• Home
  • Reviews
  • Advice
  • News
  • Buying Guides
  • Travel
  • For Sale
  • Forums
    • Reviews
    • Advice
    • News
    • Buying Guides
    • Travel
    • For Sale
    • Forums
    • Awards
    • Back To Basics
    Your browser is out-of-date!

    Update your browser to view this website correctly. Update my browser now

    ×

    NewsletterWinHave Your SaySubscribe
    • Reviews
    • Advice
    • News
    • Buying Guides
    • Travel
    • For Sale
    • Forums
    • Awards
    • Back To Basics

    Home › Reviews›Elddis›Xplore›544

    Elddis Xplore 544 2010

    £12,249
    Lack of stabiliser can be addressed by adding it to the options list
    Lack of stabiliser can be addressed by adding it to the options list
    Bright and breezy upholstery stops Xplore range from feeling drab or downmarket
    Bright and breezy upholstery stops Xplore range from feeling drab or downmarket
    Recessed drainer robs work space but flip-up extension is useful
    Recessed drainer robs work space but flip-up extension is useful
    Towel ring is oddly located at head height away from the shower
    Towel ring is oddly located at head height away from the shower
    Cupboard beneath wardrobe is a useful place to keep shoes
    Cupboard beneath wardrobe is a useful place to keep shoes
    Lack of stabiliser can be addressed by adding it to the options list
    Bright and breezy upholstery stops Xplore range from feeling drab or downmarket
    Recessed drainer robs work space but flip-up extension is useful
    Towel ring is oddly located at head height away from the shower
    Cupboard beneath wardrobe is a useful place to keep shoes

    By Claudia Dowell
    Published: July 30, 2010

    First look, June 2010 When the Xplore line up appeared in early 2008, it was well equipped, but lacked sparkle. The 2010 revamp addressed that, ditching the insipid beige interior and green exterior graphics in favour of something more fun. The range is one of Practical Caravan’s favourites. The Xplore 544 sports a nearside fixed bed layout with a corner washroom. A big seller in the past, this layout has been largely superseded by the rear washroom models which appeared in 2009. There is still plenty to commend the corner washroom model however. The layout feels very open and is a very comfortable caravan for a couple, particularly if they favour using onsite washroom facilities.

    Verdict

    Cheerful, spacious single-axle fixed bed that can be towed by a regular family car.

    Pros

    The Xplore 544 works really well
    It has a large front lounge, a sensible weight and is good value

    Cons

    The small washroom may put some buyers off and there is no stabiliser

    Pitching & Setting-up

    As with all Elddis products, the Xplore uses a BPW chassis but it is a lesser version than used on the other Elddis models. As a result, there is no standard stabiliser but it does help keep the weight sensible. The rear exiting waste pipes are fine unless you are on a pitch sloping from front to back.

    Living

    Inside the van, the lounge seating is supremely comfortable, with firm, supportive cushions that are better than you’d expect to find in an entry-level tourer. The upholstery is bright and breezy and shows that cheaper tourers don’t need to be deathly dull inside. The only noticeable cost cutting is the single spotlamp on either side of the lounge and a carpet runner rather than a fitted piece of carpet. The van is prewired to make installing a CD/Radio easy, but there is not one fitted as standard.

    Kitchen

    The kitchen takes up lots of space in this long single axle caravan. The three burner gas hob, separate oven and grill and a large fridge mean it lacks no essential kitchen kit. Storage is good too but the recessed sink drainer robs the van of workspace. The sideboard on the nearside provides plenty of space to rest plates while serving up though and the fold-out extension flap is a perfect perch for an electric kettle. The biggest gripe is that £12000 caravans should not need matches to light the oven.

    Washroom

    The washroom is the weakest point, but it’s only partly down to the small size. Having the basin at 45 degrees to the wall makes that area of the van feel cramped although getting into the cupboard under the sink is easy. The washroom works well otherwise.

    Storage is a little lacking and the towel hook is outside the shower above the washhand basin. Just make sure you the coast is clear before going and getting your towel. The submersible water pump was more than capable of providing a shower but the van must be absolutely level to ensure the tray drains properly.

    Beds

    The bed mattress is thinner than found in posher tourers. It is fine for a week on site, but for longer tours, you might be better upgrading to an Avante model which boasts a thicker mattress. There are a pair of spotlights above the bed but no suitable little shelves for night time paraphernalia. The front bed makes up in the normal way with pull-out slats and offers better support than the rear bed and is pretty flat too.

    Storage

    Storage for two people is very generous and with loads of roof lockers all around and the sideboard unit at the foot of the bed can swallow all manner of touring kit without flinching. Storage underneath the bed is generous, the wardrobe is large and has a useful cupboard underneath for shoes. We found that the locker doors don’t quite lift high enough for comfort and more shelves would be useful.

    Technical Specifications

    Berth4
    MiRO1151 kg
    Payload199 kg
    MTPLM1350 kg
    Shipping Length7.34 m
    Width2.15 m

    Related Reviews

    Elddis Xplore 302 explore
    Caravans

    Elddis Xplore 302 2013

    2-berth
    929 kg MTPLM
    £10,999

    The Elddis Xplore 302 is a van which just about anyone can tow behind just about...

    Caravans

    Elddis Xplore 304 2011

    4-berth
    1050 kg MTPLM
    £11,299

    The revolutionary two-berth Xplore 302 has been a big success for Elddis. Now its designers have...

    Practical Caravan reviews the 2013 Elddis Xplore 505, a five-berth that provides plenty of kit and comfort in a low-price, lightweight package
    Caravans

    Elddis Xplore 505 2013

    5-berth
    1332 kg MTPLM
    £13,999

    Find out what Practical Caravan's experts say about the 2013 Elddis Xplore 505, a low-price, family...

    Caravans

    Elddis Xplore 546 2008

    6-berth
    1335 kg MTPLM
    £10,895

    Space. That's what the Xplore is all about. A large lounge is complemented by plenty of...

    Caravans

    Elddis Xplore 302 2011

    2-berth
    950 kg MTPLM
    £10,399

    Elddis revamped its Xplore range as a brand and launched the 574, write Practical Caravan's experts
    Caravans

    Xplore 574 2014

    4-berth
    1310 kg MTPLM
    £14,199

    The experts at Practical Caravan magazine review the new for 2014 Xplore 574, a four-berth, fixed-twin-bed,...

    The Elddis Sanremo 304 is a budget tourer based on the Xplore range, but customised as a plusher dealer special from Venture Caravans
    Caravans

    Elddis Sanremo 304 2015

    4-berth
    1069 kg MTPLM
    £13,990

    Practical Caravan's expert reviews the four-berth compact Xplore-based Elddis Sanremo 304 dealer special from Venture Caravans

    The 2016 Elddis Avanté 554 caravan is aimed at couples
    Caravans

    Elddis Avanté 554 2016

    4-berth
    1500 kg MTPLM
    £17,799

    The range has had a big make-over and now has a new transverse-bed layout – so...

    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Content Funding
    • Cookies Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Categories
    • Tags
    • Authors
    • Privacy Settings

    © 2022 Practical Caravan is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher.
    Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.