An owners perspective of this great value family caravan, the Sprite Quattro twin axle...

When it comes to choosing a family caravan the multitude of models and layouts can be overwhelming. From the outset, you really need to work out what you want to do with the caravan, how many people you want to put it in it and what your budget will be. Of course once you have decided on all of this you need to make sure that you don't need to buy a new car to tow it!

We were looking for a family layout that provided plenty of space for two adults and two kids, a decent washroom size and something that was modern and bright. After a few Saturday afternoon caravan dealer tours we were shown the Sprite Quattro made by Swift Caravans of East Yorkshire. We were immediately impressed by the modern, chic design, bright cheerful interior and it seemed to fulfil our wish list completely. Two weeks later we were proud owners of a 2006 Sprite Quattro twin axle family caravan.

The outside of the Quattro is bright and modern looking, in-keeping with the overall feel of the caravan. It has cheerful understated decals and a bright white finish to the aluminum body. For those unused to twin axle caravans the sheer size of the Quattro can be a little intimidating at first and you wonder how you will ever tow this beast, let alone get it onto a pitch - more of this later. The caravan has the usual awning rail and this fits a 10.56m awning which gives a sizeable annex to the main accommodation. Walking around the caravan you also notice how wide the Sprite Quattro is at 2.23m, the benefit of this being noticed as soon as you step inside the door.

The caravan has the usual array of outside lockers and access points and a split type main door. The battery, water, and WC bays are all on the offside and are opened with a combination of press buttons and keys, the same key opening all doors and bays. Just behind the entrance door is a useful access that opens into the bottom of the wardrobe so that you can get boots in and out without having to go into the caravan.

The gas locker is at the front of the caravan and has storage for two bottles these being secured by a formed base and straps. There is plenty of room for any other essentials such as power lead, bucket, beach toys etc, etc. I find the two locks to the nose locker to be a slightly awkward design in that you need the key each time you want to secure the locker but not necessarily lock it. It would also be nice to have just one locking mechanism as per the boot of a car.

On the roof of the caravan there is an omni-directional TV antennae, heater exhaust and the various roof lights and vents.

Being twin axle you have four wheels to look after and these are steel rimmed as standard although alloys could easily be fitted as an option.

Inside

For a family that wishes to use a caravan as proper holiday accommodation rather than just the odd short stay, getting the right layout is essential to everyone's happiness! The Sprite Quattro is advertised as a six berth caravan and it really will accommodate a family of six in comfort. Being over 1.85m (6') tall, I really appreciate the 1.95m of headroom throughout the caravan. There are two fixed bunks to the side of the caravan allowing space for a rear washroom and shower. A rear dinette opposite the bunks converts to two more bunks, although the top bunk is weight limited on both sides. Our boys absolutely love the bunk bed concept and both fixed bunks have reading lights and full curtains. The top fixed bunk has the benefit of a window. The lower fixed bunk can fold upwards to give more storage space when in transit but although there are tie-down rings on the floor there is nothing to the side which makes securing something like a child's bike a little awkward. The forward seating dinette area coverts into a double bed and all the main bunks are beech slatted providing a very comfortable night's sleep.

To the rear of the caravan is the selling feature for my wife! The washroom spreads across the whole of the rear of the caravan with a cavernous, double door wardrobe to one side. Inside the wardrobe are two hanging rails and shelving. Also, at one end the wardrobe is a dedicated storage for the main foldable table and also a table for the rear dinette. We found this to be a useful space for storing a drying rack as well. Next to the wardrobe is a large vanity mirror that doubles as a push to release door revealing another large, shelved storage space for toiletries etc. At the rear of the washroom is a basin with mixer tap, soap dish, and toilet roll holder. Under the basin there is even more storage with a two door cupboard. Opposite the wardrobe is a Thetford cassette toilet of the swiveling variety giving plenty of legroom for all sizes. Above the WC is yet another storage cupboard. Last but not least, the washroom has a self-contained shower cubicle with smoked perspex screening door. Unlike some of these so called caravan showers, even I can still get under the shower head so there is plenty of room. We sometimes plug the shower tray outlet and use the tray as a shallow bath for our toddler when the weather prevents an easy journey to the shower block. Although you really don't need all this space all the time, it makes using the washroom a pleasure and it also gives a good deal of privacy for mum when she is getting changed, particularly important if you have older kids.

The kitchen is in front of the fixed bunks on the right hand side of the caravan and consists of a dual fuel hob and full width Stoves oven and grill. Dual fuel means that there is one electric hob on the stove that you can use when hooked up to the mains supply. The other three rings are of the usual gas variety. The hob is covered buy a hinged smoked glass cover when not in use and this also cuts off the gas supply when in the lowered position preventing little hands causing an inadvertent gas escape! It also provides a little more workspace. Next to the hob is a stainless steel sink with mixer tap. The sink has a fitted cover that doubles as a food safe chopping board but unfortunately the recessed hole does not align with the mixer tap so any drips fall onto the cover. There is a small area of work surface next to the sink and Swift supply a clip on draining board that can be stored in the under sink cupboard when not in use. There is more storage space for heavier items such as pots and pans under the oven. To complete the kitchen there is a 100L fridge which we find more than sufficient for a family of four (depending how much beer and wine you are chilling!). The fridge runs off mains, gas or 12v when connected to the tow car.

Opposite the kitchen and forward of the rear dinette is a Truma blown air heater. This runs off gas or mains electricity and the controls are situated above the heater on the side wall of the TV shelf. The Truma blows hot air through ducts that run the length of the caravan, exiting at various points with flap valve type outlets. Having used the system during February in the North East of Scotland, we can testify to its efficiency. Above the TV shelf with 240v socket and aerial connection is a storage cupboard with shelves and retaining clips for cups and glasses. All around the van at eye level there are Swift's space saver lockers giving enough storage for a growing family. A common complaint about these space saving lockers is that the doors have a tendency to drop shut from the open position and no amount of adjustment seems to prevent this.

At the front of the caravan is the forward seating area with a fold out table that has book draws below. The table area can be extended by using the foldable table stored in the washroom wardrobe. Under the seating is the usual bed box storage, the spring assisted lids being the framed beech slats of the sofa support. Under the forward right sofa is the Truma hot water heater, again dual fuel and very efficient with around 11L capacity. There is plenty of space for the storage of bedding and the like and as the hot air ducts pass through these spaces it is kept reasonably warm and dry. The sofa cushions are very comfortable both as seating and when reversed for use as a mattress. Under the centre table storage, beech slats extend to fill the central gap to convert the seating area to a double bed. There are backrest ventilation boards to help prevent condensation of a night time and these certainly seem to do the job.

Overall, the interior of the caravan has an almost modern hotel feel to it. The woodwork has a light beech effect finish and the light soft furnishings and fabrics make for a bright cheerful environment - no floral patterns here! All the windows have pull down heat reflective blinds and fly screens. Above the main seating area is a large Heki rooflight allowing plenty of natural light and ventilation. There are a further two skylight vents and another in the washroom. For lighting, there are two main dome lights and plenty of directional halogen type feature lighting around the main seating area and above the kitchen. The main electrical panel and circuit breakers are conveniently situated just inside and to the left of the main door under a dedicated access door. There is also room in here for handy items such as a torch, tool kit, wheel brace and steady winder.

There is no getting way from the fact that this is a big caravan! With a MTPLM of 1574 kg and an overall length close to 7m it requires the right towing vehicle. Having said that, as long as you have the required power, the twin axle design makes this a very stable caravan to tow. I have towed it with a Volvo XC70 and a Discovery and have never had any problems even in strong, gusty wind conditions although I did fit an Al-Ko stabiliser just for reassurance. The XC70 did a reasonable job of towing the Sprite Quattro but I would have liked a little more power in hand for the hills and also a better nose weight margin. From the outset, I realised that this outfit could become quite a handful to position once on site and I had a Reich twin axle motor mover fitted. This is a brilliant, stress relieving piece of equipment and you can read a review of the Reich Move Control here. If you are competent at reversing your single axle caravan, reversing the Sprite Quattro will not be anymore of a challenge. In some respects the larger footprint of a twin axle caravan makes this an easier proposition.

Read our Land Rover Discovery 3 TD6 2.7 Review here

Summary

If you are looking for a spacious family touring caravan and you don't want to spend a fortune, the Sprite Quattro certainly fits the bill. It will appeal to newcomers to caravanning with its modern and fresh appearance and has all the requirements for a growing family. Although Swift describe this as part of their budget range of caravans, there is nothing to suggest this label from its appearance or function.