Knaus Sudwind 580 QS caravan review
Val Chapman Contributing Editor
Val Chapman Contributing Editor
Description
A six-berth caravan with a double bed, three bunks and a single to make from the dining area – and loads of storage space
Key Features
Full Review
This German-made model is a family caravan with many differences. And surprises.
Living and dining area
In the centre is a dining area, with curved backrests, sculpted for comfort, and a table that is cleverly shaped to allow four people to sit here, the table following the angled shape of the seating. That’s another surprise; a clever design that makes the best use of space. And it’s comfortable, we quickly found out as we settled down to analyse the caravan.
Kitchen
The kitchen provides a combined oven/grill, a circular sink and a three-burner hob. There’s a large, three-shelf cabinet plus two smaller cabinets and two overhead lockers. In total, this kitchen caters amply for storage needs.
The tall, slimline fridge is alongside the kitchen with a locker beneath it. Alongside is a five-shelf, full-height cabinet – and this leads you into another surprise zone.
Fixed and triple bunks
It has a double bed that occupies the whole of one end, with huge lockers above and a conveniently placed television bracket. There’s a stack of three bunks in this Black Selection version, each with lights, one of which is neon blue. Few caravans now offer a triple bunk arrangement for the British market. (There are none from British manufacturers; the Slovenian manufacturer, Adria, provides the Altea Avon.)
At the rear, alongside the bunks, is a full-height, wide wardrobe.
Washroom
And the last surprise is the wash area. The word Tardis springs to mind. This ‘room’ contains a separate shower, with a rail mounted in the roof for towels, a corner sink unit with a sizeable lower cabinet, four shelves and a mirrored wall cabinet with double doors and flanked by three shelves on each side. It’s a charming room, comprehensively equipped, and larger than you might expect, given this caravan’s body length of 6.36m.
Storage everywhere is impressive, with four lockers above the dining area and three above the bed.
Beside the door is a mirror in a recess, along with two double coat hooks and a cabinet beneath.
Interior lighting
Spotlights are set above the door and a strip of concealed lighting runs all of the way around the bedroom, kitchen and dining areas. It’s refined and elegant, as well as providing plenty of light.
In addition, spotlights on flexible stalks combine practicality (the light they emit is bright) with immense style. There are two above the dining area and two more above the bed.
More impressive style arrives in the form of three triangular shelves in the corners of the dining area; each has a stainless steel-effect edge, to prevent stuff from falling off – and also making a contribution to the overall refined style.
The 580 QS that we reviewed is the Black Selection model and is equipped with the optional Alde heating system, kitchen worktop extension, triple bunks and exterior hatch to the lower bunk space.
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Our Verdict
More impressive style arrives in the form of three triangular shelves in the corners of the dining area; each has a stainless steel-effect edge, to prevent stuff from falling off – and also making a contribution to the overall refined style.
The 580 QS that we reviewed is the Black Selection model and is equipped with the optional Alde heating system, kitchen worktop extension, triple bunks and exterior hatch to the lower bunk space.
