by Liz and Dave King
Lunar’s 2012 caravans are revealed and we take a look at a brand new model, the Lexon 520.
This is a 4 berth caravan with a flexible use area in the mid section, making it ideal for families. By night it can be an upper and lower bunk; by day just fold away the top bunk, push back the lower bed slats, pop the bedding under the lower bed, put the table in place and you have a great area for the kids to call their own, complete with a TV socket! Opposite is a “dresser” with open shelves and a mirror.
Front dinette
Dirty linen bin in the shower room
Good quality shower and shelves
Lunar has completely re-designed washrooms for 2012 models and this model has a small laundry basket, a decent sized shower cubicle with a domestic style pivot door and water saving shower head.
Well illuminated mirror in the shower room
The kitchen sports an anthracite coloured fridge door, and a glossy black lid to the cooker top. Black doesn’t stop there as the 700w microwave has a black door and the round sink is black; just what you see in domestic kitchen design centres and, all very modern. We liked the Perspex infill in the top locker doors and the interior lighting in the cupboards.
Well equipped kitchen
Large round kitchen sink
The front end has a chest of drawers but the option of wrap around seating will give a bigger double bed. The upholstery is neutral and non-dating and will appeal to the company’s core market; it’s called Pamplona and is soft browns with fashionable stripes, again a “high street” look.
Verdict
It’s a flexible layout with good space in the washroom and the MTPLM of 1420kgs make it a well specified model in the lightweight category. We liked the energy-friendly LED lights throughout, the neat trim to cupboard openings and the good storage in the kitchen for family fare.
LED lighting above the kitchen and shower room mirror
This was a prototype and it is possible that some changes will be made in the production models – for example in the children’s area it was suggested that a minor change to the dresser area by adding doors under the shelf and another TV point would make it a more “child-friendly” area.
Sharper and crisper graphics and a new back panel, more automotive in style and designed in-house show the exterior in a good light.
With an alarm system fitted as standard and the Al-Ko Secure wheel lock receiver in place, you can benefit for some great caravan insurance discounts too!
Recommended Retail Price £16,995.00
Price is ex-works and includes VAT @20% but excludes a recommended retailer delivery charge of £495 including VAT which includes delivery and preparing your caravan for collection by you.
Cost to insure this caravan: £259 *
Tech spec
AL-KO chassis
Single axle
AKS stabiliser
AL-KO Secure receiver
Security Alarm with remote control fob to alarm and awning light.
Four berths
MTPLM 1420kgs
Shipping length 7.1m (23ft)
Overall width 2.280m (7ft 6in)
Maximum headroom 1.958 (6ft 5in)
Overall height 2.652 (8ft 8in)
Front double bed size; 1.28m x 2.30 (4ft 2in x 7ft 6in to chest of drawers)
Bunks; lower bunk 1.66m x 0.76m (5ft 5in x 2ft 8in)
Six year body shell warranty
For more information: www.lunarcaravans.com
* Caravan insurance cost based on 2012 Lunar Lexon 520 valued at £16,995. Fitted with hitchlock, alarm (standard on this model), Al-Ko Secure wheel lock (receiver fitted as standard, lock purchased as optional extra) and kept on drive behind 24 hour locked gates at HX4 0BE. Caravanners over 30 years old, claim free for 3 years and a member of a caravanning club. Quote includes 10% online discount and 6% Insurance Premium Tax and is correct as of 15.07.11.
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What size of wheel.lock do I need for the lexon 520 please
Hi Val,
Many thanks for getting in touch.
I’ve spoken to Lunar and can confirm that you require AL-KO part number 1289166.
I searched for this item on the AL-KO website and it brings you to the Secure Compact Kit 24. Click here for further details. Alternatively I’m told that you can order via your Lunar Dealer.
I hope this helps.
Many thanks
Lucie
Brought 520 last year from a good supplier so we thought, not the case, 15 month down the line, they are still trying to put right the shabby body work, the side graphics have been replaced 3 times and still need replacing again, internal trims all have been replaced, front locker leaks, rear lights have also been replaced due to condensation within nthem, and yes they need to be replaced again, in my opinion never buy a lexon.
Hi Ian,
That’s a shame. Hopefully everything’s covered under the manufacturer’s warranty and you’ll have things back on track soon enough.
hope it is better than the 2009 model worst van bought and wins the award of most problems for us been in workshop more than on the road
You speak for yourself! There are loads of people who do not use EHUs. They rally or go on Cls that don’t have any hookup. Think that would reduce the sale of vans without gas,
I’m still waiting for a manufacturer to offer a combined heater/ac unit instead of a gas heater. Most of us hardly ever use gas for heating and pay for hook-up 100% of the time.
Yet again Lunar are putting the 1970s blown air fire in their cheaper vans. Takes up a lot of room and is not that effective. Whale have brought out an underfloor heater which fits on the chassis.
Why don’t they use that. Frees up an other cupboard!
too small for me. I like big and spacious. my old bess is the best caravan!
in hindsight, it’s a nice looking caravan, i also feel that the fridge’s are not large enough, nor is the space for frozen items. However, nice c’van.