Whirlwind should be familiar to fans of Elddis caravans, as it has been used as a model name going back over the years. For 2026, this is the name Elddis has chosen to give its most budget-friendly range, as seen here with the Whirlwind 868.

So how does the Whirlwind 868 shape up, and should it be considered one of the best 6 berth caravans?

Avanté, the name used before, has gone upmarket to become Avanté Apex. Some of the Apex’s features, including an Al-Ko wheel lock, Omnivent, alarm, solar panel, Wi-Fi connection, external mains socket, barbecue point and shower, are available on Whirlwind with the Evolve package, which my test model came with. That costs an additional £2600 on this twin-axle six-berth family caravan, but only £2200 on the single-axles in the line-up.

Separating the spec list out has allowed Erwin Hymer to home in on the value it is offering in the newly named range. Without those extras – probably none of which are truly essential – it can offer the Whirlwind 868 for £29,999. In contrast, the old Avanté 868 was on sale this year for £32,499.

Pitch and set-up

It would be wrong to imply, though, that Whirlwind has simply taken over from what was Avanté. With its curvier front profile, tinted sunroof, jazzy decal strip and elegant lettering, this is visually an improvement on the Avanté.

I thought it even looks a bit like other, much more luxury caravans in the Erwin Hymer UK stable, such as Buccaneer, although the layouts and model numbers are pretty much the same as the old Avanté.

On this twin-axle, you benefit from two external-access doors – one to the clear space under the nearside settee, another to the space below the lower bunk. So there’s plenty of options for storing larger, bulkier items when you’re loading the caravan.

Lounge in the Whirlwind 868

I think the large sunroof and Heki make this a bright and cheerful lounge. So too does the pale furniture finish and upholstery, largely carried over from Avanté. In the evening, illumination is provided by four corner spotlights and ambient light behind the lockers.

The lounge in the 868, with the foldaway table set up
Foldaway table can accommodate six at mealtimes

You could easily seat six on the parallel settees, while the foldaway table (stored in the wardrobe by the washroom door) could also accommodate them. For snacks, a shelf pulls out from the central chest.

Kitchen in the Elddis Whirlwind 868

The side kitchen has a large workspace pretty much exactly where you want it, to the left of the sink. I don’t really think you would need the extension, although given the size of the large lounge, that might not intrude on the space if you open it out.

The kitchen in the 868
Well-equipped kitchen hosts lots of worktop, large sink and four-burner dual-fuel hob

There are two mains power sockets close by, and at the other end, a four-burner dual-fuel hob above a separate oven and grill. Opposite this is both a family-size fridge and a microwave.

Washroom in the Elddis Whirlwind 868

The central washroom is divided off from the rest of the caravan by a swing door at the front and a sliding door at the back, to create a dressing area.

The shower cubicle has no roof vent – the nearest is in the main washroom – and only one drain hole. But I did find it very roomy.

The toilet and basin in the washroom
Central washroom houses a large handbasin, a lit mirror and lots of cupboard storage

The basin in the main washroom is large and deep. It runs out at right angles to the sidewall, so there is plenty of room for bottles and other items on either side, and a large mirror with an LED above it. The rooflight also lets in plenty of light.

Beds in the Elddis Whirlwind 868

There is bound to be a debate about what kind of family the layout in the 868 is for.

You would expect the two adults to want the only fixed double in the van. But that means they will be right next door to the two small children in the bunk beds, while two other children sleep in the lounge. That’s not ideal for adults who value a little bit of time on their own in the evening.

The fixed double bed and bunk beds at the rear of the 868
Ample clothes storage in overhead lockers and large wardrobes

Still, this layout has long been in the Avanté, and now reappears in Whirlwind, so it must be popular. The bunk beds are well appointed, too, as each one comes with its own window and spotlight.

The double bed in the lounge
Turn settee base cushions around to make up sizeable double bed in the lounge

If you prefer to turn the lounge into a double bed, however, you will probably need to turn the base cushions around.

Storage in the Elddis Whirlwind 868

Instead of being tempted to position the washroom at the rear, the designers have thoughtfully added a second wardrobe.

There is heaps of clothes storage, if you include the underseat areas in the front, which have internal access flaps, the areas under both lower bunks at the back, and the plethora of overhead lockers.

Drawers and a cupboard in the kitchen
Family-friendly design means there’s loads of storage space just where you’ll need it

Kitchen storage isn’t bad, either, with a cupboard, three drawers and two pan lockers in the base unit and two double cupboards up above. Washroom storage includes a large cupboard under the basin and another high up above the toilet.

Alternatives to consider

If you are after a family tourer with five berths, the Adria Adora 612 DL Seine could be worth considering. The caravan has plenty of innovative features and is well-designed, with a nicely-lit lounge.

Alternatively, you could take a look at the Sprite Exclusive Major 6 TD, a six-berth with a large shower cubicle and a great rear lounge space for children to use.

Technical specification

  • Price: £29,999
  • Berths: 6
  • MiRO: 1565kg
  • Payload: 180kg
  • MTPLM: 1745kg
  • Interior length: 6.39m
  • Shipping length: 8.18m
  • Overall width: 2.44m
  • Contact: elddis.co.uk

Spec list

  • Front double bed: 2.12 x 1.43m
  • Or two single beds: 1.83 x 0.72m
  • Rear double: 1.90 x 1.19m
  • Two single bunks: 1.91 x 0.60m
  • Al-Ko chassis
  • ATC
  • AKS3004 stabiliser
  • Spare wheel
  • Whale CompleteHeat 4.7kW heating
  • Four-burner dual-fuel gas hob
  • Thetford K1520 MK2 oven with separate grill
  • 800W microwave
  • 98-litre Dometic fridge
  • Eco Camel shower head
  • Electric-flush toilet
  • Teleco Teleplus X2/39U directional aerial
  • Pioneer radio with USB input
  • Speakers in front lockers
  • USB ports
  • Bike rack

One upgrade you may consider for your tourer is an automatic levelling system, which can take the stress out of getting a flat tourer. Our guide to caravan self-levelling systems talks you through everything you need to know, including how they work and what they do.

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