This layout, with a transverse island bed and end washroom, is popular among caravan manufacturers. In Coachman’s case, the VIP 575 – which also sports this floorplan – is actually its best-selling model. So how do you improve on a winner? Simple: you add an axle (and almost 50cm of extra length). But is the new Coachman VIP 675 just the same as the 575, only with four wheels? And does the design work?

Pitch and set-up

Towing a twin-axle can intimidate some, but this is a conventional-width caravan, so should be fine on the road, especially with ATC as standard, and shock absorbers.

Twin-axles are more cumbersome to move around on site, though, so you might want to think about a motor mover (our guide to the best caravan motor movers can help here).

The van has two external lockers, so once you’re on site, unloading outdoor furniture is easy. There’s an external barbecue point and mains socket, too. Both are fitted with Easi-Slide tops, so you don’t have to worry about them ripping off en route.

You also get an offside services light, as well as an awning light.

Lounge

Two low-slung settees in the lounge give plenty of room for the four people this van can accommodate. They are comfortable, too, with a firm knee roll. The shelf that you pull out from the central chest is fine for a snack, but if you do need the folding table, it isn’t far away, in its own storage slot next to the sideboard.

The sunroof floods lounge with natural light
The signature Coachman sunroof floods lounge with natural light

Light floods in through Coachman’s characteristically large sunroof during the day. LEDs fitted in the housing for this, as well as four spotlights and ambient light, make for a warm and well-lit evening, even if the spotlights here don’t include USBs. You do get two USB ports next to the sockets on the sideboard, a handy place for the TV.

Kitchen

Coachman doesn’t seem to have utilised much of the extra length in the lounge, but the kitchen has been given more leeway.

So you might wonder why it was felt necessary to include an extension that butts into the lounge, when the permanent workspace is already more than adequate. But it does make for a very impressive kitchen.

The main space is well lit and fitted with two mains sockets. It sits next to a large sink with a glass cover, and a four-burner dual-fuel hob with a domestic-style trivet. There’s a separate oven and grill below this, and a microwave above. The two-way-opening, 153-litre fridge is opposite.

Washroom

An opaque window behind the toilet lets plenty of light into the end washroom. The huge mirror behind the salad-bowl-style handbasin adds to the sense of space.

The shower only has one drainage hole, but it’s a good size and the marbling effect on the far side makes this feel even more like a domestic bathroom. On the rear side of the partition wall, you’ll find a towel ring and hooks, and an Alde ladder radiator is next to the toilet. One roof vent has to cater for all the steam created in this room.

Beds in the Coachman VIP 675

A plastic concertina partition shuts off the transverse bed. The bed is comfortable, and comes with spotlights; this time with USBs so you can charge a mobile, which you could leave on the shelves between the wardrobe and cupboard on each side. There are branded fabric pockets either side of the bed, where you could put a magazine or two.

The generous transverse island bed
Luxurious bedroom provides generous transverse island bed and plenty of storage

The large dresser in the offside corner includes a second set of sockets for a TV.

The settees are probably long enough for children or small adults to use as single beds. Otherwise, slats roll out from under the central chest to make a second double. The large knee roll means you’ll probably need to turn the base cushions, but they are not too long, so this isn’t an arduous task.

Storage in the Coachman VIP 675

The two overhead lockers in the lounge are perfectly adequate, as are the three above the bed. Underseat and underbed storage is clear and accessible, once you remove the cushions. Washroom storage is good, too, with two cupboards and plenty of shelving.

But what really impresses is the additional kitchen storage you get with the extra length. There is one locker above the main workspace, but it has lots of room, even with racks for crockery and mugs. The sizeable cupboard on the left includes two baskets, while there is a cutlery tray in the topmost of the three big drawers, and the bottom drawer is big enough for larger cookware.

Verdict

Concerns about the worktop extension aside, this is one of the best kitchens we have seen in this market sector. Coachman makes full use of the many opportunities that a twin-axle provides. The rest of the caravan is well planned, particularly the bedroom. You’ll have to decide if this warrants paying £2710 more than you would for the 575. It might well, particularly if you are looking for a seasonal pitch.

If you’re after more tourer inspiration, be sure to take a look at our guide to the best caravans too.

What we like:

  • Excellent kitchen storage, well-equipped main bed

What we don’t like:

  • Kitchen extension butts into lounge, only one roof vent in the washroom

Technical spec

  • Price: £38,645
  • Berths: 4
  • MTPLM: 1810kg
  • MiRO: 1650kg
  • Payload: 160kg
  • Length: 7.89m
  • Width: 2.31m

Spec list

  • Al-Ko chassis
  • ATC
  • Shock absorbers
  • External BBQ point and mains socket
  • Two external lockers
  • Alde heating
  • Dual-fuel four-burner hob
  • Separate oven and grill
  • Russell Hobbs microwave
  • Dometic Series 10.5T two-way opening 153-litre fridge
  • Omnivent
  • Thetford C262 swivel toilet
  • Alde ladder radiator

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