Full review

GEIST is a fairly new name to the UK market but over the last three years the caravans have definitely evolved.

When it first appeared they were anglicised version of LMC’s caravans.

Now these caravans have developed their own identity, mainly by embracing angular external lines. Silver side skirts and front corner panels give this caravan a distinctive look. Simple grey striping and graphics complement the exterior. The rear is very simple, but modern too, and the grey grab handles are a great idea - they are less likely to discolour with age and use.

Step inside, and the target market of families is instantly obvious: the front lounge is L-shaped; the kitchen sits opposite the wardrobe and fridge; there are two fixed nearside bunks with a single dinette opposite; the washroom stretches across the rear.

The décor is predominantly neutral. Yes, it is strange to have an L-shaped lounge in a family caravan, as they normally can’t seat four for dinner. This one can - but only just.

The seats are deep and comfortable, and the bench running alongside the nearside picture window is also sizeable enough to sit comfortably upright.

The single front window (that has a blind and flyscreen), with large rooflight between kitchen and lounge also make a real difference to the daytime light levels in this caravan.

Lounge storage is more than ample with eight eye-level lockers - the one next to the kitchen area has the sockets for a TV (mains plug, 12-volt plug and aerial), with a cut-out section for wires in the base to allow you to put the television where you want.

Although there’s plenty of storage under the seats, it can be difficult to get at.

Trying to access the space underneath the front sofa, I came across something interesting - the mechanism for the double bed.

Remove the front cushions and lift the slats up as if you were trying to get underneath. The futon-style bed slats fold out and onto a rail on both sides.

This makes up a simply huge bed with the slats coming out almost as far as the line of the door - unusual in an L-shaped lounge.

The cushions are a bit of a jigsaw, but once you get the hang of it - the process should take no more than a minute or so. 

The midships kitchen has plenty of workspace. There’s a little next to the large, glass-topped sink and integrated sunken drainer and some more next to the cooker. which only has a hob with three gas burners and a combined oven and grill.

The one disappointing aspect of this caravan is its storage. There are three eye-level lockers but you need to be at least 5ft 7in to access them although a handy shelf runs beneath these for bits and pieces once on site.

There are shelves to the right of the cooker, but this would be much more useful as a cupboard. Because of the compactness of the cooker there is a very handy locker below - if there were a full domestic-style oven, then this space would be compromised.

The children’s room (as we’ll refer to it) consists of two fixed bunks opposite a side dinette. Unhelpfully, there are no plug sockets in this area, for things like Gameboys or a TV.

The bunks opposite are a good size and each one also has its own light - they’re at the foot though. The upper one would be suitable for older children but it has a max weight of 80kg - the headroom in the lower one means it’s really only for smaller kids.

The upper one has rails, but I’d like to see some form of rail on the lower one, too. The ladder is well-positioned and storage under the seats and lower bunk is easy to access and fairly free from clutter.

The dinette also converts into an extra bunk by folding the table leg and resting the table between the seats.

If you’ve put the kids to bed and need to use the toilet, you have to walk past the bunks to get to the washroom.

Its door has a proper handle and it is very spacious for this layout. The sink unit sits directly ahead with a cupboard below and spacious mirror-doored cupboards above and shelves for everyday items.

Our verdict:

Although the caravan could not be dubbed pretty, it is striking and certainly stands out from the crowd on a site.



•    A full version of this review appeared in the March 2007 issue of Which Caravan. To order a road test reprint contact Tina Beaumont on 01778 391187.

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