Lunar Caravans records £3.2m sales at Boat & Caravan Show

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by Gemma Roskell

Last week’s Boat & Caravan Show was particularly profitable for Lunar Caravans, with the retailer posting total sales of £3.2million from the six-day show at the Birmingham NEC.

With 26 models on display, there was plenty to lure in caravan enthusiasts, although the Quasar 464 and Lexon 550, both new for 2011, attracted particular attention.

The Clubman SB model was the biggest seller, while the Quasar range accounted for 42 per cent of Lunar’s total sales.

Martin Henderson, sales and marketing director for Lunar, said that the company was anticipating a difficult week, but the results have outstripped expectations.

“In anticipation to what we believed would be a challenging February show, the Lunar team and our retailers have worked extremely hard. We are incredibly encouraged as we head towards Easter.”

Lunar Caravan’s sales will have certainly been helped by the high turn-out at the 50th annual Boat & Caravan Show, which welcomed four per cent more punters than last year’s event.

Lightweight Caravans Week: New and used Sprite Caravans offer compact comfort

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by Holly Tribe

Throughout the week we’ve been celebrating some of the great lightweight ranges currently on the market. We’ve visited quirky T@b caravans, Italian pop-up specialists Trigano with their 2011 Silver collection, and today we take a look at lightweight old-timer Sprite caravans.

The Sprite style has always been low weight and low cost; the first Sprite Caravans were created by Sam Alper in 1947 using old army surplus materials. Due to post war austerity measures, equipment and money were pretty thin on the ground and Mr Alper wanted to create a compact, rugged caravan that could be purchased for under £200.

Even though weights and prices across the industry have crept up over the years the Sprite range still offers a great lightweight alternative for the entry level market. The range now features a twin axle six berth model albeit with a fairly respectable MRO of 1,340 kg, but it’s the smaller models that really pack a fearsome featherweight punch.

The compact Finesse 2 is the smallest of the bunch. Standing at 3.66m in length with an MRO of 935kg – it is light enough to be matched with a VW Golf or Vauxhall Corsa towcar.


If you’re after a used vintage model, there’s still plenty around. A recent Caravan Times member,Phil Esgate, purchased his 1987 Sprite Musketeer as a retirement project and is in the process of bringing it back to its former glory (pictured).

Over the years, the Sprite brand has proved a survivor despite coming under the ownership of numerous different companies. It currently comes under the Swift Caravans umbrella and remains one of its best selling ranges. Made up of seven keenly priced layouts, here’s a selection from this best selling range below.

Sprite Finesse 2
The baby of the bunch, the Finesse 2 features Swift’s solid construction build in a compact yet comfortable layout.

    Berth: 2

    Overall length: 5.35m

    Overall width: 2.23m

    Overall height: 2.61m

    MTPLM: 1,084kg

Sprite Alpine 2
With it’s spacious rear end washroom and galley kitchen, the Alpine 2 is a great option for couples who want a bit of extra space.

    Berth: 2

    Overall length: 6.04m

    Overall width: 2.23m

    Overall height: 2.61m

    MTPLM: 1,156kg

Sprite Alpine 4

It may be heaviest caravan in our lightweight round up, but it is the only tourer to feature a fixed double bed, and with an MRO of just 1,029kg it still fits well within the lightweight bracket.

    Berth: 4

    Overall length: 6.45m

    Overall width: 2.23m

    Overall height: 2.61m

    MTPLM: 1,209kg

Relief for caravan towcar owners after Government drops scheduled 1p rise in petrol prices

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by Marcus Dubois

The Government has revealed it will scrap plans to increase fuel duty by a penny after the threat of protests from motorists. The rise in fuel tax had previously been announced by Labour in its final budget. Yet uncertainty in the Middle East and the rapidly escalating price of petrol has made any changes untenable, forcing the Coalition to backtrack.

Earlier this week Caravan Times asked whether rising fuel prices are changing the way we drive. A number of caravanners revealed they have been forced to cut back on trips after the increase in fuel costs. And online campaign group Fair Fuel UK amassed over 120,000 signatures in a petition against the increase.

David Cameron has now promised to look closer at ways of countering the rise in fuel prices. The Prime Minister sympathised with motorists who he felt are going through a “tough” time.

At Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday Mr Cameron said “I know how tough it is for motorists, particularly for small businesses and families, when they are filling up at the pumps and it’s over £1.30 a litre.

“We will look at the fact that extra revenue comes to the Treasury when there’s a higher oil price, and see if we can share some of that benefit with the motorist.”

Fuel prices are currently at £1.30 a litre, with fuel duty costing just under 59 pence for every litre sold. This year caravanners have already been forced to absorb the impact of the rise in VAT from 17.5% to 20%.

Have you been forced to take fewer caravan holidays as a result of the rise in fuel prices? Click here to have your say in our forum topic

Camping and Caravanning Club publishes new technical data sheets for 2011

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by Gemma Roskell

Caravanners who’ve relied on the Camping and Caravanning Club’s data sheets to choose a motor home or find out how to service their tow car may be pleased to hear that a new set of updated sheets have been published.

The new versions were released to members and non-members earlier this month, covering a wide range of camping and caravanning topics and offering a host of tips and advice to help families make the most of their leisure time.

Among the revised data sheets, which are all written by technical experts, are subjects such as matching your car and caravan, winter care for your caravan, gas for caravans and motor homes and stabilisers and trailer control systems.

There are also three brand new sheets covering solar power for campers and caravanners, camping for the disabled and choosing a motor mover for your caravan.

Simon McGrath, editor of Camping and Caravanning magazine, said: “The club has 110 years of experience helping its members get the most out of the great outdoors and these data sheets are an excellent way of passing on some of the technical knowledge we have gained over the years.”

Good news for caravan owners as government pledges £100m for winter pothole repairs

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by Gemma Roskell

Potholes are a menace for any driver, but for caravanners they are especially hazardous. Motor home owners may therefore be pleased to hear that the government is spending more money on repairing them this year.

The Department for Transport said it would be giving councils an extra £100 million for pothole maintenance following the severe winter weather, which wreaked havoc on the country’s roads.

Potholes are created when water seeps into cracks in the road surface, expanding when it freezes and causing these cracks to widen.

As well as causing motorists to swerve in some cases, potholes can also cause damage to vehicle suspension.

Transport secretary Philip Hammond said: “Millions of motorists across the country have their daily drives ruined by potholes. And the awful winter weather we had this year is only going to make that problem worse.

“That is why, despite the tough financial position we are in, we are going to give councils over £100 million extra to help carry out much needed repairs to England’s roads.”

Towcar owners warned of ‘coolant calamities’

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by Gemma Roskell

Caravanners should perhaps check the label on their coolant when topping up their tow car, as a new survey suggests many motorists confuse it with screen wash.

According to research by Kwik Fit, six in ten drivers don’t know the difference between screen wash and engine coolant, while a fifth have confused the two in the past.

Putting screen wash in a car’s engine, or coolant in the screen wash area, could have disastrous consequences for the engine and the vehicle’s bodywork.

Even those who know their coolant from their screen wash admit to ignoring the mixing instructions on the coolant label, often adding it undiluted to their engine and risking internal corrosion.

Ian Fraser, chief executive at Kwik Fit, said: “It’s easy to mix these two fluids up, particularly as they often look similar in consistency and colour.

“Similarly, motorists can quickly come to grief by adding the wrong type of coolant or failing to dilute it.

“What’s worrying is the lack of awareness amongst motorists of how doing so can inflict serious damage to their cars.”

Reasons to caravan on home soil

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by Gemma Roskell

The beauty of caravanning is that you can go wherever you like, including abroad. But why head overseas when there is so much to see and do on your own doorstep?

In an article for the Telegraph newspaper, travel writer Sophie Butler lists her reasons why families should holiday on home soil this year.

She said that in Britain, families can visit historic properties, spend time in the countryside, head to the beach or get active with pursuits such as kayaking, mountain biking and hiking.

“Our history is as interesting, our landscape as varied and beautiful, our art and architecture as inspiring as that of any other European country,” she insisted.

“True, accommodation and eating out are relatively expensive, but a little research will keep costs down.”

Of course for caravanners, accomodation can be cheap, with just the cost of fuel and fees for touring pitches to take into account.

And if families don’t fancy eating out every night, they can save money by cooking their own meals in their caravan’s kitchen.

VIDEO: Monica Rivron on the making of the Caravan Cookbook

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by Marcus Dubois

One of the stars of Boat and Caravan 2011 was author Monica Rivron who launched the Caravan Cookbook, a beautifully photographed collection of easy-to-make recipes for holidaymakers.

Monica first discovered caravanning ten years ago after the BBC asked her and husband Rowland Rivron to film a caravan holiday for a TV programme. Slightly apprehensive at first, the trip became the start of what is now a family passion.

Caravan Times caught up with trained chef Monica at Boat and Caravan 2011 where she was a guest of the Caravan Club. We chatted about the inspiration behind the book, as well as her family’s love of caravanning.

We’re giving away a signed copy of the Caravan Cookbook – click here for your chance to win

Win a signed copy of Monica Rivron’s Caravan Cookbook

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by Holly Tribe

Thank you for your entries, this competition is now closed.

This gorgeous new recipe book by Monica Rivron is full of beautifully illustrated recipes that are easy to prepare from your caravan kitchen. And this week we’re giving away a copy of the Caravan Cookbook signed by Monica herself!

Click here for your chance to win a signed copy of the Caravan Cookbook

There are handy hints on how to turn cooking on a family holiday from a chore into a pleasure, and includes top barbequing tips as well as inspiring meal choices for tricky teenagers.

The Rivron’s passion for caravanning began ten years ago, when Monica’s husband Roland was asked to review a caravanning holiday for a BBC TV programme. The family soon caught the caravanning bug and since then Monica, being a trained chef, has become a master of cooking up simple and tasty family meals from the family’s caravan.

So – if you’ve ever pitched up on the first day of your holiday and the thought of cooking up a meal for the brood makes you shudder, then this could be the book for you.

Caravan Times editor Marcus Dubois recently caught up with Monica in the Caravan Club lounge at Boat & Caravan Show to have a chat about the book and her family’s love of touring. Take a look at our video interview here.

Discover the Yorkshire Wolds on your next caravan holiday

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by Gemma Roskell

Dedicated caravanners may already have spent some time exploring the stunning landscapes of Yorkshire.

But according to the BBC’s Countryfile magazine, most tourists head to the “rugged” hills of the Dales and the Moors and ignore the third, lesser-known area known as the Wolds.

Here, visitors will find a “soft crescent” of hills, as well as “secret” deep valleys and “astonishingly pretty” villages that could easily rival those found in the Cotswolds.

An article on the publication’s website pointed out the numerous activities and attractions on offer to tourists in the Yorkshire Wolds, including long-distance cycle routes and the popular Wolds Way for walkers.

In the market town of Beverley, there lies the Beverly Minster, which according to Countryfile “outshines York’s most famous equivalent by some distance”.

And where the Wolds comes to an “abrupt halt” at the coast east of Burton Agnes, the dramatic white cliffs rival any of those found on the south coast, the publication claims.

Caravanners will find plenty of touring accommodation throughout the Yorkshire Wolds, including Fosse Hill Caravan Park and Blue Rose Caravan Country Park in Brandesburton between Driffield and Beverley.

Lightweight Caravans Week: Meet the 2011 Tab Caravans collection

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by Holly Tribe

Fuel prices seem to be forever on the increase in recent times, meaning the cost of caravanning has been creeping up. So this week on Caravan Times is Lightweight Caravans Week, where we take a look at some of the excellent lightweight ranges currently on the market that can help reduce fuel consumption and save you money.

There is always a trade off when you go down the lightweight route. To keep the kgs down, it is necessary to make sacrifices in terms of kit and interior appointments. But lightweight doesn’t have to mean dull and uninspiring. Enter the wonderfully unique range of Tab caravans.

They are similar in shape to vintage American Teardrop trailers, but unlike their diminutive cousins, Tab caravans are bigger with full standing room inside. Even critics of ‘boring white caravans’ have been known to succumb to the quirky design of these German built tourers. Customers can choose from an array of colour kits, and there’s also or a range of graphics packs (pictured).

Weights range from the lightest entry level Tab 320 version with an MRO of just 550kg up to the meatier Tab-L at 1,000kg. But even at the heavier end of the scale, it is unlikely you would have to switch to a larger towcar. One Tab owner Suzi Love, even tows her Tab 320 with a tiny Fiat 500. She kindly got in touch with us to provide this picture of her Tab towed by her Fiat. (below).
Tabs are certainly a rare breed in the UK and likely to attract a lot of attention when you’re out and about on site. They do
come with privacy shades for the windows, but if you do own one of these striking compact caravans you could be forgiven for keeping the blinds up to witness the reactions of passersby!

Tab 320
The smallest of the bunch, the rear seating area converts into a wall to wall double bed and a compact kitchen runs the along the front end.

  • Berth: 2
  • Overall length: 4.77m
  • Overall width: 1.99m
  • Overall height: 2.28m
  • MPTLM: 800kg

Tab Offroad
The Tab Offroad comes with the same layout as the Tab 320 but has larger dimensions being slightly taller, wider and longer.

  • Berth: 2
  • Overall length: 4.84m
  • Overall width: 2.04m
  • Overall height: 2.40m
  • MPTLM: 1,000kg

Tab L
There’s a curved table at the front which converts into a compact double and the furnishing scheme comes in two options: hot red or cool blue.

  • Berth:
  • Overall length: 5.71m
  • Overall width: 2.23m
  • Overall height: 2.55m
  • MPTLM: 1,200kg

There’s an array of optional extras including a 40 litre fridge, heater and roof rails, and awning manufacturers, Isabella, have created a tailor made range of awnings to fit Tab’s unusual curved profile. For more information regarding colour kits and prices, head to Southdowns Motorcaravans or Catterick Caravans.

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Are rising fuel prices changing the way we drive?

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by Holly Tribe

As prices on petrol forecourts continue to rise, the AA has revealed that the escalating cost of driving is having an impact on the way people operate their cars.

A recent survey of 15,199 AA members revealed that almost half aimed to reduce their speed and drive more economically in response to rising fuel costs.

Whether your towcar is hitched to a caravan, or if you’re out and about for the day, AA Drive Smart technical advisor Alan Esam advises drivers that slowing down can dramatically boost fuel economy: “Motorways are one of the key battlegrounds in the driver’s war against soaring fuel costs. Cruising at 80mph is illegal and can burn up to 25 per cent more fuel than driving at 70mph.

“That’s 25 per cent more money going up in smoke just to get from A to B. Drive Smart has proven that easing off the gas on the motorway, along with other eco driving techniques can slash up to £500 a year from your fuel bills – which means a two-car family can save up to £1,000 a year.”

Online campaign group Fair Fuel UK has warned of a looming fuel crisis where increased VAT, fuel duty and inflation could result in drivers being unable to fill up their tanks altogether. The organisation is building a petition which it plans to present to 10 Downing Street on tomorrow. To find out more and sign the petition visit their website fairfueluk.com.

Will rising fuel prices change the way you drive? Have your say in our forum topic here.