Looking for a lightweight 4 berth caravan? There are plenty of 4 berth caravans weighing less than 1200kg, but not all of them are good. To save you the trouble of looking through countless caravans, here are the best4 berth caravans under 1200kg.
These are the best 4 berth caravans weighing under 1200kg:
- Swift Basecamp 4: MTPLM: 1186kg
- Lunar Venus 490: MTPLM: 1199kg
- Lunar Venus 500: MTPLM: 1190kg
These caravans are all excellent for a variety of reasons. I’ll explain what makes each caravan great, starting with the Swift Basecamp 4.
Swift Basecamp 4
The Swift Basecamp 4 is a 4 berth caravan with a MTPLM of just 1186kg. This makes it a lightweight 4 berth caravan that can be towed by small cars. Thanks to its small size, it’s also incredibly easy to store. But what makes this caravan one of the best 4 berths weighing less than 1200kg?
The Basecamp 4 excels in many ways that other caravans of this size and weight don’t. One of the biggest pros of the Basecamp 4 is the amount of storage you’ll find within. The storage is certainly more than enough for a couple or a small family. Above the dinette/fold-down double bunks, there are 4 storage ‘lockers’. Rather than being actual lockers, these are actually canvas bags. These are rather deep and allow you to store much more than the average locker allows.
The bed layout in the Swift Basecamp 4 is quite flexible. The front sofas can convert into a large double bed. Or alternately, they can be used as two small single beds. There are fold-down bunks which can become a dinette, but these bunks are also suitable for use by adults. The top bunk has a maximum weight of 77kg, which is roughly 12 stone. The bunk beds are fine for small adults, which makes the Basecamp 4 very versatile when it comes to sleeping arrangements.
There’s more than enough seating for 4 in the Basecamp 4, which is a big advantage. The Basecamp feels like a back to basics caravan, where you’re just in the caravan to eat and sleep. Despite that, there’s enough seating for everyone here.
The only major drawback of the Basecamp 4 is the tiny, uncomfortable washroom. The washroom here feels inadequate for 4. It’s small and is best described as a wet room. However, considering the target audience of the Basecamp 4, it’s possible that this isn’t such a big deal. After all, this is a caravan targetting those looking for adventure or moving up from camping. A comfortable washroom probably isn’t a feature the target audience is too bothered about.
The Swift Basecamp 4 is currently available for approximately £20,500. Considering its weight and the pros of this caravan, it’s certainly worth a closer look if you’re into the aesthetic of the Basecamp 4.
Lunar Venus 490
The Lunar Venus 490/4 is a 4 berth caravan with an MTPLM of 1199kg. This caravan is light but packed full of excellent features, making this caravan one of the best 4 berths under 1200kg out there.
Despite the Lunar Venus 490 being an entry-level, lightweight caravan it feels like so much more. One of the key benefits of this model is the fixed double bed. This really sets the caravan apart from other caravans of a similar size and weight. The fixed double is both sizeable and comfortable, and there are storage lockers around the perimeter of the bed for storing belongings. Because of the fixed double bed, I think this caravan could be a great option for couples that occasionally have guests.
Another excellent feature here is the sizeable end washroom. In the vast majority of small, lightweight caravans, a small washroom is to be expected. However, the washroom here spans the width of the caravan and contains a separate shower cubicle rather than the typical wet room layout. For caravanners wanting a good washroom in their caravan, this is the standout feature of the Lunar Venus 490/4.
The kitchen of the Lunar Venus 490 is relatively sizeable for a small caravan. The Lunar Venus 490 uses the Whale blown air system, mounted under the floor. This means the large Truma heater unit doesn’t take up space in the kitchen. As a result, you have more cupboards and drawers than you’ll find in most lightweight caravans. In addition to all the storage, you have a decent worktop space as well as everything else you’d expect in the kitchen. For instance, a 3-burner hob, an oven and grill combination, and a fridge.
The main drawback of the Lunar Venus 490, in my opinion, is the rather bland interior. This caravan doesn’t feel or look special or luxurious; it looks functional instead. This isn’t a big deal considering how much of a bargain this caravan is, how light it is, and all its benefits. However, it is worth mentioning for those who might want something more luxurious.
The Lunar Venus 490/4 is now available for as little as £10,000 depending on where you look and the condition of the caravan. I really think this is a massive bargain when you consider how good the caravan is.
Lunar Venus 500/4
The Lunar Venus 500 is a 4 berth caravan with an MTPLM of 1190kg. It’s a rather unique 4 berth caravan, but there are a whole lot of advantages. Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of this model.
The Venus 500 is a rather unique caravan with a layout that you don’t come across very often: two fixed single beds towards the rear of the caravan. You can see the thought behind this layout and perhaps why it’s popular, as it means the caravan is a suitable caravan for all kinds of people. Whether that’s a small family, a couple that have occasional guests, or a group of friends, this caravan offers excellent flexibility thanks to the two fixed singles. As well as the fixed singles, there are two sofas at the front of the caravan that transform into a sizeable double bed.
At the rear of the caravan, there is a sizeable washroom. The washroom features a separate shower cubicle, which is separated from the rest of the caravan by a bi-fold door. Although the washroom’s nothing fantastic, it is great for a caravan of this size and one of the 500/4’s standout features.
For a small, lightweight caravan, the Venus 500/4 also has plenty of storage. All in all, there are 10 overhead lockers in the caravan. Furthermore, there is a vast amount of storage under the fixed single beds that really comes in handy when there are 4 using the caravan.
One of the only drawbacks of the Venus 500 is the small kitchen. Worktop space is very tight here, but the same can be said about most caravans of this size. There’s a large cupboard under the sink as well as overhead lockers to accommodate belongings associated with the kitchen, but the lack of worktop space holds this kitchen back. Arguably, a larger fridge would work better here when you consider the fact this caravan is actually designed for 4 people.
The Lunar Venus 500/4 is currently available for approximately £9,500. This does depend on where you look as you might find one for less from a private seller.
Which Lightweight 4 Berth Is Your Favourite?
These are some of the best lightweight 4 berth caravans available, with all having an MTPLM of less than 1200kg. Which of these caravans is your favourite? I really think there is something for everyone here.
Looking for a lightweight 2 berth caravan? I wrote a blog post, Best 2 Berth Caravans Under 1000kg, that goes through some brilliant 2 berth caravans that are light and easy to tow.
Looking for something a bit smaller or larger? I wrote another blog post, The Best Lightweight Caravans Under 1300kg, which contains all the best 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 berth caravans weighing less than 1300kg. Click here to read that post and find your perfect caravan.