Elddis used to give the Whirlwind name to just one model, but this season it has been promoted to apply to a whole new entry-level range for the Elddis brand. That includes four-berths such as the 554 we test here, a transverse-island-bed model that comes in well shy of £30,000.

If you want a little bit of extra spec (including a solar panel, caravan Wi-Fi readiness, an Omnivent, an Al-Ko wheel lock plus external mains, BBQ and shower sockets), you can pay £1200 more on this model and go for a Whirlwind Evolve. But how does the basic Whirlwind measure up and is it a contender for those after the best 4 berth caravan? We headed to Glossop Caravans to find out.

You can also see our review of the Whirlwind 868 if you’re considering a six-berth tourer, too.

Pitch and set-up

Even at the basic spec level, this caravan has the kind of essentials that should make you feel more confident about towing, including an Al-Ko’s ATC trailer stability system and an AKS3004 stabiliser. You also get a spare wheel, something that is a bit of a rarity these days at this price level.

On this model there is no external locker door at the front, but there is one at the back to access the large space under the bed. All services are nicely kept on the offside, away from any potential awning (and make sure you know how to measure a caravan awning before you buy one).

Lounge in the Elddis Whirlwind 554

There is a slightly pink tinge to the new Whirlwind interiors, and the jolly pattern on the scatter cushions reminded us of a similar pattern that the Xplore used a couple of seasons ago – a pattern memorably named ‘Shoreditch in Citron’.

The lounge itself can seat four, but probably not many more. It’s nicely lit with a large sunroof and long skylight in the ceiling, while four spotlights add to the ambient light.

The lounge with the table in between the parallel settees
Big windows, a sunroof and skylight flood the caravan with light

A shelf pulls out from the central chest, but a larger foldaway table is stored only a little further away in the front of the two wardrobes in the bedroom. There is a mains socket in the nearside corner, and USB ports (but not USB-C) close at hand, too.

Kitchen in the Elddis Whirlwind 554

As with the exterior, the kitchen spec is generous for a caravan that is supposed to be entry level. You still get a dual-fuel four-burner hob above a separate oven and grill, with a microwave across the way.

The kitchen in the Whirlwind
Plenty of workspace in the well-equipped kitchen, but the fridge could be bigger

The latter is not a flatbed model, however, and the fridge, while two-way opening, is only half height, so possibly not ideal for a large hungry family on tour for a long time.

The microwave opposite the kitchen
Microwave is opposite the kitchen and there’s good access to the bedroom

Fortunately there is more than adequate workspace, all permanent and well lit.

Washroom in the Whirlwind 554

You can get past the bed to the end washroom, even with the bed rolled out fully, a small touch which is always welcome when choosing a caravan.

The room itself is a bit narrow, which is not helped by having the loo right up by the door. The shower at the other end is a good size, although there is a small step to get into it. It only has one drainage hole but the step should easily contain any water that might take a while to drain.

The washroom
The washroom is perfectly functional with a good-size basin and shower

Between the shower and the toilet, a large lozenge-shaped salad bowl-style basin sits in front of a well-lit mirror.

Beds in the Elddis Whirlwind 554

The rear bedroom is wonderfully roomy, thanks in part to the large mirror on the forward side of the washroom wall. There is also a mains socket on the side of the bed nearest this mirror, so you could easily use a hairdryer here.

The caravan's fixed bed
Fixed bed is a treat, but it is on the shorter side

The bed is only 1.8m long, even when fully rolled out, so taller people might find their feet dangling. Platforms can be pulled out from between each of the two wardrobes and the drawers underneath them to make useful bedside tables.

The settees in the front lounge are really only long enough to make single beds for smaller children. But you can roll the slats out from under the chest to make a long double, although at 1.1m wide it might not be the most comfortable for large adults.

Don’t miss our tips on how to make a caravan bed more comfortable if you want to improve your current sleeping arrangement, either.

Storage in the Elddis Whirlwind 554

Storage is impressive, which will always be welcome when you’re packing a caravan. You may not get an external locker at the front, but you do get internal access to both underseat areas. There are two good size overhead lockers here, plus two more over the bed at the rear, between wardrobes that have useful drawers underneath them (and one locker). There’s more space under the bed, too – which stays in place when you lift it.

The storage in the caravan under the bed
Plenty of storage in the caravan – there’s even a decent space under the bed

The kitchen base unit has a good-sized pan locker under the oven, a big cupboard with shelves to the right of the half-height fridge, and two useful drawers. Up top there are two double cupboards, one of which houses a crockery rack. There are smaller shelved cupboards down below in the sideboard and above the microwave.

The washroom has a double cupboard under the basin and one over the loo.

Alternatives to consider

The Bailey Phoenix Black 640 is a four-berth tourer with a cleverly-designed space-creating washroom door and snazzy new graphics, which could make it a tempting prospect. Alternatively, you could consider the Swift Sprite Alpine 4 DB, a tourer which is competitively priced, has a low MTPLM, and a well-lit and airy lounge.

Technical specification

  • Price: £27,750
  • Berths: 4
  • MiRO: 1316kg
  • Payload: 154kg
  • MTPLM: 1470kg
  • Interior length: 5.78m
  • Shipping length: 7.48m
  • Overall width: 2.23m
  • Contact: elddis.co.uk
  • Seen at: glossopcaravans.co.uk

Spec includes

  • Al-Ko galvanised steel chassis
  • ATC
  • AKS 3004 stabiliser
  • Spare wheel
  • Front gas bottle locker with cantilevered hinge, fitting for Fiamma bike rack
  • Whale CompleteHeat 4.7kW dual-fuel space heater and Expanse underslung water heater
  • Dual-fuel four-burner hob
  • Thetford K1520 MK2 oven with separate grill
  • Dometic Series 10 two-way opening 98-litre fridge
  • Eco Camel shower head
  • Thetford electric-flush toilet
  • Teleco Teleplus directional aerial
  • Apple- and Android-compatible Pioneer radio with USB input and remote control
  • Beds: Front double: 2.05 x 1.1m
  • Or two singles: 1.5 x 0.74m
  • Rear double: 1.8 x 1.3m

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