The Clubman range from Lancashire manufacturer Lunar has a heritage that goes back to the 1970s, with a tradition of offering practicality and luxuryto those caravanners who spend more time touring and rallying than they do in theirown houses.
It’s an opulent set of caravans these days, with price tags to match – the fixed-single-beds/end-washroom Clubman SB on testing here costs more than £26k on the road. Rob McCabe takes a closer look at what that kind of outlay gets you.
Build quality – 87%
The Clubman bodyshell is a handsome one, comprising big single-section aluminium sides and full-height front and rear panels. The over-engineered corner steadies are good to see – one of the first signs that this is one lavishly equipped caravan.
Inside, all the furniture looks great; the glossy locker doors are perfectly aligned. There were a couple of disappointments, though: one of the removable shelves in a lounge locker had detached itself from its plastic guide and the tangle of wires leading to the courtesy light inside the wardrobe was unsightly.
Towing – 93%
A MTPLM of 1,475kg is pretty commendable for a luxury tourer and puts it on the radar of a wide choice of big estate cars and SUVs. All the heavy stuff on board is placed either over or just in front of the axle for optimum weight distribution when hitched up, and the Al-Ko ATC button on the A-frame is always a reassuring sight.
Daytime – 91%
The lounge is a bit on the short side to accommodate the fixed beds and a decent-sized washroom further back. What it loses in stature it more than makes up for in quality with a chunky bulkhead to lean into on the edge of the sofa nearest the entrance door and generous bolsters that are as plump and comfy as all the rest of the upholstery.
Storage is immense. Wide-opening front hatches give supremely easy access to all four bed and seat lockers and, as well as an exterior-access hatch to one of the beds, there’s a totally sealed wet locker on the nearside front wall
There are three dedicated TV viewing stations, all with satellite connection points, while the built-in stereo includes DAB radio. Two of the reading lights in the lounge have a slot for a USB lead and there are another two USB points in the kitchen.
Night-time – 90%
The excellent en-suite bedroom shuts off from the rest of the caravan via a sliding concertina blind. The beds are a commendable 6ft 2in long and offer a superb blend of comfort and support.
As well as the wide-opening sunroof, each occupant has a window and a reading light, while the generous shelving will easily accommodate your coffee mugs and phones.
Up front, there's a pleasantly comfortable, albeit compact, double bed but occupants will probably have to use the toilet block during the night as the washroom is right at the back of the main bedroom.
Kitchen – 94%
This is a pleasing mix of good looks and practicality. The generous work surface is boosted by a little extension that folds away when not in use while storage space is good too. The new Thetford cooker is very smart – lift up the chunky glass lid and you’ll see a dual-fuel hob with cast-iron pan supports – and there’s a fitted microwave too.
Washroom – 94%
You want for nothing in here. Its attractiveness is understated, it’s just about spacious enough to serve as a dressing room and it’s well-lit. Two big cupboards mean plenty of storage, while the tile-effect-lined shower cubicle has good provision for lotions and potions and a hanging rail for wet towels and waterproofs. There’s also a heated towel rail/radiator.
Lighting – 97%
This is one of those caravans in which there is no escape from a lighting source. Outside, there's a services light on the offside wall to supplement the regular awning light. A flush-fitting lamp shines a sharp beam into the gas locker… and even the grab handles glow in the dark for that bit of bling.
Indoors, there’s a floor-level night light in the kitchen area, backlighting for the shelving unit near the door and a courtesy light in the wardrobe. Mood lighting (dimmable in the lounge) runs above and below the lockers in the lounge and bedroom and along the pelmet above the front window.
The sunroof surround hosts six flush-fitting lamps while in the washroom there’s a dedicated light for the shower and for the long mirror above the vanity unit.
Verdict – 90%
The SB has a specification list as long as your steady winder and all the individual areas on board have a lot going for them. A bit more attention to detail when finishing off would have seen it score even higher marks.
