Boat and Caravan – Show Preview

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Last year Caravan Times visited International Caravan & Motorhome and was dazzled by the array of gleaming objects on display. With two brand new caravan designs on offer in the Bailey Pegasus and the Stealth from Dunster House, the hardware fans amongst us were spoilt for choice. However if poring over caravans exclusively is a little too much, there’s a show in February that promises to cater for every whim of the outdoor enthusiast.

Boat & Caravan 2010 is held at the same venue (Birmingham’s NEC) from the 23-28 February but caters for a wide variety of touring lifestyles. Caravan fans who also enjoy camping and boating will find plenty on offer here, while those who are newcomes can benefit from lots of beginners events. With leading clubs and organisations in attendance to help answer questions and give advice, Boat & Caravan is a great place to get started. We contacted the organisers to find out what caravan fans can look forward to this year. In Part Two next week we’ll look at some of the other activities on offer…

Touring Caravans

In 2009 the caravan community witnessed a mini-revolution in the Pegasus from Bailey Of Bristol which premiered at International Caravan & Motorhome. This year Boat & Caravan can boast their own first when the new Olympus is revealed for the first time. Like the Pegasus this uses Bailey’s new Alu-Tech body shell construction technique, but the manufacturer explained to us “it will be equivalent to the Pageant range in our classic construction portfolio.” Considering how the Pegasus is now Bailey’s best-seller, expect this new caravan to be the star of the show.

2009 also saw the launch of the most radical design in caravans with the Stealth from Dunster House. At Boat & Caravan the team are introducing a brand new glossy silver/grey nosecone alongside the existing black. Take a look over at Stand 5205A.

The best of the rest sees iconic American brand Airstream continue their European range with a new improved version of the Bambi (pictured) to be found on Stand 4096. Continuing at the luxury end, Coachman have invested heavily in design with VIP, Pastiche and Laser ranges given a full makeover. Take a look at the brand new single axle Amara 560/4 on Stand 5190. In addition, Lunar and Elddis both have new models for 2010. The former will be showing their range at stand 5170, while the latter are presenting three new models on Stands 5275/5290.

Awnings and Accessories

Leading manufacturers Isabella will be showcasing their brand new annex called “The Future”. This exciting new product is cleverly designed – easy to assemble with only one lightweight pole. Also in awnings Europe’s largest producer Dorema will be launching a new collection of budget and porch awnings under the new STAR CAMP label. Discounts of up to 40% can be found at Stand 5250.

In accessories technology giants ALKO-KOBER will demonstrate the new Mammut caravan mover, designed to manouevre the vehicle over kerbs and rough terrain. Watch the eye-catching live demos at Stand 5180. Other innovations include Propex Heating and Leisure’s new water heater designed especially for caravans, which you can find at Stand 3281. Finally you can see the latest in satellite television systems for caravans with Maxview showcasing five new systems, while Oyster Sat Tech will be launching a keenly priced Caro range.

Show details

Boat and Caravan is taking place between 23-28 February 2010 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information you can visit the website, boatandcaravan.co.uk.

Adult tickets cost £12.50 in advance and £14 on the door, while children are £5 and £6 respectively. Senior citizens can attend for only £9.50 when booking in advance.

The best news is that a free show guide (£5 RRP) and free parking (worth £8) are both included in the ticket price. The Show is open daily from 10am – 6pm.

Remember to look out for Part Two of our Boat and Caravan guide next week, where we’ll be looking at some of the action-packed events on offer at Boat & Caravan.

Rise in the number of people taking out caravan insurance

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Many more caravanners are stepping up their efforts to take out insurance as a result of the recent cold weather, it has been noted.

Insure My Caravan has witnessed growth in its customer base as owners become weary of problems occurring within their properties.

Meanwhile, there is the added risk of accidents taking place on roads, with caravanners aware of the increased risk that the snowy and icy conditions pose.

Managing director of the company David Quick said: “We have found that there are many people who have suffered badly this winter with the amount of snowfall we have got here in the UK.

“People are having to make claims, or are looking for caravan insurance to ensure they have cover should conditions worsen or accidents occur on journeys.”

Among the things that caravan insurance covers are theft of a vehicle, any damage caused to another caravan and the loss of any belongings kept inside.

There is also the likelihood that those who own a cheaper caravan may be able to take advantage of reduced caravan insurance quotes.

Toyota GB director speaks to reassure British customers

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Caravanners who use a Toyota as a towcar may be affected by fears of a “sticky” accelerator pedal in a number of the carmaker’s best selling lines. The global car giant is in the process of recalling millions of cars worldwide in order to attempt to address the fault.

GB director John Williams has spoken today to offer a message of reassurance to customers. He stressed that the company were “truly sorry for letting our customers down” while in the video he outlined how Toyota will manage the recall of customer’s vehicles in the UK.

“First of all, I’d like to start by reassuring our customers that there is nothing more important to us than their safety. I drive a Toyota, my family and friends drive Toyotas, and I wouldn’t allow my loved ones to drive our cars if I didn’t believe they were safe.”

He added, “This is a very rare situation that takes place. There is a possibility that certain accelerator pedal mechanisms may, in rare instances, mechanically stick in a partially depressed position, or return slowly to the idle position. If you do notice that your accelerator pedals is slow to return, or starts to stick, then please contact your Toyota retailer immediately, or call our customer relations freephone line.”

Williams explained that the cause behind the fault is a worn accelerator pedal mechanism. “As a result of this wear, combined with certain environmental and operating conditions, friction in the mechanism may increase and intermittently result in the accelerator pedal being hard to depress, slow to return, or in the worst case sticking in a partially open position.” He again urged customers to contact their dealer or use the customer helpline.

How it started

Toyota has previously apologised for the issues, but explained that only 26 cases involving accelerator pedals had been reported in Europe. It is not aware of any accidents in the UK which relate to the fault. However fears continue after the widespread reporting of the death of a family of four who died when their Lexus E350 crashed in San Diego, USA. A recording of a 911 call reveals one of the passengers called to report the accelerator had stuck, with the car subsequently reaching 120 miles per hour before crashing.

UK recall of affected vehicles

Toyota GB has communicated details of the 180,865 affected UK vehicles to the DVLA. The total is made up of certain models from seven Toyota ranges:

AYGO (February 2005 – August 2009)
IQ (November 2008 – November 2009)
Yaris (November 2005 – September 2009)
Auris (October 2006 – 5 January 2010)
Corolla (October 2006 – December 2009)
Verso (February 2009 – 5 Jan 2010)
Avensis (November 2008 – December 2009)

Manual Aygo models and all versions of RAV4 are not included in the UK recall. No Lexus models and no other Toyota passenger cars or light commercial vehicles are affected in the UK.

Details of how cars will be fixed

The first shipments of the parts required will begin arriving in the UK next week and Toyota will be in a position to start repairing cars from 10 February.

The repairs will be carried out by qualified Toyota technicians, at Toyota-approved service centres. GB director John Williams explained the procedure “should take 30 minutes” to complete.

Anyone who has been affected by this story is advised to contact Toyota GB Customer Relations on 0800 1388 744. In addition there is a dedicated recall information page provided by Toyota.

Have you been affected by this story? If so please feel free to send your thoughts and opinions to us at editor@caravantimes.co.uk

CRiS checks help prosecute caravan thieves

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Caravan owners in Wiltshire and across the UK can now be less fearful of theft after the Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS) helped police foil a gang.

A number of caravans had been stolen across the UK over the past three years, with Wiltshire Police attempting to collect evidence to catch the perpetrators.

The police worked alongside the CRiS to discover details of the missing vehicles, with four people now prosecuted for criminal activity that totalled almost £1 million in stolen caravans, money and jewellery.

Alan Bishop, industry relations director at the HPI, the UK’s leading vehicle information expert, has encouraged second-hand caravan buyers to run their own CRiS checks before making a purchase.

He said: “We would advise anyone looking to buy a caravan to carry out a number of essential checks beforehand.

“Undertaking a CRiS Check will uncover any discrepancies such as outstanding finance, if it has been previously ‘written off’ by an insurer or any discrepancy in keeper registration.”

Mr Bishop added that people should avoid paying for caravans with cash and instead should use bank accounts for a more traceable transaction.

The CRiS Check can confirm the correct identity of a caravan, alongside whether it is stolen or an insurance write-off.

For more information on the CRiS scheme, please visit the HPI website.

VIDEO: Take your first steps towards caravanning

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Many British people have fond memories of caravan holidays with their family. Some go on to enjoy a lifetime of caravanning, but there are many more who have never taken a trip in a caravan and experienced the freedom they afford the owner.

Last year saw more newcomers than ever to the world of caravans. The year of the “staycation” saw many Brits turn their backs on “no-frills” airlines with their hidden extras and avoid the perils of hotel packages. Instead they looked to caravans and the joys of touring Britain: some for the first time in their adult lives.

Yet with all the technical aspects of the hobby such as towing and choosing a model, some beginners could find taking that first step daunting. With this in mind the Caravan Club has launched a new initiative called Discover Touring to help you get started on the road to a lifetime of holidaying.

In our exclusive video we speak to Nick Lomas of the Caravan Club about touring – and how now is as good a time as ever to start.

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Celebrate St David’s Day at Welsh caravan park

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Caravanners in Wales are being invited to celebrate their patron saint’s day by heading to a holiday park.

Haven Holidays suggested that Welsh families might enjoy spending St David’s Day relaxing at one of its six sites in the country.

Taking place on March 1st, the celebration could be a great opportunity for caravan owners to get some use out of their mobile holiday home ahead of summer.

One park that may prove popular is Presthaven Sands, where Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand recently booked a family break.

Guests can make use of the new adventure golf course, swimming facilities and go-kart track.

Meanwhile, those who visit during the Easter holidays will get to see young X-Factor star Lloyd Daniels perform live onstage.

Other options include Quay West – a great place to stay for dolphin spotting and enjoying many water-based activities.

Meanwhile, Haven recently claimed that the recent trend for Brits holidaying in the UK is likely to be long-lasting.

Kia to launch redesigned Sportage

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Caravan owners looking for a new towcar to help them reach their favourite destinations may be interested in the latest news from Kia.

The firm has revealed that its new Sportage model will be premiered at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show on March 2nd.

However, those who think they have seen it all when it comes to the vehicle had better reconsider their position, with Kia promising a “fresh, bold, athletic and sporty design”.

Managing director Michael Cole explained that the improved design will be a “new chapter” in the company’s history.

“[The] Sportage was the car that really made the breakthrough for Kia in Europe and the all-new version will make people sit up and take notice just as the original did,” he said.

According to the company, the 2010 model will be lower, longer and wider than its predecessor, giving more room for passengers and luggage.

Kia’s Sorento model may also be a useful vehicle for caravan owners after it was named runner up in the used 4×4 category of a What Car? Magazine competition at the end of 2009.

Linda Barker to attend Boat and Caravan Show

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Celebrity interior designer Linda Barker is to be one of the guests viewing the latest caravans and motorhomes to be showcased at the Boat and Caravan Show 2010 later this month.

The Caravan Magazine reports that the television presenter is the latest celebrity recruit to join the Caravan Club and will attend the show alongside others including chef James Martin and fellow television personality Julia Bradbury.

Caravan fans can see the latest products from the likes of Swift, Sterling and Elddis at the Birmingham NEC for six days from February 23rd.

Among the touring caravans that will be on display in the Practical Caravan Hall at the event are the launch of the fifth top-end luxury touring vehicle from Coupland Caravans and three new models from Elddis.

Meanwhile, guests will be able to gain a greater insight into destinations they can travel to across the UK through comments from holiday park representatives.

Those new to the delights of caravanning can also gain some helpful hints on how to tow a caravan, as professional instructors will be on site to part with their knowledge.

Caravan trading improvement expected for latter part of 2010

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A caravan retailer in Yorkshire has predicted that it expects trading to improve in the second half of 2010, as the industry continues its battle against the troubled economic climate.

The Yorkshire Post reports that Discover Leisure has made decent progress since needing to restructure to five sites last year as a way of avoiding collapse.

Despite the recent heavy snowfall having a negative effect on sales and the fact that many purchases were made ahead of the VAT change on January 1st, the company still remains optimistic for the upcoming 12 months.

According to the publication, chairman David Morrow told shareholders at the company’s annual meeting: “Looking ahead to the second half, the continuing economic uncertainties and the need to assess the market at Easter make it difficult to predict the group’s results.

“We expect trading to improve but to remain challenging.”

Touring caravan sales increased through September and October last year across the market, before a 37 per cent year-on-year improvement was noted in November.

Meanwhile the growth in the number of Brits holidaying in the UK in the opening half of 2009 caused sales to skyrocket by 40 per cent, Park Resorts revealed last year.

Green Brits to carry on caravanning

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A UK holiday company has predicted that Brits will continue to enjoy camping holidays in the UK rather than travelling abroad.

According to Haven Holidays, there has been an increase in families booking longer breaks at its 35 sites around the UK during 2010.

It predicted that this trend will continue as families look to save both cash and the environment.

It costs less in terms of money and carbon emissions to take a break in the UK than flying to some far-flung destination.

The firm revealed that the majority (65 per cent) of its customers travel for less than two hours to get to their site of choice.

“During the Easter holidays kids go free, with lots of included activities and entertainment. We believe it’s the best way to enjoy a fantastic family break whilst still keeping your carbon footprint to a minimum,” Haven said.

The operator explained that it hopes to teach kids the value of looking after the environment during their holidays.

Meanwhile, Haven recently announced a record 20 per cent rise in spring bookings for March, April and early May.

Devon caravan owners to benefit from free health and safety event

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Caravan park owners in the south-west are being encouraged to attend a free event later this month to boost their awareness of health and safety issues.

Hosted by Torridge and North Devon District Councils, the half-day event will involve speeches from the police and the Health and Safety Executive, taking in topics including the importance of maintaining that gas is running safely.

The event is to take place at the Golden Coast Holiday Village in Woolacombe on February 10th, with a trade fair and exhibition on site showing offerings from a number of suppliers.

North Devon Council lead member for environmental health, Pat Barker, feels that the day could help improve the stature of Devon as a holiday location.

She said: “This free event is the ideal opportunity for holiday park owners to refresh their knowledge and get advice about health and safety issues that are unique to the industry.

“Events like this help local businesses and organisations work together to make North Devon the perfect holiday destination.”

Ways in which caravan safety could be improved are through installing smoke alarms and carrying out regular checks that electrical systems are in good working order.

Caravan park nets another accolade for continued conservation work

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A caravan park has been honoured for the tenth year in succession for its continued work to help support Britain’s natural environment.

The Fakenham Times reports that Pinewoods Holiday Park has received a gold award in the David Bellamy Conservation Award Scheme.

In the past, assessors have been impressed by decisions to fit solar panels to heat water in toilet blocks and moves to improve the reed beds in a nearby lake.

This year, the tourism business, which has 564 static caravan pitches, replaced the petrol vehicles used by staff with two electric buggies to further enhance its positive impact on the environment.

Manager Richard Seabrooke told the publication: “Conservation is a key part of our work here and we take it into account in every aspect of our business.

“The whole philosophy is something we work with and are conscious of all the time in the decisions we make – and to win this award ten years running means we are reinvesting and doing it right.”

Meanwhile in other news, top kitchen appliances and an ATC stability control system were factors that helped the Bailey Pegasus 624 crowned the Caravan of the Year at the Which? Caravan 2010 Awards.