CCC appoints new deputy Director General

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by Tom Leaning

The Camping and Caravanning Club (CCC) has announced Sabina Voysey as their new Deputy Director General, with immediate effect.

The position is newly created within the Club, and Ms. Voysey will carry out the role in addition to her current responsibilities as the Club’s Finance & HR Director, reporting to Director General, Robert Louden MBE.

According to the CCC, the creation of the role reflects the Club’s rapid expansion in recent times: in the past 20 years membership has grown from 120,000 to 300,000 households and from an annual turnover of £10m to a group annual turnover of £60m.

The Club expanded its UK site network using franchising as a growth strategy, and partners with the Forestry Commission to operate Camping in the Forest, providing campsites on Forestry Commission land.

The Club has changed and evolved to support this considerable growth and the increasingly complex business requirements it brings, and the Deputy Director General role represents a key new position in the Club structure.

The new role will be an ongoing one, to support the Director General and the leadership of the Club.

Ms. Voysey joined the Club as Finance Manager in 2002, and was appointed Finance Director in 2010. Today, she runs a 25-strong finance and HR team, and has played an important role in ensuring sufficient cash is generated to fund ambitious, multi-million pound investments into the Club Site network, including campsite acquisitions in recent years.

Ms. Voysey said: “I’m excited to be appointed Deputy Director General, and look forward to supporting Robert in steering the Club to further growth and success over the coming years.

“I’m committed to ensuring that, while it’s more important than ever that the Club is managed as a business, the spirit of the Club as a membership organisation, run by its members for its members, remains intact.”

Robert Louden MBE said: “Sabina has been an integral part in helping the Club achieve the success it’s enjoyed in recent years, and passed a rigorous appointment process. The Club’s Executive Committee and I have great faith in her many abilities, and we look forward to her support in leading the Club to ever greater heights.”

FEATURE: CaravanTimes introduces long term tests with the AutoTrail Tribute

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by Daniel Cartwright

Here, at CaravanTimes we have reviewed literally thousands of caravans and motorhomes over the years. We have been involved in challenges, events and press junkets and now is the time to take it to the next level with long term reviews.

Our long term reviews are real life reviews, not technical reviews. We will be living with, in and around these leisure vehicles for long periods of time. We will be taking them on long trips, short breaks and doing everything from wild camping to family holidays.

Our aim is not to tell you the inside dimensions of the overhead locker but to give you ideas of how you can use it, to inspire you to use your leisure vehicle more and provide that “my friend has one and says” insight into owning each vehicle.

Each week we will blog on different topics and at the end we will produce a full review based on that leisure vehicle. There’s no point talking about how 2-berth fares for the family holiday!

Our first test is the Auto-Trail Tribute 670. The Tribute 670 is a 2-berth van conversion with 4 belted seats, swivel captain seats and a front dinette with a centre kitchen and a big (for a van conversion) centre washroom. The Tribute is a very nice place to be and has all of the luxury features you would expect from Auto-Trail. You can see the full specs here: https://www.auto-trail.co.uk/range/tribute

To kick our reviews off we will talk about practicality – how does the Tribute fare as a vehicle?

In today’s leisure vehicle market many people are trying to choose between a caravan and a motorhome, either for first timers who are new to both or for those considering a swap. One big factor in this decision is the practicality of using a motorhome as a vehicle, compared to say a second tow car. It was job one to test the Tribute as a vehicle – not the driving, but the practical side of using it as an everyday vehicle.

For anyone who is a regular reader of my features you might have picked up that I’m an “ardent caravanner”. That doesn’t mean I don’t like motorhomes – because I do. But I have always viewed them as a caravan with an engine. A holiday vehicle that will inevitably spend longer on the drive than on the road… I was wrong. Let me explain how the Tribute has changed me.

Being a van conversion, the Tribute is a total pleasure to drive. Having driven to pick up the Tribute in a Citroen C3 Picasso the swap to the Tribute was instant, it had better more comfy seats, better dash and console, it drove better, turned better and accelerated better – but this isn’t a driving review it’s a practicality review and it was the practicality that really got me. Having had the Tribute for less than two hours I was still driving home, south on the A15 towards Lincoln, and then suddenly my phone lights up and starts vibrating, I ignore it, less than a minute later the same thing happened again – the office needed to speak to me and it sounded urgent. I saw a lay-by and pulled over. I started calling the office who needed some information from my laptop . My laptop battery was very low, normally this would mean a huge delay in getting the info and making it home as I find somewhere to stop and have to spend money on a coffee whilst I charge my laptop etc. but not the in the Tribute! I simply swivelled my chair, plugged in my laptop and put the kettle on (yes, I had put some water in it). 10 mins later I’m on the road again, with the wife happy that I’ll be home on time and the office happy too. That started me thinking.

The next day I was due to test how the Tribute performed driving around town and with tight manoeuvres – what better place to do that than commute to the office 70 miles from Suffolk to Central London in rush hour, park and then go home. As I’m on the A120 I hear on the radio there is a big delay on the M11 and Google estimates a 1 hour delay. Once again I simply pull over in a lay-by, swivel my chair, plug in the laptop, link my phone and call the office – I’m working, not sat, sweltering on the M11.

Over the coming week, I used the Tribute for everything I could and every time I used it, I fell more and more in love, the Tribute isn’t just a leisure vehicle it’s a practical and luxury vehicle that helps you through life, it’s better than a car if you want to use it as a second vehicle. Airport runs with delayed flights are no problem, just take the Tribute and have a coffee or a nap whilst you wait. Trips to the supermarket when your toddler has a melt down half way there are no problem now. One of you stays and does the shopping, the other takes the toddler to the Tribute, gets them a cold drink and puts on Peppa Pig! The practicalities are endless for this as an everyday vehicle.

So it works as a vehicle. A damn good vehicle at that. But not only that, but the versatility changes what you can do and where you WANT to go. I got a phone call from an old friend saying he had some time off and wondered if I fancied going to the British superbikes’ free practice on a Friday afternoon and camp overnight so we could have a few beers together. Without the Tribute I would have been camping in the rain drinking warm beer that has sat in a car all day and eating horrible packeted food that doesn’t go off. it was a possibility but I probably would have said no. With the Tribute I not only said yes but I was really looking forward to it. I simply went to the supermarket the day before, switched on the fridge, drove it into work, picked my friend up at lunchtime and two hours later we’re at BSB with fresh food, cooking facilities and cold beer. When the inevitable rain came we sat in the Tribute watching old races on YouTube! The next morning, after a good night’s sleep, a decent wash and a simple breakfast, we’re home to our wives, refreshed and ready for the day – not looking and smelling like extras from a zombie movie after a rainy uncomfortable night in a tent!

The Tribute passes our Vehicle Practicality test with flying colours. There are always compromises with any vehicle and the space in the Tribute is limited but that’s a different test for a different day. Keep an eye for our next instalment from our new Long Term Tests!

CaravanTimes announces our second Facebook LIVE competition winner

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by Tom Leaning

Following the completion of our second CaravanTimes Facebook LIVE Giveaway, we can finally reveal our lucky winner and their prize.

Laura M France of Walsall in the West Midlands is our second winner of the CaravanTimes Facebook LIVE Giveaway, and received a hamper of goodies, including chocolate, coffee and Elddis merchandise, courtesy of Elddis – Congratulations, Laura!

Laura correctly answered five multiple choice questions about Elddis’ caravan brands, their construction methods and their recent competition to win an Elddis Avante 462 caravan for a year.

To remind you of the competition:

Elddis and The Caravan and Motorhome Club have been looking for an adventurous person – or couple – to live 2018 Season to the MAX with an all new Elddis touring caravan.

From Summer 2017 to Summer 2018, you could have a brand new and exclusive Elddis Avante 462 2-berth to go on the trip of a lifetime.

The deadline for applications has CLOSED at 12:00am Sunday 2nd July 2017 and the Winner will be announced Monday, 17 July 2017.

We’ll be conducting more Facebook LIVE Giveaway events throughout the year, so please look out for them on our our official page: RIGHT HERE

Have a great weekend everybody!

CAMC bring the Big Little Tent Festival to the Capital

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by Tom Leaning

Members of the CaravanTimes team were treated this week to a slap-up BBQ breakfast, courtesy of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, by the banks of the River Thames, overlooking Tower Bridge, in the heart of Londontown. The colourful event was all to celebrate the return of the Big Little Tent Festival, where families can be inspired to enjoy the outdoors all from the comfort of their own back gardens!

The Caravan and Motorhome Club are inviting all families, from 22 – 23 July, to experience the magic of the great outdoors, by pitching their tents in their own back gardens and host their own summer festival on their own terms. Families can Invite friends and neighbours to attend and join in the fun – have a BBQ, play some music, string up the fairy lights, tell stories and inspire the whole family to enjoy the great outdoors (but with the facilities of your own home within walking distance!).

Register for your free festival pack HERE

The CAMC have kindly offered to supply the bunting, flags and wristbands to complete your festival experience. Simply register for your free festival pack, and the CAMC will send you everything you need to get your party started.

What’s more, by registering for your pack you have the option to be entered into an exclusive prize draw to win a European camping holiday for four, including tent and ferry crossing.

Make your festival your own

There’s plenty to do in your back garden – here’s a few activity ideas from the CAMC that you could organise for your special day of fun:

  • face painting;
  • hunting for creepy crawlies;
  • make your own burgers;
  • build a bug hotel;
  • host a talent show

So what are you waiting for? Pitch your tents, light up your BBQs, string up your bunting and celebrate the great outdoors with your very own Big Little Tent Festival today, and share your photos with us on social media using #BLTF17

Check out this Caravan and Motorhome Club video from one of last year’s Big Little Tent Festivals:

For more information and to register for your packs, visit the Big Little Tent Festival web page HERE!

CCC partners with Bailey to aim for safer caravanning with a new range of tourers

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by Kean Tahghighi-Everitt

The Camping and Caravanning Club has a new partnership with Bailey of Bristol to try and make caravanning safer for new buyers and more experienced caravanners by updating towing skills and making sure people have safer journeys.

There will be a set of 12 brand new tourers from Bailey’s award-winning Pursuit range, which will be situated at the Club’s accredited training centres all over the UK. The members will use them to get towing experience which is a part of the CCC’s caravan manoeuvring courses. The Club’s insurance provider, Club Care has committed to the long term sponsorship of the caravans and their manoeuvring courses.

The caravans can be used by people who aren’t members at the Club’s ‘Towing Experience’ initiatives, which occur at major industry shows and offer first-time caravanners a chance to try towing on the open road and become comfortable with the experience.

The main aims of the Club are to achieve safer caravanning, and to build the skill and confidence of new and older caravanners.

The manoeuvring courses are led by professional driving instructors, and are split into two groups, beginner courses and advanced courses. To participate in the manoeuvring courses, caravan owners need to bring their own car fitted with a tow bar, and then they will be paired with a suitable caravan from the brand-new Bailey fleet.

The beginners course encompasses many basic but vital lessons in how to maintain and drive a caravan safely, such as how to safely load a caravan, how to level it, how to hitch and unhitch, and the course includes tips on manoeuvring through a slalom course. In addition that the course includes a one-to-one driving session with an instructor, who gives each course attendee on-the-road tips and guidance.

The advanced course focuses on the harder and more complex aspects of caravanning including practical training, hill starts, driving on motorways and dual carriageways, as well as reversing and pitching on site.

You can choose from three locations in the North, South and Midlands: Haywards Heath in West Sussex; Rufforth in North Yorkshire; and also at the Club’s own headquarters in Coventry.

The Towing Match Service helps members find what tow cars and caravans are best for them and make sure they are a safe and legal pairing. The Tow Car Awards is an annual test programme, where experts put new cars with suitably weighted caravans, through a series of in-depth tests on a private proving ground, with reviews of each car tested published online.

Simon Howard, Marketing Director for Bailey of Bristol, said: “We’ve worked closely with the University of Bath, who have carried out a great deal of research into trailer stability and towing dynamics, and have incorporated this into the design of our Pursuit caravans, such as ensuring there is less weight at the front and rear of the caravan. We’re delighted to support the Club in these initiatives, and are confident the experiences will help people appreciate the many joys of caravanning.”

Robert Louden MBE, Director General of The Camping and Caravanning Club, said: “The Club takes the issue of safer caravanning very seriously indeed. By providing high-quality training courses for both new and more experienced caravanners, we aim to equip our caravanning members with the skills and understanding they need to feel confident and relaxed on their British and overseas caravan holidays.”

The CCC, being a member of the FIA, supports the current #3500Lives road safety campaign, which features celebrity international ambassadors including Rafael Nadal, Fernando Alonso and Pharrell Williams. Find out more about the campaign at #3500Lives.

For more information on the Club’s caravan manoeuvring courses visit:
Manoeuvring Couses

For more on the Club’s Towing Match service visit:
Towing Match Service

For more information on Bailey of Bristol visit:
Bailey of Bristol

And for the Tow Car Awards visit:
The Tow Car Awards

Couple turns £1.2k bus into a luxury motorhome worth over £11k

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by Kean Tahghighi-Everitt

A couple has spent the last 6 years converting a £1,200 bus they bought on eBay into a luxurious motorhome. They used their converted leisure vehicle to tour the UK, France and Belgium with their three children – and they’ve now sold it for over £11,800!

Tom Grantham and his partner Kay Barnes had been wanting to buy a motorhome when they discovered a 23-year-old Stagecoach bus on eBay and decided it would be a great challenge to make a motorhome out of it. Six years and £10,000 of investment later, and the couple have crafted a stunning motorhome, perfect for touring with the family. The £10,000 went to completely refitting the bus, a complete repaint, putting in three double beds, a kitchen, a shower, a toilet and even a log fire!

There is no doubting that this challenge was a huge success for the family as they ended up spending less than they would have buying a second-hand motorhome, and it it was a great experience for the children, learning about the world of DIY and enjoying the journey across Europe.

Speaking to LadBible, Tom said: “We got trains back to France and stopped off at Disneyland Paris, which of course the kids appreciated,” adding “They absolutely love going places on the bus.”

Tom, Kay and their three children inside their converted motorhome. (Photo credits: Caters)

Despite making these wonderful memories with their kids, the couple have decided that it was time for their next challenge and put the motorhome back on eBay with a bid going as high as at least £11,800. That’s a tidy profit for a great experience!

Anyway, have you ever wanted the motorhoming experience without forking out too much cash? Well, Tom and Kay have proven that it’s more than possible to do so and get the most out of the journey at the same time.

CaravanTimes wishes them the very best of luck on their next challenge and we want to know, what kind of things have you guys done to make your caravanning or motorhoming experiences unique? Please share them below!

FEATURE: 21st century caravan construction: How are caravans made today?

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by Kean Tahghighi-Everitt

Regardless of your chosen caravan manufacturer, construction methods have changed unrecognisably over the last decade. Early adopters, Bailey of Bristol, were the first to change their construction with the introduction of Alu-Tech, but each of the manufacturers have done things in there own way. Below we have provided you with a quick synopsis of how all the main manufacturers make their caravans.

Bailey

It could be argued that the birth of Alu-Tech construction was a crucial turning point in the process of building a caravan. The Alu-Tech process means that the individual body shell components contribute to the whole strength of the structure rather than the components having to rely only on the floor and chassis. In moving forward with this innovation, Bailey aimed to reduce water ingress and weight, whilst increasing durability and aerodynamics of their caravans. Pictures from the launch of Alu-Tech show a Volvo sitting on a new Alu-Tech caravan.

Coachman

Coachman released ABC or the Advanced Bonded Construction technique in 2015. ABC is designed to “virtually eliminate the threat of water ingress” through using Bonding rather than screwing to hold the caravan together. Whilst 2015 seems late compared to other manufactures Coachman were one of the first companies to adopt the bonded construction technique and have been bonding parts of their caravans for many years. As well as reduction of water ingress ABC allows coachman to look at new ways of reducing the mass of their caravans. By replacing timber with lighter but stronger polyurethane materials and by removing screw fixings from the outside of their caravans ABC is coachman’s way forward.

Elddis

Elddis’s now famous SoLiD construction stands for Strong, Light and Dry. The Durham-based constructor, introduced the “first and only fully-bonded construction system” for caravans. Their caravans are stronger because they spread the stress evenly. The fully bonded construction makes for stronger but lighter vehicles. They have over 95 per cent fewer exterior screws to create a barrier against water ingress. A big selling point for Elddis is the fact that this construction system is used on Formula 1 cars, super yachts and the wings of aeroplanes. Elddis released SoLiD across all models at the same time so any Elddis built after 2013 will be bonded.

Swift

Smart was launched by the Swift Group in 2012. Different to other manufacturers, the Swift Group introduced Smart system in different stages to different products in both caravans and motorhomes. Swift kept refining this construction mechanism, and by 2017 all Swift coach-built motorhomes and caravans were made with Smart+ technology and some premium products in both caravans and motorhomes had Smart HT. This may seem complicated, but actually the two construction methods are virtually identical with Smart+ being built in the same way as Smart HT, the main difference being the fact that Smart HT uses better or more expensive materials in the premium ranges. The whole idea of Smart is it utilises GRP to the maximum, i.e. the outer and inner walls of all the panels are GRP sandwiching a thermal material -i.e. polystyrene and polyurethane, which is similar to Coachman, who also use polyurethane blocks. This combined with the aluminium frame removes timber from the structure of the vehicle making it stronger and more resistant to water. Swift is also focused on making their caravans more aerodynamic by changing the design so that air glides over the body, reducing drag.

Lunar

While the other manufacturers we have discussed have been focusing more on reinventing the game and focusing on new technologies, Lunar has stuck to the more traditional methods of caravan construction. Opposed to most of the other major manufacturers, Lunar still uses wood. Obeche Wood is very lightweight and produces beautiful natural results. This results in caravans that are easier to tow and more economic in terms of fuel.

Adria

The Adria vehicles with ‘Comprex’ which combines the “torsional strength of wood, the durability of polyurethane and the moisture stopping properties of polyester”. Adria’s ‘i-shaped’ exterior means they have a great shape for airflow to reduce drag.

All these companies have been trying to fight the problem of water ingress, which is when water begins to leak through your car or caravan due to gaps in the construction of the vehicle. The reason that many of these companies have been trying to get rid of wood from the caravan build is because wood needs to be connected via screws which means there will be gaps for water ingress to occur. So the companies need to be reducing the possibility of this because no one wants to spend tens of thousands of pounds on a caravan or motorhome, only for it to start leaking and become damaged. And if it does happen, it reduces the level of trust customers have in your company.

It is undeniable that over the last ten years the construction of caravans has changed drastically, and the attitudes and adaptations of the major manufacturers reflects this. Some companies have welcomed the change in technology and embraced it by completely changing their design and construction process, whereas some have tried to stick by the traditional methods and change them so that they are more effective but still keep the core principles.

So, the question is, do you believe that the traditional process still reigns victorious or do you think that the change over the past ten years paves the way for the future of caravanning, a future which includes better, lighter and more luxurious caravans? Please share and discuss your thoughts below!

CCC annual Youth Rally heads to Ballymena in Northern Ireland

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by Tom Leaning

The Camping and Caravanning Club’s (CCC) annual Youth Rally is heading to Northern Ireland over the weekend 30 June – 2 July for the first time in over a decade.

The busy event, held at the Ballymena Showground, will be attended by more than 300 people from all over the UK, and boasts a packed schedule of activity, including sports, evening discos, games and trips off site.

Camping Club Youth is the Club’s dedicated youth section, open to children aged 12-17, and highlights for attendees include an afternoon trip to follow the Causeway Coastal Tour, with the Giant’s Causeway itself around 30 miles away.

The Giant’s Causeway is looked after by The National Trust, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, formed as a result of intense volcanic and geological activity dating back 60 million years. En route, the group will travel via The Dark Hedges, a popular filming location featured recently on hit TV series Game of Thrones.

Youths aged 14 and above can complete the Camping Club Youth Test, and if they pass they benefit from free Club membership up to the age of 21, and licence to camp on any of the Club’s network of more than 100 Club Sites or club-run meets without their parents. The Youth Test also makes ideal training for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, and the Club is licensed as an operating authority of the DofE Award.

This year, a total of three Certificate of Achievement awards will be presented to current Club Youth members across the weekend. Awards are given based on an individual’s achievements when camping, with prizes including vouchers to the value of £100-£300 for use at selected outdoor retailers.

All Youth members attending the National Youth Rally receive a commemorative hoodie and goodie bag. The showground itself now features an all-new three-story grandstand, which affords great views of the Antrim Plateau and Slemish Mountain.

Brian Willis, the Club’s Regional Youth Liaison Officer for Northern Ireland and National Youth Rally 2017 Chairman, said: “I’d like to thank our many local sponsors for helping us to put on and arrange this year’s event. The Club’s youth leaders each do great work to develop our young teenagers into mature and responsible adults, and I look forward to celebrating the success of several of these teenagers at this year’s awards ceremony.”

For information on Camping Club Youth and the 2017 National Youth Rally, visit: www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campingclubyouth

Red Bull F1 drivers prepare for Austrian Grand Prix with spectacular caravan racing video

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By Kean Tahghighi-Everitt

Red Bull Formula 1 racing drivers Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo have decided to prepare for the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix by taking a spin around the Red Bull Ring in the city of Spielberg in a slightly unconventional way…..they’re towing caravans!

Verstappen is a 19 year old Dutch F1 driver who is used to breaking records; over the past two seasons, Max has become the youngest driver to compete in Formula 1, the youngest to lead a lap during a Formula 1 race, the youngest to score points and the youngest driver to ever win a Grand Prix, by triumphing at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.

Ricciardo is an Australian Formula 1 driver who replaced compatriot Mark Webber at Red Bull back in 2014. Most recently, the 27 year-old, won the 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix last weekend, moving him up into fourth position in the F1 Drivers’ Championship standings.

However, when most people would be expecting them to be preparing for the upcoming Austrian Grand Prix using their latest Formula 1 cars, Ricciardo and Verstappen were instead using an alternative training method: Attaching Red Bull-emblazoned caravans to the back of their Aston Martin Vanquish Volante racing cars, the Red Bull drivers proceeded to put aside their BBQ equipment and race each other around the circuit with entertaining results:

As the two drivers quickly learnt how fast they could go without tipping over their respective caravans on each corner, the race produced some spectacular slow-motion footage, full of sparks, burning rubber and two very happy Red Bull employees struggling to contain their enjoyment!

Unsurprisingly, the poor caravans didn’t last too long with Formula 1 drivers behind the wheel but the competition was close. The caravans tried to cling on to the back of the cars but their survival chances were always slim. Here at CaravanTimes, we agree with Ricciardo: get rid of the conventional F1 format and just have caravan races on Sundays! However, our hearts go out to the caravans that were heartlessly destroyed during the production of this video. Have a watch of this behind the scenes footage for more caravan racing action:

Maybe F1 Caravan Racing could be the way forward to settle disputes in the industry, especially after recent incidents, including Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel’s little tête-à-tête last weekend. The incident involved Hamilton suddenly braking while following a safety car, which caught Vettel unawares and resulted in the Ferrari driver colliding into the back of the Briton. Whether it was intentional or not, Vettel angrily responded by driving alongside Hamilton and intentionally swerving into him.

But the dispute didn’t end during the race. Afterwards, the German claimed Hamilton ‘brake-tested him’, implying he did it on purpose and Hamilton called Vettel ‘a disgrace.’ The media was split on who to blame for the incident, with many siding with Hamilton, saying Vettel should take the blame but there were some people who thought Hamilton was partially responsible. What do you think?

Maybe the two should settle their differences over an F1 caravan race. Sound like a plan guys?

The 2017 Austrian Grand Prix officially starts on Sunday, 9th July. Who will finish higher, Verstappen or Ricciardo?

Birmingham NEC October Motorhome and Caravan Show on sale now

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by Tom Leaning

Tickets for the Motorhome and Caravan Show 2017, to be held at Birmingham’s NEC from 17 to 22 October, are now available online at www.mcshow.co.uk and by phone on 0844 873 7333.

The UK’s largest leisure vehicle show features more than 700 motorhomes and caravans from major manufacturers, dealers and specialists alongside campervans and trailer tents. New products and range launches for the 2017/2018 season are displayed together with caravan holiday homes, lodges and every accessory needed for holidays and leisure time outdoors.

The Motorhome and Caravan Show 2017 covers 11 halls of the NEC in Birmingham. New products are officially launched daily, and feature areas include new-for-2017 attractions; entertainment in the LIVE Theatre includes presentations and demonstrations from celebrities, adventurers and travel and industry experts. The Woodland Trust returns to the show, joining The Caravan and Motorhome Club and The Camping and Caravanning Club as official show partners. Black Horse Finance, the headline show sponsor, provides specialist support to caravan and motorhome owners looking for advice and finance options on their next leisure vehicle purchase.

Recognised as the industry’s launchpad for next year’s holiday season, the show attracts around 100,000 visitors, reflecting the UK’s buoyant market for both caravans and motorhomes. Jenny Summers, Group Marketing Director of The NCC commented: “The leisure vehicle industry enjoyed significant sales last year, with the trend continuing into 2017 and a bright outlook. The October show promises exciting launches from caravan and motorhome manufacturers and dealers, which continue to invest in new products for a strong market.”

Advance ticket prices* start from £8.50, with children under 16 entering free.

Visit: www.thenec.co.uk to purchase your advanced tickets TODAY!

Adria unveil new Sun Living motorhome range for 2018

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by Kean Tahghighi-Everitt

Adria have unveiled the all new Sun Living entry level motorhome range, which has been completely refreshed for the forthcoming season.

Adria first introduced the Slovenian-built Sun Living brand in 2008, as a sister brand to the main Adria brand, with a selected range of the most popular motorhomes, and vans. Fast forward to 2017 and the new Sun Living brand has been relaunched, with an entirely new and innovative vehicle lineup. Adria plans to build on its sales success so far and accelerate it with an innovative range of new Sun Living camper vans and motorhomes which will be available this autumn.

The new Sun Living brand has a complete new identity with a fresh blue logo, all new graphic design and a new “communications approach”. The brand launches from 1st July and will be premiered at the Dusseldorf Fair at the end of August and vehicles will be arriving in over 160 Sun Living dealerships across Europe this autumn.

The new Sun Living core values are

  • Easy: A brand new range of motorhomes and camper vans, making touring holidays more convenient and ownership more simple. Easy to choose and own vehicles with smart layouts, features and specifications.
  • Innovative: New thinking for a new generation. Explore new spaces which are transformed by innovative new approaches. Bedrooms which hide-away to become additional day-time living
    space, bathrooms which hide-away when not in use to free up more space. And smart new
    features and new layouts too.
  • Connected: New Sun Living vehicles will offer the opportunity for users to stay connected when travelling, to share experiences, and be part of the new Sun Living community.
  • Made by Adria-Mobil: New Sun Living motorhomes and camper vans are designed and
    manufactured by Adria Mobil, one of Europe’s leading recreational vehicle manufacturers since
    1965. Purpose-built in the most advanced state-of- the-art factory in Europe.
  • Exceptional Value for Money: New Sun Living vehicles offer the latest in design, innovation
    and comfort at exceptional value for money.

New thinking for a new generation

The new Sun Living line-up includes innovative new takes on the Camper Van, a new motorhome where the customer can decide between Crossover or Semi-integrated format and a
new ‘alcoven’ (overcab) motorhome format.

There’s also original thinking when it comes to space. Bedrooms by night, become additional living space by day. Bathrooms which rotate and open up the kitchen and floor space. New living flexibility for the user thanks to unique new ‘hide-away’ solutions.

Matjaz Grm, the company’s Executive Sales and Marketing Director, commented:

“Our research shows us that there are many people with an interest in the motorhome lifestyle but who haven’t yet found the right brand or products to make the step into ownership.

“They like to travel independently, they may have experienced camping and want to choose a brand which meets their specific needs. A brand with vehicles that are simple to use and own, which are well-designed with innovative features, plenty of interior space and with layouts that suit the way they like to live when traveling in their free time.

“Our new Sun Living brand a range of motorhomes and camper vans are designed for these newcomers who may be in their thirties, forties or older, it’s not about age – it’s about attitude.

“They are heavily influenced by the millennials new way of looking at the world. They like to travel, free time is cherished and is all about having experiences and sharing them. They are discerning consumers, connected and social – online and in person.

“We believe new Sun Living will also attract existing owners from other brands through our innovative new designs which open up new flexible living spaces and the surety of our ‘Made by Adria Mobil’ and our value for money proposition.

“We also see additional opportunity in rental. Our new Sun Living vehicles are made at the Adria factory – the best manufacturing facilities in the industry. Our new Sun Living vehicles are robustly designed and built. This, the simple to understand model line-up, the right layouts and features and the combination of outstanding value and easy-to- maintain vehicles, will also strengthen Sun Living’s appeal in the rental sector.”

For more information about the new Sun Living entry-level motorhome range visit, www.uk.adria-mobil.com

Bailey Owner Club Organise Charity Rally for Dementia UK – Open To All.

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by Daniel Cartwright

The Bailey Owners Club have organised a Charity Rally on Behalf of Dementia UK. On the 23rd to 28th of August 2017 at Ratcliffe College in Leicester (full details lower down)

IMPORTANT: Whilst BOC have organised this event, it is open to everyone, Caravanners, Motorhomers, Swift owner, Elddis owner, Coachman, Auto-Trail, Auto-sleeper, Lunar, Airstream, Tab, Vanmaster, Compass, ABI, Penine, Gober, VW, Vango owners… you get the idea. Everyone and literally everyone and their dog are welcome and encouraged to come.

Dementia has unfortunately touched most peoples lives and Dementia UK is a charity (1039404) that helps families face dementia. They provide everything from specialist one-to-one support, to expert advise. Helping families face the the challenges of tomorrow with positivity and confidence.

The rally itself will be fun, with Live Music, a BBQ, Games, Stalls, Charity Auctions and a Raffle. For more information either:

Email: charity17@baileyownersclubc.org
Visit the website: www.baileyownersclub.org

For any non-Bailey owners out there who would like to attend but are nervous about not owning a Bailey – don’t be. We at CaravanTimes have spent a lot of time with the BOC and they are a great, friendly bunch. They are fun, welcoming and are always ready to offer a cup of tea or glass of wine.

Contact Details:
Ratcliffe College
Fosse Way
Ratcliffe on the Wreak
Leicester
LE7 4SG

23 – 28 August 2017