Elddis Affinity 482

Ideal for a couple looking for a classic end shower room two-berth with a lighter-than-average weight

Exterior

There are things to notice about the Affinity 482’s exterior; there are also important things you can’t see. The noticeable features are the wide, grey gas bottle locker (good access is guaranteed) and matching side skirts. You might also notice the very neat white plastic vent covers that tell you where the microwave is positioned. And you’ll certainly notice the smart grey graphics.

But you have to look harder to see a small plaque bearing the word SoLiD. That stands for Strong, Light, Dry. It’s the only evidence that Elddis caravans are now constructed using a revolutionary bonding system to attach the panels. The result is a lighter caravan that’s backed by a 10-year water ingress warranty and comes with iDC – Intelligent Drive Control, the electronic stability-enhancement system.

Interior

This classic end shower-room two-berth layout has become less numerous in recent years, superseded by single-axle, fixed-bed and twin-bed caravans aimed squarely at couples purchasing. Yet the traditional two-berth still has its place, and it has a lot of virtues. Chief among these is that space isn’t devoted to beds. So the kitchen and the shower room can be large. And the lounge is big, too; no need to squash up on short settees.

The kitchen is clearly designed for couples for whom mealtimes are a priority. Surface space and cabinet space are both generous. The kitchen itself has a length of 1.68m and, opposite, the surface of the dresser gives you another 95cm of space. There are four drawers (two in the kitchen, two in the dresser) and two cabinets. The one between the fridge and the oven is 38cm wide, and the dresser cabinet opposite is a whopping 83cm wide. Although it sits over the wheel arch, there’s minimal impact on the space.

The sink is large, and made of a substance that we think will resist scratching; this one is likely to stay pristine for longer than stainless steel sinks. There’s a small drainer built into the sink structure, alongside the tap, with just enough space here for two mugs. Cooking equipment includes a mains hotplate, and microwave set into the dresser.

The 16-inch Avtex TV that comes with the caravan has a mounting bracket above the dresser, so that it doesn’t take up surface space. Two mains sockets are here; there are two more just forward of the kitchen and a fifth one on the front offside corner of the lounge. Additional TV connection points are here so that you can put the TV on the front cabinet if you wish.

Elddis has created, in the new-for-2013 Affinity range, some very refined caravans, with cabinetry and fabrics of obvious high quality, positive catches on top lockers that have a touch-pad release behind the handle, and lighting design that contributes to the overall pleasant ambiance. White light streams across the ceiling from above the side top lockers. Corner lights have a visible row of LEDs as part of the effect. There are four spotlights over the kitchen and a flush-fitting strip of light over the centre-front lockers. It’s a combination that really makes this caravan look classy, and gives plenty of light where you need it, especially in the kitchen.

Affinity 482s will appeal to couples who choose to use their caravan’s showering facilities rather than those on a campsite. The shower is circular and, at 70cm in diameter, larger than most circular showers. Floor space is generous, too. And the fact that the wardrobe is within the shower room makes this a true dressing room. The spacious theme extends to the wardrobe, too. It has two rails, each more than a metre long. There are shelves inside the wardrobe, and plenty of space for footwear. The range is well equipped, with alarm systems (with PIR and corner steady sensors) and the iDC stability control system.

For £18,000, you expect lots of spec and quality, and you get it here. You also get a lightweight caravan with a superb 10-year water ingress warranty.