2023 Coachman Laser Xcel 855 caravan

If you fancy a wide-bodied, twin axle tourer with an L-shaped front lounge and a transverse island bed, you’re not as spoilt for choice as you might think. And if a kitchen on the nearside is your preference, the focus just got a whole lot tighter.

L for Laser

But, if weight and price are not an issue, you might want to start right here with the 855, one of four Laser Xcel caravans from Coachman for 2023.

The build may be traditional – Coachman still sticks rigorously to hardened aluminium for its sides – but all else about this flagship tourer points towards modernity.

Let’s take a look inside the all-new Coachman Laser Xcel 855 caravan:

It’s definitely got the latest Coachman look – that curved two-locker, three-window front with lower skirt and grab handles in business-like black – with sides in silver and, of course, the latest Coachman badging as well as superior quality graphics.

Like the front, the rear caravan panel is all-white ABS plastic. The bodywork is all fully bonded and comes with a 10-year water ingress warranty.

Despite its imposing overall dimensions, there’s no doubt it will be mainly couples who tour in this Laser Xcel 855 caravan. Inside, making that lounge L-shaped gives an immediate feel of extra floor space (perfect if you have pets, too). Sumptuous seating is almost a Coachman byword. It’s certainly here, supplemented by an array of bolsters and scatter cushions, although Coachman is yet to catch on to what seems to be a growing trend for corner head restraints in luxury lounges.

Much of the otherwise blank nearside wall is taken up by a 32in Avtex caravan TV. You also get a Pioneer stereo with digital radio and Bluetooth connectivity.

A full-width fixed sunroof, as well as a large opening rooflight, means plenty of daylight gets in and, like all the other windows, it has a concertina blind and flyscreen. Night time lighting includes three adjustable, individually switched reading lights with USB sockets (indeed, on-board lighting throughout is exceptional, even by latest standards).  As you’d expect, you can also make a double bed here – the front seat section has a slatted pull-out section.

Back in day mode, as well as the extension to the top of the central chest of drawers, there’s a free-standing table, easily retrieved from its nearby dedicated locker.

If that’s starting to sound predictable, move back towards the kitchen of the Laser Xcel 855 caravan. Its location, along the nearside, certainly goes against the current grain.  And it, too, takes up the L-shaped theme, a design that gives you that bit more in terms of worktop and under-counter storage.

As you’d expect in such an upmarket tourer, the kitchen itself is comprehensively equipped, starting with the usual full cooker with sink immediately next to it and extractor fan integrated into the locker above. An extension gives you a generous amount of composite worktop on the right. There are also a couple of mains sockets here.

Across the corridor, the microwave oven is neatly integrated over the work surface, albeit it may be deemed a bit too high for some users. And the fridge/freezer is more than generous in its 153-litre maximum capacity.

Washing facilities in the Laser Xcel 855 are split between a shower cubicle and a toilet room, although you can section these off fully to provide a full-width washroom.

The plastic-lined shower cubicle features an Ecocamel showerhead on a riser bar. Actual foot space is hindered somewhat by the double wheel arch. And there is just the one plughole.

In comparison, the toilet room opposite is positively palatial. There’s plenty of space around the swivel-bowl toilet, and a countertop handbasin and large mirror are nearby, set over a locker, with more storage over the opaque window.

There’s also space for a ladder-style radiator/towel warmer.

The Laser Xcel 855’s crowning glory has to be the bedroom at the back. You get a bit more floor space here if you don’t mind pushing the main bed back during the day.

It also boasts his and hers wardrobes set over bedside ledges, in turn over drawers and lockers. Also handy are the storage pouches on each wardrobe, while on the side opposite the bed there’s a mounting point for a TV plus low-level locker and shelf storage, as well as a corner unit with mirror.

As you’d expect at this price level, the standard kit roster is extremely high, topped off with such goodies as Alde central heating, Truma air conditioning and E&P’s self-levelling system, operated via a control panel just inside the door – it even puts the heavy-duty corner steadies down for you.

Al-Ko’s ATC is standard, too which, along with having four wheels on the road and sheer overall heft, makes this one of the most stable caravans you’re ever likely to lug. And equally probably the most luxurious.

To find out more about insuring a Coachman Laser Xcel or your current caravan visit our caravan insurance page.

Verdict: Laser-like qualities

Plus: That solid Coachman feel, premium quality

Minus: It’s heavy (of course), modest shower cubicle

In-a-nutshell: Luxury bedroom makes for a proper dream machine

Alternatives: Buccaneer Bermuda