The Major range has been a stalwart of Sprite’s line-up for decades. In recent years, it has been expanded with a variously named 8ft-wide sub-range.  But I thought it was time to go back to basics and view a conventional-width Sprite, such as the Swift Sprite Major 4EB, a four-berth with in-line island bed and transverse washroom.

The best 4 berth caravans offer comfort, a practical layout and good storage – so how does the Major 4EB shape up? I went to North Western Caravans, in Cheadle Hulme, to take a look.

Pitch and set-up

Towards the end of the previous decade, Swift took the Sprite brand up a notch or two. I think you can really see the evidence of the make of caravan‘s efforts on the outside here. The three windows at the front and the contrasting charcoal-coloured gas locker below don’t look like an entry-level caravan. Nor do the chrome grab handles.

You don’t, however, get external access doors to the underseat lockers – the locker on the offside just opens to the battery.

Lounge in the Swift Sprite Major 4EB

The settees in the lounge are comfortable and provide sufficient room for four, something which is likely to be important in this type of caravan. The foldaway table is stored in a wardrobe next to the rear bed, so it is a bit of a faff getting it out. If you are just having a snack, you might prefer to use the pull-out shelf above the central chest of drawers.

The lounge area of the Sprite, with light flooding in
Lounge settees offer comfortable seating for four

A well-lit interior will be another important factor when you’re choosing the right caravan for you. Here, lots of light gets in, through the sunroof, a Heki and the large windows. Spotlights are built in under the lockers, so you can’t adjust them. But you are well served with USBs, with a pair between each spotlight, and two more in one of the six socket placements near the front chest.

TV sockets are between the cupboards to the right of the door. Those who own the best caravan TV will be pleased to know most people in the lounge can see the set.

Kitchen in the Swift Sprite Major 4EB

There is quite a bit of workspace on the permanent unit to the left of the large sink, but folding out the extension flap makes life even easier. There are two sockets next to the switches in a little shelf just above, with a hole to allow the cables through.

The kitchen in the Sprite
The kitchen in the Sprite

The area is well lit at night. You also get a three-burner gas hob, separate oven and grill, and a flatbed microwave next to the overhead locker. At 83 litres, the fridge might be a bit small for the food of four, however.

Washroom in the Swift Sprite Major 4EB

The washroom, located across the middle of the caravan, has a basin against a central pillar, with sliding doors either side to get to the bed. It’s a built-in basin, so it is a good size, and it sits in front of a well-lit mirror.

The circular shower is spacious and has a shelf. The wheel arch is visible, but I found it didn’t get in the way. Opposite, the circular toilet is in front of an opaque window. You get a towel ring, but there’s only one roof vent.

Sleeping in the Swift Sprite Major 4EB

One of the key traits of the best caravans for families is comfortable beds for everyone, as well as options that are straightforward to put together.

In the case of the Swift Sprite Major 4EB, the island bed butts up against the pillar, so I found getting around it meant going into the washroom. But at 1.86m long, I reckon it should accommodate most people. The spotlights over the headboard are individually switched, and there are yet more USBs here.

There is a small shelf between the upper wardrobe and the lower cupboard on both sides. A mains socket is fitted under the offside shelf, and the central pillar makes a useful spot for a second set of TV sockets.

The fixed bed
At 1.86m long, the fixed bed at the rear should accommodate most people

The two front settees make comfortable single beds, but are just 1.60m long, so are perhaps only suitable for children. It is easy to roll out the slats to make them into a double bed, because the base cushions are split.

The double bed made up in the Sprite
Roll-out slats and split base cushions mean it’s easy to make up double bed

Officially, this double is 1.59m wide, but take account of the front chest and this is nearer the 1.15m mark – slightly narrow for a standard double, but fine for children. It’s certainly a good length, at 2.02m.

Storage in the Swift Sprite Major 4EB

I was impressed that both underseat lockers have full-size internal access flaps – I’ve noticed you don’t often get that, even on pricier caravans. The nearside locker is clear, too, so it’s a shame there is no external access. Up front, there is one overhead locker and a corner locker each side, while the central chest has one drawer, with another small one inside it. A locker door below gives you access to a large area at the front.

In the rear bedroom, you get two half-height wardrobes (with the table stored in one) and two cupboards beneath. The large area under the bed is slightly compromised by storing the spare wheel here.

The kitchen has two metal storage baskets in the cupboard between the oven and the fridge, but not the pull-out kind. The pan locker under the oven is adequate, always good to see when you’re thinking of kitting out a caravan. The two overhead lockers house a mug rack and a crockery rack, and there are two more cupboards located by the door.

The washroom has a shelved cupboard underneath the basin, a shallower cupboard next to shelving above the toilet, and one more shelf by the shower.

Alternatives to consider

The Xplore 554 is a popular choice for first-time buyers, providing a spacious and airy interior, as well as good storage for food. Maybe you’re a couple after a dedicated two-berth instead? In that case, the Capsule Mini R could be the tourer for you – the competitively priced monocoque is a bright, well-designed and also lightweight option to consider.

Swift Sprite Major 4EB specification

Technical spec

  • Price: £24,995
  • Berths: 4
  • MiRO: 1320kg
  • Payload: 156kg
  • MTPLM: 1476kg
  • Interior length: 5.83m
  • Shipping length: 7.54m
  • Overall width: 2.25m

Spec list

  • Al-Ko chassis
  • LED awning light
  • Edge alloy wheels
  • Steel spare wheel
  • Thetford three-burner gas hob
  • 83-litre Dometic Series 10 two-way fridge
  • EcoCamel shower head
  • Truma dual-fuel heating
  • USB ports
  • DAB radio
  • Status 570 aerial
  • Rear double bed: 1.86 x 1.33m
  • Front double: 2.02 x 1.15m (allowing for front chest)
  • Front singles: 1.60 x 0.70m

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