Motorhome & Caravan Show 2016 tickets competition

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by Ed Davies

Following our last competition giving away 15 pairs of tickets to the Motorhome & Caravan Show, the final ten pairs are now up for grabs in the run up to the big event

With the closing date set for Wednesday, October 5, the competition this time around is simple enough as all you have to do is fill out the form provided at the bottom of the article.

When done, if you are selected, you and a partner could be browsing over the 400 exhibitor stands at the Birmingham NEC between 11 to 16 October.

At the show there will be talks from popular celebrities including Bradley Wiggins, Matt Allwright and George Clarke.

On top of all that, The Guinness World Record life-sized LEGO brick caravan is also a spectacle not to be missed, built with just over a whopping 215,000 bricks.

Competition rules:
The lucky winners will be picked at random at midday on October 5 2016 and will be notified via the email address supplied in the entry form
Only one entry per person
No purchase necessary
No cash or alternative will be offered
This competition is open to new or existing CaravanTimes members only
No employees of CaravanTimes or StantonPace Ltd may enter
The competition is open to UK residents aged 18 and over

Caravan site installs bee glamping pods to boost wildlife

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by Ed Davies

A Lancashire caravan park is attempting to rejuvenate Britain’s dwindling bee population by hiving off a large section of its dog exercise field and replacing it with wild flowers

Earlier this year, Moss Wood, in the village of Cockerham, replaced a 3,000 square foot dog exercise field with wild flowers, in what it calls its ‘bee buffet’.

Within the field, bee “glamping pods” have also been installed, which take the form of hardwood logs bored with hundreds of tiny tunnels.

Each flower was specifically chosen for their high pollen-bearing blooms and are now providing the much-needed nectar to help sustain honey bees over the winter.

“Wild flowers are far less abundant than they once were,” said park director Henry Wild. “The use of pesticides is blamed by some experts for reducing the food resources for pollinators like bees.

“Our holidaymakers have been extremely impressed at the speed with which our flower bank has grown since it was seeded at the start of the year.

“Some have also been asking how they can create a similar bee buffet in their own gardens, and we have been giving advice as to the best varieties to sow.”

The family-owned park has run many initiatives to protect the natural environment, which have once again landed it with the prestigious David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level.

Moss Wood’s latest bee-friendly move was made in response to a call by professor Bellamy for parks to step-up their work to protect the beleaguered insects.

“Positioned in hideaway locations throughout the grounds they provide perfect homes in which solitary bees can make cells of nests for their larvae,” he added.

“We are also inviting guests to help themselves to the seeds which many of our varieties produce at the end of summer, and to sow them next spring.”

Moss Wood was established by the Wild family over 40 years ago, provides around 200 pitches for holiday homes, touring caravans and motorhomes.

A snapshot of the Benimar Mileo 202

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by Ed Davies

The Mileo 202 is another six-metre motorhome imported by Marquis Leisure from Iberian manufacturer, Benimar

It comes with a Fiat 150BHP engine as standard and high level DAB radio, with touch screen sat nav and integrated reversing camera.

It is a neat and attractive four berth motorhome, with its L shaped lounge giving it plenty of room to wine and dine.

Just as in last year’s model the pièce de résistance of Benimar’s latest release is its drop-down, electric bed above the dining table which comes down at the touch of a button.

The layout consists of a large rear kitchen and corner washroom with separate shower.

Both the cab seats swivel around to complete the spacious living room, with a standard specification including, a large three way fridge, separate freezer, oven, three burner hob and microwave.

Sunny outlook for West Wales tourism, says local MP

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by Ed Davies

West Wales MP Simon Hart has praised the region’s holiday parks as on the vanguard of its vibrant and ever-growing tourism economy

Conservative MP, Mr Hart was at Cross Park Holiday Village in Kilgetty, near Tenby, in September where park owners and managers met for their end-of-summer conference.

Feedback from parks, the MP told delegates, suggested that many were reaping the benefits of the continued investment they had made in the quality of their product.

“Families enjoying a park holiday in West Wales could be confident that their experience would be a match for the excellence of the natural surroundings,” said the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP.

“UK tourism will remain strong regardless of how EU negotiations conclude.

“Areas such as West Wales have an enduring appeal both to British families and to visitors from overseas which will be undimmed by the final outcome.”

Mr Hart was the principal speaker at the conference, organised by the West Wales branch of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association.

Branch director Huw Pendleton, who owns three top-rated parks in Pembrokeshire, welcomed Mr Hart at the end of what he said had been a very positive main season for members.

Mr Pendleton said: “Parks had benefitted, both from the good summer weather and movements in the exchange rate which made, for many people, a staycation preferable to travelling overseas.”

As well as acting as West Wales branch director, Mr Pendleton is also vice president of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association, and has served for two years as its national chairman.

The meeting was also attended by Henry Wild, current national chairman of BH&HPA.

Lunar launches new luxury brand

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by Ed Davies

Lunar caravans has launched a new premium caravan brand to sit alongside existing Lunar and Venus collections

Named Alaria, each model in the new brand will sit upon an uprated 2000kg chassis with a fully hydraulic E&P self-levelling system.

Alaria has been given the new carbon fibre styling on its ‘A’ frame, which was introduced for the 2017 Clubman/Delta ranges.

As can be seen in the pictures, each model will have a black frontage and a streak graphic along the side, in a similar mould to the new Clubman SR unveiled earlier this month.

All furniture will be crafted from Timeo Pine with front lockers, bedroom and back lockers finished in rich cream shades.

“Alaria sets a new benchmark for luxury caravanning,” said Lunar CEO and chairman, Brian Mellor.

“We included many new features as well as an extensive specification that is in addition to the level of luxury already offered in our top-end models.”

The biggest design statement of the Alaria range is the removal of the traditional twin single beds in the front lounge in favour of a new ‘L’ shaped sofa.

The introduction of the ‘L’ shaped seating system has allowed designers to move the cocktail cabinet into the lounge area making it more of a feature and surrounding it in blue LED strips which can be operated independently from the main lighting system.

The new models are all four berth twin axles and have battery boxes that are prewired for an easy retrofit of a caravan motor mover.

The roof is fitted with a 100w Truma solar panel as standard, easing the reliance on batteries and electric hook ups.

Lockers feature contemporary curved silver handles and the flooring is covered in a complementary deep pile carpet.

The 2017 Alaria collection will be on display to the public for the very first time on stand 18-13 at The Motorhome & Caravan Show, at Birmingham NEC between October 11-16.

Soggy summers making caravanners risk their lives

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by Ed Davies

Two in five caravanners and campers have admitted taking enormous risks with their lives by bringing outdoor gas appliances inside as a result of the unpredictable British weather

Millions are ignoring basic gas safety laws by bringing lit barbecues inside caravans, porches and awnings because of the rain and in order to stay warm.

A survey of 1,000 holidaymakers by CORGI HomePlan revealed a shocking lack of understanding of the risks involved when using gas cookers, barbecues and heaters – that can all emit deadly carbon monoxide, even when flames are extinguished.

In June last year a couple holidaying in Somerset narrowly escaped death by carbon monoxide poisoning and there have been several attempts by authorities to boost people’s awareness of the issue.

More than one in five of those surveyed (22 per cent) said that when it rains, they will bring a barbecue into their caravan or awning.

Mark Leslie, CEO of CORGI HomePlan, said: “People leave their worries at home when they go on holiday and are not applying the same safety rules as they would in everyday life.

“However, fewer than one in four people are having their camping or caravanning gas appliances serviced regularly, according to our research.

“This compares to the 43 per cent who have domestic appliances such as boilers and gas fires serviced annually.

“Every gas appliance needs regular servicing by a registered engineer to ensure it operates safely.

“By packing a simple CO detector in your luggage and setting it up in your caravan, it leaves you free to enjoy a worry-free break.”

Worryingly, nearly two thirds of people (63 per cent) did not know that CO continues to be produced after a flame has been extinguished. Caravanners were also confused as to what ‘well ventilated’ is.

Just over a third (38 per cent) thought a caravan with an open door was enough.

The reality is fumes can blow from lit and extinguished appliances into – rather than out of – confined spaces, allowing carbon monoxide to accumulate to toxic levels.

An overwhelming three-quarters of caravanners admitted they have not had their caravan’s gas appliances check in the last year.

A shocking 18 per cent of caravan owners have never had their vehicle’s boiler serviced in the past five years.

Of the 1,000 people surveyed today, one in 10 have first hand experience of carbon monoxide poisoning, admitting they personally know someone who has, or suspects they have, been poisoned.

Permission sought for caravan campsite

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by Ed Davies

A pub is seeking permission to create a caravan and camping park in a field next to its premises in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham

The Blacksmiths Arms, has submitted an application to Durham County Council for the 20-pitch caravan site with added space for ten tent pitches.

In the proposal documents, the applicants set out their plan for the caravan site to be open all year round with the pub’s opening times to be changed from its current hours of 11.30am to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 11pm from Tuesday to Friday to 11am to 11pm seven days a week.

The property is owned and will be developed by husband and wife team Peter and Rachel Walton while the company which operates The Blacksmiths Arms business is owned by the pair and Mrs Walton’s brother Neil Skinner.

The team took on the business in February this year when they told The Northern Echo of their hopes to open the caravan park and host festivals and tipi weddings.

In their application the applicants cite a number of reasons why they believe the location is ideal for a caravan site.

These include its proximity to the A1, the attractive views of the surrounding countryside, and no nearby neighbouring houses with occupants likely to experience nuisance or noise pollution.

It is also stated that Mr and Mrs Walton have been running another caravan site for three years and are “camper’s needs and requirements”.

Other factors stated are possibilities of expanding the business in the future and providing more choice and opportunities for tourists to stay in the area.

Pound devaluation pushing up staycation numbers

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by Ed Davies

The devaluation of the pound against other currencies is persuading many people to plan their holidays in Britain next year, as jetting off to sun-kissed areas of the world is set to become much more expensive

That is the conclusion of award-winning caravan, motorhome and campervan dealership Salop Leisure after speaking to customers at the recent West Midlands Caravan and Motorhome Show in Shrewsbury, which unveiled the 2017 models from leading manufacturers.

The show, held at Salop Leisure’s Emstrey headquarters, attracted more than 20,000 visitors – seven per cent up on last year’s event – over nine days and produced record breaking sales.

These assertions are supported by evidence from the Camping and Caravanning Club which saw an upsurge in visitors this year and Swift’s record figures achieved at the Motorhome and Caravan Show.

“The main topic of conversation was Brexit and the devaluation of the pound, which is going to make overseas holidays a lot more expensive,” said Salop Leisure’s chairman Tony Bywater.

“It seems that a lot more British people will be staycationing next year, which is great news for us and the British tourism industry.

“We were delighted with touring and static caravan, motorhome and campervan sales at the show and it was particularly pleasing to see a large number of first time buyers, who ranged from young families to retired couples.

“Many of the show visitors, who had not been inside a caravan for many years, could not believe how luxurious they are now and commented about their excellent value for money.”

The show proved very popular with young families due to the range of entertainment provided by Little Rascals and Hawkeye Falconry UK.

Wolves and Wales football star Dave Edwards also paid a visit to meet fans and sign autographs during the show.

Take a look at the 2017 Swift motorhome innovations

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by Ed Davies

With the Motorhome and Caravan Show firmly behind us it is time to take an in depth look at the new innovations in Swift’s motorhomes this year

Although, not quite so invasive as in 2016 there are still several tweaks and upgrades throughout the fleet to peak our interests.

Kon-tiki

The iconic flagship in Swift’s motorhome fleet, like several of its counterparts, goes forward to 2017 largely unchanged.

The five models from the previous year go into the next but with certain changes such as a new Fiat Euro 6 engine and 150bhp output as standard.

There are four Kon-Tiki four-berths making up the bulk of the range, including the 625 – front dinette/rear island bed – the 635 – front dinette/fixed twin single beds – the 669 – tag-axle, front dinette/rear island bed – and the 679 – tag-axle, front dinette/transverse rear bed.

The one six-berth in the line-up is the tag-axle overcab 649, which sports a front dinette and rear lounge.

Although primarily low-line coachbuilts, the 669 and 679 can be ordered as high-lines with overcab beds offering two extra berths.

For 2017, Swift Kon-Tiki interiors benefit from a new soft furnishing scheme and a leather upholstery option, called Winchester Stone.

Escape

The most wide-ranging revamp in the Swift line-up is reserved for its biggest seller, the Escape, which has seen six new models added to the fleet.

All eight Escapes are low line-profiles and have been given a new glass reinforced polyester overcab pod design.

Each model is constructed on a Fiat Ducato Chassis, with a Euro 6 130 bhp engine coming as standard.

Last season’s two-berth 622 and four-berth 664 are carried forward but joining them are four four-berths – the front lounge/end washroom 614, end lounge/front dinette 674, front lounge/rear twin single beds 684 and front lounge/island bed 694.

Families are well catered for by six-berths 685 – front dinette/rear lounge – and the 695 – front lounge/rear bunks.

Manually operated drop-down beds are offered as options to boost sleeping spaces in the 674, 684 and 694.

The new-look Escape has smart blue side graphics, interior and exterior walls in GRP plus a new one-piece full-height GRP back panel.

Interiors get a boost with a new overhead locker design and finish with white cupboard doors. New Nova soft furnishings and the provision of LED lighting throughout ramps up lounging and sleeping comfort.

Swift Bolero

Following major surgery last year, there are only a few changes to the Swift Bolero, with 2016’s debutant, the two-berth 612EK, getting the chop.

Four Boleros make the cut this year, all of which get the Euro 6 engine and the new Ritz soft furnishings scheme inside.

The optional Vogue pack is retained, which would add air con, cruise control, a twin-view reversing camera and TV aerial.

All models are four-berths, containing four travel seats or a lounge option, with their chassis heavier than 3500kg.

The models comprise of the 684FB – a front dinette/rear French bed; 3700kg chassis, the 714SB – front dinette/fixed twin single beds; 4250kg chassis, the 724FB – front dinette/rear French bed/end washroom; 4250kg chassis and the 744PR – front dinette/rear lounge; 4250kg chassis.

The 684FB comes with a 130bhp power output as standard but for the other three models, 150bhp is preferred.

As last year, parallel lounges are available in lieu of dinettes in the 684FB, 714SB and 724FB, making them two-berth vans with two travel seats.

As with every model in the Swift Motorhomes stable the Bolero comes backed up by a ten-year water ingress warranty, for added peace of mind.

For more details, news, rumour and discussions on Swift motorhomes, join our community group for Swift motorhome owners

Bessacarr

There are limited changes this year to the Bessacarr range as the same eight models roll over again but with tweaks and upgrades here and there.

The Fiat Ducato’s new Euro 6 engines lead the changes, supported by a full glass reinforced polyester roof.

Interiors get what Swift calls “Moonlight” soft furnishings and Dometic CU600 ovens for improved efficiency, but a standout addition is the arrival of Alde wet central heating.

The optional Lux Pack adds cab air con, cruise control and a TV aerial.

The range comprises of three two-berths – the front parallel lounge/end kitchen 412, the front lounge/end washroom 442, and the end-lounge 462.

Four four-berths are offered: the front dinette/end washroom 424, front dinette/French bed 454, front dinette/elevating rear bed over garage 484 and front dinette/rear transverse island bed 494.

With the exception of the 494, which rides on a 3700kg chassis, and the six-berth, 4250kg chassis 496 (front dinette with drop-down bed/rear lounge), all Bessacarr motorhomes are based on 3500kg chassis.

If not required, buyers can specify parallel lounge seating in lieu of the dinette in the 454, 484 and 494 models, making them two-berth, two-travel-seat motorhomes.

Autocruise Select

It is all change for 2017 in the Swift Autocruise Select range, with the four models from last year carried through to the current season.

The four models have new names, a new basic standard spec and have a starting price of £36,490 OTR.

The idea is that buyers can start from scratch and build their own bespoke Autocruise motorhome from option packs covering base vehicle and living area upgrades.

This new Select line-up is based on the Fiat Ducato with the latest 2.3-litre, 115bhp Euro 6 engines.

There are two 5.99m-long units, on 3300kg chassis – the rear lounge two-berth 122 and rear lounge/front dinette two-berth 144.

The two-berth French bed 164 and two-berth twin-lounge 184 both measure 6.36m long and are 3500kg. Extra berths and travel seats can be specified in the 144, 164 and 184.

The base specification includes swivelling cab seats, electric cab windows, a radio/MP3 player and key fob locking.

The living areas get vinyl floor coverings, soft furnishings, and 4kW Truma Combi space and water heating.

Kitchens are fitted with two-burner hobs and sinks, plus 50-litre Waeco compressor fridges.

Washrooms have all the necessities, and the Swift Command digital control panel is standard kit.

Swift Rio

In terms of models, the Swift Rio is unchanged for next season’s line-up and sees only minor detail improvements.

Just as last year there are three two-berths; the 310, which has a front dinette/end washroom, the 320 with its rear lounge and the front dinette/elevating rear transverse bed and the 325.

The one four-berth model is the 340, which has a front dinette and a rear lounge.

All models were built on the Fiat Ducato with 130bhp Euro 6 engines, on 3500kg chassis.

Rio has been bumped up to black edition status, with metallic black cabs and new graphics.

Enhanced SMART Plus construction continues its roll-out and Swift Command also features in the new Rio.

As elsewhere in Swift’s coachbuilt portfolio, Rio bodyshells are now full glass reinforced polyester, thanks to new sidewalls with inner and outer GRP skins.

Inside, soft furnishings are upgraded to Cordone, while curtains are ditched in favour of contemporary looking window surrounds with a honeycomb design.

Drop-down beds in Rio models are now manually operated, as is standard across Swift Group’s vans.

Kitchens benefit from the Dometic CU600 oven, which offers better performance and less noise during transit, and which debuted in last year’s Bolero and Kon-Tiki.

Under the ‘vans, Rio models also benefit from electronic fresh and waste water tank drain valves. As before, the optional Lux Pack brings cab air con, cruise control and a TV aerial into the Rio.

How to deal with surface damp

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by Ed Davies

Following on from our previous feature on water ingress, we now turn our focus to the less serious yet ever-present, slightly vexing conundrum of surface damp

Surface damp like Christmas and taxes, I am afraid, is a fact of life. If you own a caravan, the chances are, you have had or are going to get damp patches. The good news, however, is that it is normally nothing to worry about.

The problems it causes are not structural and prevention is easy. So relax, sit back and allow us to, yes, de-mystify any bad advice you may have received.

Surface damp

The real cause of damp is the fluctuation of temperatures throughout a day or course of a year.

As most of us know, at higher temperatures water molecules will turn to gas and at lower temperatures they will return to liquid form.

So, during the day when temperatures are higher water will evaporate but when temperatures drop at night it condenses becoming liquid again on the interior of the van.

This is why many people will testify that on waking from their first night’s sleep in a caravan they can feel damp in the table or soft furnishing. This is simply condensation.

If you open the door, window or switch on your heating this will go in a matter of minutes.

But why does black mould grow?

Mould spores are everywhere in the air and will grow on just about anything if they have water and light. So when a caravan is not used regularly and is poorly ventilated it is fertile ground for mould to grow.

Imagine a situation where you return from your summer holiday on a lovely sunny day and you close the caravan door.

The caravan is full of lovely warm air containing large amounts of gaseous water. You leave the caravan for months and as winter comes the temperature drops and the gas slowly becomes liquid.

As the air is not replenished and the water remains stagnant, mould has the perfect place to thrive and grow.

Prevention

As the crux of the matter is ventilation, the easiest, most effective and most enjoyable way is to use your caravan as often as you can all year round – believe me, as a man who has stayed at a ski resort in a caravan and motorhome, it is a brilliant winter break.

If that is something you are unable to do then you need to supply the interior with fresh outside air at least once a month.

However, that does not mean simply opening your caravan’s window for 10 minutes. The likelihood is that you will need to ventilate it for a far greater length of time.

You might consider sleeping in it overnight. A lovely, relaxing, romantic night on your own driveway.

If this is not possible or desirable, it is recommended you open up all the windows and doors in your camper, make a cup tea and wait for around an hour before you seal it up again.

The only other thing you can do to help is to open all cupboard doors when you leave your caravan for a period as this prevents high moister microclimates developing.

Beware Poor Advice

Often have I heard that cleaning your caravan regularly is a sure fire way to eradicate the growth of mould. Wrong.

As we have said it is not dirt but water that mould thrives on. If you leave a piece of bread on your kitchen side it will go mouldy but once the water has gone the mould will die.

Likewise take a glass of water and leave it for week on the side with nothing in it and it will start growing mould.

Ironically cleaning your camper will deter the mould, but would, in fact, be no more effective than teetering about in it alone for an hour or two, playing a game of cards or reading a magazine – the choice, as ever, is yours.

With cleaning dealt with, another oft mentioned remedy is removing all the soft furnishings to stop mould developing.

Although soft furnishings do hold more water and are therefore more likely to go mouldy removing them will only prevent them themselves from becoming mouldy.

Dealing With Mould

Here is where, for once, cleaning might actually come in handy. If you do get patches of mould they will need to be removed with mould removal spray, which can be bought from any Homebase store.

It is worth doing it properly, checking under beds, the backs of cupboards and lockers.

However, once all mould is removed, there is truly no use in simply locking up the caravan for another three months until it is used again as the mould will just come back.

So, if you love your caravan or your motorhome, you cannot simply leave it alone and untouched for months.

Like an elderly relative, you will need to visit it, have a cup of tea with it, play a game of cards or even, if you want, have a chat with it.

If you manage to do that, it will remain a happy, lovely, mould free camper for as long as you want.

New Caravan Club European and worldwide tours

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by Ed Davies

The Caravan Club is introducing a new array of European and worldwide tours for the coming year for their members

The line-up of tours includes new escorted tours, independent worldwide getaways and for the first time ever a tailor made worldwide holiday for a ‘trip of a lifetime’.

The new ‘tailor made’ holidays will allow club members to travel at their own pace, giving them the freedom to pre-book as little or as much as they want before departure.

The new worldwide tours on offer will also include an additional three escorted tours across the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

“We have been working hard throughout the year to create our strongest ever line up of exciting destinations for holidaymakers heading to the continent and further afield,” said marketing director Harvey Alexander.

“With a wide range of new additions to our worldwide and European tours offering, including completely bespoke getaways and dedicated family tours, we are confident that The Caravan Club is offering the best range of caravan and motorhome getaways for 2017.”

The Caravan Club is also developing its independent tours that give members the freedom to travel on their own whilst following a set itinerary that has been organised for them.

Seven new European tours will also be introduced to The Club’s existing tour programme adding a tour to Slovenia and Croatia.

Sites for all seasons at The Caravan Club

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by Ed Davies

For those of you who believe caravanning is only a summer pursuit The Caravan Club is inviting you to try out some of their off-peak sites

The club has 17 sites open from mid-October until early January, with 39 open the whole year round.

Members of The Caravan Club have also been offered a 50 per cent reduction in pitch fees from Monday to Thursday at selected sites throughout November and March.

The club’s marketing director Harvey Alexander, said: “With the met office predicting a third consecutive warm winter now is the time to book and ensure you can make the most of the stunning scenery across the UK at this time of year.

“The great British holiday has seen a strong resurgence and there is a real passion amongst Brits of all ages for getting out and exploring what there is to see and do.

“Our sites are well situated for great days out. Most importantly as people start to plan and budget for Christmas they also offer great value for money for those looking to get away in the coming months.”

Average prices for a family of four at any of The Caravan Club’s 56 sites open across the autumn and winter period start from £15.85.

For families with children between the ages of five and 17 years, the kids can stay for just £1 per night – a great money saving offer available from November 2016 until March 2017.