by Daniel Cartwright
2016, and so far 2017, have proven to be big years in the caravan and motorhome world and none more so than for the Explorer Group. In the summer of 2016 the Explorer group, who make the Elddis, Explore, Compass and Buccaneer caravans (and Elddis motorhomes) introduced two 8 foot wide caravan models into the Elddis Avante and Compass Casita ranges of caravans.
The new 8ft wide models are all twin axel 6 berths and both the Avante and Casita have two layouts: The 840 has a fixed rear bed 6-berth with a side rear washroom and the 866 has a rear bunk and a side rear washroom 6 berth.
There is no standard for caravan width and at 8 feet there is no difference to any license or restriction when towing. The Explorer group has been making 8ft wide Buccaneers for while but the Avante and Casita are the first affordable “mass market” UK-manufactured 8ft wide caravans.
Following their launch, many in the industry thought this was a brave move to say the least but as Rachel Moncrieff from the Explorer Group explains these caravans are selling like hot cakes!
