Caravan theft on the rise as Britain takes to camping

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An uptake in ownership in 2009 has led to a rise in caravan thefts. Marcus Dubois investigates.

The caravan industry received a boost this year when British holidaymakers decided to stay at home and weather the recession. Caravans have quickly become the in-vogue form of transport for those seeking ‘staycations’ in the UK.

Advance bookings for camping and caravan sites were up 40% in January from last year, prompting Nick Lomas of the Caravan Club to label 2009 as ‘the return of the great British holiday’.

Yet with all this publicity translating into 5 million more holidays, the downside is a surge in interest from opportunistic criminals. Many caravans are stolen to order, with an estimated 1,600 taken every year.

The good news is the number of vehicles stolen has fallen according to the National Caravan Council (NCC). However with more caravans on the roads this summer, the likelihood is thefts will increase.

With this in mind the NCC have released some security advice to combat caravan crime. The Deputy Director of the industry trade association, Alicia Dunne, explained ‘When on holiday in your touring caravan, don’t assume that all villains are on holiday
too! When you are relaxed it is easy to let your guard down, yet it is not difficult to make it hard for thieves. ‘

Motorway service stations are where holidaymakers may drop their guard, and the association advises ‘immobilise your caravan, even when you stop briefly’. It recommends using ‘hitchcocks, locking-wheelnuts and a good quality clamp’ even for short periods.

Criminals revel in the opportunities offered by open doors, windows and rooflights. It is recommended these should be closed even if momentarily away from the vehicle. Furthermore, leaving mobile phones, laptops or even spare change in sight only attracts felons.

If you’re unlucky enough to have taken these measures and still suffered a loss of your vehicle, help may still be at hand. The
NCC advises owners to register their vehicle with the Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS). Since 1992, approved manufacturers have stamped the 17-digit vehicle identification number on the chassis and windows.

The NCC’s Alicia Dunne asks owners to ‘consider marking your chassis number or postcode inside cupboards and in other places inside your caravan with a permanent marker pen and keep a note of these places.”

As with all registration methods there are no guarantees. Whilst the CRiS currently holds details of over 10,000 outstanding
caravan theft reports, only as few as one in four of these caravans are recovered.

Finally, we may be a nation famous for our reserve, but the best advice is to get to know your neighbours while on holiday. Owners should ‘keep an eye on each other’s caravans and get to know who belongs on the site’

Record attendance of 25,000 at caravan show

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The caravan industry continues to ride the crest of a wave with record attendance at one of the UK’s biggest events

Britain may well be in the grip of a recession but try telling that to the caravan industry. 2009 has been its annus mirabilis with soaring numbers of holidaymakers taking up the ‘staycation’ and choosing the trailer.

And the trend continued this weekend at The Caravan Extravaganza at The Lawns in Cottingham where 25,000 people are believed to have been in attendance.

The figure was a staggering 10,000 more than the previous year and broke the record for the highest ever attendance by 2,000.

The organisers were the Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire Caravan Manufacturers Association (HERCMA) who exhibited 300 models from 5-6 September. touring variety, motorhomes, and static caravans.

The event offered buyers a chance to see some of the 2010 models for the first time along with the latest accessories for the modern traveller. 110 different models of touring caravans were on display alongside motorhomes and some static models.

Also on display were some fully-fledged homes from home – static caravans featuring dishwashers, hot tubs and central heating. Many of the static models available showed price tags north of £200,000.

David Ritchie is the organiser of the Caravan Extravaganza, and he spoke to Caravan Times about the success of the weekend. “Last year the Saturday was exceptionally wet and windy and muddy and so people were less inclined to get involved. This weekend business was booming, especially among the tourer manufacturers. Many of them recorded better than expected sales, and in some cases their best sales ever!”

When questioned about the rise in sales of new caravans during the deep recession he pointed to the issue of stock (as reported in Caravan Times here). ‘I think people want to go caravanning in this country regardless of what’s going on. It’s very difficult to buy used caravans at the present time becuase they are mostly sold out at dealerships. So people are then prepared to make that investment and buy new ones’.

David Ritchie also believes that an an upturn in financial conditions has contributed to the sales boom. ‘Credit has freed up in the last couple of months, whereas this time last year it was much harder that normal to borrow money to buy a caravan. And manufacturers were finding it hard to borrow money from the banks to fund the building of them. That all seems to have eased up, and you even have new firms starting up on the back of this.’

‘The whole industry is looking a lot brighter’ he chuckled as he looked ahead to his next event, the Southern Caravan Trade Show. Held in Beaulieu, a town famous for its motor museum, it takes place from 24-27 September. Click here for more details.

A different Klass of traveller

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TV personality Myleene Klass will be taking to the road in a camper van to promote the new Marks and Spencer clothing collection

She’s an English media personality, singer, model, concert pianist and actress who has the uncanny knack of seeming able to be in two places at once. And with her latest run of media appearances she appears to have found help from an unusual source.

Myleene Klass is today’s recognised face of Marks and Spencer and is helping launch their latest clothing venture, the Indigo Collection. And the vehicle which will transport her between six venues around the UK? A classic motor camper.

The white and blue Volkswagen T2 is widely considered to be the most iconic camper van of all time. Launched in 1968 as the second generation of the Type 2 Microbus, production lasted a decade in Europe. Today used examples are coveted by collectors and enthusiasts, and the design is still in production in Brazil.

Yesterday Myleene Klass literally stopped traffic as the tour began at the flagship Marks and Spencers in Oxford Street. The 31-year old accidentally pulled into the wrong lane and struggled with parallel parking the van-like vehicle.

She told The Sun newspaper ‘I’ve never been so nervous. Crossing Oxford Street in a van I’ve never driven before, with everyone watching.’

It’s a welcome return to the headlines for the classic Volkswagen camper. Last time it was another TV personality who was at the helm. ‘Naked Chef’ Jamie Oliver custom-fitted a 1959 Type 1 Microbus with Cath Kidson curtains, a Sony Playstation, satellite navigation and TV monitors that drop down from the roof. And most crucially a Porsche 914 engine with a special watercooling system.

If all this talk of classic V-Dubs is starting an outbreak of envy then fear not. Surfer clothing label Fat Face are offering a competition here to win a restored classic VW splitscreen. Entry is free by filling in the online form and if you recommend a friend, that’s three more entries for you.

Police drive home message of caravan safety

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The Bank Holiday weekend was the stage for a successful police operation to educate drivers of caravans on safety issues.

As we approach the end of the summer, all the statistics point to 2009 being a record year for caravan journeys. Many of these new recruits however may be unfamiliar with essential safety rules when towing for the first time, while even seasoned caravanners could be putting themselves at unnecessary risk.

With this in mind the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) and the Highways Agency set up at the Strensham service station on the M5 southbound on Friday 28 August to stop and advise caravans.

Codenamed Operation Velopy the event was a collaboration across the industry, with the Caravan Club, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VSOA) and the Caravan Registration Identification Scheme all involved.

The operation was a real success with 22 caravans stopped, examined and weighed. The most serious faults found during the multi agency operation were as follows:

* Six caravans had no rear lights. This meant other road users had no warning that the vehicle in front was stopping or about to pull out.

* Two caravans had dangerously worn tyres which were bald in parts.

* A number of cars had different registration plates on their vehicles to those displayed on the caravan they were towing.

* One caravan was 31 per cent overweight making it almost impossible for the driver to control.

* One driver was stopped for failing to have the appropriate booster seats and child restraints fitted for his three young children.

* Most crucially, two suspected stolen caravans were also identified and another 130 checked by staff from the Caravan Registration Identification Scheme.

The most common problem was caravans being pulled by vehicles with no towing mirrors – essential for extending the drivers line of vision and reducing so called ‘blind spots’. Almost all of the vehicles examined failed this basic requirement with drivers unaware of the need to fix them when towing.

Throughout the day, the Caravan Club gave general advice to drivers, while Highways Agency staff provided drivers with up to the minute travel advice and other tips on safer towing.

Sergeant Dean Caswell was present on the day on behalf of the Central Motorway Police Group, and he commented “Friday’s operation was very successful. We were able to educate drivers and occupants about safer towing, ensure that vehicles were road worthy and were able to remind drivers of their legal obligations when towing caravans.”

“Although we did not set out to cause disruption and delays to people’s holidays, I strongly believe that if CMPG and our partners did not take the action we did, some families may never have reached their holiday destination.”

There are a wealth of tips online on the subject of safer towing. Click here for a helpful safety DVD from the Highways Agency entitled “Fit to Tow” presented by Carol Smillie.

Bailey freeze prices for 2010 model ranges

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It’s that time of year where those who would consider purchasing a new caravan will have one eye on the 2010 models, mindful that a new year usually brings new prices.

Bailey Caravans of Bristol however have announced a price freeze on it’s popular Ranger, Ranger GT60 and Pageant 2010 models ranges. This means the recommended retail prices will remain unchanged from current levels. The price list from 15th February 2009 will now continue into the new model year. This is certainly an unusual move when compared to the habitual year-on-year increases seen in the caravan market.

There is another factor to consider with regard to caravan prices. With the short term 15% VAT window due to finish at the end of this calendar year, the best way to gain from the price freeze is to order before the tax change. Bailey have explained that in order to receive the 15% rate customers must order, pay for and collect their caravan prior to 31st December 2009, after which time the VAT rate will revert to the 17.5% level.

Earlier this month Caravan Times reported how stock levels of 2009 models were significantly lower than usual due to the increase in ‘staycations’. With this in mind availability prior to Christmas is likely to be strictly limited and potential purchasers have been advised ‘to contact their local retailer to ensure they don’t miss out’.

The only model in Bailey’s portfolio of caravans with a price increase is the Senator Series 6. This will incur a 2% rise in price effective from 1st September as a result of the increasing cost of components unique to this product range.

New BBC sitcom is set in a caravan park

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A brand new comedy by BBC Scotland this autumn will be based around the theme of caravan holidays.

Happy Hollidays is a six-part comedy set on a precarious caravan campsite. Starring Ford Kiernan, Karen Dunbar and Gavin Mitchell the makers believe it ‘strives to represent the best of the great British holiday’.

Colin Holliday is the caravan site owner, manager and above all tyrant. He is thrown into a panic when receiving news of a site inspection from holiday camp rival Mike Bryan. Colin and Mike vie for supremacy in a comedy where the site owner loves caravans but hates people.

And while the titular character Colin might promote himself as a standard bearer for the old-fashioned British holiday, he appears more interested in wringing out cash from his customers.

Ford Kiernan is the actor who plays Colin Holliday, while his company effingee created the six-part series. He explained in an interview with Glasgow’s Evening Times how he personally cannot stand the lifestyle.

‘I hate caravans’ is how he simply puts it. ‘I used to go to a caravan in Inverbeg when I was a wean, with my mother and sister, but the problem is I’ve always been a bit claustrophobic. So understanding why anyone would want to spend a week in a tin box is way beyond me’.

He was quick to acknowledge the boom in popularity in caravan holidays but maintained his distaste. ‘For some people carvaan parks are great, and I know caravan sales are going through a boom at the moment because people can’t afford to go abroad’.

‘What I remember about them is being frozen the whole time and hearing the noise the rain makes on a caravan roof. And because you couldn’t go outside you had to sit there for days on end playing with somebody else’s manky Scrabble that’s covered in brown sauce stains’.

Happy Hollidays is showing from September 4 at 10.35pm on BBC1 Scotland.

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Forecourts clear as used caravans sell out across Britain

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Open a magazine or click online to read about caravans, and you will inevitably read of the surge in interest as Britons opt to take their holidays at home in the recession.

This interest has however thrown up a unique problem for caravan dealers. Namely, that they are running low on good used caravans for sale.

Used stock levels have become an ’embarrassment’ according to insurers Caravanwise who instigated a study into dealerships and their supplies. While 2009 has been a record year for sales, some dealers have been caught out by the level of interest.

Reports indicate a drop in the number of traditional ‘trade-ins’ of caravans usually seen on forecourts. Caravanwise spoke to Bardsley Leisure in Cumbria who recorded a drop from 45 to 9 in used stock numbers. Over the border in Scotland the results were similar, with dealer Knowepark recording a reduction from 80 down to around 15.

Incidentally new caravan sales have fared well compared to other motoring sectors. Dealers have reported that the surplus 2008 stock levels have now gone, and the new 2009 stock is in short supply. Even future sales are looking healthy, with 2010 caravan models already selling well. With new models to be launched at the International Caravan and Motorhome Show 2009 the number of buyers may be greater than predicted.

Discover Touring highlights joys of ‘great staycation’

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Carol Smillie wants you to change rooms. Nothing new in that you might cry, considering the presenter was the face of the BBC’s home improvement classic Changing Rooms. Yet she’s endorsing a campaign for Brits to change from the living room to living the caravan lifestyle, as the Caravan Club urges the UK to “Discover Touring”.

In April this year the Club launched Discover Touring which is a major national marketing campaign highlighting and promoting the fun in caravanning. Already there have been 8000 requests for the magazine of the same name, while 10,000 have visited the website since launch.

Carol Smillie is an avowed fan of travelling the British countryside and is an enthusiatic endorsee of the Discover Touring campaign. ‘As a lover of the great outdoors generally, and walking in particular, I know that touring with a caravan or motorhome is a brilliant way to explore the countryside.’ She believes ‘nothing else offers such freedom, fun and flexibility’.

Smillie also believes there has never been a better time to start the hobby. ‘Modern caravans are so comfortable and they cover a vast range of prices. If Discover Touring encourages more people to get out there and discover the great outdoors, it will have contributed so much to the quality of their lives’.

It appears that the British public agree, with the Caravan Club registering 30,000 more site night bookings this year compared with the last. With advanced bookings up by 40% the Club has been galvanised into expansion.

Emma Cosby is the head of marketing for the sites owned by the Caravan Club. She revealed ‘to cater for the extra demand the Club has added nine new sites to its network for 2009’.

Those who have visited the site have already expressed excitement at starting down the road of caravan holidays. ‘It has fired my imagination as to the kind of holidays we could enjoy when we own a motorhome, thank you’ applauded one respondent, whil another chuckled ‘can’t wait to start – don’t think we’ll be at home very often!’

Visit Britain are another UK organisation who have noted this year’s trend of the ‘staycation’ in the face of the credit crunch. Patricia Yates is their Director of Strategy and Insights and she had the following comments to offer:

‘Money is being spent wisely, and the UK is the place to spend it according to holiday booking trends. Caravanning accounts for 19% of all holidays taken in the UK and is the largest paid-for holiday sector.’

More information on how to start down the road to caravan holidays can be found at the Discover Touring website.

The phone which will survive any caravan holiday

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The Land Rover S1 phone was dropped from a tall building, roasted in an oven, run over by a Land Rover and stomped on by an elephant.

It still made calls. We found out why.

One of the most essential devices on a caravan holiday is also one of the most ordinary – the humble and now-ubiquitous mobile phone.

Gone are the days when you would be forced to stop off at a service station and call ahead to the caravan park. For over a decade the mobile phone has been the friend of campers and travellers who want to organise their trip or stay in touch with home (if reception is available of course).

The mobile phone is certainly not the friend of wallets when something goes awry. A fragile instrument at the best of times, even a small amount of water ingress can cause issues with operation. And potentially a costly replacement upon returning home.

Enter the Land Rover S1. Claimed to be the first ‘indestructable’ phone, as such it could perhaps survive any camping trip or caravan holiday. Caravan Times took a glance at the tests by the manufacturer’s development team and the results were eyebrow-raising to say the least.

Land Rover teamed up with mobile phone manufacturer Sonim for this project, and to test the device they ran over the phone.with a Land Rover. After surviving the weight of a two-tonne vehicle, the phone was then submerged in mud. Still able to make calls, the services of an elephant were brought in. Even the mightiest of beasts however could not stop the phone from being operational.

So the tests got quirkier. The S1 was roasted in a domestic oven at 150 degrees centrigrade with no effect. The makers then tossed it from the second floor of a building. Calls could still be made. Full immersion in a pint of beer? No problem.

The phone is made for adventurers with a turn-by-turn GPS and built-in accelerometer. We at Caravan Times however liked the surprisingly bright torch. It can even take a few holiday snaps with a well-protected 2MP camera.

The Land Rover S1 is IP67 rated and fully shockproof. It can be fully submersed to one metre for up to 30 minutes. If you’re as curious as we were, you can click here for more information.

Money no object? Jaguar voted most desirable towcar

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When it comes to the ultimate towing vehicle often the larger 4 x 4 cars come to mind. Land Rover and Land Cruisers are prevalent in such lists alongside the Volvo and Volkswagen off-roaders, Jeeps and Mitsubishis.

Yet when the panel at the Towcar Awards 2009 decided on the most desirable towcar that money can buy, they chose different.

The ‘Money No Object’ Award was won by the Jaguar XF as the most desirable towing vehicle over 39 other competitors. The Jaguar was chosen by experts from magazines Practical Caravan and What Car as well as The Camping and Caravanning Club.

In testing the judges considered the stability of the XF when towing, as well as it’s overall practicality. Other attributes considered included the cost of owning and resale value.

Judges on the panel included editor in chief of Autocar Steve Cropley, who is a former European Car of the Year juror. Also judging was Sue Taylor who is features editor of Camping and Caravanning Magazine and experienced at towing horseboxes and trailers.

David Motton was the head judge at the Towcar Awards, and gave this comment: “If money was no object, this is the car we’d choose to do our towing with. The 3.0-litre Diesel S engine is superb, yet it’s also savagely powerful when the occasion demands, pulling car and caravan from 30-60mph in just 8.3 seconds.”

“It pulled a caravan securely between cones at speeds which would have had lesser cars sliding off the track. Driven at sensible speeds, it’s a serene and relaxed experience. In spite of the performance, it’s an easy car to drive smoothly, with precise steering and remarkable agility for such a big car, towing or solo. It is quick, stable and comfortable – if you’re feeling flush this is the car.”

The car above is pictured towing the new Airstream caravans launched this year which have been adapted for European roads. With the heavy kerb weight of the large Airstream, how well did the XF handle towing the American trailer?

A press officer from Jaguar UK explained ‘The photographer took the Airstream away for a weekend and the Jaguar XF responded extremely well to bearing the significant weight of the caravan’.

Geoff Cousins is the Managing Director of Jaguar UK and he cited the green credentials of the big cat. “This fantastic new Jaguar has best-in-class residual values, class-leading fuel economy combined with unrivalled performance and reduced CO2 emissions – making it an irresistible choice for the towing customer.”

Caravan Times has made inquiries and ascertained that the tow bar for the Jaguar XF is a dealer fit option only.

A tow bar costs £288 while the required module is an additional £115. The recommended fitting time for the tow bar, module and electrics kit is 3 hours 45 minutes.

Online mapping available for Caravan Club members

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Following over a century of providing guidance for its members, the Caravan Club has announced a unique solution to the problem of searching for attractions in the UK.

A new interative mapping service has been launched today for members. All of the Club’s 200-strong UK site network is covered on the online application, as well as around 2,500 ‘Certified Locations’ (smaller 5-van sites).

The online tool takes the idea of a guide book to the next level. The famous ‘Great Days Out’ booklet issued by the Caravan Club has been incorporated into the service. Therefore any visitor attractions which feature in the publication are pinpointed in the interactive guide. The application is based on Microsoft’s acclaimed ‘Bing Maps for Enterprise’ platform, and the Club’s established route planning tool has been markedly improved through the technology.

A useful feature for all modern caravanners is a search facility. ‘Search by Map’ will allow members to instantly identify sites located near to their ‘Great Days Out’ location. Once found? You can then plan your route from site to site with ease.

Journey timings can be predicted, with the software even able to automatically program breaks and rests into the schedule. Once completed, the route can be easily shared through an e-mail attachment to a friend or relative.

Natasha MacDonald is the Head of e-commerce for the Caravan Club, and as such recognises the increased benefits that customised mapping software can bring to caravanners. ‘We are keen to provide the ultimate route planning assistance for our members so that they have safe and enjoyable journeys’ she commented.

And it appears the Club is keen to improve on the idea, with a update for members already in the pipeline. ‘The next stage in the development of the mapping software is being planned, with tried and tested caravan-friendly routes being a key feature of future releases’ she explained.

The application is available to those registered with the Caravan Club – more information on joining is available here.

Police investigate allegations of major fraud at popular caravan park

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A well-known caravan park in Scotland’s Moray Firth has become part of a police investigation into major fraud.

Customers at Silver Sands Park in Lossiemouth may have lost up to £10,000 as it emerged that a number of caravans were sold several times over to customers.

Some have reported they bought caravans from the site for investment or letting purposes, only to discover they had been sold without their consent. The alleged fraud was revealed when different caravanners came forward to claim ownership of the same trailer.

One of the main allegations is that customers purchased caravans without being issued a receipt for the trailer. Once they then attempted to rent it out, they would later discover that it appeared it did not belong to them.

Grampian Police carried out questioning of two people on the site, who were later released without charge. A spokesperson for the police gave Caravan Times the following statement:

“Grampian Police can confirm that they are making an enquiry into an allegation of fraud at the Silver Sands Holiday Park, Moray. Our enquiries are at a very early state and as such no further information is available.”