The Coachman name is synonymous with well-built, UK-made touring caravans. It’s a brand that has quietly grown from its origins in a small, Hull workshop into a respected, family-run manufacturer, with ranges that mix traditional craftsmanship with a variety of more modern construction techniques.
Let’s have a look at the Coachman story, from its roots and the first hand-built caravans in the 1980s up to the present day, with a closer peek at some of the key models that have defined the company over the years.
Although the Coachman brand as we know it was officially formed in the 1980s, its roots sit in a much older caravan-making tradition around Hull and the East Yorkshire. The company that became Coachman developed out of the region’s long-standing industry, where small manufacturers and craftsmen produced touring caravans for a booming UK market in the 1960s and 1970s. Coachman Caravans itself was set up in 1986 and built its first hand-made caravans in a small factory in Hull - a modest start that had an emphasis on quality and attention to detail.
In 1986 the first Coachman caravan was produced, and the company steadily expanded production while keeping a strong focus on craftsmanship. Early models used reliable AL-KO chassis and GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) mouldings that were becoming standard in the industry, and Coachman rapidly earned a reputation for tidy finishes and solid construction. In 1988 the VIP came along, and over the 1990s the firm grew from small-batch builds into a bigger manufacturing operation, while still positioning itself as a quality, domestically-made alternative to some of the larger groups.
In 1993 The Coachman Owners’ Club was formed by enthusiasts for the brand, and this organisation has continued to feed back to the company on various topics, helping them to further develop and shape the ranges and facilities on offer.
By the 2000s Coachman had broadened its portfolio to cover entry-level tourers and more luxurious ranges. The company introduced better interior fit-outs, modern appliances and also layouts that reflected people’s changing holiday tastes - families now wanted flexible berths, while many sought more ‘home-from-home’ comforts. Coachman’s approach was evolutionary rather than radical, with a view to improve its build processes, upgrade the interior specifications - and keep the manufacturing base local, too.
In the 2010s Coachman moved to even more modern construction techniques (including fully bonded panels, ABC (advanced bonded construction) and improved water-ingress protections) and rolled out ranges that emphasised both luxury and longevity. A number of Coachman ranges now came with longer warranties as a result - a sign of confidence in the build quality - and the company has continued to launch new editions as it refreshes its ranges for modern tastes. It has also expanded several times over the years, in terms of factory and storage space.
The feeling you get is that Coachman’s reputation for innovation is less about having flashy gimmicks and more about incremental, practical improvements that matter to owners. The modern Coachman ranges use fully bonded panels without the usual wood - favouring advanced polyurethane instead - and excellent sealing to reduce the risk of water ingress (the archenemy of caravan owners!) and the company backs some models with lengthy water-ingress promises. That focus on long-term durability is no doubt a core selling point. The fact that its caravans are still manufactured in Hull gives Coachman tight control over production and quality, which helps maintain consistent standards and a home-built identity valued by many buyers. In 2022 it also moved into producing motorhomes, with the Travel Master range, so it is clear that innovation and changes are very much at the forefront of their minds.
Some of the main Coachman models
Coachman’s model naming has varied over the years but several ranges certainly stand out…
The Lusso range
With the highest standard of quality, this now comes with a 120 watt roof-mounted solar panel, a curved L-shape designed kitchen with increased workspace and deeper cupboards than it used to have.
The VIP range
This range has been positioned over many years as a premium offering with refined interiors, deeper carpets, soft-close cabinetry and features aimed at comfort and style. Indeed, the first models a few decades ago came with blown air heating and full ovens, which was the height of luxury at the time!
The Laser range
Marketed with a focus on durable construction and a long water-ingress warranty, this represents Coachman’s modern technical advances in panel bonding and protection from the start. This year’s offering features a selection of single and twin axle fixed-bed tourers, with all ‘XTRA’ models built on an 8ft platform to maximise space and provide a comfortable, open-plan feel in every layout.
The Acadia range
Revamped for the new season, the 2025 five-model Acadia range sets a new standard in style and comfort and each one features a generously sized rear washroom with refined detailing.
The Amara range
An older model that has seen major overhauls in recent years, which reflects the firm’s steady presence across many market segments over the years.
The Coachman 440 range (older models)
The first models that helped establish the company’s reputation, these caravans offered several practical layouts of two, four or five berths and showed the firm’s early approach to building solid, usable tourers.
Coachman’s story is one of steady, practical progress. Born from the caravan-making heartland of Hull, built with hands-on workmanship and then updated with modern construction techniques that address the most important long-term concerns of caravan owners. For many caravaners the brand strikes the sensible balance between traditional manufacture and contemporary comfort - which probably explains why Coachman continues to be a familiar and trusted name on our campsites.