carlight history |
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1993 saw the introduction of a new style, the Mk IV
range. Carlight has never been shy in leading the way in design
for others to follow and the 1990's was no exception. Over
the decade Carlight brought out the first caravan with a high
level brake light, a revolutionary water management system,
a unique shower* enclosure which folded
away completely when not in use, a new spat*
to close of the wheel arch aperture when an awning was erected,
a unique and stylish rear boot compartment (sensibly large
enough to house all the fresh and waste containers and hoses)
together with a whole host of further changes including a
new chassis design (still made inhouse though and still fully
galvanised). New designs were introduced, with an end washroom
model appearing in the Commander range for the first time
in 1993.
All these improvements lead to rave reviews in the press...
Caravan Life reported:
"...elegance in shape, innovation and
use of only the most modern materials. Individually selected
oak veneers are used throughout the furniture and are complemented
by solid oak details and edgings...each piece is unique
and signed by the maker to become an enduring part of caravanning
history and with that indefinable quality that sets a Carlight
apart from the rest with a character all of its own".
Alongside quality craftsmanship, safety and ease of use were
all addressed, high level brake lights, a fire extinguisher,
slide-out gas locker tray and all locks matched to one key
(including the spare wheel carrier!) all became standard features.
A unique water management system provided probably the neatest
and yet simplest solution to fresh and waste water management
available. This enabled the caravan to be operated from either
the mains fresh water supply or alternatively from the on-board
watertank via the wheeled fresh water container. The fresh
and waste water containers stored conveniently in the rear
boot together with the waste hoses etc. which keep the main
interior of the caravan clean and tidy.
But as always all these new ideas where combined with traditional
features and Dovetailed timber drawers, morticed and tenoned
joints, locker doors cut from a single piece of veneer so
the grain of the oak ran through, all remained an essential
part of every Carlight and these hallmarks of skills seldom
seen in a world otherwise dominated by mass production lead
Practical Caravan magazine to exclaim as the Millennium drew
to an end:
"The Best – This really is the
Rolls Royce of caravans and is without question the best
quality tourer we've ever tested".
* Patents Pending
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