2018 Buccaneer Barracuda caravan

Quite a catch

A popular internet question is: Are Barracudas dangerous to humans? Not in the case of this example. Here, the only thing to watch out for is some serious damage to your bank balance…

You can feel the quality as well as the width in the latest line-up of Buccaneers from Elddis.

The five-model flagship caravan range really does make the most of its 8ft (2.45m) overall girth – shouting luxury from first sight of its silver aluminium sides, flush-fitting grab handles, heavy-duty corner steadies and all new GRP back panel.

There’s a twist to the L-shaped front lounge, too, where – instead of looking out via a picture window, your focus will be on a 32 inch flatscreen TV, set over swooped shelfing.

You can guess the rest of the comfort levels from here, especially when Alde’s central heating, which even includes underfloor elements, is another star feature – it even has the Load Monitor function to make sure you don’t trip out your mains electricity supply.

Even the dark finish to the furniture can’t hide the fact that this is a roomy caravan. And you can’t help thinking the leather (a £1,350 option) shown here will end up being the upholstery of choice for the majority of buyers.

There are lots of scatter cushions. Lots of daylight, too, thanks to a traditional three-window front and a fixed sunroof, then a long, opening skylight extending from the lounge to the kitchen, which has an electric vent overhead.

At the back, the extendable island bed is flanked by wardrobes and sets of triple drawers, as well as handy bedside ledges. There are sockets for a TV and same-size windows to each side.

There’s sliding door access to the en-suite facilities, with a private shower cubicle (set on the wheel arch) enclosed by bi-folding doors and tile-effect walling – but it’s a rather flimsy-to-the-touch plastic here that’s not in keeping with such an upmarket caravan.

Opposite, the toilet room door can also be used to close off the back end, while the room itself has a worktop basin with swan neck tap as well as the usual swivel-bowl toilet.

The L-shaped kitchen is spacious, too, with a Thetford Aspire 2 cooker to its far right, plus a large sink with loose cover and drainer. Drawer and locker storage is excellent, and it’s always good to see overhead lockers with easy-to-operate positive locks.

Across the corridor is a Dometic 8 Series fridge with removable freezer box. It’s set at floor level, which means the microwave oven above it is a convenient (i.e. safe) height.

Needless to say, the Barracuda is heavy. It’s slightly peculiar, too, to offer a weight upgrade of just 10 extra kilos, although it’s free.

As ever, the payload may seem a bit paltry, but this has practically all the equipment you might desire… short of a satellite TV receiving system and air conditioning (which are both on the unsurprisingly short options list).

The Thatcham Cat 7 approved Tracker Retrieve will get owners a good discount on their caravan insurance and the remote controlled automatic levelling system, with ‘Big Feet’ heavy duty corner steadies, will make those AL-KO Secure wheel locks easy to fit. No jack needed!

Even so, there’s a single feature that does stand out – and, frankly it’s one any caravan could (should?) have. It’s the open section with hanging rail just inside the door and it’s perfect for hanging your coats. Plus, there’s space for footwear below. Well, you’re not seriously going to risk spoiling that interior with mucky clothing, are you?

Verdict: Opulence unlimited from the TV to the padded headboard

Plus: Roomy, comfortable, highly equipped

Minus: Flimsy shower cubicle walls, the usual weight issues

In-a-nutshell: Purely indulgent

There’s more information on the Buccaneer range on the Elddis website www.elddis.co.uk. To find out more about insuring this or your current caravan visit our caravan insurance discounts page

Alternatives: Coachman VIP 650, Lunar Alaria TI, Swift Elegance 650