David Williams From Auto Sleeper Talks Van Conversions At The NEC

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By William Coleman

The van conversion is undoubtedly growing in popularity across the UK. As the demand grows for these fantastic tourers the quality and luxury aspects inside them has grow too.

We at CaravanTimes have used several van conversions from Auto-Sleeper over the past couple of months, and we have fallen in love with them. So why are they becoming so popular? For us it is a combination of reasons such as size, maneuverability and license allowances.

At the NEC we sat down, inside a Auto-Sleeper Warwick, and spoke with Dave Williams from Auto-Sleeper and had some questions about why is the van conversion becoming to go to purchase in the industry.

Experience Freedom With CAMC And Harvey Alexander

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The Caravan and Motorhome Club are expanding their expertise to ensure they help as many people as possible “Experience Freedom”. As The Club move into the camping, glampig and yurt sectors we manage to get a conversation with their Marketing Director, Harvey Alexander.

There are 47 sites nationwide welcoming Experience Freedom guests who can keep their creature comforts close by when exploring the great outdoors. With many accommodation options to choose from, you can hire a motorhome, stay in one of the stylish Yurts in the heart of Kent, try luxury glamping in the Lake District or pack up the tent and camp in multiple sites set in stunning locations.

Greater choice is available to all those who want to tour around, as it is now possible to hire a Motorhome through Experience Freedom’s partner, Swift Go motorhome hire, offering holidaymakers access to over 2700 Club Sites at stunning locations.

Oyster Sat Tech Industry Advice A The NEC

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By William Coleman

When it comes to installing a TV system, or choosing a leisure vehicle with a pre installed setup, there is a lot of information and factors you need to know to ensure you make the right decision. The NEC February show is one of the best places to get impartial information from the industry leaders, such as Oyster Sat Tech.

With the season rapidly approaching, as well as the World Cup, you are going to want to make sure you catch all the games and any other TV while you’re touring the UK or Europe. Julian from Oyster wants to give you the answers to any and all questions you may have. So when you are at the show popover to see Julian and the team to get expert industry advice.

NEC Special With The Auto Trail Roller Team Pegaso 745

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By William Coleman

At this years February NEC Caravan and Camping Show we had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Steve Phillips from Auto-Trail about the new Roller Team A-Class Pegaso 745.

This high end affordable luxury motorhome shows off the how perfect for Pegaso is for touring. This fantastic new models comes with a rear lounge which makes the space inside so much more efficient when making new holiday memories.

The drop down beds also bring high end luxury ad practical living in equal amounts. The U shaped lounge also transforms into an engenius pull out a giant double bed that will provide a perfect night’s sleep.

At the February show there is a whole list of free extra and upgrades available on a lot of models and the Pegaso is no exception. Watch our video to see how you can take advantage of these show special offers.

CAMC Open The NEC Caravan Camping And Motorhome Show With Matt Allwright

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By William Coleman

The Caravan and Motorhome Club have kicked off the February Caravan Camping And Motorhome Show in style with their Brand Ambassador, Matt Allwright. This year’s February show is packed with exclusive announcements from The Club in what could be their biggest show display yet.

As always Matt Allwright, the high street crime fighter, was on hand to open the show for The Club and held several Q&A sessions throughout the day as well as meeting and greeting the public.

We spoke to Matt about what we can expect from The Club at this years show and he had a lot to say about what was on offer and all the show exclusives.

The NEC Launch And Special Offer From Coachman Caravans

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By William Coleman

Leading up to the Birmingham NEC Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show Luna Caravans have launched a fantastic special offer for customer looking to buy at the NEC as well as a sneak peak of what they will be displaying the show in February.

When you visit a caravan show, especially the Birmingham NEC, it can be overwhelming with the amount of choice available. What brand, model, make, package, layout or price bracket should you go for? Well when it comes to brand you really won’t be disappointed with a Coachman. This February Coachman are offering up to £1,200 free factory fit options on 2018 models. This is a limited offer than ends 25/02/2018 so make sure you visit them at stand 1200 when you are at the NEC.

Coachman will also be displaying their flagship VIP range this February. Within this range you can see the VIP 570 which is perfect for families. The 570 sleeps up to 5 people and has an exceptional design build.

So make sure to pay a visit to the Coachman Caravan stand. It could change the way you holiday.

Get Your Service Ahead Of The New Season With Salop Leisure

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By William Coleman

It may be freezing cold at the moment and the hot season may seem like its a very long way away, but before you know it the 2018 touring season will be upon us. So now may be a great time to start planning your 2018 service to beat the Spring/Summer rush and Salop Leisure are here to assist.

As a touring vehicle owner you want to make sure that when you head off on your adventure you do not face any unexpected mechanical issues with your van, motorhome or any of the internal fixtures and fittings. The award winning Salop Leisure, who are based in Shrewsbury, Machynlleth and Southport, stress the importance of putting your tourer through a series of safety checks before heading on your holidays. This is so much more important to do if you have stored the vehicle away during the winter months.

Salop’s Approved Workshops in Shrewsbury have been firing on all cylinders to service touring caravans in the run up to March 1st, which as I am sure you already know is the traditional date that most caravan parks open for the new season.

“We are concerned that some people put away their touring caravan in the winter and then expect to hitch it up to the back of their car in March without carrying out basic safety checks,” said Salop Leisure’s after sales manager Viv Jones.

“They often don’t give their caravans a thought until the day before they want to use it. Our advice is to start preparing for your caravan holiday well in advance.”

Over the years, the company has come across a range of common problems relating to the storage of touring caravans, including birds nesting in the wheel hub or towing hitch and spiders and other insects blocking gas and water pipes.

The tyres of a touring vehicle can also become quite unsafe if they are put under specific pressure due to the storage time during the winter. A caravans tyres may not wear down the same way a cars does but cracks can sometimes appear between the treads which can cause significant problems when towing.

Another frequent problem is the owner forgetting to change the caravan numberplate when he or she changes their car.

“They give so much pleasure to families but it’s essential that touring caravans are serviced every year before they are used,” said Mr Jones. “We service thousands of caravans at our Shrewsbury sales centre, which is open seven days a week and our staff are always on hand to offer advice.”

Anyone needing advice about the servicing of their touring caravan or motorhome can contact Salop Leisure’s service team on Tel: 01743 282400.

So make sure you do as much prep, if not more, as when you preparing to store your motorhome or caravan as the cold months approached.

And do not forget to take part in Salop Leisure Valentines Competition. You can also enter the competition via our Facebook Page.

A Day At The Races With The Auto Tracker LB

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By William Coleman

When it comes to world of motorsports the leisure vehicle plays a huge part. No matter what track you venture to or what sport it is you will see an array of motorhomes everywhere. All shapes and sized but there are a few that stand out from the crowd, the AutoTrail Tracker LB is one of them.

We sent Dan, from CaravanTimes, to meet Andrew Ditton and his four legged companion Dougal at the British Superbike warm ups. They get to spend the whole day at Cadwell Park and meet the best of the best, who just happen to be sponsored by AutoTrail.

The Musical Tourer

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By William Coleman

For me touring holidays and music go hand in hand. When driving around the UK you need to have a playlist that puts you in both the driving and holiday mood. For a long while you have had to use either a 3rd party audio system (bluetooth speaker or a whole separate sound system) or the on board built in speaker system. If music is one of your holiday passions you can now have a professional system fitted.

With growing demands for state of the art audio manufacturers can now satisfy all of their customers musical needs by install their premium models with high performance audio systems, which at one point were only installed into luxury buildings.

That is the message from Paul Hilditch, Brand Manager at Systemline, who has seen a huge uplift in sales as the caravan and static home industry looks to meet the needs of the increasingly tech-savvy customer.

Systemline’s audio solutions are currently being utilised by a number of leading manufacturers in order to provide added value to prospective buyers. As a result, the company has seen a 25% year-on-year growth in sales to the industry, including major manufacturers in the UK and now also France. Key clients include ABI (who install the E100 in certain models) and Carnaby (who equip various homes with the E50).

Both the E100 and E50 feature a control panel that fits within a double gang back box and comes complete with speaker cables and two high performance 6.5″ ceiling mounted speakers from Q Acoustics. Both products include Bluetooth connectivity so caravan owners can benefit from unrivalled access to online music services, whilst the E100 also features a DAB+/FM radio.

Paul Hilditch said: “People make a significant investment for the future when purchasing a caravan or static home. Therefore they deserve a high quality audio solution to maximise the enjoyment of listening to their favourite music when on holiday.

“Due to the rise in popularity of smartphones, tablets and digital assistants, the population is becoming increasingly technology focused – and it is vital for manufacturers to embrace this growing trend to provide added value and convenience to potential customers. When investing in a luxurious caravan, consumers will be drawn to a clutter free and easy-to-use solution that offers seamless access to their music libraries or radio stations.”

So if you need your music as much as I do when your on holiday this may be well worth looking into.

The Auto Trail Tracker LB Video Feature

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By William Coleman

Using a motorhome for your next holiday opens a whole new world of opportunities and adventures. Without trying to sound cliche or cheesey a motorhome really does make the world your own personal little oyster. The Auto-Trail Tracker LB will make your holiday world a lot bigger.

We have the pleasure of showing you an exclusive video from Auto-Trail. In this video we see exactly what the touring lifestyle is really about in their new Tracker LB. Touring is about enjoying quality time with friends and family as well as creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The Tracker LB is 7.6m long which provides so much space on the inside to ensure you have enough practical and leisure space. So while the dinner is being cooked the rest of the family can relax without being under each others feet.

The large motorhome has been designed for social traveller who enjoys having friends over for dinner. There is an external BBQ for those who love the dinning outside when the sun is shining or want a evening meal under the stars.

There are 4 seat belts inside so you will have no trouble fitting the whole family in for great time away. The Tracker a Hi-Line model with the capacity to sleep 6 people. The seperate bedroom at the rear comes with a fixed island bed which creates a the perfect sleeping area, which means no constructing the bed after a long day exploring.

The inside is very spacious which makes indoor entertaining a lot more comfortable. The innovative layout really does make the perfect spot to spend your morning and evenings with the family. The seating can comfortably sit a family of group friends, 6-7 people will fit very well inside for lunch and dinners.

Do not just take my word for it. Watch Auto-Trail’s video to see then Tracker LB in all its glory.

Love2Stay Valentines Competition – Win a Romantic Weeks Holiday

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By William Coleman

The romance is in the air as Valentine’s Day is almost upon us. Salop Leisure are certainly getting into the spirit of things this year.

Fully embracing the Valentines bug, Salop Leisure are holding a CaravanTimes exclusive competition for all of our lovely readers and subscribers. Salop are offering a free 7 night stay at the newly opened Love2Stay site on one of their touring pitches. The Love2Stay site is located right next to Salop Leisure HQ. So you can do all your shopping then head back to the site for a nice relaxing time.

The site has so much to offer, as you can see in our video. The resort site has 124 touring caravan pitches for those wanting to visit on their staycation and a village of 11 luxury glamping lodges.

The stunning pool has an amazing backdrop and is flanked on three sides by decking and hot tubs. You can take in the view of the area’s picturesque surroundings while floating around in the cooling clear water. The pool has the look of a nice lagoon that you would find deep in the woods. The water is chemical free and naturally filtered which gives it its crystal clear look.

The Love2Stay site strives to provide something more than just a Caravan and Glamping site. They are providing services found in boutique hotels. There is a separate reception and concierge desk, a food delivery service and a service where you can book your own personal chef for an outdoor meal. You cannot get too much more romantic than that.

The resort is set in 22 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds with panoramic views across to Wales from one side and over to the Shropshire Hills from the other.

If you want to treat someone you love to a romantic week away all you have to do is enter the competition below or on our Facebook Page

Competition rules:

All valid entrants must complete the form above and like the CaravanTimes Facebook fan page.

Entries close at midday, Friday 23rd February 2018. The prize is as mentioned above.

Open to CaravanTimes members and Facebook fans who are UK residents aged 18 or over.

No cash alternative. Prizes are non-transferable.

Only one entry per person.

No employee of CaravanTimes or StantonPace may enter.

For full terms and conditions click here. The Promoter: StantonPace Ltd, 409 Metropolitan Wharf Buildings, 70 Wapping Wall, London E1W 3SS.

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filed under: Video

Introducing The Auto Trail Tracker LB

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William Coleman

One of the best things about motorhomes are the family holiday experiences that they can provide. You can pack the home with all the essentials and creature comforts you need to feel like you are in your home away from home.

In this video Auto-Trail show us exactly what the touring life is about in their Tracker LB motorhome. From relaxing with a good book or a game on the iPad to bike rides with the family and then evening dinner. This short video gives you a glimpse into the perfect world or touring holidays.

Stay tuned for the feature length video coming from Auto-Trail very soon.