Want a bit more in your next caravan? Why not consider a “dealer special”? These are special edition versions of popular caravan models that offer a much higher specification, but needn’t cost a lot more.

What can you expect from a dealer special?

Alternative exterior graphics and internal soft furnishings (often with superior quality upholstery), for starters, quite often with individual touches like exclusive doormats, extra cushions and other small items of trim.

Then there are “high-ticket” fittings like solar panels, exterior sockets, extra lighting and more.

Look out for extra security fittings, too. These might even bring down your annual caravan insurance premium – making dealers’ specials even better value for money! Also look out for Caravan Guard insurance offers from your dealer too.

Dealer special edition caravans make for a huge proportion of new caravan sales these days. It’s not hard to see why. Here’s our quick guide to a whole new world of bargains…

Star Player #1

Broad Lane Leisure: Fairway Classic/Fairway Platinum/Acadia Xtra

Based on Swift Sprite/Swift Challenger/Coachman Acadia

Long-established Midlands-based dealer group Broad Lane Leisure has been commissioning its own special edition models since 1993. Current best-sellers are the Fairway Platinum 580 and Fairway Classic 580 – perhaps, unsurprisingly, as they major on a transverse island bed with a full width rear washroom formula that is proving popular with caravanners at the moment.

Swift Fairway Platinum

Swift Fairway Classic

Broad Lane says the extras fitted to its Fairway Classics total four, Fairway Platinums (six) and Acadia Xtras (eight) costing £2,450, £3,215 and £2,150 respectively.

What to watch for: On the Fairway Classic; Al-Ko ATC, key fob-operated alarm, door window

Swift Fairway Classic 580

On the Fairway Platinum; kitchen Omnivent and illuminated splashback, dimmable spot lights, washroom rail.

Swift Fairway Platinum 580

One the Acadia Xtra; AL-Ko ATC, Al-Ko Secure wheel lock, Whale Watermaster mains connection, Al-Ko jack, 100Watt solar panel, Omnivent, DAB radio with Bluetooth.

To see more: www.broadlane.co.uk

Star Player #2

Preston Caravans – Kudos/Supreme

Based on Swift Sprite/Elddis Avanté

Preston Caravans established its Kudos and Supreme special edition caravans in 2012. The current favourite Kudos is the 830 EB (based on the Swift Sprite Super Quattro EB, with rear transverse island bed), although this might just be usurped by the new-for-2021 830SB – single axle, wide-bodied, with transverse island bed and full-width rear washroom.

Swift Kudos

Preston’s top Supreme is the 868, that was only introduced last year. It’s rear French bed next to the bunks should prove particularly popular with couples and two young children.

Elddis Supreme

What to watch for: On the Kudos; Solar panel, external BBQ and 240V sockets.

Swift Kudos 830EB

Swift Kudos 830EB

On the Supreme; awning warmer tracking system, external BBQ and 240V sockets.

Elddis Supreme 868

Elddis Supreme 868

To see more: www.prestoncm.co.uk

Star Player #3

Wandahome (South Cave) – Ace/Award/Corniche

Based on Swift Sprite/Swift Sprite Super/Swift Challenger

It’s a trio of Swift-based ranges for Yorkshire’s Wandahome, with its South Cave branch.

It’s current star players are the Globetrotter in the Ace range (based on the Sprite Major 4 EB), Award Nightstar (Sprite Super Quattro FB) and Corniche 19/4 (Challenger 560)

Swift Ace Globetrotter

Swift Corniche

What to watch for: On the Ace and Award; 100Wat solar panel, fob-operated alarm, exterior mains and gas sockets, Horrex window blinds, illuminated washroom mirror, mud flaps, chrome grab handles.

Swift Ace Globetrotter

Swift Ace Globetrotter

On the Corniche; As above plus reversing camera, Al-Ko ATC, USBs, side-lift jack, kitchen Omnivent, gas change-over system, heavy-duty corner steadies (lockable at the rear), dimmable reading lights.

Swift Corniche

To see more: www.wandahome.online

Star Player #4

Swindon Caravans – Vogue

Based on Swift Sprite

2021 sees Swindon Caravans’ Vogue range in its fifth season, with the transverse island bed, end washroom 580 the best-seller most recently, although there’s every expectation it will be superseded by the Grande 580 this year.

Swift Vogue 580

The latter is the sole wider-bodied tourer in the five-model line-up.

Extra features to the Vogue models when compared to the standard Swift Sprites from which they’re derived total some £2,500 and include items like Al-Ko’s ATC and a fob-operated alarm that will offer some savings on your caravan insurance.

They’re all on sale at the company’s three branches – Wootton Bassett, Thame and Reading.

What to watch for: Panoramic sunroof, 100Watt solar panel, external mains and gas outlets, external locker hatch, double-width curtains, illuminated washroom mirror

Swift Vogue 580

To see more: www.swindoncaravansgroup.com

Star Player #5

Kimberley Caravans – Kimberley/ Kensington/Icon/Icon Trend

Based on Coachman Acadia/Compass Casita/Swift Sprite/Swift Challenger

With its bases in Nottingham and Darlington, Kimberley Caravans cover a wide geographical spread.

Its Coachman-based Kimberley range has been around for some 15 years and, for 2021, is up to eight different models (as reflected by Coachman’s Acadias).

Coachman Kimberley

Its Kensingtons are based on four Compass Casita models – the 550, 554, 840 and 860 – the latter two are twin axles.

Compass Kensington

The Icons and Icon Trends, courtesy of Swift, are relative newcomers but, for this season, add another 14 models to Kimberley’s dealer special offerings.

Swift Icon I4

Swift Icon Trend I4

And with a range of security and safety fittings you’ll be sure to make some great caravan insurance savings.

What to watch for: On the Kimberley; Wireless mobile phone charger, Omnivent, DAB radio with Bluetooth, Whale Watermaster mains connection, spotlights with USB ports.

Coachman Kimberley

On the Kensington; silver sides, Stargazer sunroof, alarm, concertina blinds, autogas change-over, gas locker light.

On the Icon; 100Watt solar panel, exterior gas and mains sockets, chrome grab handles, mud flaps, front nearside external hatch, concertina blinds, heavy-duty corner steadies.

Swift Icon I4

On the Icon Trend; As above plus Al-Ko ATC, Truma Aquasource water connection, Truma Duo gas change-over system, Omnivent, Al-Ko Secure wheel lock, alarm, reversing camera, entertainment hatch for outdoor TV watching.

Swift Icon Trend I4

To see more: www.kimberleycaravans.co.uk

Star Player #6

Glossop Caravans – Celebrate/Celebration/Chatsworth/Festival

Based on Swift Sprite/Swift Challenger/ Elddis Avanté/Coachman Acadia

Some 31 different models – 10 Celebrates, eight Celebrations, five Chatsworths and eight Festivals – comprise a dealer special portfolio that caters for all the latest favourite floorplans, styles and price points.

Coachman Festival 575

Elddis Chatsworth 860

Swift Celebration X880

What to watch for: On the Celebrate: Al-Ko stabiliser, alloy wheels, Al-Ko Secure receiver, key fob-operated alarm, sunroof, external gas and mains sockets, exterior locker, DAB/FM radio, concertina blinds, microwave oven, illuminated washroom mirror.

On the Celebration: As above plus entertainment hatch for outdoor TV watching, Truma Aquasource water connection, Truma Duo gas change-over system, Omnivent, Al-Ko Secure wheel lock, alarm, reversing camera, dimmable lighting.

Swift Celebration X880

Swift Celebration X880

On the Chatsworth: GRP sides, weight upgrade, additional external lights, awning warmer, gas and mains external sockets, heavy-duty corner steadies, alarm, tracking system, Al-Ko Secure wheel lock, Omnivent, Hypnos mattresses.

Elddis Chatsworth 860

Elddis Chatsworth 860

On the Festival: Heavy-duty corner steadies, key fob-operated alarm, Al-Ko ATC, Al-Ko Secure Wheel Lock, wireless charging point, spotlights with USB ports.

Coachman Festival 575

Coachman Festival 575

To see more: www.glossopcaravans.co.uk

Other dealer specials to look out for

The following dealers also offer special edition models.

• Lowdhams Caravans: www.lowdhams.com
• Newport Caravans: www.newportcaravans.com
• Raymond James: www.raymondjamescaravans.co.uk
• Robinsons: www.robinsonscaravans.co.uk
• Spinney: www.spinney.co.uk
• Sussex Caravans: www.sussexcaravancentre.co.uk
• Teesside Caravans: www.teessidecaravans.co.uk
• Three A’s Leisure: www.3asleisure.co.uk
• Wandahome (Knottingley): www.wandahome.co.uk
• Yorkshire Caravans: www.yorkshirecaravans.com

Your dealer special caravan views…

Got any advice based on your experience of dealer special edition caravans that you’d like to pass on to fellow caravanners? We’d love to read your comments. Simply add below.