Coachman Vision Xtra 520/4 caravan

The Coachman VisionXtra 520/4 caravan is a special edition based on Coachman Vision 520, with more than £1000-worth of extra equipment for just over £500 more than the price of the standard Vision

Coachman Vision Xtra 520/4 caravan

When Coachman launched its Vision range, to take over from the successful and long-running Amaras, the idea was to produce a caravan that was both lighter and cheaper than the Amara. Which is brilliant. But also brilliant is the idea of taking an already-good, standard Vision and adding equipment, together with a little weight and a little on the price, too. The result is a Vision of a transformed character. So the Vision portfolio has grown, with more choice.

The VisionXtra is the result of teamwork between Coachman and Broad Lane Leisure. VisionXtras cost just over £500 more than the equivalent standard Vision, yet the value of the extra equipment amounts to £1326.

These Visions by a slightly different name get extra kit that you’ll notice immediately. That’s the Broad Lane Leisure exclusive fabric scheme and the roof light that’s larger than on the standard Visions. They also get stuff you may not notice until you look closely. Like the heavy-duty corner steadies. You will notice the alarm system, though; it’s operated by a key fob. Outside, you’ll notice the gas barbecue connection point and the outlet for the Truma blown-air central heating system alongside it; that’s to send warmed air into your awning.

Slightly further forward you’ll also notice the exterior sealed locker, ideal for wet or muddy items like walking boots and wheel chocks. Within this locker there’s a mains power socket, ideal for powering a table lamp in your awning, perhaps.
It’s an attractive package of extras. And even when you consider that it adds a few kilos to the caravan’s weight, VisionXtras are still lightweight caravans.

As an example of the range, we chose the side dining area four-berth model, the 520/4; this model has an MTPLM 30kg heavier than the standard Vision. (The standard Vision 520/4 has a MIRO of 1320kg and an MTPLM of 1470kg.)
And it costs just over £500 more. (The £18,491 price tag includes the normal retailer delivery charge that’s added to every caravan; for a Coachman the figure is £545.)

All special edition caravans are distinguished by different fabrics as well as additional equipment. VisionXtra fabrics are cream and brown, which you may think is a rather safe, staid choice. Until you take a look at our photographs on these pages and step inside one yourself. For the VisionXtra creams and browns are a rather stunning combination, and clever use of standard caravan colours. Seating fabric in totally plain cream (except for a bit of weave interest) looks simply modern. Armrests in plain chocolate and curtains in paler chocolate, with satin-type sheen all enhance the plain modern theme set by the major colour, the pale cream. But then the calm, plain theme stops abruptly with the four cushions. The two smaller ones have vivid stripes, in orange, and a milk chocolate and dark chocolate shade, conjuring an image of that deliciously addictive chocolate you can buy with orange bits inside. The two large cushions share the orange chocolate bar shades. This pattern combination is teamed with the Vision’s very pale cabinetry and generous amount of white lighting coming from above lockers and above the faring on top of the front windows. The VisionXtras, and the open plain layout of the 520/4 in particular, are appealingly light and bright caravans.

The 520/4’s kitchen has a good amount of work surface, spanning 65cm to the right of the sink. It has generous lower storage capacity, too, with a cabinet and drawer that are both 45cm wide, plus a shallower drawer above the fridge.
The shower room is good on space, too, with ample floor area and an enormous wardrobe and drawers unit.

The Coachman Vision range didn’t have long to prove itself popular before Broad Lane’s take on this new-for-2014 range arrived. Standard Visions are brilliant at their game, being both lighter and cheaper than the Amaras they replaced. But VisionXtras, while more in both price and weight, have even greater appeal, in terms of looks and value, with effectively, £1000-worth of extra goodies for free.