Verdict
If you’ve got the tow car to pull the Coachman Vision 630, and are in the market for a reasonably priced, well-specified caravan for a family of five, then it really is worth a second glance.
Granted, there are omissions that would be on a higher-spec (and costlier?) caravan, but in many cases they are either options or could be fitted by a dealer.
What you do get, however, is a solid, spacious and well-made caravan with some very neat touches here and there.
Pros
It has a striking and distinctive body
It has high equipment levels and lots of storage space
There’s a great attention to detail throughout
The fixed bunks and full-width end washroom are excellent
Cons
There are no external hatches, 230V socket or barbecue point
We don’t like the placement of the microwave
There’s no frontal access to any of the seat bases
Subtle changes to the external graphics and a high-security, one-key locking system distinguish 2017-season models in the Vision range by Coachman caravans externally from the 2016 offerings.
However, that’s no bad thing, because we think they’re pretty smart-looking caravans.
Built using the ABC (Advanced Bonding Construction) method, where the body is glued together and uses polyurethane in place of wood, the Vision should remain solid and watertight for years to come.
One of two new layouts for the 2017 season is this, the 630. It is a twin-axle, five-berth caravan that sits at the top of the Vision range, both in terms of size and weight.
It’s good to see a new family layout from Coachman. With an all-up weight of 1669kg, you’ll need a hefty tow car to pull it, but it has lots to offer families.
And to see more Coachman caravans for sale, click here.
You’ll see that this caravan is built for socialising
Pitching & Setting-up
At first glance, you could be lulled into forgetting that the Vision is Coachman’s entry-level range. Indeed, it shares its body with the more upmarket Pastiche.
But you’ll notice that Al-Ko’s ATC stability control isn’t fitted as standard, and neither is the cosmetic sunroof. However, you do get an AKS3004 stabiliser and buttonless handbrake, together with smart alloy wheels.
Despite its size, lightweight, easy-to-reach corner steadies are fitted, those at the front having inserts to protect the sill cutouts. And there’s plenty of space in the front locker, the lid of which lifts well up and out of the way.
All of the services are conveniently located on the offside. However, there are no external lockers, 230V socket or gas barbecue point, which is not surprising at this price level.
All of the electrical and heating controls are located around the entrance door.
Living
The Coachman Vision 630’s lounge is very spacious and six could sit in comfort at mealtimes. Add to that the wide side dinette and you’ll see that this caravan is built for socialising.
There’s a lovely open and airy feel about the front end. Although the front chest houses a pull-out occasional table, it’s likely that the main table will be called upon when the 630 has full occupancy. It’s a pity that this is stored at the rear end of the kitchen, so not the most convenient place.
Even without a sunroof (a £500 option), there’s plenty of light in the lounge area thanks to lots of windows and a midi-Heki rooflight.
When you look around, it’s clear that Coachman’s designers have put a great deal of thought into the Vision. There are four reading lights (with touch control), together with ‘Halo’ ambient lighting.
The radio’s speakers face into the caravan (rather than being tucked under overhead lockers), and the TV point is on a low sideboard by the entrance door.
Kitchen
This area is not only very well equipped, but also spacious. Thanks to a removable drainer, there’s a good deal of work surface, and of course you have the table of the side dinette behind you if space is tight.
There’s a dual-fuel hob and separate oven and grill together with a microwave to take care of cooking. The latter has a neat-looking fascia for this year, but is 1.58m from the floor and directly over the hob, so not ideal.
A tall, 140-litre fridge/freezer located at the rear end of the kitchen should easily cater for a family’s chilling needs.
Storage wise, this must be one of the best kitchens that we’ve come across. There are not only three overhead lockers, but also a huge drawer, with a massive double-doored cupboard underneath and a further two cupboards to the right (although the wheelarch encroaches into all of these). There’s also the pan cupboard beneath the cooker.
Washroom
One thing that Coachman caravans have excelled at since day one has been washrooms, and for a large family tourer the Vision 630’s is no exception.
It occupies the rear of the caravan and has an electric-flush toilet in the rear offside corner, a central vanity unit and a large, fully lined shower in the rear nearside corner.
The wardrobe (0.56m hanging rail with 1.38m hanging depth), which should be fine for a family’s use, is between the shower and kitchen wall.
The sink is a very practical size and shape, and is mounted above a cupboard and beneath an attractive splashback and mirror.
As well as the wardrobe (and a pair of drawers beneath) and the cupboard under the sink, there’s another cupboard on the rear wall, together with shelving for washroom paraphernalia.
Ventilation is taken care of by a pop-up rooflight and an opening opaque window behind the toilet. And it’s good to see that all the lights are operated by a single pull-cord just inside the washroom door, right where it’s needed.
Beds
Up front in the 2017 Coachman Vision 630, you have the choice of either a double bed (2.01m x 1.38m) or a pair of singles (both 1.74m x 0.73m), which aren’t perhaps the longest. All occupants get their own reading light.
Amidships, the side dinette converts into a really good-sized single bed (1.83m x 0.88m). There’s no dividing curtain to separate this bed from the rest of the caravan, though, and neither does the occupant get a reading light as such. There is an LED strip-light under the overhead locker, however.
To the rear of the side dinette, there is a pair of fixed bunks (both 1.87m x 0.62m). These must be a youngster’s dream, because they each have their own dividing curtain, window and reading light.
Storage
There should be plenty of storage in the Coachman Vision 630 for a family of five.
As well as seven overhead lockers (excluding the three in the kitchen) around the lounge and side dinette, the front nearside sofa and both side-dinette bases are clear apart from some neatly installed heating ducting.
There is a small amount of space under the front offside sofa, too, although that houses the heating and electrical systems. There is also a pair of drawers in the front chest, while the base of the lower fixed-bunk is empty.
We’ve covered the kitchen and washroom storage elsewhere, but all told there’s no shortage. That said, none of the seat bases have frontal access flaps.
Technical Specifications
| Berth | 5 |
| MiRO | 1499 kg |
| Payload | 170 kg |
| MTPLM | 1669 kg |
| Shipping Length | 7.97 m |
| Width | 2.26 m |
