Verdict
Yes, the Elddis Chatsworth 372 is a small caravan, but it’s brilliantly packaged, comfy and with a great, luxury feel.
Pros
External upgrades make spending time al fresco in the awning really attractive
There’s generous living space
Cons
The alarm is sensitive and easily triggered
Space is tight in the washroom
The Elddis Chatsworth 372 is a dealer special version of the Elddis Avanté 372 for Glossop Caravans. The tiny two-berth has an L-shaped lounge, which converts into a double bed, a large kitchen and wardrobe, plus a small washroom which manages to pack a shower, a toilet and a basin into a space that is not much bigger than the wardrobe.
The layout is made possible by Elddis’s use of the Whale dual-fuel space heater, which is mounted under the van’s floor. There is no need for a ‘fireplace’ type heater, leaving space for more storage and a roomier lounge than you’d expect in a van this size.
This van is all about the living space – it’s huge for such a short body length
Pitching & Setting-up
Having stayed in the standard Avanté 372, on which this dealer special is based, on several occasions, we were pretty confident that we would be able to find our way around the Chatsworth, but we still asked one of Glossop Caravans’ salesmen to show us around.
What we didn’t quite get to grips with, although we were shown, was the Chatsworth’s alarm system, which we managed to set off three times on site – apologies to anyone we annoyed or disturbed. The alarm system is part of the Chatsworth dealer special pack.
The Chatsworth 372 sits on a BPW Swing V-Tec chassis with a Winterhoff WS3000 stabiliser so towing is steady and, because of the van’s size, it’s easy too. Other kit includes a buttonless handbrake, alloy wheels and steadies with large plastic ‘shoes’ to prevent them from sinking into damp ground.
The gas locker is wide enough for the two gas bottles, which on the Chatsworth automatically switch over when one bottle runs out. Other dealer special external kit includes chrome grabhandles and an external barbecue point.
The addition of an awning warmer, allowing warm air from the caravan heating system to be directed into the awning, and a 240V socket will help if you want to increase your living space on site with an awning. Also, with the Chatsworth you get external access to the storage space under the nearside bed.
Living
This van is all about the living space – it’s huge for such a short body length. The dealer specification includes different soft furnishings – the upholstery is a milk-chocolate colour, matching the carpet, with coordinated curtains. But what immediately struck us was how light the van is; that’s due to an upgrade from a midi Heki rooflight to the large model.
To the left of the door is a chest of four drawers with a locker below. This is where you would put your TV. In a locker above that is the radio, which has been upgraded to a DVD player.
The two sofas are set at right angles to form L-shaped seating, with the nearside sofa getting a vertical view of the world through the picture window. The space is positively luxurious.
Kitchen
The kitchen area is impressively large for such a small van, and this is made possible by the L-shape design of the lounge.
Above the spacious worktop, circular stainless-steel sink and four-burner gas hob are two large roof lockers and handy shelves for condiments and crockery. The drainer is detachable, so there is plenty of room for food preparation and to stand a kettle.
Below the hob are the separate oven and grill, and to the right there is a generous 115-litre fridge.
Washroom
The end washroom shares the width of the van with the large wardrobe and though space is very tight there are some quirky space-saving details.
The domestic-style door opens straight into the shower tray, and the electric-flush Thetford toilet occupies the remaining floor area to the left. A plastic moulded cupboard sits in the offside corner behind the toilet, and the moulding comprises a basin that swings over the toilet.
Beds
Slats pull out from the front and rest on the shelf under the vertical window, so the double bed is roomy but not enormous. The cushions are sprung so at least there is plenty of support.
Storage
Kitchen storage is excellent in this tourer. One of the two cupboards above the worktop has racking for crockery.
In the lounge are six lockers and a large wardrobe, providing the van’s main storage space. There is a drawer below the front seat cushion, but the space is too small to store large items.
Technical Specifications
Berth | 2 |
MiRO | 957 kg |
Payload | 133 kg |
MTPLM | 1090 kg |
Width | 2.23 m |