Consultation underway on ‘staycation tax’ in Scotland

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The number of people planning and venturing on staycations in the UK has skyrocketed during recent months. The end of lockdown at home means the sights and sounds of a UK holiday have become highly appealing to many – especially given the ongoing restrictions around overseas travel.

In 2018, there were more than 11.8 million domestic visitors to Scotland – a figure that could increase this year and next as more UK travel takes place. Its dramatic scenery and rugged landscapes are a lure for caravan and motorhome enthusiasts from across the UK.

However, a significant spike in caravan and motorhome visitors to Scotland means local authorities in parts of the country are now considering the introduction of a new ‘staycation tax’ that would help to cover the cost of local tourism services.

Businesses in the tourism sector and members of the local community in the Western Isles are being consulted on the proposed Transient Visitor Levy.

MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch Kate Forbes stated in her ministerial foreword to the consultation: “The Scottish government is committed to maintaining and enhancing the tourism sector’s economic, social and environmental contributions.

“Creating a discretionary power to enable local authorities to apply a levy on visitors is a means of allowing local authorities to respond to local circumstances more effectively whilst also allowing local tourism offers to be enhanced.”

A council spokesperson for the Outer Hebrides, or Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, told the Express the new levy could see visitors making a “small contribution” towards the upkeep of services they use.

Exact figures on how much visitors will be expected to pay have not yet been decided, but given the growing popularity of staycations in Scotland, it’s something all caravan and motorhome enthusiasts should be aware of when planning a Great British getaway.

Image credit: iStock/lassman

Nick’s News – Volkswagen Caddy California and the UK’s top towcars

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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

Crises? What crises? Sometimes it seems the whole country is in denial as we struggle to get to grips with miscellaneous shortages – that’s everything from what’s not in our supermarkets to motorhomes and caravans, through to the fuel, er, challenge. 

Whilst general advice as far as the latter is concerned is try and keep your automotive travel to a minimum, I just think we have to manage our own expectations. Plenty of folk are still looking to get their first foot onto the ladder of leisure vehicle ownership, but I’d advise not to rush in to anything right now. Your patience will be rewarded. 

In the news

Tale of two top towcars

Congratulations to Seat’s Leon Estate FR 1.5TSI 150PS and Kia’s Sorento 2.2 CRDi 3 DCT. They’re the number one tow car in the UK at the moment – both of them! 

The Seat is the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Towcar of the Year 2022 winner. It also topped the Caravan weight 1,100kg-1,200kg class (the car’s kerbweight is 1,410kg). 

Meanwhile, the Kia was overall winner in the latest Tow Car Awards (a joint venture between What Car?, Practical Caravan magazines and the Camping and Caravanning Club). It was also top of the class for towcars weighing over 1,900kg and costing less than £50,000. Kia’s 1,954kg kerbweight means it can tow caravans up to 1,661kg if you want to abide by the 85% guideline. 

Between the two awards (the judging criteria is different for both, by the way), there were some 20 class winners. If you’re in the market for a new towcar, you’ll want to pick through the grittier detail of both sets of awards. 

Truth is, there are lots of great towcars to choose from. Getting hold of one is going to be the trickiest part. 

Secondhand stock – still a struggle

The disappointing news continues for those looking to buy a pre-owned caravan or motorhome. Dealers stocks are as low as can be right now, amid seemingly ever-growing demand. That also means, inevitably, rising prices. 

New stock just isn’t getting through, it seems. As one major motorhome dealer put it to me at the start of the week: “We currently have two 2022 model Rapidos in stock… and no Swifts yet. Used stock is harder to comment on as it’s selling almost as fast as it’s arriving, with some selling before they arrive.”

Or, as another put it, more succinctly: “2022 models aren’t coming through yet, we are still getting 2021 products!!”

… and accessories prices are set to rise, too

Limited stock and rising prices will also be the theme for accessories. Rising costs for raw materials is the initial blame point, but again it’s demand completely outstripping the ability to supply. 

It’s no great secret that the majority of accessories come from China, so it’s interesting to hear from my friends at accessories supplier OlPro that the cost of a shipping container has leapt from $2,000 to $11,000. 

I can only feel sorry for any of you who ordered special products only to be frustrated by long delays before receiving them. It’s something we’re going to have to live with for the foreseeable future, I’m afraid. 

Motorhome for me

Volkswagen Caddy California – the clever Cali

Volkswagen UK is taking orders for the latest addition to its California family – the Caddy. Based on… yep, you’ve guessed, the Volkswagen’s smallest van, the Caddy. 

You’ll probably want the larger, Maxi version but after that there’s a choice of petrol or diesel engines, manual or automatic transmission. 

Yes, it really does stretch your camping expertise. Open the tailgate to access and use the slide-out “kitchen”. It’s the clever, comfy double bed (1.98m x 1.07m) that is the star performer here – a proper fold-out mechanism that doesn’t rely on using any of the travel seats. 

Plus, you get two outdoor chairs and a free-standing table, plus zipped holdall-type bags that attach to the rear side windows.

Definitely consider an awning. Or use it to tow, although Volkswagen keeps the towing limit to 1,500kg. 

Three good: Lovely to drive, clever bed arrangement, proper five-seater

One bad: Very limited storage

Perfect for… Camping-plus

Also consider: Wheelhome Vikenze

Northumberland’s Wild With Consent concept continues into the autumn

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A concept connecting caravanners to landowners for overnight stays in Northumberland has been such a success that it’s being extended into the autumn.

Wild With Consent has availability at a number of exclusive off-grid locations in October, offering caravanners and motorhomers the opportunity to enjoy the glow of the season in some of the county’s most picturesque spots.

Unlike conventional pitches, Wild With Consent gives single leisure vehicles the chance to reconnect with nature off the beaten track on private land.

Each location is situated close to the sea within Northumberland’s area of outstanding natural beauty.

Caravanners and motorhomers can choose a spot from:

Dunstan Hill – Wake up with a view of atmospheric Dunstanburgh Castle right from the window of your leisure vehicle.

Elwick – Fall asleep listening to the sounds of seals in the Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, with the island just across the water from your camp.

Greymare Farm – Watch the sun go down over Lindisfarne Castle and take a walk to nearby St Cuthbert’s Cave, as you walk in the footsteps of the saints.

Scremerston Town Farm – Walk to Cheswick Beach and enjoy home-cooked meals and cakes from your hosts.

Wild With Consent is exclusively for leisure vehicles and does not cater to campers in a tent. Its charm is the ability to experience a unique setting without any other visitors around.

Sites start at £25 a night, with super premium locations charged at £100.

Grace Fell, founder of Wild With Consent, started offering the service this summer, but decided to continue it into the autumn as there seems to be demand for a longer staycation season this year.

She is a seasoned camper, travelling around in her Iveco campervan, which has been dubbed Tubs.

New caravan and motorhome models for 2022 to be showcased at Shrewsbury event

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A wide selection of 2022’s new leisure vehicles are set to be revealed at the West Midlands Caravan & Motorhome New 2022 Model Show next month.

The event, which is the UK’s biggest free caravan and motorhome show, will be hosted by Salop Leisure at its headquarters between October 9th and 17th.

It’s expected to be popular in the wake of one of the busiest summers for caravanning on record, as staycations continue to boom as a result of the pandemic.

Ed Glover, marketing manager at Salop Leisure, reassured potential visitors that precautions in line with the latest coronavirus guidance will be in place at the show.

He said: “This show is a great opportunity to see a selection of the new 2022 caravan and motorhome models for the first time right here in Shropshire.

“Visitors can take their time to see all the new smart ideas, innovations and fresh designs on display. It’s a great day out for all the family.”

New touring caravans and motorhomes from the Swift Group and Coachman are set to be on display at the event, as well as the latest caravan holiday homes and luxury lodges from ABI, Atlas, Carnaby, Swift and Willerby.

For anyone who’s not in the market for a brand new leisure vehicle, pre-owned models will also be available to view and buy.

Once you’ve got your caravan or motorhome sorted, it’s time to decide where to enjoy it, so there will be representatives from holiday parks on site to offer recommendations.

You’ll also be able to seek advice from experts about everything owning a caravan or motorhome entails.

Mr Glover added: “The percentage of first-time buyers has increased as families and couples recognise and appreciate the flexibility of owning a caravan or motorhome.”

Nick’s News – The fuel crisis, no NEC show and the Hymer Grand Canyon S CrossOver

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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

Well, I’m not sure if many of us are going anywhere at the moment. The fuel crisis has taken hold and, frankly, it’s not looking great if you use a vehicle for leisure purposes, because there are more worthy causes out there.

Hopefully, soon after you read this things will show signs of starting to return to normal. If they don’t my advice is, if at all possible, to stay at home. At the very least, keep your leisure vehicle travel to a minimum.

Then again, I’m fully expecting the fuel shortage situation to be back to normal pretty soon.

In the news

No NEC shows? No bother

The lack of any of the leisure vehicle sector’s main shows at Birmingham’s NEC is causing, er, not much concern at all. In fact, a few manufacturers I’ve spoken to say they actually prefer to go down the alternative route of showing off their new-season vehicles via special events across their own dealer networks.

Indeed, more than one manufacturer has happily told me that its roadshows guarantee more sales and indeed, a better quality of sale than the pre-Covid bi-annual Birmingham bunfights.

The latest manufacturer to announce a series of special shows at its dealers is Bürstner. If you’re in the Portsmouth area this weekend (October 1st to 4th), check out the goings on at South Downs Motorhomes.

It’s operating a ticketing service whereby you can book a specific time slot online. Other Bürstner dealers are hosting similar events throughout October and beyond.

As ever, I do think the more casual nature of an open weekend, or similar, at a local dealership is a far better environment for you, the purchaser, than high-pressure surroundings where dealers are literally fighting each other for your leisure vehicle pounds just so that they can meet sales targets.

Anyway, here’s my not especially original solution to what I do see as an industry problem… by all means have showcase events to fly flags for the whole leisure vehicle sector, but that’s exactly what they should be: showcases, with no direct selling.

That way folk can go and find out more about the whole pastime. Leave the actual selling to events that individual manufacturers and dealers can lay on for themselves.

Have a Quiet time?

It might call itself The Quiet Site, but this open-all-year, carbon-neutral Lake District hideaway overlooking Ullswater rightly makes lots of noise about its environmental credentials.

On its list of reasons to stay here, it offers up: a clutch of top environmental awards, a zero-waste shop, 60kW of solar panels, a ground source heat pump, 300 beech trees planted this year, and a reed bed water treatment plant that’s now in its 14th year… the list really does go on and on.

I’ve been there on a few occasions and loved it every time. There’s even a brilliant bar here, which of course serves local ales. Somewhat modestly, it calls itself one of the most sustainable campsites in the UK. I think it’s the top one, but you might know better…

Campervan quandary – quality concerns

With demand for campervans seemingly unquenchable, it’s time for a rain check. Estimates are there could be as many as 2,000 companies out there claiming to be campervan specialists and, as you can probably guess, it’s the inconsistent quality of work that’s causing concern, particularly over matters of safety.

Another estimate is as many as 10,000 campervan conversions have been produced over the past year alone, which could only qualify as “dodgy”.
That’s because there’s little in the way of standards when it comes to cutting holes in a vehicle that was initially registered as a van and adding electrical, gas and water systems, as well as safely installed seating, furniture and ventilation.

What’s the future? Some kind of association of campervan converters, or similar, whereby some standards can be applied across the board seems logical. Specialist insurance companies could help by insisting certain safety standards are met too.

If you are buying a campervan of little-known provenance, do check as a minimum it’s registered as a motor caravan with the DVLA and comes with certificates to prove the safety of the gas and electrical installations, plus any rear seating, if it’s designed for travel.

It’s great if it’s all certified by UK trade body the National Caravan Council (NCC), as well as having appropriate Type Approval. At the same time, do check out the manufacturing qualifications of anyone you’re tempted to ask to do any work for you.

Motorhome for meInterior of the Hymer Grand Canyon

Hymer Grand Canyon S CrossOver – let’s go off-road

If I was going to take a proper motorhome off-road; if I was really determined to head off into the wilds; if I had the budget; if I didn’t care about looks… I’d pick a Hymer Grand Canyon S Cross.

Prices may start at just under £100,000 for this outrageous model from Hymer, but you’ll soon find yourself paying anything up to ten per cent more to get the spec you want. Because I’m assuming anyone who buys one of these really wants to be… out there.

It’s a four-wheel drive, with suspension lift and all-terrain tyres, hence the appearance of being on stilts. One thing’s for sure – Hymer’s conversion work is unlikely to be shaken to bits by the more adventurous approach this kind of vehicle is asking for.

Plus, Hymer says the specification is such you can go self-sufficient for anything up to ten days. Just don’t ask how they came to that conclusion, especially with a 90-litre fridge and a 100-litre fresh water tank. I’m joking!

Three good: Mercedes and Hymer combination, genuine off-road capabilities, and something different
Two bad: Price and appearance
Perfect for… Heading into the wilds
Also consider: A Land Rover and a sleeping bag

Motorhome dealership breaks sales record in August

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Just when you thought everyone who was going to buy a motorhome had already bought one, the Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld dealership breaks a record for sales in a single month.

It sold nearly 100 motorhomes in August alone, which is twice as many as any previous August and up 30 per cent on the most successful month’s sales on record.

Ross Edwards, managing director of Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld, said: “The ongoing demand for motorhomes is quite staggering and demonstrates that people are adjusting their medium-term holiday plans and crave the freedom you experience when owning a motorhome.

“Yes, people will undoubtedly return to mainstream holidays abroad, but there is no doubt in my mind that there is now a growing trend towards people staying in the UK for their breaks and a desire to be self-contained and away from the crowds.”

He added that he thinks the trend is here to stay, having never seen such high demand for motorhomes in his nearly 30 years in the business.

While the dealership had expected sales to cool off, that certainly wasn’t the case in August, with stock delays not getting in the way of demand.

Many customers are looking ahead too and putting in orders that are due to be fulfilled in 12 months’ time.

Mr Edwards also highlighted the widening of the demographic of those interested in owning a motorhome, as more and more people are drawn by the flexibility and freedom it brings.

Interest in the dealership’s wares is unlikely to wane as it’s set to host an event at its showroom from October 2nd to 17th featuring new releases from Carado, Dethleffs, HYMER and Niesmann+Bischoff.

Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld is one of the largest motorhome dealerships in the UK, with the Edwards family having been in the industry for more than four decades.

Road testing the TentBox Lite

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On a campsite full of motorhomes costing tens of thousands of pounds, it was a Kia Ceed with a vibrant orange roof tent attached that was getting all the attention. Caravanners looked on from their own pitches as we removed the PVC covering to reveal our compact TentBox Lite and using the ladders, unfolded it like a book.

The TentBox Lite is a pop-up tent specifically designed for use on a car and can be attached to a vehicle of any size, as long as you have roof bars. With an aluminium frame, strong canvas fabric and taped seams for extra waterproofing, it’s made from high spec materials, making it feel like it could withstand most conditions.

It certainly looked impressive, turning up on site and going from flat rectangular travelling mode to fully formed accommodation in a matter of seconds. There’s even a mattress inside, so there’s no need to haul camping mats up the ladders. It had, however, taken a significant amount of preparation to get to this point.

Pre-trip prep versus on-site set-up

Screwing the bolts inThe morning had been spent screwing the bolts in place to ensure the tent was fully secured to the car’s cross bars. But this is the beauty of TentBox’s products – they can be fitted to most vehicles as long as you have some bars, which keep the tent fixed in position above the roof.

A number of people have asked me about the fear of the roof caving in and to be honest, fitting it myself and seeing how sturdy the construction is helped assuage any such fears. It is a slightly bizarre concept, however, sleeping on top of a car and the even stranger thing is that once folded out, half of the tent is simply suspended above the ground, although kept at the correct angle by the ladders.

The telescopic design of the ladders means these fit compactly above the tent for travelling. We took a little bit of time adjusting the angle of the steps to get it right and, when the new configuration didn’t quite click into place, used the strap to ensure the rungs didn’t move while in use.

TentBox offers a range of rooftop tents and as the name would suggest, the Lite model weighs the least. At 50kgs it’s still pretty heavy and as two women road testing it, we sought the help of an extra pair of hands to lift it onto the car and off again afterwards. We noticed in the official video instructions that the two men fitting the Tentbox to their car lifted it on from a table, so we adopted the same technique.

The website states that the set-up time for the TentBox Lite is five minutes and once you’re in situ on your pitch or camping spot, that’s certainly true. Initially fitting the tent to the car takes significantly longer, however. Anyone putting the tent in place and leaving it atop the car in a secure location to use it multiple times throughout the season won’t be too put off, but it’s an effort for one trip.

Without any paper instructions, we used the website’s video to install the Tentbox. While this was really useful and easy to follow, the design of the tent has been tweaked a bit since it was filmed. Handily, this meant the tent’s rails were already attached, but we had to work this out for ourselves.

The TentBox comes with all the tools you need to fit it – most notably a spanner and an allen key. Luckily, I had a second spanner in my toolkit, so we could both work on screwing and unscrewing the bolts to attach the tent to the cross bars at the same time. It was a time-consuming task, but with a more sophisticated tool you’d be able to complete it more quickly. Be prepared to get well-acquainted with those bolts though, as they’re the vital pieces that keep your TentBox in place and you’ll want them screwed in tightly.

Comfort, space and putting the TentBox through its paces

TentBox with breakfast tableIf you want to test a tent then camping on a Scottish clifftop overlooking the sea as the seasons change from summer to autumn is a pretty good way to go about it. Although we managed to avoid any rain, there was a steady supply of wind, but at no point did the TentBox feel anything but stable. We decided to shut down a couple of the exterior flaps as a result of the wind to tweak the setup to the situation.

Among the benefits of camping on top of your car are not having to worry about uneven ground beneath your tent or the cold from the pitch seeping in either. In fact, it was quite cosy inside the TentBox, with the robust mattress more comfortable than most other camping options I’ve experienced. There was plenty of room for two adults and various possessions, as well as conveniently placed pockets and a spot from which to hang a camping lamp.

TentBox Lite – Yes or no?Packed up TentBox

My top tip for camping in a TentBox would be to bag yourself a picturesque spot to pitch up for the night. The elevated position of your tent offers an unprecedented vantage point and waking up to views over Bass Rock was undoubtedly a memorable experience. While a TentBox doesn’t offer all the luxuries of a caravan or motorhome, it helps to bring the humble camper into closer competition without paying out thousands of pounds.

In terms of practicalities, transporting your tent on the roof also frees up plenty of boot space for the all-important breakfast making set-up. I can see why TentBoxes are popular with outdoor enthusiasts, especially those who need a lot of kit but want to maintain a sense of ease to get up and hit the road. I’m just pleased we road tested the lighter TentBox model, as despite being compact, it took some heft to get it on the car.

TentBox products are undoubtedly well made and well designed. If you’re looking to invest a bit more in your camping trips without going full motorhome, a TentBox is definitely a viable solution. Just make sure you’re ready to receive some attention from fellow campers next time you pitch up!

Nick’s News – Jerba Campers, the end of John Cross, and the Sprite Alpine 4

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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

Are you thinking of buying a brand-new touring caravan or motorhome for use next year? I’m going to be the bringer of bad news, I’m afraid. Your dealer will go through estimated delivery times with you and yes, I’m afraid at this stage they will only be estimates, and probably optimistic ones at that.

But there will also be disclaimers about price rises, with almost a 100 per cent probability that they will go up. That’s mainly because of the soaring prices of raw materials and plastics, plus key items such as silicon chips, not to mention a backdrop of supply challenges generally.

Still want to go ahead? If yes, I offer you a little bit of advice: keep your deposit to a minimum and make your money work for you elsewhere instead.

In the newsSimon Poole

Jerba and its employee-owned model

I’ve been speaking to Simon Poole, who is the boss of Jerba, a campervan converter based in North Berwick. He and his partner Cath founded Jerba back in 2006, before making it an employee-owned company in 2018. It’s a way of giving staff a bigger say in how a company is run and Simon says it’s really fulfilling.

He added: “People ask me what I’ve really enjoyed about the business and it’s walking out the door of an evening and knowing that I’ve given really good jobs to 15 people. We give bonuses out each year and by this time next year the company will have no debt whatsoever.

“In the not-too-distant-future, some of the staff will be receiving bonuses that, for them, will be life-changing. It gives them real job security and makes them financially secure into the future. It’s a really good story.”

He also cites the employee-ownership model as a key reason why folk buy a Jerba campervan, as well as reckoning it’s far less stressful because everyone is pulling together.

It sounds like a great way to run a business. I’m just surprised others across the leisure vehicles sector haven’t gone down the same route.

John Cross – gone

I was sorry to hear about the John Cross dealership in East Sussex going under. Owner Jaycross Ltd went into administration in August, after owner-director Peter Bartlett sadly passed away in 2020 and the business never re-opened after lockdown.

It’s somewhat amazing to think any retailer of motorhomes or caravans could be struggling at the moment, albeit the biggest single challenge for all of them is getting stock to sell. Nevertheless, all manner of circumstances seemed to conspire against John Cross.

There was an auction of the company’s remaining stock, which consisted of some six motorhomes and quite a variety of accessories. I understand a small number of motorhomes, which the company was due to sell on behalf of private individuals on a sale-or-return basis, were returned to their owners.

I hope the employees, who were on the furlough scheme, find alternative employment sooner rather than later.

Van Live! – coming your way

As socially distanced events go, Van Live! surely is the best. This year’s edition is the third such event brought straight to you by the publisher of the Practical Caravan and Practical Motorhome magazines.

It all takes place October 18th to 25th and you can sign in to see halls devoted to UK-made vehicles, imports, dealers, campsites, accessories, advice and more.

You even get to download your own goodie bag!

Caravan crushInterior of the Sprite Alpine 4

Sprite Alpine 4 – feeling a bit French

My goodness, if your Sprite memories are of caravans that pushed the boundaries at the budget end of the market, you’ll get quite a shock when you look at the current offerings.

The marque, under the ownership of Swift these days, heads into 2022 with an 11-model line-up and, while the Alpine 4 probably won’t be one of the bestsellers, an MTPLM of 1,284kg is light and attractive.

But it’s also one of the better executions I’ve seen of a rear French bed floorplan. That’s partly because of the washroom configuration being adjacent. Instead of cramming the basin, toilet and shower into the washroom, which so often also means also compromising the bed, the Alpine 4 puts the handbasin outside the washroom, albeit also handily bedside.

New for 2022 features include the Dometic series 10 98-litre fridge, extra USB ports and the like. And Swift has long excelled at turning out smart looking leisure vehicles.

Some £20,000 gets you a brand-new Sprite Alpine 4 nowadays and that’s considered a budget leisure vehicle That’s the price of progress, I guess, although do note French bed models like this don’t feature in many manufacturers’ portfolios now.

Three good: Great value, good French bed formula and smart styling
Two bad: Price creep and a floorplan that seems to be losing favour
Perfect for… Keeping the price down and the luxury up
Also consider: Bailey Phoenix+ 440

CaravanTimes’ Dan Cartwright on Towcar of the Year 2022

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The winners of the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Towcar of the Year 2022 have just been announced and we’ve got the inside scoop from our very own Dan Cartwright, who just so happens to be one of the judges.

Dan spent a week at the Technical Union for the Automobile Motorcycle and Cycle Industries’ (UTAC) Millbrook Proving Ground helping to put the vehicles through their paces.

He has been a driving judge at the awards for four years and explained to CaravanTimes why these awards are so useful for caravanners.

The importance of Towcar of the Year

Towing is an issue that affects caravanners specifically and it’s very hard to understand whether a vehicle will be a good towcar just by looking at it.

Dan told us: “I also judge things like the Caravan Design Awards and the Motorhome Innovation Awards, and this one to me is probably the single most important for caravans. The reason is that as much as you can test drive a vehicle, you very very rarely get the chance to test drive towing.

“The difference in each class between winners and cars that don’t win can be huge. There’s no way of telling from statistics or from power-weight ratios, torque ratios or gearing whether or not a particular car will be a good tower.”

It’s up to the experts on the Towcar of the Year judging panel to put the vehicles to the test and answer the questions caravanners have when looking for a new towcar, because it can make or break a holiday.

Dan added: “The disparity between having a car that tows well and a car that doesn’t is huge. With some of our winners, you don’t even notice that you’re towing and it’s an absolute joy. Whereas with some cars, it can make the start of your holiday actually quite cumbersome and annoying if they’re not a good towcar.

“We’re doing this because members and caravanners can’t actually go and test a new car and a caravan together.”

Comprehensive testing

Dan praised the way that the tests are run, stating that all caravans are weighted and assessed to exactly their towing limit. They’re scrutinised in detail in what can only be described as a comprehensively complex and fair trial.

“The test itself involves doing different laps of the Millbrook Proving Ground. So we do everything from mountain routes to see how these things cope on extreme highs, lows, turns and very steep gradients, both up and down; through to how they perform in motorway situations around a high-speed bowl,” he told us.

Dan’s highlights

As an experienced judge in multiple caravan awards over the years, Dan explained what he considers to be his highlights from Towcar of the Year 2022.

“What stands out for me about this year’s awards is the range of manufacturers and vehicles that have actually won. And if you look at the winners here, we’ve got a Skoda, a SEAT, a VW, a Nissan, another VW, a Volvo, a Porsche, two Fords and a SsangYong.

“It’s really promising that while in previous years there have been certain manufacturers that have dominated multiple classes, whereas what I really like about this is there are cars here that tow really well that are really accessible. These are cars that people probably already have sitting on their driveway.”

“These are cars that people have not only as towcars; you can get a towball fitted and try caravanning. It feels that there are a lot of accessible cars in this. It’s not dominated by huge expensive 4x4s; there are a lot of cars that people could potentially already own and would want as a non-towcar anyway.”

This helps to banish the idea that holidaymakers need to go and buy a large 4×4 to tow their caravan.

“The right weight caravan on a small car is actually a joy to tow with,” Dan summarised.

What do this year’s awards say about the industry?

Towcar of the Year offers an interesting insight into the caravan industry as a whole and the trends manufacturers are tapping into.

With 2020 and 2021 seeing a huge boom in caravanning, towcars have become more of a consideration for many people than ever before, so looking ahead to 2022 and what’s on offer is truly fascinating.

Dan told CaravanTimes: “The key this year is that the whole industry has got more options available, depending on your licence restrictions and things like that. There are more small, lightweight caravans and there are more small, lightweight cars that are really good at towing.

“We know that not everybody here is going to run out and buy a brand new car. The Club’s been doing this for 15 years, so you can go back and look at the listings from previous years. If you’re looking at a three or four-year-old car as a towcar and you want to see what was a good towcar that year, you can go back and all the information is on the Caravan and Motorhome Club site.”

This allows caravanners to select a towcar that suits their budget knowing it will be up to the task, because it was among the best towcars in the year it was released.

Dan said: “With more smaller cars and more caravan manufacturers making more small, light and family-orientated caravans, it’s becoming easier and easier and easier for anyone to hook up and go!”

The Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Towcar of the Year 2022 is… the SEAT Leon Estate

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The judges have spoken and the winner of the 39th Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year competition is the SEAT Leon Estate FR 1.5TSI 150PS.

After a week of vigorous testing at the Technical Union for the Automobile Motorcycle and Cycle Industries’ (UTAC) Millbrook Proving Ground, it was the SEAT that took the overall top spot.

Putting towcars through their paces

The unique and demanding track really put the vehicle through its paces as a towcar, demonstrating its performance in a selection of scenarios.

What’s great about the SEAT Leon is that it’s an all-round family estate and the judges were impressed with the 1.5-litre TSi petrol engine, which worked well with the seven-speed auto gearbox.

After handling the faster sections of the route with calm composure, the SEAT Leon didn’t disappoint on the hilly, twistier roads either. It felt agile with the engine coping really well with the inclines.

What’s more, there’s no shortage of room inside the vehicle to stash all your touring equipment, including a decent-sized boot.

Nick Lomas, director general of the Caravan and Motorhome Club said, “With the rise in popularity of the staycation, it’s more important than ever that the Club continues to provide qualified and unbiased information for its one million members to help them to find the right towcar for their needs.

“We’ve also been receiving an increasing number of enquiries about the technicalities and practicalities of towing with hybrid and electric vehicles so it’s fantastic news we are seeing a boom in competition entrants and winners in these categories.”

After the Club’s scrutiny team had assessed the towcars in fine detail, they were handed over to groups of specialised judges, including CaravanTimes’ own Dan Cartwright.

They drew conclusions on everything from driving to caravanability, which covers practical elements like measuring the towball height, both solo and hitched up, and checked the towing information provided in the manufacturer’s handbook.

The right towcar for youThe SEAT Leon Estate

While the SEAT Leon was the overall winner of Towcar of the Year 2022, 11 other vehicles won in a variety of categories, including accolades for pick-ups, electric vehicles and hybrids.

Some 32 entrants were put into caravan weight categories, instead of being listed by price, to facilitate buyers in knowing which cars could tow their caravans.

Here are the winners in each category:

Caravan Weight Under 1100kg and Electric Vehicles
ŠKODA Enyaq iV 80 Lounge 82 kWh 204 PS DSG

Caravan Weight 1100 – 1200kg and Overall Winner
SEAT Leon Estate FR 1.5TSI 150PS

Caravan Weight 1200 – 1300kg
Volkswagen Golf R-Line 2.0 TDI 150PS DSG

Caravan Weight 1300 – 1400kg
Nissan Qashqai Tekna+ (Xtronic)

Caravan Weight 1400 – 1500kg
Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake R-Line 2.0 TDI 200PS DSG

Caravan Weight 1500 – 1700kg
Volvo XC40 Recharge pure electric AWD

Caravan Weight Over 1700kg
Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 8-Speed Tiptronic S

Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles
Volvo V60 Recharge plug-in hybrid T6 AWD

Family Towcar
Ford Kuga ST-Line X Diesel mhev

Large Family Towcar
Ford S-Max FHEV ST-Line

Pick-up
SsangYong P Musso Rhino Auto

Nick’s News – New trailer limits, a long-distance route in Cumbria and the Pilote P626D Évidence

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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

A quieter week this week, although there’s a definite highlight on the leisure vehicle front. I’m due to go and review the Chausson Combo X550 motorhome at the Highbridge Caravans dealership in Somerset.

While it doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel, this latest Chausson from a company that’s never afraid to try something different, really does promise to be a bit special. It’s a compact, slimline model with what is starting to become the usual, space-efficient drop-down double bed and more.

In the news

New trailer limits mean a weighty towing issue

The idea that tests for those who are considering towing larger outfits are to be dropped does not seem like a good one to me. Surely overall road safety is paramount?

It’s all down to the lack of commercial drivers (lorries, primarily) and the prospect of a “quick fix”. However, a loophole has been created whereby if you passed your full driving test before January 1st 1997, you will be able to tow trailers up to 3,500kg laden. That’s far more than any typical touring caravan here in the UK.

This represents a step change from the current situation whereby that critical date meant newer drivers could only tow with a maximum total outfit limit of 3,500kg. That’s a car or caravan to you or me.

You can get more information by emailing customerservices@dvsa.org.uk. All I can say is, at a time when the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is reporting up to one in six caravans stopped on our roads had a serious safety issue, the last thing fellow road users need is inexperienced drivers heading out with hefty outfits.

New model news – coming in dribs and drabs

I’m expecting news of the latest motorhome models to trickle out for the season ahead, with fanfare launches being kept to a minimum. That’s because manufacturers are still wary of getting the parts they want when they need them, as well as difficulties recruiting production staff.

I can tell you about some interesting stuff in the pipeline, though. First, look to Chausson, which is planning to announce a couple of lower-priced Ford Transit-based low-profiles under the name S. They’ll be slim on width too, at 2.10m.

The same company is also set to unveil a new Combo model. The X660 will complement the X550 which debuted in the 2021 season and promises something really different.

Also, there’s a third Benivan from Benimar in the offing. The 124 will replicate the 122 floorplan, but with the addition of an elevating roof on its high-top, thus offering two more sleeping berths.

Route to go – enter CCR200

Those of you who’ve seen or even heard of the popularity of Scotland’s North Coast 500 (NC500) driving and camping route might be interested to hear about a Cumbrian equivalent that’s surfaced.

It’s called the Cumbrian Coast 200 (CCR200) and as the name suggests, it features some 200 miles of often rugged roads. It’s an attempt to show us more of Cumbria and take some of the pressure off the Lake District hotspots.

The route is broken down into five sections: Morecambe Bay; Furness peninsula and island hopping; Haverigg to Seascale; Seascale to Maryport; and Maryport to Carlisle.

It seems the authorities have learnt a bit from some of the tribulations of the NC500, which has proved too popular and attracted some rather appalling behaviour. An accompanying CCR200 Motor Caravanner’s Code has been published that we’re all asked to abide by. Check it out here.

Motorhome for me?Interior of the Pilote P626D Évidence

Pilote P626D Évidence – all clues point to a bargain

You need to keep your eyes open if you want a real bargain in the motorhome market, but every now and again an imported marque unleashes some really attractive limited edition runs. And that’s the case for the Évidence line-up of four coachbuilts and one A-class from Pilote.

Pick of the quartet, for me, is the P626, a low-profile two-berth (four optional), Fiat-based, it comes with the 140bhp engine and automatic transmission as standard (and that isn’t cheap at the moment).

It has a slightly strange 6.20m overall length, but it’s a particularly space-efficient floorplan, thanks to some clever thinking with the washroom and kitchen towards the back end, a very useful garage and a 2.20m long drop-down bed over the lounge at the front.

It’s not just clever, as an Évidence it’s absolutely packed with kit grabbed from the normal options list. And that’s why I say it’s a bargain. Check it all out for yourselves, but do make time to understand what is a very practical floorplan before falling for the added attractions of all the goodies.

Guess the all-in price? It currently scrapes in just under £58,000. No doubt that will rise next season, as indeed it will for all other new motorhomes.

Three good: Manageable size with 3,500kg chassis, stunning standard kit and generous sized washroom/kitchen/lounge/bed
Two bad: Limited availability and the kitchen only gets a two-ring hob
Perfect for… Get-about-ability
Also consider: Adria Axess 590 ST and Chausson 650 Titanium Premium

Caravanning remains popular into the autumn

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The trend for caravanning seems to show no sign of abating as we head into the autumn months, with demands for pitches still high.

Bookings for spots on the Camping and Caravanning Club’s network of sites are at around twice the level usually expected for this time of year.

Normally, things start to wane in September and October, but it seems people are still looking to make up for lost time and enjoy staycations.

As many families invested in caravans and motorhomes during the pandemic, it’s not surprising they’re keen to extend the season and make the most of their purchase.

The Club’s membership is now at record levels, with some 350,000 households tapping into its benefits. That equates to 750,000 individuals.

Simon McGrath, a spokesman for the Club, said: “Despite seeing 100 per cent growth in our Club site bookings for September and October, there are still plenty of pitches available. The autumn is a lovely season to go camping, caravanning and motorhoming – campsites are usually quieter as kids are back at school, while the countryside colours begin to change in readiness for the winter.

“The plants and wildlife in autumn provide a very different backdrop on campsites while the night skies can be crystal clear for a spot of stargazing so it’s a fantastic time to consider heading to a campsite.”

Andy Torbet, adventurer and TV presenter, is another fan of getting away in a caravan or campervan in the autumn.

He has suggested five locations that really shine at this time of year: Scotland’s most northerly national park, the Cairngorms; Dalby Forest, which is set within 8,000 acres of woodland; East Anglia, where bird spotters can see geese and ducks setting up for winter; Cannock Chase, England’s smallest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; and the Brecon Beacons with its network of cycle paths.