I am in the US and I am astounded at how different Trailers / Caravans are from the US-spec ones. I would rather have a European spec'ed Trailer than a US one. They seem well more constructed and space is utilized much better.
They are on the whole. North American trailer design is a good half a century behind ours. I think higher fuel prices here resulting in cars with smaller engines means that manufacturers have had to invest a lot in saving weight when it comes to building caravans.
The La Mancelle caravans are certainly ones to look out for. I am in the market for a new caravan, but the weak yen (¥)at the moment is delaying my purchase (I am in Japan). The lack of an oven doesn't bother me and wouldn't be a priority for anyone in Japan as even ovens in homes here are rare. The quality is good and storage seems to be excellent. The swinging panel in the washroom may have been taken from motorhomes in Europe, but this concept has long been something used in smaller hotel room washrooms and apartments here in Japan. Way before any motorhome started to use them. The round windows in the Fantasia, or more importantly, the fly screens are of concern. Japan is rife with mosquitoes between June and late October-ish and therefore, a good sealing fly screen is very, very important. My biggest concern is yet again, the lack of air conditioning or at the very least the pre-structural requirements and wiring fitted. Not so necessary for the UK market, but for Japan this is a NECESSITY and yes, I am shouting it.
Thanks for your feedback Andrew. I didn’t mention it in the video as it was an optional extra for the French market, but the Liberty model on display here was fitted with air conditioning, but I was told that this won’t be part of the standard British spec. Also, the round windows have fly screens on them, they roll down from above. If you re-watch the segment where I show the round windows, the two straight white bits are the runners for the blinds/fly screens. Hope you manage to find a suitable caravan to ship to Japan, I definitely recommend these Mancelle caravans!
That Liberty without the oven plus removal of wet room/replace with more kitchen area would be the perfect caravan for me… we always go to nice sites with good toilet and shower facilities and would never use those in the caravan
Nice review of the La Mancelle caravans, Cameron. I am wanting a very aerodynamic external design, so it can be towed by EV. However, having space internally for a couple to live comfortably is a dream at present. Having the Liberty front on a Fantaisy sized van would no longer be a dream. If the roof sloped more above the queen-sized berth at rear to improve its aerodynamics would be extra benefit. Having a convection microwave and 2 induction hobs means no gas onboard, and the heating can be 220V via the camp site or V2G EV connection. The key issue is keeping the total van weight as light (
I applaud the unusual & there's also some really canny storage in there. I even like the faux wood on the sides. On the subject of storing stuff away, it was the lack of conventional under bed storage that deterred me away from the Basecamp 2 !
Thanks for your kind words Martin. I forgot to mention in the video that the faux wood on the sides is made from an experimental type of vinyl that is said to have much stronger UV resistance than normal caravan graphics, so they shouldn’t fade over time. I definitely think that the Fantaisy at least is a good rival for the Basecamp 4.
In the 60s some American estate cars had faux wood panels on the sides to give them a sort of great out doors vibe? In hindsight, that was kind of vulgar but somehow it works on this caravan? It'll be interesting to see if the same panels migrate over the Channel or we get waves, sandcastles etc (I hope not)
Ironically the storage in Basecamps is fabulous and easily accessible as the seats are open so no awkward lifting of anything. The main storage in these is at the back and you can't add a lot of weight at the back for towing stability so you could never make full use.
Excellent video - your passion really shows! Love, love, love the front on the Liberty, would love someone to do some aerodynamic comparisons with same size/weight flat fronted van, bet it would be excellent!
Thanks Becky for your support. I think the comparisons with the Liberty would be interesting. Even the curve at the back is done to aid aerodynamics because the curve funnels the wind neatly over the top instead of creating a vortex behind a flat back panel that creates more wind resistance. I guess that’s why you see square white boxes with filthy back panels. It’s a great shape and I hope they have success with it in the UK
Personally, we've pretty much not used the oven in a caravan since we bought an air fryer. If you use an electric hook up for the most part then they are a must.
great review, totally agree the uk market keeps getting it wrong. we have a basecamp, love it but never use an oven, do store bikes in it but would rather have a front or rear rack. not sure over fixed bed, me apparently being a fidget arse at night.
Thanks Nick, I agree that there seems to be a large canyon between the British caravan industry and the end users for the most part. Especially when a lot of caravanners ask for the same things over and over again. I’m with you on the bikes too, would rather keep the dirt associated with then out of the caravan as it’s one less job to do on holiday!
Un produit aussi bon que celui-ci-dessus. Si vous exportez par l'intermédiaire d'une succursale, qui va être une énorme vente, et je pense qu'il y a des choses que nous ne pouvons pas comprendre. Je vous recommande vivement d'essayer.
Nice job, Cameron ... and I love those caravans ... they certainly have most of the American market beaten in style, functionality and innovation. That's not REALLY a huge task, considering that even British "white boxes" beat most American ones by a mile. However, these La Mancelle units look truly special.
Thanks Sherry, yes I have to admit that our caravan designs in Europe are generally more exciting than what’s on offer in the US. I guess it’s down to having to design a much lighter caravan due to our smaller engines towcars here, they have to get quite innovative with design here to keep the weight down.
Wonderful review Cameron very in depth and definitely shows how good these caravans are!
Thanks Oliver, glad you liked the video. I’m so excited for the UK launch!
I am mostly in to vintage caravans but this one is sharp
I am in the US and I am astounded at how different Trailers / Caravans are from the US-spec ones. I would rather have a European spec'ed Trailer than a US one. They seem well more constructed and space is utilized much better.
They are on the whole. North American trailer design is a good half a century behind ours. I think higher fuel prices here resulting in cars with smaller engines means that manufacturers have had to invest a lot in saving weight when it comes to building caravans.
Isn’t that so true. Love the European Caravans.
The La Mancelle caravans are certainly ones to look out for. I am in the market for a new caravan, but the weak yen (¥)at the moment is delaying my purchase (I am in Japan). The lack of an oven doesn't bother me and wouldn't be a priority for anyone in Japan as even ovens in homes here are rare. The quality is good and storage seems to be excellent. The swinging panel in the washroom may have been taken from motorhomes in Europe, but this concept has long been something used in smaller hotel room washrooms and apartments here in Japan. Way before any motorhome started to use them. The round windows in the Fantasia, or more importantly, the fly screens are of concern. Japan is rife with mosquitoes between June and late October-ish and therefore, a good sealing fly screen is very, very important. My biggest concern is yet again, the lack of air conditioning or at the very least the pre-structural requirements and wiring fitted. Not so necessary for the UK market, but for Japan this is a NECESSITY and yes, I am shouting it.
Thanks for your feedback Andrew. I didn’t mention it in the video as it was an optional extra for the French market, but the Liberty model on display here was fitted with air conditioning, but I was told that this won’t be part of the standard British spec. Also, the round windows have fly screens on them, they roll down from above. If you re-watch the segment where I show the round windows, the two straight white bits are the runners for the blinds/fly screens. Hope you manage to find a suitable caravan to ship to Japan, I definitely recommend these Mancelle caravans!
Thanks so much for this fascinating video! These caravans are lovely!
That Liberty without the oven plus removal of wet room/replace with more kitchen area would be the perfect caravan for me… we always go to nice sites with good toilet and shower facilities and would never use those in the caravan
Nice review of the La Mancelle caravans, Cameron.
I am wanting a very aerodynamic external design, so it can be towed by EV. However, having space internally for a couple to live comfortably is a dream at present.
Having the Liberty front on a Fantaisy sized van would no longer be a dream. If the roof sloped more above the queen-sized berth at rear to improve its aerodynamics would be extra benefit. Having a convection microwave and 2 induction hobs means no gas onboard, and the heating can be 220V via the camp site or V2G EV connection. The key issue is keeping the total van weight as light (
Got to agree, I would buy that if I could. Andrew
I applaud the unusual & there's also some really canny storage in there.
I even like the faux wood on the sides.
On the subject of storing stuff away, it was the lack of conventional under bed storage that deterred me away from the Basecamp 2 !
Thanks for your kind words Martin. I forgot to mention in the video that the faux wood on the sides is made from an experimental type of vinyl that is said to have much stronger UV resistance than normal caravan graphics, so they shouldn’t fade over time. I definitely think that the Fantaisy at least is a good rival for the Basecamp 4.
In the 60s some American estate cars had faux wood panels on the sides to give them a sort of great out doors vibe? In hindsight, that was kind of vulgar but somehow it works on this caravan?
It'll be interesting to see if the same panels migrate over the Channel or we get waves, sandcastles etc (I hope not)
Ironically the storage in Basecamps is fabulous and easily accessible as the seats are open so no awkward lifting of anything. The main storage in these is at the back and you can't add a lot of weight at the back for towing stability so you could never make full use.
Excellent video - your passion really shows! Love, love, love the front on the Liberty, would love someone to do some aerodynamic comparisons with same size/weight flat fronted van, bet it would be excellent!
Thanks Becky for your support. I think the comparisons with the Liberty would be interesting. Even the curve at the back is done to aid aerodynamics because the curve funnels the wind neatly over the top instead of creating a vortex behind a flat back panel that creates more wind resistance. I guess that’s why you see square white boxes with filthy back panels. It’s a great shape and I hope they have success with it in the UK
Personally, we've pretty much not used the oven in a caravan since we bought an air fryer. If you use an electric hook up for the most part then they are a must.
I've got to agree that they both look really cool groovy caravans, no niff naff and crap that comes in uk, vans, keep the oven out.
great review, totally agree the uk market keeps getting it wrong. we have a basecamp, love it but never use an oven, do store bikes in it but would rather have a front or rear rack. not sure over fixed bed, me apparently being a fidget arse at night.
Thanks Nick, I agree that there seems to be a large canyon between the British caravan industry and the end users for the most part. Especially when a lot of caravanners ask for the same things over and over again.
I’m with you on the bikes too, would rather keep the dirt associated with then out of the caravan as it’s one less job to do on holiday!
Monet 🎉jordan 🎉movies 🎉popcorn 🎉
Un produit aussi bon que celui-ci-dessus.
Si vous exportez par l'intermédiaire d'une succursale,
qui va être une énorme vente,
et je pense qu'il y a des choses que nous ne pouvons pas comprendre.
Je vous recommande vivement d'essayer.
Can you buy these in America/USA?
Does it come with custom bedsheets?
Nice job, Cameron ... and I love those caravans ... they certainly have most of the American market beaten in style, functionality and innovation. That's not REALLY a huge task, considering that even British "white boxes" beat most American ones by a mile. However, these La Mancelle units look truly special.
Thanks Sherry, yes I have to admit that our caravan designs in Europe are generally more exciting than what’s on offer in the US. I guess it’s down to having to design a much lighter caravan due to our smaller engines towcars here, they have to get quite innovative with design here to keep the weight down.
Want
It reminds me of a adria or a rapido
p͎r͎o͎m͎o͎s͎m͎
Tomorrow’s World