Verdict
The Xplore 304 is a great tourer, priced well and lightweight. Build is excellent and with the SE pack, the spec is good, too. We think the 304 would be better as a tourer for two, with the occasional break with the grandchildren. For family trips, an awning would be a plus.
Specification highlights
Extra-large gas locker
Space-saving Whale heating runs on gas or electric
Rapid heat-up eight-litre Whale water heater
Grade III thermal insulation for year-round use
Aquaclean upholstery wipes clean with water
LED reading lights
Additional towel hooks
Combination oven and grill
Three-burner gas hob
Pros
Easy to tow
Great lounge seating
Plenty of kitchen storage
Clever washroom
Good lighting from LEDs
Cons
Small side window in single dinette
Elddis first launched the Xplore in 2008, in answer to the Sprite, Bailey Ranger, Avondale Dart and Lunar Zenith – all entry-level models.
The Xplore took a little time to find its place in a crowded market and it wasn’t until the Elddis badge appeared and some upgrades were added that the brand started to feature on customers’ buying lists.
In 2010, the baby Xplore 302 end-kitchen two-berth made its debut. With a popular L-shaped front lounge, it sold quite well for several years.
Elddis added the four-berth 304 in late 2010 and apart from a few niggles, we reckoned this tourer had mileage.
With a good selection of models, the Xplore has been steady for Elddis, with many built as dealer specials. But does the 304 retain its appeal for 2019?
The 302 was dropped in 2013 and the 304 now serves as an ideal tourer for two, further widening its appeal. With the SE options pack racking up the spec (none will be ordered without it), the 304 is not badly specified, either.
This is a lightweight tourer with large grab handles to make manoeuvring simple
Pitching & Setting-up
On an Al-Ko chassis with SE pack alloys, spare wheel, wheel lock receiver and AKS hitch, the 304 is easy to tow and pitch up.
This is a super-lightweight tourer with large, sturdy grab handles, so it’s easy to move about by hand.
The corner steadies, tucked under the panel mouldings, are also easy to reach.
The main service points are all on the nearside, including cassette access (at the rear by the entrance door) and the battery box mains input, which is located towards the front of the van. On the offside, there is the water inlet for the pump and two waste outlets. The exterior has smooth aluminium sides and modern graphics. The ABS panels, front and rear, are full height and look smart.
As well as gas cylinders, the front locker can store other items, such as wheel chocks.
Elddis doesn’t provide a Status TV aerial, but uses a similar model, the Teleco Teleplus.
Living
The L-shaped lounge has gone in and out of fashion over the years, but for 2019, it seems to have made a bit of a comeback.
In the 304, it works very well, giving the interior a relaxed and spacious feel. The upholstery is supportive and has a quality finish, enhanced by bolster and scatter cushions.
A panoramic window at the front of the van allows in plenty of light, as well as providing excellent views, and the portrait offside window also adds to the natural light. There is a mains socket here, as well as TV and 12V sockets.
The lounge has generous storage space in deep overhead lockers and there is a foldaway table, which is stored on the wardrobe wall. The settee bases have flaps to access underseat storage areas.
There is a blown-air outlet here to help keep things cosy, and LED light strips below the overhead lockers over the front window, as well as two corner LED spotlights. Integrated LED ceiling lights provide good night-time illumination. The CD/radio has twin speakers.
Kitchen
This is a very well-equipped kitchen for a small tourer, with its own side window and overhead storage.
Below the overhead lockers are more LEDs. There are two mains sockets here, too. There’s no microwave, but you do get a neat oven and a three-burner gas hob. The black enamel sink has a clip-on drainer.
In a compact kitchen like this, worktop is always going to be rather tight, but Elddis has fitted an extension flap on the lounge side to help out.
The fridge is in the base of the wardrobe, which frees up space for storage in the kitchen.
There is a roof vent above the kitchen for light and ventilation, and another by the side dinette. Overall, the kitchen packs quite a lot into this small space.
Washroom
The compact washroom in the Xplore might appear a little cramped at first sight, but it’s practical, and large enough to shower in. The swivel-bowl toilet has an electric flush and the stylish handbasin is large.
You’ll find a small storage cupboard fitted above the toilet, but there is no window provided here. Instead, light and ventilation come via the roof vent. Small it might be, but this washroom is cleverly designed and LED lights keep it brightly illuminated.
Beds
Seating in the L-shaped lounge can be made up into a double bed or used as a single.
To make the double is easy enough, using an extending frame and the settee cushions.
If you need the other berths, the offside dinette makes up a single bed and there is also a fold-up bunk. The dinette has its own window, the top bunk doesn’t. With both beds made up, floor space is reduced, but not much, and there is another heater and mains outlet here.
Storage
The 304 provides good storage for two, although with four on board, it will be a bit restricted. The wardrobe loses out to the fridge, but this does make the kitchen storage first-class.
The run of deep overhead lockers in the lounge area is also good to see.
There is also some storage under the side single dinette seating, although as you might expect in a tourer of this size, space is limited.
It’s the kitchen that has the most, with cupboards, several drawers and overhead lockers.
Technical Specifications
| Berth | 4 |
| MiRO | 886 kg |
| Payload | 135 kg |
| MTPLM | 1043 kg |
| Shipping Length | 5.54 m |
| Width | 2.18 m |
