Price £39,899 Berths 6 MiRO 1701kg MTPLM 1880kg Now expanded to 8ft wide, this smart, spacious six-berth has plenty to offer larger families on tour
WHEN BUCCANEER TOOK on a new profile last season, it was inevitable that the revamp would follow through to the other Erwin Hymer Group UK brands. And this is indeed what has happened, with Compass and Elddis receiving the new shell in the luxury Crusader and Camino.
This also means that the one-time 7ft 6in Crusader has stretched to 8ft wide, which might not appeal to all tastes.
As for the Tempest model itself: some years ago, Elddis launched the big twin-axle family tourer in its Crusader line-up. Offering a superb spec for all-year touring, it was in production for more than seven years.
For 2023, it is back, although not in its original layout. The latest version offers a fixed rear-corner double bed with fixed bunks opposite, a central washroom and kitchen, and a large front lounge. But with the price tag hovering around the £40,000 mark, will it still attract family buyers?
Pitch and set-up
The new Crusaders come on the Al-Ko chassis with an extended drawbar, a feature that you would probably normally associate more with Continental brands. This adds to stability when towing, although you still get an AKS hitch fitted, as well as ATC.
Heavy-duty corner steadies are provided, while a wet locker and external BBQ point and mains socket are also part of the spec.
Up front is a capacious gas locker and a pair of sturdy grab handles, while the side windows are tinted. The decals and external mouldings are all high quality.
You also get a Teleco TV aerial and an onboard 40-litre water tank, but the solar panel is a £612 option.
Lounge
The Crusader’s lounge is roomy. It provides twin single settees, which allow plenty of seating for up to six, and the extra width does make a big difference here.
The seating is protected with Active Care treatment, designed to make stains easy to clean. There are bolster cushions and four large scatter cushions, too, making this a very comfortable lounge indeed.
The windows offer excellent views and it is good to see Elddis still using proper curtains for the side windows, rather than mock drapes or padded panels.
The sunroof and skylight, both large, make the lounge bright and airy. LED lighting is well placed throughout, with four corner spots. There is a Pionee
