2023 Hobby OnTour 470 KMF caravan

This a family tourer with lots of differences. OnTour is a three-model line-up of introductory models from Hobby, the company that styles itself the world’s largest producer of touring caravans.

A caravan for a different kind of family?

With the Hobby OnTour 470 KMF caravan here, it’s certainly a floorplan you’re unlikely to see from mainstream UK manufacturers. It does enjoy plenty of success throughout Europe, however, not least in its native Germany where it has big appeal with families.

Unusually, it’s a five-berth – or rather a 3+2, as Hobby prefers to put it – with a fixed double bed across the front, bunks at the back and a central area where a double dinette, which can convert into another bed, is set directly opposite the kitchen.

Overall dimensions are different, too. At 2.20m, it’s narrow. And that lack of any kind of window arrangement at the front is a big hint that the interior layout is going to be a bit different.

It’s also lighter than you might expect from a caravan carrying the Hobby badge, although you can upgrade from the initial 1,350kg MTPLM to 1,500kg, should you want more payload and have a suitable tow car. Note also, Hobby makes its own chassis.

In this video we take a look inside the 2023 Hobby OnTour 470KMF caravan at the Motorhome & Caravan Show 2022:

The main door isn’t switched for the UK, unsurprisingly, but that’s not necessarily a major concern. However, the bodywork has the dappled effect that hasn’t always sat well with UK caravanners. More importantly, is the sturdy quality of the build – not just outside, but also in.

To your left as you step in, those bunks have a fixed wooden ladder, plus there’s a permanent barrier to prevent anyone falling out of the top bed. There’s upper level open shelving, as well as space in the lower bunk base, for storage.

No doubt parents will love the front double bed, a decent enough size at 1.98m x 1.29m, with its mattress on a slatted base. Opening windows are either end as you sleep, plus there’s a Mini-Heki rooflight overhead.

For full privacy, you can shut off this bedroom area. Ditto at the back, for the bunks.

In the middle of the Hobby OnTour 470 KMF, the dinette will fairly easily cope with four either side of its table. It may prove a struggle if you have a full complement of five wanting to sit down to dinner, though.

The kitchen has a separate stainless steel sink and hob, the latter offering three gas rings in a line. You’ll need to look to the options list for Thetford oven and Dometic microwave upgrades.

For kitchen storage (in standard trim), there’s a high-level double locker as well as three decent-sized drawers. At 96 litres, it’s not the largest fridge, especially bearing in mind there are potentially lots of mouths to feed.

Between the kitchen and the front bed is the wardrobe. It sits over a traditional Truma Ultraheat space heater, something of a surprise in what is otherwise a very modern tourer.

Another surprise is the washroom doesn’t have a shower (it’s an option). You do get a swivel-bowl Thetford toilet, over which there’s a fold-down basin. Above this, a moulded section houses a mirror-doored locker, winged by open shelving. Ventilation is courtesy of a standard rooflight.

Lots of overhead lockers, the units also including open shelving underneath, complete what is a very impressive range of internal storage options in this Hobby OnTour 470 KMF caravan.

Throughout, too, there’s good lighting – including reading lamps on stalks – as well as “mod cons” such as USB portals, a 25-litre on-board fresh water tank, 24-litre waste water carrier, and more. There’s also plenty to choose from a comprehensive line-up of optional extras.

For more information about insuring your current caravan visit our caravan insurance discounts page.

We can only insure Hobby caravans registered from 2018 when sold by approved UK Hobby dealerships. Please call us for more information.

Verdict: Something a bit different from one of Germany’s finest

Plus: Top-drawer build quality, relatively light weight

Minus: No shower, pricey (especially if you’re considering options)

In-a-nutshell: Time to pick up a new Hobby?

There’s more information on the OnTour range on the Hobby UK website.

Alternatives: Elddis Avanté 868, Knaus Sport 500KD