Elddis Caravans has today announced major updates to its five key model ranges for 2012. The Elddis Crusader is a complete ground-up redevelopment of the caravan, with increased headroom and changes to the exterior colour scheme. Meanwhile the Buccaneer Caravans range is also completely refreshed for 2012 and includes a new grey-and-white colour scheme.
Additionally, three of the most popular ranges have received major tweaks and upgrades for the new season to complete an overhaul of the entire Elddis offering. New layouts have been added to the Xplore, Avante and Odyssey ranges, while there are significant changes to the material used on the exterior of new models.
The return of GRP
The main change for Elddis in the 2012 season is the use of GRP underskins on the exterior of the new caravans. The Consett-based firm is claiming greater durability from the material to everyday knocks and road chippings, as well as increased water resistance. During the research stages Elddis trialled the material alongside aluminium, and took a hammer to both materials to see the results. And according to Elddis the aluminium sheet was easily dented by the hammer, while the GRP material was far more resistant.
The other major area of focus for 2012 appears to have been saving weight. As caravans have become better appointed in recent times, the weight of each vehicle has increased proportionally – causing issues for those with regular family cars. So in the new Elddis Xplore 504 the overall weight has been cut from 1400kg to 1320, despite new interior improvements.
What’s new for 2012?
The 2012 Elddis Xplore range features an all-white exterior with a stylish new rear end. All Xplores now come with underfloor heating, while design tricks have been used to maximise the interior space available. For example the wardrobe has been moved to just inside the door, while the vanity unit can now be found in the bedroom, freeing up valuable space in the bathroom.
Most notable of all is a new mechanism for the convertible beds in the front of the caravan. Called “Easy-Glide”, the bed is now pulled out from underneath the chest of draws using a gliding mechanism – rather than folded out of the seating area.
Fans of the L-shaped layout will be pleased to hear of its return on the Elddis Avante range, where a new Whale lightweight water heater is able to warm up enough for two showers in half an hour. And Elddis are able to claim a first in the Avante 372 range with the Mark II Whale underfloor heater. The firm claims that customers won’t be able to find this in another caravan for the next six months.
Finally, the Elddis Odyssey is now clad in a white and silver exterior, with one new layout found in the 650.
