Carado semi-integrated model range overview

Carado T135

The smallest model in the range, the T135 is purely a two-berth motorhome for couples. It has a French bed – a longitudinal double with a washroom next to it at the rear. The kitchen and wardrobe are central, while cab seats swivel to face a bench offering two further travel seats.

With this type of layout, check that the cutaway on the bed to allow access to the washroom is not too much and that the outermost sleeper is OK with climbing over the other occupant to access the facilities in the night if needed. Also, while there’s a good amount of storage under the bed, which can be accessed from outside as well as in, this won’t be enough for full-sized bikes, so you’ll need to factor in a rack, or change to folding cycles.

If you’ve considered all these things, then this T135 fits an incredible amount into a compact space. Plus, a flat floor from cab to washroom and an open-plan design make this vehicle feel much bigger on the inside.

Carado T338

Moving up a size, this T338 is still under 7m, but that extra length allows for more space in general. The USP is still the fixed bed, but this time it’s high-level singles at the rear. The washroom, though it’s an all-in-one affair, has a swing wall to create a separate shower cubicle. The lounge has a similar bench and swivel cab seat arrangement to the smaller T135, but there is also a small side seat here, useful for dining or as a wonderful footrest for anyone relaxing in the driver's seat. The cab seats may be the most comfortable for on-site relaxing as they have armrests.

Also, in this model, you can specify an optional drop-down bed to make it into a four-berth. Because of its location, this bed will only drop down to kitchen worktop height, so will need to be accessed using the ladder, and it block the habitation door when deployed; however, those more limber can limbo under this if needs be. The beauty of drop-down beds is that most of the bedding can be left in situ, meaning storage is freed up for more important things.

The singles at the rear are set high to allow for a large space below and large doors either side should allow for bikes to be stashed here, along with other holiday gear. There’s also wardrobes under the foot of each bed.

Add less than half a metre to the T338 and you get another model with fixed single beds but with a slightly different layout. The T447 has a bigger lounge, but the key difference is in the washroom and this will be the reason you’ll opt for the longer model.

At the foot of the beds (2m long with slatted bases), there’s two compartments, one with the shower and one with the toilet and the basin. The toilet door swings over to shut off the rear washroom and beds from the front of the vehicle. This makes it easier to retire at night as well as giving you privacy from other occupants – you can opt for the drop-down double bed above the lounge and the lounge can make into an extra single bed if needed (with a fifth travel seat also an option). There is also a curtain for screening the single bed occupants off from the rest of the motorhome, but this is only half-height.

Carado T448

If you like the look of the above 447, but want a bigger lounge and don’t need the full separate shower space (many people only use these for hanging wet jackets or storing bulky gear), then the T448 might be the model for you. It’s a touch shorter than its sister model, too.

It adopts the same all-in-one washroom of the shorter T338 (with a swing wall if you do need to use the shower), but the reason to buy will definitely be up front. Cab seats swivel to face a half-dinette bench, but there’s a long sofa to the side of this that maximises sprawling and dining space. As with the previous model, a drop-down bed and lounge bed conversion is on the options list, so this could sleep and travel up to five if needed.

Carado T449

The first of the largest models in the T-Series line-up, this model has an island bed with a washroom split across the aisle at the foot of the bed. The half-dinette forms part of the lounge with swivel cab seats and a small side sofa section.

An optional drop-down bed allows this to be a four-berth, while an occasional bed can also be made up from the lounge seats (make sure you select the fifth travel seat option if you want to travel with five on board), and you are also likely to need the optional weight upgrade, too (to drive over 3,500kg, check your driving licence has category C or C1).

Carado T459

The final model also offers an island bed, but is slightly different. Up front you get two inward facing sofas, which both convert to travel seats. You can still opt for a drop-down double bed here if you wish, while the lounge can also make into an extra single berth as an option, but there are only four travel seats.

The shower and toilet compartment are still split across the aisle, but in a slightly different configuration.

The real highlight of this layout, however, is with the front lounge and kitchen area, which feels more open and spacious than the aforementioned L-shaped sofa arrangement.