Freedom Carpento 410 caravan

Price: £21,595 Berths: 5 Length – Body: 4.10m; Overall: 5.20m Width: 2.05m Headroom: 1.95m Weight – MIRO: 780kg; MTPLM: 1,000kg

Words: Val Chapman  Photography: Richard Chapman

The Freedom Carpento 410

Until the arrival of the Carpentos earlier this year, Freedom Caravans was best known for selling the Polish-made glass-fibre range of that name. These caravans haven’t changed in shape since their arrival in Britain.

They’re a sort of benchmark in ultra-lightweight tourers. Iconic, one might say. And they sell well in their established niche market. Now, though, alongside these classic Freedoms, the forecourt at Little Haywood, seven miles east of Stafford, is enlivened by the new eye-catchers from Turkey, very streamlined, designed for aerodynamic efficiency, and aiming straight for the lightweight market, including electric cars.

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.

So, amazing looks, amazing light weight, amazing design – but how would the Carpentos measure up when it came to our detailed reviews?

The spec

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.

In Carpentos made for Britain, these compartments have a very useful function, as exterior lockers ideal for toilet chemicals, wheel chocks, welly boots and the like.

The options

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).

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 layout

The 410 is a five-berth, with a double bed, 2m by 1.3m, made from the dining area, and a bunk above a wide single bed that makes up from the rear seating area.

The table at the rear has the same double-hinged construction as those at the front of all of the models. Three steps set into a panel alongside the nearside seat enable the top bunk occupant to get in and out of bed easily.

Like all woodwork components in Carpentos, it’s sturdily constructed and refined in finish and shape.

The kitchen is on the nearside and is identical to that in the 360. The shower and toilet room, the fridge and the wardrobe opposite are also identical.

The lounge

Whichever layout suits your needs, the lounge, common to all three, has wow-factor in spades, thanks to the two wrap-around windows that curve from the centre point along each side of the lounge.

The more time we spent in these amazing caravans, the more we came to love the wide-open feel of the lounges, with light streaming in everywhere.

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About Caravan magazine  

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. They have some genius elements, including the structure of the tables and the awesome lighting design. The inclusion of a 50-litre water tank is also an unexpected surprise.