Camping in the Forest offer major discount for grass pitches

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by Jack Beresford

Caravan owners seeking a bargain trip this summer could be in for a treat after the Camping and Caravanning Club revealed it is set to reduce the price on standard grass pitches at its Camping in the Forest sites by a whopping 33 per cent.

Created in partnership with the Forestry Commission, the Camping in the Forest sites provide holidaymakers with some of the most idyllic camp settings seen across England, Scotland and Wales.

These sites also offer an impressive range of onsite activities including fishing, cycling, horse riding and forest walks, as well as the chance to see a variety of animals, birds and bugs in their woodland habitat.

Spencer Pettit, Camping in the Forest’s business development manager said: “The school summer holidays are always a time of high expenditure but we hope our new promotion will give holidaymakers a chance to have fun with their family and friends in a woodland environment.”

Available to all campers, the offer will run until Saturday September 1st and is available across 19 different sites.

The deal is welcome news to caravanners, who have so far faced a summer of unpredictable weather conditions, which has led to the closure of a number of popular sites.

Diesel 4×4 models hold up well on depreciation list

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by Jack Beresford
A new study has showcased the top mainstream vehicle models that have held their value for some three years and over 37,000 miles – with Toyota leading the way.

Ask any caravan owner the things that they look for in a tow car and the chances are that durability will rank fairly highly.

After all, with some of the most scenic campsites located anywhere from the northern regions of Scotland way down to idyllic locations in Cornwall, the chances are that the average tourer has racked up a fair amount of miles.

Interestingly the new study, which was conducted by UK vehicle valuation specialists Glass’s Guide, found that when it comes to car durability diesel 4×4 models performed well.

According to the research, the 4.5 litre Toyota Land Cruiser came out on top with a resident value of 79.5 per cent seeing the price of the car drop from £54,510 to £43,325 over three years.

Skoda also performed strongly, with the Yeti coming in second and the Octavia Scout ranked as the fourth most depreciation-resistant car on the market.

Bailey Caravans releases Unicorn II layouts and weights

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by Chris Jefferies
Ahead of one of the year’s most anticipated caravan launches, the details continue to trickle through, with Bailey now revealing the weights and layouts of the 2013 Unicorn range.
The Bailey Unicorn Series II collection will come in five layouts, it has been confirmed, all of which have been named after Spanish cities.
As you would expect from such a high-end range of caravans, all of these models come with a full-width washroom with a separate shower cubicle.
The range starts with the two-berth Unicorn Seville, which offers a popular couple’s configuration with a convertible double in the front-end, an offside kitchenette and a full-width rear bathroom.
What’s more, the Seville is the lightest caravan in this range, tipping the scales at just 1,350kgs MTPLM, which is almost 90kg lighter than the previous version.
Four by four-berth
Moving up the range and there are four choices when it comes to four-berth layouts. The lightest option here is the Unicorn II Madrid, which features a convertible double dinette on the offside and weighs in at 1,484kgs.
Also carried over from the old Bailey Unicorn range is the Cadiz layout, which features two fixed single beds towards the rear end and has an MTPLM weight of 1,498kgs.
Completing the collection is a pair of fixed double-bed models, the single-axle Valencia and the Barcelona, which is the only twin-axle in the range. These two models weigh in at 1,497kgs and 1,686kgs respectively.
As of yet, there is no sign of the Unicorn Cabrera and Unicorn Pamplona island bed layouts from the previous range, but Bailey has hinted at further layout additions before the end of the year.
All of these MTPLM weights represent significant savings over the Series I Unicorn collection. For more details about how this has been achieved, click here.
Bailey Caravans has already confirmed that the Unicorn II collection will feature Michelin branded tyres and significantly lower noseweights, and more details will be revealed on Monday 6 August.
UPDATE: Click here to watch a video showing inside the new Bailey Unicorn II

The ultimate Carlight caravan restoration project: One year on

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by Niki Greig

You may remember reading last year of a first-time caravanner embarking upon an ambitious restoration project on a 1973 Carlight Caribbean.

First-time caravanner John Anderson spotted this vintage tourer in our Used Caravan of the Week feature last summer and decided to take the plunge and splash out £650 on what many have described as ‘the Rolls Royce of caravans’.

Well now CaravanTimes has caught up with John Anderson one year on to see if his dream has become a reality.

Having been first drawn to the caravan’s antique style, CaravanTimes was intrigued to see if the couple had kept all of the original features intact.

After inspecting the ‘van, John and his wife were delighted to discover that it still contained practically all the original features, including a stunning cocktail cabinet, which the pair intend to keep well stocked.

So they decided to set about restoring it in keeping with the 1970s era and have done a stunning job.

John explains that the couple set about renovating the ‘van themselves, as a side project after the couple welcomed his first son last year.

“We wanted to keep the caravan as originally intended but bring it up to date with newer fabrics and a fresh coat of paint,” he says.

The entire interior has been refreshed cosmetically by his wife with the reupholstering of cushions and curtains and a fresh lick of paint.

In the meantime John set about mending the door frames and other parts of the ‘van using previous carpentry skills and learning as he went along.

John admits that there is still work to be done but the couple have decided to focus on getting the caravan into working order then focusing on minor alterations as and when they are needed.

Despite the dreadful start to the summer, the family have already enjoyed two outings in the caravan so far this year on a seasonal pitch where they have been very lucky with the weather and enjoyed sunny holidays in the newly restored Carlight.

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But the family still face a major problem: they have nothing to tow their new van with.

John says: “because the caravan weighs about 2,500lbs, it is very heavy and needs a very heavy duty vehicle to tow it with which we haven’t got round to purchasing yet”.

Family duties have got in the way, but John intends to pick up an old Land Rover Defender or similar vehicle to proudly tow the caravan with.

When they do get round to buying a towing vehicle, the young family intend to use the caravan to escape working life and show their young son the countryside.

John has even spoken of potentially touring Europe with the ‘van but admits that this is likely to be a trip taken after they retire.

Words of wisdom

When asked for words of advice to budding caravan restorers, John says: “Go for it, but be wary of what you’re letting yourself in for!”

On the plus side the pair seem to have spent far less money than originally anticipated as he went on to say: “The major expense was the material for the upholstery and curtains and we did pick expensive fabrics, the rest of the budget was spent on wood and paint.

“But we managed to keep well below our anticipated spend as so many of the original features were still in the caravan, they just needed some attention”.

This can only be good news for any budding restorers and will hopefully inspire others to embark upon their own restoration projects.

For more pictures of the rebuild visit John’s Flickr page to see how the project has developed.


Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

NCC figures reveal 20% drop in caravan production

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by Chris Jefferies
British caravan manufacturers have been scaling back their production volumes over the past twelve months, and the outlook is for this trend to continue, with VAT concerns and wet weather weighing on the minds of many.
This is according to the latest figures from the National Caravan Council and analysis from industry experts Glass’s Guide.
The official numbers show that from May 2011 to May 2012 only 20,061 caravans were built in the UK, making for a 20.2% drop when compared with the previous 12 months.
What’s more, the annual totals for factory sales were down 17.2%, while retails sales fell by 9.4% year-on-year.
There was some bright news in the report, however, as the number of caravans being exported to the continent increased by 28.3%.
That’s not to say that there has suddenly been a surge in interest for British-built caravans overseas, as the total number exported was a modest 462, making up just 2.3% of the market.
Caravan demand seems to have dropped most substantially on larger models, with a recent Glass’s Guide survey revealing that 75% of dealers had reported a drop-off in interest for twin-axle caravans.
The up-side for buyers is that discounts are on the rise, with 50% of dealers reporting an increase in special offers and reductions.
What’s behind this?
In response to these figures, Glass’s Guide has suggested that a number of factors may be affecting both production and willingness to buy.
The recent poor weather and the threat of a VAT rise may have lead manufacturers to scale back production in anticipation of challenging times ahead.
In addition to this, the significant product developments that have happened since 2010 have seen prices of new caravans increase across the board.
The Glass’s Guide report suggests that manufacturer’s should counter these trends by increasing their quality control, particularly with regard to water ingress.
“Our subscribers report that the period a retailer is allowed to resolve an issue before the owner escalates the complaint towards legal action is becoming ever shorter,” the analyst said.
“Coupled with the growing power of blog sites and the potential damage posed to brand image, it is becoming increasingly important that manufacturers strive towards a zero fault regime.”
Whether this will all come true is open to discussion, but there’s no doubting that these are certainly challenging times for the caravan industry in the UK.

Eterniti Caravans reveals details of Thermashield construction

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by Chris Jefferies
Ahead of the official public launch in October, ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/eterniti/">Eterniti Caravans has released yet more details of their debut ranges, which will be named Chronicle and Genesis, as we revealed on CaravanTimes last week.
The first proper Eterniti caravans will feature Thermashield construction, a system that the company claims will offer “the highest grade of insulation” and “the strongest, most durable construction that is available in the industry”.
Eterniti backs these claims up by citing thickness measurements from nine other major European manufacturers, which are all lower than those promised by the Cheshire-based newcomers.
The company’s Thermashield construction features an aluminium frame, Styrofoam insulation and thermoplastic Olefin roofs, while the interior headroom is an impressive 6’9″.
This results in 38mm thick walls and roofs, and 60mm floor thickness – a 20mm advantage on the closest competition.
How this construction process will impact on the overall MTPLM weight of the caravans remains to be seen, but Eterniti insists that the materials they have chosen boast “fantastic weight-saving properties”.
The first opportunity for the public to look around the completed Eterniti caravans will be at The NCC Motorhome and Caravan Show, which is due to take place at the Birmingham NEC from 16-21 October.
Or if you can’t wait that long, keep checking back with CaravanTimes over the coming weeks for more details on the Eterniti Chronicle and the Eterniti Genesis ranges.

Neighbour’s shock as motorhome splash lands in his pool

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by Jack Beresford

Emergency services in the US were confronted with an unusual scenario upon arrival in the town of Brockton, Massachusetts yesterday (1st August), where they found a motorhome lying nose-down in the swimming pool of the owner’s neighbour.

Stephen Pierro, the owner of the tourer in question, had been trying to reverse his motorhome into the driveway of his home when things, quite literally, took a turn for the worse.

Instead of moving gently down the road, the 30-foot vehicle went crashing through Mr Pierro’s fence and into the garden of neighbour Norman Little and his pool.

Speaking to NBC, eyewitness Larry Lambert said: “He went the whole length of his driveway, through his backyard, through a tree, through a fence, and into his neighbour’s pool.”

Mr Little had just walked into his garden at the time of the motorhome’s unscheduled arrival and despite the ensuing chaos was able to pull Mr Pierro from the water to safety.

The motorhome owner has since cited an issue with the accelerator, which saw his foot become stuck, as the main problem, while others have suggested Mr Pierro’s diabetes may have played a part.

A crane was eventually deployed to lift the vehicle out of the water.

Kimberley Caravans appoints first-ever female trainee mechanic

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by Jack Beresford

Darlington-based trainee mechanic Sammy McLaughlin has been named as the first-ever apprentice of local tourer company Kimberley Caravans.

The 18-year-old had been studying a level two motor vehicle principles course at the local college prior to securing the new placement, just two weeks after the completion of her studies, according to the Northern Echo.

Ms McLaughlin will now work on servicing and repairing motor homes and caravans for the company, which is based near to her home.

Her appointment comes as the traditional male dominance of the motor repair industry continues to subside, with Darlington College motor vehicle course leader Paul Tunnicliffe keen to point to the growing number of would-be female mechanics.

“We currently have 12 female students on our motor vehicle courses here at the college and we are seeing it becoming more popular year on year,” he told the Northern Echo.

“It is incredibly good news that Sammy has taken up an apprenticeship with such a prestigious company as Kimberley Caravans.”

Ms McLaughlin’s work may see her operating on the Burtree Gate premises purchased by Kimberley Caravans following the collapse of Discover Leisure back in May.

Bailey Caravans teams up with Michelin tyres for 2013 Unicorn range

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by Chris Jefferies
The 2013 Bailey Unicorn range will feature Michelin tyres and 14″ alloy wheels, along with a host of towing safety measures, it has been confirmed.
Bailey Caravans has announced this new partnership, in the same week as it emerged that the Bailey Unicorn Series II would also feature lower weights and a repositioned gas locker.
The partnership with Michelin has been hailed as a major seal of approval, with Bailey claiming that they are the first UK manufacturer to specify the use of a premium branded tyre on a caravan range.
Michelin are world-renowned as tyre specialists with an illustrious heritage and Bailey have been working closely with the French company ever since the launch of the Approach SE motorhome range last year.
The Bristol-based company said in a statement: “Michelin tyres selected have a proven track record of safety, reliability and longevity, while their patented silicon compound minimises rolling resistance to help reduce fuel costs and ultimately save the customer money.”
Other benefits of fitting Michelin tyres include widespread availability of spare parts and replacements, whether at home or overseas. Also, Bailey has reduced the size of its alloy wheels from 15″ to 14″, a move which helps contribute to an overall weight reduction across the range.
The spare wheel will be fitted in a new chassis-mounted carrier, while a new winch-operated system will make changing the wheel easier.
What’s more, Bailey has also confirmed that the new Unicorn range will inherit the old Unicorn’s high level of AL-KO towing safety equipment, including an anti-snaking device, shock absorbers and stabilisers, all of which are fitted as standard.
For more information on the new Bailey Unicorn, check back with CaravanTimes on Monday 6 August for a video preview of this exciting new range.
UPDATE: Click here to watch a video showing inside the new Bailey Unicorn II

Caravanners advised to watch out for European laws

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by Arash Hekmat

It’s easy to forget when driving across Europe that there are still laws that apply to one country which will not be present in another.

While caravanners may think that crossing the Channel requires little more than a switch from driving on the left to the right, this is in fact not the case.

One of the most high profile laws that could catch out motorists is a relatively new one – the introduction of a mandate in France at the start of July that all motorists including visitors from the UK must carry at least two breathalyser kits with them.

French police are currently carrying out spot checks of cars coming into the country from the Channel Tunnel or by ferry, and once the grace period ends in November, spot fines will be handed out.

This is part of efforts to clamp down on drink-driving in France, where the legal limit is already lower than in the UK: 50mg of alcohol for every 100ml of blood, as opposed to 80mg here.

Many would like to see the UK brought in line with the rest of Europe when it comes to drink driving laws but in the mean-time caravanners are urged to remain aware of the rules of the road in any country they intend to visit.

As the Caravan Club advises: “Really, if you want to indulge on holiday (understandably so) then leave driving for another time and simply have a nice glass of wine during a warm evening outside of your caravan.”

Lunar Caravans teams up with East Yorkshire dealership

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by Arash Hekmat

Lunar Caravans has announced a new partnership with Wandahome South Cave, which has joined its network of retailers.

The East Yorkshire-based company will be among those establishments showcasing the manufacturer’s 2013 range of luxury lightweight caravans.

Lunar said that the strength of the family-run retailer lies in its attractive location, situated between Hull, South Humber and Grimsby.

Steven Burnley of Wandahome South Cave welcomed the new partnership.

He said: “Lunar have been on our radar for some time and at last we are able to seize this great opportunity.

“They are a high quality lightweight, luxury product and will complement our existing suppliers. We welcome them to South Cave and hope for a long and mutually beneficial association.”

As well as the Lunar range, the company stocks and sells a variety of new and used caravans, having grown in size and stature significantly since the 1950s.

It stocks over 250 new caravans and motorhomes as well as 150 pre-owned caravans.

Lunar caravans have relaunched their lightweight caravan collection for 2013, for more details check back with Caravan Times next week…

Moray caravan parks awaiting major investment

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by Arash Hekmat

Two troubled caravan parks in Moray, Scotland, could soon undergo major refurbishments thanks to new investment.

When Lifestyle Living Group purchased the Silver Sands leisure park in Lossiemouth and the Riverview Country Park near Forres, it was with the promise of millions of pounds of investment, STV reports.

However, this has not been forthcoming according to residents of the caravan parks, with one dispute between staff and a former customer at the Lossiemouth park resulting in a six-hour standoff after he tried to remove his caravan.

Moray MP Angus Robertson has reportedly been approached by several people with complaints about the caravan parks and Lifestyle Living Group managing director said the company is in talks with local MPs to address problems.

He said the firm was “happily assisting” inquiries by Trading Standards and was quoted by the news provider as stating: “Lifestyle Living Group has invested heavily in the onsite facilities at Silver Sands, including the leisure complex, and will continue to invest in both parks.”

According to its website, Silver Sands “has the potential to become one of the most spectacular holiday parks in North Scotland”, thanks to its abundance of local wildlife, caves to explore and sand dunes.

It is currently licenced for 500 static homes and 140 touring caravans.