Dethleffs c'joy 480 QLK: Surprising family caravan

Last year Dethleffs introduced the c'joy, a new entry-level series for starting caravanners. With three layouts, starting at just under 13 grand. For the coming camping season, a family member will be added: the Dethleffs c'joy 480 QLK, with accommodation for up to seven (!) people.

Compact, with basic equipment, a reasonable price tag and light in weight. A good year ago, Dethleffs immediately presented the c'joy with three models. Two with fixed double beds and one with single beds. In two models, the seating group can also be converted into a bed, making the strollers ideal for families with children. The fourth model in the series appeared at the Caravana in Leeuwarden: the 480 QLK, with a special layout.

Exterior

Lightweight construction is not the most economical production method. An important way of downsizing is literally done with the c'joy: by not making the caravan wider than 2,12 meters, quite a bit of weight is saved. The advantage is that the caravan can be towed with most cars with a normal B driving license. Another advantage of such a narrow car is that you don't immediately get sweaty hands as soon as you have to maneuver through a French village.
What is special about the c'joy is that no expense has been spared on quality: the roof, front and rear are made of hail-resistant GRP: polyester. Dethleffs chose hammered aluminum plating for the side walls. The high service hatch at the rear right reveals that a bunk bed has been installed. If you fold up the lower sleeping section, you can effortlessly slide a few children's bicycles in through the service hatch - handy for on the go.

Interior

The caravan looks very spacious on the inside. This is due to the light wood color, alternating with white surfaces, such as the sides of the cabinets. Together with the taupe upholstery, this gives the caravan a modern look. When you enter, you immediately notice the transverse bed at the front. It is mounted higher, with enormous storage space under the slatted frames. The table is located on a rail at the edge of the bed - the table can be moved to the headboard, so that you can use it as a storage space. The sofa then serves as a step to get into bed. We see the other bed at the rear. The full width of the caravan has been used for a bunk bed with two (or, if desired, three) layers. The dinette can be converted into a third bed (190x122 cm), allowing 6 people to spend the night in the QLK. Or even seven, if you choose the optional third bed for the bunk bed. The kitchen is located in the middle of the caravan. With a sink, built-in hob with three gas burners and a large refrigerator (90 liters) with freezer compartment. Opposite we find the wet room with an easy-to-clean bench toilet and the option to shower.

Technical installations

The c'joy, like its brothers and sisters, has a very basic design. Only the essentials are included, which keeps the price competitive. You can upgrade the caravan as desired with various packages, such as the Dynamic package (599 euros), which includes shock absorbers, built-in water tank, an extra service hatch and a holder for the spare wheel. It becomes even more luxurious with the Touring package (1.000 euros), which includes a more comfortable heating, boiler and a larger roof hatch - so you determine the luxury level of your new caravan yourself.

Conclusion

The 480 QLK is an interesting extension of the Dethleffs c'joy series. With a maximum of 7 sleeping places, the caravan is suitable for large and blended families. The caravan is neatly built and there is nothing to complain about in terms of styling: a modern caravan with a sleek interior. The starting price of € 14.990 sounds nice, but in practice you will want to tick some extras in the options list. Empty, the 480 QLK weighs 972 kilos - which means it can carry 228 kilos of luggage. That is not oversized, especially with accommodation for up to seven people; Fortunately, you can increase that maximum weight to 1.500 kilos. So you can also work well with large groups with the 480 QLK.

PLUS MINUS
+ modern look
+ expandable with luxury packages
– limited loading capacity in basic version

Facts & Figures
Body length, with drawbar: 596/706 cm
Width: 212 cm
Height: 261 cm
Number of sleeping places: 6 (expandable to 7)
Bed dimensions for: 190x150 cm
middle: 190×120 cm
rear: 190×70 and 190×60 cm
Empty weight: 972 kg
Total permissible: 1.200/1.500 kg
Load capacity: 228/528 kg

Price €14.990
More information www.dethleffs.nl