Bailey caravan competition winner announced

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Participants in the My Bailey Van Caravan Design Competition were today (October 14th) able to discover who had won the contest.

Mobile home specialist Bailey Caravans chose the International Caravan and Motorhome Show as the stage to unveil the Bailey Brambler.

Designed by Ian and Julia Bramble, the prototype model was on display at the event in Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre, with visitors able to admire its “flexible layout” and “very well though-out design”.

Featuring two dedicated living and sleeping areas, as well as an L-shaped kitchen and a washroom, the caravan will be collected by the Brambles later this year.

They were presented with the keys by TV presenter Rowland Rivron and will be the only family in the UK to own the vehicle

Rivron himself launched the competition by unveiling his Ranger Rivron in February this year.

Earlier this year, the Bailey Pageant Bretagne Series 7 was awarded the title of Which Caravan Magazine Caravan of the Year.

AL-KO helps prevent caravan snaking with ATC Trailer Control

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Caravan enthusiasts may recognise the difficulties often experienced when towing their beloved motorhomes to their favourite destinations.

Fortunately, firms like AL-KO exist to make life a little easier, by creating products like ATC Trailer Control.

The anti-snaking control system helps ensure the driver has power over the touring caravan at all times and is a direct response to proposals to limit who can tow a mobile home in Europe.

AL-KO explained that it identified snaking as a rare, but publicly damaging occurrence for the caravan industry and set out to address the issue.

The ATC Trailer Control system works by detecting when difficult driving conditions are experienced and prevents snaking by temporarily taking control of the mobile home’s brakes.

Examples of these situations include having to take evasive action, dealing with high winds and overtaking larger vehicles.

Another product on offer from AL-KO is the secure wheel lock, which helps protect mobile homes from theft.

Bailey Ranger – A ‘ten-star’ caravan

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A caravan from manufacturer Bailey Caravans of Bristol has been named the best family mobile home in the UK.

The Ranger 620/6 was given the Which Caravan Magazine Best Family Caravan of 2008 gong after impressing judges.

Launched in February 2007, the unit has proven popular with the publication in the past, gaining an unprecedented ten out of ten stars in its first review.

Measuring just over 21ft in length, the product is ideal for a couple or smaller family but is flexible enough to be capable of sleeping up to six people.

The lightweight model is also cost-effective, with prices starting at £11,875 meaning even those on a budget can afford an award-winning caravan.

Which Caravan Magazine also honoured the Bailey Senator Series 6 Carolina, which came second in the Most Innovative Caravan and overall Tourer of the Year categories.

The same product also scooped two awards from Practical Caravan Magazine earlier this year, with the Vermont given Best Caravan for Rallies and the Best Caravan for Small Families bestowed on the Arizona.

Bailey Senator Series 6 scoops awards

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Caravan enthusiasts may be more inclined to look to Bailey Caravans for a new model after its Senator Series 6 range scooped two prizes at a recent award ceremony.

The Arizona was named Best Caravan for Small Families, while the Vermont was recognised as the Best Caravan for Rallies by Practical Caravan Magazine.

Part of the former’s appeal stems from the security provided by the AL-KO secure wheel lock and ATC stability system, as well as the tracker that is fitted as standard.

The same features appear on the Vermont, which also impressed judges with its design and equipment.

“As with all the best caravans, there are plenty of obvious things to recommend it, but it’s spending more time in the van that makes you fully appreciate it,” the magazine noted.

Such is the popularity of the Senator Series 6 range that Bailey has increased its production volumes just a few months after its launch.

Earlier this year, the grandson of Dr William Gordon Stables – the world’s first leisure caravanner – retraced the route he took using a Bailey Ranger Series 5 620/6.

Epic route retraced in Bailey Ranger

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The great-great-grandson of the original leisure caravanner Dr William Gordon-Stables has retraced the journey taken by his ancestor more than a century ago.

Alan Gordon-Stables set out in a Bailey Caravans Ranger Series 5 620/6 to retrace the steps his forebear took in the Bristol Wagon Works Company’s horse-drawn Wanderer 122 years ago.

He and his family travelled from Twyford, through the Midlands and Yorkshire, up the east coast to Berwick-upon-Tweed and into Scotland, where they enjoyed stopovers at Edinburgh, Stirling and Culloden Moor, where they completed the epic trip.

They saw a number of sites described in Dr William’s The Cruise of Land Yacht Wanderer and Alan explained he was surprised by how many were still in existence.

“After 122 years, we were delighted to find that so many buildings and places not only still existed but were readily recognisable from their descriptions in my great grandfather’s book,” he told Bailey.

The Bailey Ranger Series was released a decade ago and has recently been updated with a twin-axle layout.

More features, similar price: the new Charisma range from Swift Caravans

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As one of the more popular offerings from Swift Caravans, the Charisma range has been given an update ahead of the 2007 season.

Many of the new features reflect those already present in the Challenger series from the same manufacturer.

The firm explained that it wanted to significantly upgrade the Charisma products without dramatically impacting the price.

As such, buyers can expect to benefit from a raft of new features without breaking the bank.

Thick one-piece aluminium sides and new silver and burgundy graphics have improved the aesthetic value of the exterior, while a new handle and locking system has make the door more practical.

Buyers can expect the interior to look visibly better with the addition of Apero pinstripe chenille upholstery in autumn shades and Tanganica medium walnut coloured woodgrain on the furnishings.

The new range includes a Status 530 directional TV aerial, Omnivent extractor fan, mains lighting and pressurised water system.

Swift Caravans recently announced similar upgrades to its Europa range.

Swift Caravans offer greater bed access for Challenger and Abbey buyers

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Caravan enthusiasts investing in one of two new models from UK-based manufacturer Swift Group will be able to have greater access to their bed.

According to marketing director Richard White, the Challenger 560 and Abbey GTS 420 offerings will benefit from additional room, thanks to a new design widening them to seven feet, six inches.

The extra room will allow access to the double bed from both sides, which Mr White said will be great for users as they will no longer have “to climb over your partner to get out of bed” in the morning.

He added that the vehicles have been given many of the successful features of the popular Challenger 540, including a washroom module that features an integrated shower cubicle, washbasin and toilet.

The front seating can also be converted into a second domestic size double bed, meaning that owners can have friends to stay with them when required.

In other news, Swift Group recently revealed that it had notched up a total of £10.5 million worth of orders for its new low-profile vehicles.

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Swift Caravans introduce new low-profile Bolero

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Swift Group has taken advantage of the Fiat X2/50 Ducato cab to help it expand its low-profile motorhome offerings.

The firm has produced four new luxury vehicles in its Bolero range using “groundbreaking exterior styling” to create an attractive series in time for the 2007 holiday season.

Each mobile home offers ample headroom, while minimising the exterior appearance thanks to the low-profile Fiat base.

It also gives drivers a more car-like experience and reduces noise levels while offering greater comfort on the road.

This is exemplified in the built-in cooler unit for a 1.5-litre bottle in the passenger side of the dash and the availability of optional air conditioning.

Other attractions include the full GRP roof and rear panel, tinted sunroof, integrated roof bars and remote central locking.

Once users rock up at their destination of choice they can further expand floorspace by using the optional pull-out awning.

Meanwhile, Swift recently updated its Abbey GTS and Spectrum ranges ahead of the 2007 season.

Swift Caravans’ new UK facility is Europe’s biggest caravan factory

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Britain is now home to the largest single production unit for touring caravans and motorhomes in Europe.

The new Swift Caravans facility at its Cottingham site will provide 126,000 sq ft for assembling the firm’s products.

Opened by secretary of state for trade and industry Alan Johnson, the factory is part of the company’s plans to consolidate the construction of its products.

“This is a major new investment which demonstrates confidence in the future of an industry with a significant presence in this part of the world,” Mr Johnson said.

He added that the new facility will enable Swift Caravans to become even more competitive in the caravan industry, which would also help boost the economy and secure local jobs.

As one of the biggest employers in east Yorkshire, Swift is hoping to battle against imports from the continent and maintain its reputation as one of the UK’s best-known brands.

In other news, the firm recently suggested that buyers take a look at its new Abbey Vogue.

Swift Caravans expands Ace offerings

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Those in the market for a new caravan now have a number of new motorhomes to choose from.

Swift Group’s Ace brand has recently launched four models in its Airstream line-up, which the firm claims have “some of the most competitive prices in . the market”.

The luxury low-profile models are built around the Fiat X2/50 Ducato cab, which has become a popular base model in the motorhome industry.

Using the lowline version of the chassis, Ace designers have constructed vehicles that are under 2.8m tall, while still leaving plenty of headroom.

Features include a multi-directional TV aerial, optional pull-out awning, reversing camera, fold down seven-inch TV screen, freeview, DVD player and satellite navigation system.

The Airstream models are geared towards couples who enjoy exploring and are available in a range of layouts.

Each is designed to cater for the different needs of discerning campers, with beds and seating arrangements to suit every taste.

Meanwhile, Swift’s Bessacarr brand has also recently expanded its range using the Fiat X2/50 Ducato cab.

Four new models from Swift Caravans to be launched at NEC show

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Caravan enthusiasts heading to the International Caravan and Motorhome Show 2006 will be able to get a first look at a number of new models from Swift Caravans.

The firm plans to launch four products at the show, which takes place in Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC) from October 17th to 22nd.

Attendees will be able to inspect the new Swift Charisma 620, Sterling Europa 620, Abbey Vogue 620 and Jubilee Viscount.

Each of the new models are four-berth fixed-bed twin-axle vehicles which offer parallel front seats and beds.

Marketing director Richard White explained that they “offer the advantage of the open plan fixed-bed layout that has proved so successful in our single-axle models with the advantages of a spacious ensuite end washroom”.

A common new addition to many of Swift Group’s caravans is the one-piece thick gauge aluminium sidewalls, which will also feature on each of the four products to be launched at the NEC.

The firm recently revealed that the Challenger and Conqueror series will also feature the new exterior design.

Caravanners able to register AL-KO Secure Wheel online

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Caravan enthusiasts who have purchased an AL-KO wheel lock can now register them online.

The devices help stop thieves from making off with mobile homes by immobilising them mechanically while in storage or unattended.

Registering the Secure Wheel products helps customers if they ever lose their keys – potentially saving them from paying a £250 call-out charge to have the problem rectified.

While registration has always been available over the phone, some buyers found it difficult to get through and AL-KO has moved to rectify the situation.

Those wishing to use the service are required to have their caravan CRIS number, unique lock number and their personal details.

Data collected will only be used for the purposes of managing the use of the products and never for marketing, the firm explained.

The online service also includes information on lost key procedures and how to order replacements.

The Secure Wheel locks were introduced in 2005 and were offered as standard on a number of mobile homes from 2006.