Kip Caravans to launch 80th anniversary ISA White

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by Tom Walsh

Kip Caravans has been providing caravans and other models to the camping industry since 1934, and to celebrate its 80th anniversary it is inviting brand fans to take part in a very special factory tour as well as launching a special edition model.

The manufacturer is opening the doors of its Dutch factory, in the A.G. Bellstraat in Hoogeveen, to interested caravan lovers who want to know a little bit more about how their motorhomes are put together from start to finish.

The A.G. Bellstraat site has been Kip’s base since 1961, meaning it has been the company’s home for more than half of its life.

Now Kip fans who pre-register via the company’s website have the opportunity to follow each stage of the process, almost all of which is done in-house.

Caravans go through a long assembly process consisting of 16 separate stages, the manufacturer says, all of which will be seen on the tour. The factory even has a separate department where furniture is made to fit perfectly inside the units.

Visitors will also be able to see the new ISA White limited-edition caravan that has been built as part of the company’s 80th anniversary.

Key features include a striking new exterior, foam matresses, flyscreens and a Weber barbecue. Dutch buyers can expect to pay somewhere in the region of 24,000 euros (£19,850).

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Truma Mover XT wins 2014 Red Dot international design award

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by Norah Lindsay

The Truma Mover XT has recieved the prestigious Red Dot Design Award for product design, after being acknowledged for its successful design concept, high level of innovation and functionality.

Truma scooped the prize ahead of 4,815 products and projects from manufacturers, designers and architects from 53 countries who submitted their entries for the design quality stamp.

The Truma Mover XT is the first manoeuvring system to use highly efficient blushless DC motors.

The system requires much less battery capacity and allows stepless, precise manoeuvring and smooth jolt-free cornering.

The Truma Dynamic Move Technlogy ensures that the caravan drives straight ahead extremely precisely and securely, even over uneven terrain and obstacles.

Another winning quality, the intuitive remote control, has separate steering and accelaration functions, which helps reinforce this well thought out concept.

Previous winners of the Red Dot Award include the ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="http://www.motorbiketimes.com/news/makes/ducati/ducati-1199-panigale-claims-prestigious-product-design-award-$21382458.htm" target="_blank">Ducati Panigale 1199 motorcycle and the Kia Sportage iPad app.

Mathias Venschott, the head of the manoeuvring system product centre at Truma in Putzbrunn, commented on the company’s achievement:

“We are extremely pleased about this award. It underscores our endeavours to combine innovative technology and beautiful design.”

The XT mover range is available through 25 official Truma partners in the UK.

VIDEO: Premium specification and economical towing with Smart HT

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by Chris Jefferies
Looking down the specification list of the new Swift Elegance and Sterling Continental ranges it would be reasonable to expect them to weight as much as a small house.
With premium fittings like solid-surface worktops and soft-close drawers, how could the company keep the weights down?
And yet, each model is equivalent in weight to the Swift Conqueror and Sterling Elite ranges that preceded them as the pinnacle of the Swift Group touring caravans collection.
In this video, Nick Page from the Swift Group explains how the technological innovations of Smart HT allowed for more features to be added without increasing the weight.
We also discuss the Al-Ko systems that have been fitted to the popular chassis to make it as smooth to tow as anything on the market.
Finally, Nick talks us through the aerodynamic design that has contributed to a significant reduction in drag, which should translate into saving money at the petrol pumps.

Eterniti Caravans administrators answer repair and warranty questions

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by Chris Jefferies
The administrators handling the break-up of ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/eterniti/">Eterniti Caravans have explained what will happen to existing customers warranties and repair work.
Ernst & Young were called into the failing company last week (27 March) and have since confirmed that 41 jobs have been lost at the Widnes factory.
In a recent statement a spokesman for the firm elaborated on the remaining issues that had been unclear up until this point.
The good news is that customers whose Eterniti models are currently being repaired will have them returned “on a case-by-case basis”.
However, the statement continued: “Eterniti Caravans has ceased trading and can no longer honour customer warranties.”
Full details of how much debt the company was saddled with is likely to be released in a creditors’ report in a few weeks time.
Eterniti launched onto the market in 2012 and recently exhibited at the 2014 Caravan and Camping Show.

Oliver Hayden launches kids’ retro caravan bed design

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by Tom Walsh

Every caravan-loving parent wants to know their children share their passion.

But sadly, few people can be on a caravan holiday all the time – except for kids who get to sleep in a new bed designed by Oliver Hayden.

The bed has been styled in the shape of a retro teardrop caravan and has a shelf on the back wall, storage under the bed, windows and a door.

Of course, to complete the caravan look it boasts wheels, back lights and a towbar – and even a personalised number plate. For kids who prefer to sleep under the stars, however, the cloth roof can be rolled back.

The handmade bed cost £1,390 and kids can choose from any of 21 different colours. Perhaps mum and dad could choose the colour closest to their own caravans to really make it a home from home.

For full details, visit oliverhayden.com

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Disabled caravanner stages car park protest over planning dispute

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by Tom Walsh

A row over planning permission has prompted one caravan owner to use his tourer in an unlikely form of protest.

Magnus Moore, a wheelchair user from Llanon in Wales, pitched his caravan in the car park of the local council offices in Penmorfa, Aberaeron on Monday, blocking parking spaces in protest at plans which he said were intended to throw him out of his home.

According to the Cambrian News, Mr Moore says he has transformed his shed into a specialised live/work unit so he can build rough-terrain wheelchairs at home.

However, his application for planning permission to change the use of the building was refused, and now he believes the council wants to see him homeless.

“I live off the grid, out of the way. I haven’t got planning permission and I’ve applied for it, but they are refusing to give it,” he told the news provider.

“I live in an agricultural building that I’ve sympathetically turned into a live/work unit. I’ve got solar power and a wind turbine, but no mains electricity.”

Elddis Accordo stars in new Daughters of Davis music video

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by Chris Jefferies
Many music stars travel the world in a motorhome, but few are so fond of their ride as folk duo Daughters of Davis.
Adrienne and Fern Davis are so proud of their ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/elddis/elddis-accordo/">Elddis Accordo that they have named it Otis, after soul signing legend Otis Redding, and given it a starring role in their new music video.
‘Catch Me If You Can’ was even written in the van as a way of keeping sane in the close proximity of their compact tourer, the girls explain on their YouTube page.
And the video reflects this, with the sisters chasing each other out of the van, down the street and even into a lake in a good-natured water pistol fight.
DoD, as their fans affectionately call them, are currently on tour supporting X-Factor star Rebecca Ferguson all across Europe.
So we can expect to hear many more songs inspired by their adventures Otis the Elddis before too long.
Indeed we may even hear a few touring-related tunes on Daughters of Davis’ debut album ‘Roads’, which is due out on 7 July.
In the meantime, click on the video below to enjoy ‘Catch Me If You Can’ in all its glory:

Monty Halls praises his Bailey Unicorn after Scottish wildlife tour

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by Tom Walsh

When it comes to a big tour musicians, comedians and other entertainers have their own preferences as how to maximise their comfort.

Some opt for hotels while others plump for tour buses, however TV presenter, travel writer and explorer Monty Halls chose a Bailey Unicorn caravan for the recent ‘Monty & Reubs Northern and Scottish Tour’.

Along with his partner, family dog Reuben and young daughter, Monty travelled the country bringing the show to the people of north-east England and Scotland.

He was in attendance in the likes of Durham, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Stirling and Inverness to give talks about his adventures in the wilderness for filming his TV shows and also signed copies of his books and DVDs.

Monty praised the Bailey Unicorn: “The combination of travelling with my young daughter and my best pal, Reuben, meant a caravan was loads more practical for us than staying in a hotel.

“It meant we were fully self-sufficient and could stay in my natural habitat – the outdoors, and constantly surrounded by amazing scenery.”

TyrePal launches two-sensor tyre pressure system

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by Tom Walsh

TyrePal has launched the latest addition to the acclaimed TC215B range with the introduction of the new two-sensor tyre pressure system.

The company’s latest product is an ideal addition for caravan owners who already have tyre pressure monitoring sensor (TPMS) on their towcar.

With new legislation set to be introduced on 1 November that will make it a requirement for all new cars sold in Europe to have TPMS fitted, these products are set to be in demand in the coming months.

TyrePal explains that the two-sensor system constantly monitors the driver’s tyre pressure and temperature and keeps it on an easy-to-read display.

The device can be simply fitted into the car without the need to remove the tyres and will send out warning alerts when tyre pressure is either too low or too high.

Caravanners looking to purchase the TC215B/2 can do so now for a price of £139.95 including VAT and shipping.

The Caravan Club hosts Glamour Vanning event on London’s Southbank

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by Norah Lindsay

What were you doing last weekend? Because if you weren’t at London Southbank, you were really missing out!

The Southbank played host to one of the most glamorous weekends of 2014 so far.

Just along the river from the Vogue magazine Festival, the Caravan Club’s was hosting a fabulous Glamour Vanning event. And just like Vogue, the caravan event attracted its own list of celebrities.

And in a perfect start for such a glamorous event, the sun was beaming, free massages were on offer and, musical entertainment was provided by Talia Janson – what more could you ask for?

The Glamour Vanning event took place at The Queen’s Stone Riverside Walkway next to the Oxo Tower Wharf on Saturday 29 March and Sunday 30 March.

The Caravan Club teamed up with Fabyouless, the UK’s largest beauty, hair and fitness card, to give people a taste of what would be on offer if they signed up.

Free beauty treatments were provided by Roxy Arnold on Saturday and Cherelle Rose on Sunday inside one of the caravans one site.

The biggest attractions to the site were the two modern retro Airstream T@B caravans, the larger L400 TD3 and smaller 320 off-road T@B, proudly marking their territory on the Southbank’s grounds.

Nikki Nichol, Head of PR at The Caravan Club, told us of the need to challenge the stereotypes associated with caravanning.

And indeed the small retro T@B caravans were perfect to promote versatility and show the largely female crowd, that caravanning isn’t about leaving your hair straighteners at home and enduring “bad hair” days, every day.

These days it’s easy to go caravanning and stay Fabyouless.

Nikki said: “This is the first ever Caravan Clubbing Glamour Vanning event and what we wanted to do is to put caravans in a location where people wouldn’t actually expect to see caravans – it’s such an iconic location.”

She added: “Airstream and Company and Airstream Europe are selling the T@B caravans now and they are really cute and funky, so we’ve got the off-road one here and the very small, very versatile one and it just shows you that you can take these all over the place and you can travel anywhere.”

Debbie Arnold, ambassador of the Fabyouless Card and soap star who has appeared on EastEnders, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and Coronation Street, talked us through the concept.

Debbie said: “A lot of people associate camping and caravanning, with people who don’t look after themselves and it isn’t all about that now, it’s about the glamour that goes with it.”

“With our card, you can get 25% off or 2-for-1 all over the country, so when you go in your caravan you stop off and you get soaking wet, you’ll go ‘It’s alright, I’ve got my Fabyouless card, I can go to my local salon and get a local blow-dry!'”

“You can ring up a salon, book an appointment and you know they are recommended by us too. You have to sign-up to get the card, it’s £29.95 per year and from there it’s 25% off saloons around the country.”

How good do we look?

The Airstream T@B caravans at Southbank were the L400 TD3, the larger make starting from £15,000, equipped with a toilet, shower and sink as well as a large amounts of storage space.

For entry-level value, the smaller Airstream 320 Off-road T@B caravan, starts from £9k.

The Airstream caravans sure were making a great impression on the guests, as they couldn’t help but compliment these innovative, adventure travel trailers.

Mums, Lizzie and Shelly decided to leave the men elsewhere and head out for a busy day in London with their young ones, Aurora and Amalie and their Nan.

Despite being more camper tent types rather than caravan fans, they stopped by the Airstream caravans and came away with some warm words.

“They’re surprisingly big, I think, I wasn’t expecting it to be that big,” said Lindsay. Whereas Shelly commented on the large windows: “It’s was nice and airy…that’s the bit I like the light comes in and it’s fantastic.”

Lindsay said: “I could go for one like that because their just so gorgeous, and it wouldn’t be as bad to pull around. I don’t like the idea of pulling a big caravan around they can be quite scary, whereas that’s really lovely. They are like a baby version of the Airstream.”

Another British couple, David and Shelia told us that they were considering purchasing a caravan, and with the countless positive comments, the Airstream would definitely be their best bet.

David was particularly impressed by how far caravans had come in recent years, saying:

“Now there is so much more inside them, the heating, the fridges, shower and cooker, every bit of space is well thought out.”

How about the music?

The musical entertainment for the day was provided by Surrey-born Talia Janson, daughter of Debbie Arnold and actress on the reality TV show, Surrey Hills.

Talia performed an acoustic set with her guitarist and was joined by her friends in joyous stage invasion.

Talia has been singing for five years since she left school at 16 to pursue her number one passion. It has been a good start for Talia, as she has toured with JLS and performed with Peter Andre, Dolly Rockers, N-Dubz and Basshunter in the past.

There were further celebrity appearances across the weekend, including journalist Simon Calder and actor Michael Howe stopping by to check out the retro caravans.

If you missed out this time around, don’t worry as The Caravan Club plans to host similar events like this in the future. So keep your eyes and ears alert for the next Caravan pop-up event, with new model caravans and one-time only freebies.


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Eterniti Caravans administrators confirm 41 job losses in Widnes

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by Chris Jefferies
Administrators Ernst & Young have given an insight into the situation that led Eterniti Caravans to enter administration last week as well as confirming that 41 jobs have been lost as a result of the move.
This latest development brings to an end the short, but eventful history of Eterniti, a brand that first emerged in 2012 and received high-profile exposure on both BBC Two and ITV last year.
However, this wasn’t enough to secure the company’s long-term future with sales proving slower than anticipated.
In a statement, Sam Woodward, Partner and Joint Administrator at Ernst & Young, said: “Difficult trading conditions impacted Eterniti Caravans’ cashflow and left it unable to meet ongoing creditor obligations.
“Despite efforts to secure a sale of or investment in the business, administrators were appointed on 27 March.”
The administrators also confirmed that a small staff of four employees had been temporarily kept on at the company’s Widnes factory in order to wind down the company.
As yet no details have emerged of what will happen to outstanding orders or if any compensation will be offered to existing customers who will most likely find themselves unable to have repair work covered by their warranty.
However, those with outstanding deposits should expect to receive further information from Ernst & Young in due course.

GCT releases first interior pictures of carbon-fibre caravan

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by Norah Lindsay

Last month, CaravanTimes reported on the world’s first ever carbon-fibre caravan, produced by American company Global Caravan Technologies.

And now, GCT has released the first photos showing the interior of the revolutionary CR-1 Carbon travel trailer.

The exquisite 35-foot long twin-axle RV’s interior contains first-class features, with a custom leather wrapped ceiling, private-jet type leather soft touch walls and top-end luxury residential furnishings.

The interior of the RV has been designed with an endless range of entertainment in mind with modular surface solid tables and mobile marine pedestals.

These state-of-the-art designs allow for multiple dining, entertainment and workstation configurations, or outdoor entertaining.

The GCT’s first floorplan can comfortably sit eight in the rear entertainment lounge.

A relaxing atmosphere is created by the custom leather 88″ sofa and 82″ by 59″ L-shape lounge, with a beautiful end table and styled overhead cabinets.

Extending the CR-1 Carbon’s custom lounges transforms the rear into a theatre for an unmatched entertaining experience.

One of the most attractive features of the carbon-fibre RV has to be the walk-through master bath suite that divides the kitchen from the master bedroom.

“In the bath suite, we wanted to take designs even further, and GCT’s CR-1 Carbon feels more like a luxury New York apartment than an RV,” remarked CEO Charles Hoefer.

The caravan is equipped with a private toilet enclosed by a residential door, and this area features a porcelain stool and large linen cabinet.

The 36″ custom shower beautifully blends solid surface, designer tile and of course, carbon fibre.

An interchangeable, stackable washer and dryer is fitted as standard, but can be substituted for added closet and storage space.

A master bedroom suite is also included with two dressers, three wardrobes and an optional glass ceiling.

The bedroom also includes residential carpeting and is surrounded by hand-crafted leather upholstery, with multiple reading lights and a carbon fibre bed frame.

GCT recruited a veteran team of IndyCar and aerospace technicians to build the state-of-the-art models.

The CR-1 Carbon was first revealed on 6 March during a private gala at the Dallara IndyCar Factory in the town of Speedway next to GCT’s R&D headquarters.

GCT is making plans to market its products globally, so they will avaliable to markets in Europe, China and Austraila as well as North America.

Most excitingly of all, we are informed that they will be “coming soon to the UK”, although the overall weight of more two tonnes would put it out of reach for all but the heftiest towcars.

For more photos of the GCT CR-1 Carbon, click on the slideshow below:


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