Full review

Lunar Clubman has, for decades, been a benchmark of single-axle, high-spec caravans that are light in weight for their length. As equipment and style has advanced and new brands and ranges have emerged in the market, the Clubman name has remained a constant.

The Clubman enjoys an established brand loyalty; there were fears that chain may be broken when, last summer, Lunar Caravans, in its 50th year of manufacture, went into administration.

In August 2019 though, came the announcement that a buyer had been found. Lunar Automotive was formed to acquire the business, Lunar Caravans; the parent company is MEWA, a South African company which has been involved in specialist engineering and component manufacture for a century.

The 2020 Lunar line-up made its public debut in Manchester, in January, when Campbells Caravans, which has been selling Lunars since both companies were set up in 1969, showcased the range on its stand at the Caravan and Motorhome Show. Campbells has the new range on display at its base at Lostock Hall, near Preston – and that’s where we went to review the ES.

So, as Lunar goes into a new era, the ES is one of five layouts in the Alde-heated 2020 Clubman range – and it’s one with a strong history of popularity. This is a layout with a rear shower room and an offside two-person dining area that can be converted into a single bed. The parallel lounge seating makes a double bed; the ES is one of a rare breed of three-berth caravans, although a foldaway bunk above the side dining area is an option.

The ES is as ideal for a couple who want a permanent dining area as it is for a family of three. However you use the ES, you can revel in the luxury of a very spacious shower/dressing room with excellent storage capability. It has two large wardrobes; one with three drawers and a drop-down front cabinet beneath it, the other with a two-shelf cabinet which is ideal for shoes.

Practicalities are a rail across the shower cubicle close to the roof, two good-sized shelves for shampoo bottles and a towel warmer (part of the Alde central heating system). Refinements are lighting running along each side of the mirror and, in the shower, a tile-effect panel that looks every bit like natural stone.

The excellent storage story continues elsewhere in the ES, with seven large head-height lockers in the lounge and dining area plus three more in the kitchen. Full-length, drop-down doors make access to the under-lounge-seating storage area easy; that’s important for a caravan without a permanent bed, because bedding has to be stored away every morning.

The settees are 1.92m long so can be used as single beds. When you create a double bed it’s 2.10m by 1.92m. The single bed that makes up from the dining area is long enough for some adult heights, at 1.83m.

Four drawers, two drop-down front cupboards and a large two-shelf cabinet in the dresser opposite give the kitchen top-class storage capability for a caravan of this size. We love the cast-iron pan trivet and the two mains sockets plus two USB ports in the kitchen.

We also love the large, rectangular rooflight, the touch- control dimmable lounge lights and bright spotlights set into the roof.

Security equipment is an alarm system and tracker system plus an Al-Ko Secure wheel lock. There’s an offside light above the water connection point, an external shower connection point, lights set within the grab handle recesses and lights inside the wardrobes that come on automatically when you open the doors.

And, as you’d expect for a caravan of this spec status, it has the ATC stability control system giving you peace of mind when towing.

Verdict

True to established form, the new Clubman is a high-spec option with quality fabrics and bags of style. The ES layout’s open-plan aspect gives it a spacious feel and the large shower/dressing room is sheer luxury.

Details count and the ES has plenty. Two TV points, five mains sockets, two USB ports, dimmable lighting, an external shower (perfect for muddy dogs and boots), plenty of kitchen surface and a deep pile carpet that’s ever so cosy under your toes. Importantly for a caravan in which you have to make up the double bed, the base slides out easily.