Verdict
The solid build quality, generous living space and high equipment specification make this model an attractive alternative to the pricier twin-axle Inos.
Pros
The washroom is a great size
It boasts attractive décor
There is a good amount of living space and a lot of storage
Cons
For such a high price you expect more kit
Night-time lighting options are limited
The Fifth Wheel Company entered the touring caravan market in 2011 with the Inos. It had been manufacturing American-style fifth wheelers with slide-out sections since 2002, but the twin-axle Inos was the first British, non-fifth-wheeler caravan to have one.
The Inos was so successful that it took the family-run company by surprise – even orders from abroad reached Fifth Wheel’s factory in Wales. The next step, then, was to do the same thing in a single-axle version that could be towed by a lighter vehicle than was needed for the first Inos, which has an MTPLM of 2500kg. The result is this, the Inos 2, which features an end washroom, a side kitchen, a fixed double bed and an L-shaped lounge.
The spacious, well-planned end washroom is one of the highlights of the Inos 2
Pitching & Setting-up
The Inos 2 rides on a heavy-duty BPW chassis and 14-inch alloy wheels. Safe towing is assured with a Winterhoff hitch stabiliser and BPW’s IDC anti-snaking system.
The bodyshell’s profile follows the same simple lines as those of its twin-axle stablemate and is built in the same way. The well-finished exterior is of a 35mm-thick sandwich of Styrofoam bounded by dent-resistant GRP, promising solid build and excellent insulation. The front corners are fully moulded, as are the rear panel and the single-piece roof and front. Wood is not used anywhere for the caravan’s exterior construction.
The almost-vertical front has no locker. Instead, Fifth Wheel’s designers created space for two 13kg gas cylinders in an offside compartment near the front, which makes them simple to access. Further kit includes an external locker on the nearside forward of the main door, heavy-duty steadies that are easy to use, a directional TV aerial and an on-board tank that can hold up to 40 litres of fresh water.
Living
The front lounge has two seat benches: an L-shaped one along the front and nearside, and a two-seater on the offside. With the slide out section extended, it’s a spacious area in which to relax.
A cupboard between these two benches is topped by a convenient surface to stand drinks. For mealtimes, a free-standing table fits here, which is stored in a dedicated cupboard by the nearside sofa.
Large overhead lockers up front house speakers for the radio/CD player. Vents in the seat bases allow heat through from the Alde radiators. An optional flat-screen TV can be fitted on the slide-out’s right-hand wall.
Three windows and a rooflight bathe the lounge in sunlight, but the only artificial illumination is provided by a single ceiling light near the front.
Kitchen
The Inos 2 doesn’t skimp on storage or equipment in the kitchen. A separate oven and grill, a four-burner gas hob, a tall fridge/freezer and a built-in microwave round out a comprehensive set of galley appliances.
The storage options in the kitchen area are varied, though. Three drawers and a cupboard are supplemented by two deep lockers, which may be too high for shorter people to use easily. There is no drainer, recessed or removable. The work surface, though limited, is helped by a flip-up extension – however, when it is in use, it blocks the entrance. LEDs provide workspace lighting.
Washroom
The spacious, well-planned end washroom is one of the highlights of the Inos 2. A deep hand basin, an electric-flush toilet and cupboards are all included.
However, the corner shower cubicle isn’t a moulded unit and although it is well sealed, an ABS unit would be better. Extra vents here help heat circulate faster and, while there’s a roof fan, the washroom is dark because it has no window.
Beds
The offside fixed double bed occupies most of the slide-out, which is shared with the lounge’s two-seat sofa. At 1.9m x 1.4m, this double is long enough for six-footers to stretch out and get comfortable.
Sunlight can stream in through the window alongside the bed, but the night-time lighting options are limited – in fact, there is only one spotlamp. With one reading light, no bedside shelves and only a concertina partition for privacy, this falls short of what we’d expect inside such a luxurious caravan.
While the Inos 2 will appeal most to couples, the seat benches convert into single beds measuring 2.2m x 0.65m and 1.9m x 0.65m.
Storage
Storage is one of this model’s strengths. From deep overhead lockers that can swallow bulky items, to a neat corner cabinet between the lounge seats, there are a number of options.
The double bed and seat boxes offer plenty of room for stowing kit. In addition, between the washroom and the kitchen is a large wardrobe, as well as two drawers and a cupboard.
Technical Specifications
| Berth | 4 |
| MiRO | 1600 kg |
| Payload | 200 kg |
| MTPLM | 1800 kg |
