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We’ve just had our first year in our compact 2024, great little van and prefer the colours to the new one. First year back after the family have flown the nest. We have our tv down the front which frees up the work area over the fridge for food prep. It is a little tight when getting ready for bed but it’s in the title ‘compact’ 😁 we have a full awning and annexe, don’t always have the sleeping pod up so lots of room for our bits.

Caravan expert big head hence why I didn’t watch your video put off from the start.

Honest video Andrew. I have purchased 3 caravans in the past and Coachman always lost out due to the aluminium sides, those brown furniture pegs and the inside wall tape. Swift won my money each time. Now Elddis have improved their interior walls, that leaves Coachman as the last remaining UK manufacturers using tape (I believe). Everyone goes on about Coachman quality, but they are living on their laurels to some extent and may be left behind if they are not careful. Thanks again buddy

My parents in law 2007 Amara was bought from Whitfords Andy 😊

Just under 40k!

My mum and dad had the shorter wheelbase of this one Many happy holidays as a kid 😊

Using 1964 camera?

Great vlog as ever Andy. Also just wanted to thank you for placing my current caravan in number one in your recent Practical Caravan used top 25, N

Hi Andy, now we're talking, beautiful, solid,well made. End of. 😅😂 Conrad

Hi Andy, Great review, wow, certainly get your moneys worth with this van, lets hope the range extends. Conrad

Hi Andy, another good review, looked at buying one of these a few years back , but wasn't blown away with the van, just didn't do it for us, dissapointing really. Much prefer a swift! Conrad

Great Vlog Andy, nice to hear some positive vibes on the industry. Me and the missus, Julie are thinking about swapping from the motorhome to a challenger van, always loved the challengers. Conrad 👍

Great Vlog Andy, great to hear new sales are going well because without them the used market would get very expensive. Some very devious Park owners are pulling the upgrade card out for elderly people who have been many years on site which makes it next to impossible for them to upgrade. Quite sad really considering the amount of money they would have paid in site fees over the years. Good to see your books are being advertised and we wish you many thousands of sales. Keep up the videos, and reviews they give us much to look forward to next Spring.

I walked in the 860 version of this caravan and heard angels singing hallelujah, I'd finally found the perfect caravan. The colourways were nice, the layout was perfect, the shower was person size, it was beautiful, then I saw the cocktail cabinet 😢. Nevermind, you can't have it all and a bit of fablon could sort that out or a polite request to swift. Problem is I don't really want all the extra kit over an elegance and Couplands is too far from me. It's a shame the colourways in the elegance are way off. Anyways, I've bought the elegance and I'll be doing some minor reupholstery to headboards and window pads. I think at these prices though manufacturers should give more options. It's surprising that the only real difference in this year and last year is the corian worktops but it makes such a difference. I didn't really notice these vans a year ago. Puts my Coachman to shame!

Hi Andy. As more evidence, without naming the Dealership, in-process of buying a brand new Swift Carrera CamperVan 2025 model, so brand new, delivered before Xmas to Dealership, with nearly £5000 discounted, part NEC discounts, part Dealership discounts. Interesting times in this genre of leisure industry. What appears to be happening, perception based only as have no data, people like myself, are buying CamperVans they like, but not at the expensive real high end (£90,000 & above) & then adding a lot of aftermarket mods (Lithium battery upgrades, internet, full air suspension, self levelling, off-road wheels for look and practicality, diesel heaters, further winterisation above heated fresh and waste water tanks, with thermal rapping, so really can use in all weathers off grid, plus a host of other add-ons I will not list here. Then at least you get the CamperVan you want and not what a manufacturer, large or small believes it’s customer’s want. Plus ends-up a lot cheaper over-all. Informative video again, thank-you & looking forward to buying the book which I will order in the New Year on CamperVans.

Sorry but I can't see any difference from last few years model!!.❤️🇬🇧

Some great advice on statics having moved from tourers into one four years ago. Buy with your eyes open.

Caravan carpets ... never use ours! Ask the dealer to leave it in the polythene! We use a washable runner. Caravan curtains ... just have upholstered pads on our side windows, felt strange to start with but like them now.

No, need for window in washroom. You’d lose all that wall space for shelves etc. The roof light is huge and you can open it. Just we like to open our window to one notch for ventilation, pity you can’t do the same with roof lights. (Idea here maybe for Swift?).

We looked at an Acadia. Nice van but when we sat on the front benches our feet didn’t touch the floor. Doesn’t happen in our Swift! We’re not midgets. So NO not for us. You’ve got to be comfortable. And the woodwork etc. just looked tacky. Sorry.

If I was thinking of spending £32k on a Coachman caravan, I'd not be expecting to be looking at an entry level model, which this definitely gives the appearance of. For that kind of expenditure, I be more inclined to look for a used model VIP, this van certainly doesn't provide the level of quality/luxury that I'd expect of a Coachman.

Just wondered if you managed to do a review on the 860

love the size and simplicity. you must have curtains when youve got spring loaded blinds.thats really put a downer on it for me. shame.

Great video Andy. As others have said, I feel that Coachman have downgraded the Arcadia range to get more clear water between them and the VIP/Lasers. Not only does it make them cheaper to build but it will encourage those buyers that can afford a higher model to go for the VIP, etc. if coachman did the 660 6 berth layout in a Laser range, I think that would sell well.

The point about comparing to the VIP that the point Pre 25 was very close to the VIP in equipment spec but they have made it different so to have the bigger difference. I dislike the Acadia on the pictures videos of it , but took a good look at it at the show and it still is a well made van and well specked. I would still have the Acadia over any Alicante from the south west wich I took time to look through . But just my opinion

Hi Andy the thing is caravans like. cars take years to develop and the new owners of coachman are now sticking there finger in and saying what must be done to help get there money that spent back now you are seeing there investment coming through. I still think they are a good van but I am pleased mine is a 2015 vip model.

Hi Andy, good honest review as usual. Have to agree using the wall division tape on that price caravan is a bit of a let down. Using full press doors with drawers inside in the kitchen looks a bit of a budget saving design, only problem is this doesn't follow through on the pricing. Yes definitely it's still a Coachman with quality seating and cabinetry but have to say it looks a bit of a letdown for that price point van. No radio for me, is really penny pinching and won't go down well with perspective buyers. Have to agree it's all a bit "entry level" for that price.

Think they have down graded the Acadia brand.. when they launched it in 2020, it looked very much like a laser. Feels very much like an entry level (which it is) . Still a brilliant van though and quality probably the same but lacks the warm feel.

Nice look around the show for us Andy. You got some very nice photo shots, I note from the video things looked to be very busy and I hope that amounted to strong sales. Still some way to go with manufacturers on Value for Money for hard pressed punters. Xplore seems to be heading in the right direction and sales should be good

When at the NEC with my Wife, we both commented on how busy CamperVans/Motorhomes areas were, when compared to Caravan stands. No data, just a personal perception. The biggest change in this genre of leisure holidays, is that more are choosing a CamperVan/Motorhome over a Caravan. The advantage Caravans still have are the price point, though even this has been negated slightly with easy access credit/PCP/HP available for most. The days of the 70’s/80’s/90’s type holiday makers accepting one location for a holiday, are dwindling with added impatience with set-up and slow drive to a location that is Caravanning. As a society we have become impatient and easily bored; along with ever increasing prices for pitches with water and electric, required for Caravanning. Those for affordability reasons, find the second, third hand Caravan market attracts them, but in dwindling numbers. The issue for the Caravan market is the price of new Caravans, along with modern housing often not built with driveways to store caravans, making storage elsewhere an additional cost and an additional inconvenience. Also peoples tolerance levels of Caravans parked at the side of a road, have long ago evaporated. All the outlined points added together is leading to a recalibration of the Caravan market place and has been ongoing for a while. Where it will level-out as a market place, is difficult to speculate. Your knowledge is evident, though these days, short skirts, flesh on display, young people, seems to enable large groups of followers, even if the content is short or missing very evidently with details, knowledge and expertise. I enjoy watching your channel, even though I’m a CamperVan type these days and left Caravans a number of years ago now. Thank-you for the time and effort you put in to pass on your knowledge and expertise, really is appreciated.

Cheers Andy. I missed the show as working away but I wanted to look at Swifts. Never mind next year I will go. Thanks. Safe travels 👍🏆

Our Sprite Musketeer has a similar large panoramic window at the front. As another one of your viewers mentioned, it is such a large and very heavy window that we never open it. Maybe manufacturers are missing a trick here. How about a fixed front window (similar to the Go-Pods)? Would reduce weight, cost and potential leaks. There are plenty of other windows and roof lights to ventilate the van.

I think Coachman are falling behind. That van isn't a patch on the Bessacarr models. The control panel is way out of date, the taped wall seams should be a thing of the past and the seating fabric is hideous. The Coachman designers need to go and have a look at the Bessacarrs and step up their game.

That van impressed me Andy till you showed us the L shaped seating not a fan then a small roof vent no my 2015 VIP 565/4 has 2 yes 2 large roof vents do away with air con put fan back in roof large roof vents and parallel seating.

Again a fabulous package for the money but looks a little spartan. I think they could have swapped the omnivent for a bit of decor to bring a bit of colour. You mention the German connection, I suspect a Teutonic hand guiding this one; an omnivent is incredibly logical and I understand that. But it also needs a visual wow factor which it lacks. That said I hope they sell them by the bucketful.

I don’t get why you would spend 60/70k on a VW transporter camper van with no room no proper loo or shower when you can have this for just over 49K.

Why do you need large roof vents when you have air con. I like the mid wash room end bed because if you have friends staying they can use the loo without going through your bedroom and I also hate that awful pull out separation blind which you don’t need with a mid washroom as the loo door closes of the bedroom.

Maybe a silly question but what do the numbers ie 575 relate to ?

Lovely caravan Andy and it does have the luxury feel to the design, alas my budget would never stretch that far 😊. It's a very pricey van but in fairness you get what you pay for here. Great review and nice to get a look and dream a little.

Hi Andy, really enjoyed that review, yeah Eldiss have done a great job with the make over version of the old 554 that we have. Lots more kit and very stylish cabinets and I do agree with you about the simple heater and water heater controls, I'm glad they kept that as it's a trouble free system. The seating quality was good in the Xplore range and they have continued that with a very nice modern design. Personally we are fans of the panoramic window in the front as it allows a great view for us out to the sea albeit I don't recommend opening it out as I'm told they are very heavy and strain easily and may leak. Great buy for anyone in the market for a lightweight tourer thats very comfortable for 2 people.

We got our Acadia 660 from the guys at Whitfords in April. Great company and like you say they are a great laugh!

Another great review Andy. You dont see too many of these despite as you say Coachman building around 220p each tear to keep quality up and not have any surplus. Saying that there were 3 of these at Waleswood about a month ago. One thing I habe noticed is that some features have changed since 2022...the fridge doors have changed from shiny black finish to beige, yhe drawer and cupboard handles have changed from chrome to black platic , the A/C unit has changed to a shiny white plastic look and the exterior lettering has changed to dull brass from shiny bright chrome lettering so im glad we ordered ours early in 2022 before these changes were implemented in hindsight. Quality wise its the best tourer weve ever had , the bed is super comfu and doesnt creak if you move in it , the fllor doesnt creak when going to yhe loo in the middle of the night. We just changed to a 40" tv last month and it fits on the lounge window shelf no problem . The continous hot when connected to a tap is great. We had it in the Lakes in November and inside it was cosy inside even when freezing outside. The 1st trip we made in it was when we had the summer heat wave with temps over 40°C outside and with the A/C it mafe the inside feel ice cold. As a tourer its a breeze even when negotiating York city centre on a busy Saturday afternoon (dont ask how we ended up there..lol). Where does the footstool go when the table is being used or towing.? Re payload its got 160kg std or 200kg when upplated Thanks again Andy!

Needs some kind of window dressing and that front panel is medieval. Still a good looking package tho.

Great review as usual Andy keep up the good work !

Brilliant instructions for anyone ❤

Well done Georgina she is a natural,maybe she could borrow your van for a holiday with your grandaughter andy. X

Very good Andy. Now you will be asked by her if she can borrow your caravan and go of either boyfriend or hubby and you will never be able to use your caravan again. Very good film should make another one but longer.

She was fantastic! Proud dad moment I think!

Well done Georgina!

Very well done to your daughter Andy, I think she was very brave to take that on with her Dad sat in the back with the video camera. Just goes to show with the right instructor even with one lesson how much you can learn and your confidence grows. Great video Andy that will encourage anyone thinking of towing a caravan to take the plunge. The instructor came across as a gentleman who is very good at his job too.