Pitch black

Rob McCabe puts a versatile little tourer in the spotlight

The very name of this caravan suggests owners spend every waking hour clutching a surfboard or hurtling down scree-covered slopes on a mountain bike. Yet, while the cool-looking Knaus Sport&Fun will certainly accommodate you and all the kit you need for such high-octane activities, is it still worthy of consideration for those of us who think surfing is something you do with a remote control?

To answer that, we’re taking a forensic look at the latest iteration of this now-familiar model, the Sport&Fun Black Selection.

Build quality – 95%

Second entrance

The German-engineered Knaus may be on the small side, but it’s big on build quality. Inside and out, everything reeks of precision and over-engineering – the indestructible-looking telescopic TV bracket being a good example. All the materials used are of a very high standard, and the quality of workmanship is lovely to behold. The ladder on the back wall isn’t a gimmick – the strong GRP roof has rails to which you can attach a roof box or secure surfboards.

Towing – 94%

I know from experience that the Sport&Fun feels reassuringly wieldy under tow: as well as boasting a stability-enhancing long A-frame, it’s shorter than a lot of caravans (so no problem accessing that CL at the foot of the scree-covered mountain…). You can specify Al-Ko’s ATC as an option, at nearly £1,000.

Daytime – 92%

Curved lounge sofa

The Sport&Fun is part leisure trailer, part caravan, but it’s actually really talented at both.

Its cargo-carrying options are bountiful and varied. A huge garage under the bed at the front is accessed from the outside by big doors on either side, and from the inside by raising the bed base – which can be secured open if you want to stash lengthy items of equipment in here.

Even with the bed remaining in place, it’s a seriously useful space. You could, for example, keep bikes in here just by removing the front wheels.

One of this caravan’s most appealing features is the fact that it has two entrance doors – a ‘regular’ stable-style door on the offside, and a wide-opening one at the back. The latter offers another fuss-free way of fetching cycles in and out, while an optional ramp and lashing eyes allow a motorbike to be carried.

Although not the most cosseting seating, the L-shaped sofa still passes muster as something you’d want to spend time relaxing on – two people can flop back in decent comfort, especially if you bring into play the neat little footstool that slots away into its bespoke cubby under the fridge when not in use. It also gives you an extra seat if you’ve got a crowd in. The sunroof lets in a lot of natural light and, when called upon, plenty of fresh air.

The hefty table is freestanding, so you can lower it and stick it under the bed if you want a more open lounge area – or take it outside if you’re eating al fresco. You can specify a TV aerial when placing your order, which means you can then use the aforementioned slide-out bracket to watch telly from the lounge.

The flooring is reminiscent of the decking in a posh yacht, which plays a big part in making the Knaus such a nice place to be. Heating is courtesy of an old-school-but-effective Truma space heater – no issue with year-round touring here.

Night-time – 88%

Comfortable – but mind the tapered roof

The garage at the front obviously means the fixed double bed has to be elevated so, if you’re occasionally prone to falling out of bed, maybe this one isn’t for you. However, it’s very easy to access – and should become easy to get used to.

Some people may find the tapered ceiling at the window end to be more of an issue – you do have to be aware of it when sitting up. The bed is very comfortable, with a good-quality, firm mattress and a sturdy removable headboard that covers the nearside hatch for the garage. The hammock above the bed (also removable) is yet another useful storage option.

The curved sofa converts into a second double – the table lowers to form part of the base and a bespoke upholstery section completes the mattress. However, it’s probably more realistic to think of this as a very generous, spacious single bed.

Kitchen – 85%

Neat cooking facilities

Clearly, Knaus recognises that you’ll want plenty of chilled water to take with you on your adrenaline-packed days out, hence you get an enormous tower fridge/freezer with a giddy 142-litre capacity. The door of this highly impressive bit of kit is colour-matched to the rest of the furniture on board.

Cooking-wise, you’re limited to three gas burners, so don’t forget to bring your toaster. The hob itself is a lovely thing, mind – very shiny, nicely sculpted, and with a pleasingly upmarket-looking cast iron pan support. There are lots of places to put things, and work surface is pretty generous too.

Washroom – 90%

Clever washroom has pull-out shower tray

With such limited floorspace, there’s obviously no room for a shower. Or is there…? Yes, indeed there is, courtesy of an ingenious shower tray that pulls out from under the washroom floor into the body of the caravan, and a full-wraparound curtain that features a series of air-filled rings, so that it keeps its shape instead of adhering to you like a giant slab of soaking cling film. Yes, it’s a compromise – but it’s a very clever one.

In all other regards, it’s a perfectly good facility, with a swivel loo, good storage provision, an opaque window with blind and flyscreen, and a very user-friendly fold-down ceiling hanging rail for wet coats or towels.

Lighting – 87%

Such is the high standard of lighting in your average caravan these days, illumination in the Knaus feels a little underwhelming. The lounge is well looked-after, courtesy of two reading lamps that slide laterally on the rail they’re attached to; a ceiling lamp gives a bit more oomph if you need it. But the bed area gets just one, which is a shame. Concealed LED strips under the lockers on either side of the window serve the kitchen and, while they impart a nice ambience of an evening, I’d like something a bit punchier.

No issues in the washroom, where two flush-fitting lamps above the mirror-fronted wall cupboard are more than up to the task of illuminating such a compact space. Both entrance doors are served by exterior lights.

Verdict – 90%

Beautiful to look at, with a brilliantly thought-through layout. It may have the word ‘Fun’ in its name, but this caravan deserves to be taken seriously.