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quoteThe transverse island bed treatment
Lasers are back. Re-introduced for 2019, having been subsumed into the VIP range, Coachman’s Laser caravan returns as a three-model, flagship line-up – all twin axles, all four-berths, all with fixed beds. They’re all the same dimensions, too. And, indeed, the same starting price.
In other words, your choice of Laser caravan is going to be down to your preferred sleeping arrangements. The 650, here, is one of two transverse island bed variants – sister model 675 is similar, but with an end washroom, while 665 is twin single beds.
All, of course, also share the same bodywork, using Coachman’s ABC (Advanced Bonded Construction), relying on traditional aluminium and polystyrene sandwich panels, but backed against water ingress by a 10-year warranty. Even for Coachman Caravans, though, which has always leaned towards more solid values, it means trying hard to keep weights down – not easy when you then go on to include the superior levels of specification that come with every 2019 Laser caravan.
That solid feel certainly continues as a theme inside. The overall layout is pretty typical – the usual parallel seating at the front (for converting to a second, larger double bed, as needed), mid’-van kitchen and washroom facilities, and bedroom at the back.
Sit on the seating, though, and you’ll soon feel the more comfortable support of internal springing. Converting to a double bed involves pull-out slats.
The kitchen is split between the main unit along the offside mid-‘van area and a 153-litre fridge/freezer across the corridor.
The latter is the latest Dometic 10-series model, with a rather clever opening action for the doors – they can hinge either way– arguably, though, that’s not so effective here as the fridge has the washroom wall to its immediate left.
Back at the main kitchen area, there’s a Dometic full cooker (dual-fuel hob, separate oven and grill), accompanied by a sink in matching black. There’s space to its left for the plastic add-on drainer and – if you still want worktop, there’s a flip-up extension.
A Daewoo microwave sits above the hob, with two lockers to its left.
Lower-level storage comes from three drawers and locker, with slide-out chrome baskets.
A solid door off the kitchen is the entrance to the washroom area (in turn, a sliding door to shut off the bedroom completes the privacy).
It makes for a room with plenty of changing space, as well as a part-circular, all-plastic shower cubicle, complete with Ecocamel showerhead. Just note the cubicle sits on the wheel arch.
Also in here is a Dometic toilet, with a clear window (luckily, there’s a blind) and locker above that. The central fixed basin has a more solid feel to it than many, supplemented by an illuminated mirror with a shelf above and a locker below.
Washroom details include a neat little fold-out hook for hanging clothes, a heated towel rail (part of the Alde system), two double hooks and a towel ring. Diagonally opposite to the shower is a generous, angled wardrobe.
Sliding back that door reveals the bedroom. You’ll get good daylight and ventilation (when needed) thanks to the Heki Midi overhead and just the single wide window.
The bed itself is extendable (maximum dimensions are 1.88m x 1.37m), with drawer units and ledges to either side. Three lockers are over the padded headboard area, plus there’s some high-level shelving.
There’s a second TV holder in the bedroom – it’s on the back wall, but the orientation of the bed means you’re angling yourself left if you want to watch TV here. Also in the bedroom is a corner unit with upper and lower-level lockers (both shelved), with open shelving in between.
Alde’s “wet” central heating also means constant hot water. Look closer and you’ll see Coachman uses a thinner bore pipe (not generally used by UK caravan makers) – it means a slight weight reduction, too. 
Another minor detail, too, but if you want a pointer towards Coachman’s attention to detail, just note how the breather pipe for the feeder tank at the back of the wardrobe is pegged neatly to the wall.
Verdict: Big and bold, there’s lots of comfort here, too
Plus: Solid build qualities, range-topping specification
Minus: The usual weight issues
In-a-nutshell: Laser treatment looking good for 2019
There’s more information on the Laser range on the Coachman website. To find our more about insuring this or your current caravan visit our caravan insurance discounts page.
Alternatives: Buccaneer Commodore, Swift Elegance 635
Coachman Laser 650 factfile
| Model | Coachman Laser 650 |
| Dimensions | 7.89m L, 2.31m W, 2.65m H |
| Internal length | 6.27m |
| Berths | 4 |
| MTPLM | 1,810kg |
| Payload | 160kg |
| RRP | from £31,810 on the road |
| Safety & security | AL-Ko ATC, Al-Ko Secure wheel lock x 2, Al-Ko AKS 3004 stabiliser, Al-Ko Secure pre-fittings, smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detector, remote control PIR alarm, CRiS |
| Key options | Air conditioning (£1,600), Phantom Pro 3 tracking system (£340), 100Watt solar panel (£395), shelf pack (£50), Truma iNet and Gas LevelControl (£275), alternative soft furnishings (£195), MTPLM upgrade (£35), branded towing cover (£400) |
Just purchased a Coachman laser 675 and my husband discussed this same problem with the salesman. We had difficulty fitting the second Alko lock on our last twin axle van. As part of our deal our salesman there in a Nemesis Ultra wheel lock. Problem solved yesterday when we set up for the first time.
Andrew……Pro’s and Con’s….. shower is excellent, plenty room and most twin axles with shower in middle is like that. Going through the bathroom means when you have family/guests the bathroom turns into a jack and Jill. No one bothering you as they try to get to the toilet during the night. Plus a benefit is two doors in between the tv”s Also the heating is nice and toastier with no blow heating noise in the winter. Kind regards.
You have difficulty getting things out of the fridge,, caravan designers should be forced to spend a month in a caravan somewhere remote, then perhaps we would have one that’s easy to live in.
I have bought this van in April 2019 and I am away now on a grass pitch I have twin motor movers on and trying to fit the two alko wheel locks on as requested by my caravan guard insurance is a health and safety issue, the jacking point is way underneath the rear wheel and using the supplied jack it just sinks into the ground when trying to lift van to put 2nd lock on, putting block of wood under jack leaves jack to high so after spending 30 grand on a caravan can there not be a simple solution supplied with the van instead of me having to pay out good money for an alternative solution.
Hi Mr Harrisson
We’ve looked into your policy and fitting both axle wheel locks is not a requirement. You just need to fit one of your axle wheel locks in addition to EITHER the second axle wheel lock OR a standard wheel clamp.
Obviously where you can we’d recommend fitting both axle wheel locks but we understand it can be hard to get the second receiver aligned on soft ground. Please note this is a problem that faces owners of all twin axle caravans, not just Coachman models. On soft ground you can just fit a standard wheelclamp on the second wheel – this won’t require alignment.
We hope that helps.
You could also take a look at the lock and level device which can assist fitting two axle wheel locks.
Kind regards
Caravan Guard
Cannot say that I’m very impressed with this style of caravan. A shower that has half the floor space taken up by the wheel arch intruding into the shower tray does not seem a good idea if you want to turn around whilst having a shower. And then having to go through the bathroom to get to bed……… that means carrying any bedroom stuff through the bathroom as well. Not a fan of these wet radiator systems either……. seems to be more weight to lug around. Not for me, this one.