A Close Look At Kampa Products On Show At The NEC

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By William Coleman

The 2018 NEC Caravan and Motorhome Show is just over 2 weeks away and we are already far too excited. Over the next couple of weeks we will be bringing you some brands and products that have really caught our eye.

One company that we are looking forward to seeing is Kampa. A brand which goes hand in hand with touring holidays. If you go camping, caravanning or motorhoming Kampa will have products that will suit.

Kampa have been a staple of the leisure accessory market now for well over 20 years. Due to the hard work and design ethic that Kamper employ they are one of Europe’s most recognisable brands.

The Kampa awning ranges have always been one of their strongest products, in both design and sales. Only using tried and tested materials to bring a finished product to rival any other on the market.

So before we see them we want to give you a little sneak peak spoiler free look at some of the fantastic products they will be displaying at the UK largest caravan show.

There are two products that I would recommend looking at when visiting the Kampa stand in Hall 12 at the NEC. The AIR Break Pro 3/5 (This is a new product for 2019 and is something completely new, we think it’s a world first. It’s made of their Pro awning material and suitable for use with Kampa awnings or freestanding. It will create a lot of excitement at the show I’m sure!

AIR Break Pro 3 and 5

When it comes to pitching up I can sometimes have a tendency to rush things, which usually means I take twice as long fixing the mistakes I’ve made. When it comes to awnings the thought of having to fit attachments to them makes me slightly nervous. But an inflatable one that attaches with ease? Sign me up.

Having gone through the product details, listed below, and what stands out the most to me is the fact that you can create your own personal living space using the Air Break Pro 3 or 5. Not only do they provide a nice private space to relax in but it also help keep your dog, or infants, from wandering off to see the neighbours. The attachment works as both free standing and connected.

Using the AIR Break models could not be easier thanks to the Kampa’s unique AirFrame system with single point inflation. The AIR Break is surprisingly sturdy in the wind and uses WeathershieldT Pro material, making it a great match for the AIR Pro awnings.

The AIR Break is available in 3 and 5 panel versions. The AIR Break 3 is designed to fit awnings between 200 to 330 cm wide and the AIR Break 5 is designed to fit awnings between 330 to 500 cm wide.

I can’t wait to see this product in action at the NEC and may even invent in one. One way I would use it would to close of my pitch at night. Instead of packing away the Cadac, chairs and table into the awning, compromising living space, simply tuck it all away behind the AIR Break. Out of sight out of mind.

Key Features of the AIR Break 3

  • Fits: 200 – 30 cm awnings
  • Weight: 8.9 Kg
  • Materials: WeathershieldT Pro Material. 6000 mm hydrostatic head. 300 Denier
  • Warranty: 1 year material, 2 years AirFrame year manufacturer’s warranty

Key Features of the AIR Break 5

  • Fits: 330 – 500 cm awnings
  • Weight: 10.8 Kg
  • Packed size: 83 x 31 cm
  • Floor plan: Variable
  • Materials: WeathershieldT Pro Material. 6000 mm hydrostatic head. 300 Denier
  • Warranty: 1 year material, 2 years AirFrame year manufacturer’s warranty

Newcomers To The Life Of Caravanning- Interview With Here We Tow

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By William Coleman

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting a couple who are brand new to the caravan holiday scene and they instantly fell in love with everything that comes with using a caravan for your holiday. They love it so much that they have taken to caravanning full time and run their own YouTube channel based on their adventures.

Karina and Jules Ingham had never been on a caravan or motorhome holiday, something that was about to drastically change for them in early 2017. But where do you start in a world that has such a wide variety of leisure vehicle? Do you start small with a camper to get the feel for it? Maybe a motorhome so you’ve got bigger portable living space? Or do you dive head first into the deep end start towing right off the bat? And just like that Here We Tow was born!

Once they purchased their ideal caravan the pair had so much fun they wanted to share their experiences with everyone else. Since purchasing their Adria Adora Isonzo they decided to start up their own video blog on where they share all their adventures and help other newcomers to the world of caravan holidays.

After speaking with them I wanted know more about their journey into the world of caravan holidays. With so many new couples and families investing in caravans I wanted to get a fresh perspective of what is drawing so many new faces.

What made you decide to get into caravanning?

After years of travelling abroad we decided it would be great to start travelling at home and in Europe, especially with having our dog Fudge, he could come along too. We were finding all the hours sat waiting for flights due to delays and the increasing costs were starting to put us off foreign travel. We had been considering a caravan for a few years but didn’t know anything about them. We decided to throw caution to the wind and go for it.

You traveled round to see a few different locations looking for your ideal caravan. What were you looking for in a van?

Something big! When we started looking we both wanted space, a fixed island bed and a home away from home. We had our budget and luckily we were in agreement about what we were looking for. As we were looking to holiday in it for about 12 weeks a year we wanted something comfortable. We were looking at twin axles and had decided on a dealer special until we came across Adria. As soon as we went to see the caravan we were sold on it, it was perfect for us. A caravan is a personal choice, our advice is research and take your time.

During your touring time where have you visited and what was your top location?

There are so many amazing sites all over the Country it would be hard to narrow this down but the South West is beautiful and there are many amazing sites. The great thing about caravanning is the freedom to hitch up and travel, just find a site that suits you, and if you don’t like it you can move on. The UK offers so much and we intend to get out there and see a lot more of it.

There is a lot to learn when you first start caravanning. Any horror stories, or “learning curves”?

Thankfully we’ve had no disasters, yet. The worst experience was in Cornwall when Jules navigated us down a narrow country lane that turned out to also be closed. Towing our 8ft wide Adria, I held my breath for about 5 minutes and Jules had his eyes closed, we didn’t speak for an hour after that experience. Our advice to all new caravanning folk is take your time with everything, don’t rush, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

From what I can see this has really changed your lives. What has been the biggest change since entering the world of caravanning?

Since we started caravanning we have had a huge life change. We took early retirement and in June we took up a position as Wardens at a 5 Star Park in Dorset. We started our YouTube channel and we cannot believe how this has taken off and the opportunities this has led to, including this interview with CaravanTimes!

We just set out to help other new starters like other YouTube channels helped us. We have also met some amazing people in the caravan and motorhome community, we’ve made new friends that are like members of the family. It’s been a wonderful experience and a great life change.

What does the future hold for the ‘Here we Tow’ team?

We will be at the NEC next for the show which is where it all really started last year. We have a few trips booked for 2018 still and will be reviewing two caravans on a real holiday, which is what a lot of people really want to see. We have a few product reviews to do too. In to 2019 we are exploring a few more projects but April we have a tour booked in and May we are hoping to cross the channel and see how far we can get.

Where can we find you guys?

You can find us on our Here We Tow YouTube Channel, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

Club Chief Talks Growing Market With Lake District Park

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By William Coleman

Over the past 2 years the UK tourism industry has seen a real boom. With people from all around the world choosing the UK for their holidays, especially when it comes to caravan holidays and park holidays. All across the board sites are improving their facilities and holiday opportunities, which has not gone unnoticed by the Caravan and Motorhome Club.

Senior executives from CAMC traveled to the Lake District to take a behind the scenes look at a site that is meeting the demand in staycation opportunities.

Skelwith Fold in Ambleside was the venue for the visit following a study tour earlier in summer to the Club’s Coniston Park Coppice by members of BH&HPA’s Cumbria branch.

Director General of The Caravan and Motorhome Club was there for the delegation, the aim of which was to see how one of the Club’s commercial counterpart have been adapting to the ever evolving UK holiday market.

Henry Wild, Skelwith Ford’s Director, led the Nick Lomas on a tour of the 130 acre grounds. Mr. Wild said there is plenty of evidence that this year has shown a massive surge in demand for UK based holidays.

A trend, he feels, is bringing a lot more families around to the notion of British park based holidays, or ‘staycations’. Another new holiday type which is attracting the masses to parks is ‘glamping’, glamorous camping to you and I. Due to the wide publicity across TV shows and media the glamping craze has done wonders for parks across the UK.

This year Henry added safari tents to the sites existing glamping options at Skelwith Fold where 450 plus pitches also provide holiday home ownership and touring facilities.

The park’s touring guests, according to Henry, include a number of Caravan and Motorhome Club members and that the “cross pollination” of visitors are a benefit to both parks and customers alike.

Like the Club, said Henry, parks such as his recognised the importance of keeping quality standards on an ever-rising trajectory to match customer expectations.

Nick Lomas, Caravan and Motorhome Club director general, said: “It’s so important that the UK touring industry works together to improve the quality, standards and experiences which our places provide, so we can encourage even more people to enjoy the outdoors!

“The growing number of family groups sharing time together is common among both Skelwith Fold customers and Caravan and Motorhome Club members,” added Nick.

Last year, Skelwith Fold – which has been owned by the Wild family for over 20 years – was the winner of the Holiday Park of the Year title from Cumbria Tourism.

With so many different holidays types now available in the UK, along with younger people buying into the caravan world, it seems that our holiday economy will stay strong despite a slightly rocky looking future.

Win Tickets To The Motorhome And Caravan Show 2018

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By William Coleman

It is almost that time of year again! The UK’s largest leisure vehicle event returns to the NEC in Birmingham from 16 to 21 October, showcasing all the new-for-2019 products from leading manufacturers including Swift, Bailey and Lunar.

The Motorhome and Caravan Show features daily launches in the exciting LIVE Theatre, along with celebrity cooking demonstrations and expert talks from household names including George Clarke, Sharron Davies MBE and Dr Hilary Jones. It’s a fun day out for all the family!

While you’re there, try your hand at motorhome and campervan manoeuvring or enjoy a one-to-one towing experience with the official show tow car partner, Jeep. With over 400 exhibitors to explore and free entry for children aged 15 and under, there’s something for everyone.

For your chance to win one of 10 pairs of tickets to the show, simply answer the following question correctly:

Competition closes 12th of October 2018. Tickets must be collected at the press office at the NEC, the press office is located outside Hall 18, suites 18.1 and 18.2. It is accessible from within the hall during the following hours:

Press Office Opening Times:
Tuesday 16: 08:00 – 18:00
Wednesday 17: 09:00 – 18:00
Thursday 18: 09:00 – 18:00
Friday 19: 09:00 – 18:00
Saturday 20: 09:30 – 18:00
Sunday 21: 09:30 – 13:00

*£8.50 Senior (over 60s), £9.50 Adult when booking before 23.59hrs 15/10/18 after which time prices revert to the on-the-door price of £12 Senior and £13 Adult. A £1.25 transaction fee applies. Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. Car parking is included in the ticket price. No dogs (except assistance dogs). Children 15 years and under go free when accompanied by a paying Adult/Senior. Tickets are non-refundable. Free show guide and towing & manoeuvring tuition are subject to availability. The Woodland Trust is a charity registered in England and Wales (No. 294344) and in Scotland (No. SCO38885). For full terms and conditions please visit www.mcshow.co.uk

Competition terms and conditions

Open to UK residents aged 18 or over, excluding employees and their families of StantonPace Limited (“Promoter”) or Swindon Caravan Centre (“Prize Donor”) or any agencies or affiliates associated with the promotion.
To enter, fill in the form at http://www.caravantimes.co.uk/news/makes/bailey/pegasus-gt65/competition-win-a-free-caravan-with-caravantimes-and-swindon-caravans-$21382574.htm.
All entries must be received by 12:00pm 13/10/2018.
No purchase necessary.
Entrance via the aforementioned form only, no written or emailed entrances can be accepted.
Competition entrants must be an existing member of CaravanTimes, or choose the form option to join.
The nature and quantity of prize(s) is as stated in the relevant editorial.
Where applicable, prizes maybe subject to additional terms and conditions as provided for by the prize supplier, and must be agreed to accept the prize.
For your total confidence, the winner will be selected at random by Swindon Caravans
Winner will be notified by email or phone within 28 days. If uncontactable within a reasonable length of time, they will lose their entitlement and the prize will be awarded to a reserve.
For winners name & county, send an SAE to promoter’s address below with the name of the promotion.
Maximum of one entry per person per promotion. Entries made online using methods such as a macro, a script or the use of automated devices or processes are not allowed and all such entries will be disqualified.
The decision of the Promoter is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Prizes are subject to availability and the Promoter may substitute the prize with another of a similar nature and/or comparable value.
Prizes are non-transferable and no cash alternative is available unless otherwise stated.
Winners may be required to take part in reasonable publicity relating to their win.
Incomplete, illegible or delayed entries will be invalid.
Proof of entry is not automatically proof of receipt.
This promotion operates under English law and the laws of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any disputes arising from this promotion.
By entering, you are deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions and agree to be bound by them. The Promoter : StantonPace Ltd, 501 Metropolitan Wharf Buildings, 70 Wapping Wall, London E1W 3SS
The competition draw is operated by The Swindon Caravan Centre, and entrants to this competition can enter through www.swindoncaravans.com as an alternative to CaravanTimes. Duplicate entries will be removed.
Your details will be provided to the “Prize Donor”, Swindon Caravan Centre, unless you opt out in the entrance form.
Competition prize to be supplied by The Swindon Caravan Centre, company reg no 4721969
DATA-PROTECTION STATEMENT StantonPace Ltd uses a best-practice layered Privacy Policy to provide you with details about how we would like to use your personal information. To read the full privacy policy please visit our website, www.caravantimes.co.uk/privacy.htm, or call us on 020 7517 2233. Please ask if you have any questions, as submitting your personal information indicates your consent, for the time being, that we (StantonPace Ltd), The Swindon Caravan Centre and our partners may contact you via post, phone, email and SMS about products and services that will be of interest to you. You can opt out at ANY time by emailing stop@caravantimes.co.uk or by calling 020 7517 2233.

Mercedes Set Sites On Touring Future At The NEC

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By William Coleman

The name Mercedes is not one that you may initially link to touring holidays. Now it seems that the luxury manufacturer have set their eyes on the caravan and motorhome industry with their new range of touring vehicles. At this year’s October NEC Mercedes-Benz Vans UK Ltd will be showcasing a variety of vehicles designed to inspire your future holiday adventures.

At this year’s Birmingham NEC show you will be able to find Mercedes-Benz Vans UK Ltd Hall 20m Stand 25, where they will be displaying their very best motorhomes and campervans. I have spent some time in the Mercedes Marco Polo which is a fantastic campervan that is cram packed with all new innovation and tech so I am excited to see what’s new from Mercedes.

Also on display will be the new Sprinter AL-KO low frame chassis, new Sprinter Van and Chassis Cab Motorhomes. Over the past few years the masses have flocked to staycation style leisure holidays and I can see Mercedes being a go to touring home for a lot of people.

The Mercedes Sprinter camper van combines the high end driving experience that comes with all Mercedes vehicles and the practical living space that you’d expect to find in a van conversion. My personal preference is the rear make up bed where you can open the back doors and watch the world go by.

Steve Bridge, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Vans UK Ltd, added: “Our presence at the Motorhome and Caravan Show demonstrates the diverse range of vehicles Mercedes-Benz Vans has to offer.

“With the versatility and reliability of our vehicles plus the array of safety technology and innovation, there’s something for everyone.”

Fiat have the market for motorhomes and coachbuild, with Ford slowly starting to creep into the UK market. Yes there are some motorhomes built on a Mercedes but not as many as Ford or Fiat. With such a turn on holiday trends will the UK start see a lot more Mercedes leisure vehicles on the road?

The Motorhome and Caravan Show takes place at the Birmingham NEC from 16 – 21 October 2018.

To see our opinion on the Mercedes Marco Polo you can watch our review here.

Top 5 Touring Essentials From PRIMA Leisure

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By William Coleman

Call me mad but I love going over all my kit to see what I need or what needs replacing, its a bit like rearranging your sock draw. With so many different companies, brands and products out there you really are spoilt for choice. A brand I know and trust is PRIMA Leisure who specialise in everything from toilet chemical all the way up to a BBQ and everything in between. Oh and if you are a Bailey caravan owner you can get spares and parts for your van.

So to make life easy for the reader we have put together what we feel are PRIMA’s top 5 items, in no particular order.

PRIMA Air Awning

Awnings are such a vital part to a caravan holiday. A good awning will provide you with so much more practical living space as well as making sitting outside perfect come wind rain or shine. This PRIMA awning is a bit of a game changer in regards to how much space it provides. With a depth of 3 meters you can set up your tables and chairs while still being able to move freely within.

If you are not the most nimble fingered and want to save time on set up this inflatable awning is the one for you. Being able to pitch up with ease is the way forward, and with patented Flexi-inflation System you will be up and running in time at all.

Here are some key features:

  • Large skylights with zippable curtains
  • Fully removable No-Trip doors – perfect for bikes, kids or wheelchairs
  • Includes carbon-fibre rear poles, draught skirt, groundsheet, pump and pegs
  • 2 year warranty

If you would like a chance to win one of these awnings be sure to visit Prima Leisure at the October NEC Motorhome and Caravan show. Try your hand and you could be walking away with a fantastic awning free of charge!

All New PRIMA Bamboo Dining Range- Launching at the NEC!

These are one of the newest editions to PRIMA’s ever growing range. They are in the process of being put online and stocked in PRIMA’s stores as we speak. Luckily I managed to have a sneak peak at these ahead of public release. They are now on my list for Santa.

I actually own and use cups, bowls and plates from PRIMA, so I can personally endorse them. Before I have bought cheap, which always leads to buying twice, so I invested in some quality stuff like this and you should be all set for many seasons to come.

Laundreez Compact Portable Laundry Washer

This handy little gadget is so much more than an in van laundry service. How many times have you been in site and the line for the laundry looks like a 10 mile tailback. With the Laundreez you can spend more time relaxing and less time doing your chores. Oh and it doubles up as a cool bag to keep those beers chilled.

So if you are on a site with limited facilities or pitched up in a tent somewhere secluded the Laundreez is a must have to ensure you stay fresh and clean throughout your stay.

Here are some key features:

  • Convenient clothes cleaning solution
  • Perfect for holidays, camping or trips away
  • Multi-use as a dry bag, wash bag, ice-bucket and more
  • Compact bag packs down small

KUMA Caravan & Motrohome 4G Mobile Wifi Kit

In today’s modern world it’s important to stay connected. More often than not I find myself somewhere remote where there is little to no Wifi options or poor phone reception. So why not invest in some on board Wifi to keep everyone happy. Let’s face it we all love being away from it all but we also love our creature comforts that make the van the home from home. With this on board HUB you can stay connected and keep the entire family happy.

Here are some key features:

  • Insert any SIM card to create your own 4G hotspot and connect up to 5 devices
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Can be used anywhere in the world
  • Mains powered or rechargeable batteries via USB

Caravanners favourites Avtex and Cadac

It was very hard to pick 5 of the best PRIAM products so I have had to combine 2 into 1, call it creative licence.

At the NEC PRIMA will have specialists from both Avtex and Cadac on stand to help with all enquiries and purchases. So why not pick up a Cadac Safari grill or a new 32″ TV. If you are thinking about it head over to the PRIMA stand and speak with the professionals. You may just see me there.

PRIMA are doing more than just giving away awnings and expert industry advice on all the touring accessory essentials. You can win yourself a brand new awning and walk away with a free gift all thanks to to the PRIMA team.

So if you want your free gift when you arrive at the NEC Click here and registore.

CaravanTimes Judge The Caravan And Motorhome Club Towcar Of The Year 2019

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By William Coleman

Each yeah The The Caravan And Motorhome Club put in a tremendous amount of effort into testing anywhere up to 35+ different tow cars to ensure that you, the consumer and general public, get the most informed opinion of which vehicle on the market is the very best for towing your caravan. This yeah myself and Daniel Cartwright were invited to participate, well I was a spectator and Daniel was an actual judge, which is a very big deal for CaravanTimes.

This was the first time that I had attended The Caravan And Motorhome Club Towcar Of The Year testing and I was blown away by just how much time and effort goes into the testing. After all it is this kind of feedback that helps a lot of people pick the right towing car for them. When making such a large investment, or purchase, you are going to want to make sure that the cars you are looking at have been put through their paces in a practical setting.

The caravans that were used for the testing were provided by Bailey Of Bristol, and believe me those caravans can hold up when it comes to towing. Before each towcar is attached to the next caravan The Club’s technical team was checked both the caravan and vehicle to ensure that every towcar was tested under the same conditions. This is why the testing takes place over 5 days. 35 cars tested thoroughly over this time period ensures that each test is carried out impartially. They had it down to a fine science.

The Millbrook site is used to test everything from your local bus all the way to the high end super cars, which makes this an ideal site to test a towing vehicle. From the almost vertical hill slopes to the test bowl the vehicles are really put through their paces, all while towing a weighted caravan. Each test had real life obstacles to the vehicles can be tested in the most realistic setting possible.

At first I really did wonder why it was going to take so long to test 35 cars. Well it is all due to the technical details, which is why you can really trust the feedback. Each caravan had the same nose weight and onboard loads to reflect the weight of the caravan that a family will take with them on holiday.

Even the cars themselves are loaded to meet a realistic weight. The boots were packed with baggage and the front and back seats were also loaded with ballasts to reflect the weight of a family of 4.

Once a vehicle came back from a test The Club’s technical team thoroughly checked each vehicle before handing it over to the ‘caravanability’ and driving judges.

Caravanability judges tested whether a car’s boot could swallow the bulky accessories normally needed on a caravan trip. They also measured the towball height, both solo and hitched up, and checked the towing information provided in the manufacturer’s handbook.

The cars were then hitched up to caravans ballasted to 85% of their kerbweight, or towing limit if lower. Using specialised apparatus the technical judges then measured the cars’ acceleration and braking capabilities. The car/caravan combinations were then passed over to the driving judges who set off around the Millbrook circuit to put the vehicles through their paces.

The cars were tested at speeds of up to 55mph on the ‘Alpine route’, which featured various gradients culminating in a 17% hill start and a 26% downhill brake test. The ability to join fast traffic from a standstill was also assessed.

Judges then took the vehicles to the high-speed bowl to further assess their capabilities at speeds in excess of UK legal limits. In the safety of a controlled environment, the judges could induce some instability at 60mph to see how the cars reacted. The vehicles were also put through reversing examinations. All-important issues of driver and passenger comfort and visibility were also assessed.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club had a whole range of test drivers as well as their technical team to ensure each vehicle was tested correctly but there was more to it than just the physical driving. Behind the scenes at Millbrook were the team who were tracking the results, compiling feedback as well as ensuring everything was captured so if could then be fed back to the public. It really is an extremely involved process from start to finish.

As an online publication we were extremely honoured to be asked to be a judge. Being able to take part in an event such as this is something that does not come around very often so we were honoured to be part of the testing. Dan had this to say following the testing: The testing process is extremely thorough from start to finish. Each vehicle and caravan is checked before each to test to ensure the towing conditions of each rig is the same.

To be asked to take part was fantastic as I got to see a side of the industry I hadn’t seen before. And lets to be honest, who wouldn’t be excited to test drive 35 of the best vehicles on the market around the a testing track for 5 days!”

So after the extensive week of testing the results were finally in and ready to show to the public. We were also at the award show last week and you can read all about it here, The Caravan And Motorhome Club Towcar Of The Year 2019 Awards Results

Each model that was tested is a brand new 2019 model which does come with a price tag. Do not let that put you off. Each year the Club do these tests and bring you the very best feedback on each vehicle, and the Club still stand by their previous winners. Here is a list of each car that won Towcar Of The Year, so if your budget does not stretch to a brand new towcar you can still get one of the competition winners as most of them are on the market at a very good price.

THE CARAVAN CLUB TOWCAR OF THE YEAR

1984 Citroën BX 16 TRS
1985 Volvo 360 GLEi
1986 Ford Sierra XR 4×4
1987 Renault 21 GTS
1988 Vauxhall Senator 3.0i CD
1989 Vauxhall Cavalier SRi Saloon
1990 Vauxhall Cavalier 4×4 2.0i
1991 Rover 416 GTi 16v
1992 Volvo 940 SE Turbo
1993 Vauxhall Calibra Turbo 4×4
1994 Citroën Xantia 1.9 TD VSX
1995 Renault Laguna RT 2.0
1996 Vauxhall Vectra 2.0i 16v GLS
1997 Peugeot 406 GLX DT 2.1
1998 Citroën Xantia V6 Exclusive
1999 Audi A6 Avant 2.5 TDi
2000 Seat Toledo V5
2001 Volkswagen Golf V6 4motion
2002 Peugeot 406 2.2 GTX HDi Estate
2003 Skoda Superb V6 2.5 TDI Elegance
2004 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT
2005 Mazda6 2.0-D Estate TS2 (136ps)
2006 Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDi XE
2007 Volvo V50 D5 Sport
2008 Ford Mondeo Titanium X Estate
2009 Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI
2010 Volkswagen Golf SE 2.0 litre TDI
2011 Skoda Superb Estate Elegance 2.0 TDI CR
2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sport 2.0 TDI DSG
2013 Volkswagen Jetta Sport 2.0 TDI DSG
2014 Skoda Superb Elegance Estate 2.2 TDI DSG 4×4
2015 SEAT Leon ST FR 2.0 TDI
2016 Land Rover Discovery HSE LUX
2017 Volkswagen Passat Estate Alltrack 2.0TDI 4MOTION 150PS
2018 Skoda Kodiaq SE L 2.0 TDI 4×4 DSG 190PS

What Makes The Ideal Caravan Holiday?

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By William Coleman

The CaravanTimes team are a very mixed bunch of people all doing very different things within the publication. What seems to be even more varied are our tastes in what we look for in a caravan holiday.

We get to visit sites and locations all across the UK and Europe all in the name of caravan journalism. From Caravan and Motorhome Club sites in a Bailey Pegasus to Loch Lomond in an Auto-Trail Tribute, we really do get to see it all. But what does we like individually in our own leisure time? I pulled them all together to find out what makes the perfect getaway for them.

I will start off by going through what I look for in a site/location/holiday. Over the years my needs have changed somewhat. As I child it was all about the big bold sites like Haven Holidays with a funfair, arcades and a pool. As I get a little bit older I seek to find locations that are secluded but not too far away from good walking trails, activity days, a good pud and oddly enough some kind of zoo.

What is most important to me, in regards to a site, is that there a good washing facilities and enough space so you are not invading your neighbours when you open your door. I have been to sites where they have made the pitches so small so they can cram in as many holiday makers as possible. Suffice to say many of them have either been taken over or turned into housing or retails parks etc.

So what do look for in a caravan holiday?

Tom Evans- Managing Director

For me it is all about location. Depending on the reason I have been drawn to an area I sometimes really do not mind what type of site I stay on. I look at the caravan as accommodation I use when I am not out and about seeing what the world has to offer. I make sure that I pack everything I need just incase the site is not the best, but I have never really found a site I would not revisit. But I have heard some horror stories so I am always prepared.

As I get a little bit older I have become a bit of a creature of habit, or stuck in my ways if you ask my partner, but I know what I like and where it is. So I do tend to revisit the same locations from time to time. Scotland holds a special place in my heart. There is such a wide choice of sites to stay on that have views that we just do not get where I live in London.

My most recent trip I spent a few days on the shores of Loch Lomond. The weather was not the best but I had enough creature comforts onboard that I was able to stay very comfortably and sit and watch the world go by.

I am partial to a Caravan and Motorhome Club. They put a lot of time, money and effort into their sites so you know what you are getting when you turn up. Clean site, great facilities and a good onsite atmosphere. The onsite WiFi helps too as I am never too far away from an email that needs replying to.

So to round it up, it’s all about how comfortable you make your caravan and the activities you want to do. Oh, and always make sure you have a big box of tea bags and some chocolate digestive biscuits.

Daniel Cartwright- Director

I have been on more caravan and motorhome holidays than I can remember. It feels like I was raised in a caravan we were away so much. What I love about caravanning is just how easy it is to get away. Leave work on Friday jump in the van and come back Sunday night. A weekend away that can cost less than a meal in a restaurant. What’s not to love about that.

I have 2 small children now so the types of caravan holidays we take is very different. For me it’s all about my son and daughter. Both are under 3 years old so you have to make sure that where you go has enough to keep them entertained, otherwise you are in for a bit of a battle.

When picking a site we look at what the on site facilities are that will keep us entertained, as well as the little ones. Indoor swimming pools, or outside if the sun is out, are always a good one, teach the kids to swim all while ensuring they are worn out enough to go to bed early. Haven holiday parks are fantastic for a week away with the kids.

When it comes to the needs of the wife and I all we want is a well kept site where we can relax with the kids. We also want to make sure that the time we spend as a family is fun so when we are older we can have memories to look back on and cherish.

James Lee Warner- Video and Content Editor

I like to be near the sea. Being based in East London it can sometimes feel like you are landlocked in a concrete jungle. I do live very close to the Thames, I can see it from the front of my house, but it’s not the same as being by the sea.

When ever I book a site it’s either next to the sea or a very short drive away. Even in winter I love being on the coast. There is just something about the air by the sea. Also it seems every single site by a coastline in 5 star.

I do tend to use a motorhome more so than a caravan due to the storage and I sometimes find it a bit quicker to get out and about. Once you’ve been in the sea surfing, or flopping around as I tend to do, being able to jump aboard and have a shower followed by a cup of tea and a bacon roll is what it’s all about. And it is a lot cheaper than going to a cafe or pub for lunch everyday. The price really does start to rack up if you are away for a week.

Tomas Diaz Velasco- Production Manager

Variety! I have a son and daughter who are almost teenagers so we have to make sure they are entertained. It’s not like when they were smaller and we could go to the beach every day or play outside on the site. The older they get the lower their amusement threshold gets.

And to be honest I quite enjoy doing different things each time. It has certainly opened my eyes to how much is out there for people to do. Sometime we do not even take the van, what with the new glamping craze. This year we have stayed in a static American Airstream caravan and a 5 person yurt. Both were so different and great. We were able to take our dog Chewie with us to the yurt and spend a few days out in the woods. We had everything we needed inside the yurt and it was extremely comfortable for start to finish. I used to joke about glamping but having tried it I would recommend everyone gives it a try at least once.

Once location the kids love is Devon, there is just so much to do and see. You can spend a whole week down there and never do the same thing twice. Crealy Adventure Park is one place that really does have it all so make sure you visit there, especially if you have children.

Rob Key- Production and Video Editor

Me and the better half are quite active and love the outdoors. On weekends we tend to not sit still for a second. We like to get out on our bikes or go canoeing down a river to find somewhere nice to stop off for lunch. So for us caravan holidays are all about the activities. The Lake District is great for that sort of thing. The walking trails are particularly good, especially as they allow bikes on most of them now.

Once thing that a caravan holiday provides, site specifics dependant, is peace and quiet. There really is nothing better than waking up to the sound of the countryside and being surrounded by really friendly people who want the same thing as you.

Once we pack up the car and van we just set off and relax the whole time we are away. We get to see the country from a unique perspective all while staying fit and healthy. What more can you want out of a holiday.

So there you have it, we all love caranning but for very different reasons. The great thing about caravan or motorhome holidays is they offer such freedom and variety. You could go away every weekend of the year and never stay in the same place twice. One thing we can all truly say is “variety is the spice of life”.

What makes your ideal holiday? Caravan? Motorhome? Tent? Static? Whatever it is let us know as we may just go and do it!.

Caravanning Vital To UK Tourism

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By William Coleman

So today, the 27th of September is World Tourism Day and with that comes a whole wave of festivities. To help kick things off with a bang the Great British Tourism Survey results have been released to reveal that last year 9.8 million domestic caravan holidays were taken across England, Wales and Scotland. Many of which were taken by you guys, the readers.

The latest GB Tourism Survey results, which were jointly sponsored by VisitEngland, VisitScotland and VisitWales, have shown that a staggering 7.48 million caravan “staycations” were taken in England 2017, which was a record year across the whole UK holiday industry in purchases of leisure vehicles. 2017 also saw 762,000 trips taken in Scotland and 1.56 million trips made in Wales.

With so many UK based holidays taking place there must have been some kind boom for the UK economy? All these holidays generated a gargantuan £1.64 billion for the UK tourism, and overall, economy. Something we can all agree the UK needs at this current time.

Out of all the types or caravan holiday it was the rented caravan holidays that were, by far, the most profitable in England. This type of holiday accommodation generated £645 million across the region.

Trips involving touring caravans, campervans and motorhomes – sometimes alleged to bring low levels of spend to their destination – accounted for over half a billion pounds (£526m) in England, Scotland and Wales.

John Lally, Director General of the NCC (National Caravan Council), said: “These figures confirm that caravanning, in all its forms, is vitally important to UK tourism. Caravan holidays clearly remain as popular as ever and our joint awareness campaign, Freedom to Go, continues to attract younger leisure vehicle users to the benefits of caravan and motorhome holidays.

“Many of the 550 companies represented by the NCC will have helped contribute to these impressive figures by offering consumers a fantastic choice of holiday destinations. The good weather experienced throughout 2018 coupled with strong product investment will ensure the caravan parks industry remains a British success story.”

So with so many people opting to stay home for their holidays and so many more choosing the ever growing “try before you buy” caravan holiday it would seem that caravanning has never been more popular. As I sit here now it’s 25 degrees outside and the sun in shining brighter than ever. Who would have thought that we would be having such great weather this close to October. Looks as though you may not need to start the winter storage preparation after all.

Love Is In The Air On The Isle Of White

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By William Coleman

It seems that the love of touring extends further than loving your caravan. After 20 years of history between them one couple have returned to The Orchards holiday park in Newbridge, Isle of White, where they first met as children with a very serious proposal.

Shortly after the couple arrived and pitched up it became very clear that this was not going to be your average caravan holiday with a stroll down memory lane of where it all began.

That’s because Rachel Hughes’ childhood sweetheart, Jonathan Palmer, had brought with him not only a tent and cooking stove, but also a proposal of marriage.

The couple had met as 12-year-olds while on holiday with their families at The Orchards – and it was beside the park’s heated outdoor pool that they had exchanged their first kiss. So this really was love at first (camp) site, sorry I couldn’t help myself with that one.

Jonathan displayed his romantic side as he covered the pool with crimson roses, arranged a pianist and singer and engaged right there where they first kissed. And it was all captured by a professional photographer.

After leading Rachel to the water’s edge – and to the delight of other holiday guests present – he went down on one knee – and received just the answer for which he’d been hoping!

After their first fateful meeting all those years ago Rachel and Jonathan’s families would go on to plan further holidays together. From there on friends, families and futures were made.

Once the young couple were old enough they started to go on holidays of their own. Sticking to the tradition they took camping and caravanning trips together and eventually moved in together in the town of Bedford.

Now both aged 30, their next visit to The Orchards will be as man and wife – thanks to a pool, some petals, and a proposal.

Co-owner of The Orchards Julie Gray said that it was a perfectly executed plan, and one which she and her husband Tim had known about in advance:

“We were thrilled when we heard of Jonathan’s idea and gave him all the help we could – but, of course, we could only cross our fingers that Rachel would say yes,” said Julie.

“We’re so delighted that The Orchards was able to play its part in the couple’s romantic journey, and that the story had such a happy fairy tale ending!” she added.

Julie and Tim acquired the park 15 years ago and have since gathered a raft of awards for its high standards. There is more information about The Orchards at www.orchards-holiday-park.co.uk

This is another fantastic example of why caravan sites really are the best places to take your holidays. They bring a sense of community and belonging to everyone who visits, and here is a prime example of what can happen when you bring like minded people together.

I believe that the caravan holiday is so unique to any other form of holiday, not just because of the tin tent we choose to stay in. I know that whenever me and my better half escape for a few days we come back a lot happier than before. Breaking away from the hustle and bustle of life and making new friends, in this case family, really is what life is all about.

The Caravan And Motorhome Club Towcar Of The Year 2019 Awards Results

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By William Coleman

On Friday 21st of September myself and the CaravanTimes Team had the pleasure of attending the The Caravan And Motorhome Club Towcar Of The Year 2019 Awards. The event that brings you an unbiased look into what are the stand out towing vehicles on the market and what manufacturer’s vehicle is the overall winner.

This year marks the 36th edition of the Club’s competition which featured some significant changes to previous years. Why the change to the previous tried and tested format? Each year The Club try to deliver the best and most informed opinion on each vehicle. As times change so must the way in which things are done. The Club strive to provide the most relevant information for those thinking of buying a new towing vehicle. After all word of mouth is the most powerful form of advertising.

New for this year, vehicles were put into caravan weight categories – rather than listing them by price – to make it easier for buyers to tell which cars could tow their caravans. Cars were entered into classes using their 85% kerbweight figure or by their towing limit, whichever was the lower. The Club also introduced two new categories – ‘Best Family Towcar’ and ‘Best Large Family Towcar’.

So here are the categories and the winners of each;

  • Caravan Weight Under 1100kg – Volkswagen Polo SEL 1.0 TSI 115PS DSG
  • Caravan Weight 1100kg – 1350kg – Peugeot 3008 Allure BlueHDi 180 EAT8
  • Caravan Weight 1350kg – 1500kg – Volvo XC40 D4 AWD First Edition
  • Caravan Weight 1500kg – 1700kg, Best Family Towcar and Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year 2019 – Volvo XC60 D5 PowerPulse AWD R-Design
  • Caravan Weight over 1700kg – Volkswagen Touareg R-Line Tech 3.0 V6 TDI SCR 4MOTION 286PS Tiptronic
  • Pick-Up – Volkswagen Amarok Highline 3.0 V6 TDI 4MOTION 258PS Auto
  • Best Large Family Towcar – SKODA Kodiaq Edition 2.0TDI 190PS 4×4 DSG

There are your category winners, but what was the overall winner of the The Caravan And Motorhome Club Towcar Of The Year 2019 Award?

The The Volvo XC60 D5 PowerPulse AWD R-Design is your winner and champion of this year’s event. 3 awards in 1 evening! There really is no surprise that this gem took the top spot.

The Volvo XC60 fended off some very impressive vehicles in the competition as it pulled of a hatrick to take the top spot as overall winner.

This year’s competition was comprised of 35 entries and each car was put through their paces at the Millbrook Proving Ground near Bedford. A couple of us CaravanTimes chaps were in attendance during testing, and one of us was even a judge in the competition. But we will cover that more in detail a little bit later.

Millbrook provides a variety of testing driving environments. Manufacturers were invited to submit for testing any vehicle that was capable of towing a trailer over 750kg and on sale on 1 October 2018.

Grenville Chamberlain, Caravan and Motorhome Club Chairman, said: “Here at the Caravan and Motorhome Club we are committed to driving forward positive change within the motoring industry and to providing our one million members with relevant information for them to use as they make their next towcar purchase. Our congratulations go to all the winners.”

Matt Allwright commented, “This was my second time being at Millbrook Proving Ground for the competition. It was great to see how the event continues to evolve in order to get the best independent information for car buyers. The testing is so thorough, the winners should rightly be proud of their achievements.”

Simon Howard, Marketing Director of Bailey of Bristol, which provides the caravans for the event, said, “Vehicle testing for the Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year competition really is leading the way. We are extremely proud to have been supplying the caravans for testing for over 20 years.”

Last September was the first time I had attended the The Caravan And Motorhome Club Towcar Of The Year Awards and was thoroughly impressed with the amount of work, effort and man hours that go into giving the best and most informative opinion possible. Buying a new car can sometimes be a very daunting prospect, especially when you are going to tow with it. These tests eliminate a lot of the searching and really does give a non biased industry opinion.

Our very own Dan Cartwright was a driving Judge at this years TCOTH and he drove and assessed every entry. We have a feature coming about the experience but before that these are Dan’s comments: “The The Volvo XC60 D5 PowerPulse AWD R-Design is an incredibly accomplished tow vehicle. Rather than standing out in any one area it was great in all aspects of towing and comfort.

Towing on narrow twisty roads and hilly roads really tests a tow vehicle and this is where you will appreciate the XC60 D5. Even with a big twin axle Bailey Unicorn hooked the Volvo is relaxed and capable. It’s almost too good and you can forget your towing.

At motorway speeds the whole set up is incredibly stable. Even trying (and even violently trying) to get the caravan moving the Volvo just settles the van down with little movement or panic and no electronics taking over and slamming on the breaks.

If you can afford the The Volvo XC60 D5 PowerPulse AWD R-Design and your caravan of choice you can buy with confidence. If you have every struggles, worries or even found towing difficult then consider this…. The biggest challenge towing with the XC60 is reminding yourself that you are towing.”

After last year’s awards I was able to get my hands on 2018’s overall winner, SKODA’s Kodiaq SE L 2.0 TDI 4×4 DSG. Not only did I test drive it but I also drove it over 5 thousand miles. What did we think of the Kodiaq? Watch our exclusive review, Here

Make Living Local Your Holiday

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William Coleman

At CaravanTimes we pride ourselves on bringing you news and information not just from the industry but from our first hand experiences of actually getting out there and experiencing what we report. As part of our job we come up with ideas for companies to help test their vans in a practical setting. So how about picking a holiday destination where you can use the local surroundings for your food shopping? Think more local independent dairy farm than Tesco Superstore.

Auto-Trail sponsored our adventure and suggested we take the 2019 Tribute 736G and it’s easy to see why. We will have full review coming but the Tribute 736G is a new coach built Tribute layout which can sleep 6 but still has an amazing kitchen, even in an entry level motorhome. Whilst being big the Tribute is very capable on the little local paths and roads and has that feeling of fun provided by a more affordable motorhome. Highlights for this trip were:

  • Huge garage to keep everything from motorbikes, guitars, BBQ and anything and everything you need when exploring an area.
  • Reversing camera perfect for maneuvering around these little farms.
  • Sun awning as standard it was 30 degrees at times and being able to drop the sun visor and relax in the shape was amazing.

I am sure I have shared my love of food before with you guys, but now CaravanTimes have taken it to an all new level all thanks the Martin Dorey, his wealth of food knowledge and Auto-Trail. We got the cook, the mobile kitchen and the area that can provide all the food we could wish for. This is not the first time that CaravanTimes, Martin and Auto-Trail have teamed up to live off the land. To see our previous adventure Click Here.

I have travelled all over the UK with the CaravanTimes team trying to find destinations that we can review and recommend to you, the readers. But what drives someone to visit a location? The beaches, the fishing lakes, the food, the walking trails or all of the above? Well on our most recent trip it was all about making the most of the surroundings and trying as many locals things we could get our hands on.

After doing some research and brushing up on local knowledge we all decided on picking the CL Caravan & Motorhome Club site in Catley Cross, The Paddock. What made this location so special was the abundance of local producers that we found within in a very small radius of our pitch. This part of Suffolk is like a little treasure chest of delights, and the CL Site is marvelous. This CL is open 365 days a year so it can can cater for summer and winter touring. On our visit the temperature met the mid 30s as this area always seem to have highest of temperatures. Once local called it the “Costa Del Col as it is so close to Coln Valley is always gets the very best weather

The area is known for its farmland and agriculture, as well us an amazing river system with a string of independent pubs serving the best pub grub. We also found that we could source everything we needed to live off during our trip. Fresh milk, cheese, vegetables, meat, wine and beer, you name it we found.

We want to show you how easy it is to avoid the retail giants and almost “live off of the land”. This is the excuse I use to gorge or clotted creams and scons when I visit the South West. But imagine being able to literally buy everything you need without having to reach for your club card. This, for me, really is what touring is all about. Finding local places to visit, eat, drink and then take away some goodies to eat later.

It is all well and good knowing where to shop when you arrive at your chosen holiday spot but what are you going to cook? As I mentioned before we had the privilege of Martin Dorey being with us who thrives on living off the land. As soon as we sat down with a cup of tea and showed him where we would be shopping the cogs soon got turning Martin had a meal in mind almost instantly. All locally produced and purchased, as fresh as it comes and very healthy, yes even the beer.

The Menu

Hand Reared Rib Eye Steak- Sourced from a local farm who usually sells to friends and family. Word of mouth sourced us this prime cut.

Mint and Sheep Milk Yogurt Potato Salad- The sheep milk yogurt was sourced from from Boydells Dairy Farm.

Seaweed Sheep Cheese Salad- The seaweed crusted sheeps cheese was a first for us at CaravanTimes and was also sourced directly from Boydells Farm.

All the vegetables used were purchased from Spencers Farm Shop which is literally right round the corner from out site.

The Drinks

Stour Valley Gold Ale- Purchased from Nethergate Brewery. This Suffolk based producer makes their beer 20 feet from where they sell and serve these local specialities.

Within one day we had a picture perfect site thanks the Caravan & Motorhome Club’s CL site, the most perfect cooked meal thanks to Martin Dorey, the ideal vehicle for touring and cooking thanks to Auto-Trail (the Tracker 736 motorhome) and food grown and sold within a 20 minute drive of our site. The best part of buying local? Less time shopping and more time relaxing.

This is part of a series or articles and videos that CaravanTimes will be bringing you. As part of the CaravanTimes team Martin will be showing you exactly where we went and how he whipped up a storm in the Tribute 736.

There are adventures like this that can be had all across the UK. All it needs is a little bit of research and you’re halfway there. So if this little trip has inspired you to take an adventure let us know, also if you think you have something that would inspire us we’d love to hear from you.