New range from Stealth Caravans will have Truma heating system

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by Holly Tribe

Stealth Caravans are never ones to shy away from innovation, and the firm has just announced another upgrade to its new range. It is introducing the new Hidden Combi heating system with invisible blown air heating into the all new Defiant caravans.

The Truma Combi 6E Heater/ Boilersystem is more compact and can be hidden within the caravan. Unlike traditional fire heaters that need room for a fireplace unit, the combi system can be built into the inner shell of the caravan saving valuable cabin space.

The heating system offers reduced water heating times, and has the facility to be run as a heater, a boiler or both.

With 6KW maximum output, the unit has double the power of standard heaters. An invisible blown air system delivers heat throughout the entire area making optimum use of the ambient air and maintaining a pleasant temperature. Stealth have integrated heating ducts to seating, sleeping and washroom areas, focussing the heat distribution where it is most likely to be needed.

The highly durable stainless steel design is light-weight and allows users to choose what energy source to run from, be it gas, electric, or gas and electric.

In other news, Swift recently announced they will be introducing a Grade 3 heating and insulation system in their 2011 Swift Charisma and Sterling Europa ranges.

Swift and Sterling Caravans receive a makeover for 2011

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by Holly Tribe

Swift Caravans has announced the launch of its re-designed Swift Charisma and Sterling Europa ranges.

Known for their dynamic range of tourers, Swift have revealed a number of cosmetic and build improvements to these established favourites.

The Charisma and Europa 565 models have been reconfigured with enhanced layouts, incorporating a separate shower and a better rear bedroom, while the 570 model will house a new 6 berth front lounge, and a side dinette which can double up as a bunk bed.

Nick Page, Commercial Director for Swift Group commented: “We believe the new Charisma and Europa ranges lead their class with the best specification and price combination to offer a package that is hard to beat.”

The first public viewing will be at the Caravan Extravaganza (The Lawns) on the 4th – 5th September 2010 followed by a more extensive product launch at the International Caravan and Motorhome Show at NEC Birmingham on the 12th – 17th October.

New models in both ranges will come with Grade 3 heating and insulation – Swift promises will provide “all year round touring comfort”. The new heating system reportedly allows the caravan to maintain a comfortable 20oC even when outside temperatures plummet to -15 oC,

The Charisma and Europa ranges will maintain their class leading 1.95 metre headroom, as well as high security entrance locks and shock absorbers for more stable towing. Upgraded Hancook branded tyres will be used on all touring caravans providing an extra 10% load factor and improved braking performance.

Design wise there will be a new badging and fabric scheme on the Charisma, while while the Europa will main…

TALKBACK: An exclusive interview with Bailey Caravans about stone dents on Alu-Tech models

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Welcome to Talkback: the feature where we put your thoughts and views to members of the caravan industry.

This month we put your questions to Simon Howard of Bailey Caravans.

Our email and forums have been busy with readers commenting on whether road chippings and stones are causing cosmetic damage to the new Alu-Tech models from Bailey Caravans.

A number of Pegasus and Olympus owners have reported dents or chipping to the front of their caravans, caused by loose stones striking the aluminium. Initially Bailey reacted to this by increasing the thickness of the existing protective film applied to the front of Alu-Tech caravans. However some of our readers found this to be insufficient, and have asked for Bailey to clarify their position on the issue of stone dents.

Click below for the full-length video, where our editor Marcus Dubois posed your questions about cosmetic damage in an exclusive interview with Bailey marketing director Simon Howard.


PREVIEW: Bailey Caravans answer your questions about stone dents on Alu-Tech models

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UPDATE: You can now click here to watch the full Talkback interview

Welcome to Talkback: the feature where we put your thoughts and views to members of the caravan industry

Recently our email and forums have been busy with readers commenting on whether road chippings and stones are causing cosmetic damage to the new Alu-Tech models from Bailey Caravans.

A number of Pegasus and Olympus owners have reported dents or chipping to the front of their caravans, caused by loose stones striking the aluminium. Initially Bailey reacted to this by increasing the thickness of the existing protective film applied to the front of Alu-Tech caravans. However some of our readers found this to be insufficient, and have asked for Bailey to clarify their position on the issue of stone dents.

Click below for a preview of the latest edition of Talkback, where our editor Marcus Dubois posed your questions about cosmetic damage in an exclusive interview with Bailey marketing director Simon Howard. To share your thoughts on the video or comment on the issues discussed click here for our forum topic.

You can see the full edition of Talkback on Friday 9th July at caravantimes.co.uk

Caravanners could enjoy Edinburgh Festival

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Scotland’s east coast has numerous great seaside caravan sites in easy driving distance of the capital city.

Those staying in the area between August 13th and September 5th could make the most of their holiday by visiting the Edinburgh International Festival.

A celebration of culture and the arts, the event attracts visitors from around the world and is vitally important for Edinburgh’s businesses.

“The combination of performers and visitors doubles the local population during the festival period, providing a rich cultural atmosphere that is genuinely unique to this festival city,” explained VisitScotland regional director for Edinburgh and Lothians Sinead Feltoe.

According to the expert, the festival attracts millions of people to Scotland each year, generating billions for the economy, and presents a great chance to showcase the country in front of the world.

The city also attracts guests throughout the year with its many cultural and historic sites, including the castle and old town.

Mortonhall Camping and Caravanning Park is an excellent site in the vicinity, set in 200 acres and just a 15 minute drive from the centre of Edinburgh.

Pensioner carried away in stolen caravan

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A pensioner has become the latest victim to have his caravan stolen whilst still on board.

William John Roberts bedded down for the night in his 25 foot Hobby caravan, only to be rudely awoken the next morning as crooks drove it over a kerb.

Mr Roberts parked his ‘van in the driveway outside his home, which is currently undergoing renovations, just 24 hours before the robbery. Thieves removed a pillar to gain access to the rig, and proceeded to run over a kerb at a roundabout startling Mr Williams awake.

The 73 year-old describes how plates, cups and glasses fell off the shelves, and acknowledged he was fortunate not to sustain any injuries. He told the Daily Post: “I was lucky I didn’t cut myself.”

The uninsured caravan came to a halt at a lay-by along the A55, when Mr Roberts seized the opportunity to flee the vehicle. He said: “When we stopped, I got out and dived over the barrier and into the bushes. I got to my feet. I was a bit shaky”.

The incident was clearly very distressing for Mr Roberts, who has seven children but lives by himself in Towyn, North Wales.

John Wilson, the joint owner of a local caravan supplier, described the frightening event: “He was very shook up. I was concerned for him. The most terrifying thing was he was screaming through the caravan windows.”

In an act of neighbourly generosity, J&J Caravans who have known Mr Roberts for fifteen years have lent him a Super Sprite caravan. Mr Wilson told the Daily Post: “I’ve loaned him a caravan and bedding as a gesture of goodwill because he’s homeless.”

The caravan was recovered and transported to the North Wales Recovery base in Conwy. A man and woman denied theft at Llandudno magistrates Court, but were refused bail.

Meanwhile, a couple in their sixties were recently caught inside their caravan when a thief drove off with them still inside.

Lotto Millionaire will keep on caravanning

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A national lottery millionaire vows to keep caravanning after winning a share of a £2 million in a lotto rollover.

Wally Jinks, 51, will share the jackpot with his friend of seventeen years Alan Stringer, 50.

Mr Jinks and his wife Dawn are avid caravanners and regularly tour the Yorkshire coast. When asked what he plans to spend the money on, Wally said he was in no hurry to make any extravagant purchases – but his grand plan was to upgrade his caravan and towcar outfit.

He said: “We’re going to upgrade our caravan – we tour caravans. We’re going to buy a new car as well. Not a brand new one, a Shogun.”

The couple were on holiday in Jersey at the time of the win, but didn’t find out their numbers had come up until eleven days later when they returned home. Ironically, Wally had lost his wallet while they were away and had to borrow some cash from his wife, none the wiser of his new millionaire status.

Wally, a self employed tyre-repair man, won’t quit his day job saying he doesn’t want to let his business partner down. Mr Stringer, an electrician by trade, also has no plans to quit work: “You’ve got to keep your feet on the ground” he said.

The pair, both from Edenthorpe in South Yorkshire, won a total of £2,033,705 after matching six numbers in the lotto rollover. They have been playing the lottery since 1994 entering with three lucky dips.

Caravanners have `many years` before road pricing

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Caravanners concerned by the prospect of road pricing making the journey to their favourite site more expensive should not worry.

The RAC Foundation has claimed that a move from road tax to individual tolls for journeys is “inevitable”.

However, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) suggested that such a move would not occur for a long time.

IAM director of policy and research Neil Greig explained that while it would be a sensible step for the UK, it would be “many, many years” before such a policy is brought in.

According to the expert, the reason for this is that no government would be willing to deal with the fiscal impact of a changeover.

“The vast majority of taxes from car use go straight into general government spending now,” he said.

Mr Greig added that the imbalance between road tax and government spending on transport is something that no ruling party would be willing to forgo.

New eco-friendly facilities added to Camping and Caravanning Club Site

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The Cheddar Camping and Caravanning Club Site has invested £80,000 into innovative environmental technologies at their site in Somerset.

The club site is run by franchisees Alan and Kate Sefton who are dedicated to reducing the impact their park has on the environment.

The Sefton’s have integrated an aerated water system into the showers which reduces energy consumption. The showers are now configured to mix air bubbles into the water supply reducing the volume of water needed without compromising the pressure.

A new ventilation system has been installed which removes 80 per cent of heat from extracted air which is returned back to the washrooms to remove humidity. In addition, new waterless urinals have been installed whereby waste is broken down using bio-friendly products.

Alan and Kate are dedicated to making sure the changes benefit both the environment and future guests. Alan said: “Our green facilities have been designed to the highest standard, ensuring all our campers have an enjoyable stay.”

He added: “We are committed to providing an eco-friendly setting to help contribute towards the preservation of our planet.”

The improvements are sure to make the site a top contender in the 2010 ‘David Bellamy Conservation Awards’.

The awards were set up in 2006 between the Conservation Foundation and the British Holiday & Home Parks Association and are led by environmental campaigner and botanist David Bellamy.

The awards champion holiday parks ‘that are working to protect and enhance Britain’s environment’, with an emphasis on reducing their use of energy and water and helping wildlife.

To date, over half of the Camping and Caravanning Club’s 110 sites have been awarded the top David Bellamy Gold award.

In other news, the Camping and Caravanning Club recently added more eco-friendly wooden camping pods at their Thetford Forest site .

Air passenger duty harming UK tourism

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The number of Brits enjoying caravan holidays in the UK could rise this year as the government plans to increase the controversial air passenger duty.

According to UKinbound, the tax is harming the country’s tourism sector as it puts Brits off flying abroad and discourages foreigners from visiting.

The duty is a disadvantage to UK businesses competing with European rivals, who are not forced to subject their customers to such extra costs, explained marketing and communications manager Ian Dulson.

Ryanair has already revealed that it plans to cut UK flight activity by 16 per cent as a result of the proposed increase to the tax.

“The main thing that’s really hurting us, especially in terms of people coming here or travelling further abroad, is passenger duty,” Mr Dulson explained. “In effect, it’s like a tourism tax.”

He noted that a flight from London to Germany would cost around £11 or £12 more than the same journey from a French airport.

Tingdene Parks to rejuvenate derelict caravan park

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by Holly Tribe

A £2 million deal has been agreed to redevelop a vacant camping and caravanning site in Suffolk.

Tingdene Parks, an established caravan park operator, have taken on a 99-year lease for the council-owned site in Lowestoft. According to The Advertiser24, the firm intends to provide 50 static caravan pitches plus facilities for touring caravans and campers.

The site has been the subject of local consternation for several years after Waveney District Council stated it could no longer afford the upkeep and maintenance and proposed to sell it.

After strong opposition from the local community, the case was opened up to a public consultation in 2006. The Council then announced it would look for a suitable alternative “to transfer the operation of the site to a third party with the experience of running and managing such operations.”

A £4.5 million re-development deal was agreed with Park Holidays in 2007, but the contract fell through when the leisure firm backed out of the deal, deciding instead to invest the money in their existing parks.

The contract was re-tendered by the council and finally, the North Denes caravan and camping park has a new operator.

Tingdene Parks run eight other caravan sites along the east coast of England and will proceed with a new site license application with the hope of getting the park open early next year.

In other news Park Resorts recently announced the opening of two new facilities in Lincolnshire and Norfolk .

Swift Group sign £30million financing deal

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by Holly Tribe

Swift Group has signed a £30 million financing agreement with a leading commercial finance provider.

GE Capital have arranged to provide a distribution finance facility expected to bring Swift £30 million in dealer stocking funds in 2010, rising to £60 million in 2011.

The contract will allow Swift to provide their network of dealers with on site display products until they are sold to the end user.

Nick Page, the Commercial Director for Swift Group said: “Providing adequate stock funding to our dealer networks is a vital cog in the retail chain, enabling dealers to display and therefore sell more of our products.”

The deal also guarantees payment for delivered caravans and motorhomes which is essential for freeing up capital and enabling Swift, market leaders in the manufacture of recreational vehicles, to focus on product design, manufacturing and sales.

The Industry Leader for Recreational Vehicles at GE Capital’s Distribution Finance business, Maarten Endel noted: “Access to working capital is essential to manufacturers as we exit a recession and we are very pleased to be able to support Swift as the company returns to strong growth.”

Swift produce a range of caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes. Their existing $200 million funding arrangement with GE Capital has equated to the production of more than 10,000 caravans, motor homes and static homes over three years.

Mr Endell added: “We are delighted to play a role in the future growth of their business as they build on their recent success”.