If you’re shopping around for a caravan, the name Lunar will likely appear on your radar. Known for their lightweight designs and long-standing history, Lunar caravans have been a staple in the UK caravan market for decades. But since their demise in 2019 and with increased competition from other leading manufacturers, many potential buyers are left wondering: Are Lunar caravans any good today?
In this article, we’ll take a balanced look at Lunar’s history, reputation, strengths and weaknesses, and how they compare to other caravan brands, helping you decide whether they’re the caravan for you.
A Brief History of Lunar Caravans
Lunar Caravans was founded in 1969 by Brian Talbot and Ken Wilcock in Preston, Lancashire. From its early days, Lunar carved out a niche by producing lightweight caravans, ideal for families, solo travellers, and those with modest towing vehicles. The brand name was inspired by the 1969 moon landing, which represented innovation and exploration, values the company aimed to reflect in its caravan designs.
For decades, Lunar grew steadily and developed a loyal customer base. Known for their affordability, practicality, and low towing weights, Lunar caravans were seen as a reliable entry-point into caravanning.
However, in 2019, Lunar entered administration due to financial challenges. The business was quickly bought out and relaunched as Lunar Automotive, with a commitment to restoring the brand’s former glory however, this soon followed into administration again when the covid pandemic began.
Reputation in the Industry
Lunar’s reputation has experienced ups and downs over the years. While many caravaners fondly recall owning a reliable Lunar model from the 1990s or early 2000s, more recent feedback has been mixed, especially in the years leading up to its 2019 administration.
Key reputation points:
- Strengths: Lightweight construction, affordability, beautiful modern interiors, Light & Airy, and innovation in layouts.
- Concerns: Some reports of quality control issues, especially with build quality and damp surfaced in the mid-2010s, damaging consumer confidence.
- Post-Administration: Since its administration there has been concerns over parts supply however, in many cases, Lunar used parts from manufacturers that are still around today and supplying other major caravan manufacturers in the industry.
Pros of Lunar Caravans
1. Lightweight Design
This is Lunar’s most well-known advantage. Their models are generally lighter than comparable caravans from other brands, making them suitable for a broader range of tow vehicles, including mid-size family cars.
2. Affordable Pricing
Lunar caravans are typically priced below premium brands, making them appealing to first-time buyers or budget-conscious buyers looking to enjoy the caravanning lifestyle.
3. Smart Layouts
Lunar has a history of clever, space-efficient layouts that maximise interior comfort and functionality within a compact footprint. In fact some of their layouts were later used by other manufacturers.
4. Good Towing Stability
Because of their lighter weight and low centre of gravity, Lunar caravans often offer a smooth and stable towing experience—even in windy conditions, coupled with certain models also having ATC as standard.
5. Decent Range of Models
Lunar as we know, no longer produce caravans however, you will see a huge range of models in the used market still generally include a mix of 2, 4, and 6-berth caravans to suit all types of requirements, whether that is for couples or larger families. You will see layouts including island beds, single beds, side/double dinettes and even bunk beds.
6. Light & Airy Modern Design
Lunar caravans weren’t just lightweight and affordable, they also stood out for their stylish, contemporary design. With large roof lights, they offered bright, airy interiors that created a warm, welcoming atmosphere. While design is always subjective, Lunar’s caravans are still regarded as modern and timeless, even though the company no longer manufactures them. Many believe that no other brand has truly matched Lunar’s unique combination of design and lightweight construction.
Cons of Lunar Caravans
1. Build Quality Concerns
Perhaps the most significant criticism Lunar has faced is the build quality of models produced in the mid-2010s. Issues with water ingress (although fixable), flimsy interior fittings, and inconsistent finishings were reported by some owners of Lunar caravans.
2. Parts Supply
Original parts can be hard to come by due to the administration of Lunar in 2019. Luckily most of the functional parts are easily accessible as Lunar used suppliers such as Truma, Alde, Dometic, Thetford and other reputable and recognised suppliers. Although when it comes to items such as upholstery, worktops, decals for example can be a little harder to replace and may need a substitute.
3. Resale Value
Lunar caravans have seen a significant drop in resale value since the company went into administration. The upside, however, is that if you’re looking to buy one, you can often find them at a much lower price. And when it comes time to sell, most of the major depreciation has already occurred, meaning your potential loss in value is likely to be minimal.
How Do Lunar Caravans Compare to Other Brands?
Let’s put Lunar side-by-side with a few well-known competitors:
| Feature | Lunar | Swift | Bailey | Elddis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | Lighter than most | Heavier, solid construction | Moderate, well-balanced | Similar to Bailey |
| Build Quality | Mixed reviews | Generally okay | Good consistency | Poor in recent years |
| Pricing | Affordable | Mid-to-high price range | Budget to mid-range | Budget to mid-range |
| Innovation | No longer producing | Generally higher spec | Good use of tech and practicality | Conservative |
| Availability | Only on the used market | Widely available across UK | Widely available across UK | Network reduced in recent years |
| Customer Service | Only available at the supplying dealer | Dedicated customer service centre | Generally good | Variable |
Who Are Lunar Caravans Best For?
- First-time buyers who wants a lightweight starter caravan with a practical layout.
- Couples or retirees looking for a simple, easy-to-tow caravan.
- Budget-conscious families wanting decent layout options without overspending.
- Owners of smaller tow vehicles (e.g., estate cars or compact SUVs).
Final Verdict: Are Lunar Caravans Any Good?
Yes – with caveats. Lunar caravans offer excellent value and lightweight practicality, making them a solid choice for many buyers, especially those new to the world of caravanning or looking for something tow-friendly and budget-aware.
However, prospective buyers should:
- Be cautious that the only warranty will be with the supplying dealer, so make sure you choose a Lunar caravan from a reputable dealer with warranty.
- Keep an eye out for any blue discolouration in the wallpaper, this was a common sign of water ingress in Lunar caravans. While this can indicate past damp issues, it’s important to note that if the wallpaper hasn’t been replaced, it won’t confirm whether the problem still occurs. It may have been rectified but the repairer hasn’t changed the wallpaper. At this stage, it’s a good idea to use a damp meter to check if moisture is still present and it has been rectified.
- Consider dealer reputation and the availability of servicing and parts.
Lunar have some great qualities and you can now see many cheap used Lunar caravan in the market. Don’t be alarmed at how cheap they are. It may not mean that they have underlying issues however, make sure you throughly check before committing.
Still interested in Lunar caravans? Why not check our range of Lunar caravans for sale, all with warranty and full service carried out before you collect.
