2008 Ace Supreme Twinstar VS 2011 Elddis Odyssey 634
2011 Elddis Odyssey 634
LOOKING FOR A twin-axle tourer with a fixed bed and an end-washroom, but don’t want to pay more than £11,000?
That was the task we set ourselves this month and fortunately, the Darlington branch of long-established dealership Kimberley Caravans met our needs.
With an extensive forecourt, Kimberley offers a large selection of pre-owned stock to choose from, so would our £10,500 budget get us that bargain?
The contenders 2008 Ace Supreme Twinstar
Swift Group’s Ace brand sold well for some years, with the Jubilee, the Award and the twin-axled Supreme. They offered a choice of good layouts, and Alde heating was also a bonus. An Al-ko chassis, AKS hitch and barbecue point were all part of the spec.
So we were pleased to find this rather good-looking Twinstar on offer for a fiver less than £10,000. This layout offers lots of space, and with most buyers being couples, the Twinstar was well looked after. It is looking more dated in appearance now, but was a smart tourer in its day.
The end-washroom you’ll find in the Twinstar is very spacious, and is a feature of this model that has always attracted buyers who prefer to stay on small sites with few facilities.
The spec also includes a Cd/radio, alarm, TV aerial, oven with dual-fuel hob, and a Thetford fridge with a separate freezer. So with plenty of storage and living space, the Twinstar has a great deal going for it.
2011 Elddis Odyssey 634
The Odyssey range, which slotted between the Avanté and Crusader line-ups, was phased out after the 2012 season.
Costing just short of £20,000 new, the 634 also provided a generous spec and a great end-washroom. It was built on
a BPW unit (now part of Al-ko). Although it is newer by three years, the Odyssey doesn’t look as modern as the Twinstar.
Heating is provided by Truma’s blown-air system. The Odyssey also has a good spec, with full oven, microwave and dual-fuel hob, but no separate freezer.
For a couple wanting a sizeable end-washroom and lots of storage, this tourer packs in plenty of value for the price tag of £10,995. It has been well looked after, too.
Neither model is light, but they are likely to end up on seasonal pitches, where they will certainly prove their worth. Now which will get the gong this month?
Pitch and set-up
Ace Supreme Twinstar ★★★★☆
Elddis Odyssey 634 ★★★★☆
Both these twin-axle tourers come with a hitch stabiliser – the 634’s is a Winterhoff. Outside, both are in great condition and the alloys are also in good order. The pair have GRP front panels, with no signs of damage. They also both have sturdy grab handles, although the Odyssey’s are smart stainless-steel, giving it a classy look. Both are fitted with exterior mains sockets and wet lockers, and the Odyssey also provides an awning warmer.
Both models have a large front gas locker and a Status TV aerial, but the Odyssey has a mover fitted, which is always a big help.
The pair have steel spare wheels, and the Odyssey has good corner steadies, although the Twinstar’s are heavy-duty.
The Twinstar is possibly in slightly better condition than the Odyssey, but both offer excellent value for money.
Lounge
Ace Supreme Twinstar ★★★★☆
Elddis Odyssey 634 ★★★★☆
In both tourers, the front lounge is spacious and very comfortable. They have ample overhead locker storage, except above the
front windows, where in the pair, the space provided is quite shallow.
The Twinstar’s front lounge has a more contemporary appearance, with its smarter overhead locker design, compared to the more traditional finish in the Odyssey.
Spotlights are fitted in both – those in the Twinstar are larger, but the Odyssey’s LEDS consume less power. Integral corner lights on both are mains units and the pair have Heki roof vents for light and ventilation.
A Cd/radio is fitted in the front overhead lockers in both tourers. The Twinstar has a couple of bottle holders, but they’re not as fancy as the Odyssey’s drinks cabinet.
Lounge seating in both models provides access flaps to the underseat storage, and there are mains sockets fitted, too. The Twinstar’s alarm sensor is located here.
Seating in both is very comfortable and still supportive; we also liked the Twinstar’s bolster cushions, for extra comfort.
The pair have four scatter cushions and the Twinstar has a neat clock, too. Both central chests of drawers have an extending top for use as a coffee table, and two roomy drawers. Altogether, both models have an excellent lounge, so they end up even here.
Beds
Ace Supreme Twinstar ★★★★☆
Elddis Odyssey 634 ★★★★☆
Settees in both lounges make up into single beds, or a double using the slatted bases. In the pair, the slats come out easily and function smoothly.
Both models also have a side fixed-bed, providing ample space for two. In each, the mattress is in exellent condition, with many years of use left in them – so again, it is equal scores in this section.
Kitchen
Ace Supreme Twinstar ★★★★☆
Elddis Odyssey 634 ★★★★☆
The kitchen is a key element in any tourer, but it’s especially important if you really enoy cooking when on tour.
Both of these kitchens are well equipped, but the Twinstar might well take the lead, because it’s got some great storage, with pull-out wire baskets. But the Odyssey also has some excellent cupboard storage.
The Odyssey’s fridge is in the kitchen, freeing up the side dresser opposite for the Truma heater to go in its base, and for additional worktop, too. The Twinstar has the separate fridge/freezer, with the microwave above. In the Odyssey, one of the overhead lockers in the kitchen houses the microwave.
The L-shaped kitchen in the Odyssey allows for a tad more storage than you’ll find in the Twinstar, but both are fitted with a full oven and dual-fuel hob, all in very good condition. These two tourers have been well looked after throughout, and the kitchens are no exceptions.
For night-time use, both kitchens have a well-placed striplight, but the Odyssey also offers an extra mains socket.
If you want a sizeable fridge, the Twinstar wins, but if worktop is your priority, the Odyssey crosses the line first. So in our view, this one is another tie!
Washroom
Ace Supreme Twinstar ★★★★½
Elddis Odyssey 634 ★★★★½
These tourers both provide a well-designed end-washroom, although the Twinstar lacks a little floor area compared to the Odyssey. Condition in both is immaculate.
Each of these washrooms has a sizeable window and a Thetford electric-flush toilet.
The Odyssey has an outlet for the blown-air heating, but the Twinstar has Alde heating.
The Odyssey also has a generously sized handbasin, with storage underneath. The Twinstar’s handbasin isn’t as deep, but there is a cupboard below it.
In both models, the shower cubicle is brilliant – the Twinstar’s is a curvy design, while the Odyssey’s is a more conventional oblong. But both offer plenty of showering room, plus excellent lighting and roof vent ventilation. The Odyssey makes particularly effective use of the floor area, with good storage that doesn’t detract from the space.
Faced with another tough decision, we decided that this one’s a draw, too.
Storage
Ace Supreme Twinstar ★★★★☆
Elddis Odyssey 634★★★★½
Nobody would be short of storage capacity with either of these tourers – the pair really make the most of the available space.
The Twinstar has plenty of wardrobe storage in the end-bedroom, as does the Odyssey. The latter also has overhead lockers above the fixed bed and cupboards on the nearside of the bed.
The Odyssey’s kitchen provides plenty of storage in its side dresser opposite. Both washrooms have lots of space for all of your kit, and there’s underbed storage, too. But on reflection, we think the Odyssey just nudges into the lead here.
Verdict
Ace Supreme Twinstar ★★★★☆
Elddis Odyssey 634 ★★★★½
So here we have two excellent tourers. The pricing makes both of them extremely good value, and they would be ideal for a seasonal pitch for two. The Odyssey is newer, so more expensive, but it does have a mover fitted. Both have an alarm and the Odyssey also comes with BPW’S IDC stability system (there’s no ATC on the Twinstar).
Moulded GRP panels (ABS on the rear of the Odyssey) are in great condition, as are the windows, with few scratches. The end-washrooms are well designed and offer plenty of storage and spacious showers.
You get great spec in both, especially the Twinstar, with its Alde heating. But the Odyssey has loads of storage and extra kit, making it unbeatable value. So it’s here that the Twinstar is nudged into second place, and after much debate, the Odyssey gets our vote – a very tough contest!