Airstream and Company converts caravan into mobile medical centre

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by Jack Beresford

Fans of 1950s-inspired caravan designs will be interested to learn that Airstream & Company has put a unique caravan up for sale.

This European specification Airstream International 534 is quite literally a one-off, as it features a particularly spacious interior design.

The caravan’s original status as a mobile treatment room means that as well as featuring comfortable leather seating, a flat-screen TV with integrated DVD, fridge, microwave and storage unit, a number of other more unusual options can be found.

These include a removable two-piece Beautelle treatment table which can be found at the rear of the trailer. Other extras include an aluminium framed Maxi Minus 3.5m x 3.5m awning, and awning furniture.

Priced at £37,800, this second-hand Airstream 534 is more than £6,000 cheaper than a brand new version, and it could be the basis for all kinds of caravanning projects.

This is just the latest example of an Airstream being used for an unusual purpose, with other models having been transformed into a boutique and a street kitchen.


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Welsh Police call for caravanners to be vigilant against thieves

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by Jack Beresford

Welsh Police have urged caravan users to ensure their tourers and any expensive items within them are well protected from would-be thieves.

The advice comes as research from Saga Caravan Insurance reveals the growing number of holidaymakers taking expensive electronics onboard, with 58 per cent of respondents packing a laptop.

And speaking to the Tivy Side Advertiser, community safety police constable Pat Jalloal called on caravan owners to protect these and other desirable items like flat screen TVs, which are of high-value and easy to dispose.

“Ensure that these items are removed from the caravan during unoccupied times,” he told the news provider. “It will also be advantageous to mark properties with UV pens, which can be obtained from site proprietors or the police station.”

PC Jalloal also urged park proprietors to ensure CCTV systems and external site lighting is in good working order, with either acting as a “deterrent” to potential criminals.

The advice comes following a recent spate of burglaries from a number of static caravans in the Ceredigion region of Wales.

VIDEO: Take a guided tour of the new 2013 Bailey Unicorn II

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by Chris Jefferies
This summer Bailey has made a big impact with its redesigned Unicorn range, mostly due to the striking front window, but there is much more to this range than first meets the eye.
In this video, we meet Ian Rawlings from Bailey to take a look at some of the little changes that all add up to make a big difference.
He shows us around the Unicorn II Barcelona model, including its unique split-level kitchen and the spacious washroom, which features two plugholes in the shower for better drainage on uneven pitches.
We also ask Ian about the new entertainment system, which includes a much larger television with a built-in DVD player.
Prices in the 2013 Bailey Unicorn range start at just £18,895 and MTPLM weights range from 1,350kg for the two-berth Seville layout, to 1,686kg for the twin-axle Unicorn Barcelona. For more details click here

Judge tells benefits cheat to sell her caravan in Wales

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by Jack Beresford

A 49-year-old woman from Wales is preparing to sell her cherished caravan after a court judge told her to do so in order to pay back thousands of pounds in benefits she claimed illegally.

Sandra Hill was lucky to escape a jail term after deceiving authorities into providing her with £32,266 in income support and housing support benefits, and a council tax reduction for being a single person living alone.

These claims were made despite co-habiting a home in Beddau with partner Roger Sheldon and sharing a joint bank account for a number of years.

According to WalesOnline, Ms Hill ultimately avoided a jail sentence because of the recent loss of her son and the fact she is currently looking after grandchildren, all while paying back some £250 a month.

Nevertheless, judge William Gaskell, who presided over the case in Cardiff Crown Court, called on the defendant and her partner Mr Sheldon to sell the caravan in Fontygary Bay, near Rhoose, to settle a compensation order.

“Exceptionally, I am persuaded to suspend your six-month prison sentence but the money remains outstanding and the public have the right to be compensated,” the judge said.

Ms Hill must pay £2,500 to the Department of Work and Pensions and the same amount to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council over the next three months, as well as completing 200 hours of unpaid community work.

IAM issues anti-theft advice for caravan owners

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by Jack Beresford

Caravan owners must stay vigilant and take extra precautions to ensure their tourer is safe and secure from any potential thefts, according to the recommendations of the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

The advice comes as concerns mount in some quarters that many owners are failing to take steps to ensure items are protected from any would-be thieves.

Earlier this week, police in Wales called on owners to be prepared and ensure valuable onboard items – such as electricals – are hidden away when the tourer is left unattended.

The sentiment was echoed by Tim Shallcross, the head of policy at the road safety group, who provided some sound recommendations on the kind of items that can aid a caravan owner’s efforts.

“There are also lots of anti-theft devices,” he said.

“There are tow hitch locks that make it impossible to hook up the caravan and tow it away. We all hate wheel clamps, but caravanners do like them because if you put one on your caravan it makes it very difficult to tow away.”

Mr Shallcross also recommended an onboard burglar alarm as one “essential” device for caravan owners out there, particularly with tourers proving relatively easy to break into.

“If you have a movement sensor inside and it suddenly emits an ear pitch piercing screech then people will be deterred,” he said.

Thousands flock to Cottingham for 2012 Lawns Caravan Show

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by Jack Beresford

Caravan manufacturers received a much-needed shot in the arm this weekend, as the annual Cottingham Caravan Extravaganza proved a roaring success.

According to the Hull Daily Mail, over 25,000 people are thought to have visited the event, which is the first since the announcement of a planned five per cent increase in tax on static caravans.

Over 150 caravan holiday-homes, park homes and lodges were present at the exhibition, with more than 100 touring caravans on display from Swift, Sterling, Sprite, Elddis, Lunar and Coachman.

This event saw the official public unveiling of the new Swift Challenger SE, Sterling Eccles SE and the Elddis Affinity.

The Cottingham Caravan Extravaganza is among the biggest conventions of its kind in the UK, and serves as an early indicator of the demand among consumers for these top-rated tourers.

Speaking to the news provider, Willerby Holiday Homes team leader for research and development Billy Wilson said: “The feedback has been very good and it doesn’t look as though the five per cent increase has had too much of an impact.

“For the hire fleet, this event sets out the year and initial signs show that it is picking up.”

After two days displaying the to public, the show was converted into a three-day trade exhibition on Tuesday (September 4th).

Meanwhile, the success of the event bodes well for the Motorhome and Caravan Show at the NEC in Birmingham, which is taking place on October 16th.


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Coastdale Parks offers three for two on September caravan stays

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by Jack Beresford

The team behind the popular Coastdale Parks caravan facilities are pulling out all the stops to get campers to head to the region in September and October with a special money off deal.

Under the terms of the new ‘Savetember’ initiative, holidaymakers booking touring caravan or motorhome pitches over the two months will enjoy three nights for the price of two, or seven nights nights for the price of six.

The Whitby Holiday Park in North Yorkshire is among those to offer the new deal, with the park, which lies between Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay, sure to enjoy a boost in visitor numbers.

Meanwhile, the small Suffolk-based Pakefield Caravan Park, which offers 12 hardstanding pitches, is also included in the deal, along with the Atlantic Coast Holiday Park in Cornwall, which offers touring caravan, motorhome and tent pitches.

Finally, the Garreg Goch Caravan Park will be available for bookings under the terms of the deal.

The offer comes as caravan parks up and down the country look to attract more visitors later in the year following a disappointingly damp summer across the UK.

To watch the movie-style trailer for Savetember and get a sneak peek at some of the parks included in this deal, click on the video below.

VIDEO: Towergate explains the pros and cons of buying a used caravan

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by Chris Jefferies

Used caravans are much cheaper than brand new models, which makes them ideal for first timers looking to get their feet on the caravan ladder, but there are certain things to check for before handing over your money.

In this video, we meet Ed Cross from Towergate Insurance, who explains that it’s important to know as much about the history of a used ‘van as possible, and to make sure the caravan is in good condition and has been well maintained.

Ed talks through the process of insuring your used caravan and getting an HPI check to make sure it has not been stolen or written off.

He also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of buying via a dealer or privately, and how to register your caravan through CRIS, the caravan registration scheme.

Tree Tops Caravan Park wins 20th Wales in Bloom Award

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by Jack Beresford

The gardening talents of the team at Tree Tops Caravan Park in Gwespyr are continuing to blossom this week, after staff won a major accolade at the Wales in Bloom competition.

A small but dedicated group of horticulturalists are responsible for maintaining the site, with more than 15,000 bedding plants planted across the 15-acre park every year, according to the Flintshire Chronicle.

Head gardeners David and Christine Ball lead the team along with Derek Lloyd, Marc Plimley and David Humphreys, while additional support comes from park wardens Terry and Tracey Dykes.

Their efforts were duly recognised at the Wales in Bloom event, with the group picking up an award in the caravans, camping and holiday homes category – continuing their astonishing winning streak of 20 years in a row.

Jim Goodwin, who was one of the judges for the competition, singled out the planting and layout of the new Orchard Meadow lodge develop at Tree Tops for particular praise.

Managing director of the park Maureen Walker told the news provider: “I truly believe that there is no other park quite like Tree Tops, the park was started by my parents and they would be incredibly proud of this achievement.”

The award was a notable bright spot in an otherwise dreary summer for the campsite, with the worst June to August weather in 100 years spoiling much of the season.

Teenage caravanner fined for fly-tipping his eBay tourer

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by Jack Beresford

A young caravanner has learnt a harsh lesson after being found guilty of fly-tipping a tourer he originally purchased in the hope of renovating it for use on the road.

Anthony Duckworth, of Kay Street in Darwen, yesterday (August 30th) pled guilty to depositing ‘controlled waste’ without authority and received a conditional discharge for 12 months as well as being ordered to pay £150 costs.

The trouble started for the 19-year-old when he discovered a dilapidated caravan which was being sold cheaply on the internet auction site eBay.

Eager to put his hand to a new project and restore the tourer to tip-top condition, Mr Duckworth decided to bid.

However, the project soon spiralled out of control, with the youngster running out of funds to fix the clapped-out caravan.

Speaking on behalf of his client, Jonathan Taylor explained to the Blackburn Gazette: “As soon as it became apparent the job would be too much for him he decided the best thing was to break it up and sell it bit by bit.”

Worse was to come though, as the council soon informed Mr Duckworth it was to remove the unsightly tourer.

It was then that the 19-year-old made his fateful mistake – breaking up the caravan and leaving it on wasteland, thus leading to his court appearance.

Renovating a caravan can prove a tricky task but there have been some success stories – one Leyland-based camper renovated a 1950s-tourer recently, turning it into a travelling barbers.

Elddis Caravans: Upgrades across the board for 2013 Crusader range

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by Chris Jefferies
Elddis Caravans has upgraded its premium Crusader range of luxury caravans for 2013, including extra equipment and an adjusted layout for the popular Tempest family model.
The most significant change for the 2013 Elddis Crusader collection is the addition of dent-resistant GRP sides, which replace the outgoing aluminium construction.
This more insulative material is combined with an upgraded 3KW Alde heating system, all of which should make this a truly cosy caravan, even in the winter months.
Elddis has stuck with the highly popular exterior design, which won them so many fans when it was first unveiled last year, with a sloping front roof and stylish silver front gas lockers.

The interior styling features Noce Prosecco woodgrain for the 24mm thick overhead lockers, while the lighting is 100% LED throughout.
Technology addicts have been well catered for as well, with the inclusion of an Avtex TV as standard and an abundance of power sockets.
Memory foam mattresses ensure a comfortable night’s sleep, while the Seitz privacy glass should stop prying eyes from gazing in without reducing the amount of natural light getting into the caravan.
In addition to all the visible changes, Elddis has also made quite a substantial change to the Crusader that you can’t see.
The 2013 collection will be the first Elddis Crusader range to be built using the company’s new Solid Construction caravan building method.
Elddis claims that this will provide unrivalled levels of strength, lightness and dryness, since the vast majority of the screws and bolts used in the build have been removed and replaced by industrial-grade adhesives.
Layouts and Prices
Layout changes for the 2013 range have been relatively minimal, although it does appear that the two-berth Hurricane layout, which was unveiled to widespread acclaim back in February, has been withdrawn.
Moving up the range and…
Click here to continue reading 


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Caravanner rushed to hospital after Surrey camp site blaze

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by Jack Beresford

A 30-year-old man is in a serious condition in East Surrey Hospital after suffering burns during a fire that broke out aboard his caravan.

The blaze took hold of the tourer at around 12.50am this morning (August 29th), with the fire quickly spreading to a nearby outbuilding on land off Perrylands Lane in Smallfield near Horley.

According to a report from the Huffington Post, Surrey Police and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service soon arrived on the scene to find the unnamed man, who had suffered burn injuries.

Another 36-year-old male was also found near to the scene, though he is believed to be unscathed.

The severe nature of the fire forced the authorities to close junction nine of the M23 motorway while the blaze was brought under control.

Meanwhile, the injured man was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious condition.

No word has yet been given on what caused the fire, though it is presently being treated as suspicious.

The incident comes just days after fire crews were called to cut one caravan owner from their car, after the vehicle jack-knifed with the tourer it was towing.