VIDEO: A tougher Alu-Tech exterior for the Bailey Olympus Series II

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by Chris Jefferies

Last month, Bailey Caravans relaunched their mid-range Olympus tourer, with several improvements being made on both on the inside and the outside.

In the second episode of our three-part series, Chris Jefferies talks to company Director Nick Howard about exterior improvements and how they have brought the new Olympus models in-line with the second generation Alu-Tech range. Nick also touches on the greater dent resistance offered by the new front bumpers and thicker aluminium walls, as well as mentioning the benefits afforded by the optional AL-KO Secure wheel lock.

The Bailey Olympus II range will be on sale later this year, with prices ranging from £14,795 for the two-berth 460-2 layout, to £16,795 for the twin-axle 640-6 layout.

New tyre pressure monitoring system launched for caravans

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by Gemma Roskell

Caravanners will now be able to check on the tyre pressure of their tourers while on the move with the launch of a new tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) from Tyresure.

The device provides real time information to the driver of the towcar using special sensors which fit into each of the caravan wheels, replacing standard valves.

Should the pressure parameter change by more than 20 per cent, the driver will be alerted via a separate dashboard display.

If owners use more than one car to tow their caravan, the display can be transferred to another vehicle in the same way as a satellite navigation unit.

The launch of the product comes ahead of new legislation, which will require all new passenger cars to be fitted with TMPS as standard from 2012.

Although this will not apply to the leisure market, experts believe it may do in the future, so safety-conscious caravanners may be wise to invest in the technology ahead of time.

The Tyresure caravan tyre pressure monitoring system will cost £135 for single axle caravans and £195 for twin-axle tourers.

Brits causing havoc on overseas roads

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by Gemma Roskell

Caravanners taking their tourers abroad for a last minute holiday before the summer comes to an end should perhaps do a little research into overseas road rules beforehand.

According to a new survey by Sainsbury’s Finance, millions of UK motorists cause havoc abroad because they fail to understand basic laws and road signs.

Some 2.2 million have driven on the wrong side of the road and a further 1.3 million have driven the wrong way up a one-way street.

Another 880,000 have fallen foul of overseas driving laws by misreading signs, while 520,000 have been stopped by foreign police for speeding.

Ben Tyte, head of car insurance at Sainsbury’s, stressed the need for preparation when taking vehicles overseas, as laws can differ from country to country.

He also pointed out that adequate insurance is a must, while breakdown assistance cover can be a lifesaver.

Caravanners are also advised to ensure that their tourers have full protection against damage and theft when travelling abroad.

VIDEO: Energy-saving interiors for the Swift Challenger Sport

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by Marcus Dubois

Earlier this summer, Britain’s biggest manufacturer of touring caravans and motorhomes, Swift Caravans launched a brand-new entry-level range. Named the Swift Challenger Sport and Sterling Eccles Sport, these caravans will replace the outgoing Swift Charisma and Sterling Eccles ranges.

In the second of a four-part series, Marcus Dubois speaks to designers Mick France and Chris Milburn about the interior improvements available in these tourers. Key features offered include energy-efficient LED lighting, which can be easily controlled to create different moods during the daytime and at night.

The Swift Challenger Sport and Sterling Eccles Sport ranges will be on sale later this year, with prices ranging from £13,675 for the two-berth 382 layout to £17,425 for the twin-axle family model, the 636.

Calls for end to caravan insurance ‘age discrimination’

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by Chris Malone

With caravans over the age of 20 often difficult or even impossible to insure, one firm has called for an end to what it calls ‘age discrimination’.

Specialist brokerage Adrian Flux has said it is time for a new policy to allow those who own perfectly good older tourers to cover their mobile homes.

Spokeswoman Julie Carter said: “As long as the caravan has an identification number – and you can register no matter how old your van is – then age is not an issue for us.

“You’ll find that many online quote systems won’t even let you get past the first couple of questions if your caravan is more than 20 years old.”

She added that Adrian Flux has prided itself on being able to obtain cover for virtually any road-legal vehicle, but has struggled with caravans thanks to underwriter discrimination.

Ms Carter noted that identification is the main problem, but that even older caravans without ID numbers can be registered in order to get one.

Caravan Club named as preferred bidder for Stonehaven site

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by Chris Malone

Stonehaven’s Tourism Group has named the Caravan Club as its preferred bidder for the Queen Elizabeth Caravan Park.

According to the Mearns Leader, travel expert Elma McMenemy approached the organisation to make it aware of the site, which she felt needed special attention to help it fulfil its potential.

In a letter presented to a public meeting on the future of the touring site, Ms McMenemy explained that the local authority that has been running the park is no longer capable of keeping the high standards required by caravan site users.

“For several years it has been obvious that Stonehaven needs a better caravan park. The council has done its best within limited budgets to keep our park operational and upgrade others,” she wrote.

“I contacted the Caravan Club on behalf of the Tourism Group, as, based on my tourism experience, I believed it to be the best organisation to invest in and operate a successful caravan park for the town.”

After a number of other bids were considered, it was decided that the Caravan Club offered the best chance of turning the town into a “must-visit destination for tourers”.

According to Aberdeenshire Council’s website, the Queen Elizabeth Caravan Park’s season currently runs from April 1st until December 24th.

The local authority is currently in the process of selling off all of its caravan sites in order to reduce its budget deficit.

Bailey caravans used in Towcar of the Year contest

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by Chris Malone

Industry giant Bailey Caravans has recently provided a number of tourers for the 29th Caravan Club Towcar of the Year competition.

The Bristol-based firm has seen its vehicles used in the contest for the past 14 years running, and claim that this is a testament to its caravans’ durability and stability.

Taking place at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, the testing event sees a number of vehicles put through their paces with a caravan in tow.

The cars are taken on more than 200 laps, including one of the high-speed circular track and a demanding hill route, during the testing.

With more than 1,000 test miles for each car, the event is a rigorous trial of the towcars and caravans.

Caravan Club head of publicity and industry relations Nikki Nichol expressed her thanks to Bailey for their support of the contest.

“Testing at Millbrook is indeed rigorous, and the caravans are an integral part of the testing – their durability is key,” she said.

The winner of the 2012 Caravan Club Towcar of the Year will be officially announced on Wednesday 21st September during an awards ceremony at the Royal Automobile Club in London.

AA warns caravan owners of bank holiday weekend congestion

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by Chris Malone

Caravan enthusiasts taking to the road this bank holiday weekend might be wise to prepare for delays, with the AA estimating that up to 16 million vehicles could be on the move over the next few days.

Traffic around the Reading and Leeds Festivals, which are both accepting caravanners, could be busy from this evening (August 24th), but the organisations predicted that the highways will really start to fill up from Friday as people look to get away for the final weekend of summer.

Other events taking place include Creamfields in Cheshire, Towersey Village Festival in Oxfordshire and the Greenbelt Festival, which will be held in Cheltenham.

The advice from AA patrolman of the year Keith Miller is to be prepared.

“The August bank holiday is always one of the busiest weekends of the year for travel with only a week to go before most schools go back and a busy schedule of sporting and leisure events,” he said.

“Carry plenty of drinking water, food and things to keep the children entertained and allow a few minutes to do the basic checks on your car before departing, paying particular attention to tyres, the cooling system and operation of the cooling fan.”

Woodhall Spa celebrates community takeover of caravan site

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by Chris Malone

The village of Woodhall Spa is set to celebrate the news that the local Jubilee Park and caravan site has been handed over to the community.

East Lindsey District Council announced earlier this year that it would give Woodhall Spa Parish Council control of the attraction, which has now been entrusted to the Jubilee Park Management Committee, Horncastle News reported.

As well as the caravan site and attractive parkland, there is also an outdoor pool and other leisure facilities.

To celebrate the handover, the committee has organised a free event for the local people, with chairman Barry Chapman telling the newspaper that it will act as a thank you for all the support given over recent months.

Taking place on Sunday (August 28th), the event will see the bandstand put to good use with the Silver Sounds Brass Band and Lincolnshire folk artist Liam Robinson performing.

The outdoor heated pool will also be in operation and there will be Punch and Judy shows, storytelling and face painting for kids.

According to its website, powered caravan pitches at Jubilee Park cost from £13.75.

VIDEO: Interior upgrades on the Bailey Olympus Series II

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by Chris Jefferies

Last month, Bailey Caravans relaunched their mid-range Olympus tourer, with several improvements on the inside and outside.

In the first of a three-part video, Chris Jefferies talks to company Director Nick Howard about the improvements on the inside, including the plush new furnishings and the all-new wood panelling.

Prices for the Bailey Olympus Series II range from £14,795 for the two-berth 460-2 layout, rising to £16,795 for the twin-axle 640-6 layout.

NCC: Buyers can look forward to more weight and more comfort

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by Chris Malone

Late summer is an exciting time of year for caravan and motorhome enthusiasts, with the major manufacturers often choosing September and October to launch their new models.

And according to the National Caravan Council (NCC), Brits can expect the 2012 ranges to offer more comfort, while at the same time reducing weights.

A spokeswoman noted that this means those looking for the latest gadgetry and specification can get their hands on the newest vehicles, while those looking for a bargain can do deals on last year’s tourers and motorhomes.

“If you had to describe what’s new about the 2012 touring caravans in five words, it would be ‘more home comforts, less weight’,” she said.

“Improvements have been made not just in styling, but in practical areas – thermal insulation, shower facilities, fridge-freezer capacity – and in on-board entertainment, with directional aerials for better TV reception, and radio/CD/MP3 players with iPod connectors.”

The NCC representative also highlighted the NEC Motorhome and Caravan Show, which runs from October 11 to 16, as a great place to check out these new models.

Swift Video Special: Styling the new Challenger Sport models

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by Marcus Dubois

Earlier this summer, Britain’s biggest manufacturer of touring caravans and motorhomes, Swift Caravans launched a brand-new entry-level range. Named the Swift Challenger Sport and Sterling Eccles Sport, these caravans will replace the outgoing Swift Charisma and Sterling Eccles ranges.

In the first of a four-part series, Marcus Dubois speaks to the design team behind the project, Mick France and Chris Milburn. In this episode, Mick and Chris look at the general styling features of these striking new models, including the optional panoramic sunroof, which is likely to prove very popular among customers.

The Swift Challenger Sport and Sterling Eccles Sport ranges will be on sale later this year, with prices ranging from £13,675 for the two-berth 382 layout to £17,425 for the twin-axle family model, the 636.