Elddis Caravans 2012 range: new models and layouts

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Chris Jefferies

Elddis Caravans has launched new models in all five of its ranges for 2012, with the Crusader and Buccaneer brands getting a complete overhaul. Invited members of the press got a close-up look at the new vans at the Consett headquarters yesterday (July 4th).

Caravan Times was there to get the first shots of the new interior and exterior features, and we can report that there have been a large number of changes with the aim of reducing weight and improving durability.

The new Xplore, Avante, Odyssey, Crusader and Buccaneer models all retain their own distinctive style. Xplore buyers will get a sleek, new all-white design, while added curves are the key features among the Avantes.

The Odyssey range benefits from lowered weight and one new layout, while the Crusaders feature grey design flourishes. Finally, the luxury brand Buccaneer has an all-new grey look, to compliment the GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) body and underskin, which saves weight and makes these tourers even more scratch resistant.

Elddis fans can expect to see these new vans on display at the Lawns Show in September, with the models arriving at dealers and being made available to order at the same time.

Prices range from £10,779 to £13,599 in the Xplore range; Avante tourers are available from £13,599 to £17,599, while Odyssey starts at £17,749 and goes up to £19,949. In the Crusader range prices go from £20,299 to £23,799, while the Buccaneer range starts at £23,999 and goes up to £26,999.

Elddis Caravans 2012: What’s new

The new range from Elddis has three key themes to it: Weight, weight, and weight. With caravan buyers feeling the pinch from rising petrol prices, having a lightweight and cheap-to-run tourer has never been more important. For this reason, the Consett-based ‘van makers have taken several steps to strip yet more weight off their new range. As Managing Director Rob Quine puts it, “Weight is key for us”.

The biggest change is the introduction of the Whale underfloor heating system on the entire Xplore range and the Avante 372. This frees up more space for cupboard storage and significantly reduces the weight.

Weights are also down across the entire Avante range, with the best-selling 540 model now weighing almost 12 per cent less than it did in 2010.

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Camping and caravanning: Good for your child’s health?

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by Chris Jefferies

Parents taking their children on a camping and caravanning holiday are well-aware of the health benefits of taking an outdoors break, a survey has revealed.
New research from the Camping and Caravanning Club shows that 84 per cent of adults believe that a camping style holiday is good for a child’s health, while 73 per cent say that it is something that every child should experience.
The kids seem equally keen, with 87 per cent of young survey respondents saying that camping in the countryside makes them feel really happy.
Furthermore, caravanning enthusiasts are so keen on taking in the great outdoors on a family holiday, that 59 per cent think it should be taught in schools as part of the National Curriculum.
The study, which was undertaken by researchers at Liverpool John Moores University, comes as part of the Club’s ‘Real Richness’ report.
Robert Louden, director general of the Club, said: “There is a lot of evidence to show that not only can camping improve a child’s behaviour, but it can also make them more attentive and interested in the world around them.”
Earlier this year, the Club released a report showing that 79 per cent of children who had never been on a camping holiday said that they would like to try it.

Caravan Club launches summer activities at Motor Museum

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by Chris Jefferies

The National Motor Museum in Beaulieu is due to lay on a range of events with the Caravan Club next month, including historic memorabilia and creative workshops.
Starting on August 1st and running until the end of the month, families will be able to take part in a range of sessions, from car and caravan construction to badge making and games.
These events will be running on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in August from midday to 4pm.
Caravan Club members visiting the National Motor Museum can get a third off their admission with a Great Days Out attraction voucher as well as showing a valid membership card.
While you’re there, the museum’s current Feats of Endurance exhibition is well worth a look for any avid petrolheads.
Furthermore, visitors to the Caravan Club’s New Forest Centenary Site in Bransgore can see a range of memorabilia from the Club’s collection on each Tuesday in August from 3pm to 5pm.

Local group bids for Aberdeenshire caravan site

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by Chris Jefferies

The continued sell off of all 11 council-owned caravan sites in Aberdeenshire has attracted a bid from a local community group, it has been reported.
Turriff and District have shown an interest in taking over the Station Road caravan park, using the nearby Inverbervie site’s five-year regeneration as a template, according to the Banffshire Journal.
John Smith, treasurer of Turiff community council, said: “The likely outcome is that the community council and Turriff and District Ltd will set up a community trust-type of group to bid for the site.”
He added that the group would share any profits made among local causes, ensuring that the benefits would be kept within the community.
Aberdeenshire council is currently in the process of considering bids for all 11 of the caravan sites it runs, as it aims to reduce its budget deficit of £64,000.
Local community groups are the preferred bidders, but if there is not enough interest in any of the sites, then bids from commercial operators will also be considered.
Caravan parks in Banff and Portsoy have also been the subject of bids from local community groups, the local paper added.

Devon and Somerset fire service warns of caravan fire risk

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan owners have been offered some top tips for reducing the risk of fire in their tourer this summer by a local fire service.
The Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service claims that around 1,400 caravan fires occur in the UK each year, but there are several crucial steps that touring holidaymakers can take to stay safe.
First of all, the fire service advises all caravan owners to fit a fire alarm and a carbon monoxide detector, and make sure the batteries are still working.
Other preventative measures include keeping a fire extinguisher on board and keeping matches out of reach of children, while smokers are urged to use metal ash trays and not smoke in bed.
Furthermore, vents should be cleared regularly to avoid any build-up of harmful or flammable gasses in your home away from home.
Finally, the emergency service has reminded caravanners to park their tourers at least six meters apart to stop fires from spreading quickly.

Brits cutting down on car use as petrol prices rise

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by Chris Jefferies

The rising price of fuel is forcing many Brits to reduce the number of car journeys they are taking, a motoring survey has revealed.

Caravan and tow car owners will be among those most affected, as 80 per cent of British drivers have changed their driving behaviour over the past year, according to the study by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM).

Furthermore, more than 38 per cent said they were making fewer journeys altogether – a trend that could possibly lead to a decline in caravan holidays.

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the IAM, said: “The days of cruising the motorway at 80mph, regardless of the cost, are over. With rocketing fuel prices it is clear that drivers are changing their behaviour.”

The IAM’s tips for driving more efficiently include regularly checking tyre pressure, removing unnecessary weight and avoiding using the air conditioning.

Elddis Caravans overhaul Xplore, Avante, Odyssey, Crusader and Buccaneer for 2012

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by Marcus Dubois

Elddis Caravans has today announced major updates to its five key model ranges for 2012. The Elddis Crusader is a complete ground-up redevelopment of the caravan, with increased headroom and changes to the exterior colour scheme. Meanwhile the Buccaneer Caravans range is also completely refreshed for 2012 and includes a new grey-and-white colour scheme.

Additionally, three of the most popular ranges have received major tweaks and upgrades for the new season to complete an overhaul of the entire Elddis offering. New layouts have been added to the Xplore, Avante and Odyssey ranges, while there are significant changes to the material used on the exterior of new models.

The return of GRP

The main change for Elddis in the 2012 season is the use of GRP underskins on the exterior of the new caravans. The Consett-based firm is claiming greater durability from the material to everyday knocks and road chippings, as well as increased water resistance. During the research stages Elddis trialled the material alongside aluminium, and took a hammer to both materials to see the results. And according to Elddis the aluminium sheet was easily dented by the hammer, while the GRP material was far more resistant.

The other major area of focus for 2012 appears to have been saving weight. As caravans have become better appointed in recent times, the weight of each vehicle has increased proportionally – causing issues for those with regular family cars. So in the new Elddis Xplore 504 the overall weight has been cut from 1400kg to 1320, despite new interior improvements.

What’s new for 2012?

The 2012 Elddis Xplore range features an all-white exterior with a stylish new rear end. All Xplores now come with underfloor heating, while design tricks have been used to maximise the interior space available. For example the wardrobe has been moved to just inside the door, while the vanity unit can now be found in the bedroom, freeing up valuable space in the bathroom.

Most notable of all is a new mechanism for the convertible beds in the front of the caravan. Called “Easy-Glide”, the bed is now pulled out from underneath the chest of draws using a gliding mechanism – rather than folded out of the seating area.

Fans of the L-shaped layout will be pleased to hear of its return on the Elddis Avante range, where a new Whale lightweight water heater is able to warm up enough for two showers in half an hour. And Elddis are able to claim a first in the Avante 372 range with the Mark II Whale underfloor heater. The firm claims that customers won’t be able to find this in another caravan for the next six months.

Finally, the Elddis Odyssey is now clad in a white and silver exterior, with one new layout found in the 650.

This week Caravan Times brings you first pictures of the new Elddis models with details of layouts and pricing. Stay tuned by liking our Facebook page or join our Elddis group

Camping and Caravanning Club invite holidaymakers to tour the Forests

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by Chris Jefferies

Bicycle lovers inspired by the Tour de France have been offered the opportunity to get a great insight into Britain’s forests as part of their caravan holiday.

The Camping and Caravanning Club has launched the Tour de Forest cycle tour at its Forest Holidays chain of resorts.

These cycle tours will guide campers around several forest trails, taking in plenty of flora and fauna along the way, including fallow and roe deer.

Caravan owners who don’t fancy strapping a bike to their tourer can hire a bicycle at the centre, while those bringing their own can book onto the three-hour tour for as little as £10 per child and £12 per adult.

Alan Gibson, General manager of franchising and Forest Holidays at the Club, said: “Our sites are located in beautifully secluded areas of the New Forest – the perfect setting for a family holiday.”

UPDATE: Bailey Caravans continues to investigate wheel detachments on Unicorn models

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  • No obvious fault with wheel or hub
  • University of Bath simulating wheel loss under heat conditions
  • AL-KO Kober Vehicle Testing Department attempts to replicate wheel loss

Two months after Bailey Caravans first revealed reports of wheels becoming detached from single-axle Unicorn models, the firm has issued a detailed update on its research into the problem.

Technical Director Andi Linklater today revealed a series of initiatives currently undertaken by Bailey to identify the root cause of the problem. He explained that so far “the examination of the units which have experienced this type of failure has revealed no obvious fault with either the wheel or hub assembly or the individual components”.

Appliance of science

Bailey has announced they are working closely with a number of key partners in the industry on the issue. The Bristol firm is currently participating in a Working Group chaired by the National Caravan Council on the subject of wheel detachments. Professor Adrian Hobbs, a specialist in transport safety, has been employed by the Group to look into the potential cause of the wheel detachments. Professor Hobbs has previously looked into similar issues in the automotive industry.

The University of Bath regularly collaborate with Bailey in testing vehicles, and the Department of Mechanical Engineering is using its Chassis and Suspension Dynamometer to try and simulate wheel loss under various heat and load conditions. Meanwhile at Loughborough University the Vehicle Safety Research Laboratory has been commissioned to investigate the causes behind wheel detachments, through analysing activity by the owners of units that have experienced this problem.

Modelling and simulation

As well as working with partners at home, Bailey has also reached out to experts from abroad. The AL-KO Kober Vehicle Testing Department at Kotz in Germany is attempting to replicate wheel loss on a rolling road, in order to ascertain the original cause and experiment with a variety of possible solutions.

Additionally the Bristol firm’s product team are being aided by component suppliers throughout Europe to source alternative parts offered as solutions by the various testing groups.

Advice on tightening wheel bolts

To date Bailey have been unable to find any obvious fault with either the wheel or hub assembly, or the individual components. However they have “been able to eliminate a number of extraneous factors from the search” and “remain confident” that an appropriate solution can be found.

Until then the firm has re-stated the importance of torquing the wheel bolts of a caravan in accordance with the guidelines laid down in the Owner’s manual. Click here to read Bailey’s advice on torque settings.

Click here for full details of how to contact your Approved Bailey Retailer or Service Centre . Alternatively you can telephone the Bailey Customer Helpline on 0117 305 2939 or email helpline@baileycaravans.co.uk

Have you been affected by this product recall? Click here to have your say in our forum topic

VIDEO: Chris Gosling’s Caravan Diary – Peak District and folding a Gobur

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by Marcus Dubois

It’s the beginning of July, and the height of the caravanning season is upon us. And if you miss the videos of former Caravan Channel presenter Chris Gosling from around the country, then fear not – you can now watch his new show here on our website. The presenter has teamed up with us to show the best campsites and attractions from around the UK.

In this week’s episode Chris takes a trip to one of Britain’s most outstanding areas of natural beauty. The Heights of Abraham at Matlock Bath offers stunning views over the Peak District – but unless you like walking up hill, the only way up is by cable car…

Meanwhile, taking down a Gobur 12/2 caravan can seem daunting if you’re new to the world of folding caravans. Yet here Chris makes it look remarkably simple as he packs away his tourer accompanied by wife Dot.

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Coachman Caravans heading to Teesside

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by Chris Jefferies

Caravan buyers in the Teesside area could find themselves with an influx of Coachman tourers to choose from, after the manufacturer signed a deal to supply a local dealership.

The award-winning 2011 Coachman range will be sold by Teesside Caravans from their newly launched caravan dealership and service centre in Stockton on Tees.

This new showroom will be one of the largest of its kind in the UK, with over 500 units kept in stock at one time.

The on-site service centre will also sell a range of caravan accessories and awnings, while owners can bring their tourer in for a clean or a maintenance check.

Lisa Pluves, general manager of Teesside Caravans, said: “We chose Coachman because of its reputation for stability and excellent craftsmanship, which perfectly complements our passion and enthusiasm for the caravan industry.”

The Coachman range is expected to arrive this month and customers will be able to buy at the dealership or online.

Veteran fireman saves the day by putting out caravan fire

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by Chris Jefferies

A caravan fire at a country event last weekend inspired a veteran fire-fighter to spring back into action and save the tourer from major damage.

Chris Wannell, a 67-year-old retired fireman, was attending the Strawberries and Steam engine rally in the Wiltshire village of Wanborough with his vintage 1959 Commer fire engine, ThisisWiltshire.co.uk reports.

When he saw that a nearby caravan had caught fire, he reacted so instinctively that he dropped his cup of tea.

“This is the first time in a long time we have had to use one of the engines. It is a buzz and I think if you have ever been a fireman you get that rush of adrenaline,” he told the local news provider.

Mr Wannell was assisted in his efforts to bring the blaze under control by Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, who determined that the cause of the caravan fire was a small gas leak.

Fortunately, no-one was hurt in the incident and the damage to the caravan was only minor.