Caravan Awards 2018: The Shortlist

Announcing our shortlists for the Caravan Awards 2018

We've shortlisted 42 caravans and accessories for awards in 12 categories for 2018. Which will be the winners? We will announce the winners in the February issue of Caravan magazine and online in January. Subscribe to our newsletter to see the results!

In the meantime, see which caravans and accessories are on the shortlist.

Judges

The judges are:

Best Caravan for Activities

Shortlisted

Knaus Travelino

£18,499
MTPLM 750 kg

On a lightweight chassis AL-K0 chassis, the boxy-bodied Travelino is an ultra lightweight caravan which uses unique construction to achieve its light weight of 650kg MIRO and 750 kg MTPLM.

The body framework is made of glass fibre; this frame gives the body its strength. The panels are sandwich construction with GRP skin, a thin wallboard and insulation material between the two.

Its body length is 4m; its overall length is 5.1m; its width is 2.15m.

This model has an offside door.

The layout gives you a transverse bed at the front, an L-shaped dining area in the rear and, in the near offside corner, a toilet-washbasin room with a bi-fold door which opens outwards to increase space in the compartment. A wash basin hinges down under a mirrored cabinet. This model does not have a shower.

Caravelair Antarès 335

£14,495
MTPLM 1000kg

Caravelair has packed a lot into this two-berth midget gem! The 335 weighs in at just 827 kg (MiRO) with an MTPLM of a nice round 1000 kg. Inside this cutesy tourer (3.3m x 1.95m) is a comfy lounge/dining space for four (which converts to a large double bed); a compact kitchen with three-ring, dual-fuel hob and oven; combined loo and shower unit; low-level fridge and wardrobe.

Practical, versatile and easy to tow, with a wallet-friendly price to boot. What's not to like?

Adria Action

£17,575
MTPLM 1100 kg

The Action, distinguished by its curvy rear bodyline, first appeared a decade ago, aimed squarely at the 20-30 age bracket looking for caravans to use as a base for activities. Adria relaunched the Action this year amid an emphasis in the market on caravans designed for sporty use.

The new-look Adria Action has an overall length of just 5.1m and has a U-shaped seating area, a rear kitchen and a corner toilet-shower compartment. The body is just 4m long; its width is 2.2m.

Cooking equipment is a combined oven-grill and a two-burner hob. Kitchen storage arrangements are three large drawers plus two more above the Truma heater unit alongside the door.

Swift Basecamp

£16,300
MTPLM 1002 kg

Swift's Basecamp, launched for 2017 under the enticing banner 'Get out, do more', now has an optional bedroom pod as well as an optional awning. The awning and bedroom costs £925.

Other options include a barbecue point, an exterior mains socket and an exterior shower point. It's a two-berth with sporty looks and bold orange graphics. And you can choose from a range of 13 different graphics packages!

Best Caravan for Seasonal Siting

Shortlisted

Swift Elegance 650

£31,385
MTPLM 1871kg

A big caravan built for luxurious living. The twin-axle 650 has a central washroom and a rear island bed. It's one of two twin-axle models in the flagship Elegance range. You could call it a three-room caravan; for that reason, it's among those that mimic apartments – ideal to consider for seasonal siting.

Alaria range

£33,599
MTPLM – 1705 kg -1875kg

Four top-spec, luxurious models, all with L-shaped lounges and E&P's hydraulic Levelsystem which automatically levels the caravan with a touch of a button. Alarias are luxurious, twin-axle caravans. They first appeared for 2017. Now, for 2018, they are wider, at 2.46m.

Buyers have a choice of four models, TS, TI, RI and TR, with different bed configurations.

The TR has a rear bedroom with the bedhead mounted against the rear wall, and a central shower room. This model has the slimline fridge-freezer.

The Alaria RI has a 190-litre fridge freezer, a central shower room and rear bedroom this time the bed is transversely aligned wardrobes are alongside the bed plus in the shower room.

The TI has an open-plan layout with the shower room across the rear and a transverse bed forward of it.

The TS has an exceptionally large shower room with two wardrobes. It has the 190-lire Dometic fridge-freezer, an over-hob Dometic extractor fan.

Lunar Delta TR

£28,699
MTPLM 1730 kg

A new model for 2018, the TR has a transverse bed and central washroom, and it's luxurious in every way. Deltas have the same bedroom layouts as the Alarias, also built by Lunar.

Differences are these models have parallel lounges and they don't have the automatic levelling system – and they cost a few thousand less; it's great to have the option.

Adria Alpina Missouri

£27,640
MTPLM 1900 kg

This Slovenian-made model has a new bedroom layout for 2018, with the island bed now aligned transversely, following the trend for this layout. The bedhead is on the offside, with upholstered panelling on the walls up to window base height on the rear and offside wall.

A deep gloss cream pelmet lines these walls above the windows. At 8.24m in overall length and 2.46m wide, it's a good choice for seasonal siting if plenty of space is your goal.

Buccaneer Barracuda

£32,999
MTPLM 1990 kg

Like Alarias, Buccaneers have the Levelsystem. And, also like the Alarias, they're eight feet wide. For 2018, a new Buccaneer arrives; the Barracuda has an L-shaped lounge complete with large wall-mounted television. It has a rear island bed and central shower and toilet rooms.

Best Luxury Two-berth Caravan

Shortlisted

Compass Capiro 462

£20,399
MTPLM 1299 kg

Capiros have Alde heating and AL-KO's ATC stability control system. The 462, a new model for 2018, has a separate shower and an L-shaped rear kitchen.

Compass Capiros have the same specification as sister-brand Elddis Affinity, yet are distinctly different in interior styling.

So why did the Capiro make it to the shortlist rather than the Affinity 462? It was a difficult call. Our judges thought the paler woodwork and on-trend tartan-inspired accent fabrics gave this model wider appeal.

£22,399
MTPLM 1326 kg

The new Seville gets a complete redesign for 2018, with an L-shaped kitchen and washroom containing a separate shower cubicle. The hob is set into the rear sector of of the kitchen area, with the sink in the nearside sector. A large dresser creates even more surface space.

Like all models in the new Unicorn range, the Seville has a double hob cover – a glass cover plus a second one, matching the kitchen surface, creating more usable working space.

Best Lightweight Two-berth Caravan

Shortlisted

Xplore 422

£14,240
MTPLM 1043 kg

This new model for 2018 distinguishes itself from traditional two-berth, end-kitchen layouts with shared shower-toilet compartments; the 422 has a separate shower – and its body length is a mere 4.2m.

The kitchen is L-shaped, with windows both at the rear and sides, making it exceptionally light and bright. There's a proper dresser, alongside the door, whereas classic end-kitchen two-berths had the fridge here. In the 422, the fridge is on the offside, with a wardrobe above it.

Elddis Avanté 462 and Compass Casita 462

£17,549
MTPLM 1249 kg

These two new L-shaped rear kitchen models are parallel in specification which includes ATC. They have the Whale 4.3kw heating system and the space-saving Whale Expanse dual-fuel underslung eight-litre water heater. They both made it to the shortlist because the judges felt they were inseparable in every way.

Their fabrics and styling are different and both are stunning; Soft grey-blue with shimmering silvery grey for the Casita and paler woodwork with subtle grey for the Avanté.

These models are marginally wider (2.26m) than the similar-layout Xplore 422 (2.18m), which accounts for some difference in weight compared with the Xplore.

Best Luxury Fixed Bed Caravan for Couples

Shortlisted

Buccaneer Barracuda

£32,699
MTPLM 1990 kg

This eight-feet-wide rear island bed layout is an innovation for 2018. It has a stunning L-shaped lounge, domestic in design, with settees arranged to face an entertainment centre with a 32-inch television mounted on the offside wall.

The bedroom is at the rear, with an island bed against the rear wall. In the centre, the shower and washing area spans the width of the caravan.

Buccaneers are sumptuous caravans with spec extending to self-levelling and underfloor heating which works in synergy with the Alde system.

Bailey Unicorn Barcelona

£25,999
MTPLM 1680 kg

Bailey's fourth-generation Unicorns have new kitchens, with double hob covers so that the top cover augments surface space. They have new exterior lines; smooth and classy. And the Barcelona has a new kitchen, and bedroom layout, with a dressing table stretching along the offside wall.

This is one of only a few side double bed layouts left; this once-bestseller layout has been swept aside by transverse beds. Yet the Barcelona's side bed layout and open-plan aspect works well. And its new, luxurious full-width rear shower room with a mirrored wall, and stone-effect shower walls, is stunning.

Alaria range

£33,599
MTPLM Alaria TS 1810 kg, Alaria TI 1782 kg, Alaria RI 1825 kg, Alaria TR 1865 kg

The Alaria range is made by Lunar. All three have L-shaped lounges; bedroom option are twin beds, rear island or transverse island double beds. All three Alaria models arrived on our Highly Commended list for their luxurious appointment and high level of equipment which, like the Barracuda, includes the E&P self-levelling system.

Also, like the Barracuda, these are super-sized caravans, at eight feet wide.

Best Transverse Island Bed Caravan

Shortlisted

Elddis Avanté 860 and Compass Casita 860

£22,599
MTPLM 1695 kg

Parallel in spec and size and price, the difference between these models is in fabrics and cabinetry. We like both equally, so both models arrive on our shortlist.

The key element of these models is their width; 2.45m – that's 19cm wider than a standard width Casita and Avanté models, and you get a lot of caravan for your money. These twin-axle, eight-metre-long (overall) models offer fantastic value.

The layout is the dream, on-trend arrangement of transverse island bed in secluded rear bedroom and central wash-toilet room on one side with the shower opposite.

Swift Conqueror 580

£27,485
MTPLM 1639 kg

If you are looking for a transverse island bed, rear washroom caravan with Alde heating on one axle, this must be a strong contender for your shortlist. It's Highly Commended for its comfort and practical, ultra-popular layout and for its styling. And for the introduction of a rear view camera.

That's one of the changes for 2018, together with carbon fibre-effect gad locker doors, body lines which are more streamlined and sunroofs which are slightly wider.

The 580 gets an illuminated headboard and all models now have illuminated shower consoles. This is a strong package of appeal which fights its corner in the big transverse bed market with plenty of punch.

Lunar Lexon 660

£24,999
MTPLM 1625 kg

The new-for 2018 twin-axle 660 has a rear shower room. Stunning lighting design creates an opulent look; a frame of light around the top kitchen lockers, lighting concealed within an open-shelved corner cabinet in the lounge and small circular bright lights set into the roof.

The double bed is 1.83m (six feet) long. You can get a 10 cm mattress extension which slots in at the pillow end of mattress, to make the bed six feet four inches long.

Lexons have restyled, sleeker design gas lockers for 2018. Grab handles are new, in a chunkier design. Grey kitchen locker doors are introduced, together with a new splash-back and tap design.

Adria Alpina Missouri

£27,640
MTPLM 1900 kg

This massive caravan (8.24m in overall length and 2.46m wide) on one axle has great appeal – literally. It made it to the Highly Commended list for our Seasonal Siting award but of course it's a veritable tourer, too.

And we think its new bedroom layout for 2018, with the island bed now aligned transversely, increases its already strong appeal. And the bed is a generous 1.90m long and 1.52m wide.

Sprite Quattro EB

£19,390
MTPLM 1624 kg

The latest Sprite has a body length of 6.27m, an overall length of 7.98m, rides on twin axles, and has one of the cosiest rear bedrooms on the market, yet carries a price-tag of less than £20,000.

This newcomer is a special caravan which made it easily onto our shortlist for many reasons including the design of its full-width central shower room which contains the wardrobe, making it a proper dressing room. This is end-bedroom layout luxury at an affordable price and a weight which puts it within tow scope of many cars.

Best Twin Bed Caravan

Shortlisted

Compass Camino 674

£27,399
MTPLM 1776 kg

Caravan can't predict tides of activity in terms of numbers of caravans launched by different manufacturers and it so happened that the greatest number of new models and new layouts for 2018 – a total of 13 – came from the manufacturer of Compass which also makes Buccaneer, Elddis and Xplore; these brands are now under the umbrella of the giant Erwin Hymer Group.

Equally, unpredictably, four of these models easily merited inclusion on our shortlist for Best Twin Bed Caravan.

The Camino 574 is one of them. It's on twin axles and has centrally-located separate shower and washroom compartments.

Camino sits at the top of the Compass range in terms of spec and its azure blue sides distinguish this range from all others. For 2018 the range gets a redesigned front panel, gas locker and grab handles.

These models have 40-litre water tanks, Alde heating and a mains-supply load-monitor system to prevent you from tripping out the electricity supply to your pitch, plus an alarm and tracker system.

Elddis Crusader Supercyclone

£27,399
MTPLM 1776 kg

The Supercylone name has been around for a long time, and has established a solid following among couples looking for twin beds in a long and spacious caravan.

Now, though, the new Supercylone layout gives the model family appeal. The 2018 Supercyclone still has twin beds, but now they're at the back of the caravan, with the toilet-showering arrangements amidships.

Effectively, the grooming department and the bedroom have swapped places, and in so doing have transformed the Supercyclone. The twin room at the rear, completely divided from not just the lounge-kitchen area but also from the shower-toilet, is so much a separate room it 's sure to be a great kids' bedroom.

It's also still a fantastic couples' caravan, of course. Versatility and space are its key attributes now; those factors, together with high spec which includes Alde heating, are the reasons why this caravan was shortlisted for the twin-bed award.

Compass Capiro 574

£21,949
MTPLM 1477 kg

A brilliant new single-axle twin-bed option, the 574 layout has twin beds at the rear and central shower and toilet compartments which combine, with an arrangement of doors, to divide the caravan into two rooms. And, at just 1477 kg, it's light in weight, destined to easily find its niche in the growing marketplace for twin-bed tourers.

Capiros have Alde heating and the ATC Trailer Control System, alarm systems. The new Capiro fabric scheme for 2018 is called 'Melrose'. It's a tartan-inspired design in subtle tweed tones. The upholstery is Aquaclean, designed to resist stains.

Buccaneer Clipper

£32,699
MTPLM 1979 kg

The Clipper has a new layout for 2018, with twin beds at the rear and a centrally-positioned shower cubicle on one side and a toilet-washbasin room opposite.

This layout works well for couples, of course, and it's also practical for families, especially when offspring are teenagers. That's because the bedroom at the rear is totally separate from the rest of the caravan, with the grooming facilities in the centre, accessible from either end. And the sheer size of the Clipper – 2.45m wide, with a body length of 6.39m and an overall measurement of 8.16m, gives it the edge for families who need plenty of space.

For couples? The Clipper can easily be regarded as close to an apartment in tourer terms. This top-spec caravan has the E&P Levelsystem automatic levelling device. The Alde heating has underfloor heat channels. And it has a huge exterior cabinet; an ideal place for welly boots, walking boots, dog tethers and anything else that needs to be outside the caravan.

Best Luxury Caravan for Families

Shortlisted

Coachman Vision 630

£22,295
MTPLM 1677 kg

Coachman's only twin-axle caravan outside of the VIP range is a brilliant family caravan in so many ways, with a large rear shower room, bunks secluded by a park-wall, a large fridge, ample kitchen storage space and an offside dining area wide enough for four children to sit to eat. The luxury element comes in convenience for families.

Lighting above and below the kitchen's top lockers create ample light. The kitchen surface is on two levels – you can use the lower level, at the front, for a television if you wish (connections are here).

Among this caravan's strong points are the wardrobe within the shower room, making this an ideal family dressing room, and the amount of floor space here, meaning it's easy for a parent to shower and wash one or more little caravanners. Heating system is Truma blown air.

Buccaneer Galera

£32,699
MTPLM 1979 kg

Buccaneer's first venture into the family market produced an extraordinary caravan. This mighty six-berth has a unique layout. It has two bunks in a curved pod-like structure that gives them a self-contained, little-room feel, at the rear on the nearside. Alongside is a small eating and play area, cleverly designed to create seats for three, with a table.

One of the three seats is stool-style, with a removable upholstered top, and storage space beneath. And alongside this seating area there's a full-sized shower room, with a step-in shower and enough space for family washing. This layout is made possible by the extra width of Buccaneers.

The Galera is Britain's highest spec, highest priced six-berth tourer. Its eight-feet wide and more than eight metres in overall length.

Bailey Unicorn Segovia

£25,999
MTPLM 1767 kg

The Segovia is the first family layout in Bailey's top-spec Unicorn range.

It's a twin-axle, six-berth model. A rear family room has bunks and a seating area that transforms into two more bunks. Its shower and washing arrangements are divided from this room by a sliding door.

Here's the clever bit: a concertina blind partitions the offside toilet and shower area from the corridor, and a hinged door segments the whole area from the kitchen and lounge. The wardrobe is contained within this 'room'. It's a unique twist on the central shower room theme.

The shower compartment is lined with stone-effect wall-boarding. A hinge-down rail for towels runs across the ceiling (that's a feature we like). Three towel hooks are above the Alde panel radiator in the washbasin sector; they're sure to dry quickly here.

Best Layout for Couples

Shortlisted

Alaria TR

£33,599
MTPLM 1865 kg

The on-trend layout of mid washroom and rear transverse island bed now appears in the super-spec Alaria range, made by Lunar. It was launched at the NEC show in October.

Where the Alaria TR differs from other caravans of this bed-and-washroom layout is the lounge is L-shaped. It has a drinks cabinet and hinged coffee table on the nearside and comes complete with an Avtex which incorporates a DVD player.

Alaria is couples' caravanning in extreme luxury. The L-shaped seating creates plenty of floor space and a lovely open-plan look. And we love the domestic-style bolster backrests for their sink-into comfort.

Sprite Quattro EB

£19,390
MTPLM 1624 kg

EB stands for 'end bed'. This model brings to the Sprite range the fashionable end bedroom, central-shower room configuration that has now swept throughout tourer ranges.

Sprite, always the icon of affordability, now has a caravan which has two, separate rooms. Or should we say three? That all depends on whether you want to class the shower room as an en suite or a separate room. Either way, it's a brilliant arrangement, with a hinged door to close off the entire sleeping-showering sector, and a sliding door to separate the bedroom from the washing facilities.

Best Layout for Families

Shortlisted

Sprite Quattro DD

£19,390
MTPLM 1642 kg

The Quattro DD is the only twin-lounge, twin-axle, six-berth on the British market. Added to that, it has seating for 12 – and a baby bath!

One of the DD's attributes is spaciousness; at just under 8m in total length, it's up among the biggest caravans. Yet with a full-load weight figure of 1642 kg, it's towable by various cars.

Showering arrangements are important in a caravan designed for children and the DD acquits itself well in this area. The wheel arch creates a ledge, useful for shampoo and shower gel, and for a little caravanner to sit while a parent directs the shower water.

Many caravan showers have that feature. But there's something else here to add to the DD's efficiency for young families. The entrance to the shower cubicle has a 20cm lip, which means if you use the shower tray's plug you can create a little bath. The DD, therefore, is probably the only caravan with a baby bath. We love it!

Bailey Unicorn Segovia

£25,999
MTPLM 1767 kg

The twin-axle Segovia, Unicorn's first family caravan, has an excellent rear bunk-play-dining area at the rear, spacious central washing area, long lounge, ample kitchen surface for making meals for six – and something no other caravan has.

That's a partition to divide the toilet and washbasin area, on the offside, from the corridor. So that area can be in use concurrently as the shower on the nearside – and simultaneously the corridor leading from the lounge to the bedroom/dining room at the rear is open to walk along.

Bailey Pursuit 560-5

£16,749
MTPLM 1407 kg

This is a five-berth that does not conform to any of the standard layout patterns. The shower room is across the rear. That's standard enough. But it's in the bunks-seating area that the 560-5 is different.

Two bunks are on the offside, immediately forward of the shower room, opposite is a two-person seating-dining area that makes into bunks. A dresser forward of the nearside bunk creates extra kitchen surface space.

This is a brilliant layout at a brilliant weight and at an affordable price. Little wonder, then, caravan is a volume seller.

Best Lightweight Caravan for Families – 1500kg or under

Shortlisted

Caravelair Antarès 406

£15,495 including delivery
MTPLM 1150 kg

The 406 makes maximum use of the space on offer. In daytime, you get a good-sized lounging/dining area along with a two-seater dinette and compact toilet/shower room combo.

At night, the lounge converts to a large double bed and the dinette quickly becomes a decent-sized pair of bunks. The kitchen sits on the near side with its sink and three-ring (two gas, one electric) hob.

Opposite, is a fridge and wardrobe. This van's a particularly good choice for those who make use of an awning or love dining al fresco.

Xplore 586

£16,499
MTPLM 1350 kg

Fixed bunks are secluded away in the rear nearside corner. Alongside, a corner shower room creates enough space for family ablutions with ease. An offside dining area, opposite the kitchen, converts to a single bed with lift-up bunk.

And up-front the large lounge area transforms into a super-size double measuring 1.98m x 1.3m.

This is a lovely, mid-sized family tourer (with a body length of 5.7m) with well-planned accommodation and a light weight which means it's suitable for many cars.

Venus 620/6

£17,999
MTPLM 1480 kg

If you thought twin-axle automatically meant heavy weight, this is a caravan to change your mind. Its 1480 kg MTPLM means it's comparable with many single-axle models. And its length (7.82m from hitch to tail lights) gives you the advantage of loads of space.

The special aspect of the 620 is it has a double bed, plus two bunks to make from the dining area on the offside, and the versatility of making two single beds or a massive double in the lounge.

The 620's shower and toilet are in one compartment in the offside corner alongside the bed; the washbasin is forward of this area.

All prices are exclusive of delivery charge unless stated

Accessory of the Year

Shortlisted

Truma's Level Control

The Truma LevelControl enables you to determine the amount of gas left in your cylinder precisely, via the Truma App. It shows you the level of gas as a percentage, and the amount of gas in kilograms. It's also possible to set up an SMS alert so that you can receive a text message when a cylinder is nearly empty.

It's on our shortlist for the Accessory award for its obvious convenience value.

The device uses ultrasound to measure how much gas there is in the cylinder, and sends this data to the Truma iNet Box, via Bluetooth. The iNet Box then transfers the information to your tablet or smartphone.

If you have two cylinders, you can use two LevelControl devices parallel. The Truma LevelControl attaches to the middle of the cylinder base with its integrated magnets, without the need for connections or installation.

Then you pair it with an iNet Box fitted in your caravan. The Truma iNet Box is the smart interface that allows you to control your Truma Combi heater remotely from a smartphone or tablet. All you need is to download the free Truma App.

The iNet with Level Control costs £275 plus one hours' fitting time (dealers charge between £30 and £80).

SunnCamp's Icon Air full awning

Awning and accessory company SunnCamp has designed a full awning, that's inflatable. It's called the Icon Air. Prices start at £1265 and rise depending on the size of your caravan.

The Icon Air will be available in January. It's on the shortlist because this new product gives you all the ease-of-build advantages of an air porch in an awning that runs the whole length of your caravan.

Icon Air has a single inflation point for ease of use, and is made from SunnCamp's 300D PRO-TEK fabric, designed to be hard-wearing.

It's available in sizes from 900cm to 1100cm. SunnCamp's stockists will help you choose the right size for your tourer.

There's also an Icon Air Annexe available, to further increase your space. It fits onto either side of the awning and comes with an inner tent.

This versatile product also features secondary mesh on the side doors, LED light pockets (for optional LED lights), up to five removable panels (size dependent), pre-attached storm buckles and webbing straps. It comes with an Air Volution inflator pump; a12V electric pump optional.

Witter's towbar paint finish

Towbar manufacturer, Witter, has introduced a tougher paint finish to enhance the protection of its products.

In response to customer comments that wear and tear from the road makes towbars unsightly, Witter spent months testing out paint finishes which would stand up to ultra-violet light, corrosive substances, gravel chips and harsh, winter road conditions.

Witter's new process takes a five-step route to achieve the final finish: Each towbar gets a powerful shot blast, which rids it of any contaminants on the surface.

The towbar receives a powder coating using a zinc phosphate primer with a strong electrostatic charge. A second coating is applied to the primer.

The final 'top coat' is painted onto the towbar.

The towbar is then baked in a 220˚C oven for 12 minutes to cure both powder coating layers.

The process leaves a tough coat of paint that is resistant to ultraviolet, salt and grit.

E&P's Compact Levelsystem

E&P's Compact Caravan Levelsystem arrives on our shortlist because it brings hydraulic levelling within reach of more caravan owners. That's because it costs less and has less impact on your payload than E&P's Complete Caravan Levelsystem.

It's basically a cut-down version of the Complete Caravan Levelsystem that helps with the problem of levelling across the axle(s) and fitting wheel locks, especially on the second axle of twin-axle caravans; eliminating the need to use a jack.

The difference between the two systems offered by E&P is as follows:

The Complete system has two axle jacks plus four hydraulic levelling legs and costs £2957 (fitted) and adds 28kg to the weight of the caravan; the Compact system, which comprises just the two axle jacks, costs £1808 and adds 20kg.

AL-KO's Ranger motor mover

AL-KO produced the Ranger specifically to give buyers the opportunity of getting a less expensive version of AK-KO's Mammut mover.

The differences between the two systems are the Ranger's rollers on into the wheel manually whereas the Mammut has a mechanism for this. The Ranger comes with a brace which you slot into the actuation bar which runs between the two chassis members. The brace has an elbow joint so that you can wind from a standing position.

A small aperture within the Ranger housing enables you to see an arrow in place when the rollers are fully applied to the wheel. It's a straightforward system to use.

The Ranger's motor is designed to move a single-axle caravan of up to 1800kg up an incline of up to 18%. The single-axle version costs £1099 (fitted) whereas the Mammut is £1800. The twin-axle Ranger is designed to move a caravan weighing up to 2500kg up an incline of 18%. It costs £2099 whereas the twin-axle Mammut is £4000.

Ranger systems have a soft start and soft stop mechanism.

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