Wide, handsome… with a high specification
Was it only a year ago Coachman started dipping into the wide-bodied caravan sector with two new models? 2021 season sees it getting even more serious with four more extra-wide tourers – all with the Xcel moniker.
575 here is one of two newcomers to the Laser caravan line-up (the twin axle, rear island bed 845 is the other).
In this video, we take a look around the all-new Coachman Laser 575 Xcel caravan:
The Laser 575 Xcel caravan features Coachman’s most popular end washroom/transverse island bed floorplan and, as you’d expect from what is the company’s flagship range (although do watch this space), it’s more than well-endowed with kit, as well as featuring several enhancements over earlier Laser Xcel tourers. Not least of these is Al-Ko’s Automatic Adjustment (AAA) Premium Brake system – a safety feature that will reduce your braking distance.
Inside the Laser 575, there’s a short front lounge – the settee backrests are taller than most and it’s a comfortable, sprung-interior seating. An almost-full width sunroof (non-opening) complements the more traditional three-window front.
Like all the windows, it has a concertina blind and flyscreen. The front end includes the slightly taller, more shaped chest of drawers/coffee tabletop that all new Laser caravans will be sporting, plus there’s a fast-charge pad for your smartphone etc as well as a mains socket on the offside corner and four individually switched reading lights.
A suitably upmarket Pioneer stereo – digital and analogue radio reception, Bluetooth, USB, Spotify etc – provides the musical entertainment.
As mentioned, the overall specification of the Laser 575 Xcel caravan is sky-high, extending to Alde central heating. Coachman has even thrown in a new kitchen sink – in stainless steel, it’s inset to allow a loose drop-in cover in matching Pebble Stone Corian that features in all 2021 Lasers.
The kitchen itself extends along the mid-‘van offside and is a space-efficient L-shape, which allows a particularly generous storage locker complete with slide-out racking. There are also three drawers, the largest of which is (rightly) closest to the floor.
Across the corridor, the kitchen of the Laser 575 Xcel also benefits from a 133-litre Dometic fridge/freezer with dual opening (all the easier for accessing it wherever you are in the ‘van). It’s also set off the floor for extra convenience.
In “day mode”, the bed retracts to allow plenty of floor space and the easiest of routes through to the washroom beyond.
It pulls out easily to maximum dimensions of 2.07m x 1.39m and is flanked by half-height wardrobes on short ledges with a drawer and a locker, plus fabric pockets.
The padded headboard will help when it comes to sitting up and looking out through the window (or Heki rooflight), or watching TV via the corner station at the end of the bed. A pleated divider, meanwhile, helps seal off the bedroom and washroom from the kitchen and lounge.
Occupying the full width of the back end of the Laser 575 Excel caravan, the washroom has (from left to right) a swivel-bowl toilet, countertop basin and a full-size corner shower cubicle.
The latter is all-plastic lined and comes with a showerhead on a riser bar. LED downlighters provide the illumination in here, while an opaque window behind the toilet helps with ventilation. A folding hook and singled drainage point are among the smart-looking details.
Other Coachman Laser caravan range upgrades for 2021 extend to deeper pile, stain resistant carpets, to positive catches for the kitchen drawers (although none yet for the overhead lockers). Details, maybe, but they further enhance what is already the most generous of specifications.
If you’re expecting the best of everything – from heavy-duty corner steadies and shock absorbers upwards, with overall build that’s that crucial bit sturdier, this Coachman Laser 575 Xcel delivers.
If you’re looking to buy this tourer why not get a caravan insurance quote from us today.
Verdict: Brilliant execution of a transverse island bed formula
Plus: Just that bit better built, very high spec’, all-round comfort
Minus: Was never going to be the lightest
In-a-nutshell: A Laser that cuts through
There’s more information on the Laser range on the Coachman website. To find out more about insuring this or your current caravan visit our caravan insurance discounts page.
Alternatives: Buccaneer Cruiser, Swift Elegance Grande 845
Coachman Laser 575 Xcel factfile
Model | Coachman Laser 575 Xcel |
Dimensions | 7.43m L, 2.44m W, 2.65m H |
Internal length | 5.80m |
Berths | 4 |
MTPLM | 1,743kg (upgradable to 1,800kg) |
MIRO | 1,579kg |
Payload | 155kg |
RRP | from £31,540 on the road |
Safety & security | AL-Ko ATC, Al-Ko Automatic Adjustment (AAA) premium brake system, Al-Ko Secure wheel lock, Al-Ko AKS 3004 stabiliser, Al-Ko Secure pre-fittings, Al-Ko hydraulic jacking kit, smoke alarm, carbon monoxide detector, Phantom Vanguard remote control PIR alarm with tilt sensors, CRiS |
Key options | E&P Levelling system (£3,050), Truma Aventa air conditioning (£1,750), Phantom Sentinel Pro Active tracking system (£410), 100Watt solar panel (£410), shelf pack (£50), branded towing cover (£400), chassis upgrade (£35). |
Agreed, there is loads of room with the bed down and no problem for us getting around it. When it is pulled back, there is even more space. Our two large dogs like this space too, and we can easily get around them when the bed is pulled back.
This was the main reason we purchased this van. At 8 ft wide when the bed is extended you can still walk round it without dragging the bedding off!
The bed is the same size as all doubles mounted across the van so there will be 5” more than I have in my compass
When the bed is fully made up we found we couldn’t walk around the bottom of the bed it was to tight .
Got the 2013 model laser dont like fixed beds takes too much room up must admit i like the excel tho but too pricey for us.
Don’t be fooled by the pictures of the double bed, for when its at full length you can hardly get by the end to visit the bathroom
Hi Alan, when we pulled out the bed there was still room to walk around it.