Coachman Laser 655
Image
Key Features
Model Year
2010
Product Class
Twin Axle
Price from (£)
£21755
Berths
6
Full Review
THE mighty Laser 655 can be summed up by two words: “Big twin” – because it’s a big twin in several senses. It has twin lounges, twin axles – and its open-plan layout makes it, yes, a big, spacious family caravan.
At 1860kg all-up, Coachman’s flagship needs a hefty tow car – but don’t be daunted by its size; it’s tame and obedient on tow, as our Kia Sorento’s test tow demonstrated.
If you need to sleep six and you need plenty of living space, it’s worth considering a double-lounge caravan rather than a bunk or fixed double bed model – that way, all your space is available for daytime needs.
Two lounges, the rear one slightly shorter than the front, give you two family activity areas – pretty much essential when the weather forces the fun to take place inside.
The culinary creation department easily earns the description “big”, too. That’s not only in terms of preparation surface but in storage terms, too.
Cupboards on both sides of the sink, one with a drawer, make for adequate storage, especially considering you have two capacious head-height lockers in this area, plus two large corner shelves to the right of the microwave.
Elsewhere you have a magnificent total of 15 head-height lockers – although, disappointingly, not one has a half-way shelf, so this limits the amount of stuff you can keep in any one locker as it tends to fall out when you open the door if it’s stacked too high.
Shelves in lockers would have added only a tiny amount of weight to the total – and would be much appreciated by users.
But if that’s our only – err, suggestion to Coachman, we think the Laser deserves the accolade “praise ALMOST all the way.”
It certainly scores highly in terms of specification: extractor fan, awning warmer, in-board water tank, ATC trailer control system, remote control alarm system and a keyfob that allows you to control the awning light; all the usual radio/CD stuff you’d expect plus DVD play capability, two AL-KO Secure Wheel Locks.
For a price edging up towards £22,000 you expect a high-spec caravan – and you get it with a Laser. What’s more, you can buy the option of wrap-around lounge seating – and still keep you chest of drawers in case you need more storage space on longer holidays. For an extra £160, that looks like a good deal to us.
Styling is plain; the first time I saw the 2010 Laser’s brown fabric with only its weave and a fleck of darkest brown to add interest, I thought some people would brand it boring.
But, spending more time in a Laser for this test, I have to admit my initial judgement was unfair.
The first half-day in the Big Twin was enough to convince me that the dark chocolate flecks teamed with floral cushions and light-reflecting satin curtains is a scheme that really works.
The twin-lounge Laser has a lot of upholstery – and anything with too much pattern would have detracted from the big, open-plan look. So if you step inside a Laser and initially think the fabric is plainly boring, give it a second chance – you’ll probably come to like it a lot, as I did.
I have only one day left in company with this Big Twin and I am sitting in the rear lounge, looking down the length of this almost eight-metre tourer.
I picture the Laser populated by chirping children and cooking, reading, chattering adults – and know why families chose big, luxurious caravans. It’s because your leisure time is priceless, so why not invest in one of Britain’s most expensive tourers if you can?
Verdict:
Expensive, yes. Enormous, yes. High-spec, yes. Great for big families, especially those who don’t always want to put up awnings, yes.
All boxes ticked, then. On the road you have the enhanced stability and safety of two axles to keep you on the straight, plus the ATC stability control system that applies miniscule braking to the caravan if it should begin to sway under window or heavy goods vehicle overtaking influence.
You can’t detect the ATC system’s interference – it’s just good to know it’s there keeping you safe. It’s one of the Laser’s long list of luxuries that soften the blow of its hefty price-tag and make it look value for your money.
At 1860kg all-up, Coachman’s flagship needs a hefty tow car – but don’t be daunted by its size; it’s tame and obedient on tow, as our Kia Sorento’s test tow demonstrated.
If you need to sleep six and you need plenty of living space, it’s worth considering a double-lounge caravan rather than a bunk or fixed double bed model – that way, all your space is available for daytime needs.
Two lounges, the rear one slightly shorter than the front, give you two family activity areas – pretty much essential when the weather forces the fun to take place inside.
The culinary creation department easily earns the description “big”, too. That’s not only in terms of preparation surface but in storage terms, too.
Cupboards on both sides of the sink, one with a drawer, make for adequate storage, especially considering you have two capacious head-height lockers in this area, plus two large corner shelves to the right of the microwave.
Elsewhere you have a magnificent total of 15 head-height lockers – although, disappointingly, not one has a half-way shelf, so this limits the amount of stuff you can keep in any one locker as it tends to fall out when you open the door if it’s stacked too high.
Shelves in lockers would have added only a tiny amount of weight to the total – and would be much appreciated by users.
But if that’s our only – err, suggestion to Coachman, we think the Laser deserves the accolade “praise ALMOST all the way.”
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It certainly scores highly in terms of specification: extractor fan, awning warmer, in-board water tank, ATC trailer control system, remote control alarm system and a keyfob that allows you to control the awning light; all the usual radio/CD stuff you’d expect plus DVD play capability, two AL-KO Secure Wheel Locks.
For a price edging up towards £22,000 you expect a high-spec caravan – and you get it with a Laser. What’s more, you can buy the option of wrap-around lounge seating – and still keep you chest of drawers in case you need more storage space on longer holidays. For an extra £160, that looks like a good deal to us.
Styling is plain; the first time I saw the 2010 Laser’s brown fabric with only its weave and a fleck of darkest brown to add interest, I thought some people would brand it boring.
But, spending more time in a Laser for this test, I have to admit my initial judgement was unfair.
The first half-day in the Big Twin was enough to convince me that the dark chocolate flecks teamed with floral cushions and light-reflecting satin curtains is a scheme that really works.
The twin-lounge Laser has a lot of upholstery – and anything with too much pattern would have detracted from the big, open-plan look. So if you step inside a Laser and initially think the fabric is plainly boring, give it a second chance – you’ll probably come to like it a lot, as I did.
I have only one day left in company with this Big Twin and I am sitting in the rear lounge, looking down the length of this almost eight-metre tourer.
I picture the Laser populated by chirping children and cooking, reading, chattering adults – and know why families chose big, luxurious caravans. It’s because your leisure time is priceless, so why not invest in one of Britain’s most expensive tourers if you can?
Verdict:
Expensive, yes. Enormous, yes. High-spec, yes. Great for big families, especially those who don’t always want to put up awnings, yes.
All boxes ticked, then. On the road you have the enhanced stability and safety of two axles to keep you on the straight, plus the ATC stability control system that applies miniscule braking to the caravan if it should begin to sway under window or heavy goods vehicle overtaking influence.
You can’t detect the ATC system’s interference – it’s just good to know it’s there keeping you safe. It’s one of the Laser’s long list of luxuries that soften the blow of its hefty price-tag and make it look value for your money.
- This new caravan review was first published in the June 2010 issue of Go Caravan magazine.
