If you’ve ever set foot inside an industry show – and most of us probably have – you’ll be aware of Coachman Caravans. This Hull-based manufacturer is a big name in the touring caravan market: formed in 1986, it has built a strong reputation for quality over the years. It’s won the overall trophy in our previous two Owner Satisfaction Awards, held by our sister title Practical Caravan – our guide to the best caravan manufacturers will tell you more.

But Swedish motorhome and caravan manufacturer Kabe bought Coachman in 2021, from which point on, it only felt like a matter of time before the first Coachman motorhome was launched. And in a move that wasn’t a complete surprise, the Coachman Travel Master made its debut at the recent NEC show.

There are three models in the range at launch, including the island-bed 545, and the twin-bed 565, all based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter/Al-Ko chassis. Here, we take a look at the third model, the French (corner) bed 560, the shortest of the trio at 7.6m. Prices start from £105,715, but the model we looked at was £107,015.

Travel Master motorhomes sit on a Mercedes/Al-Ko chassis
Travel Master motorhomes sit on a Mercedes/Al-Ko chassis

All three Travel Masters feature an MTPLM of 4500kg, so you’ll need a C1 category on your licence, but the pay-off for that is a large payload. Final figures are yet to be confirmed, but the estimated 950kg of the 560 model should be plenty.

You pay a premium price for any Mercedes-based ’van, but there’s no denying you get a significant amount of driver-related kit for your outlay. Among the many features offered
on the Sprinter base are ESP, ABS, automatic braking, attention assist, crosswind assist… the list goes on. 

Under the bonnet is the Mercedes 2.0-litre 170hp engine; here, it’s twinned with nine-speed automatic transmission and offers 295lb ft of torque at 1700-2400rpm. 

Step in through the nearside habitation door and you find a motorhome layout that provides a spacious lounge, with a side sofa and a forward-facing bench seat with two belts. 

Both of the leather-clad cab chairs swivel to join these rear seats, and the addition of the freestanding table provides a roomy area for all occupants to dine and relax.

Both leather-clad cab chairs swivel to join the rear seats, and the addition of the freestanding table makes a roomy area for relaxing and dining
Both leather-clad cab chairs swivel to join the rear seats, and the addition of the freestanding table makes a roomy area for relaxing and dining

The cool greys and browns – officially called ‘Nordic Oak’ – of the upholstery and furnishings look and feel smart and good quality, and betray the vehicle’s Scandinavian heritage. A large rooflight above the lounge helps increase natural light.

The cool greys and browns of upholstery and furnishings look and feel smart and betray the vehicle’s Scandinavian heritage
The cool greys and browns of upholstery and furnishings look and feel smart and betray the vehicle’s Scandinavian heritage

Across from the door is the motorhome’s kitchen – it’s not huge, but the stainless-steel sink with infill increases the amount of workspace. You get a Thetford dual-fuel hob with electric ignition and full oven/grill alongside. There’s an extractor fan, and a microwave; the latter sits above the 171-litre, two-way opening fridge-freezer.

The washroom, alongside the fixed bed and tucked into the offside rear corner, is not enormous, but provides a spacious square shower cubicle with three shelves, a swivelling Thetford toilet and a decent-sized handbasin. There’s a mirrored vanity unit and cupboards below the basin.

The washroom provides a spacious square shower cubicle with three shelves, swivelling Thetford toilet and a reasonably sizeable handbasin
The washroom provides a spacious square shower cubicle with three shelves, swivelling Thetford toilet and a reasonably sizeable handbasin

The double bed at the rear, with its plush headboard and spotlights, comes in at 1.94m; the electrically operated drop-down bed over the lounge is 1.98m long. It has a slight corner cutaway to allow access to the habitation door.

If you spend north of £100,000 on a motorhome, you’ll want to be able to use it all year, and the Travel Master features a high level of winterisation – as you’d expect from a ’van with Scandinavian origins. The heating is provided by Alde’s wet central system, and Kabe’s AGS II waterborne underfloor heating makes an appearance. Both of the water tanks are heated. 

And don’t worry if you plan to travel to hotter climes: roof-mounted air-con comes fitted as standard. 

Our test model had a roll-out Thule awning, a £1300 optional extra, and a 140W solar panel, which is standard fit.

Verdict

We’ve waited a long time to see a Coachman motorhome, and we’re impressed with the results. It’s certainly not cheap, and you’ll need to weigh up carefully if you’d prefer the additional space offered by a luxury A-class from a Continental manufacturer for similar money. But the Travel Master feels well built and well executed: it’s an interesting start from Coachman, and we look forward to seeing more models in years to come.

After more ‘van inspiration? Then be sure to take a look at our round-up of the best motorhomes.

Technical spec

  • Price: £105,715 (£107,015 as tested)
  • Sleeps: 4
  • Belts 4
  • Base vehicle: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter/Al-Ko chassis
  • Engine: 2.0-litre 170hp Sprinter with nine-speed automatic transmission
  • Length/width/height: 7.63/2.47/2.96m (25’0”/8’1”/9’7”)
  • MTPLM: 4500kg
  • MiRO: 3550kg (TBC)
  • Payload: 950kg (TBC)
  • Water (fresh/waste): 87/90 litres
  • Leisure battery: 130Ah

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