Slimline, EASY TO TOW, Top Value Caravan - Swift Sprite Compact

[@michaelgoode9555]

In the good old days our first van was a CI Sprite Musketeer. This was the era of basic caravanning with elsan buckets and a foot operated cold tap only over the kitchen sink. Two burners but it did have a 3 way fridge. Luxury. No sockets either. We graduated to tent camping and 40 years later we are still tent camping.

[@shaunandmaria3447]

Good old days.. we too had a sprite musketeer. 1st one had the what is now called , a Murphy bed. Also had gas lights. second one did not have a Murphy bed. In those days caravanning was about the activities we all did as a family and not, as now, all about the van.

[@GaetanHobby]

Thank you Andrew for the review of this beautifull little caravan 🥳

[@andrewjditton]

Remember you could always get your dealer to wire in an additional socket (at additional cost) to the front of the caravan. I imagine that the lack of socket in the kitchen is to comply with National Caravan Council Regulations, as all Swift caravans are NCC approved. These regulations dictate the distance a socket has to be from a sink and a cooker, and possibly the Sprite Compact is too - er - compact to be able to have a socket in this area. It's not necessarily a flaw, more likely a safety issue.

[@steveb1856]

Caravans still have to comply with UK wiring regs BS7671 which limits where sockets can be placed, so it’s not so much the NCC as getting an Electrical Certificate signed by a competent electrician that shows the installation is safe and compliant when the caravan is built.

[@yaminthegrey]

Hari OM Hit the nostalgia button... the family caravan when I was a wee tot was a Sprite! Quite like this basic, but one which could be 'tizzied' up to one's own desire - though the payload would factor on that. Have a good break and looking forward to seeing you and Dougal for the festive. YAM xx

[@scottelwood8746]

Hello from the other side of the pond. Here we have the TAB 400. In my humble opinion it’s the finest single axel RV on the US market. When we’re out in a campground/resort you would be surprised my the number of people who want to see and we give a lot of tours. At 18 feet the 400 has item no other can match. I enjoy watching you RV reviews however sometimes I have to ask Google for the different conversions. Thanks again. 👍

[@andrewjditton]

Cheers Scott! Yes, the Tab 400 is a stunning camper!

[@richardarnold3812]

We bought a new 2022 model, dealer special, £23k with motor movers. Our previous caravan was a Go Pod, so this is spacious. Needless to say we love it, east to tow, lots of extras including solar panel, external gas and electric. We are VERY happy with our purchase. As a comparison checkout what a new Go Pod goes for, the Sprite is affordable if you are serious.

[@andrewjditton]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Alanicus1]

A good review but I think the Bailey competition - the Discovery D4-2 - is a much better designed caravan, especially for taller people, as the front bench seats are 6'7". The washroom is also a lot more spacious and does have a curtain.

[@raymondporter2094]

Good review on a decent compact two-berth van, which would be easy to get onto most drives and weighs very little. But for me the issue would be the bathroom - I need a proper shower as I rarely go to caravan sites with facilities.

[@robertclarke7711]

Have a wonderful break and a well earned rest. Expect Dougal will Cherish all the attention. See you Christmas eve 👍

[@davidmbell]

I’d have shrunk that wardrobe by a good six inches to increase the size of the washroom; and also mounted the table leg side against the wall so it’s legs don’t foul/snag clothing in the wardrobe.

[@martinkitchin6204]

Agree to widen the appeal to more buyers 👌

[@susanbinks8868]

Hi Andrew, this is a Smart Looking Caravan with the Lovely Graphics. I like the Layout too with Kitchen to the Rear, I guess a Kettle that can be used on the Hob would solve the issue & free up Area where you would have your TV. Those who are Tall may find Sleeping uncomfortable(little restricted) & the Slats you pulled out don't look that Stable when converting the seating to a Bed. However, think it is still a nice Caravan. I was hoping You would do a Christmas Video, Looking forward to Watching as Always! I do Hope to that you will be spending Christmas with Your Family & they are All Well! Take Care, Have a Lovely Christmas🎄🎄Lots of Love to You,Dougal & Your Family. 💖💖💖💜💜💜 XXXX

[@frankcurulli1244]

Requires a mains socket at the front chest! Everyone needs mains for their laptops or tablets. All caravans should have at least one socket in this front location. Thanks, Frank

[@CaraVanOlogywithBecky]

That's great, everything needed in an easy to live with package. Excellent to see smaller, lighter options :) Does look a bit weird from the inside without a sun window or lockers at the front though - a bit forgotten... Plus I wonder whether that size of oven/grill is really necessary, maybe a smaller, lighter one would suffice & give a little bit more payload? If a built in oven is really needed at all; a stove top Omnia oven seems to do a good job, or the favourite of Eribanauts everywhere the Remoska! I really don't understand why bike rack mountings are fitted to these things... not good in terms of the physics, even if someone had payload available... Completely agree that USB sockets are the way forward, they really need to be USB C PD though, that's what we need in 2023, then you can even run your Mac (or recent Windows laptops) off them when off grid. Saves carting around massive mains power bricks. I don't believe CBE have released a PD port yet though & would need better wiring, hence we're still seeing only 1A & 2.1A USB A outlets in caravans. Great video, best wishes for a lovely rest :)

[@andrewjditton]

You comment reminds me of a motorhome I reviewed in the early 2000s with - I kid you not - a fitted cassette player. I joked in the magazine about getting my CD stuck in the slot. By the time we see USB C, let alone USB C PD in caravans, the rest of the world will be on wireless charging... ;@)

[@CaraVanOlogywithBecky]

@@andrewjditton Nooooooooooooooooooo! ;-)

[@anneshirley1748]

Hi Andrew! My favourite layout again but you're right about the lack of sockets in the kitchen, well that and the front of the caravan! Got USBs which is good but I still prefer the 422! The Xplore seems much more luxurious than this one and it is quite dark and subdued, still some people will prefer this one for various reasons! Thank you so much for all your hard work bringing us these fantastic vlogs, as usual, your hard work has paid off! Still think you're the best and judging by people I met at the show, everyone else thinks so too!! I said this once before, you're a nugget!! We love you Mr Videographer of the year!! Enjoy your Christmas, if seeing your family, which you usually do, wish them all a very, merry christmas from me! How's your brother now?! I hope he's well on the road to recovery and has a much better christmas than last year! My mum is very frail now and I think it will possibly be her last christmas, I hope not with all my heart! Mums are very special and worthy of so much more than we ever give them! Merry Christmas Andrew and Dougal and hope next year will be a fantastic, fruitful and happy one! Take care, love and hugs! xxx 😘🥰🐕🎄🎉

[@garyrichardson865]

Looking forward to your 'fast approaching' Christmas special! 😃🚗🚌x

[@brec5879]

Great video Andrew. Lovely caravan

[@Aramis5]

Thank you

[@scottwilson5426]

As always very informative (for once a van like mine lol!!) Compromise is always going to be a thing but it ticks all the boxes and being 5'7 easily long enough sleeping space. I've heavily modified ours to accommodate plugs, lights, tv brackets etc so niggles confirmed but but. . dry, warm, safe, comfy, cosy given half a chance I'd live in it lol merry crimbo!!

[@TheUrbanSplash]

£20k is frankly outrageous for such a small ‘entry’ caravan. Manufacturers need to wake up, regardless of cost increases of materials. There is a limit to what people will pay, regardless how much it costs to make etc.

[@drivingthefrontier]

My viewpoint on the cost of caravans, motorhomes and campers is this.... if you look at the comparative cost of, say, a caravan in the 70's, the cost of inflation, not just of caravans, the cost of R and D, the fact that anything small generally means that design costs can be higher, the tests these vehicles have to pass to qualify not just as a road vehicle but also as a habitation vehicle.... in my view it does seem a fair price for the quality and design of caravan Mr Ditton has acquired.

[@davidmbell]

It’s comparable with other manufacturers, unfortunately everything has gone up several K.

[@garydavis1528]

Following others prices but doesn’t mean it is right. Is too high for what getting, should be more lower Basecamp cost.

[@davidmbell]

@@garydavis1528 Two berth Basecamp is £24k

[@teaforthree1]

Utterly overpriced for a very basic van

[@trevormiddleton]

In these days of the Internet of Things-, WiFi-, and Bluetooth-enabled devices, it's not beyond the realms of possibility for fridge LEDs to be either dimmed, or turned off, remotely. Truma's iNet X system - or a further development thereof - comes to mind, but I'd love to see something open-source, and manufacturer-agnostic: such technology (namely, Zigbee) already exists. In the mean time, when it comes to intrusive fridge LEDs, you can't beat a couple of layers of good, thick, gaffer-tape!

[@geoffhanbury4978]

If you took this to warmer climes and wanted to use an awning, the fridge vents on the awning side could cause problems.

[@scottwilson5426]

I'll be honest it's very similar to ours size wise..(slightly narrower but relative layout) I've no had any issue awning wise albeit we have a spilt door access but petty much identical. Ok I've modified for extra plugs, lighting, movable tv bracket etc.. but it's homely dry warm and ideal for us. Went years without awning and wished I'd bought one sooner lol. I might add we don't sleep in it though.. purly extra dining/ seating space.

[@darrenwilson8042]

I'd also imagine it gives the buyer the chance to use an EV as a tow vehicle and get a better range if its narrower, shorter and a bit lighter as there will be less drag So soaking wet coats can hang over the worktop where the kettle is both right next to the TV? What could possibly go wrong?

[@sharonbraselton4302]

solar cel wind char camper ev more rabvfe

[@brianknowles1727]

Our last two caravans have had the front window and I must say what an absolute waste of space much better with lockers.

[@sharonbraselton4302]

wr8ñg

[@shaunandmaria3447]

For us, a washroom is VERY important . Do not like using on site facilities.

[@lindabell8681]

We have the up date version brilliant for us little hobbits

[@lindakirk698]

Lack of electric plate on hob too Looks dark inside. Don't like the lack of sockets. Love the low weight but overall not worth the swap for us

[@-A-c]

Hey Anthony, would you say the industry is moving towards more automated systems that increase ease of use for repetitive tasks like say using a combination of electronics and servos to automate hitching a caravan of any size to any appropriate vehicle of choice with a hitch for example? Any companies interested in making products towards this end so that active people in their 60s and up that can afford a big caravan can actually have one?

[@andrewjditton]

The Motor Mover has existed for a couple of decades and allows people to move the caravan to the car by remote control. This has revolutionised caravanning for those who are not as strong as they once were. BTW - who's Anthony? ;@)

[@-A-c]

@@andrewjditton bloody autocorrect....😅

[@mavicsteve9275]

Why would you want a cable from the usb hanging around you ears, better put to the sides lower down. Thank you for all you have shown us this year and have your selfs a great Christmas.

[@InverJaze]

For the money you would expect more.

[@alansteele3757]

Hi Andrew, can you not dangle a tea towel or something over the blue fridge lights @ night time?

[@andrewjditton]

That's what I do! But when you think Whale Heat Air controls, for example, have a proximity sensor so they only light up when your hand is a couple of inches away, you can see that the tech exists to make such minor inconvenience unnecessary.

[@michellelee2565]

I dont know who can sleep in the bed - my husband is 6ft, im 5.4 - we are not fat and we couldnt fit on the bed!! Great van but the bed just tooo small!

[@leonienolan511]

Can someone explain payload to me ,, also is this a size that can be towed with normal license? Looking for small camper recommendations 😊🙏😁

[@andrewjditton]

Hi there, check out my video from about 3 months ago explaining all this. Thanks for watching!

[@leonienolan511]

@@andrewjditton thanks Andrew 😊

[@colinmew7139]

No sola panel blind in washroom will get soaked no bbq point no 230v outside. Not impressed cheap and penny pinching not shore which.

[@scottbrady8374]

You're review was good......the caravan is disappointing. Many let downs.

[@CaptureAVtube]

Typical of a British manufacturer to completely take the pee on price. Absolute insanity for a bare bones caravan. I hope no-one buys this as if they do they have far too much money!