Communities Secretary Eric Pickles praises caravan owners for contribution to economy

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by Marcus Dubois

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has praised members of the Caravan Club and fans of touring for their efforts in helping the economic recovery.

Speaking at the Caravan Club’s CL of the Year Awards, he noted how caravan holidays “create memories, friendships and contribute to local economies.”

Mr Pickles also spoke of the warmth and friendliness of caravan sites. “You get that closeness and experience that you perhaps can’t get in larger sites or in hotels.” He added “It’s something that will create memories that people will be able to look back on in childhood as you grow up”.

The Communities Secretary personally thanked those in attendance “for the effort that helps make the Caravan Club one of the biggest contributors to tourism. All power to you and here’s to the next hundred years.”

Certified Locations

Eric Pickles was in attendance with Tourism Minister John Penrose to present the award for Certified Location of the Year. Certificated Locations are small and privately-owned informal sites with 5 pitches available for booking. Over 2,500 CLs can be found in the UK, and many are in remote rural settings. Some are working farms or pub gardens, while there are even some to be found in stately homes. Certified Locations are for the exclusive use of Caravan Club members.

Blackpool illuminated

Mr Pickles presented the winner’s trophy to Jeremy and Sharon Haworth of Manor House Park CL in Blackpool. It’s the second time in three years that Manor House has taken top honours, while the well tended site was also named Most Picturesque Site CL in the network.

After taking ownership of the site in 2007, Jeremy and Sharon have invested significantly in facilities and welcome guests all year round.

“We never realised just how many people are attracted to Blackpool” said Sharon at the awards ceremony in Westminster. “We’re very lucky with our location here, as it’s a great base for the bright lights and buzz of Blackpool, but also we’re only an hour from the Lake District”.

Caravan Club chairman Grenville Chamberlain added “We appreciate the welcome the CL owners extend, and also the care and investment that goes into running these small sites”.

Original 1969 Lunar caravan meets its maker… again

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by Holly Tribe

Lunar Caravans has been reunited with one the first caravans to ever come off its production line. The Lunar Saturn was made in 1969 in a small Wigan workshop overseen by Ken Wilcock and Brian Talbot, the company’s founders.

The cute 2 berth Saturn has been the proud possession of Mr and Mrs Doughall for the last forty years, but after four decades of happy touring, the couple has finally decided to hang up their hitch lock and retire from caravanning.

The firm has managed to identify the model as being one of the first three caravans Lunar ever built. Yet despite its age, and because the caravan has been in constant use during this time, it has remained a functioning touring caravan.

The vintage Saturn is now back under Lunar ownership, and the firm has expressed a wish to bring it back to its former glory with a full restoration project.

Caravan historian and vintage touring expert Andrew Jenkinson commented: “This is a fantastic example of a classic caravan from the 60’s, and it proves that Lunar’s quality is long lasting too! The Lunar Saturn is in remarkable condition considering it is nearly 43 years old and was used by its last owners extensively in that time.

“It’s good too that Lunar are keen to preserve the heritage of the company and also at the same time importantly – part of the UK caravan industry’s history.”

April showers: Bathroom mishaps cause flurry of caravan claims

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by Holly Tribe

The month of April traditionally brings with it a superfluity of wet weather, but in an ironic twist of fate it’s not just the great outdoors that is subjected to an abundance of shower related incidents.

Caravan insurance specialists Caravan Guard has reported April also happens to be the month it receives an abundance of claims for damaged shower units.

Sharon Hudson who works in the firm’s Claims Team explains the phenomenon: “It’s around the April period that the weather starts to pick up and more caravanners start to use their caravans regularly for holidays and weekends away.”

The most common shower related claim is for cracked shower trays, often caused by heavy objects such as family sized shampoo bottles falling from a height and cracking the bottom of the shower.

“We would recommend that bathroom shelves with low or open fronts should not be used during towing and bottles and other heavy items should be stored in a plastic basket at floor level,” advises Sharon.

With the average cost of such a claim being estimated at around £500, the firm suggests taking the following precautions to protect against shower related incidents:

  • Pack away toiletries when in transit so they can’t fall and crack the shower tray.
  • Store towels in the bottom of the shower unit for extra padding and protection against falling objects.
  • Use a slip mat in the shower tray to avoid slipping over and causing damage to doors and walls.

Elddis extends free caravan awning offer

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by Chris Jefferies

Potential caravan buyers may be tempted by the latest offer from Elddis Caravans, which has proved so popular that the manufacturer has decided to extend it for at least another month. Under this special promotion, customers buying any Elddis or Buccaneer caravan before May 2nd will receive a caravan awning absolutely free.

The awnings included in the offer are from the Pyramid products range and are worth up to £550, including a choice of Corsican porches and Tuscan awnings.

Furthermore, you can pick from a selection of popular colours to match your caravan’s design – burgundy, grey, blue or green.

Elddis and Buccaneer caravans aim to deliver great value for money no matter what your budget is, and prices start at just £10,599 for the two-berth Elddis Xplore.

With 33 different models to choose from in the range, Elddis predicts that many new customers may be tempted to choose a caravan this spring.

Green motoring habits now essential for towcar drivers

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by Chris Jefferies

With the rising cost of fuel weighing on caravan owners’ budgets, knowing how to drive efficiently is now an essential skill, it has been claimed. The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is advising Brits to maximise their fuel efficiency by driving carefully, taking steps such as anticipating changing situations to minimise hard braking or accelerating.

Reducing speed is also a big area for savings, as the IAM estimates that driving at 85mph uses an extra litre of petrol for every 20 miles covered, compared to sticking to 70 mph.

Simon Best, chief executive of the organisation, said: “If the monthly price of filling up is typically two tanks at £70 each, an advanced driver can save £14 a month, or £168 a year.”

He also suggested that caravan owners looking to cut down on their insurance premiums should consider taking an advanced driving course as it can save them money.

Car insurance premiums are predicted to rise by as much as 20 per cent this year, according to moneysupermarket.com.

Shropshire caravan dealer improves service for first time buyers

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by Holly Tribe

A Shropshire based caravan dealership has reported an increase in sales to first time caravan and motorhome buyers. Salop Leisure, based on the outskirts of Shrewsbury, explained the influx of first time customers ranges from retirees to families with young children who are all keen to spend more time exploring the UK during their holidays.

The firm intends to enhance the service it offers to customers by opening a five pitch camping and caravan site alongside the sales centre.

The campground will provide customers with the opportunity to try out the caravan or motorhome with an overnight stay and address any questions they may have with the sales staff in the morning, before heading off on their first solo adventures.

Salop Leisure’s marketing manager Scott Higgins commented: “When customers buy a touring caravan or motorhome from us, they can stay for a night and check that everything is working to their satisfaction before heading off on the road.

“It’s all part of the service that we offer to make first time buying experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.”

The firm also runs a service centre which is open seven-days a week for servicing and repairs and a secure storage facility for touring caravans and motorhomes.

Bailey Caravans offer exclusive Fiamma awnings range for Alu-Tech models

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by Marcus Dubois

Bailey Caravans has announced an exclusive range of Fiamma awnings designed specifically for use with Alu-Tech models is now available from the Bailey Retailer Network. Previously this type of Caravan awning proved very popular with owners of motorhomes, but until now were not available to caravanners – as their vehicles came without the necessary framework to support this type of accessory.

However Bailey explained that caravans built using the Alu-Tech construction system differ from those made using traditional methods. Alu-Tech modles feature a structural aluminium extrusion skeleton, and as such is suited to accommodating this style of awning. Fiamma worked closely with Bailey to develop the unique bracketry that will allow simple fitting to the side of the caravan.

Doubling the living space


The Fiamma F45 series of wind-out awnings create a covered outdoor area that doubles the living space of the vehicle. The awning can be fitted to all Bailey Alu-Tech caravan ranges, and is available in a variety of lengths to suit individual model requirements. There is a choice of two canopy colours (Deluxe Grey or Blue Ocean) with a Polar White canopy casing.

A fully enclosed living area can also be created with the installation of either a Fiamma Privacy Room or Fiamma Zip System. The panels for the Privacy Room and the Zip System operate independently of one another – and gives the owner the flexibility of use to suit weather conditions and ventilation requirements. Both the Privacy Room and Zip systems come complete with curtains for all windows, as well as a convenient storage bag to keep parts safe while in transit.

How to find your awning


Owners of Bailey Alu-Tech caravan models can now contact their local Bailey retailer for more information on these new products. Alternatively you can see the range of Fiamma awnings at unipartleisure.com

Please note: Bailey Caravans advise that fitment of the Fiamma F-45 awning to an Alu-Tech caravan should be carried out by an Authorised Bailey Service Centre. Failure to do so will invalidate the caravan body shell integrity guarantee. Please visit baileycaravans.co.uk for full warranty terms and conditions.

Caravan holidays in Belgium: A great option for a European getaway

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by Gemma Roskell

Caravanners planning their next trip abroad may be considering a holiday in Belgium, as the country is a popular destination among UK tourists. According to a spokeswoman for ABTA – The Travel Association, easy accessibility is one of Belgium’s biggest draws, alongside its food and culture.

Indeed, caravan owners can take their mobile homes on the ferry directly to the ports of Ostend and Zeebrugge, from Ramsgate and Hull in the UK.

“There are several cities in Belgium which provide major attractions to the UK market,” the representative explained.

“Bruges, Gwent and Brussels are really the top ones. There are many museums. In Bruges there is the Basilica of the Holy Blood.”

Belgium is also home to numerous caravan sites and holiday parks where families can pitch up their tourers.

The Caravan Club owns the Klein Strand site close to the ancient city of Bruges, which boasts facilities such as a swimming lake, a bar, two restaurants and a children’s play area.

Caravan Club launches Great Days Out search

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by Chris Jefferies

Day trippers can find even more ideas with the new section of The Caravan Club’s website, Great Days Out, which allows you to search for nearby events and attractions. Thousands of day trip ideas can be found, including hundreds with special offers and discounts for Caravan Club members, which are tagged with a red flash in the search results.

Working with VisitBritain, new content will be uploaded on a regular basis, ranging from music festivals and major sporting events to local markets and county fairs.

Visitors to The Caravan Club’s website can find location maps, full descriptions, essential event details and links to the relevant website.

Furthermore, you can search for events by their proximity to your caravan site, date or by choosing an event type or your area of interest.

Catherine Ford, head of sites marketing at The Caravan Club, said: “We’re very excited by all the opportunities [the new area] gives our members to get out and make the most of their leisure time.”

Used Caravan of the Week: Hymer Nova 530K

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by Holly Tribe

Our Used Caravan of the Week feature gives us an excuse to scan the classifieds and daydream about which caravans we’d add to our dream fleet if money were no object. This week we take a look at this reasonably priced family ‘van from Hymer. Being of European provenance, Hymer Caravans have wider dimensions than their British equivalents. This often affords greater scope when it comes to designing floorplans, and the Hymer Nova 530K is no exception.

Click here to see an image gallery of the Hymer Nova 530K

The 530K has the main living area towards the rear with a U-shaped shaped seating configuration seldom seen in British made vans. The central table can be removed to convert the settees into an enormous double bed.

Up front, a side dinette is located next to two fixed double bunks, each with its own window. The beds are a generous 6 feet 6 inches in length making this a great option for families with growing teens.

It’s well catered for in the storage department with overhead lockers running the perimeter of the living area and a large storage space under the bunks has an external hatch for easy access when you’re outside.

Another nifty design feature enables the toilet cassette and the waste water from the kitchen to be accessed from outside, avoiding messy spills within the caravan.

The kitchen is neat and well proportioned and comes equipped with a fridge/ freezer and combination oven grill. The sleek exterior features high gloss GRP, with striking grey gas locker and sidewalls and white front and back ends.

History:
The van was first registered in 2007 with one previous owner. A small indentation on the work surface by the sink and a small crack on the rear bumper are noted in the listing. All documents can be provided since new.

Kit & Caboodle:
The kitchen comes equipped with a 93 litre capacity fridge, an oven with 3 gas burning hobs. Heating is provided by a Truma branded heater which can run on gas or electric and it also has a 45litre on-board water tank. The sellers are offering the van with a host of extras including a Powertouch motor mover, full Sunncamp awning with a grass friendly groundsheet and curtains, refill water container and pump.

  • Price: £11,495
  • MTPLM: 1,600kg
  • Width: 2.30m
  • Length: 5.06m
  • Berth: 5
  • Axle: Single

Get it while it’s hot on ebay



Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

Stealth Caravans achieve Grade 3 insulation

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by Marcus Dubois

It’s hard to believe it was only two years ago that caravan journalists were first introduced to the radical designs from Stealth Caravans. Since then, in the short space of eighteen months the Stealth has undergone a number of key revisions as parent company Dunster House increased and expanded the offering. The introduction of family-friendly layouts in the Q-Class and R-Class has revolutionised the portfolio, while the Stealth can now be ordered in almost any colour you fancy thanks to a customisation programme.

However the firm has now achieved a key milestone in joining the mainstream of upper-end caravan models. Stealth Caravans’ methods of insulation and heating have now been certified as meeting Grade 3 insulation standards.

What is Grade 3 insulation?

The award is the highest level of insulation for European touring caravans and is recognised by caravanners who want to tour all year round. Caravans built to Grade 3 European Standards must be habitable throughout the year in almost any climate and weather conditions. Suitable models will be able to maintain an interior temperature of 20°C – even when it is below freezing point outdoors.

Last year Stealth introduced the Overseal Construction system which is unique to the range. And the firm claims the wall, floor and ceiling panels are up to 30% thicker than most touring caravans in the industry. This upgraded exterior (combined with a powerful Truma Combi heating system unique to Stealth Caravans) led to the Grade 3 insulation standard being granted.

Distinct advantages

Managing Director Alex Murphy talked us through the features that won Stealth its Grade 3 insulation rating. “Our Overseal Construction system offers some distinct advantages over a traditionally built tourer and we are the only touring caravan company using the Truma Combi heating system, which has a maximum output of 4kW to 6kW depending on which model it is used in.”

He added, “All of this makes the Stealth Caravan a comfortable tourer all year round, and this has been recognised by the National Caravans Council’s latest rounds of tests and inspections, awarding the Overseal Construction caravans Grade III insulation standard EN1645-1.”

More information on the Stealth Caravans range can be found at stealthcaravans.co.uk

A beginners guide to caravanning: Try before you buy and rent a caravan

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by Holly Tribe

If you’re thinking about taking up caravanning for the first time, initial research into the activity may seem a bit daunting. There’s a whole array of caravan jargon to decipher along with the challenge of mastering electrical systems, water pumps, awnings, and then there’s the alleged ‘dark art’ of towing.

But all of this can be demystified quite easily if you have a couple of days and a few quid to spare. Renting a caravan can provide a brilliant insight into the lifestyle; helping to throw a bit of light on some of the perceived challenges of towing and taking care of a caravan.

What do you need to hire a caravan?

Insurance – You must have comprehensive car insurance in order to tow a rental caravan – don’t forget to bring your policy along with you on collection.

Driving licence – You must have an up to date driving licence covering categories B&E if you wish to tow a rental caravan. If you passed your driving test after 2007 check with the DVLA to find out what vehicles your driving license is valid for. Many operators won’t rent to persons under the age of 25.

Towcar matching – You need to make sure your towcar is suitable and a safe match for the weight of the caravan – the hiring company should be able to advice on this.

Extras – Check with the operator what is included in the hire price. Some companies will charge extra for delivery, and non-essential equipment hire such as extra gas canisters cooking utensils.

Choosing the right layout – During the research stage, it’s a good idea to consider who will be using the caravan and if you intend to host any guests/ grandchildren etc – this will have a huge bearing on the layout that you ultimately go for.

Don’t be afraid to ask – Robert Farrow, sales manager at Blackmore Vale Leisure, explained a lot of his customers don’t have any experience with caravans when they ring up to enquire about rentals, in fact the most common questions he gets asked are ‘is there a toilet’ and ‘can I have a shower on board?’, so don’t be afraid, no question is too insignificant.

Where can I hire a caravan?

There are several companies that offer caravan rental services across the country, with helpful staff who will take you through the basics – from setting up to advice on a suitable towcar match.

Blackmore Vale Leisure in Dorset runs a ‘try before you buy’ scheme and offers renters three options: caravan delivery to a destination of the customers choosing; self tow; or a stay at their on-site caravan park where caravanners are welcome to rent a rig. Staff will set up the water and electricity and there are handy go-to guides with diagrams explaining the heating, water and entertainment systems once you’ve been left to your own devices. Prices start from £216 per week for a five berth caravan.

Acorn Caravans in Berkshire has a range of caravans available for rent and their friendly staff will sit down with customers and talk through the ins and outs of the caravan. They also supply a helpful towing DVD for customers to watch before they set off – which goes through hitching a caravan to the towcar and what to look out for on the road. Prices start from £160 for a long weekend.

Tap into the caravanning community

If you have any questions about the wider aspects of caravanning there are numerous online communities with thousands of caravanners willing to answer questions about their favourite pastime.