How To Keep A Good Van Weight For The New Season

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By William Coleman

The new official caravan and motorhome, oh and campervan, season is almost upon us. The mornings are lighter and the sunsets are later which means more time in the vans and sunshine. With all this new excitement it is time to have a look how we can keep the van weight down and not sacrifice anything we want to take away with us.

You can feel the excitement in the air, despite it still being a bit chilly. Although spring is still around 3 weeks away we caravan folk are almost, if not fully in some cases, ready to head into spring with a van full of kit, but can we overload the van due to pre season excitement?

Over packing is very much a real thing in my household. Last week myself and the other half flew to New York, we got an extremely cheap last minute deal, and as always we one of packed enough clothing to last a month. It was a 5 day trip!

Now, when it comes to overloading the van I am very much the guilty party, I do love to over prepare. So in the interest of keeping things at the correct weight let’s have a look at a few ways we can lighten the load and keep the clutter out of the van.

Make A List Then Shorten It

Each time I go away I have a list for different aspects of the van/trip. I break it down into day time living, night time, bathroom, kitchen and entertainment.

The list for each section is usually quite long as I get carried away in my head creating scenarios where I may need 3 separate spatulas and 4 different pans of the same size. A situation that can be resolved with some washing up liquid and a bit of elbow grease.

Once the list, or lists, are complete sit down and take a hard look at what will you actually use, chances are you’ll use even less than that.

Do not be afraid to remove items thinking you are having to compromise, I promise you, you’ll not need it.

Change Up Your Kitchen Tools

With a lot of new blood entering the caravan world there are a lot of lessons being learnt on the first few trips taken, some learnt the hard way.

One thing I always suggest to people is stay clear of heavyweight kitchen utensils, especially if you are worried about the weight you are towing. It may sound silly but all these small changes added together makes one big difference.

Lightweight plastic utensils, plastic cups, bowls and plates and anything collapsible. These minor changes will take a good few kilos off of the end weight of your set up.

Change Up From Factory Standard

Pretty much every factory standard folding table that comes with a camper, motorhomes or caravan does the job, but it doesn’t mean you cannot have a change up.

Are you really spending that much time inside the van during spring and summer? If you are a campervan user I imagine you will spend very little time so why not get a very lightweight plastic folding table? Same size half the weight.

Decide What Key Items You Need

This goes back to making the list and then shortening it as you go. When it comes to going away you think you need to bring the world with you. One of my family members was always of the mind that you would need to pack everything you’d use at home over the weekend into the van. Once the parmesan cheese grater and the blender came out I had to walk away.

And always remember that leaving things are home is not a compromise, it’s a sensible choice.

Award For Family Helping Put Dumfries On Tourist Map

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By William Coleman

The family who helped pioneer camping and caravan holidays in Dumfries and Galloway have been given a special “thank you” by their trade association.

Auchenlarie Holiday Park in Gatehouse of Fleet has received a prestigious gold award from the British Holiday & Home Parks Association for its enterprise and loyalty.

The association is marking its 70th anniversary this year, and is celebrating its longest-serving members who have helped popularise outdoor holidays in Britain.

Park owners Marshall and Helen Swalwell first joined BH&HPA 25 years ago, and are assisted today in the running of the business by their sons Paul, Neil and Bob.

The couple bought the park in 1986, attracted by its picture-perfect location overlooked by the Galloway Hills, and its access to a secluded beach.

Since then, the family has invested much time and effort into creating an idyllic holiday destination for families visiting Southern Scotland.

Their reward has been to see guest numbers rise every year, and a raft of awards including a top five-star rating from VisitScotland and the maximum five pennants from the AA.

Facilities include an indoor pool, aromatherapy massage room, professional nightly entertainment in season, and plenty of activities for children to enjoy.

There is also a popular restaurant for freshly prepared meals, plus bars and takeaway facilities.

Guests can bring their own touring caravan, motorhome or tent, or rent or buy one of the park’s luxury holiday lodges or caravans, some of which have their own private hot-tubs.

Paul Swalwell says that Auchenlarie has always appealed to people seeking a high quality stay in one of Dumfries and Galloway’s most beautiful regions:

“Our family is immensely proud to be able to live and work in this glorious area, and from the outset we have always tried to run Auchenlarie on sustainable lines,” he said.

“There’s an abundance of animal and bird life here, and over the years we have planted many native trees and shrubs to provide additional habitats and feeding resources.

“We are also in the process of replacing the park’s five-strong housekeeping fleet with electric vehicles which are both quieter and non-polluting, and more vehicles will follow.

“We have always worked closely with BH&HPA and appreciate the help it gives to smaller businesses like ours, so it’s great to have them saying thanks to us in this way,” added Paul.

Auchenlarie is also a member of the Best of British group, a consortium of independent parks providing some of the highest quality standards and levels of hospitality in the UK.

There is more information about Auchenlarie, and its nearby smaller sister park, on the family’s website at www.swalwellholidaygroup.co.uk

York Caravan Park Owners Buys Second Site

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Seeing the fun and fortune a caravan park can provide the the owner of York Caravan Park has purchased a second site on the outskirts of the city for an undisclosed sum, with work already underway to transform the 30-acre plot.

It is a prosperous time to be financially involved in the caravan/leisure world. Sales seem to be going up, camper van sales are coming on leaps and bounds and site bookings for the new season are already at capacity.

Andrew Wilson is modernising York Naburn Lock holiday park by upgrading the pitches, landscaping and electrics, whilst also submitting a planning application to construct new state-of-the-art washing and toilet facilities.

Currently the site boasts 115 pitches, with Andrew’s vision being to one day create a new glamping area that capitalises on the growing demand for the outdoor holiday trend.

Situated just four miles from York, Naburn Lock adds to Andrew’s first campsite venture, York Caravan Park, which has been in operation since 2007 and is situated within the city ring road. The affluent five-star, adult only campsite comprises 55 pitches.

York Caravan Park was first established on land at Andrew’s family farm and has continued to expand over the last decade to reach its current seven-acre footprint. To-date, it has welcomed more than 50,000 visitors.

Andrew said: “Acquiring Naburn Lock is the culmination of a three-year search for the right holiday site with an abundance of potential. Demand for quality campsite accommodation continues to grow each year across all generations, and after already establishing a strong foothold within the adult only space, it was a clear focus of mine to eventually enter the family market and deliver more accommodation within the beautiful city of York.

“Not one for resting on my laurels, I have big ambitions for the site to one-day create a new glamping area that taps into its rising popularity and brings a new outdoor holiday accommodation offer that drives a diverse mix of visitors and further growth to the local economy.”

Supporting Andrew in his acquisition was Haworths Chartered Accountants, with its expert team providing advice and guidance to raise the necessary funding.

Andrew said: “Haworths acted as a true partner at each stage of the acquisition, having answers to every question and helping to produce the necessary financial forecasts and cash flows that were mandated by the bank.

“We’ve been a client of theirs for a number of years and really value the fact that whenever I call, I get to speak with the right people immediately.”

Mark Schofield, director at Haworths Chartered Accountants, said: “With more than a decade of experience in the outdoor holiday sector, Andrew is a great example of a successful entrepreneur that has recognised and capitalised on the sustained growth of UK staycations.

“We’ve supported Andrew and his family since the inception of York Caravan Park. It’s been fantastic to play a role in enabling their ambitions to become a reality and we’re proud to continue to support them in this exciting new chapter.”

Haworths Chartered Accountants has offices in Accrington, Bentham and Settle, which serve a diverse mix of clients across the North of England and beyond.

A Third of Brits Stressed By Bad Weather On Road Trips

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Over 34% of Brits cite bad weather as the most stressful part of driving to UK holiday destinations, research suggests. And as you know the touring community put a lot of miles in to get to those caravan hot spots.

The finding was revealed in a survey conducted by boot liner manufacturer The Hatchbag Company, which asked the UK public: “What is the most stressful thing about driving around the UK on holiday?”

Another issue raised was space management, something every caravan or motorhome owner is all too aware of. One in five admitted that they find packing and unpacking the car frustrating. This was particularly true among 25 to 44-year-olds – the demographic most likely to be holidaying with children.
Cramped conditions and the mess created by mud and sand brought into a vehicle were cited by 17.9% of respondents as a point of stress.

Claudia Finamore, commercial manager at The Hatchbag Company, said: “Unfortunately the car journeys to and from British holiday destinations can be stressful, particularly for young families who are likely to fill every bit of space in the car with holiday necessities.

“One way to help make car journeys more pleasant-particularly in wet conditions- is to fit a wipe-clean, protective boot liner into the car. Aside from reducing the amount of mess that is brought into the car, they also help to simplify packing and unpacking luggage and equipment.”

One in 20 survey participants admitted the car journey would put them off holidaying in the UK entirely, but a bit of planning can vastly help to reduce stress when travelling.

Tips to help make road trips in the UK less stressful, including carrying paper maps as a precaution in case GPS signal is lost and what to pack in case of an emergency, are featured in a useful road trip checklist released by The Hatchbag Company.

Further advice includes:

  • Researching guest houses and hostels along the route in case plans have to change
  • Investing in in-car entertainment if travelling with children
  • Hiring a car if you are at all unsure about the condition, size or fuel consumption of your vehicle
  • Packing to maximise comfort, including blankets and snacks, especially when travelling in poor weather conditions

Claudia concludes: “Road trips are as much about enjoying how you get there as the destination itself, so in-car comfort is paramount. A little bit of pre-planning will ensure that all members of the party are comfortable and happy, enabling the holiday to start the second the key turns in the ignition.”

9 Top Holiday Parks in the UK for Families with Kids

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By William Coleman

In this article, we are going to be showing you some of the most popular family holiday parks from fantastic locations across the UK, including Cornwall, Wales & Scotland.

Let’s dive straight in..

1. Stanwix Park – Cumbria

This holiday park is one of those where you get the best of both worlds, an enviable location in the heart of the Lake District whilst enjoying a variety of activities and attractions. For kids, you are in for a treat as you have two large swimming pools, ten pin bowling, tennis, bike hire, soft play area, video games and adventure play park.

If you want to head offsite with your children, the Lake District National Park, Roman Wall & Gretna Green are all within easy reach and provide superb days out.

2. Loch Lomond Holiday Park – Scotland

Now this fantastic resort in Scotland is for anyone who loves spending time outdoors and exploring. It provides a luxury escape whilst allowing you to experience fun filled activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing, fishing and hill walking.

With its rural location you can enjoy a truly tranquil break, however, Glasgow is still only an hour away by car. There are a number of local restaurants and shops all within a 10-mile radius of the caravan park.

3. Cardigan Bay Holiday Park – Wales

A private owned park situated in a secluded valley just 300 yards from the award winning Poppit Sands Beach and with great facilities onsite, you can enjoy a memorable welsh break here. The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path is on your doorstep meaning you can walk for miles exploring the majestic coastline.

If you are looking to stay onsite, then relax in the indoor heated tropical pool with a retractable roof for when that great British weather kicks in! Let your children run around in the adventure playground or spend a couple of hours in the amusements!

4. Cofton Holidays – Devon

An award-winning park located in 80 acres of lush woods and meadows boasting it’s own private fishing lakes and just a mile from the glorious Devonshire coast. This park has luxury running throughout providing a relaxing stay with plenty to do and see. Some of these include coarse fishing, sauna, steam room, two swimming pools, family entertainment and woodland walking & cycling trails.

Further afield, you have the idyllic Jurassic Coastline which is a must see when in the South West of England. The historic city of Exeter is also within driving distance if you want to spend the day shopping.

5. Sandymouth Holiday Resort – Cornwall

With a multi-million-pound renovation, this park has been transformed into a truly unbelievable destination for a family holiday. Just 15 minutes’ drive from Bude and set in 24 acres of stunning meadowland, it’s easy to see why this resort is so popular.

On your doorstep you have rock pools, surf schools, bodyboarding, kayaking and sailing all available locally. If you want to stay at the resort, activities such as archery, fencing, fishing and football can be enjoyed.

6. Searles Leisure Resort – Norfolk

With great access to the Norfolk coast and world-famous Broads, you are in a prime location at this holiday park. If your kids need hours of endless fun then there sure to have it here with fishing, two swimming pools, a splash pad, crazy golf, tennis, golf, soft play area and an adventure playground. What more could you ask for!

There are plenty of quaint villages, shops, restaurants and the sea life centre close by for you to explore. Sandringham House & Holkham Hall are both just a short drive away.

7. Thornwick Bay – Yorkshire

Thornwick Bay is one of those holiday parks that just impresses you every time you visit due to the constant improvements they make and new facilities they are opening. From Aqua Inflatables & Water Slides to Archery & Football Coaching, these are just a handful of the many activities they have available for children.

Due to the park being located on the Yorkshire coast, you get to enjoy a variety of walks and bird watching opportunities. There is also a golf course within driving distance and the popular resort of Scarborough is only a 30-minute drive.

8. Golden Sands Holiday Park – Northumberland

Just 200 meters from the beach, this luxury holiday park has it’s clubhouse refurbished with an adult only bar and family room, children’s play area, games room, 5 a side football pitch and skatepark. There is also a small gym and a golf practice area for anyone looking to improve their game.

Locally there’s plenty to do including the UK’s largest water park, horse riding, leisure centres and a range of high-end golf courses.

9. Orchard’s Holiday Park – Isle of Wight

Located in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the western side of the island, you can enjoy an indoor and outdoor heated swimming pool with a shop, supermarket and take away all available onsite.

You are also just a 10-minute drive from Colwell Bay & Compton, with glorious sandy beaches and the idyllic harbour town of Great Yarmouth.

For other great information on caravan parks throughout the UK, visit Holiday Park Ace.

CaravanTimes Join The Bailey Sahara Challenge

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By William Coleman

Just over two year ago I was asked to be part of the Bailey Britanbul tour where we would cover 21 counties in 21 days. As we approach the 2 year anniversary of that trip we find out that we are going away once more with the team, but this time to somewhere very different.

This trip marks the third time CaravanTimes have been on the globe trotting Bailey of Bristol tours. The first trip was the voyage to the Arctic Circle, the second was the Bristanbul trip and for the third we will be driving all the way from Bristol to the Sahara and back. I wonder how easy towing across sand dunes will be..

The trip will start in March at Bailey’s HQ on South Liberty Lane where the team will travel to Spain and Portugal across the Strait of Gibraltar into Morocco over the Atlas Mountains and as far south as the edge of the Sahara Desert before returning home. These locations in Morocco are birth places of the first caravans. They just used camels instead of tow vehicles.

We will be using 2 touring caravans, a pair of Discovery D4-4 models which will be pulled by SsangYong vehicles, an Alliance SE 76-4T. Across the 20 days we are on the road we are expecting some very varied, dare I say challenging, road surface and ever changing weather conditions and I am excited to see just how hot some of the countries are. Will the caravan be able to take on the Sahara heat?

I have no doubt that this tour will be very different to the Bristanbul tour as the locations we are visiting offer some extremes in both weather and driving conditions. Roads in France, Italy and Spain are as good as you’d expect, where as some of the trails we are taking are, well..desert passes. And yes, I will be installed a very strict so sandy shoes policy for whatever caravan I end up in.

Where before we were driving around parts of Europe that have very well maintained roads it is clear that some destinations on the Sahara Challenge will not be quite as smooth. Crossing the Atlas Mountains is the part I am most excited about, even if I am a bit unclear as to just how good the roads will be.

Regular updates on the team’s progress will be posted on the Bailey of Bristol website as well as on the company’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds (#SaharaChallenge). Updates will also appear on all Caravan and Motorhome Club social platforms and not to mention the CaravanTimes Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Caravan And Motorhome Club Baking Celeb Member At The NEC

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By William Coleman

This week members of the Club and visitors at the NEC were greeted by a Great British Bake Off competitor who is a proud member herself of the Caravan and Motorhome Club.

Cakes and caravans very much go hand in hand, well they do if you’re me. Another person who feels the same way is Karen Wright who was one of the Great British Bake Off competitors.

Combining her two loves together Karen made an extremely unique cake for the Scottish Caravan and Motorhome show. Carrying on that passion she made a one of a kind campervan cake for the Caravan and Motorhome Club stand this week at the NEC show.

Karen is a long standing and keen member of the Caravan and Motorhome Club. We hear she loves the touring life and to help launch Club Day this year she brought along a very different type of campervan. Yes you might have guessed it, it was made out of cake.

To find out what kind of cake watch the video and enjoy the cake.

Club Survey Finds Campervanners Holiday Twice More Than The Average Brit

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By William Coleman

Campervanners enjoy double the amount of holidays than the average Brit, according to a recent poll by Censuswide on behalf of the Caravan and Motorhome Club.

The survey looking at the holiday habits of British holidaymakers found that campervanners pack in around eight trips of a weekend away or longer per year, compared to the average Brit, who only manages up to four breaks maximum each year.

For those who want a taste of life as a campervanner, the Caravan and Motorhome Club has teamed up with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles to offer the opportunity to win the ultimate campervan adventure, with one month’s touring throughout August 2020, for up to four people. The winner has access to over 2700 UK and European campsites, for either four weeks in the UK or two weeks in the UK and two weeks in Europe, whilst in the comfort of a luxury Volkswagen California campervan*.

Freedom Is The Key To A Successful HolidayIt’s A dog’s Life In Bristol.

The Brits have long been known as a nation of dog lovers and it seems that those living in Bristol love their dogs the most; three quarters of Bristol dog owners said they would have a better holiday if their beloved pooch could come too. This drops to an average of 70% for the rest of the country.

David Attenborough Is The Nation’s Favourite Holiday Companion

It’s all very well wanting to be with family and friends (including the four-legged variety) on holiday, but if we had the choice, who would make the ideal travel companion? David Attenborough tops the list for celebrities that Brits would most like to go on a road trip with, closely followed by James Cordon and Jennifer Aniston.

US is the top road trip destination but campervan owners prefer staying closer to home
So where would the top road trip destinations be? Nearly a third said the US, however, when asking the campervan audience specifically, nearly half said the UK was their dream destination, followed by 28 percent citing Europe as the place they would most want to go in their campervan.

Meanwhile one in six Brits chose Australia and New Zealand as their dream road trip destination and one in seven chose Canada – only one in 25 chose South Africa as the place they would most want to go on a road trip.

Harvey Alexander, director of marketing at the Caravan and Motorhome Club said: “We have always known that our members take more holidays than the general British public as a whole and it is interesting to see this trend spreads to campervanners nationwide. It is also gratifying to see that the main factor of a successful holiday is having the freedom to do what you want, when you want.

“The best possible way to fill this “wanderlust” is to holiday in a campervan, caravan or motorhome and our fabulous competition is offering the chance to do just that!

2019 was our most successful year in the last ten, as we welcomed a record number of new members to the Caravan and Motorhome Club. More and more people appreciate the flexibility and spontaneity a campervan, caravan or motorhome can offer.”

Club Members Spend Nearly 10 Percent Of Their Time Away From Home

When looking specifically at the holiday habits of Caravan and Motorhome members, it was found they spend at least 32 nights away from home at Club campsites each year, with the average stay being around three to four nights, allowing them to visit between 8 and ten campsites each year.

Nearly a quarter of members take their campervans, caravans or motorhomes abroad with most of them taking between one and two overseas trips each year and 10 percent of them going three or more times! Club members are an adventurous lot with nearly 80 percent saying their main objective in going abroad is to visit new places and countries, closely followed by the lure of better weather!

Club Members Save Over £161,000 On Attractions In 2019 And More

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By William Coleman

The Caravan and Motorhome Club Great Savings Guide helps members get away their way by offering discounts on top attractions to make their touring holiday even more memorable. In 2019, the guide’s discounts saved members more than £161,000 when visiting some of the UK’s leading attractions. The Great Savings Guide is one of the many benefits of Club membership, which costs just £54 per year.

The Great Savings Guide has the biggest selection of offers within the membership touring industry, and members save on average £7.55 per attraction. The guide is both a physical A5 booklet and online search tool that provides Club members with savings at over 1,000 leading attractions throughout the UK.

The 2020 Great Savings Guide, sponsored by the Club Shop in partnership with Prima Leisure, has introduced 40 new amazing attractions to its roster. The Guide now includes a new ‘Food and Drink’ category and a new ‘Pet friendly’ icon within the listings to indicate spots where four-legged friends are welcome.

The Great Savings Guide has something for everybody, no matter their interests and passions. Split into eight categories, members can choose between:

  • Animals – a fun-filled day out for all the family! These attractions include farms, aquariums, animal sanctuaries and wildlife attractions
  • Adventure – exciting days out are guaranteed with adventure parks, theme parks and woodland trials
  • Tours – from sightseeing buses to river cruises and walking tours, these attractions will help visitors see the best of the local area
  • Heritage – these attractions are a dream for history buffs – historic houses and castles, gardens and heritage museums are just some of the attractions on offer
  • Discovery – for those who want to explore the unknown and learn about new things, these attractions will be a great day out. Museums, visitor centres and caves are just some of the fantastic attractions you can visit
  • Railways – who doesn’t love a trip on a steam railway? Plus the guide offers savings on cliff railways, model railways and railway museums
  • Leisure Activities – golf, fishing, laser games, archery, climbing, zip wires, indoor soft play are just some of the options on offer in this category
  • Food and Drink – in this new category, tourers will find chain restaurants offering Italian, French, and American classics as well as cafés offering locally sourced produce and tasty treats

All members have to do to redeem the amazing discounts is present their valid membership card and 2020 Great Savings voucher at the attraction of their choice. In some cases, pre-booking is required and/or a discount code all details can be found on the individual attraction listing.

Apps And Automation With Oyster At The NEC

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By William Coleman

In today’s world half the battle is keeping up with the ever changing technology. On board tech is also coming on in leaps and bounds, and we must with it. One company who is making that transition easier and easier, through automation, is Oyster Sat Tech.

Having satellite TV onboard your motorhome or caravan has never ever been easier. At first all you had to do was reset the box to find the right sat signal, then it was just one button, but now all you need is an app. The Oyster Sat Tech app.

There is an app for everything but there are few that make watching satellite TV so simple to use. We caught up with Julian from Oyster this week at the NEC to find out more, as we needed to know more.

After speaking with Julian and the team we found out that the app was designed to be extremely user friendly and to keep life simple. The app does everything you need to keep connected, and even lets you know when you need to do an update, which is just one button press away.

Camplify Explained At The NEC

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By William Coleman

As the rental market grows more vans are needed to fill the ever growing demand of holiday makers across the UK. To make the most of your van, or find an amazing holiday, call the guys at Camplify and see how your van can work for you.

The Camplify platform has been dubbed the “AirBnb of the caravan world”, and for good reason. Having used both AirBnb and Camplify you can see why the two have been compared. Anyone who has a van that is not in use, or even a second van that they may own, can list it on the site and just sit back and watch the bookings roll in. Oh, and the cash.

For those who do not know who they are, or what they do let me give you a very quick refresher. Camplify is a peer to peer leisure vehicle rental service, it is quite a simple platform. You list your vehicle for free and then Camplify matches it to a renter. All you have to do is sit back and watch the bank account top up.

It does seem like a no brainer for people to list their motorhomes, campers, caravans or trailer tents on the Camplify platform. Despite how easy it is and how much money can be made I do fully understand why some people may not want to just hand over their pride and joy to be rented by strangers.

We caught up with Jake MccGwire, who flew all the way over from Australia, from Camplify to find out more about how the booking system works, how much money can be earned and most importantly, how the insurance will cover your van when it is rented.

Caravan And Motorhome Club Launches 2020 Driving Courses

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By William Coleman

For new caravanners and motorhomers, or those who feel they need a refresher in driving their leisure vehicles, the Caravan and Motorhome Club has launched its 2020 practical training courses across 13 locations in the UK. The Club is also delighted to launch its B+E training course in partnership with Go! Driving.

The Club has over 40 years’ experience running training courses that have been designed specifically to give tourers additional peace of mind before they head off on their adventure. Running from February to October, each training course provides helpful safety instructions and techniques. Sessions include:

  • Manoeuvring advice
  • Hitching and towing safely
  • Straightforward safety checks
  • Understanding the laws that affect caravanning and motorhoming
  • Practice in manoeuvring an outfit forwards and backwards
  • Understanding loading and how it affects towing

The training courses are split into: Practical Caravanning; Caravan Manoeuvring; and Motorhome Manoeuvring. The caravan and motorhome manoeuvring courses both take under seven hours, whilst the Practical Caravan Manoeuvring course for people who are completely new to caravanning is completed within 10 hours split over two days.

The Practical Caravanning Course was devised in co-operation with the Road Transport Industry Training Board. Each training centre is staffed by expert instructors and the courses are designed to be as enjoyable as they are informative.

Harvey Alexander, director of marketing at the Caravan and Motorhome Club said; “We are delighted to be able to offer these important courses to tourers. The courses provide excellent value for money and mean that people have the confidence to relax and enjoy their touring adventure with real peace of mind.”

The courses are priced as follows:

  • Practical Caravanning Course – £185.00
  • Caravan Manoeuvring Course – £155.00
  • Motorhome Manoeuvring Course – £185.00

Participants also benefit from the opportunity to save five percent on Club caravan cover, motorhome insurance and car insurance for a new policy or at the next renewal – evidence of course completion is required. They also receive the Club’s Essential Guide to Touring for Free, which is jam-packed with plenty of useful information and normally costs £16.00.

The Club is also delighted to launch its B+E training course in partnership with Go! Driving. A category B+E driving licence entitles drivers to tow trailers with a maximum authorised mass of 3.5t, providing the gross train weight (vehicle, trailer and load combined) is no more than 7t.

Taking the B+E test is great for those with a Category B driving licence who passed their test on or after 1 January 1997. These individuals are limited to driving vehicles with up to eight passenger seats and a maximum authorised mass of 3.5t, plus a trailer up to 750kg.
Prices for one-day courses, including the B+E licence test, start at £440 plus VAT for members.

Club members can get these exclusive discounts off B+E training courses:

  • £25 off one-day courses
  • £50 off two-day courses
  • £100 off three-day courses