing benefits from Explorer Group’s SoLiD construction, which cuts out 95% of screw use, lowering the risk of leaks.
The Galera is a stylish caravan, with a large front gas locker and smart chromed grabhandles. A sunroof is fitted, while huge rooflights also bring plenty of brightness into the interior.
There are two external lockers, with all the service points located on the offside.
Lounge
Up front, a chest of drawers in the centre offers storage and a coffee table, while there is additional storage in the overhead lockers.
A CD player and radio is fitted up here, too, with the speakers neatly placed in the front corners. The under-seat areas also have access flaps.
As we’ve already noted, lots of glazing means that the light really floods in during the day. But at night there is also plenty of illumination, too, with corner reading lights, ceiling LEDs and integrated over-locker lighting.
The lounge is a real comfort zone, then, and has seating for four – with young children, that could easily rise to six.
There’s also a side dinette, where the family can sit during mealtimes, with extra-width wraparound seating and an adjustable, single-leg table.
As in the main lounge, there’s good lighting and plenty of power points in here, too.
Kitchen
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.
There’s an extractor fan overhead, and storage is a further positive with three super-sized drawers, plus cupboards and overhead lockers that come with integral lighting and two LED downlighters.
The sink unit is in a granite-effect and is quite large, but for six it needs to be. There’s also a smart, smoked-Perspex roof locker that doubles up as the drinks cabinet – nice!
Washroom
Surprisingly on a tourer at this price, no window is fitted here. Although plenty of natural light comes through the roof vent, a window would have helped to make the area even brighter.
There’s a pull-out drying rail, a Thetford cassette loo with a concealed cistern, and a smart freestanding handbasin adds to the high-class finish.
With the Alde heating system, you also get a plush, domestic-style chrome radiator, too.
Beds
But here comes a little surprise: the bed-making system in the Buccaneer does feel a little low-cost. It relies on pull-out slats when we might have expected it to have used slide-out seat-base extensions.
They tend to give a more upmarket impression because they don’t involve messing around with slats that can jump off their runners.
Making the side dinette into a second double is an easy task, though. 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. Opposite them is a small table with seating. This should prove popular with kids, even if it can’t be made into another bed.
Storage
The kitchen, as we’ve already mentioned, comes with ample drawers plus a large cupboard. The worktop is good and is improved further by the extending side flap.
The size of the wardrobe should prove no problem during weekend breaks, although for longer tours you may have to start considering what not to take.
However, if – as we reckon – the Galera is often going to be used as a four-berth, then the wardrobe should be ample. And there is further storage beneath the bottom bunk base, and under the two small seats opposite the bunks.
The washroom has a pair of cabinets – one above the loo, the other beneath the sink – and overall storage is hard to knock.
Technical specs
Berth | 6 |
MiRO | 1821kg |
Payload | 179kg |
MTPLM | 2000kg |
Interior length | 6.39m |
Shipping length | 8.14m |
Width | 2.45m |
Awning size | 1090cm |
Verdict
The Buccaneer Galera offers an excellent specification, but there’s no getting away from that price-tag.
Nonetheless, this caravan should appeal to well-heeled families, or grandparents looking for luxury but who also need space for taking grandchildren on tour.
The van feels strong and sturdy, and has all of the equipment you need to make year-round caravanning easy and comfortable – Buccaneer’s philosophy since 1969.
Conclusion
Pros
- It is well-built with a high-quality feel
- The kitchen area is superb
- It looks smart inside and out
- We are fans of the self-levelling system
Cons
- You need to use slats to make up the front double bed
- There's no window in the washroom
- It's not cheap!