Coachman Laser 620/4 Review
The super-luxe Coachman Laser is more than a caravan, it’s a well-appointed home from home.
Words by: Clare Kelly
Published on 28 May 2019 | 0 min read
The Auto Trader expert verdict:
I’m not going to use the word ‘posh’ but there’s something about a Coachman that makes it really classy. These are luxurious, well-designed caravans that put comfort above all else. The Laser range is premium (from new you’re looking at a starting price of £31k) and they are all twin-axles so for those who aren’t mad on towing or whose licences don’t allow them to tow such a beast, this isn’t the van for you. If you can tow this van, however, you’re going to find towing stable (something that can’t always be said for single-axle models). Coachman, like many other caravan manufacturers are based up north in Hull, a city that has a fine history of manufacturing and engineering. In 1981, the Queen, resplendent in sherbert yellow officially opened the Humber Bridge. Four years later, just down the road, Coachman hand crafted its first caravan, the eponymous Coachman. Despite its appearance, this Laser only sleeps four and with that in mind, it’s going to be a great van for seasonal tourers – couples who spend nine months of the year away from home or families that like to pitch their van at one site for the whole of the summer. This model was on the market for £19,995 and still looked brand-spanking new.
Reasons to buy:
- Spacious
- Keeps its value relatively well
Design
The exterior of this caravan is elegant and pared-down. The graphics are simple – I like the colour pallette of royal blue and raincloud grey and believe me I’ve seen a lot of colour combinations. I have no idea why manufacturers use brown in their livery – is it wrong to want a caravan that coordinates with my car? I mean, how many brown cars do you see on the road these days? Trivial matters aside, inside the van, there’s plenty of white which makes it feel light and airy – something you’ll appreciate when the weather is less than perfect. Good lighting is important here and you’ll find it in abundance streaming through the large windows during the day and in the evening, the LED lighting scheme produces a soft white glow. This is a caravan that is more than just a place to sleep, it’s a place to live.
Expert rating: 4/5
Living
Everything in the living areas feels really long – the sofas being a perfect example. The cushions are neutral – an oatmeal shade so can personalise this caravan with your own cushions and throws if you wish. This is a space in which you can properly relax and let the upholstery cocoon you. After all, afternoon naps on holiday are essential. There’s a cabinet to store magazines and books and the large shelf is a good place to put your TV should you rather watch the box than the couple on the next pitch struggling with the awning. I can easily imagine sitting here after a day’s walking, stretching out with a book and a nice glass of wine. But let’s not get carried away. We haven’t made dinner yet…
Expert rating: 5/5
Dining
Continuing into the kitchen area, storage is abundant so if you want to take everything with you then you can. And that includes pots, pans and the like plus enough boxes of cereal to keep everyone happy. It might not seem like a big deal having all this space but when you’re away for a fortnight, having space to properly prepare a meal is really important. There’s no need to pull the sink cover down to get more worktop space either as there’s already plenty so if you washing and chopping veg, it’s just like being at home. When you’re in a caravan, comfort is priority number one and when you’re on holiday, no one wants to spend time faffing about in a tiny kitchen. Coachman are once again making it nice and easy for us to feel relaxed. Behind the sink is a stylish splashback making it easier to wipe up any mess. Again, this is a practical consideration but helps keep the clean and looking new! The hob has four burners and there’s an oven and grill plus the microwave is neatly tucked away. A functional kitchen is always welcome while touring but this is more than that, it’s refined. I made use of the side dinette area at mealtimes but if there’s more than two of you, the freestanding table might be a better option.
Expert rating: 3/5
