Man turns his Prius car into a campervan with quirky results
Toyota Prius turned campervan? This idea is interesting enough to turn heads, and one inventive Australian has certainly got CaravanTimes attention. For James Lawler, from New South Wales, has used his creative mind to turn his car into what seems to be a one-of-a-kind campervan with a twist.
Having scavenged through scraps to be able to put his little sleeper together, James spent the best part of a week constructing his innovative leisure vehicle, all at the cost of just AUD$150 (approximately £77) – if only all campervans cost that little.
Adding more of a quirky touch, James equipped his camper with a tin roof and chimney, as well as a stained-glass window and even a letter box that display’s the car’s registration plate, really putting the term ‘home on wheels’ to good use.
Lawler spoke of his idea saying: “There’s a lot of boring camper vans out there. I thought this would be a little bit more quaint and Australian with a rusted tin roof.”
The intended purpose of the project was to have a place to sleep at the Meredith Music Festival in Victoria that took place earlier this month. The camper did not disappoint Lawler and he even said it was more comfortable than a tent.
Unfortunately for James, he was fined by local authorities during his travels, with his newly built vehicle being deemed unroadworthy. This hasn’t put James off though who believes it was more than worth the fine alone to actually create something so… odd.
Alas! The quirky campervan is due to be dismantled, but a new idea has surfaced, as James states: “I would like to build a caravan along the same style but a bit more water tight.”
We’re not sure the likes of Bailey, Coachman, Elddis and Swift are quaking in their boots just yet, but we here at CaravanTimes are giving James ten out of ten for innovation.
UK Spring Motorhome & Caravan Show 2015 expected to bring in record numbers
This years spring show for caravanners and motorhomers set to be biggest yet
The UK Spring motorhome and caravan show is anticipating as many as 10,000 attendees for this year’s two day annual event.
From 21 to 22 March, the gates will open for the show’s ninth year to display many of the UK’s biggest caravan and motorhome dealers including Oakwell Motorhomes, Camper UK, Timberland, SMC Motorhomes and Fuller Leisure.
Not only will a whole host of leisure vehicles be on display, but there will be as many as 150 trade stalls offering outdoor clothing and the latest in leisure accessories.
Show organiser, Russ Harman, is looking forward to the teeming weekend, saying: “This event is always popular as it starts the season for many motorhome and caravan owners who are planning for their summer getaways.
“”Caravanning has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years, as people look for more affordable and flexible alternatives to traditional package holidays, as well as the opportunity to get back to nature.
“With lots of newcomers to the scene, this show is an ideal place for first-time-buyers to browse, so we’re expecting our best ever turnout and lots of motorhomes and caravans to be bought at the show,” Russ continued.
Entertainment is also completely covered for everyone of all ages, with live music provided by Paul Metcalfe on 20 March, while comedian Freddie ‘Parrotface’ Davies will be making bellies laugh on 21 March.
For the first time ever, there will be a dedicated food hall which will also host live cookery demonstrations from TV chef Richard Fox on Saturday and Johnny Pusztai on Sunday. Meanwhile, the kids will sure to be immersed in the Kids Food Lab and Children’s Cookery School.
Russ said of the entertainment on hand, “We have something for people of all ages at this year’s event and I would advise anyone thinking of coming to buy their tickets in advance for big discounts.
“What’s more, anyone who books a pitch or buys their tickets in advance will also be entered into a prize draw to win a luxurious BBQ worth over £300!”
For more information or to purchase tickets, click here
The Opera camper trailer offers a luxurious twist to caravanning and camping
Unique leisure vehicle definitely provides a different outlook to staycationing during the holidays
Are you looking for a new way to explore the great outdoors this year? Well this might just be the product for you.
This new take on a caravan and camping experience all rolled into one will surely have you, pretty much like Marmite, either completely in love with it absolutely hating it, but we here at CaravanTimes would, perhaps, fall into the former category.
The The Opera camper , has managed to combine the feel of a caravan with the feel of being in a tent and, when looking at the modern features that come equipped with this beauty, it will surely have you asking yourself: ‘How have I gone so long without this’?
The idea is basically to make you feel like you are in a private suite on wheels and the opera camper is just that, a private suite on wheels.
The ingenious trailer design combines a compact and practical shape with a modern appearance, providing the feeling of being in your very own private suite on wheels, whilst providing the feeling of complete freedom and absolute comfort courtesy of features including two electrically adjustable beds that can easily be transformed into one, a shower, hot air heating, ceramic toilet, refrigerator, low-energy LED lighting, a boiler supplying warm water to the kitchen, and so much more. It’s essentially like having your own little holiday home, only on wheels and much cooler.
Setting up the Opera camper is easy and the versatility it provides will allow for you to have everything you need when pitching up in the most spectacular nature environments. It’s going to cost you though, and the revolutionary design will set you back approximately £19,500. To find out more details, visit the Opera’s official website here.
Do you think this new camper is worth the purchase? Let us know your thoughts.
Make sure to check out the clip below:
Parkdean to invest heavily in holiday parks throughout UK for 2015
Parkdean’s plans signify a big year for holiday parks in 2015, but will caravan and motorhome facilities be considered?
Parkdean will invest £13.2 million into all its holiday parks in Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Devon, Norfolk, Dorset and Hampshire this year it has been announced.
Parkdean, who has seen a 25 per cent growth in bookings across the UK, will allocate
£6.8 million on accommodation for new holiday homes and lodges while £1.7 million will be spent on refurbishment of current homes at the different parks. £800k is said to have been allocated for new lodges at the Ruda resort in Devon. There has been no official statement on whether or not spending plans will also concentrate on revamping touring facilities.
Chief executive of Parkdean Holidays, John Waterworth, is very optimistic of the year to come. “We had a very successful 2014 and this significant re-investment shows our confidence in our customer growth in 2015 and beyond. We are committed to providing the best holiday park accommodation in the UK market.”
Parkdean will also upgrade wi-fi access across all 24 parks.
The question remains, however, what, if anything, will be done as far as upgrading facilities for caravanners and motorhomers are concerned. With the amount of expenditure announced for 2015, surely upgrading pitching facilities should be a given. Do you think we’ll see any changes made to this section of Parkdean’s client base?
The Caravan Club offering a free two night stay for new members
Take advantage of a great opportunity courtesy of The Caravan Club
If you aren’t already part of The Caravan Club then you might want to join after you hear this news. The Club is offering you a two night holiday away on them and all you have to do is join.
To make sure you qualify for the two free nights, all you have to do is join before 31 March.
It takes about five to ten minutes to complete the online form, and once you’ve entered all the details you’re just a click away from enjoying a free mini holiday.
If you have any doubts, check out just some of the amazing benefits you can receive when you join, including:
-The widest choice – 200 Club sites and 2,500 privately owned places to stay in some of the UK’s most stunning destinations
-FREE access to the Club website including online booking and Club Together members’ forum
-FREE technical advice from Club specialists
-Site special offers
-FREE monthly magazine – worth £40 a year
-Exceptional caravan and motorhome insurance tailored to your needs
-Over 200 Club-inspected overseas caravan sites, plus guaranteed best-price ferry crossings
-Access to new caravan and motorhome inspector service
Membership starts from as little as £46 a year and provides year-round discounts off pitch prices as well as access to exclusive member offers – the most difficult part is deciding where to holiday next!
Don’t miss out on this chance, find out more details here.
Over 90 per cent of surveyed road users support smoking ban
by Alice Scarsi
Majority of Brits support ban on smoking in cars with children, according to Motorpoint poll
According to an online poll conducted by Motorpoint, over 90 per cent of motorists support the government plans to ban smoking in cars carrying people under the age of 18.
The survey saw an overwhelming 92.8 per cent of the 1,760 people questioned agree with the introduction of the new law which comes into effect from next October,
Since the new law was proposed, it has been decided that, under the Children and Families Act, those caught smoking or in charge of a vehicle and not preventing another person from smoking while carrying children in the car, can expect to receive a fine of £60 and five points on their licence.
Mark Carpenter, managing director of Motorpoint, commented on the results of the survey, saying: “The government is often accused of not listening to motorists, but it’s clear from the results of our poll that for once they are doing just that and bringing into force a long overdue measure – namely banning smoking in cars with children present – a move which the overwhelming majority of drivers support.”
What are your thoughts about this? Do you think is mandatory to protect kids from second-hand smoke or in your opinion this is an excessive measure that limits the freedom of people in their own cars?
Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson suspended by BBC with immediate effect over fight with producer
by Joe Jeffrey
BBC Top Gear presenter suspended from BBC for fight with producer
Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended by the BBC with immediate effect following a “fracas with a BBC producer” it has been announced.
A statement by the BBC read: “Following a fracas with a BBC producer Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended pending an investigation. No one else has been suspended. Top Gear will not be broadcast this Sunday. The BBC will be making no further comment at this time.”
Although details are rather sketchy, a source at the BBC revealed exclusively to CaravanTimes that Clarkson physically came to blows with the unnamed producer, adding: “It seriously looks like he’s blown it this time.
“The BBC bigwigs are on the warpath following recent events and this looks like it’s the final nail in the coffin as far as his career at the BBC is concerned.”
The BBC Top Gear presenter and caravan hater was previously issued with a final warning regarding concerns over racism following an internal investigation ordered by Danny Cohen, BBC director of television, following the amount of offensive language used on the popular BBC show.
It is certainly not the first time Clarkson has been reprimanded by the BBC, with the outspoken presenter previously facing a storm of protest from mental health charities upon branding people who throw themselves under trains as “selfish”. He was also investigated for breaching the broadcasting code by television watchdog Ofcom after comparing a Japanese car to people with growths on their faces, but was subsequently cleared.
Bailey puts the Unicorn, Pegasus GT65 and Alu-Tech to the test in the Australian Outback
by Joe Jeffrey
Bailey Unicorn and Pegasus GT65 stretched to their limits during sweltering Australian Outback Challenge
Innovations come and go, but it takes more than just a bright idea to stand the test of time. And when it comes to innovation that has continued to prove successful and extremely reliable in doing what it’s supposed to do, it could be said that Bailey‘s patented Alu-Tech system is up there with the best of them as far as leisure vehicle construction is concerned.
Tested to the point of destruction in both test and real-world environments, Bailey’s Alu-Tech construction system has proven time and time again that it manages to bounce back from whatever has been thrown at it, including the challenges faced during one of the most rigorous challenges faced – the Australian Outback.
Having increased its presence in both Australia and New Zealand, Bailey decided to send the Unicorn and Pegasus GT65 ranges deep into the Australian Outback to see what it’s made of. The results are rather impressive.
CaravanTimes caught up with Bailey of Bristol’s Simon Howard to find out more about what the Bailey Unicorn and Pegasus GT65 were up against during the Outback Challenge, as well as how each model fared. So sit back, grab a stubby, toss a couple of shrimps on the barbie and check out our latest video, complete with clear blue skies, stunning backdrops, Australian wildlife and just a smidgen of an idea of what each caravan went through to prove just how robust Alu-Tech really is.
Oakdown Holiday Park to offer VIP donkey experience
Award-winning East Devon holiday park offers VIP package with Donkeys thrown in for good measure
Oakdown Holiday Park is to provide guests to their park with a completely unique VIP experience by teaming up with its local donkey sanctuary.
Small groups visiting Oakdown will be able to help with hands-on morning donkey tasks, including grooming, walking, feeding and petting and part of the VIP package, costing £38 will include a farmhouse cooked breakfast. The price includes a donation to the Donkey Sanctuary which cares for around 500 donkeys and mules who have been overworked, abandoned or neglected.
Oakdown’s owner, Alistair Franks, is certain pairing up with the animal charity will be enjoyable for everyone. He said: “Donkeys and mules are hard working animals, and can also be very affectionate – but sadly, they are sometimes the victims of neglect and cruelty,” he said.
“But these animals, as our visitors will see, are now leading happy and fulfilled lives in the care of dedicated volunteers who provide all the treatment and attention they need.
“For children especially, this will prove a real eye-opener of a morning!”
For more information about Oakdown Holiday Park – winners of AA Campsite of the Year 2015 – as well as the VIP donkey experience click here.
Worcestershire council replaces plans for caravan site with suggestion of potato patch
Caravan site no longer in the works due to council’s preference of potatoes
Recent plans to introduce a caravan park on land in a village in Worcestershire have been dropped and replaced with King Edward potatoes.
During a meeting with Wychavon District Council‘s planning committee earlier this month, it was determined that proposals for a 15 pitch caravan site in the village of Crossway Green, near Stourport, was not the direction the council wished to take as far as a use for the land was concerned.
Councillor Nigel Dowty, talked down plans for the site, saying: “This site is not in a sustainable location as evident by being outside a development boundary. The site is, in my opinion, countryside.
Dowty, who also owns local Ombersely Golf Club, where memberships starts from £525 plus £150 entrance fee, continued: “This is grade one agricultural land. I am not convinced this is a good use of this land to give people a good living environment.
“I would much prefer to see some King Edwards growing on there than some caravans.”
What do you think of this decision made? Is this simply a case of pomposity or is something else going on?
New Coachman layouts pull in sales following Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2015
by Joe Jeffrey
Luxury touring caravan manufacturer, Coachman, has endorsed industry pundits’ predictions of an upturn in sales for 2015 as customers’ buying confidence starts to return
Retail sales of Coachman caravans have risen by over ten per cent since the New Year up to the end of February, compared with the same period last year, following success on dealer forecourts, at exhibitions and, more recently, the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show at Birmingham NEC.
According to sales figures released, it seems Coachman’s sales have been supported by an innovative new collection of models for the 2015 season, some featuring unique and versatile new layouts, as can be seen in our video here.
Coachman sales director, Elliot Hibbs, said: “People are buying caravans again. Sales have been tough in recent years, but we’re now seeing the reality of the upsurge in demand for brand-new, luxury investment models, as predicted by industry experts.
“It’s not just us; there was a very positive vibe at the recent Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show and a discernible sense of purpose in the atmosphere,” Hibbs continued.
A full collection of new caravans for 2015 drew crowds to Coachman’s stand at the NEC, from the entry-level Vision range of family caravans, to the high-spec Laser.
Coachman’s new layouts were a popular attraction, in particular the 575/4 layout with the transverse island bed, which was a top seller across all ranges at the Show.
Also updated for 2015 is Coachman’s Pastiche range, which now comes in the Vision shell but sports a panoramic front window, making for a completely new look both externally and internally.
Coachman managing director Martin Henderson said of Coachman’s successful run during the beginning of what looks set to be a successful year: “There is increased optimism throughout the industry. Last year, people were looking. This year, they’re looking to buy.
“February’s NEC show is a reliable barometer of the market, and the high level of sales we achieved there reflected the success we’re seeing on the forecourts through our dealer network,” he continued.
What do you think of Coachman’s innovative ranges for 2015? Are these something that you’re considerably interested in?
The Caravan Club accepting applications for members to join Club Council
Club members have the opportunity to join the council if they possess the right skills
The Caravan Club is looking for a number of enthusiastic and committed Club members to join the Club Council as Nominated Members.
The role of member of The Club Council would be to shape the direction of The Club by acting as part of the body that conveys the views of members to The Club’s Executive Committee.
Applicants should be active Club members, with a preference of at least five years’ standing. The Club is looking for individuals that have the breadth of skills and experience required by an organisation that turns over in excess of £100m per annum across a range of different products and services.
They are looking for people that may have skill in the following: property, law, finance, insurance, travel or perhaps even as the owner of a Certificated Location. They are also looking for those who may have had experience at board and/or committee level, are adept at understanding business cases, analysing data and are able to put forward views that are representative of the breadth of Club membership in a well-considered and coherent manner.
Applications are currently being accepted so this might be something to consider if you have the experience and love everything about being in The Caravan Club, click here for more details.
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