Dethleffs New 7 Berth Caravan

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By William Coleman

Having a big family usually leads to needing a larger caravan so you can make the most of your family’s holiday time. This new 7 berth caravan from German manufacturer Dethleffs provides a lot of accomodation without the hefty price tag.

This modern and cost effective series is aimed directly to larger families who want to extend their leisure time in comfort. Gone are the days of bringing a tent and having half the brood outside camping with the C’Go UP.

How do you fit 7 people comfortably inside a caravan without people top and tailing? You add two lift beds that are neatly concealed when not in use so as to make the living space that much more accessible. Compact living at its finest.

According to the “up and away” principle, the C’Go Up provides uncomplicated camping fun and, despite its manageable dimensions, offers plenty of space thanks to the easily stow-able pull-down bed above the seating group, and also an enormous headroom of 208 cm.

The smaller C’Go Up 465 KR hasa total length of just 683 cm, has four fixed beds and the option to convert the seating group under the pull down bed into a double bed if required.

The two transverse bunk beds in the bow may be loaded with up to 80 kg and have a length of 210 cm, so that adults could spend the night comfortably there. Also the lift bed with its 200 to 145 cm offers a lot of freedom of movement. The technically permissible maximum mass of this plan is 1,500 kg. If you are not satisfied with the 220 kg load , you can optionally load the vehicle up to 1.700 kg.

If you want to add more family and friends you can opt for the C’Go Up 525 KR. This model is the 7 berth that is total length of 7.57m. This model has been a great hit with children due to the separate bunk bed area that has been tailor made for the little ones. They even have their own seating area all to themselves which converts into an additional bed.

The lower bunk bed can be folded up and then used as storage space during the journey. Two spacious wardrobes also offer generous storage space . The technically permissible maximum mass of this family caravan is 1,600 kg. It can also be loaded up to 1,800 kg and then has a payload of more than 420 kg.

Both C’Go Up layouts are single axle, 230 cm wide, 271 cm high and have a 142 l fridge-freezer on board. Like the other c’go family members, they are captivating with their fresh and modern design, accentuated with upbeat colors and particularly popular with young couples and families.

I can see this being a winner for families who take away the kids, cousins and friends for weeks and weekends away all year round. Tons of space and sleeping space as well as keeping the whole family together. What’s not to love?

Campervan firm delivers virtual work experience to schoolchildren

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By Emma Dodd

A campervan conversion company has provided a local school with an innovative take on work experience during lockdown.

Jerba Campervans showed pupils at North Berwick High School the inner workings of the business during a video tour.

It showcased the skills and knowledge required to make bespoke campervans and the type of environment found in the workshop.

The firm’s current apprentices also created a video to demonstrate the paths they took to get into the industry and what their career outlooks are for the future.

This real-world experience is vital for youngsters who may not know where they’re heading and don’t necessarily want to go down the university route.

Gareth Jones, an apprentice at Jerba Campervans, said: “My friend worked here for a while and told me there was a position going, and so I applied and got the apprenticeship. I had no experience in this field beforehand. I just wanted to be in a job which enabled me to get hands-on.

“Everyone here is invested in the business, and this is partially down to the company being employee-owned, meaning there is a collective motivation to do the best we can each day.”

Setting up the digital work placement programme has been achieved by Gateway Shared Services to ensure pupils don’t miss out on valuable insight during lockdown.

Getting involved in the virtual work experience project is a continuation of Jerba Campervans’ commitment to offering placements to local school children.

It has been welcoming pupils with an interest in carpentry and vehicle conversions into its workshop since 2011 and will hopefully be able to do so again once coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

Jerba Campervans specialises in converting VW vans with a choice of five main types of transformations, which can then be customised by the mechanics and cabinet makers to fully suit the needs of the customer.

The Platinum Potty

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By William Coleman

We have all been faced with that nightmare scenario where we really need to toilet and then come face to face with a scene from a horror film. This can happen on planes, trains, pubs, clubs, bars and camp sites. Once such place where they guarantee a clean lavatory just took a top award for their clean efforts.

Donkey Creek Farm Caravan Park on Lancashire’s Fylde coast is officially one of the best place to “go” in Britain, according to judges of the annual Loo of the Year awards.

For the park’s washrooms have been named as top platinum winners in the latest Loo of the Year awards, bringing a chain of honour to the family-run business.

The prestigious accolade was made to Donkey Creek after the shower and toilet facilities provided for guests were “mystery shopped” by inspectors.

Celebrating the news of the award are Paul Lancaster and his wife Jane who opened the park last summer in a quiet rural location near the market town of Freckleton.

One of their first tasks was a built a state-of-the-art washroom facility for guests pitching up at the park with motorhomes, touring caravans and tents.Enabling them to spend a penny in five-star surroundings cost around a third of a million pounds – and has helped earn Donkey Creek a raft of glowing reviews.

And Paul and Jane also know that their success is not just a flash in the pan because, they say, advance bookings for 2019 are “way beyond our expectations”.

Although Donkey Creek is a new venture, the family has been involved with the parks industry in Lancashire for over half a century. It also owns long-established Lamaleach Park Estates near Lytham St Annes, a residential park which provides 120 park homes for people in or near retirement.

Donkey Creek, says Paul, was opened to cater for those seeking a high-quality location to pitch on the Fylde coast, close to both scenic countryside and its famous seaside resorts.The park’s spacious new facilities include large showers and drying areas, private family bathrooms, hairdryers, underfloor heating, and full access for people with limited mobility.

In addition to the platinum gong, inspectors also gave the washroom cleaning team a special certificate for the outstandingly high standards of cleanliness they maintain.

According to Paul, the washroom building simply mirrors what the park itself aspires to:

“Donkey Creek has a very special appeal to people who enjoy away-from-it-all holidays in gorgeous surroundings, and we’ve tried to provide the perfect backdrop for that,” he said.

“Our family feels very privileged to be able to live and work in this beautiful part of Lancashire, and it’s great to have our efforts acknowledged with an award like this,” added Paul.

The Loo of the Year awards have been running since 1987, and facilities are judged by inspectors against 101 criteria from the fixtures and fittings to overall standards of cleanliness.

Travelworlds 10 Year Partnership With Niesmann and Bischoff

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By William Coleman

A decade of success is being celebrated this year as Staffordshire- based Travelworld Motorhomes enter their 10th year of business as the UK’s sole distributor of Niesmann and Bischoff products.

The partnership started in March 2009 when the contract was signed at the factory in Polch, Germany ensuring that Travelworld was able to exhibit the new 2010 model year product for the first time at the 2009 NCC Motorhome and Caravan Show.

Speaking about Niesmann + Bischoff’s success, Ross Edwards, Managing Director of Travelworld said: “We were approached by the factory in the aftermath of the recession when they had lost their UK agent, the timing was perfect as we had also lost our main supplier in the USA for the same reason”.

“N+B had been on our radar for some time due to their similarities with the luxury brands that we had represented in the USA for so many years”. “We have always strived to work with the world’s most prestigious motorhome brands and of course, N+B are amongst the best in the world!”

Niesmann’s export manager Cecile Klärner said: “When Ross showed me their company for the first time back in March 2009, I was very impressed by Travelworld’s ability to deal with large luxury models, their qualified staff and high-end workshop equipment was also second to none.”

A decade later and Travelworld’s relationship with the high end prestigious brands has never been stronger. Their growing reputation within the UK market speaks for itself and their rise in popularity is second to none.

Cecile Klärner said: “In their family-run business customers are at the centre of their operation. Travelworld’s high motivation and professionalism are the key to their success in the UK.

“We never had any doubt about our decision 10 years ago to work exclusively with Travelworld in the United Kingdom. We are grateful for their faith in our products and we look forward to many more years ahead with the same enthusiasm as 10 years ago!”

Travelworld is looking to further the brand’s success in the UK with its new state-of-the-art dealership which has its grand opening this coming Monday, 18/02/19, in Telford. Which we will be attending, and yes we are rather excited.

Ross Edwards said: “Our previous site in Telford served us well and has enabled us to grow the Niesmann brand in the UK, since then we have grown considerably and recognised the need for a central location. Creswell Park is perfect for our continued growth and progress.”

Use Pro-Tec Cover To Keep Your Van Warm And Safe

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By William Coleman

There have been a fair amount of frosty mornings over the past few weeks which has had people outside in sub temperatures scraping away and thick sheets of ice trying to get the caravan or motorhome ready to take on the open road. Why not invest in a cover that will save time defrosting as well as help keep your leisure vehicle safe and secure?

Pro-Tec Covers are now in their 30th year and are a leading manufacturer of bespoke covers for caravans and motorhomes. Over the past 3 decades they have been working directly with other industry leaders like Bailey Of Bristol and provided covers for leading industry bodies, such as the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the NCC.

One thing that Pro-Tec did that really stood out to me as the tailor-made cover they made for the world record breaking Lego caravan for the NCC. Who doesn’t love Lego? They’ve also attracted a celebrity customer or two and have made covers for Jamie Oliver, Martin Clunes, Jay Kay of Jamiroquai fame and Guy Martin, to name a few.

With such a large and varied customer base you have to wonder what has attracted so many prestigious customers to the small family owned Yorkshire firm? Quite simply, it is the quality of their covers. Pro-Tec employ tailoring professionals to individually measure every vehicle they have ever covered, ensuring a fit that is second to none.

All roof furniture on your van or motorhome will have its own allowance built into the cover, access to your habitation door will be included as standard and each full cover has their unique Easy-Fit System.

On top of the level of fit, the fabric they use is purpose designed for the vehicle cover market and made right here in the UK. It’s the most breathable waterproof purpose designed caravan and motorhome cover material available.

Protec have kept their covers at the forefront by continually improving their designs and coming up with innovative solutions to real problems faced by today’s caravanners. The Easy-Fit System is a Protec registered design, whereby the entire rear panel of the cover can be rolled up out of the way for ease of fitting.

Traditional caravan covers have to be lifted over the roof of the vehicle and then pulled down all 4 sides like a giant sweater. The Easy-Fit System means that the whole cover can simply be walked over your caravan from front to back, negating the need for ladders or well placed swear words.

As well as full protective covers, Protec also manufacture front towing covers to protect your caravan while it’s on the road.

Last year at the NEC February show, they launched their all new Towing Jacket. The Jacket has been incredibly well received by the caravanning community and more and more of them can be seen out and about on the roads today.

We have all experienced the carnage caused by suicidal bugs, the muck thrown up from winding country roads or maybe even been unlucky enough to suffer a stone chip. The Towing Jacket protects your investment against all these hazards while maintain access to your locker box and windows without the need to remove the cover.

On top of providing protection whilst in transit you cannot overlook the security benefits of having a cover of your caravan or motorhome while stored. For a reason that is beyond my comprehension leisure vehicle are a target for vandals and having one under a cover does seem to give you another level of protection.

Why, you may be asking yourself? Well it comes down to the old saying “out of sight out of mind”. Does a cover stop a vandal? No, but it does work as a strong deterrent. First of all it is not as eye catching as a fully exposed caravan and secondly the time is takes to remove a cover just to cause some random damage extends the chance of getting caught in the act.

So for practical and security reasons you should invest in a cover. We will be popping by and speaking with the Pro-Tec team next week at the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show, so if you are visiting pop by their stand, stand number 1208, and chat with the guys.

The Ultimate Caravan Jockey Wheel

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By William Coleman

Could a jockey wheel be made to replace the many that are continually broken on Caravans every year? This was the mission given to the designers at Kartt, who are one of the largest manufacturers of jockey wheels, supplying the industrial and commercial trailer markets.

So could they make a jockey wheel that overcame the difficulties that caravan users were experiencing? Collapsing castors, punctures, tyres pulling off rims, winding difficulties; could Kartt also produce something that would work alongside the increasingly popular motor movers?

Kartt worked closely in collaboration with the Caravan & Motorhome Club, looked at these issues and studied each and every jockey wheel component, adapting and enhancing each one until they had developed

The Ultimate Caravan Jockey Wheel

You could almost say that the Product Development teams were turning Kartt Wheels! Handles, tubes, wheel plates and wheel hanger castors were all made stronger to better withstand the sort of knocks and forces that are common when manoeuvring your caravan.

The solid tyre is puncture proof and will not rip off the rim, yet it has the same footprint as a pneumatic tyre so that it rides nicely over most surfaces. The winding handle is easy to grip from the top or the side and a top of the range roller bearing makes it really easy to turn even under load. All proven through the Kartt “in house” testing facilities in Bedford.

Furthermore, Kartt introduced their Turn-Lok TM device into the winding mechanism, which prevents the handle from turning and so stops the inner tube from unwinding under normal road vibrations, so the wheel and tyre will not drop out in transit!

A 20mm steel axle rides inside a maintenance free nylon support tube so that there is no metal to metal contact and so no rusting, consequently providing free running and a long life. An orange, powder coating on the steel wheel rim not only gives great protection against road salts and grit but is also highly visible, as a reminder to raise the jockey wheel after hitching up.

The jockey wheel tube has even been made longer so that there is less need to stoop when winding, plus the extra strong winding handle will not conflict with the handbrake lever.

THE ULTIMATE CARAVAN JOCKEY WHEEL is available through the Club Shop of the Caravan & Motorhome Club

Swifts Big Presence At The SEC This Week

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By William Coleman

Who’s going to the SEC this weekend? I was there this week to see all the great vans and tech on display. One manufacturer who always puts on a eye catching stand is Swift. What are one of the UK’s largest manufacturer of touring caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes doing in Scotland to wow visitors?

Swift Group, Europe’s no.1 brand for leisure vehicles, expands its Scotland presence with the launch of a new depot for its motorhome hire business, Swift Go, and its first ever holiday home showground, with both based at the same location between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Nick Page, Swift Group Commercial Director, said: “Scotland is an important market for Swift, with strong partnerships and a growing base of loyal customers keen to explore their spectacular surroundings. ”

We are therefore making it easier for our more northerly customers to experience our superb products and services in person, facilitating better access to a wider selection of lodges, holiday homes and pods, along with Swift Go motorhomes.

Visitors will be able to experience first-hand the build quality and stylish design that sets Swift apart.”

Close to Edinburgh and just 30 miles from Glasgow on the M8 corridor, the 1.8 acre site will house Swift Go’s second depot, following the outstanding success of its first facility, located in Manchester.

Due to open in early summer, it will hold an extensive fleet of new Swift motorhomes across the Select, Escape and Bessacarr ranges and is ideally situated for customers to collect motorhomes before embarking on their travels.

Ahead of these launches, Swift will also attend the 2019 Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show, exhibiting its innovative holiday home and lodge lineup.

Highlights will include the ingenious S-Pod 6, whose clever compact living space comfortably seats and sleeps up to 6 thanks to a raised bunk area and superb specification, and the all-new Toronto lodge, sleeping up to 9 with three bedrooms including a triple bunk room.

The iconic Airstream travel trailer will also feature on the stand, and visitors will be able to see many of Swift’s motorhome and touring caravan ranges at dealerships’ stands.

Nick Page adds: “Swift and Swift Go are looking forward to extending our reach in a region with so much opportunity and where we are sure of a continued warm welcome for our innovative products and initiatives.”

Part of the Swift Group, Swift Go offers motorhome hire to bring the leisure vehicle experience to more people.

Opening its doors in early 2018, the business has enjoyed a strong performance throughout its first year of operation, receiving glowing reviews from customers and media outlets alike.

If you are attending the show this weekend be sure to stop by the Swift stand and see everything they have on display.

The Caravan And Motorhome Club Top Scottish Locations

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By William Coleman

As part of my touring New Year’s resolution I have made it my mission to visit sites much further afield, Scotland being one specific location that I had in mind. As we approach the Scottish Motorhome, Caravan and Holiday Home Show The Club have announced their favourite Scottish sites.

From the beautiful Borders to the heavenly Highlands, the Caravan and Motorhome Club offers a Scottish site to suit everyone, including many near must-visit events that are taking place throughout Scotland this year.

Nick Lomas spoke to us this week at the Scottish Caravan, motorhome and motorhome show to tell us what he loves about Scotland and all of the touring opportunities the country has to offer.

Here are five of the Club’s top event picks complete with nearby sites to head to in 2019:

Strathclyde County Park Club Site

This March, Glasgow will welcome some of the continent’s greatest athletes at the 35th annual European Athletics Indoor Championships. The sporting competition will see over 600 athletes representing 50 nations take to the tracks at the Emirates Arena to compete for prestigious European Athletic titles.

Spectators can head to one of the six sessions over three days of intense competition and can expect to see some of the greatest athletes competing on track and field, including the likes of Mo Farah and the Great Britain relay teams. Located just 20 minutes outside of Glasgow, Strathclyde County Park Club Site is a great base for some rest and relaxation after an exciting few days watching the sport.

The site is just a ten minute stroll from its namesake park, which offers 1,000 acres of woodland, waterland and parkland to explore.

From £12.90 per standard pitch per night based on one adult staying

Carradale Bay Caravan Site

Situated just off Scotland’s west coast, the Island of Islay is famous for producing single malt whisky at its eight working distilleries, and for offering panoramic views of Northern Ireland from its southern tip.

The Island’s festival of music and malt offers visitors the chance to experience traditional song, dance, poetry, food, language, piping and, of course, whisky tasting all in one place! Visitors can stay just across the water at Carradale Bay Caravan Site on the mainland, which boasts fantastic views across the Kintyre Peninsula.

The site is just a 40-minute drive to Kennacraig, where holidaymakers can easily catch the ferry to Islay. The ferry itself takes around two hours and the picturesque landscape and the warm welcome from the people of Islay means it’s a trip worth taking.

Contact site directly on 01583 431665 for prices and availability

Edinburgh Club Site

Edinburgh is the place to be in August and it’s no wonder as it plays host to two world-class events. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a unique event featuring performances from military bands, both national and international, as well as dancers from around the world.

The acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe Festival offers visitors the chance to see live comedy, musicals, wacky children’s shows and creative dance shows at venues across the city, and some are even free.

Many famous names have played the Edinburgh Fringe Festival over the years, including the likes of Ruby Wax, Jason Donovan and John Bishop. The Edinburgh Club Site offers a great base to explore the city and is only a short drive from the centre.

It is also perfect for those wanting to combine the coastal scene with the city vibe. Dog walks and cycle routes surround the site, making it a great location for those who also like to enjoy the great outdoors.

From £22.30 per standard pitch per night based on one adult staying

Forfar Lochside Club Site

Possibly the most famous of all the Highland Games, the Braemar Gathering attracts visitors from all over the world. It is little surprise because the ancient Highland festival has a history dating back 900 years and is traditionally attended by The Royal Family.

Clans and athletes of all ages from across Scotland come together to compete in an array of traditional competitions including Highland dancing, tug of war, solo piping and heavy events.

The Forfar Lochside Club Site is located just over an hour’s drive from the Braemar Gathering and is also just over an hour from Balmoral Castle. The site is located on the shores of Forfar Loch and within the stunning country park. It is ideal for walkers and dog walkers, offering routes with panoramic views across the Highlands and the North Sea.

From £16.00 per standard pitch per night based on one adult staying

Balbirnie Park Club Site

Regal Scone Palace is the perfect place to spend the spookiest time of the year. Home to the Earl and Countess of Mansfield, the palace will be transformed into a terrifying playground with ghouls and ghosts hiding in the garden maze, lurking in the woods and coming out to play in the state banquet room when they are least expected.

For the perfect Scottish getaway this year, visitors can combine a trip to Scone Palace with a stay at the nearby Balbirnie Park Club Site, just a 40-minute drive away. The site is set within 400 acres of parkland, so it’s no wonder it’s so popular with hikers, cyclists and dog walkers.

From £11.80 per standard pitch per night based on one adult staying

For more information on the Caravan and Motorhome Club, please visit www.camc.com

Go-Pods Highland Inspired Model SEC Launch

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By William Coleman

Campers are encouraged to come along to The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show this weekend (Thursday 7 February – Sunday 10 February) for the reveal of the new Scotland inspired 2019 Highland Edition Go-Pod.

Officially launching at the show, the micro tourer is a perfect blend between the fun of camping and the comfort of caravanning. The Highland model boasts a mini kitchenette plus a tartan themed dining and lounging space, perfect for easy staycation travelling.

Weighing only 540kg and with a 750Kg MTPLM, the lightweight and more contemporary design can be towed by most small cars. The range starts from £9,745, with the ultimate Highland package being £13,990.00 which includes an awning, heating, solar power, winter cover and auto motor mover amongst its features.

Designed not to snake or wobble, Go-Pods are ideal for those who have never towed before and looking for an upgrade from camping without the cost of a secondary vehicle.

Simple to set up, easy to store and highly versatile – Go-Pods are all about convenience and with an extensive range of add-ons available, you can customise your Go Pod to suit your own style of camping.The Southport based company has been building and selling caravans for over 40 years, providing easy touring options for effortless travelling.

Phill Palmer, Go Pod’s Sales and Marketing Manager said: “Our Go-Pods’ small and compact design gives customers the convenience of jumping in their car to take a break, whenever and wherever they want. Whether it’s in a caravan park or even more adventurous wild camping, the size and mobility of our modern micro tourer allows you the freedom to explore the world by road.

“We are exceptionally excited to launch our newest edition at the expo this week and look forward to showing off its features and Highland inspired interiors”, said Mr Palmer.

Alongside Go-Pods, The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show will be hosting over 200 of the UK’s leading caravan and motorhome suppliers who will showcasing their latest and best selection of models.

The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show will be running from Thursday 7 February until Sunday 10 February at the SEC, Glasgow.

Marquis Model Grade III Classification

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By William Coleman

As we enter February, one of the coldest months, everyone is gearing up and preparing for the new season. But there are a lot of us who are still planning on some winter getaways despite the sub zero temperatures, one of those a Marquis Leisure who’s latest model will make winter seem like a bad memory as they pass some extreme weather testing.

Certain parts of the UK have been hit quite badly by the snow over the past week or so, nothing like the arctic vortex in American where they are seeing temperatures dropping as low as -46, but people are still camping and caravanning and making the most of their vans.

So if you are in the UK and still want to make the most out of your leisure vehicle you are going to want to make sure that your van has a Grade III classification.

For those who may not know what Grade III classification is its the highest standard for both insulation and heating and confirms that a vehicle is capable of maintaining a comfortable internal temperature, even down to an external temperature of -15°C, to provide the perfect climate 365 days a year.

With certain areas facing minus temperature weather having a motorhome that can stand up to mother nature will make the world of of difference on those chilly frost covered mornings.

One such model that has recently gone through grade testing and has walked away with top marks is the Benimar Primero range.

Benimar motorhomes are the UK’s largest selling imported product sold exclusively by Marquis Leisure across a 12 branch network throughout the UK. They have now launched the brand new Primero range for the UK market.

We have stayed in quite a few Benimar models and they really are built for luxury living and the Primero is no different.

The new Primero range comes with a whole wave of features that a very competitively priced and are aimed towards families. Being under 6 meters long should also appeal to the younger audience who want to venture further for longer.

So how does one test a leisure vehicle to ensure they can stand -15 temperatures? You pop over and see Truma who just happen to have a climate chamber test facility.

Truma’s climate chamber has been used since the 1970s to help temperature check leisure vehicles to ensure they can survive the harshest of temperatures.The chamber uses thermal imaging cameras to to allow manufacturers to maximise heating comfort within their vehicles.

The Primero flew through the testing with top marks meaning every new 2019 model excels in any environment to deliver luxurious year round touring comfort, which is great news for customers wanting to travel in any weather conditions.

The Primero may be able to hold up against extreme cold but it is also the perfect all year round motorhome. So if it’s horribly cold outside or blistering sunshine the Primero will have you touring in comfort and style.

From his driveway to the world: The caravan DJ entertaining in lockdown

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By Emma Dodd

A DJ from West Yorkshire is using his caravan to continue to entertain the masses during lockdown.

Patrick Mulligan has turned his leisure vehicle into a studio so he can broadcast DJ sets out across the world without breaking any coronavirus rules.

He set up the online platform Mulligan’s Virtual Bar with his son Henry in the first lockdown and since March last year has seen its popularity grow.

The former nightclub DJ now boasts more than 35,000 members across 100 countries, reports the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Mr Mulligan has also opened his platform up to other performers and has welcomed around 200 artists to his virtual bar.

Each of the artists perform from their own home, caravan or safe space, as the DJ brings them together online to create a sense of community.

Mr Mulligan told the news provider: “Our objective is to support artists by allowing them to enjoy performing to a safe and controlled audience.”

The online community has a team of volunteers that monitors any comments posted and helps any viewers they have identified as requiring extra support.

Mulligan’s Virtual Bar intends to host a series of socially-distanced block parties once restrictions are lifted.

Places at these post-lockdown events will be raffled off as a huge celebration of the return to normal life takes place.

In the meantime, it’s always interesting to hear how caravan owners are using their leisure vehicles during lockdown while holidays are not permitted.

From offices and homeschooling spaces to date night venues and now a DJ booth, the caravan community’s ingenuity never fails to surprise and impress.

Saving space in compact living

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By William Coleman

They say you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. I respectfully disagree because no matter how seasoned you are in caravan living you never stop learning, something I think we can all agree on. Also if you are new to the outdoor living lifestyle you may also benefit greatly from these little hints and tips.

Once you get into the caravan or motorhome holiday life you learn a lot on your first few trips, very much a trial of errors until you’ve figured out what you need. One thing I was told when I first started putting together my list if things I would need was to make a list of literally everything you use at home over a weekend. Doing that will give you a pretty good idea of what you need for a weekend away in a caravan, camper or motorhome.

So here are a few pro tips to help you make the most of your living space and help those of you who may be newer to the leisure vehicle holiday.

Don’t Forget The Drying

Have you been to sites that just have a washing machine? Have you you noticed there was no dryer only after your washing is half way through the cycle? I have, and it never ever crossed my mind to bring a clothes line. You live you learn.

I have seen some very primitive variations over the years but as basic as they were they were 100 times better than not having one at all.

So take a ball of string, a chain of even lots of shoes laces tied together, poor attempt at humour. It will be much better than having all of your clothes and undies scattered around your pitch or taking up every bit of space inside the van.

Silly but a very worthwhile thing to remember when packing for your trip.

Make Storage Space Safer

There really is nothing more frustrating than opening the cupboard just to have a jar of coffee or tube of Pringles pouncing out at you like some sort of pantry dwelling ninja. Or going to grab a snack just to see that someone has overstuffed the cupboard and you have to take everything out just to find that back of chocolate digestives.

I have found a very clean, easy and cheap way of solving this issue, the small clear plastic box!

Have a barrier between you and the martial artist pack of PG Tips. Not only does a clear plastic container prevent thing from toppling out at you but you can remove the whole contents of that space and easily see what has been stored in there without spending an age removing each item one by one. Should help save on those dentist bills too.

The Inside Of Every Door Is A Potential Wardrobe

The hanging shoe rack can turn any door into a storage haven. For a couple of pounds you can double the storage capacity of your van within a matter of moments.

The good thing about the netting used to form the hanging shoe rack is that can fit pretty much any house house item in them. From bottles of bleach all the way to your heavy duty black bin bags.

How about investing in some hooks? You can safely secure small coat hooks to the inside of the doors inside the kitchen area. These are perfect for hanging your cooking utensils, which more often than not do not fit that well in the cutlery draw.

As well as being a good hook to hang your serving spoons you can use them as actual coat hooks as they also work very well inside long cabinets and doors in the bedroom for extra clothing storage.

It is a great space saver with a very minimal cost and best of all you can pop one by the front door and get into the good habit of putting your keys there. No more arguments about who had the keys last.

The Island Bed Storage Space

The drawns under the divan bed at home have always been great for monumental amounts of hidden storage. The island bed inside the caravan provides just as much storage for the things that you do not want cluttering up your living spaces.

If you are going to use the under bed space I would suggest getting some plastic boxes so you can keep order of the large items.

The boxes are perfect for storing pillows and duvets as well as smaller items that you can fill an entire box such as shoes and board games etc etc. The clip on lids make life easier as you can stack things on top of them and keep the weight even while towing.

Just be sure to regularly air out any bedding if you are storing the van for a while as things can get very stuffy if left for extended periods of time.

Collapsible & Folding Draw Storage

The longest amount of time I have spent in a caravan was 3 weeks. While planning for the trip there was one thing that I totally overlooked- how tidy can you be while travelling with three weeks worth of luggage while sharing the space with 2 other people?

While away the draw I was allocated for all my bits and bobs always ended up like that draw in the kitchen that always turns into a total mess no matter how clean you try to keep it.

So moving forward how did I combat this nuisance scenario? I went to Ikea and took full advantage of the in draw storage compartments.

Ikea’s SKUBB range are a total game changer! You can buy a set of 4 or one that has 5 different pre designed sections, all of which will fit into most draws in any caravan or motorhome.

In fact for most space saving solution Ikea always seems to save the day. I wonder how long it will be until Ikea rebrand their existing kit to appeal to the caravan market? I may write up a proposal, this time next year I could be a millionaire.

Get Creative

I am sure that a lot of people will read this and either have a light bulb go off in their head or would have already thought of these solutions. One thing I am certain of is that there will be a long list of ideas that I have not thought of so please feel free to share them with me.

Take a walk around the van with your thinking cap on and I am sure ideas will start popping up all over the place. Once you’ve had a scan round you will be able to triple your storage space at a very low cost.

Thumbnail credit: Pixabay / Pexels

In-text images thanks to Big4.com/au.