Elddis Xplore 504

The fixed-bed Elddis Xplore 504 has the Whale heating system which is mounted under the floor and does not impinge on the caravan’s layout

Here at Caravan Buyer we’re big fans of Alde and Whale heating methods because they free up a large cupboard space which would otherwise be occupied by a blown-air heater. The beauty of the Whale underfloor-mounted system, in particular, is that it saves space in some small caravans under £15k; exactly where space is most valuable. In 2012 the whole Xplore range went over to Whale, and the 504 is one of the results. It’s a new caravan, replacing a cracking little caravan of 2011, the Xplore 540. Like the 540, it has a full width shower room at the back and a fixed double bed. Some serious furniture shuffling has gone on, too.
 
Showering
This is the Xplore to look at if you want a big shower room. It’s the only Xplore of 2012 with a shower that is fully lined with plastic; and that’s always a good idea.
The shower cubicle is of a decent size, even for big people. Its plastic door folds inwards, but this doesn’t seem to encroach on showering space too much. We prefer this type of shower head to those you’ll find in similarly-priced Sprite caravans; in Sprites, the water flows when you press a trigger. It’s good for the environment and saves on trips with the Aquaroll, but takes the relaxation out of showering. The Xplore has a domestic-style shower tap with constant water flow.
At this price you’re not going to get fabulous, wall-to-wall washroom cabinets, although there is a small one over the loo. You do get lots of room, though, and a very good, full-height mirror, with enough space to stand back and see the whole effect. Many more costly,caravans lack this. One thing which does feel odd is that the table is stored in a slot next to the shower; the kitchen would have been a better place.
 

Sleeping

This caravan is primarily designed for couples and it has a good, comfortable, fixed double bed. The mattresses in more expensive Elddis caravans may be a little chunkier, but we think this is outweighed by the design advantage this caravan has over its sisters; the Avanté 540 and Odyssey 540. Fixed-bed caravans typically have scrunchy corridors to the side of the bed and Elddis has fixed this by moving a wardrobe out of the bedroom. It’s now opposite the kitchen and is still close enough to the sleeping area to be useful.
There’s a shallow vanity unit (with a small sink) next to the bed, where the Xplore 540’s wardrobe used to sit. The whole caravan has a more open feel by day and night, so this budget model earns itself almost top marks for its sleeping set-up. The front lounge can be a double bed of course, or two short singles.
 

Storage

The overhead lockers are looking a bit shallow compared to those in rivals, especially at the front of the caravan, where Bailey’s Orion and Swift Group’s Sprite both have more headroom and more space for cupboards. Some aspects of the storage in the 504 are excellent. The wardrobe is ample, and has two hanging rails – double the space if you’re hanging jackets.
Kitchen storage is limited. Most of your stuff will have to live in two top lockers.
 

Dining

You have a standard cabinet to the front, with pull-out rather than fold over extension. If you wanted to, we’d say you could feed eight people, just.
 

Lounging

Long sofas are important to this tester. The 504’s don’t quite make full length single beds but, at 1.6m, they’re long enough to lie down on with a book. We’d like to have seen reading lights at the comfy front corners. Instead, they’re at the less comfy foot-end of each sofa where worktops and other edges would stop anyone relaxing comfortably. Upholstery is the same as last year’s and we can’t fault it.
 

Kitchen

The Xplore’s work surface amounts to a curved area averaging 30cm in width, and you can use the toughened glass cover to the hob. The round sink is dominant in this small space and there’s no cover for it. There’s no microwave, though you get a full oven, grill, and a hob with three gas burners. Storage is not generous; the tall cupboard next to the fridge holds just one small cutlery drawer.
 

Towing

You’ll want an Xplore SE pack, at £399, because it includes the spare wheel and a Winterhoff stabiliser.

The Xplore 504 is an ideal caravan for a couple looking for the luxury of a fixed bed in a caravan that’s light in weight. The bedroom design is well above the Xplore’s so-called budget status