Are you and your partner looking into purchasing a caravan? Fortunately, there’s plenty of choice. There are literally hundreds of caravans created with couples in mind. But which are the best?
Finding my first caravan for my partner and I was a long, time-consuming process. I had very specific needs in mind, so it took ages to find the right caravan. To make your life easier, I decided to write this blog post and advise you on the best caravans out there for couples.
Here are the best caravans for couples:
- Buccaneer Cruiser: £35,000 approx.
- Buccaneer Barracuda: £35,000 approx.
- Coachman Laser Xcel 845: £36,500 approx.
- Bailey Phoenix 440: £18,500 approx.
- Swift Basecamp 2 SE: £18,000 approx.
- Coachman Pastiche 470 (2016): £14,500 approx.
- Bailey Phoenix 420: £17,999 approx.
- Lunar Venus 540/4: £17,699 approx.
What’s most important to you? Select the thing that’s most important to you below and you’ll be taken to the section of this blog post containing caravans that meet your needs best.
- A lightweight caravan
- A feature-packed caravan, with all the best facilities and appliances
- Inexpensive caravans that are brilliant for the price
Let’s start with lightweight caravans. Which lightweight caravans are the best for couples?
The Best Lightweight Caravans (For Couples)
Are you restricted by your driving licence or your towing car? Or perhaps just want a light caravan? There are a wide selection of lightweight caravans available that could suit you perfectly.
Here are the best lightweight caravans for couples:
- Bailey Phoenix 440 – MiRO: 1172kg
- Swift Basecamp 2 SE – MiRO: 907kg
- Coachman Pastiche 470 (2016) – MiRO: 1171kg
I’ll explain a bit more about these caravans and talk through their pros and cons.
Bailey Phoenix 440
The Bailey Phoenix 440 is a single axle 4 berth caravan. It weighs just 1172kg empty and the base model has a payload of 150kg, giving you the MTPLM of 1322kg.
The Phoenix 440 is actually a 4 berth caravan, but I think it’s actually one of the best lightweight options for a couple. In my opinion, 4 would struggle in this caravan. However, having the extra bed gives you the option to have guests every now and then.
One of my favourite features of the Phoenix 440 is the spacious fixed double bed. The fixed double bed is a very popular feature because it makes life so much easier. You have none of the trouble of having to make up your bed every night! Instead, you can have the bed permanently made up and still have a lounge area.
The Phoenix 440 also has an excellent kitchen for a caravan of this size and weight. The kitchen contains a large fridge with freezer compartment, a 4-burner hob, a oven and grill combination, and a microwave oven. There’s plenty of worktop space and storage, with several overhead lockers, a large drawer under the sink, as well as a cupboard.
As well as everything I’ve already mentioned, the model also features an excellent washroom that’s not just a wetroom like some small caravans. There’s a fully lined shower cubicle with a partition door to separate it from the rest of the bathroom.
I really rate this caravan. You can pick one up (not literally, although it is lightweight!) for as little as £18,500.
Swift Basecamp 2 SE
The Swift Basecamp 2 SE is an excellent 2 berth caravan. Empty, it weighs just 907kg. It has a payload of 111kg, giving us an MTPLM of 1013kg.
The Swift Basecamp 2 SE is an excellent 2 berth caravan. It feels and looks fit for adventures! I wouldn’t describe it as luxurious, but it contains everything you need and has a modern feel. It feels more in line with traditional camping than other caravans, which could be a good thing depending on the type of caravans you’re into.
For a lightweight caravan, the Basecamp 2 SE has a capacious kitchen with everything you need. The kitchen contains a grill and oven combination, a 3-burner hob, a fridge, and plenty of worktop space. There’s everything here that a budding chef needs. There’s also plenty of storage, with two overhead lockers and plenty of drawers and cupboards maximising the space available.
This is certainly one of the best lightweight caravans available for couples, but the interior and layout are certainly an acquired taste. This is an ideal caravan for those upgrading from camping and people with a strong sense of adventure.
The Basecamp 2 SE, containing most the extras, costs around £18,500 depending on where you look.
Coachman Pastiche 470 (2016)
The Coachman Pastiche 470 (2016) is a single axle 2 berth caravan. This caravan weighs just 1171kg empty and it has a MTPLM of 1295kg. The Pastiche 470 is a very unique 2 berth, with a layout I’ve never seen before to memory. However, it’s an excellent lightweight caravan for couples.
One of the best features of the Pastiche 470 is the fixed double bed. There aren’t a great deal of lightweight 2 berth caravans with fixed double beds, so it’s an excellent feature. You and your partner can quickly retreat to bed without all the trouble of having to make up a bed.
The Pastiche 470 contains one of the best kitchens you’ll find in a 2 berth caravan. The kitchen contains a full oven, a fridge, a microwave, a 4-burner hob, and a grill. For a lightweight, inexpensive caravan, this kitchen is remarkably high-spec. The kitchen also has plenty of storage space, with several overhead lockers and drawers and cupboards under the sink. As is common in Coachman caravans, the attention to detail throughout is almost second-to-none.
Another excellent feature is the sizeable end washroom; yet another feature you won’t find in most caravans of this size and weight. The washroom is rather roomy for a caravan of this size. As well as plenty of cupboard space, it contains a heated towel rack and a separate shower cubicle.
The layout of the Coachman Pastiche 470 is unique, to say the least. Of course, this is a double-edged sword. Some will love this layout, others will despise it. The lack of a dedicated lounge area is a big disadvantage for some, as it would be difficult to invite guests and sit everyone in comfort.
You can usually find the Coachman Pastiche 470 (2016) for around £15,000. Newer versions of the caravan have a sofa at the front of the caravan, rather than a fixed bed. The 2016 Pastiche 470 is the only model with a fixed double bed at the front.
Feature-Packed Caravans: The Very Best For Couples
If you have the budget, there are some magnificent caravans available. These caravans are the best that money can buy; there’s no doubt about it. However, one caravan really sticks out as the best.
Here is the best caravan for a couple, if money is no object:
- Buccaneer Cruiser: £35,000 approx.
Let’s take a look at this incredible caravan, the Buccaneer Cruiser.
Buccaneer Cruiser
The Buccaneer Cruiser is a twin-axle 4 berth caravan. This is a beast of a 4 berth caravan, weighing 1798kg empty. As far as 4 berth caravans go, that’s very heavy. But it’s easy to see why when you look inside…
The Buccaneer Cruiser is a glorious caravan; it’s as simple as that. There are many pros, such as its kitted-out kitchen and the fantastic attention to detail throughout.
The Cruiser is a remarkably spacious caravan as far as 4 berths go, thanks to the fact it is almost 8 foot wide internally. It’s 7 foot and 7 inches wide, which is about 2.3 meters. As you walk around the caravan, its size hits you immediately. Everything feels spacious compared to the average 2 berth and 4 berth caravan. Whether you’re in the washroom, the bedroom, or stood around the kitchen, the caravan feels very roomy. This is uncharacteristic of a 4 berth tourer, but it’s a fantastic benefit.
The Cruiser has a fantastic kitchen, with all the finest equipment, plenty of storage, and one of the best worktops I’ve ever seen in a touring caravan. The kitchen contains:
- 155L Dometic fridge freezer
- Oven, grill, and dual fuel 4-burner hob
- 800w microwave
The kitchen is remarkably lit, with LED downlights another feature that makes the Coachman luxurious. The work area is sizeable, with plenty of room to make a full meal for two.
The Cruiser also features a comfortable seemingly fixed double bed, which can actually retract to create a daybed. Most couples will leave this bed as it is, but it’s nice to have the option to retract it and free up some space. And I haven’t even mentioned the washroom yet, which is absolutely gorgeous. Little things here, like the polished chrome fittings, demonstrate why the Cruiser has the price tag it does.
And now I’ve mentioned one of the two points that will put people off purchasing this caravan: the price tag! This is a high-spec caravan that feels luxurious throughout, so the price is inevitably significant. Another thing that puts people off the Cruiser is its weight. To tow the Cruiser, you’ll need a car with a high towing capacity of at least 2,000kg. Such a heavy caravan is enough to put many off.
The Buccaneer Cruiser costs £35,000 brand new, depending on where you purchase yours. There’s no denying it’s a lot of money for most. But if it’s within your budget, it’s one of the best caravans available for you and your partner.
Inexpensive Caravans (Under 18k) That Are Brilliant For The Price
If you have a budget of around £18,000, there are a massive number of caravans to choose from. And not all of them are good!
Fortunately, there are plenty of brand new caravans costing less than £18,000 that contain everything you need in a tourer. These caravans may not be as fancy as the aforementioned Buccaneer Cruiser. Nevertheless, they’re great caravans.
- Bailey Phoenix 420: £17,999
- Lunar Venus 540/4: £17,699
Starting with the Phoenix 420, let’s take a look at these caravans and see why they’re great despite their entry-level price.
Bailey Phoenix 420
The Bailey Phoenix 420 is a single-axle two berth caravan. This model is available for £17,999, bringing it just under budget (by a pound!). For the price of this caravan, there’s a lot that makes it good.
For a caravan costing less than £18,000, there’s not a lot wrong with the Phoenix 420. Sure, there are ways you could improve it — adding a window to the washroom springs to mind — but any complaints are minor considering how much this caravan costs.
The washroom here is rather spacious considering the size of the caravan. The shower is contained within a fully lined cubicle, separated from the rest of the washroom by a bi-fold partition door. In most small, inexpensive 2 berth caravans, the shower is virtually meshed together with the toilet. Fortunately, that isn’t the case here.
The Phoenix 420 is very lightweight, so you can tow it with ease with most cars. Empty, this caravan weighs just 1029kg. There’s a user payload of 117kg, giving us an MTPLM of just 1146kg. A lot of small cars are more than capable of towing this caravan, making it an excellent choice if weight is a consideration.
The Phoenix 420 looks good, it’s lightweight, and it’s more than spacious enough for two people. All in all, I think this is an excellent choice if you want a brand new caravan while sticking to a budget.
Lunar Venus 540/4
The Lunar Venus 540/4 is a 4 berth caravan that you can purchase brand new for just £17,699. This is a delightful caravan when you consider the price tag and is an excellent option for couple looking to purchase their first caravan.
The Venus 540/4 feels like a more expensive caravan than it actually is thanks to its lovely interior, large fixed bed, and spacious end washroom. For the price tag, this is an excellent caravan for a couple looking to buy a caravan.
I think the fixed double bed is an excellent feature here. Not only is it comfortable, but it’s convenient. You and your partner want to get straight into bed, rather than messing around putting a bed together. Each side of the bed has a little shelf, perhaps suitable for books or mobile phones. There’s a locker above the bed great for storing belongings.
This caravan is a 4 berth, so it gives you the flexibility to have guests in the future. If you think you might have occasional guests, the lounge area can be used as two single beds or a large double bed. The Venus 540/4 features a slide-out bed base under the lounge seating. Within seconds, this converts the seating into a double bed. Great for when you have guests staying overnight!
This is a lightweight caravan, weighing just 1151kg empty. It’s a great caravan if you don’t have a car with massive towing capacity and you don’t want the expense of having to upgrade your vehicle.
For £17,669, you really can’t go wrong with this caravan. If feels like it’s worth a lot more than it actually is.
There Are Plenty Of Excellent Caravans For Couples
As you’ve hopefully found out reading this blog post, there are plenty of great caravans out there for couples. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get an excellent caravan, but there are some fantastic high-spec caravans if you have the money to spare.
I hope this blog post has helped you to find a lovely caravan for you and your partner. Let me know your thoughts in the comments or whether you think you’re going to go for any of these caravans!
