Get Your Service Ahead Of The New Season With Salop Leisure

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By William Coleman

It may be freezing cold at the moment and the hot season may seem like its a very long way away, but before you know it the 2018 touring season will be upon us. So now may be a great time to start planning your 2018 service to beat the Spring/Summer rush and Salop Leisure are here to assist.

As a touring vehicle owner you want to make sure that when you head off on your adventure you do not face any unexpected mechanical issues with your van, motorhome or any of the internal fixtures and fittings. The award winning Salop Leisure, who are based in Shrewsbury, Machynlleth and Southport, stress the importance of putting your tourer through a series of safety checks before heading on your holidays. This is so much more important to do if you have stored the vehicle away during the winter months.

Salop’s Approved Workshops in Shrewsbury have been firing on all cylinders to service touring caravans in the run up to March 1st, which as I am sure you already know is the traditional date that most caravan parks open for the new season.

“We are concerned that some people put away their touring caravan in the winter and then expect to hitch it up to the back of their car in March without carrying out basic safety checks,” said Salop Leisure’s after sales manager Viv Jones.

“They often don’t give their caravans a thought until the day before they want to use it. Our advice is to start preparing for your caravan holiday well in advance.”

Over the years, the company has come across a range of common problems relating to the storage of touring caravans, including birds nesting in the wheel hub or towing hitch and spiders and other insects blocking gas and water pipes.

The tyres of a touring vehicle can also become quite unsafe if they are put under specific pressure due to the storage time during the winter. A caravans tyres may not wear down the same way a cars does but cracks can sometimes appear between the treads which can cause significant problems when towing.

Another frequent problem is the owner forgetting to change the caravan numberplate when he or she changes their car.

“They give so much pleasure to families but it’s essential that touring caravans are serviced every year before they are used,” said Mr Jones. “We service thousands of caravans at our Shrewsbury sales centre, which is open seven days a week and our staff are always on hand to offer advice.”

Anyone needing advice about the servicing of their touring caravan or motorhome can contact Salop Leisure’s service team on Tel: 01743 282400.

So make sure you do as much prep, if not more, as when you preparing to store your motorhome or caravan as the cold months approached.

And do not forget to take part in Salop Leisure Valentines Competition. You can also enter the competition via our Facebook Page.

A Day At The Races With The Auto Tracker LB

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By William Coleman

When it comes to world of motorsports the leisure vehicle plays a huge part. No matter what track you venture to or what sport it is you will see an array of motorhomes everywhere. All shapes and sized but there are a few that stand out from the crowd, the AutoTrail Tracker LB is one of them.

We sent Dan, from CaravanTimes, to meet Andrew Ditton and his four legged companion Dougal at the British Superbike warm ups. They get to spend the whole day at Cadwell Park and meet the best of the best, who just happen to be sponsored by AutoTrail.

The Musical Tourer

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By William Coleman

For me touring holidays and music go hand in hand. When driving around the UK you need to have a playlist that puts you in both the driving and holiday mood. For a long while you have had to use either a 3rd party audio system (bluetooth speaker or a whole separate sound system) or the on board built in speaker system. If music is one of your holiday passions you can now have a professional system fitted.

With growing demands for state of the art audio manufacturers can now satisfy all of their customers musical needs by install their premium models with high performance audio systems, which at one point were only installed into luxury buildings.

That is the message from Paul Hilditch, Brand Manager at Systemline, who has seen a huge uplift in sales as the caravan and static home industry looks to meet the needs of the increasingly tech-savvy customer.

Systemline’s audio solutions are currently being utilised by a number of leading manufacturers in order to provide added value to prospective buyers. As a result, the company has seen a 25% year-on-year growth in sales to the industry, including major manufacturers in the UK and now also France. Key clients include ABI (who install the E100 in certain models) and Carnaby (who equip various homes with the E50).

Both the E100 and E50 feature a control panel that fits within a double gang back box and comes complete with speaker cables and two high performance 6.5″ ceiling mounted speakers from Q Acoustics. Both products include Bluetooth connectivity so caravan owners can benefit from unrivalled access to online music services, whilst the E100 also features a DAB+/FM radio.

Paul Hilditch said: “People make a significant investment for the future when purchasing a caravan or static home. Therefore they deserve a high quality audio solution to maximise the enjoyment of listening to their favourite music when on holiday.

“Due to the rise in popularity of smartphones, tablets and digital assistants, the population is becoming increasingly technology focused – and it is vital for manufacturers to embrace this growing trend to provide added value and convenience to potential customers. When investing in a luxurious caravan, consumers will be drawn to a clutter free and easy-to-use solution that offers seamless access to their music libraries or radio stations.”

So if you need your music as much as I do when your on holiday this may be well worth looking into.

The Auto Trail Tracker LB Video Feature

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By William Coleman

Using a motorhome for your next holiday opens a whole new world of opportunities and adventures. Without trying to sound cliche or cheesey a motorhome really does make the world your own personal little oyster. The Auto-Trail Tracker LB will make your holiday world a lot bigger.

We have the pleasure of showing you an exclusive video from Auto-Trail. In this video we see exactly what the touring lifestyle is really about in their new Tracker LB. Touring is about enjoying quality time with friends and family as well as creating memories that will last a lifetime.

The Tracker LB is 7.6m long which provides so much space on the inside to ensure you have enough practical and leisure space. So while the dinner is being cooked the rest of the family can relax without being under each others feet.

The large motorhome has been designed for social traveller who enjoys having friends over for dinner. There is an external BBQ for those who love the dinning outside when the sun is shining or want a evening meal under the stars.

There are 4 seat belts inside so you will have no trouble fitting the whole family in for great time away. The Tracker a Hi-Line model with the capacity to sleep 6 people. The seperate bedroom at the rear comes with a fixed island bed which creates a the perfect sleeping area, which means no constructing the bed after a long day exploring.

The inside is very spacious which makes indoor entertaining a lot more comfortable. The innovative layout really does make the perfect spot to spend your morning and evenings with the family. The seating can comfortably sit a family of group friends, 6-7 people will fit very well inside for lunch and dinners.

Do not just take my word for it. Watch Auto-Trail’s video to see then Tracker LB in all its glory.

Love2Stay Valentines Competition – Win a Romantic Weeks Holiday

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By William Coleman

The romance is in the air as Valentine’s Day is almost upon us. Salop Leisure are certainly getting into the spirit of things this year.

Fully embracing the Valentines bug, Salop Leisure are holding a CaravanTimes exclusive competition for all of our lovely readers and subscribers. Salop are offering a free 7 night stay at the newly opened Love2Stay site on one of their touring pitches. The Love2Stay site is located right next to Salop Leisure HQ. So you can do all your shopping then head back to the site for a nice relaxing time.

The site has so much to offer, as you can see in our video. The resort site has 124 touring caravan pitches for those wanting to visit on their staycation and a village of 11 luxury glamping lodges.

The stunning pool has an amazing backdrop and is flanked on three sides by decking and hot tubs. You can take in the view of the area’s picturesque surroundings while floating around in the cooling clear water. The pool has the look of a nice lagoon that you would find deep in the woods. The water is chemical free and naturally filtered which gives it its crystal clear look.

The Love2Stay site strives to provide something more than just a Caravan and Glamping site. They are providing services found in boutique hotels. There is a separate reception and concierge desk, a food delivery service and a service where you can book your own personal chef for an outdoor meal. You cannot get too much more romantic than that.

The resort is set in 22 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds with panoramic views across to Wales from one side and over to the Shropshire Hills from the other.

If you want to treat someone you love to a romantic week away all you have to do is enter the competition below or on our Facebook Page

Competition rules:

All valid entrants must complete the form above and like the CaravanTimes Facebook fan page.

Entries close at midday, Friday 23rd February 2018. The prize is as mentioned above.

Open to CaravanTimes members and Facebook fans who are UK residents aged 18 or over.

No cash alternative. Prizes are non-transferable.

Only one entry per person.

No employee of CaravanTimes or StantonPace may enter.

For full terms and conditions click here. The Promoter: StantonPace Ltd, 409 Metropolitan Wharf Buildings, 70 Wapping Wall, London E1W 3SS.

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Introducing The Auto Trail Tracker LB

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William Coleman

One of the best things about motorhomes are the family holiday experiences that they can provide. You can pack the home with all the essentials and creature comforts you need to feel like you are in your home away from home.

In this video Auto-Trail show us exactly what the touring life is about in their Tracker LB motorhome. From relaxing with a good book or a game on the iPad to bike rides with the family and then evening dinner. This short video gives you a glimpse into the perfect world or touring holidays.

Stay tuned for the feature length video coming from Auto-Trail very soon.

Devon Park Has Owling Success

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By William Coleman

England is a nation of bird lovers. Weather you’re partial a Robin Red Breast, a Chaffinch or a Bird of Prey we have something for everyone. My particular favorite native bird has to be the owl and that is why story really stuck out for me. Disclaimer- These owls are an American import and not a native owl, but i love owls. End of disclaimer.

Recently, at Woodlands Family Theme Park near Dartmouth in Devon, two owl chicks hatched and will now me thrust to fame by joining the parks flying display team. The two chicks, who have been named Ernie and Els, will be joining there mum and dad at the sites popular falconry centre. The parents of the new hatchlings, Bonnie and Clyde, are a family favourite at the park’s zoo far which also houses a whole host of other heart melting creatures both great and small.

The baby burrowing owls are the first chicks hatched by Bonnie and Clyde since they arrived at Woodlands three years ago. The burrowing owl is native to the North and South Americas and are so called because they live in burrows underground. They also use burrowing as a method of catching prey, as they will dig out something to eat and use the prey’s howl has a home.

They were named by Woodland’s falconer and keen golf player Lyn Goss after the South African golfer Ernie Els on whose birthday the first of the owls hatched in January.

Lyn and head falconer Gail Greenwood will now be looking to build a close and special bond with Ernie and Els, as they have with other residents of the falconry centre.

In doing so, they will win the trust of the birds as they are trained to earn their wings and become fully fledged members of the flying display team at the park.

Set in 90 acres of Devon countryside, the family-run park is a wildlife wonderland with its ever-growing menagerie of domestic and exotic species, and 40-plus birds of prey.

Among Woodlands’ many other attractions is a dinosaur park complete with prehistoric monsters which recreates the sights and sounds of a landscape more than 160 million years ago.

A member of the Best of British parks group, Woodlands’ accolades include the Alan Rogers “Best Family Campsite in Europe” award, and the “AA Campsite of the Year” award.

So if you, like myself, love Devon for its wildlife and idyllic holiday locations this spot certainly combines the two. I would find it hard not to stay at a holiday park that t has a zoo on its grounds.

CAMC Film Location Sites And Holidays

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By William Coleman

On the opening day of the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show we caught up with Nick Lomas, The Director General of The Caravan and Motorhome Club. We spoke with Nick about The Club’s sites in Scotland that are pitched on locations that film fans will certainly recognise.

Nick also gave us the rundown on The Club’s ‘Adventure Outside’ campaign which will include the Cycle Fest. We have a full article of CAMC’s CycleFest.

For those who love films here are a few of The Club sites that have been given the Hollywood treatment. Some of these are contenders for list of all time greats. The films are good too.

The Highlands: Film- Stardust
Kinlochewe Club Site

Set at the bottom of the rugged slopes of Beinn Eighe and along the shores of Glen Docherty, Kinlochewe Club Site is somewhat famous on the network. The Site played host to the stars of 2007 romantic fantasy film Stardust; including Robert de Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer, when it was used as a base camp for filming in this beautiful region. Kinlochewe offers a slower pace of life and is a great spot to wind down after a busy day outdoors exploring the surrounding mountains. This Site is also popular with bird lovers trying to get a glimpse of the golden Eagle at nearby Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve.

From £18.70 per standard pitch per night based on two adults sharing

Glencoe: Film- Skyfall
North Ledaig Caravan Club Site

Home to one of the most famous battles between Scottish Clans, Glencoe also played host one of the most recognisable Special Agents in the country. Featuring in the 2012 film Skyfall, the childhood home of James Bond, Skyfall Lodge, was set and filmed in the natural beauty of Glencoe. For 007 fans, combine a visit to this stunning landscape with a stay at the North Ledaig Club Site. This 30-acre Site is located on two miles of sandy beach and has been awarded the David Bellamy Conservation Award. The Site is ideal for those who love watersports and is only a 40 minute drive to Glencoe.

From £20 per standard pitch per night based on two adults sharing

Fort William: FIlm- Harry Potter
Bunree Caravan Club Site

Deemed one of the most iconic film locations in Scotland, Fort William and the surrounding area welcomed the magic of the Harry Potter movie series for over ten years of filming. Muggles will recognise the infamous Rannoch Moor in the area, where the dementors boarded the Hogwarts Express in the first instalment of the final movie. The West Highland Line also runs through Fort William with services from Edinburgh and Glasgow and will be familiar to Potter fans as the route of the Hogwarts Express. For those looking to be close to all of the enchanted action, Bunree Club Site offers a great pit stop. The Site is only a 20 minute drive from Fort William town centre and is on the water’s edge of Loch Linnhe.

From £17.50 per standard pitch per night based on two adults sharing Mon-Thurs during mid-week discount periods

Perth: Film- Braveheart
Balbirnie Park Caravan Club Site

Situated just north of Edinburgh, Perth plays host to the filming location one of the most iconic Scottish movies of all time, Braveheart. Some of the best known scenes of the 1995 classic starring Mel Gibson, were filmed at Loch Leven in Perth including the famous mountain walk of William Wallace after the killing of Mornay. For the perfect Scottish getaway this year, combine a trip to Loch Leven with a stay at nearby Balbirnie Club Site only a 30 minute drive away. The Site is set within 400 acres of parkland and is a popular stop off point on the network with hikers, cyclists and dog walkers.

From £13.50 per standard pitch per night based on two adults sharing Mon-Thurs during mid-week discount periods

CaravanTimes Spends A Day With the V Line Sport By Auto Trail

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By William Coleman

CaravanTimes presenter extraordinaire Alessi is back again. This time we send him out in the field with an AutoTrail V-Line Sport 365 with two extreme sporters Simon and Faye for a spot of wakesurfing at the New Forest Water Park.

Simon and Faye usually hitch up and tow a caravan when they go on their adventure. This time round they got a chance to use a van conversion camper. They were both very pleased and surprised with the ease of the camper. They were able to simply pull up to their destination, park their leisure vehicle and then get straight into their day’s activities.

Using a camper van for an activity like this is exactly what the touring lifestyle is about. Find a location, find an activity and then go and explore. After a long day dipping in and out of the waters of the UK you can step into a nice, warm and cosey V-Line sport. Have a hot shower and use the heating system to stay before enjoying a warm home cooked meal.

We CaravanTimes reporters never shy from a challenge and are not afraid to get our hands dirty for the sake of journalism. Alessi suits up and gives wakeboarding a run for its money, well kind of. The extreme sport duo show off their skill set on the water which leads to the brave Alessi taking up a board and diving in head first. By the end of it I think there was more water on our presenter than in the lake. Once Alessi crawled out of the depths he was able to make great use of all the facilities found inside the V-Line Sport.

This fantastic Auto-Trail really is perfect for anyone who wants to get involved in the touring community.

The V Line Sport By Auto Trail

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By William Coleman

Have you tried to van conversion? For me it is the leisure vehicle that has a dual purpose. You can use it for your leisure time and holiday but they can also be used for your day to day travel.

The new Auto-Trail V-Line Sport boasts a U-shaped lounge area with a transverse bed which provides a fantastic double bed. Auto-Trail have used the very defeniton of compact living to create this fantastic touring home.

This is just a short so keep an eye out next week for the full feature length video.

How To Make Your Motorhome Energy Efficient And Save Money

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By William Coleman

Living in a Motorhome, even if it’s just for a weekend is a highly enjoyable experience, however one major downside can be the cold. As you may discover, the cold can sneak into your portable home from anywhere, which can lead to miserable days and freezing nights inside your home on wheels. So, what can you do to make your Motorhome more energy efficient? We have put together some actionable tips which could see temperatures rise and your energy bills plummet.

Test Your Windows
While windows are great for observing the beautiful scenery from the comfort of your own motorhome, they can also play a big part in letting the elements inside. A small draught can lead to expensive problems if it is not dealt with appropriately. If it seems as though one or more of your windows are allowing cold air to enter, it may be worth placing seals around the faulty windows in order to trap the heat inside your motorhome. If you plan on keeping your existing windows, start by checking for any leaks or draught entering your RV.
If your Motorhome is relatively modern, it is likely than their windows are double skinned. However, if your RV is slightly older, this may not be the case. Single skinned acrylic windows can be a major culprit if your Motorhome is lacking in warmth. If this isn’t the case, you should consider replacing your windows with a modern upgrade. If the cost of installing new windows is too expensive, an alternative technique you could use is to attach thermal screens to the windows of your motorhome. The thermal screens are specifically designed to increase the internal temperature of an RV.

Insulation is Important
When it comes to motorhomes, it’s not just the walls and roof which are important to insulate. The floor of your motorhome is a majorly important factor in determining the internal temperature. Replacing or installing insulation in the walls can be a major task, which may not always produce highly desirable results. Using warm carpet with a foam backing can be a great way to increase the temperature inside your RV. This will take considerably less time than insulating your walls and you will likely benefit just as much.

Using Ionic Shower Heads
When using your Motorhome in the countryside, warm showers are always an absolute luxury. However, it is important to make the most out of what warm water you have. By installing a power shower head, you can improve the shower pressure and reduce the amount of water you are using. This can be really useful, especially if the amount of water you have access to is limited. Once such shower head from Shower Stream can improve water saving by up to 30% and increase water pressure by up to 200%.

Use what sunlight you have
Sunlight can be a rare sight in the UK, but you can make the most of what sunlight you have by adding solar panels to your motorhome. While this may be an expensive initial investment, the cost will eventually even out if you plan on using your motorhome often and long term. Solar panels can also be useful as they will also be able to recharge your battery if and when electricity is not available.

Motorhome Skirting
If you’re living in a static caravan or motorhome, skirting is vitally important in protecting your home from the elements. By leaving the sides of your caravan open, they are vulnerable to the elements, which can lead to lower temperatures during the winter months. By adding skirting to your static, you are essentially adding an extra barrier between you and the cold. The underside of your caravan will really benefit. Less cold air will be able to travel from underneath your floor and into your home. Skirting can also really improve the look of your caravan if fitted correctly.

Protect your pipes
If your water is failing to heat up quickly, it could be caused by the temperature of your external pipes. It can be costly to re-heat this water with either gas or electricity. By insulating your pipes, you are preventing the cold from dropping your water temperature and therefore you will require less energy to heat your water, as it will have a higher initial temperature. Before travelling anywhere in your Motorhome, make sure you check that you do not have any frozen water sitting in your pipes. If you do, ensure that you thaw them straight away.

Swift Kicks Off 2018 With A Strong Start

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By William Coleman

How is it February already? It was Christmas Day, then I blinked and now it is February. So as we fly through and finish the first month of the New Year do does Swift as they start 2018 with some amazing numbers.

Swift has seen a massive influx of business across the entire business following what was an standout year in 2017. Last year the company saw a double digit growth across the board. In the first few weeks of 2018 the East Yorkshire leisure industry leader has seen some fantastic number. Swift are, without a doubt, the UK’s largest manufacturer of caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes.

Nick Page, Swift Group Commercial Director, has said: “We’ve started the year extremely well. This is due in no small part to the show offers currently available across our entire range of caravans and motorhomes. The show offers, always popular, have really captured the imagination this year, with dealerships reporting a strong uplift in sales and increased interest.”

There are a lot of offers available to buyers that comes with a wide range of benefits, from free caravan motor movers to engine upgrades and cash back on select models of motorhomes. Dealerships have reported great success from these offers too. Once dealer commented: “The show offers have been great. We’ve seen lots more visits to our website, and also a rise in people asking specifically about Swift products, leading to a record January for sales.”

The show offers are available from Swift’s exclusive dealer network and across all major industry events until 25 February 2018, when the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show draws to a close. Swift is expecting this show in particular, at the Birmingham NEC, to be a great success. “The February NEC is one of two premier events in the leisure vehicle industry calendar,” explains Nick Page. “It’s where we historically record a significant proportion of our annual sales. All the signs are positive for a great performance this year.”

So what was a bumper year in 2017 seems to be carrying on over into 2018. It is great to see such a massive success this early on in the year. I cannot wait to see what else 2018 has in store for the industry.