Whether you’re looking for a caravan to tour in with your family or are a couple who want a bit of extra space, a 4 berth is a great option to consider.
To help you identify the caravan for you, we’re taking a look at a couple of models from two of the best caravan brands on the market: the Adria Adora Tiber and the Coachman VIP 540 XTRA.
They both made it onto our best caravan for 2022 round-up and were both winners at the Practical Caravan Awards – so how do they compare?
We take a look…
The basic spec
Adria Adora Tiber
- Awarded: best 4 berth caravan at the Practical Caravan Awards
- Price: £28,585
- Berth: 4
- MiRO: 1647kg
- Payload: 153kg
- MTPLM: 1800-1900kg (depending on whether you opt for a chassis upgrade)
- Shipping length: 8.24m
- Interior length: 6.19m
- Width: 2.46m
Coachman VIP 540 XTRA
- Awarded: best caravan for couples at the Practical Caravan Awards
- Price: £31,405
- Berths: 4
- MiRO: 1554kg
- Payload: 156kg
- MTPLM: 1700kg
- Shipping length: 7.43m
- Interior length: 5.30m
- Overall width: 2.44m
Adria Adora Tiber vs Coachman VIP 540 XTRA: Design
Both the Coachman VIP 540 Xtra and Adria Adora Tiber are 8ft-wide caravans. This is a touch we appreciate, with that little bit of extra space making a surprisingly noticeable difference inside.
The Tiber is just fractionally wider, coming in at 2.46m, in comparison to the VIP 540 XTRA’s 2.44m. However, the real difference is in the length of the two. Here, Adria’s model has a shipping length of 8.24m and interior length of 6.19m, offering more space inside than the Coachman caravan, which has a shipping length of 7.43m and an interior length of 5.30m.
Adria Adora Tiber vs Coachman VIP 540 XTRA: Pitch and set-up
The extra length of the Tiber is something you’re likely to notice when pitching up – it could be worth getting your family to help here, to make your life easier.
However, after you’re parked, it gets much simpler, with the steady handle clipping into place in the gas locker, while it isn’t too difficult to wind down the heavy-duty corner steadies. The off-side based ancillaries are also easy to access. The size of the Tiber means you may not want to opt for a full-sized awning – this could take a lot of effort to get into the rail.
In contrast, the VIP 540 XTRA comes with heavy-duty corner steadies, while your awning will be quick to reach thanks to the area beneath the bed which you can access externally. Another useful feature are the external mains socket and barbecue point.
Adria Adora Tiber vs Coachman VIP 540 XTRA: Lounge area
The width of the Tiber is really felt in the lounge, where C-shaped seating offers plenty of legroom, allowing you all to relax in comfort. A good sized folding table can be set up, while the well-lit room has a dining table that is stored in a cupboard near the entrance. Light floods in, thanks to the sunroof.
In contrast, the VIP 540 XTRA has an L-shaped settee. Plenty of daylight comes in through the sunroof and windows, while a foldaway table is stored near the door. You can really utilise this, with the dressing room stool allowing you to use every side.
Adria Adora Tiber vs Coachman VIP 540 XTRA: Kitchen space
While the Tiber’s kitchen is a bit on the compact side, it still offers plenty of facilities – the smart sink with swivel mixer tap and Dometic three-burner hob are a one-piece design. Other features include a Thetford Midi Prima MKIII duplex cooker, which is situated beneath the work surface. The grill sits above, while a microwave can be found in an overhead locker.
A 142-litre fridge – containing a 15-litre freezer compartment – meets the needs of family life, while a large cutting board can go over the sink. It’s worth noting there’s no folding extension though.
The VIP 540 XTRA has a big work surface, but it’s worth noting that the extension will intrude on the lounge a tad. While the sink isn’t huge, the removable drainer is definitely sturdy.
The kitchen is also well specced, with a dual-fuel four-burner hob that can be found on top of the separated oven and grill. You’ll also find an Omnivent, microwave and half-height Dometic series 10 two-way opening fridge.
Adria Adora Tiber vs Coachman VIP 540 XTRA: Washroom
You can close off the rear section of the Tiber with the toilet door if you so choose. The washroom may be compact but in it is a good-sized basin and a swivel toilet. Storage shouldn’t be an issue either. On the other side of the corridor is a shower cubicle – while this is a nice size, note the wheel arch encroaches. There’s a towel ring in both the cubicle and washroom. Both rooms have an Alde radiator.
In the Coachman model, the shower only has a single plughole but large riser bar – the cubicle also includes a shelf. A lit mirror is a good touch, while the Alde radiator can either hold your towel or you can use the towel ring.
Adria Adora Tiber vs Coachman VIP 540 XTRA: Sleeping
The beds in the Tiber are both well-sized. The front make-up bed can either be a generously sized double or the two settees can be singles. A longitudinal island bed is the Tiber’s main sleeping space, offering comfort, while the presence of a grey, padded headboard gives a classy touch to the interior.
The VIP 540 XTRA has a comfortable bed, with a Heki to ensure there’s no shortage of daylight. However, the feature we really like in this part of the van – and actually one of our favourite aspects of the caravan – is the dressing table. Doubling up as a desk, it provides you with the option of turning this area into a dressing room if required.
For the other berths, you can turn the L-shaped settee into either two singles or a comfortable double.
Adria Adora Tiber vs Coachman VIP 540 XTRA: Storage
External storage is not an issue with the Tiber. The front gas locker is generously sized, storing a spare wheel and with room for two gas bottles and something akin to a barbecue. There’s also a waterproof locker on the nearside.
It’s worth noting that this does intrude on the storage beneath the sofa on the left, while the Alde heater impinges on the right. The front part offers good space though. There are also two large overhead lockers. Underbed storage is plentiful (mind adding too much weight though!), while there are two sizeable wardrobes and two further lockers.
The Coachman model also offers plenty of storage space, thanks to 10 overhead lockers, with shelving in five. A large wardrobe can be found near the bed with two drawers – an additional one can be found in the dressing table. The kitchen also provides plenty of options, including two overhead lockers and three large drawers. It’s worth noting that you’ll only find two small cupboards in the washroom, however.
The two brands
UK-based Coachman was the recipient of the best overall caravan manufacturer when we hosted our Owner Satisfaction Awards, with the brand receiving 89.6%.
Adria also proved to be a very popular brand at our recent Owner Satisfaction Awards, with the Slovenian brand achieving a commendable score of 89.5% in the best new caravan manufacturer category.
Find out more about the two brands by reading our guide to the best caravan manufacturers.
Overall…
Ultimately, the deciding factor here could be how you feel about touring with the extra length of the Tiber, which makes it an attractive option if you’re definitely touring as a four. In contrast, the Coachman model offers great versatility and standout features, such as the dressing room table. It’s also worth considering how you feel about the seating setup – would you rather have a L-shaped or C-shaped lounge?
One thing’s for certain though – you’re guaranteed a brilliant tour in either of them. It’s easy to see why both were winners at the Practical Caravan Awards 2022.
Find out more by reading our reviews of the Adria Adora Tiber and the Coachman VIP 540 XTRA.
You can also get more brilliant 4 berth inspiration by reading our guide to the best 4 berth caravans on the market in 2022. You can also read our round-up of the best caravans on the market in 2022 too, to see the models our experts have picked out as the best around.
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