Full review

AN island-bed layout on a single-axle hardly seems possible. And yet in the Challenger 560 it works so well, you wonder why manufacturers took so long to create it.

It is designed to seat four comfortably and there is no coffee table to get in the way. Instead, there is a slim-line wine cabinet which you open from the top.

Besides the staple features, there are also high levels of equipment, including four fully-adjustable halogen spotlights, a radio/CD/MP3 player and DVD socket and wiring.

You could certainly spend a very comfortable evening in this caravan with a glass of wine, a good film or a book; the image conjured up by a cosy and welcoming interior.

For some of us, the hub of a caravan is the kitchen, but the kitchen in the Challenger is a little disappointing, not because of the equipment - which is excellent - but purely because there is very little preparation space and no general groceries cupboard.

Opposite the kitchen is a sleek, bijou washroom. Again, Swift has used some of its motorhome know-how to create a compact but functional space.

The first touch of class is the domestic-style door handle. It looks sturdy and is much easier to use than a push-button assembly.

The small, oval sink has a nice little shelf to the side of it - ideal for your contact lenses or watch.

Overhead are brackets holding a soap dish and a glass for your toothbrushes.

A circular shower with one-piece door continues the motorhome look and makes the most of a relatively small space.

Inside, there’s a fully-adjustable shower and a small shelf for your shampoo or shower gel.

If you walk though to the rear of the caravan you see where Swift has cashed in. Despite the van’s modest length, the island bed area is all you could hope for.

On balance, this caravan is an effective combination of appealing living space, functional kitchen and washroom and luxurious bedroom. It is well-built with a high specification for the price.

Our verdict:

Other than the rather impractical kitchen, it’s difficult to find much wrong with this caravan. It oozes quality and smart design and provides a really luxurious sleeping area in a single-axle ‘van.

Specification:

Price: £14,695
Berths: 4
Warranty: Three-year general warranty and six-year water ingress warranty (subject to the ‘van being serviced yearly by an approved workshop).

D

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

To subscribe to the magazine, click here.