2018 ABI Malham static caravan review

Brand new for 2018, this stylish static caravan has bags of space and stunning décor.

The ABI Malham static caravan features a 13ft wide body as standard and comes complete with many luxurious fixtures and fittings, as well as a superb master bedroom suite.

The model we review here was 40ft x 13ft with two bedrooms.

From the outside, the caravan is clad in cream aluminium and has a black steel pantile roof, white uPVC guttering and downpipes with a nice overhang in contrasting black to the front elevation. This overhang also incorporates four downlighters set above a set of large sliding patio doors with a tall, thin window to the left and a small top hopper opening window to the right.

A range of decking styles to match the final resting location of the Malham can also be ordered via ABI.

There are plenty of windows down both sides, all of which have uPVC frames and use ABI’s special Low ‘E’ Thermaglass double-glazing. The caravan is already mounted on a steel, pre-galvanised twin axle chassis, but it would be worth upgrading to a fully galvanised chassis which has a 10-year warranty.

Insulation on the ABI Malham is 100mm in the roof and below the floorboards with 50mm in the walls. ABI also offer their customers the option of a special “Winter Premium” or “Electric Packs”, which they’ve designed to keep the caravan warm and cosy during the cooler months. The packs include things like 300W heaters to all bedrooms, heated towel rails and domestic central heating. If you want to get the best value from your static caravan by using it for 12 months of the year, it might be worth considering this as an option.

Entering the caravan from the side access door, you step into a small, square lobby. This is a nice surprise and provides that bit of extra space to take off muddy boots and wet coats before moving into the plusher areas. To the right of the door is a mirror with small shelf and set of coat hooks.

Turning left, you enter the kitchen with a squared off archway opening onto the lounge. The kitchen and dining areas are combined, with the dining table set in the middle of the archway.  Don’t worry about this – there’s plenty of space to move around it and it gives the diners lots of elbow room as well as light. The dining table is retro style with a timber top, splayed legs and four upholstered chairs in grey and white.

The kitchen is split into two parts with a set of wall mounted and floor cabinets and a central sink unit with monobloc mixer tap on one side and on the opposite wall and arranged along two axis, another set of floor cabinets with a five burner hob above, and a stylish extractor hood with a huge glass splashback. The panelled walls are also really stylish giving the impression of cut and ragged stonework.

To the right of the hob is a substantial wall unit which houses an eye-level double oven and grill, a built-in microwave oven and masses of storage in the surrounding cabinets. Above this are three meaty looking shelves giving even more space to put all those kitchen essentials. Worth mentioning are the cabinets themselves.  The cupboard doors are in a light oak timber whilst their associated drawers are in a contrasting white laminate. Handles are long, in brushed steel and look very nice indeed.  All, of course, have soft close mechanisms for that added touch of luxury to this well-appointed kitchen!

Standard fittings also include an integrated fridge/freezer but you can also opt for a dishwasher and a washing machine if you like – there’s certainly the room to fit them!  Overall this is one of the best kitchens we’ve seen in recent static caravans of this type and size and credit is due to the designers at ABI for creating it.

Moving through the arch into the lounge, you enter a light and airy space. The Malham has a pitched ceiling at full height throughout and this, along with the walls is painted in a light off white colour accentuating the available light. Add shades of grey in the carpet and soft furnishings, an accent of light green to curtains and some geometric pattern cushions and you have all the ingredients for a restful and comfortable room. We particularly liked the use of box wall lights which add a bit of character and are different to the usual inset or pendant lighting.

Free standing furniture, that comes as standard, includes a large corner sofa unit, which also hides a pull-out bed for occasional use, and which takes the possible sleeping accommodation in the Malham up to six. There’s also a matching armchair, a corner TV and digibox unit and a coffee table with shelves underneath. Opposite the sofa is a fireplace with a wide timber mantle and an inset electric flame effect fire with a surround that matches those nice stone effect panels in the kitchen. Above this is a timber-framed mirror.

Now, let’s explore the sleeping accommodation and the washing facilities.  The twin-bedded room is a large space with plenty of room between the comfortable looking beds. The colour palette here is restful, yet modern with lemon yellow throws and yellow, grey and pinks to scatter cushions and curtains. You also get a large wardrobe with sliding door and a vanity shelf with mirror. A small table with shelf sits between the beds.

The family shower room is a very nicely fitted room with a spacious shower to one end, with a sliding glass door, a corner shelf for gels etc and a shower on an adjustable rod in the opposite corner. You get a large central unit with a top mounted hand basin, shelves and mirror above, and even more storage in a cupboard below. It’s so nice to see plenty of storage in a bathroom. ABI have done a great storage job here!  Last but not least you have a low profile, double flushing button-operated toilet to complete what is a neat, practical shower room.

The master bedroom on the Malham is really special. As you walk through the door you immediately notice the huge floor-to-ceiling windows at the foot of the bed. These allow lots of natural light to flood the room making it seem bigger, somehow. There’s a king-sized bed with similar duvet covers, throws and cushions to those in the twin and which give a nice continuity of style to the bedrooms. The bed also has lift-up storage under the mattress, supported by a gas strut. A tall timber and upholstered headboard has twin reading lights on either side and you also get two spacious bedside tables with well placed power sockets.

In one corner you get a large double wardrobe and set of open shelves to the side. In the corner, an angled door leads into an en-suite which, on the ABI Malham also features not just the usual toilet and handbasin, but also another shower making it completely private to the rest of the static caravan.

Verdict

This brand new design has incorporated many nice touches that would have instant appeal to those wanting a bit more space, a stylish and workable kitchen, plus a luxurious main bedroom. The colours and timber finishes on the ABI Malham give it both an eye-catching style as well as being relaxing – just what you need when on holiday.

Plus points

Restful yet contemporary styling.

Well-appointed and practical kitchen.

Spacious twin bedroom.

High quality fixtures and fittings.

Minus points

Nothing

In-a-nutshell

With the ABI Malham, ABI have produced a winning combination of space, designer touches and a comprehensive specification.

Factfile

Size: 40ft x 13ft.

Build Standard: EN 1647.

Berths: Six, in two bedrooms (one twin and one double). Plus an extra two on a pull-out sofabed in the lounge.

Key optional extras: Fully galvanised chassis; integrated microwave; integrated dishwasher; integrated washing machine; space saver bed for twin room; pocket sprung mattresses; Bluetooth sound system.

Ex works price: £44,227.44 inc VAT

For more information e-mail: [email protected] or visit www.abiuk.co.uk

Extra charges will be made by park operators, and/or distributors for transport, siting and annual maintenance. Please check the price carefully before you commit to buy, as prices vary considerably dependent, amongst other factors, on the geographical location of your chosen park.

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