Coachman Wanderer Lux 21/6

The 2009 Coachman Wanderer Lux 21/6 is a special edition created for Wandahome, and based on a Coachman Amara. It’s a six-berth, popular layout with extras worth £1265 for only £84 more than the standard model

Step inside a special edition Wanderer and you notice two things. First, you are stepping into Coachman’s newest style; the Wanderer range is based on the Amara, in which Coachman has invested a lot of design time and money for 2009. The second thing you’ll notice is that the soft furnishings are from the higher-priced VIP range – and that’s the start-point of the difference between a standard Amara and Wandahome’s version.

As an example of East Yorkshire retailer Wandahome South Cave’s exclusive seven-model range, we tested the family 21/6.
It costs £15,700. The standard Amara equivalent costs £15,616. And for the £84 difference between the two models you get £1265-worth of additional specification.

Those extras are: AL-KO ATC Trailer Control System, DVD player, alarm system, awning warmer and upholstery upgraded to the Coachman VIP model.

The Wanderer 21/6 is a six-berth, with fixed offside bunks, a nearside dinette with pull-up bunk above, a large kitchen and end washroom. It’s a layout seen in several model ranges; it’s popular simply because it’s spacious and works well.
Now for the finer points. The kitchen gives you four gas burners and a Spinflo Caprice grey-fronted grill and oven. The grey theme continues with the metallic-sheen worktop and the (oblong) sink is covered by a chopping board that increases surface space.

If you need more food prep space, there’s the two-seater dinette opposite – and that’s where you notice the flexibility of this layout. Sleep four and you have two fixed bunks, two singles or a massive double at the front – and a two-seater dining table. Sleep six and this converts into a single with a bunk above.

The end washroom is well designed for storage as well as showering. The double wardrobe has rails in each of two sections one above the other. Each gives you half-hanging depth. You have three deep shelves to the left of the washbasin unit alongside the square walk-in shower. Both freestanding and side dinette tables are housed alongside the shower in an easy-access compartment.

There’s minor detail to notice, too: the simple modern frosted plastic edging to the two shelves in the washroom. The same material forms the door of the drinks cabinet above the nearside television cabinet-top.

More good detail comes in the form of four slim shelves beside the fixed bunks. Each bunk has its own light, substantial-fabric curtain and the top bunk has a window.

There are more styling details that distinguish the 2009 Amaras and Wanderers – the lockers are smooth, handle-free and edged in a shade darker than the main woodwork panels. The result is clean-lines modernity. Handles get a place in the design – on the central front drawers and kitchen cupboard; they’re square, chunky and steel.

The upholstery, borrowed from the VIP range, follows the clean-lines modern theme, too, with stripes of cream and fawn, and a hint of peach in a feature square. The two scatter cushions get quadruple-button detail.

Sockets are at the front at floor level, to the left of the kitchen, in the TV position and at the base of a locker in the side dinette area – plenty, and well positioned.

You’re almost guaranteed good value with dealer special editions, but the Coachman Wanderer 21/6 has to be among the best-value special editions around, with goodies worth £1265 for only £84.
It’s a quality caravan with lots of pleasing detail and a spacious layout for a large family – and the stability benefit of twin axles.