Freedom Carpento 360 caravan

Price: £19,995 Berths: 4 Length – Body: 3.60m; Overall: 4.70m Width: 1.95m Headroom: 1.85m Weight – MIRO: 660kg; MTPLM: 750kg

Words: Val Chapman  Photography: Richard Chapman

The Freedom Carpento 360

What makes these caravans stand out from the crowd isn’t just their country of origin, Turkey. It’s their extraordinary light weight. MTPLM figures for the three models in the range are 660kg, 750kg and 1,000kg. They’re compact, too. And their super-sleek body lines are eye-catchingly futuristic.

The UK Carpentos have been specifically designed for the British market, with doors on the nearside, and rooflights over the lounge that are considerably larger than those in models made for sale in other countries.

They also have gas bottle lockers mounted on the front, large enough to accommodate two 6kg or 7kg cylinders. That addition was made necessary because the gas bottle compartments on standard European-market Carpentos are designed for Campingaz cylinders, commonly in use on the Continent.

The spec

In Carpentos made for Britain, these gas locker compartments have a very useful function, as exterior lockers ideal for toilet chemicals, wheel chocks, welly boots and the like. Carpentos have all of the facilities that basic touring demands – a two-burner hob, a fridge, a battery charger, a Thetford cassette toilet – and something you wouldn’t expect: a 50-litre water tank (mounted behind the fridge).

The options

Heating and water heating systems are optional. Buyers can opt for a Malaga 5 water heating system, at £1,595, and a Propex blown-air heating system at £1,895. Both are operational on gas or electricity.

The model reviewed here is a prototype. Some changes will be made to production models. The 360, for example, will have an alternative layout. The prototype has fixed bunks at the rear. There will also be a new 360 with a lift-up bunk, above a dining area for two.

The layout

All three models in the Carpento range from Turkey have panoramic front windows that wrap around the sides. The sleek body shape is emphasised by stylish graphics that run all of the way around the sides.

A double bed derives from the lounge (it’s 1.9m by 1.3m, the same size as that in the 310).

This model has two fixed bunks, stylishly accommodated in what might be termed pods, incorporating three steps up to the top bunk.

The kitchen

The kitchen is on the nearside, identical to that in the 310 in terms of burner and sink configuration.

There is a double cabinet and a drawer, plus a small cabinet under the drawer, with a door that cleverly wraps around the edge of the seating.

As in the 310, two slim shelves are recessed into the kitchen wall and there are useful lockers above the kitchen.

The tables

We were also impressed by the ingenious design of the tables, suspended just from the front wall, with no legs to get in the way. They are attached to a vertical piece of cabinetry, hinged both at the top and the base, so that, when the table becomes the central section of the bed base, you undo two clips and the table descends to seating level, and the vertical platform becomes part of the base. A very ingenious design.

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Carpentos are serious contenders for the lightweight caravan market that’s set to grow with the quest for fuel economy and the rise in popularity of electric cars. These three newcomers are stunning in looks and simplicity. We are full of praise for what Carpentos achieve and what they bring to the market.