68% of campervan staycationers planning another trip

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It’s safe to say that 2021 has been an unprecedented year in terms of people trying caravan and campervan holidays, mainly due to the restrictions associated with the pandemic.

Going forward, it’ll be interesting to see how many of those who have embraced the lifestyle will continue to enjoy leisure vehicle staycations.

This is a question tackled by Sterling Insurance, which carried out research into the changing habits and opinions of caravan, campervan and motorhome holidaymakers in the UK.

It discovered that 68 per cent of those who have enjoyed this type of trip since March 2020 intend to take another in the next 12 months.

Further to this, 37 per cent of respondents were keen to buy a caravan or motorhome after having positive experiences this summer.

Taking the love of all things touring one step further, one in ten Brits are now tempted to embrace vanlife and live in a caravan or motorhome full time.

Emma Orlando has been living and working on the road throughout the Covid-19 emergency.

She said: “When the pandemic hit and I couldn’t travel overseas anymore, I decided to explore the UK whilst running my own business.

“So far, it’s been an absolute dream parking in some beautiful spots – wild camping in Scotland was incredible, and I got to wake up in the most beautiful places.”

For those really serious about making the switch, Sterling Insurance has a vanlife offering that can be adapted to the specific needs of individuals living out of their leisure vehicle.

Peter Cook, floor manager at Sterling Insurance, said: “It’s great to find that so many Brits have loved their campervan and motorhome experiences, and we expect to see interest continue to grow into 2022.

“We think it’s exciting that many are keen to take to the road more permanently and brave the vanlife.”

Nick’s News – Winter, heavy towing U-turn and the Swift Monza

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Nick HardingNick’s News – Nick Harding is an expert in all things motorhomes, caravans and camping. Each week, Nick explores products, locations, holiday ideas and essential community information on our behalf – It’s a Hard-ing Life for Nick, but here is what he found this week.

My week

There are quieter times now as we head into the winter months. It’s no reason to give up completely on the leisure vehicle life, however, as most models’ heating and insulation systems are good enough these days to brave even the coldest nights. And the right equipment helps, of course.

If you are packing up your caravan or motorhome not to use for the next few months, preparation is key…

In the news

Winter care – get a free guide

Is it time to put your leisure vehicle into rest mode for the winter? You’ll probably already know there are lots of different jobs to do to ensure a trouble-free hibernation. There’s plenty to consider, from a full drain down and looking after your leisure battery to ensuring essential alarm and tracking systems are kept ticking over.

Tyres, protection from the weather and properly closing down the gas system, as well as a systematic clear out of the interior contents are among the other factors.

So, you might find a free download from accessories retailer That Leisure Shop a great helping hand. It’s called Prepare Yours for Winter and it does what it says on the tin.

Heavy towing – time for a U-turn?

Perhaps it’s not quite a U-turn, but plans to allow anybody to tow anything, regardless of their driving experience, have been put on hold.

Regulations meaning folk would no longer need to take a B+E test to tow any car and caravan outfit weighing more than 3,500kg were proposed to come into effect on November 15th. It’s now a case of “as you were”, so hold on for more updates.

Motorhome for me?The front lounge of the Swift Monza

Swift Monza – A Ford first for Swift

Old badge, new concept. Swift has announced its first campervan for over a decade and it’s coming with the Monza name on an elevating roof conversion of Ford’s people-carrying Tourneo Custom.

It’s Swift’s second foray into the campervan sector. Does anyone remember the rather short-lived, Fiat Scudo-based Autocruise Pulse?

I’ll admit £58,395 looks a keen price, especially bearing in mind the superior equipment levels of the base vehicle – including all manner of “driver experiences” like blind spot information, cross traffic alert and pre-collision.

The Tourneo comes as standard with 130bhp diesel engine and six-speed manual transmission. For now, Swift is offering power and automatic transmission upgrades. There’s also a choice of metallic exterior colours to complement the decidedly automotive black/grey interior look – magnetic grey, chrome blue, diffused silver and orange glow.

Despite the Ford’s two sliding doors, it’s a typical side furniture campervan formula, with the usual two-ring hob and sink combination, plus 42-litre compressor fridge. There’s also the option of a grill. Furniture finish is a choice of deep grey or cream.

It will sleep four, but there’s travel for up to five. There’s plenty of built-in versatility too, as that rear seat is on rails; there’s an outdoor shower attachment via the offside sliding door; 100-Watt solar panel; Eberspächer heating; fresh and waste water tanks; and an external gas point. A Dometic portable toilet is standard too.

Official launch date is February, so you have plenty of time to do your research before placing your order. As you can see, it’s not short of Ford-based campervan rivals…

Three good: Tourneo base vehicle spec, premium interior styling and five-seater capacity
Two bad: Same old campervan formula and questions over availability matching demand
Perfect for… The more adventurous
Also consider: Autohaus Ashton GT, Auto-Sleeper Air, Ford Nugget, Wellhouse Trento or Westfalia Kelsey

Christmas come early, 2021. Part four…

If you’re determined to get out and about through the winter months, a new jacket just might prove the ideal Christmas pressie. The Torrent Extreme from Snugpak retails for £216 and claims 50 per cent better insulation than the standard Torrent, as well as a comfort rating of -12 degrees C.

The timing’s not right for Christmas, but you really should check out the latest awnings range from Outwell, especially the Active models designed for smaller vehicles up to campervans based on Volkswagen’s Transporter.

The FIeldcrest canopy, erectedModels here start with the Fieldcrest Canopy, going up to Beachcrest and Sandcrest full awnings for tailgate attaching, to more traditional side-fit, inflatable models like the Linnburg, Breamburg, Newburg and more. Prices span the £300-£1,000 spectrum. Ordering now should ensure you get yours for next spring, when the touring season starts up again.

As I write, Snooper still has a sale of its complete portfolio of sat navs, dash cams, reversing cameras and tyre pressure monitoring systems. It’s 20 per cent off if you order online or via your phone. For example, the Ventura SC5900 DVR G2 sat nav with dash cam for motorhomes and caravans is at £349.99.

Swift previews its first pop-top campervan

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The Swift Group has offered a sneak preview of its new Monza campervan ahead of the official launch in February.

Built on a Ford Tourneo Custom and with a similar footprint to a standard family car, the Monza is being marketed as the perfect leisure vehicle for everyday adventures.

In driving mode, the newest addition to Swift’s range has room for five people, while at night it can sleep four.

The Monza’s push-up pop top contains a drop-down double bed to add capacity to the double that’s created when the rear seats are laid flat.

A two-burner gas hob, 42-litre fridge and external BBQ point offer the basics for cooking on the go, with an optional Dometic mini grill for those who require a little bit more.

The kitchen features a clever cupboard layout to maximise space and there’s additional under-seat storage to stash items away.

Prospective buyers will be able to choose between a sleek cream interior colour scheme or an on-trend grey.

The exterior comes in a magnetic grey as standard, but can be switched up to one of three alternative paint options.

There’ll be no opportunity to get bored during overnight stays in the Monza, as it’s equipped with entertainment functionality, including a DAB radio.

Front and rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel make it a pleasurable driving experience.

Nick Page, commercial director at Swift Group, said: “We’re extremely proud to launch our very first campervan.

“We’re known for our wide and credible ranges of leisure vehicles across touring caravans, motorhomes, and holiday homes and lodges, so to now add a campervan to our line-up is absolutely brilliant.”

The Swift Group is the largest manufacturer in the UK to operate across caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes.

It traces its origins back to 1964 and has become a trusted brand within the industry.

Black Friday 2021 for caravanners and motorhomers

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It can be hard to resist a Black Friday deal and if you’re in the market for a big ticket item, there are some huge savings to be made.

This is the case for caravan and motorhome enthusiasts too, and there’s a number of Black Friday sales worth taking into consideration.

Whether you’re looking to get a new leisure vehicle, update your accessories or book a holiday for 2022, now could be the time to act.

Parkdean Resorts is offering 2,000 holidays for £69, stating they’ll stay on sale until December 1st or all 2,000 have been sold.

Park Holidays is giving its customers 15 per cent off 2022 holidays and short breaks booked by 9am on November 30th and only a £20 deposit is required.

Love2Stay, the luxury caravan resort in Shropshire, is offering 30 per cent off midweek glamping bookings in December, January and February. Grab a bargain before Monday November 29th.

Bunk Campers is giving holidaymakers ten per cent off campervan and motorhome hire between December 1st 2021 and March 21st 2022. Book by November 28th.

Glossop Caravans has a one-day-only Black Friday deal of up to 30 per cent off, so you’ll have to move fast to take advantage of this promotion.

Pro-Tec Covers is offering its first 20 customers on Black Friday £100 off their order.

Jackery Solar Generators has up to 25 per cent off portable power stations and solar panels until November 29th, making it a good time to review the energy setup in your caravan or motorhome.

Go Outdoors has lots of motorhome and caravan accessories in its Black Friday sale, so you could grab a new leisure battery charger, caravan cover or head torch at a knockdown price. There’s also free delivery until midnight on November 26th.

 

Photo credit: Pexels/Thirdman

Nick’s News – Motorhome prices, the Coachman Laser 620 Xtra and a gift guide

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Nick HardingNick’s News – Nick Harding is an expert in all things motorhomes, caravans and camping. Each week, Nick explores products, locations, holiday ideas and essential community information on our behalf – It’s a Hard-ing Life for Nick, but here is what he found this week.

My week

Did I have a night to remember? Not really, because I mainly slept through it, but that was the plan, sort of. A recent assignment saw me reviewing the latest Auto-Sleeper Warwick XL and staying overnight in it, to try out the Whale heating and hot water systems it’s fitted with.

It’s a job that’s been put off for the best part of a year, simply because the weather hasn’t been cold enough. Suffice to say despite an official overnight temperature of two degrees C – enough to warrant running the heating through the night – the Warwick interior stayed lovely and snug. And I slept pretty soundly.

In the news

Motorhome price rises – phew!

Motorhome prices are on the up and I’m not sure when they’re going to start levelling out. Our manufacturers are already having the toughest of times with supply issues for nearly all of the many – let’s say 3,000-plus – individual components that go into the making of a typical motorhome.

But Fiat, which is the supplier of the majority of base vehicles for motorhome conversions (and by a considerable margin) has been announcing hikes in the costs of its Ducato models.

The Auto-Sleeper Warwick XL that I was reviewing at the start of the week went from £66,495 to £71,495, and that was just while I was sitting in it!

The previous month, I was reporting on a £55,395 Swift Select 122 that, by the time the article was about to go to print, had gone up to £58,390.
Those are just two examples, but the increases are across the board and by and large unavoidable. The only good news I can see is residual values are holding up.

Caravan crushThe interior of the Coachman Laser 620 Xtra

Coachman Laser 620 Xtra – the space creator

How does a 7.90m long, 2.44m wide family van have so much daytime space? OK, those aren’t the most compact dimensions for this fully-fledged twin axle. But, look again and one feature will strike you – there are no permanent beds in the Laser 620 Xtra, a new model from Coachman for the season ahead.

In fact, you’ll recognise the floorplan as a big favourite of yesteryear, just made bigger. There’s a twin-settee front lounge, plus side dinette and particularly generous full-width rear washroom, as well as a larger-than-most kitchen.

So, there’s plenty to love here and when it comes to night time, those beds – short singles or a generous 2.20m x 1.72m transverse double at the front, wider than average single from the dinette – are simple enough to make up.
Three good: So much seating space, massive kitchen and a huge washroom
Two bad: Nightly bedmaking and you’ll pay extra for a solar panel and a tracker
Perfect for… Optimising your daytime living
Also consider: Bailey Unicorn Madrid (standard body width)

Christmas come early, 2021. Part three…

Christmas beanie, anyone? Tilley, best known for its hats, has some woolly hats to tempt you this winter. The Trail Beanie is £24 and is made from a 50/50 merino/acrylic blend with a microfleece headband. The Hiking Beanie uses the same blend, is £20 and has a rib knit design. The £30 Warmth Beanie is an 80/20 blend, also with a full microfleece lining, and designed for the worst of any winter weather.

A more sensible choice, but it could be very worthwhile for the driver in your life is my next suggestion. The AlcoSense Lite 2 is a personal breathalyser you can use any time before your get behind the wheel. Well, it’s always worth checking you haven’t crept over the limit, or are safe to drive the morning after – and any time around Christmas can often be a tricky one. It only costs £44.99.

Meanwhile, if you’re going to take the plunge and go for an electric bike, now could be the ideal time (stock allowing). There’s a special offer of savings up to £135 off any bike (including non-electrics and children’s models) from Raleigh… and it’s exclusive to Caravan and Motorhome Club members.

British Campsite of the Year crowned by the AA

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The AA has crowned its British Campsite of the Year winner in awards that are dubbed the Oscars of the holiday parks industry.

South Lytchett Manor in Dorset took the title to become the top destination for caravanners, motorhome owners, campers and glampers in the UK.

The site, which is run by Joanne and David Bridgen, won both the England and overall categories in the AA’s 2021 Caravan and Camping Awards.

Holiday parks are judged by guest reviews and an anonymous visit by inspectors to determine how their offerings match up to others across the country.

Everything from facilities and services to the level of hospitality on offer are taken into consideration and South Lytchett Manor scored a platinum standard in each area.

Ms Bridgen said: “We are so proud to be able to bring this title home to Dorset, and I hope it will help throw the national spotlight on all tourism businesses in the county.

“The AA award is particularly special to us because the judging is based not just on our quality standards, but also the experience which guests enjoy during their stay.

“Providing happy holiday memories has always been our main priority, and our friendly and helpful team here deserve a big vote of thanks for helping us achieve this.”

The accolade can be added to a wide selection of awards and accreditations the park has won this year from a variety of sources.

South Lytchett Manor Holiday Park welcomes touring caravans, motorhomes and tents, as well as offering Romany caravans, cosy shepherd’s huts and six new glamping pods.

It is a member of the Best of British group, which oversees 50 independently-run sites across the country.

South Lytchett Manor is open for stays throughout November and December, enabling visitors to enjoy the Dorset countryside and nearby Jurassic Coast during the low season.

Winter touring hacks for a successful trip

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Touring during the colder months in your caravan, motorhome or campervan can be particularly magical, but it’s important to be prepared for more challenging conditions.

Putting measures in place to stay safe and ensuring you can keep warm are vital in the winter, but once you’ve cracked it, you’ll have a great time.

With this in mind, the Caravan and Motorhome Club has put together some top tips for winter touring and here at CaravanTimes we’ve added a few of our own too.

 

  • Consider winter tyres for your towcar and caravan or motorhome to ensure a safer driving experience and prepare for difficult conditions.

 

  • Check the weather forecast prior to departure so you know what to expect.

 

  • Consider investing in a head torch for hands-free lighting and pack spare batteries.

 

  • Pack carefully, removing all your summer equipment from your leisure vehicle and replacing it with blankets, hot water bottles and winter clothes.

 

  • Create a stash of board games and books in your leisure vehicle for days when the weather is inhospitable.

 

  • Attach reflective tape or paint to your caravan hitch, water and waste containers, the edge of your entrance step and the roll-out awning supports to avoid walking into them in the dark.

 

  • Plan to do as much of the journey as possible during daylight hours and not arrive on site too late, as simple tasks associated with pitching up can be much trickier in the dark.

 

  • Create an evening and morning routine that promotes convenience when carrying out tasks, such as checking the fresh and waste water levels.

 

  • Sleep for longer to ensure your body is in a good position to deal with the cold and potentially more difficult driving conditions.

 

  • Be flexible and adapt your plans depending on the weather and the local knowledge of the staff.

 

Photo credit: Pexels/Thirdman

Nick’s News – GB becomes UK, new tow rules delayed and the Auto-Sleeper Air

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Nick HardingNick’s News – Nick Harding is an expert in all things motorhomes, caravans and camping. Each week, Nick explores products, locations, holiday ideas and essential community information on our behalf – It’s a Hard-ing Life for Nick, but here is what he found this week.

My week

For some reason, I’ve been getting a bit of attention recently. It’s not me personally and, to be honest, I also know the reason. It’s the UK sticker on the back of my campervan. Questions range from “Why have you got a sticker that says UK?” to “Oh, have you been abroad?”

Well, yes, UK is the new GB when it comes to what you put on the back of your vehicle before you take it abroad. It’s also worth noting the EU decal that’s been integrated into number plates is now obsolete, of course. As of September 28th, it’s a legal requirement, unless your number plate already has an integrated union flag.

In the news

Tow hold – don’t save the date

OK, so it’s now a question of don’t save the date after I said November 15th was going to mark the day when the regulations regarding towing limits were set to change. But the latest news is it will still take place albeit in the autumn and “subject to Parliamentary approvals”.

That mid-November date was set to be the time when anyone with a full driving licence could tow a trailer up to 3,500kg with no further questions asked. Such a proposal was causing consternation, to say the least.

Instead, it seems there are plans to set up some kind of accreditation scheme, offering voluntary training for those wanting to tow with trailers – caravans, in our case – up to that seriously heavy weight.

If you think it all sounds a bit vague, I think it’s fair to say that’s because it is. Do sign up for updates here.

Every one a winner – Coachman’s double satisfaction

Congratulations to Adria and Coachman. They were the top two companies in the latest Owner Satisfaction Awards, as voted for by the readers of the magazine Practical Caravan, and members of the Camping and Caravanning Club.

Scoring 89.5 per cent and 87.9 per cent respectively, they were the only two manufacturers to achieve gold marks for their new caravans. Coachman also scored highly in the pre-owned category, topping that sector with a 93 per cent overall score. Swift was second here, with 90.1 per cent.

It’s easy to be a bit cynical about awards, but I’d offer the reminder that these are the only ones in the UK where the results are determined by you, the buying public.

Motorhome for me?

Auto-Sleeper Air – take my breath away?

It was a brave move for Auto-Sleeper to pitch into the already heavily over-subscribed campervan sector with an all-new model and opting for Ford’s Transit Custom as the base vehicle, but they seem to have pulled it off.

That means almost everyday driveability, although it won’t get under the 2m car park barriers. The SCA elevating roof and Reimo Variotech rear seat/bed on rails (and now with Isofix) are pointers that the Air is pitched to the premium end of the camper market.

The £59,995 starting price looks a tad hefty, but the Auto-Sleeper name might just carry the day here.

Three good: Five-seater, 2m long main bed and it’s an Auto-Sleeper
Two bad: There’s a price premium and aspects of storage could be improved
Perfect for… Those who don’t fancy a VW
Also consider: Autohaus GT Spartan, Ford Nugget or Wellhouse Misano

Christmas come early, 2021. Part two…

It’s a real mixed bag of Christmas gift ideas this week, but all aimed at leisure vehicle users, of course. I’ll kick off with the Hapro Atlas Premium Xfold II – a new, towball mounting bike carrier from Rameder. It’s less bulky than its name and its nifty design includes wheels – so it’s easy to handle when it’s taken off the vehicle – and yet it can carry two bikes or e-bikes weighing anything up to 60kg in total. Expect to pay around £380 online.

Next up is a not-so-chatty tracker. Yes, that’s the Inovia. Its Smart Alert mode will not only notify your if your vehicle is on the move without your knowledge, but intuitively cut the alerts when it knows you’re in charge of your vehicle (ie driving or indeed within 10m of it). It means you don’t get unnecessary alerts. Its €99 price includes a three-year subscription.

Still short of ideas? You can always resort to a voucher. A One4all gift card is redeemable at up to 55,000 big name retail outlets across the UK – and can be purchased for anything between £10 and £120. It’s also available digitally.

54 Caravan and Motorhome Club sites open this winter

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If you’re not quite ready to tuck your caravan or motorhome up for the winter and are looking for another adventure, there are still holiday parks open to the public.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club has 54 sites that welcome visitors year round, as well as a number of certificated locations (CLs).

That means you can choose a place to pitch up with facilities including heated shower blocks and laundry rooms or opt for a more basic set-up if your leisure vehicle is relatively self contained.

Caravanning in the colder months can be a lot of fun, with crisp clear days perfect for wintry walks, safe in the knowledge you can go back to a cosy caravan.

Many of the sites that are busy during high season are calmer at this time of year and you can explore the natural surroundings on your own terms.

With the right preparation, there’s no reason you can’t continue to enjoy your leisure vehicle year round and you might even have the unforgettable experience of waking up to snow.

This year, three more Club sites have extended their opening dates through November, December and January.

Burford, Norfolk Broads and Teesdale Barnard Castle can now be booked right through the winter for a break away in the run up to Christmas or in the new year.

Check out all of the Club’s sites that are open through the winter, with options ranging from Hillhead in Devon to Stonehaven Queen Elizabeth Park in Scotland.

Then make sure you have all your cold weather gear, winter tyres and a good supply of hot chocolate ahead of your trip.

Membership of the Club starts at just £54 a year, giving you access to its entire network of sites, as well as discounts on a wide range of products and services.

 

Photo credit: Pexels/Thirdman

Auto-Sleeper introduces the Air campervan for 2022

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Auto-Sleeper has introduced a multipurpose campervan back into its offerings for 2022, in the wake of huge growth in the leisure vehicle market.

The Air is based on the Ford Transit van and is a great option for those looking for something compact but full of all the essentials you need.

Anyone new to owning a campervan would find the Air easy to drive and easy to park, unlike some of the larger leisure vehicles now available.

Among the driving features you can expect included as standard are satellite navigation, emergency assistance, speed sign recognition and intelligent adaptive cruise control.

There’s also a rear view camera, parking sensors, lane keeping alert, power fold mirrors, blind spot information and cross traffic alert.

Outside, the metallic paint gives the Air a sleek finish, while privacy glass is an added bonus for nights away from home.

Inside, there’s an eight-inch touch screen entertainment system, complete with DAB, MP3 and Bluetooth functionality for all your needs.

Despite its compact size, up to four people can sleep in the Air, with the roof bed perfect for kids, making it a good family camper.

A Dometic portable toilet, Webasto ambient heating, integrated fridge, two-burner hob and separate grill, mains electricity, and a gas BBQ point will keep everyone fed and comfortable.

The cold water shower point, and fresh and waste water storage tanks complete all the essentials.

Dave Williams, Auto-Sleeper sales and marketing director, said: “Auto-Sleeper van conversions are renowned for delivering class leading luxury models with enviable residual values in the industry.

“This stunning new camper is no different and delivers a premium specification with safety and essential features as standard compared to others in its class. We really think it will be a fantastic addition to the range.”

Auto-Sleeper has been making leisure vehicles in the UK for 60 years and its models are a common sight across the nation’s roads.

Nick’s News – Towing rules, the Buccaneer Commodore and Christmas present ideas

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Nick HardingNick’s News – Nick Harding is an expert in all things motorhomes, caravans and camping. Each week, Nick explores products, locations, holiday ideas and essential community information on our behalf – It’s a Hard-ing Life for Nick, but here is what he found this week.

My week

What’s my next trip out in a camper going to be? It’s a slightly weird one, but not as atypical as you might think in the life of a try-anything freelance leisure vehicle journalist.

I’m off to spend a night in an Auto-Sleeper kitted out with Whale’s latest underfloor-fitted heating and hot water systems. It’s Whale itself that wants me to verify the quiet running of its products and how they perform when things start to get a bit too cold outside. I’ll let you know how it goes…

In the news

Go for the tow – from November 15th?

That date, November 15th, is the one where anyone with a full driving licence can tow trailers – including caravans – of laden weights up to 3,500kg. In case you’re wondering, that’s a hefty old unit to lug around.

Our typical mainstream flagship caravan models here in the UK tend to top out at around the 2,000kg mark. I can only think of one leisure vehicle that gets anywhere near that 3,500kg mark and it’s the latest Airstream 251B – an 8.25m long, 2,750kg twin axle affair.

It’s a tad concerning, to say the least, to hear that someone who’s just passed their test – or indeed has never towed before – can hook up to something that even experienced caravanners would hesitate at, and be out there on our roads without any further qualification, or even tuition.

Caravanners tend to be a decent lot, however, and I trust the huge majority of folk will tow within their capabilities. I can thoroughly recommend some extra tuition, as provided by both the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club. They offer programmes of one-day towing courses. Others are available and you can ask your local dealer for more information.

Water way to go – Ford’s future?

A motorhome that can extract clean water from the air? If you think that’s the stuff of the future, it’s closer than you think. Ford is currently trialling one of its Rangers around the United States of America, showcasing a tie-up with Watergen, which specialises in “atmospheric water generation”.

The company’s externally mounted Mobile Box measures 630mm x 530mm x 460mm and claims a world first in being able to grab drinking water from the air around it. It can collect up to 25 litres a day, which, in turn, means no need to carry excess amounts of water, hence saving on fuel economy and even the plastics used for containers.

It relies on a 12V power supply and replaceable filters and really looks like it could be a vital ingredient for those who want to go truly off-grid in their leisure vehicles… in the future!

Caravan crush

Interior of the Buccaneer CommodoreBuccaneer Commodore – champion contender at the weigh-in

Buccaneers sit proudly at the top of the Elddis portfolio. They’re big, they’re heavy and they’re high on luxury. They’ve got presence. They’ve also got a lot of goodies on board. Everything from E&P’s latest self-levelling system to underfloor heating.

It’s all wrapped up in a pretty standard front lounge/end bedroom with island double and split washroom facilities, along with the kitchen mid-van. It’s roomy, even by normal 8ft-wide, twin axle standards.

Three good: Seating comfort, sky-high equipment levels and sheer presence
Two bad: Only one drainage point in the shower and the usual weight issues
Perfect for…Caravan connoisseurs
Also consider: Coachman Laser 675 Xtra or Swift Elegance 835

Christmas comes early, 2021. Part one…A pair of foldable Raptor Response emergency shears from Leatherman

Here are some early Christmas gift ideas for the caravanners and motorhomers in your life. First off, how about a pair of foldable Raptor Response emergency shears from Leatherman?

These are designed for cutting your way out of any emergency, but could also come in handy for more everyday scissor tasks. In stainless steel, they weigh just 157g, come in a choice of three colours and cost £89.95.

Or, how about a PastBook? That’s a new-tech way of way of almost instantly preserving images of memories past from various sources, like your phone, computer, Instagram or Dropbox, in a single publication that lasts forever.

Alternatively, for something a bit more down-to-earth, Thatleisureshop.com has a small stock of half-price wheel clamps from Maypole.

Jerba Campervans earns ethical tax certification

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As consumers, many of us are thinking more carefully about the companies we spend our money with and their ethical standards.

This is particularly important when it comes to big ticket items like caravans, motorhomes or campervans.

One firm that consistently demonstrates its moral values is Jerba Campervans, which is an employee-owned business.

The campervan converter in East Lothian has been awarded the Fair Tax Mark qualification for the second year in a row, underlining its commitment to doing things right.

Launched in 2014, the scheme is designed to showcase organisations that pay the right amount of corporation tax at the correct time.

Jerba Campervans was the first company in the automotive industry to be given the accreditation, which is the gold standard of responsible tax practices.

Simon Poole, co-founder of Jerba Campervans, said: “It is a tremendous feat to be recognised once again by the Fair Tax Mark for our efforts in declaring our tax and commitment to lead as an example for other automotive companies.

“We set upon the challenge of achieving this certification last year and succeeded, but maintaining these standards is just as hard, if not harder.

“To be recognised for a second consecutive year is fantastic and we hope our certification will raise the profile of good and honest tax practice.”

The UK loses an estimated £7 billion in corporate tax revenue annually as profits get sent to tax havens, according to the Fair Tax Foundation.

Jerba Campervans’ Fair Tax Mark will join its Good Business Charter accreditation, which demonstrates its core values.

These include a commitment to work-life balance, paying the living wage, transparent tax arrangements, good supplier relationships and customer care.

Jerba Campervans has been converting and customising Volkswagen Transporter vans since 2006, offering customers the freedom of the open road.