2019: A Year In Review

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By William Coleman & The Team

Last year was quite the year for CaravanTimes, not to mention the rest of the UK. Now we are in 2020 we can look back fondly at 2019 and share some of our highlights for one of the rockiest and fun years in recent memory.

Well what a year that was! Over the past 12 months we have seen some high and some lows both in and outside of the caravan and motorhome world. I think it is safe to say that a lot of the negative things that happened within the caravan sector were Brexit related, or so a lot of people were saying. Which is actually a good thing when you sit back and think about it. Imagine if the issues and business dips were due to people’s lack of interest?

No we are not out of the woods, or the EU, just yet but we have a clear government who want to move on and get the country back to where it needs to be and restore a lot of people’s faith in the future. Moving forward, in or out of the EU, one thing is for sure, we all are still very much in love with our caravanas.

For me one of 2019’s highlights was just how much I was able to travel around the UK. I managed to see both Scotland and Wales as well as many other parts of England. Oh and the shows are always great fun too, and a good way to travel all over the UK.

As of writing this I am sorting out the travel and accommodation for both the Manchester and Scottish caravan shows and cannot wait to get there and spend some time both at the show and in the two great locations.

Rob Key – Post Production Manager

I joined the team just before 2019 began and did not have too much knowledge of caravans, I have always been a campervan user. Having spent a lot of the year filming caravans, and actually getting to use them, I can see why they are the most popular touring vehicle.

One of the best things about the vans I saw were just how much space you have compared to the smaller more “home made” vans that I have been used to using. Having an on-board shower and toilet that is sectioned in its own room is something I that I will struggle to go without moving forward. Have been this easily converted to the touring caravan?

Through 2019 I was able to take motorhomes from Auto-Trail to Wales which was great as I got to see the higher end motorhomes and van conversions, the ones I have used are nothing like these so it was nice to see what other options are out there for future use.

2019 has been a year that has really shown me the diversity within the leisure vehicle world and come 2020 I will be going out of my way to get in more touring caravans.

Dan Cartwright- Director

Can I mention my 2018/19 highlight? I mean they are the same thing, I was just lucky enough to be asked to do it two years in a row.

The stand out for me last year, and 2018, was being a judge in the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Towcar of the Year testing. It is genuinely one of my highlights of the year.

I love anything with an engine and you’ll usually find me tinkering on cars and bikes so getting a chance to try out some of the world’s best cars, 4x4s, SUV and all other manner of towcars is right up my alley.

Aside from my personal love for vehicles I do take a great amount of pride in actually being able to judge each vehicle as I know the feedback is going to help caravan owners make a much more informed decision as to what towcar to buy. The testing is a great way to keep your finger on the pulse to see what new innovations and tech they are adding to towcars.

The information is also fed back to manufacturers so they can look at how they can improve and market their new models toward the caravan market.

Spending a week at the Millbrook testing ground with the Club and other industry experts is also a treat as you get to converse with your caravanning peers and have some great conversations about all things towing. Who wouldn’t want to test drive around 50 vehicles around a race course with a caravan attached?

James- Camera Operator, Producer & Post Production

2018 was very tough year to beat due to legs 1 and 2 of the Bristanbul tour. But that being said I still managed to get out in the field and do a lot of filming for the caravan world, but all very much in the UK.

If I had to choose one thing that I enjoyed the most, I’d have to say the October show at the Birmingham NEC. Which is odd because its a full week on your feet running around trying to film tons of vans and interviews.

The past October show was busy but this meant I actually got a chance to see pretty much the entirety of the show, something I rarely get to do. This also meant that I got to see a lot of familiar faces and all the new goodies and gadgets that we can expect in 2020.

The week was capped off nicely by the Caravan Design awards on the Friday evening of the show, the 5am wake up call to go home was a little rough though.

2019 In A Nutshell

Overall 2019 was a good year, if not a tad quieter than the 2018. A lot of times people are too quick to compare the current state of the caravan world to 2017 where we saw a huge rise in pretty much every sector.

Each year manufacturers make some changes but it seemed, to me anyway, that the changes and additions added for this coming season has been the biggest leap in innovation for the past few years.

Over the last year me and the team got to travel all over the UK spend time in pretty much all of the major fans that are now on the market and made lots of interesting video content for a lot of companies within the leisure vehicle industry.

Now that the elections are out of the way and a little bit of public faith has been restored I think we will start to see an upswing come early to mid 2020 for the caravan and motorhome world.

Cosy caravan stays are good for your health

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By Emma Dodd

In the depths of winter, the idea of getting cosy in your caravan is a welcome thought, but it’s also good for your health, according to one expert.

Christian van Nieuwerburgh is professor of coaching and positive psychology at the University of East London and he’s been speaking to Park Leisure.

He highlighted the importance to our mental wellbeing of feeling warm and secure at this time of year.

Professor van Nieuwerburgh said: “Human beings may be drawn to cosiness because it is indicative of having a safe, warm place to shelter from the elements.”

Any caravanner who has returned to their van after a wet walk and fallen asleep to the sound of rain drumming on the roof while warm in their bed will be able to relate to this sentiment.

So, what are the nation’s favourite ways to get cosy during the winter months? The holiday park company asked around and it turns out that it’s all about tapping into our senses.

Scents were found to be particularly important when it comes to ramping up the cosiness, with the fragrance of vanilla and freshly baked bread proving popular.

And it’s not hard to fill a caravan with lovely smells, as these spaces are smaller than the average home.

So, next time you’re away in the van, be sure to pack all the ingredients for a loaf, and as well as the delicious scent, you’ll also enjoy making it and take even more pleasure from eating it.

Speaking of taste, nobody will be surprised that hot chocolate came out as the number one drink to evoke cosiness amongst caravanners.

Whether you enjoy yours with a dash of something stronger added or a melting marshmallow on top, it’s sure to warm you up on cold days.

What are your favourite ways to get cosy in your caravan? Let us know in the comments or drop us a line on Twitter.

Merry Christmas From CaravanTimes

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By William Coleman

It has been quite the year for the caravan world and ultimately the country. The UK put the caravan on the map and now we close a decade of success. As we near the New Years we want to extend a very Merry Christmas.

I just want to extend a very Merry Christmas to all of you, our readers. Myself and the entire team cannon express just how much we really appreciate your support.

For the whole of the UK, it has been a bit of a roller coaster year. We have seen our political system affect the entire caravan and motorhome world. We have seen some companies thrive, some have made some cuts and sadly some have closed their doors.

Now as we near the end of this decade, one thing is certain, the caravan world is in a safe place and growing stronger each year.

So, before I get emotional let me close off by once again saying Merry Christmas to one and all.

Caravans Transformed Into Offices & Man Caves

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By William Coleman

Refurbing caravans, trailers, statics and motorhomes seems to be very much in vogue at the moment and some are being turned into absolute beauties. This couple from sunny Australia have done an amazing job turning these caravans into luxury offices and hideaways.

I have seen some restorations that can rival a brand new van direct from the production line. Most of them are pet projects that are not meant to be taken touring but they are still fantastic and make for a great little getaway at home.

Marc Pedavoli and Elizabeth Danieletto are a couple from Australia who now work full time transforming old caravans into work spaces and man caves. All at a minimal cost of $8000. The creative couple have now renovated around caravans as well as completing some odd jobs on other leisure homes. You can view a gallery of the vans Caerphilly County Borough Council

Among some of their innovative creations they have created salons, man caves, mobiles bars, gaming rooms and offices. After seeing that some people would pay thousands for converted caravans the pair decided to make a career out of it.

Marc Pedavoli, 35, and Elizabeth Danieletto, 37, started their business Your Palace Caravan Restoration after an elderly couple asked if they could renovate their old camper.

After the first van was completed the pair travelled around the countryside of Central Coast in New South Wales trying to seek out old vans that they could restore and renovate for resale.

“Marc’s parents were avid home renovators and they had him helping them since he was old enough to hold a paintbrush,” Elizabeth told FEMAIL.

“I lived in the UK for five years where there are a lot of old caravans that needed love and I had the idea while I was there that I would love to do one up.”

When Elizabeth moved back to Australia and met Marc she found a dilapidated camper in Wollongong and the pair started their new project and future.

“Not long after that Marc became redundant from work so we decided to give it a go as a full time business… After about the eighth van we had a lovely old couple ask us if we could renovate their caravan for them and have been doing them full time for other people ever since,” she continued.

“Depending on the starting condition of the space will determine how much repair work is necessary before we start the transformation,” Elizabeth said.

“If there is loads of water damage or the client wants a fully customised layout we would strip the entire van out and start from scratch with new electricals, insulation and a complete custom-designed interior rebuild.”

The builds usually consist of relining the walls, building cabinetry, beds, bunks lounges and total kitchen refits.

“We have a designer on board that helps clients visualise and perfect the space before we even start the project, which also helps with costings and budget,” she said.

“The design is customer driven and the inspiration generally comes from other projects, Pinterest and interior design.”

These unique vans come at all different price levels, depending on the level of specification you require, and some go for as much as $15,000.

“We are also happy to do smaller projects like exterior spray painting for $2,000, adding beds/bunks, resealing work and repairs,” Elizabeth said.

“We also source caravans and cabins for clients to ensure they are not buying a lemon and over paying for it so depending on the individual project the costs vary considerably.”

What Will Be The Next Big Tech Innovation?

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By Wiliam Coleman

We have come a very long way over the past 100 years since we decided to hitch up a caravan and go on holiday. As far as we have come, I think there is still a lot of room for improvement. What will be the next big innovation in caravanning?

As complex as some caravans are nowadays I do wonder where else we can go. Is there anything left that can be added or changed that will actually change the way we caravan?

The areas that I think need attention are the audio and visual side of things. Yes you can connect your phone to car stereo on board and use the CD player but I think designers and manufacturers can do a lot better.

Or do we keep it simplistic for a reason? I have always been of the mind that the more things that a car/phone/cooker/fridge can do, the more things that can go wrong and ultimately. But if you look at the amount of things inside a caravan or motorhome, and there is a lot that can go wrong they seldom do. Well not without some kind of human intervention.

TV And Onboard Entertainment

After so many years I still wonder why the onboard TV/DVD/Blu-Ray features are still option extras. I know that getting out in the van is not really about sitting in front of the TV but it does have a place.

Yes, you can add these on when you’re picking what van to get with what extras but I think that by now a TV should be added as standard. And why not throw in a built in DVD player?

There is an industry within the caravan world that makes its money adding dishes at onboard TVs but I truly do feel that it is time that these become as standard as 3 hob cooker.

With the audio side of things we are still using a car stereo, which I am sure does a fine job for a lot of people but can we not do better as we verge on 2020.

I am not saying we need iPads built into walls, although that would be good, but I think hiding the CD player up by the cupboards is of a bygone era.

Changing The Caravan

Would you like to see your normal caravan have expanding sides? Or perhaps BeauEr van that sides out and doubles in size?

Are these new wacky and wonderful new ideas going to catch on or are we just too stuck in our ways and traditions?

Whatever the future holds, I am sure the caravan world will be on the forefront of it.

What would you like to see added to vans in the future?

Caravan Guard Deliver The Spirit Of Giving

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By William Coleman

‘Tis the season of giving and by now I am sure we have all made our way through miles of wrapping paper to given all of our loved one their gifts and presents. One company embraced the spirit of giving by delivering double digit thousands to charities this Christmas.

Leisure insurance specialists Caravan Guard, incorporating Leisuredays, has delivered a massive £25,000 of festive cheer to a range of charities this December.

The kind-hearted company has taken a share of its profits to deliver 25 days of “charity-mas” to 37 local and national causes!

Staff, who care compassionately about making a positive difference to the community, nominated causes close to their hearts in the firm’s £25,000 “Countdown to Christmas” giveaway.

For 25-days, the Halifax-based company celebrated the season of goodwill by gifting up to £1,000 to chosen causes each day.

As well as their charity Advent Calendar, staff also pulled on their festive gear on Christmas Jumper day for Overgate Hospice and Calderdale Smartmove.

They also helped Overgate with charity collections in Halifax town centre, and wrapped gifts and hampers for Mothershare and Calderdale Lighthouse, to be delivered to families who would otherwise go without over the festive period.

Caravan Guard has a strong culture of supporting charitable causes and one of its company values is “care completely”.

Each year it donates tens of thousands of pounds to Overgate Hospice, Heart Research UK, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility strategy.

Associate Director Laura Wilby said staff loved being able to choose so many causes to receive get a share of this huge £25,000 pot during the season of goodwill.

“All were chosen by staff, with some charities having important personal connections, or they had helped them or close family or friends through difficult times,” said Laura. “It’s been fantastic spreading some festive joy in December and all the charities were so grateful for the extra money.
“It was also very heart-warming to hear first-hand about the amazing work these charities provide to people in need and the real difference they make to lives across Calderdale and the UK. We just hope our charity-mas donations will have an impact.”

The charities who have been donated money from Caravan Guard are:
Alzheimers Society; Yorkshire Children’s Trust; Cystic Fibrosis Trust; Guide Dogs for the Blind; KidScan; Andy’s Man Club; Calderdale SmartMove; Homeless Hampers; Homeless Street Angels; Simon on the Streets; MacMillan Cancer Support; Calderdale Lighthouse; Dwarf Sports Association; Skill Shop; The Hive; Women Centre – Halifax, Marie Curie Hospice; Overgate Hospice; Rotherham Hospice; St David’s Hospice, Llandudno; Mothershare; Martin House Children’s Hospice; Yorkshire Air Ambulance; National Literacy Trust; Candlelighters; Unique Ways; RNLI; Firefighters’ charity; Lymphoma Action; JDRF; Kidney Research UK; Stroke Association; CAFOD; Danny Jones Defibrillator Fund; Samaritans; Dogs’ Trust and Heart Research UK.

Exclusive Coachman 2020 Line Up Video

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By William Coleman

On the face of things the 2020 lineup from Coachman is very different from the 2019 ranges. Coachman now offer 3.5 ranges of caravans and 1 range of Ford van conversion motorhomes.

We will cover the motorhome in more detail separately as this is a big deal for the industry. The ranges for 2020 in order of price and specification are;

Acadia 10 models ranging from £21,800-£25,400
VIP- 5 models. £25,425-£27,495 ,
Lazer/Lazer Xcel- 8 models £31,265-£35,400

Before looking at each range individually the 2020 caravan line gives more clarity to the buyer and, assuming you can afford them, offers some amazing caravans. Also very important for a company known for its quality, attention to detail and build quality is that these big changes seem to have enhanced these “Coachman traits” and the condensed ranges seem to be a way of achieving better quality through rationalisation of individual models.

What this means to the caravaner? Well regardless of which range you choose from they all share a lot of Coachman heritage with things such as;

  • Individual Gas lockers that actually open fully, the highs work incredibly well and swapping gas bottles is easy
  • Internal fixtures and fittings are more akin to luxury apartments with brushed stainless steel kitchen sinks, designer taps and free standing bathroom sinks
  • Bathrooms are designed to be useable with both a hook and a separate towel holder – positioned where you want to see them
  • Sliding doors that work, that run smoothly and are attached at the bottom so they don’t bow, move or rattle
  • Interior doors that are thick, fit squarely in the frame and handles that work and keep them shut
  • Alde wet central heating across all 3 ranges

So regardless of your budget you will be buying to the coachman appeal on quality and usability.

Now to have a look at the ranges.

Acadia Starting At £21K

This new range is considered the ‘entry level’ but having had a good look at all the new fixtures, fittings and exterior finish it cannot really be compared to other vans of the same price range.

Coachman have said that the new Acadia is not a replacement for the ‘Vision’ or Pastiche’ ranges but more of an amalgamation of the two. Therefore improving on their cheaper range of vans without compromising the quality or features.

This range is extremely diverse with 10 different layouts across both single and twin axle platforms offer offering 2-6 berth options. And yes, there is even an 8ft Acadia in this range too!

There is a high level of specification both inside and out with an Alde heating system fitted as standard. The vans also feature Coachman’s ABC (Advanced Bonded Construction).

There will be an exclusive unveiling of the brand new Arcadia 860 at this year’s October NEC show too so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for that one.

Entry level – that said it is not full entry level, as described above on build quality alone these caravans can not be compared to other entry level caravans … unfortunately this is reflected in the price.

VIP Starting At £25,425

The VIP has been, for quite a while, Coachman’s most popular van and has been their highest selling range to date. Not resting on the existing popularity Coachman have pushed the quality even further for the 2020 models.

The 2020 range will feature 5 models, where as last year had 6. Coachman are confident that these 5 new layouts will be the best on the UK market. 2 of the 5 models have actually been fully revised to appeal to a wider audience.

Some features that are new this year start with the change to the interior wood grain, locker doors and drawer front designs.

There have also been big changes to what you’ll find in the kitchen and bathroom with a redesigned washroom featuring better storage and an improved level of usability.

On certain models you’ll find additional under bed access lockers, which is new for this years line up as well as a stainless steel sink with glass lid.

Laser and Laser XEL Starting At £31,265

Here at the higher end of the Coachman price range you really are seeing a luxury range that will really give rivals a run for their money.

Since reintroducing the Laser range in their 2019 portfolio the market response has been a resounding two thumbs. And once more Coachman are not resting on success but striving to improve upon their previous efforts.

These 5 models are fully kitted out with all the bells and whistles you’d expect at this price bracket. From LED touch sensitive dimmable lighting all the way to the Thetford C262 swivel toilet with electric flush.

You will see a lot of similarities on the interior in both the VIP and the Laser as well as a list of Laser specific changes, which you will only find on this flagship range.

The 2020 season will also see the introduction of the 8ft wide Laser XCEL added to the already quite impressive line up.

The new 8ft’er will feature an E&P self levelling system as well as a whole host of other unique refinements.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club Announce New Member Competition

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By William Coleman

With the 2020 fast approaching The Caravan and Motorhome Club are asking ‘Where will 2020 take you?’. This new competition for members has a bunch of prizes which include Dover to Calais crossing, site night vouchers and BBC Countryfile Live tickets.

The competition will simply ask members to share where they are planning to go touring next year and how they get away their way by answering a series of ‘Would you rather’ questions. It will run from Boxing Day until the 3 January.

To find out more or to enter from the 26 December, visit camc.com/win

To join the Caravan and Motorhome Club for just £54, visit camc.com/membership

Terms and Conditions

  • The competition is only open to members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club
  • To enter the prize draw, entrants must complete the poll on the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s website between 08:00 on Thursday 26 December 2019 and 23:59 Friday 3 January 2020.
  • There is no purchase necessary to enter the prize draw and there is no fee payable for entering or receiving the prizes.
  • One winner will be picked at random from the eligible entries by Friday 10 January 2020.
  • This selection shall be final; there is no right of appeal or discussion.
  • The winner will be contacted by on the email provided on the competition contact form on Friday 10 January 2020.
  • If the winner does not reply within 14 days, or is unable to comply with these terms and conditions, the Caravan and Motorhome Club reserves the right to offer the prize to the next eligible entrant. No correspondence relating to the competition will be entered into.
  • All entrants to this competition must be residents of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, or Republic of Ireland.
  • Entrants must be 18 years or over.
  • The opening date for this competition is 08:00 on Thursday 26 December 2020.
  • The closing date for this competition is 23:59 Friday 3 January 2020.
  • The prizes are not transferable and no cash alternative will be offered.
  • The Caravan and Motorhome Club reserves the right at any time to cancel or change the prize draw in any way if, at its sole discretion, circumstances arise beyond the Club’s control.
  • By entering you agree that your personal details may be stored and otherwise processed by the Caravan and Motorhome Club for the purposes of selecting the winner and for the other purposes explained in our Privacy Policy. In the event of being the winner you agree your personal details and photograph can be used for publicity, including publication of the winner’s name in the Caravan and Motorhome Club members’ magazine and on the website.
  • If you are the winner of the prize draw, you agree that the Caravan and Motorhome Club may use your name, image and town or county of residence to announce the winner of this competition and for any other reasonable and related promotional purposes. If the Competition prize provider or sponsor is a third party the Caravan and Motorhome Club may also share this information with them to enable the administration of the competition and for publicity purposes.
  • If a photograph, article or other submission for a Competition is published in the Club’s monthly members’ magazine; once the magazine has been published and distributed it will not be possible to remove any personal information.
  • The Caravan and Motorhome Club will not be liable for entries lost or damaged (proof of submission is not proof of receipt by The Caravan Club).
  • Except for any liability arising in relation to death or personal injury resulting from the negligence of the Caravan and Motorhome Club or its employees, the Caravan and Motorhome Club shall have no liability in respect of any loss, harm or damage whatsoever (including but not limited to direct, indirect and consequential loss) arising in connection with this or any prize draw to any person who has made or wished to make an entry into the competition or any third party.
  • In the event that a prize is supplied by a third party and the prize is withdrawn following the draw, the Caravan and Motorhome Club shall not offer any alternative prize or compensation in respect of the lost prize or any indirect or consequential losses.
  • The Competition is not open to employees of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, members of their families, agents or any other person(s) or company connected in any way with the promotion or organisation of the Competition.
  • You should read the Club’s privacy policy, which can be viewed at https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/privacy-policy/, to understand how we may use your data. The privacy policy explains your rights, including your rights to object to the use of your data.
  • Entry into the competition implies acceptance of these terms and conditions as final and binding.
  • The promoter is Caravan and Motorhome Club, registered office: Caravan and Motorhome Club, East Grinstead House, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 1UA.

A World Class Luxury Caravan Goes To Auction

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By William Coleman

Every now and then something pops up in the caravan world that is from a bygone era that just needs to be seen to be believed. One such item is about go to auction and I really wish I had the money to bid.

This story comes to us all the way from the United States of America and just screams the Golden Age of Hollywood. This amazing looking caravan is something you’d expect to see James Dean or Aubrey Hepburn relaxing in between scenes.

This luxury 1950 Westcraft Capistrano is headed to auction all the way in Scottsdale, Arizona where someone with deep pockets can pick this beauty up at a great price.

The ‘Capistrano’ is quite the handful coming in at a staggering 33 foot long so you may want a spotter to help you with your maneuvering. Or a rather good reversing camera.

The current owner, Licas Lackner, picked the van up when it was in rough shape and was purchased as a restoration project. And I must say he has done an amazing job in bringing this stunner back to its full glory.

After doing some research I found out that the Capistrano is the longest and rarest of the entire Westcraft lineup. It even has 2 meters of headroom, so you may have some height issues on some sites.

Something of this size is very much for the American market and I can’t see that it would be much user here in the UK unless it was kept as a static van. It was manufactured in Burbank, California by the Westcraft Manufacturing Company after World War 2 and never made it over here.

Due to the vans length and overall size it will probably work a lot better as a static, it was actually purchased to be a “mancave” and guest house by Lucas which he wanted to place next to his infinity pool overlooking Santa Barbar.

Lucas’ original plan was to create his very own restomod which would feature all the mod cons but kept the timeless classic look. And from the pictures, which you can view here, it seems like he has done a top notch job.

From the beginning the aim of the design was to reflect the 1930s Art Deco scene. Despite the exterior and aspects of the interior being based on the 30s look the appliances within are all modern to ensure you get the creature comforts of modern vans while maintaining the vintage look.

Inside you will find light fittings from the 30s that were very carefully sourced to ensure that the van kept its vintage look as much as possible. Somehow it just would not look right with an LED strip light on the floor.

One thing that has been added which nowadays you cannot really go without are USB ports. This van actually have quite a few of them onboard but are placed out of sight so as not to tarnish the historic feel. There is also a modern heating and aircon system inside to ensure you don’t get too uncomfortable when the weather changes.

Would you fancy owning this?

Social Media Helps Find Stolen Motorhome

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By William Coleman

Social media has become one of the biggest entities on the planet and has taken many forms since the early days things like MSN Messenger and MySpace. In today’s world it is very much used to keep people in touch and spread messages. One such message lead to to the recovery and return of a beloved motorhome to its owners.

Having your caravan or motorhome stolen has to be one of the very worst things that can happen. In some cases people do all that they can to keep their vehicles safe yet the criminal still manage to make off with your pride and joy.

If you have a GPS tracker you can sometimes get your leisure vehicle back quite quickly, but in a lot of cases people do not have this tech on board. So where do you turn when this happens? Social media.

This is where this story takes an interesting turn. On Sunday the 15th of this month the owners of a motorhome were left devastated when they found their vehicle missing in North Duffield near Selby. It is believed to have been taken at around 6:30am.

The owners then took to Facebook and quickly shared images and a description of the motorhome in the hopes that the message would spread far enough and someone would spot it.

Fate was on the owners side that day as a local PCSO spotted the image being circulated around social media and decided to keep an eye out and try and locate the missing RV.

One of the most amazing things about this story is just how quickly the message actually spread. Within just a few hours the post on Facebook was shared a staggering 300 times and reached 80,000 people’s timelines.

Following spot of good luck a man from York, having seen the post online, saw the motorhome parked outside a restaurant in Leeds and immediately alerted the police.

Shortly there after the police were able to swoop in and recover the motorhome and return it to the rightful owners.

Speaking with minsterfm.com PSCO Laura Simpson of Selby’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Thanks to the power of Facebook the vehicle was located in just a couple of hours after a member of the public noticed it parked up unattended in Leeds.

I’m pleased to say it was promptly recovered and returned to the owner. Thanks for all the shares guys, you’re brilliant!”

I know there are some out there who are quite opposed to using social media and sites like Facebook have come under a lot of scrutiny over the past year or so. But a case like this where communities come together to help someone is a real way social media should be used.

Drivers Advised To Take Extra Care When Travelling For Christmas

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By William Coleman

Are you planning on getting away in the can this Christmas? Or are you going to be hitting the roads to visit family who may live a good distance away? Whatever your travel plans are this year be prepared from some extremely busy roads and some reckless drivers.

As much fun as this time of year is there is an element of added stress that we put upon ourselves to ensure things go smoothly and everyone has a smile on their face.

Getting to your chosen location for Christmas is one of those scenarios that can be quite stressful, despite your best efforts.

You seem to find that a lot of motorists think that driving fast will get them to where they want to be quicker. When in reality you almost always catch up to the chap who zoomed past you at the next of lights.

For those of you who are going to be towing at this time of year you may come up against these erratic drivers. Do what I do and just let them get on with it. You know how to drive and tow safely so let them run the risk.

It has been estimated that this Christmas there will be around 31,000,000 leisure trips taken. Out of this number I am sure quite a few will have a caravan hitched to the back.

Unfortunately with the ever growing number of people getting away in the vans over winter, and Christmas, the amount of accidents and incidents is on the rise.

A report was recently completed a driving electronics company called Snooper which found that over 6,000 accidents had been reported in icy and snowy conditions, with more than 1,000 serious injuries and 114 fatalities. With such high numbers it is being advised that extra care is being taken when getting away over Christmas.

Analysis by the Snooper found that 6,334 accidents have been reported during wintery weather over the last five years. The data showed the severity of the injuries sustained, with 1,288 serious injuries and 114 fatalities occurring in snow or icy conditions.

Almost two thirds of the injuries (62%) that were sustained in the five year period were caused when ice was on the ground.

More than 1,000 of the injuries sustained occurred in Scotland, with 86 of those accidents taking place in the Highlands, more than in any other area of the country.

Scotland was followed by the South East, with 752 accidents in the wintery weather and Yorkshire and the Humber, reported 647 incidents.

Drivers in Kent are most at risk in the South East region, with 128 accidents occurring in the county, followed by Surrey with 101.

Stephen Gill, Product Marketing Manager at Snooper.eu, said: “The roads become extremely busy over Christmas with people travelling to spend the holidays with their loved ones.

“Last year, it was estimated that Brits would take an extra 2.5 million car journeys the weekend before Christmas. Those additional vehicles on the road create extra hazards for motorists to look out for, without considering the harsh winter conditions.

“We’re hoping that our analysis will help to contextualise the extra risk to motorists trying to drive through snow or ice and make drivers think twice before making unnecessary journeys.

“When it’s not possible to avoid driving in these conditions, it’s important to remain cautious and give yourself extra time to make your journey. That means reducing your speed as well as accelerating and decelerating gradually to make sure you don’t lose control. Always ensure that you give yourself extra time and are fully prepared for your journey.”

Injuries By Region

Scotland- 1013
South East- 752
Yorkshire and the Humber- 647
North West- 619
East Midlands- 546
London- 545
West Midlands- 538
East of England- 521
South West- 445
Wales- 371
North East- 337

The Auto-Trail Tribute F70 Review

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By William Coleman

We have had an in depth and exclusive look at the 2020 Auto-Trail Tribute range and one of my favorite layouts is the F70. We were able to take it away for a weekend to see how this new Ford based motorhome can make a weekend away easy, affordable and comfortable.

The first thing I will say before I go into the details of this motorhome is that I am a huge fan of all things Ford from the transit, Focus, Fiesta, Mustang, so naturally I very much enjoyed my time with this Auto-Trail.

The entire range is very impressive and it is quite tough to pick one over the other. There are 4 new layouts for the 2020 Tribute range, you have the F60, F62, F70 and the F72 all of which range from 2-4 berth with an option of 2-4 belts. So again Auto-Trail are designing their vans for both couples and families alike.

When looking at the Tribute range one of the first things that pops to mind is just how customisable they are. Yes you can choose how many belts, yes you can choose how many berths and what about having 7 chassis colours to choose from? They even do my two favourite colours, Blazy Blue (navy) and Kapor Red. So right off the bat you can have a motorhome that looks like no other.

The F70 features fixed rear twin beds and a front drop down double bed, which is an optional feature. For me, the drop down bed is a must as it saves a lot of time and more importantly provides a lot of extra space without any compromise. Oh, and the added fact that you do not have to pack away the bed each day is a massive bonus.

There is a saying that a Ford is a driving man’s (or woman’) vehicle. The Ford based F70 has certainly been designed for those who love to drive. It may not be as small and nimble as Auto-Trail’s Adventure but the F70 handles the roads like a much smaller RV.

You may not be able to navigate those narrower lanes but it can handle pretty much every road surface you would expect to find when touring.

The standard engine size that comes with the price tag is 130BHP, with an optional upgrade to 170 or a 6 speed automatic, and is quite good on fuel consumption but we did not have much weight on board as it was just an overnight trip. Obviously the weight on board can play a factor when looking at how many miles you’re getting from a tank.

Coming in at an overall length of 7.34m it can be daunting if you find yourself in a narrow spot, but with a bit of calm and a splash of patients you’ll be back on track fairly quick. Add to that the built in colour reversing camera and you’ll have almost zero issues at all. I know I have been saved a few times by Auto-Trail’s reversing tech.

The F70 is ideal for extended touring and seeing multiple destinations over say 4-7 days. On board you have all the usual storage for both ambient and refrigerated food. This model actually comes with a full size fridge that you’d have trouble filling up and the kitchenette has a small, intentionally so, 3 ring hob that leaves a lot of surface space which I prefer to the more traditional larger cooking surface.

Usually I do prefer an end washroom as it tends to be a bit more spacious and laid out better but this centred washroom the perfect fit for a van like this and means that you can have the two rear beds without any assembly required.

So what do you get for your money? In a phrase, quite a lot. It is one of the larger Tribute models and it comes packed with features and has an even longer list of optional extras to make your trips more comfortable. The addition of the drop down bed makes packing away and setting up much easier. If you want more from your motorhome is it hard to look beyond Auto-Trail and the F70 proves that they know exactly what they are doing.