New caravans from Carlight for 2012

Carlight Caravans are launching two new ranges for 2012. Back in production after a gap of almost 10 years, the caravan builder that started in 1932 is building a range of 2.38 metre wide Continental models priced around £50,000, and Commander models, 2.08 metres wide, at between  £35,000 and £45,000.

The first Carlight Continental under construction

Carlight built its reputation on traditional craftsmanship through seven decades. The same classic construction methods, such as dovetail joints rather than but-joints on drawers, are used today.

Tradition continues in terms of model description, too. Carlight still uses imperial measurements – the Commander range models are described as 132 for the 13 feet body-length two-berth (£35,000), 162 for the 16 foot model and 182 for the twin-axle model.

Carlight Commander 184

Alongside using traditional woodworking methods, Carlight, like the rest of British caravan manufacturers, has reduced weights. Exact weights haven’t yet been released, but, compared with the same-length Commanders which were produced in the 1990s, these new models are 100kg lighter. That’s been achieved by using wood of a lighter weight for the flooring and other areas.

The caravan frames are timber, with mortice and tenon joins, the interior walls are of oak veneer, all the furniture is hand-made, of oak.

The 132 model is a traditional two-berth, end-kitchen layout with an offside corner shower-toilet compartment. On the nearside, forward of the door, is a dresser with a curved front, two cupboards, two drawers and two lockers above, all finely crafted. Wooden recesses are in the top lockers to hold plates; just as in the former days of Carlight production, these are strong enough for crockery, rather than melamine tableware. The top locker alongside has recesses for glasses. All Carlights come complete with a set of Carlight-etched wine glasses - just as they have done down the years.

Seating has no knee rolls – and that’s your first clue to the unique Carlight bed construction. When you make up a double bed, you move the nearside settee base towards the centre of the caravan to meet the offside settee, leaving a corridor alongside the bed on the nearside. The backrests hinge flat to the walls when the bed is made; during daytime they rest at an angle against wooden supports, for optimum comfort.

The Commander 162 model has an end washroom, with shower on the offside sharing its space with the toilet, and wardrobe on the nearside. A small upholstered seats pulls out from above two drawers under the wardrobe – somewhere to sit to dry your hair and apply make-up!

The twin-axle 182 is a three-berth, with end washroom, offside dining area and a large kitchen.

All of the Commander models follow traditional layout themes. The new Continental, though, breaks with all Carlight tradition. It’s wider at 2.38m. Its lounge is U-shaped, with a television (that comes as standard) rising from a centre-front cabinet.

All Carlight models will have electronic stability control systems and jockey wheels that incorporate nose weight gauges.

The Carlight model line-up for 2012:
 
Carlight Commander 132
Price: £35,000
Berths: 2
Layout: End kitchen, corner shower-toilet room, parallel lounge
MRO: TBA kg?MTPLM: TBA kg?Width: 2.08m
Body length: m 13ft
Overall length: TBA

Carlight Commander 162
Price: £42,500
Berths: 2
Layout: Parallel lounge, centre kitchen with dresser opposite, rear washroom
MRO: TBA
MTPLM: TBA
Width:  2.08m
Body length: m 16ft
Overall length: TBA

Carlight Commander 182
Price: £45,000
Berths: 3
Layout: Side dining area making single bed, end washroom, parallel lounge
MRO: TBA
MTPLM: TBA
Width:  2.08m
Body length: m 18ft
Overall length: TBA

Carlight Continental 235
Price: £50,00
Berths: 5
Layout: Fixed bed, en-suite shower room, side dining area, U-shaped lounge
MRO: TBA
MTPLM: TBA
Width:  2.38m
Body length: m 23ft
Overall length: TBA
For this year's new Lunar caravans click here
For this year's new Bailey caravan click here
For this year's new Elddis caravans click here
For this year's new Coachman caravans click here
For this year's new Adria caravans click here

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