First look: Alaria TS
The 8ft-wide Alaria with twin single beds and a first-class end washroom is ideal for couples who like touring in luxury
The Alaria range – built by British brand Lunar – has a stylish, high-quality interior, and this TS is ideal for couples wanting lots of space and luxury, says Andrew Jenkinson
MARKETED AS AN individual luxury range, separate from the Lunar line-up, the Alaria offers three layouts – all twin-axles. They are also that magical 8ft wide, so can provide stacks of living area. We checked out the 2019 TS; the designation stands for twin single beds, a popular layout that combines with an end washroom and a spacious, L-shaped lounge. Launched at the end of 2017, the Alaria rapidly became a hit, offering a modern interior and good value for money. The Alaria mirrors the Delta, but pay a bit more for the Alaria and you get something altogether different, with additional spec and that great interior. This end of the market has been dominated by Buccaneers, but we can see why the Alaria is winning new friends. For 2019, subtle changes include the front gas locker lid reverting back to white; some of us liked the black colour, but the Alaria still looks very smart.
Pitch and set-up
The Alaria is on an Al-ko chassis, with AKS hitch, plus ATC for added towing stability. A spare wheel is included, plus an on-board 40-litre water tank and alloy wheels. Al-ko Wheel Secure is fitted as standard, as is a Status TV aerial. The Alaria also has Led-lit grab handles – very smart. Other features include an exterior wet locker and shower point, plus BBQ point and exterior mains socket. The spec level is high and, to top it off, the Alaria has self-levelling corner steadies. The main service points are on the offside, which also has an LED awning light. The Alaria’s smooth aluminium sides have smart new graphics for 2019. A sunroof is fitted, but you also get a super-sized skylight, adding more natural light in the lounge area. The front gas locker now has easier access and there is a handy LED light on the drawbar, for night-time use.
Lounge
The L-shaped lounge works well in this 8ft-wide configuration. It’s comfortable, very sociable, and comes with good overhead lockers for storage. LED lighting is up to the usual standard. The large, deep, side window offers a great view and allows even more daylight into the TS. Lunar has always had a knack of making its tourers feel bigger, and the Alaria feels more like a static caravan. The freestanding table is fine for main meals, but there’s also a fold-out wall table; just right for that morning brew. There’s some useful shelf space here, but we really like the movable seat, which provides more enclosed storage. The upholstery is in a very fashionable grey, which adds to the modern ambience. The seating has access flaps for underseat storage, and the alarm sensor is in the lounge area.
Kitchen
The Alaria’s side kitchen offers a great place in which to prepare meals; plenty of worktop, which includes an extending flap, makes this area very practical. For 2019, the new Thetford oven (with a Cramer extractor) has been fitted, and the fridge/ freezer placed opposite, with the Sharp microwave located above. The small side dresser opposite can be
‘The L-shaped lounge works well in this 8ft-wide model; it’s comfortable and sociable’
used to provide more worktop, and there is a bracket above if you want to have a TV here. The kitchen’s three overhead lockers are edged by lighting strips which, along with the downlights, make the kitchen a well-lit place to work in. Two cupboards provide storage, housing better-quality pull-out wire baskets and the cutlery drawer. There’s a mains socket here – we would have expected two, but at least you get a twin USB point. The splashback is a little plain, and it would have been good to see a light-up version.
Beds
To use the front double bed, you’ll need to make the L-shaped seating into a sleeping surface. But the Lunar design team have made this easy: the front settee has a slide-out metal frame, so bed-making is pretty simple – place the cushions in the right order and there you are. But few customers will be converting this into a bed, and the seating can also be used as a single. The rear twin singles are over 6ft long, so most should find them comfortable, as they will the deep mattresses.
Washroom
Lunar’s washrooms are among the best on the market, so the Alaria’s facilities are, as you would expect, first-class. The washroom in the TS is spacious and well-equipped, with a sizeable wardrobe and an LED night-light. The toilet is a Thetford electric-flush model, placed next to the side window, by the chrome radiator. As well as the excellent storage, you get a large, deep handbasin. The shower cubicle is one of the best around, being spacious and well-lit. It’s just a shame there’s no roof vent here for ventilation, although the main area does have a mini Heki.
Storage
Any tourer of this size won’t be short of storage space, and the Alaria ticks all the boxes. The front gas locker offers extra space for useful items such as wheel chocks, while the van’s interior is well-provided for in terms of lockers and cupboards. The lounge offers shelving and overhead storage, plus corner units – one of which houses the Cd/radio. The movable seat also adds to capacity, and the kitchen area has sizeable cupboards and a small dresser unit just by the entrance door. Over the rear single beds, storage space is also generous, with overhead lockers and those seat bases. The washroom offers cupboards, plus twin wardrobes. So if there are just the two of you, storage is more than ample.