750kg Family Caravan for £20k - Freedom Carpento 360

[@andrewjditton]

And now for something completely different! Good to see an alternative on the market, but will the light specification cut it with prospective buyers? That bed mechanism is certainly genius.

[@paoloallen]

lovely looking Van Andrew but sadly I need more creature comforts lol....love the styling however..... saw you on channel Five on Saturday... really, you should be on FAR more.. so natural and brill in front of the camera... and as someone who has spent all their life either on camera or on stage I feel I know lol... lots of love Paolo and Roger x

[@bradleythompson5073]

Hey just seen you on TV.... very many congrats fella. Keep it up.... today at the caravan show..... we need the pooch bit you'll do... only kidding keep it up

[@rachelunderhill5908]

Aww cute little caravan xx lovely 2 meet u last Tuesday Andrew ,looked around some motorhomes and caravans ,took some very nice cheese home lolxx take care xx

[@GaetanHobby]

Thank you Andrew for the review of this little caravan 😉

[@autumn1549]

My family and i love this little caravan! We enjoyed the Channel 5 shows and in particular your excellent contributions.

[@andrewjditton]

Thank you :)

[@martinkitchin6204]

Really smart caravan, looks solid and comes with some ingenious design features. For somebody who (still) hates making up the bed, that table would be a god send too. With hot water it still sounds a bit of a steal doesn't it and of course, it comes from the wonderful, Freedom Stafford 🤗

[@cyborg7116]

Andrew - great to see you on TV. The contrast between you and the other presenters was stark. Let's hope it's recognised by future programmers that people watching it are adults and don't need the presenting style to be dumbed down. I'm afraid to say the others ruined it for me and your slots were the only ones I didn't end up fast forwarding.

[@G-ra-ha-m]

The worst for me was showing a couple of pop tops, tents and a £300k Morello. All the decent Ducato class campers were ignored, and much of the 'NEC' show was filmed a long way from the NEC (Including Andrew's golf, which while nice, is not at the show!!).

[@andrewjditton]

Thank you. My Mum just pointed out that I was the most smartly dressed ;)

[@andrewjditton]

I get where you're coming from Graham, but the programme makers were very much after the extremes - biggest, smallest, etc. The reason so many videos were shot away from the show was just in case the show didn't go ahead (if we had to lock down again) so they'd still be able to make a programme. Despite the title, I think it was nice to show something about what you can do with the vehicles as well as the vehicles themselves. Cheers!

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

We absolutely fell in love with these little vans at the show! In fact, most of our vlog ended up being about them! Wonderful review, and great to meet you in person at the show too! Stacey and Jamie

[@andrewjditton]

Great to meet you both too - and thank you so much for my lovely book :)

[@Oudschei]

Hi Andrew, Thanks for presenting this at least to me unknown caravan! I love the fresh design and different look which is absolutely soemthing completely different :-) Hope this gives the Freedom a boost! Say hello to Dougal from my doggy Davis

[@jackiemorrison2706]

Love those front windows! The make up of the beds - genius. Nice little van. Nice to see you out and about again doing the vlogs, cheers.

[@christinegibbins6105]

Cute little van, thanks Andrew and Dougal down with Mum. Take care.

[@hywel3143]

Hi Andrew, it was great to meet you at the show and we really enjoyed your talk on the Western Isles 🙂 Freedom are producing some really innovative lightweight vans with clever, original design touches, and all credit to them for doing so. Surely they are paving the way for the larger manufacturers to follow in due course?

[@andrewjditton]

Great to finally put a face to the name too! I do like the way that Freedom are offering choice in the market. Thanks for watching!

[@tacodias]

Great little van for my great little family! I’ll be checking their site!

[@scottwilson5426]

Seen the TV programme.. well done to you both!!! Tween awnings, vans and Brighton.. must have been busy! Another fab vid and can't wait for the next.

[@andrewjditton]

Cheers Scott! The outside bits were done in January, but Tuesday at the show was indeed pretty manic. Thanks for watching!

[@MYJ61]

Very nice light weight selection! Great job as always Andrew. Thank you.

[@Andy-EMTRF]

Great to see you making excellent review videos again, I am looking forward to you getting out and about and doing some longer term site and leisure vehicle reviews. Agree with other comments that even though it was great to see mainstream coverage on channel 5 your content did stand out as being of a higher calibre.

[@andrewjditton]

That's very kind of you to say thank you Andy. Sadly a lot of it was down to 'compliance' - we actually were not allowed to be too enthusiastic about anything for legal reasons :-/

[@lindaelizabethcole3675]

That's a cracking little caravan , some great design features , very smart inside and out , love the wraparound windows , good price too , you could take it a anywhere , perfect for touring , great video as usual Andrew !!

[@michaelperkins5746]

Good to see ya at the show and a very professional presentation on your Scotland tour

[@andrewjditton]

Cheers Mick! Good to see you both too. Mo looks younger every time I see her - what's her secret?

[@michaelperkins5746]

She said drinking beer lol

[@CaravanVlogger]

Good to see something different. Didn’t get a good look myself at the show. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻

[@andrewjditton]

Cheers Graham. I looked out for you but didn't see you unfortunately. Would have enjoyed a proper catch-up. Next time...

[@darrenwilson8042]

soft close - yet that mega expensive one the other day didn't have that - amazeballs !!

[@andrewjditton]

I'm saying nothing, Darren... ;@) Thanks for watching!

[@luvondarox]

This feels far superior to what I've seen offered in America. I'm jealous!

[@lindahiggins9295]

Hi Andrew , first caravan tour I have seen it’s so tiny but practical stay safe , hope you either show. x

[@TheHappyPensioners]

Well then, what a right cracking bed arrangement, I mean the lift up drop down thing. That’s a smashing idea so it is. We just switched ours to a fixed bed as we are a right pair of unashamedly lazy pensioner types. But if we were 50 years younger, this van would be in the frame! The lack of hot running water for a shower would not be a problem for us, we haven’t used our shower in the caravan, I think that as we are fairly stationary anyway, don’t move about fast, we rarely need to wash, and it helps being Northern, plus dead common and rough. Speaking of Channel Five and their offering of the show at the NEC. It was dire, it really was, your bit along with a couple of other contributors was defo the highlights on an otherwise lacklustre program presented by a couple of professional presenters who should both change their careers and become either milkmen, or bus conductors. Great video, did I mention that? And what about Dougal ? Lovely pooch! Just sits there with his arm, (leg) over your shoulder, or waits patiently sat sitting outside a van while you do your review! Great stuff!

[@yaminthegrey]

Hari OM Yes, it's cute as a button... but dismal payload; you'd have to be packing the tow vehicle with all the overload!!! I do like that lounge styling though... tickles to Dougal (who has clearly enjoyed his holiday...) YAM xx

[@jazzgray3308]

are you thinking of going the caravan and motorhome show at the NEC in October

[@andrewjditton]

Try stopping me! ;) Already looking forward to it.

[@discomobileclub1428]

Great video ! Amazing design and the price Woooww. Bromg some here in Canada Plz

[@cedarcottagefarm2885]

I think Dougal was smiling. That is a nice small caravan. It has everything you need and looks easy to tow.

[@andrewjditton]

Indeed. It's nice to see Freedom adding choice to the market for those for whom weight is the leading issue. Thanks for watching!

[@bizarremagick]

Thanks for the 'tour'. However I feel that you made a common mistake, which I seen in most caravan reviews, when it comes to talking about how easy it is to make up the double bed. Whilst the method with the table is certainly clever and easy, it is just a small part of making up the double bed each night. There is a lot more work to it than that. Get the bedding out, put the cushions in place, stow the scatter cushions, clamber over the bed to fit the mattress cover and top sheet (not an easy task as three sides of the bed are against a wall), position the pillows, put the duvet on the bed. Then do the reverse every morning. This is why fixed beds are popular. Of course you could just use sleeping bags and no sheets! Thanks again for showing us this. KH

[@andrewjditton]

...or a Duvalay like I do! They do make life much easier. But this is why the Carpento system is so good - you just pull up on the tab and the seat box holds open to pull out the bedding. So much easier than stripping off all the cushions etc. This is from a man who makes up his caravan bed every night! Thanks for watching.

[@MrMslagter]

This caravan is basicly a Mainland Europe spec. I think it's a geniues design with clever use of materials and available space. In the near fufture the weight of the caravan will be an even bigger issieu than it already is. Loads of newer model of cars simply can'ty handle the big heavy caravans while the cost of motoring is rising a lot. Specially the last 6 months the price of fuel has been rising a lot and if you have a big caravan that you'll use 4 weeks a year,the rest of the year you still drive that big car with bigger costs. i live in The Netherlands and the cost of ownership and running a decent sized car for towing a caravan is becomming ridicoulus. So this could very well be a perfect caravan for here. BTW,the design of these caravans looks very similar as the Belgium made Constructam Caravans.

[@andrewjditton]

Yes! Hints of Constructam and the Airstream Basecamp.

[@marcindomik8975]

Very nice caravan!

[@commuterbranchline8132]

Wonderfully presented Sir!

[@andrewjditton]

Many thanks! :)

[@achubxx8487]

a very cool handmade product 🇹🇷MADE IN TÜRKIYE 💪 not bad and ultra light weight.

[@dianebaker5243]

Lovely video thanks for sharing 👍 🥰

[@andrewjditton]

Thanks for watching Diane!

[@apespocketrocket1779]

Hi Andrew, have you reviewed the 5 berth campento?

[@Mads_1313]

Oh, that’s a bit different. That bed is clever 😀👍🏻

[@videostars9194]

Nice van, great looking front window design,

[@unclejake154]

Nice!

[@davidcooper6704]

Low payload - I don'think it will work for 4 people even if two of them are small kids It would mean overloading the caravan or the car. Remove the bunk beds and replace with a dinette. Then lighten the double bed by using slats. Still a light payload but idel for 2 people though.

[@namespacetoosmall]

I love it! Thanks for sharing!

[@andrewjditton]

Cheers Tom!

[@davidmbell]

I wasn’t sure if the front curved windows were only single glazed? Maybe as pre production models? But they’d need to be for the UK market.

[@andrewjditton]

Ah, you got me there. Didn't check that one. That said, the curved windows in the Airstream are single glazed, not that that means anything! :-/

[@berniebne8243]

Wonderful innovation, from afar it looked to be a very solid construction. The bed is pure genius. An infinitely more interesting caravan than the ones in your previous videos. On that note is 1600kg a magic number in the UK, are they trying to accommodate a particular class of vehicle? Pre-pandemic, Bailey was importing Unicorn bodies into Australia and putting them on Australian tandem axle chassis giving a payload of 420-50kg. The MTPLM becoming just shy of 2.5 tonnes needing a 4x4 dual cab ute similar to yours as a tow vehicle. IMO a far more sensible package than the 1600kg UK limited version with a 161kg payload.

[@mikeclifton7778]

With an uprated chassis, say 950kg MTPLM, hot water and heating plus a few other bits and bobs it would be a definite leftfield competitor to the Lunar Ariva. Nice find AD, good video.

[@andrewjditton]

I think it's to do with the smaller cars for the smaller roads we have in the UK Bernie. Oz and the US being younger countries tend to have wider and larger roads. Thanks for watching!

[@paula.jackson5463]

This is the Airstream Basecamp on ROIDS! We would love this one, get the boiler and the Weight restrictions are very different over here! This is a GREAT UNIT! Maybe some solar! 🙂

[@andrewjditton]

Cheers Paul!

[@kyarichards2894]

I imagine, that like myself, the increasing price of fuel is putting a serious dampner on camper and caravan sales. Lovely caravan!

[@andrewjditton]

You'd think so Kya, but at the moment they are still selling like hot cakes! Maybe people will be going less far with them though. Thanks for watching!

[@kyarichards2894]

@@andrewjditton That front window is gorgeous.... so appealing.

[@ManxAndy]

Evening Andrew , I could tow that with my VW caddy …..looks a cracking little van…..👍🇮🇲. Ps hugs to Dougal.xx

[@andrewjditton]

Cheers Andy!

[@dusyola35]

*Hı boss great video thanx for sharing.* *Yeah ıt is made in Turkey so you can* *buy it for 10K£ at its homeland, add* *2K£ for shipping so 12K£ is a must be regular price. About refrigirator , they are my close friends also great people, made in an Agean City called Manisa.* *Ninkasi is the tutelary goddess of beer in ancient Sumerian religious mythology. Using danfoss secop compressors. Also Ninkasi is main manufacturer of some Truck companies OEM refrigirator🇹🇷🇬🇧💂God save the Queen!*

[@andrewjditton]

Hello Turkish Friends! Thank you for your comment. I love the anecdote about Ninkasi - thank you. I know that various upgrades have to made to comply with UK regulations such as fire retardant upholstery, and this caravan also has a 12v system with transformer etc. One day I WILL get to Turkey... it's a place I would love to visit. Best wishes.

[@dusyola35]

@@andrewjditton *please be my guest. We were at Caravan Salon 2019 at the same time but didn't meet officially....keep in touch...*

[@sheenadunlap1775]

I absolutely love it!

[@frankwbeveridge]

Hmm interesting, could you fit the Whale Heater system. Personally I would remove the bunk beds and fit a gas locker and some kind of storage units. Of course it would be pointless if the caravan is not insulated. In my opinion. 👍🖖🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@vitalmajewski7898]

👍fantastic caravan

[@thomaseriksson3182]

Nice one!

[@andrewjditton]

Thanks!

[@stum8374]

Hi Andrew,why have a fan in bathroom while there is no steam ! Nice small van but only 90kg ! What chassic is it ?

[@andrewjditton]

Hi Stu, it's an Al-ko chassis with a spare wheel. Thanks for watching!

[@karlejnarch]

Aye right - a fan to take away the steam - with a cold shower 😅

[@nssimpson]

Single-glazed?

[@anneshirley1748]

I missed this one! Just the type that I like! Thanks for showing it to us and I love the way the bed at the front is so simple to arrange! Hope you enjoyed the model railway show! Check Twitter Dms! Little msg for you!! Great show and you were so good, could listen to you for hours! Safe trip back to mum's then back up to Uist! Was so lovely to see you & thanks again! Sending love and hugs to you and Dougal! xxx 😘🐕🥰

[@andrewjditton]

Thanks Anne. I did enjoy Glasgow thanks. I'm afraid I don't use Twitter any more. Was lovely to see you xx

[@anneshirley1748]

I didn't expect you to reply, just a msg to read and to say thanks for all the love you showed by awarding me the ticket(s) and your gratitude for my support. I'm just a hugger and I show a lot of love, sorry! Plus, what I said to you! I have a lot of respect and I hope you could see that. Love to you and Dougal xxx

[@arcadevampire]

Does table fold flat to the wall too? Btw, nice video, and looking good in suit jacket. You're giving that peter vaughan a run for his money

[@andrewjditton]

Ha ha! Thank you :) No, I don't think you can fold the table flat to the wall as the floating leg is fixed. Thanks for watching!

[@CaraVanOlogywithBecky]

Haven’t finished editing my in-depth view of the 4 and 5 berths of these yet. This was THE thing (well other obviously than supplying my fav Airstream owning, international TV & KZbin mega star with an actual coffee!) I came to the show to see given how important lightweight will soon become re: electric tow cars & lighter weight ICE cars. I was both really impressed and quite disappointed! Oh and now you know how short I am (approx 155cm/5’1) that kitchen was even slightly too short for me… however… the water fill point on the 5 berth balanced it though by being 15cm/6” or more above my head! Yes really, there’s footage! Hope the post show transition back to normality is going ok, at least it’s Dougal cuddles time :)

[@andrewjditton]

Cheers Becky. Yes, I had exactly the same reaction once the price and spec had sunk in. I was trying to keep the video down to under 10 mins hence skipping stuff like the water filling point. I feel a little conflicted about many aspects, but in all I am delighted that Freedom are offering something for people who are restricted by weight rather than wallet. Thank you for the oat milk latte - much appreciated :)

[@CaraVanOlogywithBecky]

@@andrewjditton ah well you’re a pro, and a fine one at that; I have no designs on stardom so can get away with wittering on as much as I like ;-)

[@ShiresMatt]

Now you just have to give the average family £20k to buy it!

[@carolynhaywood7701]

Any caravan used in the UK must have heating or it really isn’t practical.

[@andrewjditton]

I can see where you're coming from Diane, but for people who want something lightweight and more weather-resistant than a tent, there's the option of staying on a site and plugging in a fan heater on a chilly evening. Thanks for watching!

[@Zeriod101]

Beautifully finished and that wrap around window makes it feel very open and airy. Shame no hot water or heating which for me personally is a huge deal breaker!

[@jeanne_margaret]

You look like a giant in that thing lol but it’s really cute

[@donaldduck5731]

Now if I was a sales person at freedom, I'd do a whole load of KZbin reviews of using their caravans with different electric cars. Because all those people who were buying camper vans and caravans are now buying electric cars and looking for small, light, low drag environmentally friendly caravans.

[@andrewjditton]

Well said!

[@emrahgurel9274]

Geil aber das Dach Fenster viel größer Dan währe perfekt

[@katbar6066]

The finishes were great. I loved the Table size but OMG it was like a coffin on wheels. I would feel far too claustrophobic in that sized van. I guess it has its uses ie cheaper than a bigger van, easier to store because of size, less expensive to tow etc but for me personally none of that would make up for the size and shape.

[@tacodias]

If you think this looks like a coffin on wheels, have a look at the MyPod trailers…

[@katbar6066]

@@tacodias I have to say that in Australia the majority of the caravans we see on the road are 20 feet (internal size) or larger so we are quite spoilt. Ours is 24 ft and we are looking at upgrading to a 26 foot one next year. There would be very few light weight, small vans out there in Aus. Maybe we are a bit more like Americans when it comes to our caravan lifestyle (The bigger the better).

[@tacodias]

@@katbar6066 bigger roads = bigger vans! Same with cars!

[@katbar6066]

@@tacodias True. I found some of the roads in Cornwall (pre Covid visit- loved it by the way) truly frightening.

[@gatonero576]

Glad to be a 179 cm guy!😉

[@G-ra-ha-m]

£20K with no heater?!?! You could fit a diesel heater, but no hot water, and extra weight... I'd be more interested with a small Swift ;). The wrap around windows look good, but the view from any caravan, is rarely great...

[@andrewjditton]

Yep, it's all down to compromise. But kudos to Freedom for adding choice to the market. Thanks for watching!

[@protonneutron9046]

I'd spend a grand more and get a Casita 16 foot trailer.

[@robtaylor9782]

£20.000 and no hot water, super tiny 4 berth, yeah super lightweight but I can get a Alpine 2, D4-2, Xplore 422 cheaper loads more room just over the 1000kg but some innovative design concepts, think this is going to be a marmite van, either you’ll love it or hate it

[@andrewjditton]

Absolutely Rob. This is for people for whom weight is more important than the higher spec. Thanks for watching.

[@davidmbell]

£20k….!? With no heating or hot water. Nope. Unless I was Uber restricted for weight.

[@tonysutton6559]

I would buy something cheaper second hand with a better spec and use the money I would save to upgrade my tow car.

[@pim1234]

Tall is vertically chalenged ... tall won't fit in a Ferarri either, so proof !

[@thelifeofbatteries2603]

looks like a crash helmet lol