Fifth Wheel Co. to launch first ever slide-out caravan

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by Holly Tribe

Specialist caravan manufacturer Fifth Wheel Company is preparing to launch the UK’s first ever caravan with a slide-out section.

The slide-out technology has been used in their existing ranges of fifth wheelers for nearly a decade, but it will be the first time it has been seen in a ‘traditional’ touring caravan. The launch will take place on Tuesday 22nd February, the first day of Boat and Caravan Show 2011 at the NEC in Birmingham.

Click here for our full review of the Inos

Caravan designers often have to battle with the age old problem of creating a decent living space whilst still adhering to legal towing limits. This extra compartment offers an innovative solution by increasing the internal floor space by a whopping three squared metres once it has been pitched.

Operations director Adrian Parry-Jones explained that the firm has been approached on numerous occasions about incorporating the slide-out design seen in their fifth wheelers on a conventional caravan.

“We are constantly asked why a slide-out hasn’t been introduced before on an UK caravan model. With our experience in manufacturing fifth wheel tourers we now have the technology to make this a feature for the caravan market.”

The firm initially imported American fifth-wheel type tourers and adapted them for the UK market, before they began to design and build their own models in 2002.

Details of internal finishes and the overall design are being kept a closely guarded secret until the launch at the Boat & Caravan Show next week, but the firm has revealed that ‘the new caravan will have a very high-specification finish both internally and externally. ‘

Check back soon for full details on this exciting new model from Fifth Wheel Company.

Interior designer makes over caravans at Haven Holiday park

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by Gemma Roskell

Interior designer Anna Ryder Richardson gave caravan owners in South Wales a few tips on decorating their units last week.

The former Changing Rooms presenter arrived at the Haven Holidays site Kiln Park in Tenby to help holidaymakers make over their caravans.

According to the Tenby Observer, she used cushions, throws, new bed linen and decorative touches such as candles and dried flowers to show how adding a few personal touches can really help to create a home from home.

“We had a lot of fun making the caravans look so welcoming,” said Kiln Park’s general manager Andy Such.

The site is a four-star park with a level touring area offering 130 pitches, including landscaped hard-standing super pitches.

Ms Richardson worked her magic on some of Kiln Park’s static holiday caravans, but there’s no reason why touring caravan owners can’t achieve a similar look by changing their upholstery, curtains and other decorative features.

Caravanners urged to carry out basic tow car maintenance

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by Gemma Roskell

Caravan owners may not be taking tow car maintenance as seriously as they should if a new survey is anything to go by.

According to research by Sainsbury’s Car Insurance, one in five motorists do not carry out regular basic checks of their vehicles.

Checking tyre tread depths is one of the tasks most likely to be forgotten, with just 38 per cent of drivers checking their tyres on a monthly basis.

Furthermore, less than half carry out a regular inspection of their water coolant level, even though it is essential to prevent the engine from overheating.

Other checks likely to be neglected include the condition of the windscreen wipers and lights, the oil and screen wash levels and the tyre pressure.

Sainsbury’s Car Insurance spokesman Ben Tyte said: “It’s simple, straightforward and requires just a few minutes to carry out basic checks.

“Doing so will give you peace of mind that your car is in a good condition and safe to be on the road.”

Five great caravans for couples

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by Holly Tribe

In case the recent onslaught of flowers and balloons on local supermarket shelves had escaped you, it’s Valentine’s Day! And in the spirit of all things romantic, we’ve had a look around at some of the brilliant caravan designs to cater specifically to his ‘n’ hers touring.

So if you enjoy nothing better than packing up your tourer and heading off into the sunset with your significant other, here are some great caravans, old and new, for making the most of your hobby together.

Coachman Pastiche 460/2

Renowned for their practical layouts, Coachman Caravans have delivered a cracker of a twin berther in the Pastiche 460/2. Providing the ultimate in flexible living, you can choose to convert the front dinette into a comfortable double bed or use it as twin singles depending on your individual needs. There’s even a bespoke cocktail cabinet to stash a bottle of bubbly for special occasions.


AS Caravans Grosvenor
Perhaps the ultimate in luxury touring, relative newcomers to the market AS Caravans launched the two berth Grosvenor layout in 2010. As with the Pastiche, the front dinette converts into a spacious double bed and a well though out lighting scheme can be set to create that all important romantic ambience.


Lunar Clubman SI
Dubbed the masters of ‘lightweight luxury’ Lunar Caravans offer something special in the Clubman SI. There’s a practical kitchen, and plenty of high spec inclusions on the kit list, but the real treat is the sleeping area. The award winning layout was reconfigured for the 2011 season and now houses a transverse island bed next to a spacious rear end washroom that runs the width of the caravan.


Hymer Nova SL 470
With its clutter free approach to interior design, the two berth Hymer Nova SL 470 has deep curved overhead lockers creating plenty of space in this European offering. Pearl grey and silver exterior walls subtly set it apart from the madding crowd. With an inboard water tank, it’s a good option for couples that like to tour throughout the winter months.

Sprite Alpine 2

The Sprite Caravans have been in production for well over fifty years and it is one of the oldest brands of touring caravans still in production today. This entry level range from the Swift Group offers affordable touring with a sense of history. The twin bunks and spacious rear end washroom in the Sprite Alpine 2 should make this a popular choice with couples.

Do you have trouble booking caravan sites?

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by Marcus Dubois

Two summers ago I met a young family at a picturesque, out of the way caravan site. Nestled just within the M25, it felt like the heart of rural England, such was the tranquillity. The couple were the epitome of spontaneous caravanners: for weeks on end they would set off with their three-year old daughter and their rig to find a new pocket of Britain to explore. Yet they also revealed how picking a spot on the map and turning up was becoming increasingly difficult. Their favourite sites were often fully booked for weeks in advance.

Sound familiar? You may not be alone. Other caravan owners looking to book a quick weekend away have found themselves struggling to find availability for that month. Below we take a brief look at some of the problems typically encountered. And if you’ve been regularly unable to book your favourite site, or have any tips or tricks to share, please click here to join the conversation in our forum topic.

Types of site

While the mainstream sites tend to prove popular with newcomers , if you’re urgently looking to holiday in a particular place there are a number of options available if your first choice is fully booked.

For example, the Caravan Club’s main Club Sites are very popular with families, as they tend to offer full facilities such as hot showers, toilet blocks and washing areas. As such there is a tendency for some of these to be snapped up quickly when booking opens in December each year.

To read more about tips for booking and to have your say on this topic, click here

Elddis and Buccaneer brands look set for a promising year ahead

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by Holly Tribe

The parent company of Elddis and Buccaneer Caravans has reported a 40% increase in sales for 2010.

According to NE Business, the Explorer Group has been suffering the fall-out from the financial crisis with annual turnover falling from £57m in 2007 to £35m in 2009. The drop in sales has been attributed to potential customers finding it difficult to secure loan finances on new caravans.

But after a year of strong sales, 10 new model launches and a total redesign of the popular Elddis Avante range, the firm has announced pre-tax profits of £3m for last year. The directors’ financial report for the year ending 31st August 2010 is cautiously optimistic about the year ahead.

“The general economy in the coming financial year shows little sign of improvement, particularly regarding the UK Touring caravan and motorhome market.

“The directors are confident that the continual development and improvement of its ranges will allow the company to compete and retain a strong position in the future,” it said.

At its peak in 2007 Explorer, owned the venture capital Constantine Group, had a workforce of over 400 staff which it was forced to reduce to 291 by the end of 2009. Despite this, the report explains how the firm has continued to work closely with retailers ‘to ensure continuity of stocks and supply of product.’

For breaking news on Explorer Group products you can join the Buccaneer Owners Groups on Caravan Times.

What makes an Adria caravan stand out from the crowd?

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by Holly Tribe

Adria Caravans are of Slovenian provenance and offer some unique design sensibilities that set them apart from British tourers. And having sold well in Europe for over forty years, the company is beginning to make in-roads in the British market.

Battling for market space between the swathes of Bailey and Swift tourers, the models from Adria’s four ranges are becoming an increasingly common site in caravan parks up and down the country.

Commended for their superior build quality, these vans have started to become fashionable even with British customers looking for something different. Built to UK specifications, the kit list includes a battery box and built in charger and new models feature doors on the UK side, rather than the Continental left.

So, what’s different?

Built using a technology more commonly seen in the motor industry, each bonded roof is fixed to the bodyshell at the front and rear without the use of any screws. This bonded construction system runs the length of the roof making it watertight, helping to protect against the threat of water ingress.

The four Adria ranges each offer something a bit different. In the sleeping department, the berths are often longer and wider than UK vans and there are various innovative layouts not often seen in domestic models. Take the Adria Altea 432 PX (pictured right) with its mirror-image double bed layout; there’s a fixed double in the nose end, and a rear dinette which converts into another smaller double bed.

The distinctive Adria Action (main picture) is a fun…

Next Page…

Half-term caravan holidays: Husky sledding in Scotland

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by Gemma Roskell

Caravanners planning breaks in Scotland during the half term holidays will find plenty of activities to keep everyone in the family entertained.

VisitScotland has compiled a list of events that holidaymakers can enjoy this spring and it includes highlights such as snowdrop spotting and husky sledding.

The tourism body is also offering discounts on entry into some of Scotland’s top attractions, from the Museum of Flight to the Deeside Activity Park.

From now until March 15th, the Scottish Snowdrop Festival will be taking place, with 54 gardens opening up to the public to show off their blooms.

Active families can visit the Cairngorm Sleddog Centre, which is home to 30 huskies and offers regular daytime and evening experiences in the remote Highland forests.

VisitScotland also pointed out that the half term holiday is a perfect time to spot animals such as red deer and gannets.

There are numerous options for caravanners taking their tourers north of the border, so pitching up close to Scotland’s attractions should never be a problem.

Can you recommend a good caravan site for families to visit this half term? Where is your favourite place in the UK to take kids on a short break? Have your say in our forum topic.

Gemma Roskell joins Caravan Times as Chief News Writer

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by Marcus Dubois and Holly Tribe

Eagle-eyed readers of Caravan Times may have noticed a new author covering major news stories in recent weeks. At the end of last year we sadly bid farewell to our lead correspondent Chris Malone, a seasoned traveller who is looking forward to more international adventures in 2011.

And as such, we’d like to take this opportunity to officially welcome Gemma Roskell, the newest member of the Caravan Times team who joins us as Chief News Writer.

Gemma hails from the Lake District and is no stranger to the great outdoors, counting Bowness and Windermere among her favourite spots for walking.

Her caravanning career began at a young age on trips away with her grandparents to their caravan in Morecambe. In fact, Gemma told us that one of her earliest memories happens to be ‘staying in the caravan over winter…when it was so cold the dishcloth froze!’

Of course caravans have come a long way since then, and Gemma is looking forward to using her extensive experience in journalism to bring you all the latest news from the caravan industry.

In her six-year career as a journalist Gemma has specialised in travel writing. Having penned articles on everything from ferry travel to gap year adventures, she now brings you the latest news from caravan shows, sites and events from across the UK.

If you have a story or topic of interest for Gemma then she’d love to hear from you. You can get in touch at any time by emailing our Newsdesk: news@caravantimes.co.uk

New improved 2011 Swift Escape motorhomes

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by Holly Tribe

The Swift Group’s popular entry level Escape range of motorhomes has been overhauled for the 2011 season.

The five model line-up now boasts a brand new layout, the 6 berth Escape 696, along with a number of external and internal revisions.

The series carries a good level of spec for this price range. Heating and hot water is provided by a Trumastore gas and electric water heater and 3kw gas space heater and there’s a new easy to read 12v control panel and easy access consumer unit.

Nick Page Commercial Director for Swift Caravans explained the Escape range has been a popular series with motorhome owners looking to invest in an entry level vehicle.

“To help people who want to renew their motorhome, they provide outstanding value and comfort for a very affordable price in a sector of the market that will grow in the current economic climate,” he said.

Based on the Fiat Ducato, the range has new exterior graphics sweeping from the Imperial blue cab to the white gloss body, and new wheel trims complete the exterior revisions.

There’s also a new strong redwood floor and body framing treated specifically to protect against damp and fungal growth.

Customers looking for some added luxury can opt for the ‘Comfort Pack’ worth £700, currently priced at £499. This includes an easy action concertina door flyscreen, Ultraheat dual fuel blown air heating system ducted to living, sleeping and washroom areas, pleated blind system for cab window and a pair of scatter cushions.

All five models weigh less than 3.5 tonnes and sit well within the weight limit for Category B driving licenses.

2011 Swift Escape line up

Escape 622 – 4 berth, rear lounge with 1 designated passenger seat
Escape 624 – 5 berth, end kitchen with 3 designated passenger seats
Escape 664 – 4 berth fixed bed with 3 designated passenger seats
Escape 686 – 6 berth rear lounge with 5 designated passenger seats
Escape 696 – rear bunkroom with 5 designated passenger seats

The new range will be launched at the Boat & Caravan Show held from the 22nd to the 27th February 2011. Models will be available at Swift and Bessacarr dealer networks, with prices starting at £32,000.

The ultimate eco friendly festival caravan

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by Holly Tribe

Every now and again a new concept caravan is lifted up from the drawing boards of some forward thinking designer and catapulted into the blogosphere. And the Rolling Stone Eco Capsule is a fine example of what can happen when you get creative with caravan design.

Eco credentials

Names after the infamous ‘Rolling Stones’ rock group, this unusual capsule was dreamed up by Slovenian firm Nice Architects. The design is based on the structure of a traditional ‘pioneers wagon’, rebuilt using eco-friendly and recycled materials (pictured).

“We proposed re-utilisation of used cans from beer, fanta, cola, we cut them and produce façade tiles placed inside out that will reflect surrounding nature and become invisible,” state the design notes.

To construct the outer shell, the design brief suggests using a 3D hardwood frame to give the caravan its aerodynamic profile, finished off with wooden plates to complete the exterior shell.

The on-board appliances draw their power from solar panels and a wind turbine, and there’s even a rainwater reservoir set into the roof which doubles up as a bathing pool. Although caravanners worried about the threat of water ingress may wish to keep this particular element out of the final design!

With the festival season just a couple of months away, could there be any adventurous engineers game enough to have a go at building a prototype?

Caravanners urged to beware of potholes

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by Gemma Roskell

Potholes can cause damage to vehicles and may even lead to accidents, so caravanners have been reminded to take extra care on the roads.

GEM Motoring Assist pointed out that following the harsh winter weather, the UK’s roads are in serious need of repair.

Roads in rural areas, which are frequented by caravan owners, may be particularly badly affected if councils are running short on funding.

GEM chief executive David Williams explained: “Councils are working under severe budget constraints and we believe that priorities may be quite different this year when it comes to dealing with issues such as potholes.”

“It would not come as a surprise if local councils take a lot longer to deal with the problem, so we are encouraging drivers to stay alert and where possible take it upon themselves to report serious potholes.”

Potholes in are caused when water seeps into cracks in the road surface and freezes. The expansion caused these cracks to open up, often leading to large cavities that can damage vehicle suspension and cause cars to swerve or crash.