REVIEW: 2011 Swift Charisma 565, pictures, prices and layout

by Holly Tribe

Last year the Swift Charisma 565 underwent a makeover and re-joined Swift’s entry level range as a better configured, more practical member of the Charisma family.

The original rear kid’s room which features a fixed triple/ side bunk configuration has been re-jigged to house two fixed, and two convertible bunks providing much better headroom for growing teens. The other major development is a new separate shower cubicle in the washroom which endows the 565 with a really decent family bathroom.

Swift has designed this six berth family van on a single axle chassis, so while it may not come equipped with all the kit included in higher end ranges, the compromise in spec should be a good one for customers looking for a good value, lighter weight, family van.

Space & Practicality

The kitchen and washroom are set over the axle with the front dinette and rear ‘kids room’ leading off on either side. Up front the full length settees can be used either as single beds, or be pulled out into a full double.

There’s a cupboard located between the rear settee and the fixed bunks with a TV connection and two power sockets – making it well positioned for a TV or video console for the kids.

Under counter storage in the kitchen is limited to a cutlery drawer and a small slide-out cupboard, but there is plenty of overhead storage as well as a large compartment underneath the bottom rear bunk for larger items.

Equipment & Comfort

The kitchen is well equipped with a 107 litre fridge, dual fuel hob and electric hotplate, combination oven grill and there’s an inbuilt microwave located above the sink.

The washroom has come on in leaps and bounds from the previous model – with a separate shower cubicle next to the wash basin and toilet which should make a big difference for larger families. There’s a large skylight in the front dinette and a smaller one towards the rear, while two TV aerial outlets mean the kids can have their own TV in the back.

Furnishings

Extra durable cream vinyl floor coverings are tough and scratch resistant, overlaid with removable beige carpets. Two large front corner lights provide good illumination when the sun goes down, a fluorescent strip light in the kitchen helps light the prep area when preparing food on dull days.

Safety & Security

As with the entire Charisma range, the 565 is built on top of a single axle AL-KO chassis, AKS 3004 stabiliser and shock absorbers for smoother towing. In 2011, new higher rated Hankook tyres were added to the kit list and there’s also a high security entrance lock, smoke alarm and a hidden security chip concealed within the caravan. An Al-Ko Secure wheel lock is available as a cost option.

  • Berth: 6
  • Axle: Single
  • MTPLM: 1,576kg
  • Length: 5.83m
  • Headroom: 1.95m

Scottish caravan owners ‘devastated’ by fire

by Gemma Roskell

The owners of a caravan have been left devastated after their beloved vehicle was destroyed in a blaze on the road outside their home in the Scottish town of Elgin.

According to the Press and Journal newspaper, Gary and Kelly McPherson woke in the early hours of Monday March 23rd to find the vehicle alight.

An elderly neighbour’s home was damaged in the fire, along with three cars.

Police are treating the incident as suspicious and have launched an investigation to track down those responsible.

Mr McPherson, who has two young children with his wife Kelly, said the caravan was used regularly for summer holidays.

“We go all over Scotland in the caravan,” he remarked. “We were planning ahead for the Easter holiday. The kids are devastated.”

Another caravan on a nearby street had its windows broken on the same night, although police have not confirmed whether the two incidents are linked.

Caravan park praised by David Bellamy for eco-friendly projects

by Gemma Roskell

A caravan park in Berkshire has been praised by a leading environmental campaigner for its eco-friendly projects.

Hurley Riverside Park, on the south bank of the River Thames, won the 2011 David Bellamy Gold Conservation Award and also received special distinction for its efforts in protecting the environment.

Professor Bellamy described the site as a “wildlife wonderland” and applauded its seeding of wild flowers, which have attracted numerous butterfly species.

He also commended the park’s owners on their upkeep of the banks and moorings on the River Thames.

Other projects to catch the famous botanist’s eye were the timber recycling scheme at the site and the opening of a new nature trail, which encourages guests to learn more about the local wildlife.

Hurley Riverside Park is located between Henley-on-Thames and Marlow and boasts a tree-lined touring park covering 15 acres of grassland.

Facilities include shower blocks, a laundrette, washing up sinks, water points and WiFi internet access.

Caravans come to the rescue for cyclone victims in Australia

by Gemma Roskell

Around 30 refurbished caravans could be donated to families left homeless by Cyclone Yasi as part of a charity project.

According to ABC Local, a community group in Queensland is hoping to renovate the unwanted mobile homes to give to victims of the natural disaster.

Graham Riley, a spokesman for the Childers Lions Club, said most of the caravans need “a fair bit of work” to bring them up to a liveable standard.

But he and his colleagues are determined to carry out the work and are now seeking more caravans to help those affected by the cyclone.

He urged mobile home owners about to trade in their vehicles to consider donating them to the project.

“We’ve actually got a six-berth heading off on Thursday,” he said.

“My wife and I are taking it up to Tully and hope to get there Friday afternoon to put it in the hands of a family with four little children who have got nowhere to live.”

Cyclone Yasi was a category five storm which hit the state of Queensland in north-eastern Australia early in February.

Caravan Club National Rally 2011 to be held at Sledmere House

by Holly Tribe

The Caravan Club has announced its 84th National Rally will take place in the stunning grounds of Sledmere House in East Yorkshire.

The event is the Club’s largest annual event, held by its member for its members, and will run over the Spring Bank holiday from 27 – 31 May.

The event’s organisation team is headed by the Events sub-Committee who are charged with putting together a dynamic programme of activities and making sure the weekend runs without a ‘hitch’.

Previous rallies have attracted 3,000 outfits and up to 10,000 caravanners who enjoy a weekend packed full of competitions and sporting events designed to appeal to all ages.

Sledmere House is a spectacular 18th Century stately home set in extensive grounds which include landscaped gardens and a deer park.

Ralliers are encouraged to make the most the location and visit some of the surrounding attractions such as York Minster and the quintessentially English seaside resort of Scarborough.

For more information on how to book a place at The Caravan Club’s National Rally 2011 click here.

Used Caravan of the week: Knaus Sport & Fun

by Holly Tribe

When Bailey Caravans recently launched the Orion, a new series of caravans designed to get the most from the outdoors, it got us thinking. Which other caravans have been built specifically for caravanners who might need to stash a lot bulky sporting equipment? After a quick rummage around the classifieds, we came across this rare and remarkable Knaus Sport & Fun.

These well built German vans are seldom seen on the second hand market, and their scarcity has led to great value retention. The Sport & Fun offers a unique layout and distinctive profile that will appeal to outdoor enthusiasts who like to turn heads on site.

Click here to see an image gallery of the Sport & Play

As the name suggests, the van was designed for fans of sports and outdoor living. Cavernous storage underneath the front end fixed double bed can be accessed via an external hatch. The seats of the dinette which create the third berth can be removed to create even more space inside and an extra wide doorway provides better access for bulkier items.

There’s a unique reinforced roof with bars attached which can act as a roof rack, perfect for transporting surf boards or skis. It’s a lighter weight caravan and good to tow, but comes with the minimum of kit. There’s a dedicated washroom which houses a Thetford cassette toilet, shower and wash basin, and a basic kitchen carries a two burner hob. But the owners of this particular ‘van are throwing in a camp kitchen for free.

History:
According to the listing, the current owner bought this model in 1992 and it carries all the original paperwork supplied by Knaus; the current seller is the 4th listed owner. It is being listed ‘in good condition for its age’, with some wear and tear to the interior including wear marks and a light cover coming adrift above the sink.

Kit & caboodle:

A gas fired Truma unit provides heating and a new water heater was fitted last year. The sellers are also throwing in a range of extras including poertable water tank, porch awning and larger awning, outdoor table and seating unit and a camp kitchen. Hitch and wheel locks are also included.

  • Price: £5,995
  • Gross vehicle weight: 765kg
  • Width: 2.17m
  • Length: 5.78m
  • Berth: 3
  • Axle: Single

Get it while it’s hot on ebay


Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

Why Katie Price wants a pink caravan

by Marcus Dubois

We can safely say it’s not often that the likes of former glamour model Jordan graces the pages of Caravan Times. The businesswoman born Katie Price now considers herself to be another person entirely since the early days of photoshoots and life-changing surgery. Famous for outlandish purchases such as her pink VW Beetle, in a recent interview with The Sun’s Buzz magazine she revealed she would love her next purchase to be…a pink caravan.

Her inspiration came from the recent Channel 4 phenomenon “Big Fat Gypsy Weddings”, in which members of the traveller community are shown enjoying lavish weddings with fairytale appointments. Many of the brides filmed on the programme wore enormous pink dresses similar to Katie on her big day, while one couple even used the same Cinderella carriage she used in her wedding to Peter Andre.

Katie revealed to BBC Radio 5 Live that she found it “flattering” that the travelling community were adopting elements of her famous pink wedding with Andre. Yet she also appeared galvanised by seeing the programme and it’s participants.

A pink caravan for the collection

She revealed to the Sun that she knows exactly what the community could get her as a present. “They can get me a pink caravan if they like – to add to my pink collection. I’ve already got two pink horseboxes, and there’s another one coming this May with Swarovski crystals inside”.

Today the reality TV star revealed she would “marry 40 times if I have to” in order to find the right man. She said “I don’t care if I get married 9 times, 10 times or even 20 times until I find the right one”.

Katie Price’s first marriage to Australian singer Peter Andre ended after three and a half years. And she separated from second husband Alex Reid after only eleven months of marriage.

If Katie is serious in her intention to add a pink caravan to her roseate collection of vehicles, then Caravan Times recommends the custom colour program from Stealth Caravans where she can choose her perfect shade of pink.

Speeding pensioner clocked doing 170km/h in dash to caravan showroom

by Holly Tribe

Do you love caravanning enough to risk a high speed accident with oncoming traffic whilst being chased by the police?

No? Well, a 70-year-old was caught doing just that last October in his home country of Sweden when he was clocked doing speeds approaching 170km/h – more than double the local speed limit.

His excuse? To get to a caravan showroom before it closed for the day.

In his haste to get to the shop, the 70-year-old sped past a minibus full of police officers who were unsuccessfully trying to overtake him and set up a road block.

According to The Local, an English speaking Swedish news provider, ‘the man was seen overtaking cars into oncoming traffic and around blind corners’ before eventually being stopped by a second police unit.

The man was arrested for aggravated reckless driving and driving without a licence when it was discovered he had previously had his license revoked on the grounds of poor health.

In his defence during the trial at BorÃ¥s district court, the man explained he was ‘desperate to get to the caravan showroom in Fritsla before it closed for the day’.

Lunar Caravans expands retailer network in South Wales

by Holly Tribe

Lunar Caravans is set to grow its dealer network when a new retail outlet opens in South Wales next month.

Stowford Caravan Centre will open its doors to the public with a new five acre site in April and will stock a wide range of Lunar caravans, along with caravan storage and workshop facilities.

The new centre, situated in Coedely, Llantrisant is the second to open under the Stowford banner. The firm already runs an established caravan business in North Devon, and hopes to continue its success with the new South Wales site.

Andrew Noall of Stowford commented: “Strategically, this is such a great location, and it is a move we’ve been planning for over a year now. There are already plans in place for top-quality caravan storage and full workshops, and we are contributing with a full caravan retail set-up.”

Lunar has just launched two new family friendly models to their portfolio of touring caravans and is looking forward to showcasing their collection at the new centre.

Martin Henderson, Lunar sales and marketing director added: “Stowford Caravan Centre (South Wales) is a fantastic addition to our retailer network. Since 1978, Stowford Farm Meadows has been a family run business committed to delivering excellence and customer satisfaction.

“Their new retail outlet in South Wales will carry this trademark forwards. We are therefore really excited about the expertise and care that Stowford Caravan Centre (South Wales) will be offering to Lunar customers.”

Enjoy a ‘wee dram’ on a caravan break in Scotland

by Gemma Roskell

Caravanners planning breaks in Scotland this spring may be planning to enjoy a wee dram during their time away.

With several whisky festivals and tours being planned in the coming months, there will be plenty of ways to get into the spirit of things.

In April, the Inverness Whisky Festival kicks off, with live music and plenty of tasting sessions with local distilleries.

This will be followed by the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival and the Islay Festival of Music and Malt in May. And if that’s not enough, there are whisky tours available in many of Scotland’s cities.

For example, in Glasgow, there’s a new bus tour taking passengers around the city’s whisky bars for informal tastings.

And in Edinburgh, the Scotch Whisky Experience shows foodies how to pair whisky with certain dishes.

There are numerous camping and caravan sites across Scotland providing basic and luxury touring accommodation.

The Caravan Club has ten sites across the region, from the Balbirnie Park site in Glenrothes to the Bunree site in Fort William.

How Prince William and Kate Middleton could only afford a caravan if living on salaries

by Marcus Dubois

With only weeks to go until the big date, the talk around the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton has recently turned to life after the wedding. And unlike many couples about to marry across the UK, Will and Kate have the enviable choice of the finest palaces and houses in the realm.

Yet a recent study by Santander Mortages makes mischief by theorising just how the royal couple would survive if they depended solely on their salaries, with no Royal allowances. The results indicate that in today’s tough housing market, a likely option would be a static caravan.

Less than regal

Although Prince William is more accustomed to the opulence of St James’s Palace, he would be forced to set his sights lower if circumstances were changed. His RAF salary of £37,170 is the couple’s only job-based income, as Miss Middleton ceased working for her parent’s party planning company earlier in 2011.

According to Santander this means the couple could only afford a mortgage of £142,246. And a quick scout around the country revealed a range of properties that were described as “less than regal” by the firm.

The Royal Caravan

If the Royal couple stayed in the Windsor area, then a rebuilt static caravan measuring just 50 square feet would be one of the only affordable choices. The caravan has now been turned into a two-bedroom bungalow but space would still be at a premium despite the asking price of £138,000.

Other alternatives include a three-bedroom semi in North Wales with mountain views, or a four-bedroom house in Leeds with access to the M1 for those weekend trips to Buckingham Palace.

However our interest was piqued by another of the survey’s options, namely a parking space in Knightsbridge, Westminster – only a short hop away from the Queen. With an asking price of £135,000 this is clearly a tongue-in-cheek choice. However it does leave plenty of room in the budget for a used touring caravan…

David Coulthard on his ‘lifelong enjoyment’ of caravanning

by Gemma Roskell

Former F1 racing driver David Coulthard has spoken of his love for touring holidays, which began in childhood and has continued into fatherhood.

The 39-year-old spoke to the Herald newspaper following his appearance at last month’s Scottish Caravan and Outdoor Leisure Show.

“A lot of people might be surprised a grand prix driver is a fan of caravanning,” he acknowledged. “But this is a lifelong enjoyment I’ve had.”

David said he spent many a family holiday in a caravan and later depended on tourers to travel around the UK during the early part of his racing career.

He also revealed that many of his fellow grand prix drivers, including Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg, have developed an affection for caravanning.

“I’m just in the market to buy another motor caravan for my DTM career, which will see me in only one race in the UK but a number of races throughout Germany,” he remarked.

“So I can take my two-year-old along to the races and he can have the childhood experience, being with the family, that I had.”
David opened the Scottish Caravan and Outdoor Leisure Show in Glasgow on February 2nd 2010.