2019 Lunar Clubman SI caravan

Crossing an island!

At what point do you reach classic status? Lunar Caravans have used the Clubman name now for so long – it was first seen back in the 1970s – it’s surely worthy of such a classification. Today’s range has five models, all holding forth in the area of the market that’s just a bit premium over the mainstream.

There’s one key feature of the SI caravan on review here that would have been unheard of four decades ago, though – a transverse island bed.

There’s plenty more, although there’s no denying that classic (it’s that word again) three-front-windows look, as well as aspects such as Lunar’s on-going reliance on aluminium for the side panels.

Heavy-duty steadies and an Al-Ko chassis with shock absorbers, Al-Ko’s ATC, alloy wheels and more, are obvious pointers towards the more premium nature of this tourer.

It’s a clean, white finish to the bodywork, with restrained graphics. Among the latest improvements are a front gas locker that’s just a bit easier to access, plus there’s an automatic change-over system in here.

As ever, it’s the details that you look to for favourable impressions – fittings like the LED lighting in the grab handle recesses, awning light with integrated rain gutter, etc.

Indoors, that island bed isn’t the only highlight. Beyond it is a full-width washroom, accessed via a sliding door, with a full-size, plastic-lined shower cubicle in its furthest corner – the only issues here are its single door can make access a little tricky and there’s just the one plughole.

There’s a central fixed basin, with swivel-bowl toilet on the offside, where you also get a window. The window behind the basin is illuminated by LED strips, there’s a heated towel rail, as well as a towel ring, and two decent-sized storage lockers.

At night, then, the main bed is the ready set-up island double. It’s a slightly small 1.83m x 1.34m, on a commendably thick mattress, although it’s a rather strange offer to expect £29 for the mattress extension option (it adds a possibly crucial extra 10cm).

The bed is flanked by his and hers wardrobes (they’re different sizes, but you can argue who’s is whose) and drawer sets, with a couple of lockers overhead, as well as handy corner ledges and individual reading lamps. The pleated divider for privacy between the bedroom and the rest of the living quarters is arguably a tad out of step compared to the modern appeal to the rest of the bedroom.

The catering is good in the kitchen, too, despite its rather compact dimensions.

Set along the offside, it comes with Thetford cooker with dual-fuel hob, separate oven and grill and a floor level pan store. There’s a circular sink immediately next to the hob, and a worktop extension to the far left. Under the sink, it’s a small Dometic fridge by today’s expectation, while to its left the locker storage is home to a cutlery drawer and two slide-out racks.

There’s more kitchen storage in the three overhead lockers, while the cooking facilities are rounded off by a microwave oven set at shoulder height (for most folk) directly across the corridor.

At the front, there are two short settees. You’ll feel the seating difference that interior springing brings but, at only 1.50m in length, these will only cut it as single beds for smaller children. It’s easy enough to make a transverse double, however which, if you go for the wraparound seating option, has commendable dimensions of 2.10m x 1.50m.

Among a host of standard features, Lunar Assist allows you to programme the heating and hot water supplies. A Thatcham approved proactive tracking system is also pre-installed, which will bring your caravan insurance premium down and give you that extra peace of mind.

With all this on board, you’d expect to need a pretty hefty tow car. Lunar sticks to its lightweight roots, though – relatively – to add to the Clubman’s attractions.

Verdict: Clean cut Clubman with transverse island bed appeal

Plus: Generous shower cubicle, low weight versus rivals

Minus: Small fridge, £29 for 10cm of extra bed length

In-a-nutshell: Lunar sees the light

There’s more information on the Clubman range on the Lunar website . To find out more about insuring this or your current caravan visit our caravan insurance discounts page

Alternatives: Bailey Unicorn Vigo, Coachman VIP 570, Compass Camino 554/Elddis Crusader Mistral, Swift Eccles 580