Horizons Unlimited Cavarno 2 - Practical Motorhome

Verdict

The Cavarno will bring great pride of ownership and is a good passenger vehicle, at less than 5m long.

Pros

Superb craftsmanship; clever use of a small space

Cons

Beds are awkward to make if you need them to be longer than 6ft

Living

The Cavarno looks plush with its leather/Alcantara trim but this is an expensive option at more than £1400. However, its beautifully crafted, oak-edged furniture comes as standard (it is reminiscent of classic Auto-Sleepers construction). The moulded GRP window surrounds and suede-effect roof lining further the impression of quality and this motorhome feels like a class act.
In simplest form, this ’van provides four-seater lounges with twin dinettes. The Cavarno has a single-leg table, with coffee table option, that sits between the seats and helps make up the optional double bed. Twin swivel seats make up the beds, but engaging the driver’s swivel seats and to make the bed was rather involved.
The back cushions don’t have fixing points: there’s a sturdy backrest which takes up most of the overhead locker.

Kitchen

The Cavarno has a full-size cooker, with a glass sink top (but no drainer). It’s not a huge kitchen, but the worktop by the hob, and the fold-down board across the back of the ’van, make it very useable, considering how confined the space is. Storage is pretty much par for the course in a camper this size – there’s a narrow locker between the fridge and cooker and two lockers above the kitchen.

Washroom

The Cavarno punches above its weight in what is, for all campers, the biggest compromise area. This model has an optional shower pack with a folding acrylic door that covers the entrance door and a neat toilet-roll cover that winds the paper in when you push it down.
The moulded GRP walls and shower tray are solid and are very impressively built. There is a shower room space of 50 x 73cm once the toilet has been swivelled out of the way. For normal washing, however, because the tap-cum-shower head is not positioned over the sink, you have to fill the basin first.
The washroom door opens towards the front to accommodate the shower door. It is not very convenient for access, but it does at least provide some modesty for emerging occupants.

Beds

The Cavarno has a twin single bed as standard but it can also convert into a double bed.
The beds are flat and long, but it takes patience to manoeuvre the seat backs right down to create the bed. When its beds are down, you’ll find two sturdy, folding shelves below the travel headrests, so you can read the morning papers in bed.

Storage

Front-wheel drive Cavarnos have clear storage areas for pitching kit (the rear underfloor space). If you opt for a rear-wheel drive version, you’ll have to give up this storage area.
A similar situation arises with the wardrobe: the Cavarno sacrifices hanging height for shelves above. There’s a good-sized locker over the cab for bedding and other such items. There’s access to the bed box, but the offside space houses electrics and the water heater.
Both the Provence and the Duetto have lockable seat-base stores in the passenger seat.
Apart from the Lezan, each ‘van has two overhead lockers but these are shallow (the Duetto’s would only hold books and DVDs).
In the kitchen, slide-out shelves for cans are a useful addition.