Detailed Review

THE 525 is part of an Odyssey range of six touring caravans, all of which get new Elddis family graphic design, a full-height GRP front panel and an ABS rear panel.

There’s a barbecue point too but its door side of the caravan, which, although not uncommon, won’t please those who are concerned about cremating – I mean cooking – too close to an awning. Access to the caravan’s interior is via a new entrance door that gets a privacy window and integrated bin.

Once inside, to the right of you is the rear lounge, and to the left at the far end is the L-shaped lounge. With so much space on offer in the seating area there’s no danger of a couple getting under each other’s feet.

And when the grandchildren come and stay for a weekend they get their own little room at the back where they can chill out and enjoy a degree of independence (and mischief no doubt) once they’ve closed the partition that separates the room from the rest of the caravan.

As well as two seats that can be transformed into a double bed, there’s also a lift-up bunk so enough beds to sleep three. It can also be used as an eating area, as an occasional table is available for use in the rear lounge.

And when it comes to meal times the kitchen area offers pretty much everything the nominated cook will need to rustle up a decent meal for five.

There’s adequate worktop space for food prep and Chinchilla glass, a toughened glass that can be used as a cutting surface, covers the sink area and three-burner hob.

Standard kitchen equipment also includes a grill/oven, a 700w microwave and a 113-litre Thetford fridge with LCD display. The sink comes with an integrated drainer, is scratch resistant and is also equipped with a washing up basin.

Lighting in the kitchen area creates an ambient mood during the dark evenings and there’s ample storage space for your pots, and pans, plates and other kitchen-related paraphernalia.

There are three large front windows, which can be opened individually, as well as ones in the kitchen, the door and in the rear lounge – that’s more than enough to provide for adequate lighting to come pouring into the caravan during those warm, summer days but you also get the added benefit of two skylights which, incidentally, are incredibly easy to open.

The washroom is ahead of you as you enter the caravan. Anyone concerned about paltry storage space so often found in many caravan washrooms should fear not with the Odyssey as there’s more than more than enough shelving to house your soaps and lotions.
There’s also a mirror above the sink, which is of a decent size to make it useful when shaving etc.

Fact-file:

Price: £14,995
Berths: 5
MRO: 1373kg
MTPLM: 1570kg
Internal length: 5.53m (18ft 5in)
Overall length: 7.25m (23ft 9in)
Overall height: 2.72m (8ft 11in)
Headroom: 1.91m (6ft 3in)
Overall width: 2.29m (7ft 6in)
Bed sizes: One double 2.10m x 1.30m (7ft x 4ft) or one double 2.10m x 1.30m (6ft 10in x 4ft 4in) and one lift-up bunk 1.90m x 0.60m (6ft 5in x 1ft 10in).

This review was first published in the September 2008 issue of Which Caravan magazine. Read about Which Caravan magazine by clicking here.