Full review

THE first thing you will notice is that the Tec Travel King 430 TE has no front window, the twin beds being at the front of the caravan.

Secondly of course, the entry door is on the ‘wrong’ side for the British market.

Ten or more years ago this would have been a major source of criticism but nowadays it’s much less so – to the point where many caravanners don’t give it a second thought.

Other things we noted during our external examination included a huge gas locker capable of taking two 13kg cylinders of gas.

But before anyone starts complaining about the effect of this on the noseweight, we should point out that we would always advocate travelling with one 13kg and one 3.9kg cylinder of gas.

When the 13kg cylinder runs out, you can then switch to the 3.9kg which should be sufficient to see you through until you can get to a Calor dealer.

The front locker is also where the spare wheel is stored. But again, like the gas cylinders its weight has been taken into account during design so that the ‘van still has a maximum noseweight of 75kg.

The entry door is behind the axle line and as you enter the ‘van, the wardrobe is on your left where it takes up the rear corner.

Next to the wardrobe is the L-shaped seating layout complete with a small freestanding table.

Wardrobe size is reasonable with sufficient hanging space for two people’s clothes. It also houses the mast of the Status 530 directional aerial, whilst on the panel below the double doors is a Truma Ultraheat space heater with the blown air fan mounted on its rear inside the bottom of the wardrobe.

The centre kitchen has a three-burner hob plus a separate Spinflo oven and grill.



Next to the hob is a stainless steel sink incorporating a nifty little plastic container to store the cutlery when washing up.

Above the kitchen unit is an extractor fan and, above that, the roof lockers for the crockery.

Below the hob is a 93-litre Dometic power fridge and between the underside of the sink and the top of the oven is a large cutlery drawer. Our only concern is minimal working surfaces.

The toilet/shower compartment wanted for nothing. It has the latest Thetford electric C402X cassette toilet featuring an ergonomically designed handle to open the blade of the holding tank, electronic level indicators for both the freshwater and holding tanks; and a holding tank incorporating wheels and a telescopic handle which eliminates the need to carry the tank to the emptying point.

There are two huge mirrors on the walls and more cupboards than we’ve seen in many six-berth caravans!

Although the fixed bed area at the front of the ‘van has been arranged as two single beds, there are slats which can be pulled out from the centre bedside cabinet to enable the mattresses to be moved together to make one double bed.

All the opening windows have flyscreens and blinds and there is a full size insect screen at the entrance.

Our verdict:

Of concern is the lack of living space inside the ‘van. It is definitely a two person ‘van in almost every respect. The L-shaped seating at the rear will only take four people in comfort, added to which the freestanding table is too small for four people to eat at.

So anyone into entertaining in their caravan will need to carry an awning if they opt for the 430 TE. But looked at from the build and quality point of view the 430 TE leaves little if anything to be desired.



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

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