Full review

Words: Val Chapman  Photography: John Chapman

The Elddis Affinity 550

The Elddis Affinity range can be summed up simply: “classic single-axle caravans with couple-appeal”. All four models have MPTLM figures that are less than 1,500kg, so ‘lightweight’ can be added to the attributes of Affinity, too. 

Two have double beds, one has twin beds, and one has a  traditional two-berth layout, with a rear shower room.

If you are looking for a caravan with a double bed, the 550 and the 554 are the contenders. The 550 has its bed at the rear, with the shower room in the centre, and the 554 has the shower room at the  rear, with the bed forward of it. They are identical in price and almost identical in MTPLM – the 554’s figure is 1,470kg and the 550’s MTPLM is 1,463kg.

So, how would you choose between the two? One answer may be this: if you ever plan on using the lounge as a bedroom, in the 550, the people sleeping there have access to the shower and toilet area without having to walk through the bedroom.

Another answer is this: if you want to be able to close off your bedroom from the day area, go for the 550.

The 554, though, has a more open-plan layout, so actually feels larger than its dimensions. Other than these factors, the two models are very close siblings.

They sit right in the middle of the market in terms of price; a fiercely contested area where quality and fine detail matter intensely.

The spec

The spec level includes Alde heating and Alde’s Load Monitor that prevents you from tripping the power supply to your pitch; it automatically switches off the heating when you use an appliance such as the microwave.

Affinitys have the ATC stability control system, an alarm system incorporating a corner-steady sensor, and a controller that automatically turns the water pump off when your water barrel becomes empty, to prevent damage to the pump.

Like all Elddis caravans, they have a GRP under-skin to protect the underside of the caravan from road water spray.  

The interior

As we stepped inside our review Affinity 550 at Preston Caravans and Motorhomes, our first impression was how light and bright the caravan is. 

That’s because it has what Elddis calls a ‘Stargazer’ roof light; it stretches 1.4m down the lounge/kitchen area and is 44cm wide. It has a pleated blind and a flyscreen, and eight spotlights are set into the frame that extends around it, and also incorporates the small rooflight over the kitchen.

The décor 

Many a caravan sale has been won or lost on one feature: fabrics. Some buyers like fabric colours to be subtle, others are attracted to something bold and memorable.

Affinitys are definitely in the latter category, with a lovely emerald green as the accent colour, for four cushions plus fine velvet piping that defines the lower edges of the curtain tie backs, and also  the junction between the velvet-type fabric of the upper backrests and the delightful near-white of the main upholstery hue.

It’s a stunningly modern scheme, and the obvious high quality of the fabrics ensures you are instantly aware that Affinitys sit firmly in the luxury bracket.

Little things count, like the neat catches that are hidden behind chrome bar handles on the over-lounge lockers and, in the kitchen, the top lockers have concealed roll catches; you simply touch them and they roll forward to release the doors; very refined. 

The kitchen

The 550’s kitchen surface measures 49cm by 65cm to the left of the sink, plus a 40cm by 39cm extension.

The sink is enormous, measuring 50cm by 31cm; Affinitys are caravans to consider if you want the washing-up chore to be as easy as possible! And there’s a cover to place over the sink so that it becomes part of the kitchen work area.

Kitchen storage, though, might present a bit more thought. There are two drawers and a cabinet between the fridge and the cooker, they’re just 23cm wide. The double-doored top locker is a good  size, at 72cm wide, and there is a cutlery drawer above the fridge.

And, of course, there is a locker for pans under the oven. 

The storage

Kitchen equipment would most likely  have to invade the top lockers above the lounge – and also the two drawers in the centre-front cabinet. The drop-down front lockers under the sofas can come into kitchen play, too.

Drawing on experience of owning caravans that aren’t generous on kitchen storage provision, those under-sofa areas make very convenient stowing areas for large pans, salad bowls and anything else that won’t fit in the kitchen’s capacity. There’s always a way, and the Affinity 550 isn’t short of options.

The bedroom

Bedroom storage excels. The wardrobes are 35cm wide and have three drawers beneath; two that are the same width as the wardrobes and one slightly smaller.

The triangular dressing table provides two sizeable cabinets. And, of course, there’s a cavernous  space under the bed. The base is super-easy to raise; a quick flick of the handle at the front lets the gas-filled hinges take over to raise the base.

There’s plenty of space at the foot of the bed even without shortening its length for daytime. This is  done by folding the pillow section upwards and pushing the base back, increasing floor space to a massive 73cm from the foot of the bed to the washroom wall.

The washroom

The shower is very much an en suite to the bedroom, its curved door opening directly into the bedroom – although there is a pleated partition to draw across when required. When the door to the toilet/washbasin room is opened, it divides the washing area from the kitchen.

This is a well-proportioned and well-designed preening area with a large mirror, plenty of shelving and two cabinets. A towel warmer, which is part of the Alde system, sits in the outside wall and there are two towel hooks on the door, too. It also has chrome fittings and a boutique washbowl basin.