Bailey Launch Their New Unicorn Merida

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By William Coleman

Where better than the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show to launch a brand new caravan to your range? Bailey of Bristol pulled out the big guns last week at the NEC to wow visitors and dealers.

Bailey’s Unicorn range has been in firm pole position as the UK’s most popular premium range caravan. Now in it’s 4th generation the Bailey team have spared no expense to keep the their newest van at the top of the mountain.

Last week were got a first hand look at the brand new Unicorn Merida and we liked what we saw. Due to how busy the vans were we were unable to give a full review but we can tell you all about it thanks to a chat I had with the Bailey team.

The new single axle 2 berth, which features a front lounge and end washroom, has a totally new look both inside and out. A measure Bailey took on all of their 4th generation Unicorn models as they believe that a fresh approach was a step in the right direction to ensure their vans do not go stale and repetitive year after year.

So how do you create a new van within an existing range in an already heavily saturated market? You spend 18 months putting together all your plans and ideas, that’s how.

During the year and a half process the design team added the input of both customer and retailer focus groups to ensure they were producing a van that was born of feedback and criticism, which is always important to listen to. If you do not know the bad how can you improve?

The result of listening to their customer base has given Bailey a real step forward in caravan design. The new Unicorns are very much different from their older siblings and feature a dramatic look both inside and out.

On top of the new designs there has also been improvements in the layout, enhanced specification levels, accessible unladen weights and a competitive retail price.

With an MTPLM of 1330kg and under 5 meters in length, the Merida is an extremely light, yet spacious vehicle, and joins the existing ten models launched in 2017, which have seen great success since hitting the market.

The Unicorn range as a whole is a certainly a 4 season touring van. On board you will find an Alde programmable central heating system, featuring a user-friendly digital control panel with battery back-up for uninterrupted programming.

The vehicle have also been put through thorough testing in a cold chamber test to ensure optimum performance. Whilst a roof mounted Truma 100 watt solar panel allows you the additional freedom to enjoy off-grid caravan holidays.

Commenting on the launch of the new Unicorn Merida, Managing Director, Nick Howard said: “The fourth generation Unicorn range is a real step forward in Bailey caravan design, and the new Merida layout o ers more choice for the discerning caravan owner.

Add to that comprehensive specification levels, accessible unladen weights and a competitive retail price and we believe, the fourth generation Unicorn range is an extremely attractive proposition.”

A Week At The NEC Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show

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By William Coleman

The NEC caravan super show happens but twice a year, despite having a slightly different name for each show. Nonetheless myself and the rest of the CaravanTimes team get to spend the entire week there so we can bring you all the news.

For us the fun starts in the wee hours of Monday morning as the team prepare to travel from London to Birmingham. As some of you may know, CaravanTimes actually have an in house video production team and pretty much every single video you see on the site has been produced by us, so we get to the NEC on a Monday to get a head start of what we need to film during the week.

Before the masses flock to the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show we are running around like blue bottomed flies trying to get everything done so we can deliver the best video newsletter possible.

Monday Madness

During the final day of the show set up we run around, doing our best not to get in the way of the workmen, so we can get the footage of the show actually being set up to show you just how much time and energy goes into the show by both the construction team and the exhibitors. It really is the definition of all hands on deck.

Trust me, if you see what the halls of the NEC look like 1 day before the show opens you’d think that the show was weeks from being finished. The work the team put in just before the show opens truly is amazing!

We were able to film the set up thanks to the Caravan and Motorhome Club as they wanted us to film some of their promotional show material.

This also means we get a sneak peek of the show layout and we are able to have a good chat with a lot of people before the doors open and the masses pour in.

Meeting The Exhibitors

When we are not filming or trying to get the latest scoops I do get a chance to actually walk around and enjoy the show as a civilian.

It is nice to be able to walk around and not have to take notes or prep people for filming and just take in the show and have a look at the things that interest me. Can’t help but love walking from stand to stand to see what the newest non stick pan looks like or kind of new power shower there is on the market.

Whilst on my stroll I got to have a catch up with a few of the Bailey Bristanbul team and reminisce about the 21 day adventure and some possible ideas for a next tour, suffice to say my round the world trip in 90 days was shot down.

I also got to have a chat with other industry journalists about how their 2018 was and what they have planned for 2019. Nothing beats a nice cup of coffee in the press room exchanging touring war stories.

What makes this show so great is just how varied all the exhibitors are. Aside from all the non industry related stands, that enjoy having a mooch round, I got to see so many other stands that gave me inspiration to get outdoors more.

The camping area made me just want to jump in the van with a tent and go on an adventure. And if I am being totally honest I had no idea just how much cool kit the camping world offers. Yes there is a lot of crossover with outdoor accessories but once you remove the van from the equation there is another level of experiences just waiting for you.

What Can Be Done In A Week

A week at the show may seem like quite the long stint but if you plan it right you will get to see pretty much everything and everyone without having to rush around.

Each day there were different guest speakers, cooking demos and activities. Each of the major stands and Clubs have their own list of celeb speaks such as Matt Allwright and Rowland Rivron who talk about their caravan experiences and also do a live Q&A.

So if you plan each day well you really can get a good look at all the new vans from all the major dealers and manufacturers.

The only thing I missed, which I am genuinely gutted about, was the presentation with Ollie Ollerton and James Carl Fox from Channel 4’s Who Dares Wins. The 2 former SAS soldiers spoke about getting our doors more and how important it is for future generations to stay active and healthy. Something a caravan holiday providers a wealth of.

Through the 5 days I was at the show I got see pretty much every stand, van and tent there, I was particularly blown away by what Clear Sky Glamping had on display. I first saw their luxury accommodation at the Love2Stay site but finally got a chance to chat with their MD. Exciting things coming this year from the glamping world

So if you are planning on getting to the October show make sure you grab a show guide on the way in and plan ahead. It is very easy to get carried away and lose track of time jumping in and out of all the vans on show.

How Will The Rise Of The Electric Engine Effect Touring Holidays

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By William Coleman

Since the engine was first used for transportation the world have been totally dependent on fossil fuels, especially diesel. As the world moves on and we are becoming painfully aware of the effects of decades of burning fuel is having on the planet a lot of changes are taking place, but how will this translate to the world or caravan and motorhome holidays?

Let me start off by saying that the only experience of using an electric towcar was extremely underwhelming to the point where I would say it simply not fit for purpose. I am chalking it up to the fact that a manufacturer has yet to move into making vehicles powerful enough to effectively tow, not to mention the range issue. But why is this, I mean there is a huge market for it?

As we all know the electric car is a relatively new introduction to the automobile world and I am sure has a very long way to go before it reaches the mileage of a petrol or diesel engine. Well that is not exactly true as the first electric car was introduced in 1884 my English inventor Thomas Parker. I am talking about the real road worthy car bought by the masses that we have seen over the past decade or so.

Since around 2010 the world has been buying and using a lot of electric cars, such as the Toyota Prius and in more recent times the rather costly Tesla. For me the electric vehicle is not at the top of my list for towing. At the moment you cannot get an SUV or 4×4 with enough power or range to make buying one worthwhile, and when they do become better suited for the task I foresee a hefty price tag.

Things To Know Before Towing With Electric

As of right now there are several large manufacturers in the electric car market who openly warn against using their vehicles for towing. They even go as far as to state that attaching a tow bar can void both your warranty and insurance, not to mention get you in some hot water with the law.

If you do attach a tow bar to certain vehicles it must be type approved so as to meet regulations enabling you to legally tow. Also not all hitches that you can legally attach enable you to just hook up your rig and go. With electric you need to make sure that the hitch you’ve chosen fits the job at hand.

So do make sure that if you are thinking about going electric you have a real look into what you can legally do with the vehicle. Not as simple as just switching to a cleaner engine type.

Our Experience Towing With An Electric 4×4

CaravanTimes were fortunate enough to be involved as a judge in the 2019 Towcar of the Year testing for the Caravan and Motorhome Club last year. It was during the testing we got our first taste of using an electric 4×4 to tow a caravan.

As a day to day vehicle the Mitsubishi Outlander that we tested is a fine car. That being said, it was at the very bottom of the list for me from all the towcars we tested, I just did not like it at all. Both the inside and outside were just flat and not very well designed and as towcar it just did not cut it.

During the testing on flat surfaces the 4×4 did well/ok, some may even go as far to say it did just slightly above average.

As soon as we took is to a slightly steeper terrain the issues became very apparent. If you have a slightly heavier set up you are going to struggle with the power output of this towcar.

The heavier your set up is the faster you are going to burn through the range this engine provides. Thus meaning getting a lot less mileage on a vehicle that has far fewer charging points across the UK. Also be prepared to add a lot more time to your journey due to the constant stopping and charging.

The real issue we came across, which I did not think we were going to be able to overcome, was the hill start. Yes, we were on quite a steep hill but it was as steep as any hill you would expect to come across here in the UK.

Once the Mitsubishi was prone with the handbrake on we decided to commence with the hill start. We did not move, not once inch. Immediately we thought there was something wrong or the handbrake had somehow not disengaged.

After a quick double check we noticed that the 4×4 was just trying to muster enough power to start moving. After an agonizing 40-50 seconds we began to crawl as a slow snails pace.

Once we got moving it did not look as though we were going to make the brow up the hill, let alone drag a full weighted caravan up and over it.

After just under 90 seconds we were over the hall and on a declining slope picking up momentum and speed, only to then find we had almost totally zapped the battery.

So when it comes to electric tow cars like the Outlander I am not sold. But I am open to trying more to see what other cars can do.

Fossil Fuels Becoming A Extinct

Diesel is now a dirty word around the world, especially in certain parts of London where I live. These new low emission zones seem to be getting more expensive to drive through and they also seem to be getting a lot bigger.

Over the next few years I can see a lot more parts of the UK having a lot more low emission zones to help reduce the carbon footprint. And maybe top up some pockets of those in charge.

Now I am all in favour or reducing the amount of pollution that we pump into the atmosphere. I do not feel that there is a suitable vehicle type to match the needs of leisure vehicle user. Well not in the same time frame that these new low emission laws are coming in.

One solution, not one I believe in or would actually advise, is to match a less powerful electric towcar to a smaller more lightweight caravan setup. Trying to meet in the middle somewhere so as to be able to tour and protect your surroundings.

What does this mean for motorhomes?

There has been talk of a fully electric, or even a hybrid, motorhome for some time now, and some companies, such as Dethleffs, have even created a fully functioning concept van with the aim of releasing it to the masses.

Is this a concept that will one day become reality? Looking at the way things are heading I would say a strong yes. Not sure what the timeline will look like, I would imagine it is quite far off of hitting the world wide market.

At this current time we do not have effective enough battery cells in electric cars to enable them to tow larger rigs for an extended amount of time, so the tech would need a lot of work to get something the size of a motorhome running efficiently enough for them to become a product people can invest in.

2018 did actually see Europe’s first fully electric motorhome hit the market, well kind of. As of right now the Iridium E Mobil is only available in Germany and costs around £150,500. The manufacturers say that currently you can get 120-180 miles from one full charge but further range will be available soon.

Weight Is An Issue

When it comes to the batteries used for electric vehicles you have to factor in the weight of each cell. I was shocked at how much they weigh and the larger the car the larger the battery.

In a modern Toyota Prius the battery cell weighs 80kg, which does not provide enough to tow a caravan. I would not like to imagine how much a sufficient battery would weigh in at.

With all this added extra weight you will find that a lot of younger drivers may be exceeding their legal weight limits thus meaning they have to buy smaller van, or in some cases just give up on it all.

As I said, I do believe in doing what we can to reduce to irreparable damage we are doing to our planet but such drastic changes cannot be made until their is a suitable alternative in place.

Matt Allwright & Harvey Alexander Kick Things Off At The NEC

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By William Coleman

This year’s Caravan, Camping and Motorhome show at Birmingham’s NEC is one of the busiest we can remember! It’s fallen over half term and the organisers ,The NCC, have made sure to cater for the whole family, with all sorts of activities to keep the kids entertained, including ice skating, wall climbing and dog agility shows, there won’t be any bored half-termers.

As much as it’s great to keep the little ones entertained, we’re all here to inspire ourselves for the touring year ahead, get a peek at some of the latest innovations and see how we can elevate our leisure experiences to make the most of our well-earned leisure time and hard-earned cash.

TV favourite Matt Allwright and The Caravan and Motorhome Club’s very own Harvey Alexander give us a flavour of how you can best utilise your time at the show and why February’s NEC exhibition is such a great way to inspire the tourers in us all!

Let us know your plans for navigating the show below and, as always, if you see us come and say hello.

Camplify At The NEC- Making 2019 Great For Owners

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By William Coleman

The world of the caravan holiday seems to be going through a lot of changes, positive ones too. As the popularity increases year after year the demand for vans, rentals in particular, has become a major part of UK tourism as thousands of people and families are staying home for their holidays.

We want to know how all these changes affect a rental company such as Camplify. It was just a few years ago that people thought AirBnB would be a flash in the pan idea and over as soon as it started but now it is one of the largest accommodation booking services on the planet.

Having a form of leisure vehicle AirBnb is quite important for the industry as a whole, the UK economy too come to think of it. A lot of people may not have the capital or cash to plunge in head first and buy a caravan or motorhome, and some may be a tad hesitant as they may have never taken a caravan holiday before.

This is where the rentals come in. A non committal way to try a caravan holiday that then provides you an experience that may just lead you to the forecourt of a local dealer. The effects of these rentals are boosting sales of vans, site bookings and local tourism economy. So we at CaravanTimes very much welcome companies like Camplify.

The other side of the service that Camplify provide is extra income for those who own leisure vehicles. If you are only able to get away a handful of times a year you can rent it out through Camplify and have a second revenue by doing very little. In some cases people are using this to help pay off the vans themselves.

We caught up with Camplify this week at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show to talk about the growth of Camplify as well as what steps they are taking to ensure they keep all their owners and renters happy campers.

Oyster Sat Tec At The NEC- What Makes A Good Satellite System

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By William Coleman

On board entertainment is big business and there are a lot of different options out there on the market. As technology changes the on board entertainment system begin to change also. Smart TVs and internet streaming seem to be rising in popularity, but is this a future proof method?

There was a time when keeping yourself entertained when it was either raining or the night time consisted of a good book or board game. Now on sites across the world it seems as though that has become a thing of the past for many people.

There are still a lot who do partake in the old pastimes but the world of touring and entertainment has changed as people want those on board creature comforts so they can go further for longer.

As streaming TV becomes one of the most dominant media platforms on earth we are seeing the impact in the caravan world. A lot of people have invested in a smaller sized SmartTV, iPad and laptops to watch their favourite shows while on tour. But is this a cost effective way of keeping yourself entertained?

This week at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show we caught up with Oyster-Sat Tech’s Managing Director, Julian Preston, to discuss how a satellite is still the king of touring TV solutions.

After speaking with Julian I realised that as fun and easy as streaming can be it really is not an alternative to satellite. Julian raised a lot of interesting points, many of which I think a lot of people may not actually realise. If you are streaming READ THE SMALL PRINT, as you may just spent a fair bit more than you bargained on.

UKCC Reveal Holiday Parks and Campsites Generate £9.3 Billion

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By William Coleman

The holiday sector has always been known for its high income generation for all involved. We are now seeing the caravan world bring in some serious revenue as an independent report, titled ‘Pitching the Value’, is the first time holiday parks and campsites across the UK have been analysed to show the value of the sector to the nation’s economy.

Holiday parks and campsites around the UK generate £9.3bn in visitor expenditure and support 171,448 full-time employees, a major report reveals today.

‘Pitching the Value’, which focuses on the economic impact of the sector together with the health and wellbeing benefits of such holidays, was carried out by Frontline Consultants on behalf of the UK Caravan and Camping Alliance (UKCCA). The alliance is an umbrella group comprising The National Caravan Council, The Camping and Caravanning Club, the Caravan and Motorhome Club, and the British Holiday & Home Parks Association.

Bob Hill, who led the UKCCA joint working group, said: “This is a groundbreaking report that clearly demonstrates the important benefits to the economy brought by the UK’s many holiday parks and campsites.

“Pitching the Value will help the industry attract more investment and ultimately improve opportunities for it to grow, develop and create new jobs. Our findings reinforce the importance of holiday parks and campsites to the country’s tourism economy.

That will help us to improve holidaymakers’ on-site experiences and choice, which in turn will also attract more overseas visitors to these shores.”

Holiday park and campsite operators also support local communities through capital and operating expenditure, and wages. Nearly half of those companies and organisations that took part in the report cumulatively spend nearly £303 million per year in this way.

The research also found they engage with local communities through support for events such as fundraising activities, participate in recycling and environmental initiatives, and promote healthy active lifestyles in the great outdoors through pastimes such as walking and cycling.

The four sponsoring organisations of the UKCCA own or are affiliated to 6,243 holiday parks and campsites across the UK with a combined total of 438,076 pitches. Those sites offer holidaymakers a diverse range of accommodation such as touring pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, rented holiday homes, lodges, and chalets, plus glamping units like tipis and yurts, together with a wide selection of on-site facilities.

Bob added: “We want to use this compelling evidence to ensure key influencers and decision-makers support the development and growth of our industry at a national, regional and individual business level for the benefit of our economy and for holidaymakers themselves.”

The Caravan and Motorhome Club represents the interests of about one million caravan, motorhome, campervan and trailer tent owners across the UK. Founded in 1907, the Caravan and Motorhome Club has a wealth of experience and prides itself on offering great value and high quality sites for tourers.

The Club offers members over 2,700 sites in the UK and overseas as well as glamping pods, yurts, camping pods, tent camping plus a motorhome and Airstream hire scheme available to non-members through its Experience Freedom operation.

Camper Van Insurance From The Caravan And Motorhome Club

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By William Coleman

The market growth of camper vans is undeniable. It seems as though a lot of younger people are opting for a camper to be their primary vehicle Monday to Friday and their home away from home on the weekends. Now the Caravan and Motorhome Club has redefined its campervan insurance product.

Designed for the more spontaneous habits of many campervanners, the Club’s campervan insurance enables them to set off in their beloved vehicle to the UK and Europe for up to 365 days a year, safe in the knowledge they are fully insured.

With around 225,000 campervans and motorhomes in use in the UK, and over 30,000 members
owning a campervan, the Club is launching a new web page dedicated to campervanners and their insurance needs, promoting the key benefits of the scheme which retains 9 out of 10 members who renew their policy each year.

The exclusive Premium Saving Guarantee offered by the Caravan and Motorhome Club means that members taking out insurance for the first time will save at least £25 on any existing renewal if they’re insured elsewhere*.

New for old cover means if you bought your vehicle from new (and you are the first and only
registered keeper and legal owner of the vehicle) and it is stolen or written off while less than 24
months old, the policy will replace the vehicle with a brand new one, subject to availability.

And for those that don’t get to go away in their campervan as often as they would like, the Caravan and Motorhome Club offers a premium discount for low mileage.

Harvey Alexander, Marketing Director at the Caravan and Motorhome Club said: “We know that a growing number of our members own campervans and we want to make sure we are catering to the needs of this expanding group.

We have carefully researched the travel habits of campervanners and ensured our insurance meets their distinct requirements, just as it does with motorhomes; campervan insurance now has its own dedicated web page on our site, with the benefits of the policy clearly laid out.”

Pro Tec Covers At The NEC

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By William Coleman

It seems that nowadays you can find a case or cover for just about every item you own. From the very small like a phone case to the weird and wonderful like a dog onesie. What about those more high value items like motorbikes, cars, caravans and motorhomes?

The caravan is a very unique vehicle for many reasons. The portable habitation van seems to be the target of both affection and vandalism in almost equal measures. So why not take some steps toward preventing anything nasty happening to your pride and joy by investing in a bespoke cover.

Pro Tec Covers are on hand at the NEC to help you safeguard your vehicles. They know that transporting a caravan does come with its own set of risks such as being damaged in transit by stones popping up from the road and general wear and tear.

There is nothing worse than setting up only to find that one of your very expensive windows has a nice big crack from a stone chip. Pro Tec have just the solution to prevent any unwanted surprises.

One thing that I firmly believe is that a cover is great crime deterrent. For reason beyond my comprehension the caravan is a flashing beacon for vandals and idiots alike. It seems as though they are also very popular among arsonists too, another baffling point.

A cover hides the caravan in plain site and makes it almost invisible to criminal element. If you are going to have your leisure vehicles stored out the front of your home under a cover most vandals will not want to spend the time removing covers out in the open.

So not only do Pro Tec covers protect you from the elements they will also keep your vans safe and sound when stored.

Their stand at the NEC show had a lot of traffic, I was surprised that I was able to grab one of the team to find out more about the family run company and their amazing range of products.

If you are visiting the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show this week be sure to visit stand 1208 in Hall 1 or directly online at http://www.pro-teccovers.co.uk/

Truma At The NEC- iNet And System Automation

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By William Coleman

Nowadays it seems as though the most advanced technology on the planet is available to everyone no matter where they are thanks to smartphone. Automation and advance tech has now found its way into caravans all thanks to the big brains working at Truma. How do they use their systems to make your life easier?

At home you can have a speaker that recognises your voice and will order you something from Amazon, you have a phone that record 4K footage and send it to a friend in a split second and you can even turn on a car without using a key. Gone are the days where you have to wait for weekend paper to see what was on at the cinema or buy a magazine to see what films are on Friday night.

So as technology evolves we are seeing the benefits in the caravan world. Certain companies, like Truma, are the front runners in making sure your caravan is up to date with all the mod cons to make your holiday time more comfortable.

Truma believe in automation and with this in mind they have developed several systems and apps that all work together to keep you living in comfort and luxury.

With their iNet System you can be fully automated and controll your on bored heating while you are out and about. So if it has been a particularly cold day out you can send a text message to and get the van toasty warm before you arrive. Nobody wants to sit and wait for the van to warm in the winter months.

Another great thing about Truma’s iNet System is that it is fully compatible with Alde systems so they are automative and cross brand compatible.

We caught up with Truma’s Managing Director, Martin Fitzpatrick, this week at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show to find out more about how Truma are bringing 21st century tech into leisure vehicles.

Matt Allwright Martin Dorey Kick Start The Caravan Camping And Motorhome Show

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By William Coleman

The NEC Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show in Birmingham is a super fun event. Myself and the CaravanTimes team get to spend the entire week at the show talking to all the dealer, manufacturers and other exhibitors about what they are displaying throughout the week, but the show has to start somewhere….

This year’s February show kicked off in style with everyone’s favourite high street crime fighter Matt Allwright and environmentally friendly chef Martin Dorey. The dynamic duo were on hand to officially get things started this week in Birmingham.

If you want a new new camper, motorhome, tent or caravan or if you simply want to see what’s new for 2019 you can you can see it all under one roof.

There is a lot to do and see this week at the NEC and both Matt and Martin are personally endorsing the show. So get to the NEC and make the most of your week and visit the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show.

From walk-in wardrobes to Juliet balconies – the ultimate luxury caravan unveiled

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By Emma Dodd

At this point in lockdown, most of us are dreaming of a caravan escape, but the levels of luxury that such a post-coronavirus holiday will look like are set to vary considerably.

While many people are contemplating booking a few nights away in their second-hand tourer or pondering the idea of hiring a motorhome, ParkDean Resorts has unveiled something in an entirely different league.

The holiday company is offering a range of 14 ft-wide static caravans with walk-in wardrobes and Juliet balconies, French doors and en suites.

With prices for these top-of-the range caravans starting at £72,495, it’s safe to say they’ll represent a level of comfort higher than many of us have at home, let alone when camping.

While a spokesperson for ParkDean described The Excellence range as “truly the cream of the crop and takes caravan ownership to the next level,” it’s not the most expensive option in its portfolio.

Prospective caravan owners can decide to put their money into the ultimate static caravan with the Lodge, starting at £99,995 with opportunities to go even higher.

Expect vaulted ceilings, kitchen islands and a bright, open-plan interior for that price tag.

If you can’t stretch to such dizzying heights, the Comfort range comes in at £40,495 and boasts 12 ft of space, as well as central heating and double-glazed windows.

All of these models come under ParkDean’s Luxury Range, which are a far cry from leaky tourer holidays that many Brits experienced as children.

The ParkDean spokesperson told the Express: “Expertly designed and furnished to a high standard, our Luxury Range offers a collection of extra-wide static caravans with added space, style and comfort in abundance.

“These contemporary holiday homes are guaranteed to provide ultimate indulgence for your family getaways.”