Check Mate! Knight

Move over Magnus Carlsen, Garry Kasparov and Bobby Fisher, there is a new potential chess grandmaster on the rise in South African caravan circles, and they have just declared “Checkmate”!

- Richard Van Ryneveld

While the people behind Crown Caravans have been in the caravan manufacturing business for a good few years now, they are expanding their horizons and want to take the current players head-on.

They have two new, conventional caravan models (non pop-tops) aimed at the upper end of the market where owners place more importance on interior space, a bigger permanent double bed, plus that of having their own exclusive shower and toilet facility.

Newest dealer, Motor King, and Marine in Pretoria have just taken delivery of the latest Checkmate Knight, a single axle, 4-berth conventional caravan with a length of 7 810mm and GVM of 1 950kg.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT

The secret of seeing any new caravan is that first impression, it must imprint an image that lasts. For any newborn animal, that first view of mom is imprinted in their little minds forever, and that is how I felt about the new Checkmate Knight.

I was impressed by its stand-apart, handsome good looks, the cleanliness, and simplicity of its overall design with the wide, slide-out exterior kitchen that will delight anyone on kitchen duty – it has more working space than I have ever seen in a caravan.

And, just like in most homes, the stove is electric, a Melleware induction stove, and it comes with all the bells and whistles, including a timer! If you want a four-minute boiled egg that is what you will get.

The kitchen comes fully equipped with cutlery and crockery as standard, and inside the caravan, there’s a nice-size microwave. But, your prayers have been answered with the ultimate appliance; the one that keeps the beer cold, meat frozen and capacity similar to the Sudwalo Caves. There stands a silver, two-door fridge from floor to roof height!

As a package, the Checkmate Knight is priced right at R390 000 (introductory special) while the longer Checkmate Queen costs a little more.