Caravan owners warned of snow and winter road conditions

Posted by

by Marcus Dubois

Over the last few years Caravan Times has noted the increase in popularity of winter caravanning as enthusiasts take advantage of new technology to enjoy touring in the off season. Yet those towing a caravan or driving a motorhome this week have been warned to take extra care as winter starts to descend on the UK.

According to the Highways Agency drivers should be correctly prepared for severe weather this winter and only make essential journeys during the worst conditions.

Carrying out simple vehicle checks can help reduce the risk of running into problems, explained roads minister Mike Penning. He added that reading traffic and weather reports can also be useful when planning a journey.

And while the Highways Agency has taken extra steps to prepare for winter following the harsh weather over the past two years, the organisation reminded drivers that they have a responsibility of their own.

“As well as snow and ice, strong winds, heavy rain and thick fog can affect journeys in the winter season,” the organisation said.

Drivers can help reduce their chances of becoming a victim of the weather by ensuring oil and brake fluid levels are topped up, while lights should be kept clean and in working order.

The inclement weather has already begun across many parts of the UK, with areas of Cornwall experiencing flooding this month. This week heavy snow is expected across Scotland and in eastern England.

Carashine moves to new premises in North-East

Posted by

Caravan cleaning and restoration firm Carashine has announced it has moved to dedicated premises to offer a wider range of services to customers.

The firm has relocated to a workshop based in Stockton-On-Tees in a popular retail park which is fully secure and alarmed with CCTV in operation. As such, Carashine is now able to offer a full storage and collection services for caravanners.

The company’s standard offering is valeting or detailing services which it claims will add value and protection to the caravan or motorhome. Yet in addition to cleaning and restoration, the move to new premises has allowed Caraashine to introduce the option of a “Future Guard” detailing service with a six-year guarantee.

Owner Jon Forster is hoping that the move to a dedicated workshop will allow him to offer a variety of options to the caravanner. This will include an M.O.T service for cars and all sizes of motorhomes, a tyre fitting bay, and tow car valeting and detailing.

“Clients will be able to tie in a detailing service with any of the other offerings” he revealed, and he explained that “while Carashine is a specialised business, the other services just happen to be offered within the complex which made it an ideal place.”

Mr Forster also revealed he hopes to offer caravan and motorhome body repairs “very soon”.

Click here for more about services offered by Carashine.

No Comments

filed under: News

FEATURE: Five of the best lightweight micro caravans

Posted by

by Holly Tribe

We’ve received a few comments in recent months from readers nostalgic for the simple things in life, namely, lightweight low tech caravans.

For some, the increasingly sophisticated technology and heavyweight designs of modern tourers aren’t cause for celebration.

As Beryl who currently lives in France, recently asked: “Why oh why are caravans so heavy? Surely in these days of climate change, the lighter the greener. I am pig sick trying to find a decent caravan that we can tow!”

Well Beryl, in response to your cries of lament here are our top five tourers that can be towed by a reasonably sized VW Golf.

The Little Guy

These teardrop shaped trailers are based on the travel trailer design which originated in the US. Their diminutive form is light enough to be hauled behind a quad bike. But caravanners beware, you will have to travel light as nominal storage comes in the form of a small roof mounted cupboard above the bed.

  • Price: £3995
  • Weight: 300kg

Tuareg

A winner in this years’ European Caravanning and Design Awards, the Tuareg is lightweight and garage friendly with an elevating roof for extra headroom. The cunning island kitchen design can be used in the cabin or taken outside for the chef to prepare dinner al fresco.

  • Price: Euro 13,995
  • MTPLM: on request

T@b

Manufactured at the Tabbart factory near Frankfurt in Germany, these pint-sized caravans come in a range of three layouts – the smallest of which is the T@b 320. In its naked form weighs approximately 550kg and is small enough to be towed by a mini.

  • Price: on request
  • MTPLM: 800kg

    • Sprite Finesse 2

    If you’re looking for something a bit more mainstream, have a look at the Finesse 2. This compact lightweight tourer from Swift Caravans is the littlest in the Sprite range. Standing at 3.66m in length with an MTPLM of 1,084kg – it is small enough to be matched with a small family car such as VW Golf or Vauxhall Corsa.

    • Price: £10,599
    • MTPLM: 1,084kg

    Adria Action 361

    And finally, we come to our final European offering, the Action 361 from Adria Caravans. Slightly undercutting the Sprite in cost and weight it comes equipped with a large toilet and boasts class leading storage facilities.

    • Price: £10,114
    • MTPLM: 1,000kg

    Romany caravans change man’s life

    Posted by

    by Chris Malone

    A man who suffered brain damage and lost his eye in a driving accident has turned his life around using his love of Romany caravans.

    The Bristol Evening Post revealed that Greg Mort did not rest on his laurels following the life-threatening injury.

    After being forced to give up his career as a photographer, he took up building caravans in the style of those traditionally used by Romany travellers.

    The 44-year-old went on to turn his passion into a business that has become so successful that Suggs – renowned pop star and lead singer of Madness – has chosen to use one of his vehicles during his upcoming tour.

    Using a modern trailer as a base, Mr Mort constructs the main frame of the caravans in timber.

    “Suggs used one when he was at the festivals last summer and he decided to rent one again for this year,” he told the newspaper. “It means that he can bring his kids along.”

    The specialist currently makes up to four caravans per year and either rents them, or sells them for approximately £9,500 each.

    In other news, Haven Holiday Parks have reached record levels ahead of the 2011 season.

    Caravan shop gives Anglesey village a boost

    Posted by

    by Chris Malone

    A new outdoor pursuits store is set to give the Welsh village of Llangefni a pre-Christmas boost.

    According to News Wales, Bevan Caravan and Camping Supplies will be open before December 25th, just in time to give shoppers a new place to buy gifts for those who love the outdoor lifestyle.

    The outlet will be located in Church Street and owners Neil and Tracy Bevan are to be handed a grant from the County Council’s Local Investment Fund as it is the first business of its kind in the area.

    Llangefni is located on the island of Anglesey and Mr Bevan noted that the couple have decided to settle there after three decades of holidaying in the same place.

    “We felt that Llangefni had so much to offer visitors with the market and range of shops, but realised that there wasn’t a specific shop aimed at caravanners and campers,” he told the news provider.

    “We’re hoping that we can tempt visitors and tourists to the town by giving them a product which they need.”

    Anglesey is located in north-west Wales, across the water from Bangor.

    Haven Holiday Parks report record advance bookings

    Posted by

    by Chris Malone

    Advance bookings at Haven Holiday Parks have reached record levels ahead of the 2011 season.

    The firm noted that it has seen a seven per cent surge on last year’s figures, which could mean next year is the firm’s best ever.

    Haven recently announced that it is to spend more than £40 million upgrading its 35 caravan holiday parks during the winter shutdown period, which will take the total investment since 2000 to almost £500 million.

    This includes £12 million set out for new accommodation – a £4 million rise on what was originally promised in the company’s 2011 brochure.

    “We strongly believe in the benefit of continuing investment in our facilities, venues and landscaping. Our aim is to meet and exceed the expectations of our guests,” a spokesman said.

    The firm welcomes more than 2.5 million holidaymakers each year and is currently offering up to 50 per cent off its spring and early summer breaks to those who book early.

    In other news, Devon’s Woodovis Park has won a silver prize at the South West Tourism Excellence Awards.

    COMMENT: Why Prince William and Kate Middleton could take a caravan honeymoon after royal wedding

    Posted by

    by Marcus Dubois

    The announcement of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s engagement yesterday was greeted with the expected frenzy of speculation by news outlets worldwide. While many have reacted with hysteria (some broadcasters dispatched helicopters to hover over Buckingham Palace for uninterrupted ‘coverage’) others sounded a note of caution.

    The prospect of a lavish royal wedding, funded by the public purse at a time of severe cuts has already caused controversy among campaign groups. Buckingham Palace officials responded immediately by stating it is “too early” to estimate any costs for next year’s royal wedding – yet the likelihood is that extravagance will be avoided.

    With this in mind there is evidence to suggest that the royal honeymoon will also be a modest affair. Kenya is offered as the 5/1 favourite destination by bookmakers Ladbrokes, in the main because William proposed there. Yet second favourite Scotland is offered at a tempting 8/1 while Wales is third at 16/1. And in a time of nationwide cutbacks, what greater example of solidarity than for the Royal couple to take a staycation?

    In the last two years there has been a sharp increase in the popularity of caravanning amongst young couples. Caravan Times believes that the Prince and Miss Middleton could use a caravan as the perfect base for exploring the wilds of the Scottish Highlands or the valleys of Wales. Below we look at feasibility as well as likely destinations for the Royal couple.

    The Scottish connection


    Each year the Royal Family reinforces its ties to Scotland with a summer vacation. Balmoral has been the Scottish Home of the Royals ever since Queen Victoria purchased the estate in 1848. And this year Her Majesty was accompanied by the Duke of York and Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie on a cruise of the Western Isles before heading to Balmoral. Most recently Caravan Times reader Robert W Reed documented the Queen’s visit to the Braemar Gathering.

    Caravan Times would recommend the Royal couple stayed at a Caravan Club Certificated Location – small, five-van sites reserved exclusively for Caravan Club members. Unlike hotel complexes where security arrangements can involve hiring entire floors or areas, the exclusivity would allow members of security to take up the remaining pitches. It could also make setting up an exclusion zone to deter those unwanted paparazzi that much easier.

    We believe the Prince should not have too much trouble reserving a pitch – since 1952 HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh has been the Caravan Club’s Patron.

    The Royal Caravan


    While such a honeymoon may seem far fetched to some, the Royal Family have recently been conscious of showing the way in terms of cutting costs. And they wouldn’t even have to buy or hire a tourer as there is a family vehicle on hand. The Royal Caravan dates from 1955 and has an ash frame clad in aluminium.

    Originally given to Princess Anne and Prince Charles when they were children, it was later refurbished for the Caravan Club’s 75th anniversary and re-presented to Anne.

    Could you recommend a caravan site in Scotland or Wales for the Royal Couple? Please post your comments below.

    Copeland caravan park set for £2 million expansion

    Posted by

    by Chris Malone

    A £2 million expansion at Port Haverigg Holiday Village will see the caravan park increase its capacity by 50 per cent.

    According to the News and Star, the Copeland site is set to benefit from a large improvement programme after it was given permission to add 100 static caravans, 20 motor home pitches and space for 30 touring caravans and 30 tents.

    Part of the project will see the 190-caravan site add a cafe, tourist information centre and public toilets.

    It will also create jobs in the area and see the site benefit from landscaping with a view to encouraging wildlife to the area, assisting the nearby Hodbarrow nature reserve.

    Co-owner Steve Attwood told the newspaper that it may have taken two-and-a-half years, but that things should move more swiftly now planning permission has been granted.

    “It should benefit the local economy, people who have saved to come on holiday will spend money in the shops, the garage. It goes right down the line,” he said.

    “I am ecstatic, it has taken so long we opened the bubbly. I am over the moon.”

    Caravan cleaning firm Tourershine launch new five-year exterior protection

    Posted by

    by Marcus Dubois

    Specialist caravan restorers Tourershine have launched a new service offering customers the option to fully seal and protect the exterior of the caravan or motorhome – with a new product that could last up to five years.

    The “Tourershield” finish uses a unique blend of PTFE (a polymer commonly used in insulating central heating systems) and acrylic resins to achieve its effects. Added to this blend are the latest UV screens to protect the caravan exterior against the effects of sunlight.

    The company developed the product after a year of testing and research, and believes it will make future cleaning by the customer an easier task as well as preserve its resale value.

    Five-year finish

    The service is a two-stage process which begins after the exterior of the caravan is made free of dents and defects. Once this is ensured, the first stage of the product is said to remove any “unseen contaminates” which could affect the process. The second stage involves applying the sealer in small sections to avoid missing any part of the body of the caravan. Because the process takes four hours to cure, the company ask customers to leave their tourer in the workshop to ensure results.

    An aftercare pack is included within the price giving customers the correct products to use from the on. And the restorers at Tourershine are confident that if instructions are followed using these products, the caravan should remain in good condition for five years.

    “A rock-hard lacquer”


    Tourershine director Paul Asserati tested the service using the bonnet of his own car (pictured) before moving onto his caravan. “It leaves a rock-hard, very thin lacquer that the eye can’t see at all” he told Caravan Times this week. “I applied it to my caravan, and I got all the way around it before noticing a tiny detail needed finishing. But when I got my mop out it gripped so tightly to the panel…you could really feel the difference.”

    Having started out restoring air-cooled Volkswagen campers before moving onto the detailing side of car bodywork, Paul has spent his working life using products designed to bring out the best in vehicles. “It’s sometimes hard to explain to customers the difference between valeting and detailing. What I can say is I don’t offer any services that clean a caravan, we are a specialist service.”


    See the sights of Stamford

    Based in Barnack near the picturesque town of Stamford in Lincolnshire, this year Tourershine has offered customers a free 2-night stay at a caravan site in Stamford while their caravan is worked on. This deal will return in March at the price of £350, but for the winter months there is a discounted deal of £240 for the Tourershield service excluding the stay. Customers can drop off their caravan as normal and arrange to collect at a later time.

    For more information on the Tourershield caravan service from Tourershine please click here.

    More choice for European caravan holidays in 2011

    Posted by

    by Holly Tribe

    Caravanners wishing to get away to mainland Europe next year now have a new Spanish destination to head for.

    Brittany Ferries is introducing a new route from Portsmouth to Bilbao on the North Coast of Spain. The service will run twice a week commencing next spring.

    The firm has picked up the route from rival ferry company P&O who dropped the service earlier this year due to a year on year drop in passenger numbers. The route will be Brittany Ferry’s second Spanish destination and also represents their first new destination in nearly a quarter of a century.

    The Group Commercial Passenger Director, Mike Bevens, is confident their timing is right. He explained: “We know from CAA [Civil Aviation Authority] statistics that airline passenger numbers to France and Spain have fallen this year and we attribute this to a general disillusionment with no frills airlines.”

    “Our services between Portsmouth and Spain have performed extremely well this year so we are building on this achievement by adding Bilbao to give our customers even greater choice,” he added.

    A further rise in Air Passenger Duty (APD) last week has put the price of air travel out of reach for many. With APD leaping by as much as 55% on some long haul flights, many families may be looking closer to home for their annual holidays.

    The crossing which takes 24hours involves an overnight stay on board the vessel. Mr Beven was quick to point out the benefits of ferry travel on longer routes, believing customers get ‘space to relax, comfort, entertainment, cuisine and, above all value.’

    Head to the Brittany Ferries website for pricing and route information.

    COMMENT: Are caravan owners facing higher costs for car insurance?

    Posted by

    by Marcus Dubois

    Over the last fortnight I have found myself chained to my laptop every evening browsing for car insurance quotes. And the results have proved grim reading, coinciding with recent findings that insurance premiums have gone up by 40% in the last 12 months.

    Research by the AA revealed that over 12 months till the end of September, the average cost of comprehensive car insurance had risen to £792 – a jump of £39.3% since last year. This figure also happens to be the largest annual jump registered on its industry-leading ‘Insurance Premium Index’. So as Britain faces the grip of recession with greater than ever demands on our wallets, Caravan Times looks at the problem of rising car insurance costs.

    Government inquiry

    The debate has moved from grumbles around the dinnertable at home to the Houses of Parliament – and last Monday the Transport Select Committee painted a less than rosy picture. “It appears that the cost of motor insurance has rocketed” said the Committee Chair, and experts believe the costs could rise further after Britons take advantage of no-win, no fee lawyers to make increasing claims of personal injury.

    Examples of the problem were shown on BBC Watchdog when Karen Nevey, insured by Sheila’s Wheels last year at a cost of £460, found her annual premium increased by 158% when up for renewal.
    She told the programme “I went with Sheilas’ Wheels because they are a well-known reputable company. I don’t like changing insurance companies year by year, I like loyalty, I like to stick with an insurance company.” Yet with none of her personal circumstances changing, her quote increased “due to a three-fold increase in injury claims in her area within a six month period” according to Sheila’s Wheels. “Her details didn’t change but the claims lodged against other local drivers rose dramatically”.

    In a similar case, insurer Direct Line said “the single biggest factor (for price rises) is the increase in personal injury claims and associated costs”. So how can caravanners, traditionally a low-risk group, keep their insurance premium as low as possible when taking this into account?

    Rewarding careful drivers?

    It is ironic that the very tool which can help you is also the agent which is partly driving up prices. Using a price comparison website can save up to 35% according to the Association of British Insurers, yet expert Graeme Trudgill believes “we’re seeing comparison sites keeping prices right down so [insurance firms are] not making the money they used to make”.

    As proved earlier, loyalty isn’t always rewarded, so applying as a new customer can mean you receive greater discounts and incentives. It is also worth considering a policy with a higher excess, though remember that this is also the amount you may have to pay in the event of a claim. Using a specialist insurer which focuses on targeting older drivers or women can also help. Despite heavy marketing efforts from comparison businesses, going direct can have its rewards.

    Have you been affected by dramatic increases in car insurance? Did you pay significantly more this year when renewing your policy? Click here to have your say on this story in our forum topic

    2011 Elddis caravans get BPW road handling and chassis upgrades

    Posted by

    by Holly Tribe

    Elddis Caravans has undergone significant design changes for the 2011 season. We take a look under the cabin to see what’s new.

    Elddis Caravans have long since differed from other British caravan manufacturers by opting to use frames built by Europe’s leading brand of trailer chassis BPW.

    The BPW V-Tec Swing chassis is already used for the higher end Avante, Odyssey and Crusader ranges. However this year all five models in the entry level Elddis Xplore marque were upgraded and will now sit atop the BPW V-Tec galvanised steel chassis.

    Anti-roll technology

    The V-Tec Swing chassis improves the towing capability of the caravan. It has the effect of moving the caravan roll centre axis closer to its centre of gravity which is achieved in part by the self-steering action of the independent suspension.

    Another first for Elddis is the inclusion of the BPW’s Intelligent Drive Control (iDC) system. The technology will be fitted as standard on all new Elddis Crusader models, or as a cost option on the Avante and Odyssey series with prices starting at £549.

    The automated anti-snaking device detects when there is a risk of snaking and gives course correction in seconds. A ‘fail safe’ function means the iDC still works even if there is a power failure.

    The inclusion of such technology brings the Crusader range in line with rivals Lunar Caravans and Bailey Caravans, who both favour British-made Al-Ko Kober chassis with its AKS stabiliser technology.