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The Coachman Pastiche 470 is a brand new two-berth layout for 2016. It has an end washroom, a centre kitchen on the nearside and a large dinette on the offside. What makes it different is that the fixed bed is at the front of the caravan. Yep, really!
So let’s look at the design. The bed’s a full 4ft 6ins wide and 6ft 7ins long; it’s a domestic bed-shape i.e. no corner cut off and it has a dedicated thick mattress, so no more jigsaws with cushions. It also has a dedicated padded fixed headboard. As with other fixed bed designs, there is plenty of storage under the bed which is where the ALDE central heating boiler is, along with the battery box.
The side dinette has wider than average seats and cushions, ideal for relaxing against, and yet the television is easily viewed from either the bed or the dinette area.
The kitchen doesn’t lack in essential equipment nor work space, with a Thetford Caprice Mark III oven, hob and grill, a microwave and an under worktop fridge; well under the nearby wardrobe really.
The shower room is spacious and has good storage capacity for two peoples’ toiletries.
Fabrics and upholstery have that little bit of understated pizzazz, with a glossy kitchen splash back, neutral coloured worktops, and neutral furnishings with contrasting lavender inspired scatter cushions.
The gas bottle locker is at the front of the caravan, there is an external BBQ connection and an LED awning light.
AL-KO ATC, AL-KO AKS 3004 stabilser, AL-KO Secure receiver and a remote control alarm system with PIR and tilt sensors are standard fittings. Just add the AL-KO Secure Wheel lock (extra weight 4kgs) at a dealer fit cost of £255.00 and your purchase would be well protected and this will be reflected in the insurance cost for this caravan.
The model we saw was a prototype and some minor tweaks will be made in production models. www.coachman.co.uk
Verdict: Unique, avant-garde, yet practical. It’s ideal for a couple or even for a single person. It’s a layout popular with continental models, but don’t discredit it for that; remember when fixed bed models were introduced and so many people said that they wouldn’t be popular but they now make up over 60% of the market. Because of the normal shape of the bed you don’t have to buy expensive, shaped bedding either – it’s a trip to the high street (or Internet!) and a much better choice of bedding and prices. Also, just check out the MTPLM; you don’t need a gas guzzler to tow this so go on, give this caravan a second look!
Coachman Pastiche 470 factfile
| Model | Coachman Pastiche 470 |
| External dimensions | 2.26m wide x 6.33m in length x 2.6m in height |
| Internal dimensions | 1.95m in height x 4.7m in length |
| Berths | 2 |
| MTPLM | 1295kg |
| Payload | 124kg |
| Awning size | 910cm |
| RRP | £19,645.00** |
The review clearly states the TV is easily viewable from the seating area (although I personally prefer no TV when caravanning anyway – that’s the idea, get away from it all!). As regards the mover and the weight, the MTPLM at under 1300kg looks light enough to be able to move this caravan around without one – saving both weight and money.
Looks to me like a good option for couples who use their awning and want a light weight, well equipped caravan with a full sized fixed bed. Well done Coachman for offering something a little different.
Yes agree. Come on guys let’s give Coachman a bit of credit for trying something new. I’m sure there are many that this layout will appeal to. And a motor mover could indeed be deemed unnecessary at this weight.
Thanks
Find this layout a very unsociable caravan. How do you invite someone in? Where do they sit? On the bed? Where do you relax in the day? Sat at the table? Where do you watch TV? Sorry but it does not appeal at all.
Thanks for your feedback Joan. It’s clearly a “Marmite” caravan – some people will love it and others won’t…?!
Great if you’re into Chess!
A payload of 124kg doesn’t leave much for your equipment once you have taken off the weight of a mover, so you may still need a larger gas guzzler to carry everything in.
Very true Stuart!