Swift Conqueror 645 in the Lakes
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Swift Conqueror 645 £21,309
- Four berths
- Twin axles
- 1825kg MTPLM
In April 2011's Go Caravan Magazine our feature in the Lake District uses Swift's new sunroof-equipped caravan as a base for a family holiday. Here's what the Stephens family of caravanners made of the Conqueror
WHAT WE LIKED
- Successful take on transverse fixed bed
- Sunroof on front panels forehead
- Alde heating during a wet week
WHAT WE DIDN’T LIKE
- Combined lounge/kitchen space
- Giving it back
- Smaller front windows
Whilst not as overt as Crusader’s from Elddis, Swift’s Conqueror leaves onlookers in know doubt this is a top end touring caravan. Silvery blue sides (I’m still not sure which and conclude it depends on the colour of the sky) adorn the 6.27m haunches of this lengthy piece of kit. The new flush-fit sunroof sits high on the face of the Swift shouting confidently to all this is a break from the norm in terms of recognized caravan design.
The Germans did it first, Hymer, Hobby and Fendt, but now Swift have adopted the theme of running girder-like box sections around the caravans outline, neatly incorporating what are usually ugly awning channels. It lends the profile a muscular solid and less fragile caravan stance than we’ve become used to over many years.
To my eye at least Swift is at the front of caravan interior modernity. They certainly show no nervousness about confronting the need to be contemporary for tomorrow's caravanners. But the the Conqueror unashamedly takes a step back from its sister Sterling in providing occupants a watered down decorative style. The inoffensive beiges, magnolias, creams and oatmeals are livened up by painted kitchen lockers, some modern front mouldings where head-cracking lockers used to reside, a granite sink and fine looking brush chromed tower refrigerator. It’s a good call by Swift's marketing people because taken as a whole it’s all that a Swift customer would expect without lapsing into the traditional same old same old trap.
Of course this 645 is all about the new transverse bed butting up to the nearside two thirds down its length.
More than half the available caravan's length is given over to the shower room. The similar 630 fixed bed model relinquishes less than half its length to washing facilities. In the 645 this impacts on the amount of space available to kitchen/lounge occupants.
The bed and its packaging is extremely well judged by the men and women at Swift who wield the slide rules (or fancy software) It's generously sized and good looking with access down the side that’s adequate for all but the most hardened salad dodgers. As for the sleeping experience I can say I’ve never slept so well in all my years of testing the industries beddy-bye berths
My verdict on the 645 can be summed up by two simple answers.
One. Is it the finest caravan bed I’ve ever slept in? Yes.
Two. Would I buy one. No.
To my way of caravanning, I’m not prepared to sacrifice such a large living space to a single function. It makes what is a huge caravan seem quite mediocre in size when lounging or cooking.
If bed access is a priority you’ll love the 645. If not stick with the Conqueror 630 which to my eye is a better all round luxury fixed bed touring caravan.
See Phil's feature on the Lake District in the April issue of Go Caravan.
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