VIDEO: Bus driver shows how not to tow in Saint Petersburg

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by Damien Sharkov
There is plenty to get meticulous over when it comes to towing, as the faithful readers of CaravanTimes will be all too aware.
But the words kerbweight, towing capacity and breakaway cable were blatantly lost on two motorists in Saint Petersburg, Russia, as they attempted to latch on to the back of a helpful bus driver when their car seemed to be having trouble starting.
After technical difficulties saw them pull over to the side of the road, the two young men attached the bonnet of their vehicle to the trolley bus ahead of them while their new friend from Saint Petersburg’s public transport system slowed down to give their plan at least a semblance of a chance.
As soon as the bus speeds up, the two are left scrambling behind their vehicle with apparently nobody behind the wheel to steer away from the row of parked cars on the side of the road in front of them.
To the amusement of the ladies filming, almost instantly the local police arrive on the scene, as the owner of the rear ended Mazda gets out to confront the two amateur towers.
Perhaps they have good insurance, though we doubt it. They do not seem like they are very fond of going by the book. To see this calamitous example of how not to tow, click on the video below:

Swift Group signs five year carbon reduction deal

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by Damien Sharkov
‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/swift/">Swift Group has announced a five-year deal with energy consultancy firm Orchard Energy in a bid to increase its energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of the current and future line up of products.
Orchard Energy will be in charge of the Cottingham-based leisure firm’s environmental practices.
“Orchard will be handling all our compliance under the CRC [Carbon Reduction Commitment] scheme, working with us to meet reporting deadlines throughout the year,” Jim Bolton of Swift said.
The Carbon Reduction Commitment affects large public and private sector organisations across the UK. Together they are responsible for around 10% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Participants in the government initiative include supermarkets, water companies, banks, local authorities and all central government departments.
“Our current production facility, which opened in 2006, was specifically designed to minimise lighting and heating costs and we are keen to ensure that we are always doing everything we can to reduce our environmental impact,” Jim added.
“Swift already has targets in place for carbon reduction and improved efficiency and our role will be to manage the administration associated with the compliance process and provide them with the information and tools they need to monitor usage and assess their energy strategy regularly over the life of the contract,” Orchard Energy’s Marie Titley said.

VIDEO: Caravan overtake and motorway crash caught on camera

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by Damien Sharkov
While some of you are already returning to the road after a winter break, we would like to make a point out of reminding you not all dangers of towing are seasonal. Just that bit of lacking sharpness or awareness of your added weight can be crucial.
The consequences of a little negligence on the motorway can be more than dire, especially with the weight of all your holiday supplies attached to the back of your car.
We have found footage of precisely what happens when it all went wrong for one caravanner on the A1 near Grantham as their home away from home flipped onto the Lincolnshire roadside.
The accident was filmed by a lorry driver, who was travelling behind the unfortunate holiday maker, and shows how the towcar overtakes him before crashing spectacularly.
The snaking action may have been caused by cross-winds that would have struck the caravan when it passed the truck.
Shortly afterward a minivan pulled up to the rescue of the crashed caravanner. We hope the driver and any passengers involved in the accident are alright. They will surely think twice next time before overtaking in high winds.
To watch this sobering footage click on the video below:

Carlight Caravans deny liquidation rumours after SECC success

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by Chris Jefferies
The UK’s main dealer of Carlight caravans has spoken out in defence of the venerable Lincolnshire manufacturer, countering rumours of liquidation.
Online forums had suggested that the brand was to be broken up, but Tom Cairns, Director at Yorkshire Dales Caravans has told CaravanTimes that this couldn’t be further from the truth.
“That is 100% not true,” he said. “They are operating very strongly, both with the bespoke Carlight and the new generation Carlight Cosmopolitan”.
The latter model is based on the Explorer Group’s Xplore range and is sold by Yorkshire Dales Caravans from their Richmond HQ.
Tom added that the recent Scottish Caravan Motorhome & Holiday Home Show at the Glasgow SECC (4-6 February) saw “phenomenal” levels of interest, leading to a “very, very strong forward order book”.
Yorkshire Dales has just taken delivery of ten new dealer special Cosmopolitan 462 models and expects them to go quickly.
For all the latest Carlight news, keep checking back with CaravanTimes.

Compass Caravans expands dealership network

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by David Weston

Compass Caravans has announced details of its growing retailer network in the UK since its return to the market in September 2013.

The range includes three models, the entry level Corona, the highly-specified Omega and the class-leading Rallye.

All of the models use parent company Explorer Group’s SoLiD Construction which employs a proven chemical bonding solution to replace more than 90% of the screws and bolts normally used in building a caravan or a motorhome.

This technique results in a strong, light and dry vehicle. The construction process is behind every motorhome and caravan that the company has made since the beginning of the 2013 model year.

Compass’ retail network includes 20 different retailers nationwide. The company says it is very happy at the speed of the expansion.

Martin Henderson, Sales and Marketing Director at The Explorer Group says: “We are delighted that some of the best-known and respected Retailers are now proudly representing our Compass caravan ranges in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.”

Compass Caravans are available at the following retailers:

  • BL Caravan Centre, Corby
  • Brayford Leisure Caravan Centre, Lincoln
  • Cara Motorhomes, Stoke-on-Trent
  • Chichester Caravans, Uckfield
  • Chichester Caravans, Winchester
  • Cookstown Caravans, County Tyrone
  • Ennis Caravans, Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire
  • Greenbank Caravans and Trailers, Fraserburgh
  • Highbridge Caravan Centre, Somerset
  • Holbrook Leisure, Snetterton, Norfolk
  • Kimberley Caravan Centre, Burtree, nr Darlington
  • Kimberley Caravan Centre, Kimberley, Notts
  • Kirkcaldy Caravans, Fife
  • Leeds Caravan Centre, West Yorkshire
  • Marquis Leisure, Durham
  • Marquis Leisure, Preston
  • Marquis Leisure, Dinnington, South Yorkshire
  • Marquis Leisure, Northants
  • Marquis Leisure, Sussex
  • Milestone Caravans, Folkestone

Lunar makes a splash at Caravan & Camping Show

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by Tom Walsh

Lunar Caravans enjoyed its trip to the Caravan and Camping Show at Birmingham’s NEC and came away with record sales figures.

The Preston-based company raked in over £5.2 million in revenue making it the most successful February event in firm’s history.

Officials used the show as the perfect opportunity to launch its mid-season caravan models and the latest motorhome off the production line – the new Landstar RL.

This model is based on the Mercedes Sprinter 313 CDI but offers motorists 129bhp and carries European Whole Vehicle Type Approval, a three-year unlimited mileage warranty and three years’ roadside assistance along with a host of other features.

Lee Roberts, Lunar’s national sales manager, was clearly delighted with the company’s show performance and said: “With sales exceeding even our greatest expectations, we are proud to announce that it has been a record February show for Lunar.”

2014 also marks a special occasion for Lunar as it has celebrated 40 years of the best-selling ‘Clubman’ range by launching the Saros special edition.

Kidwelly company submits caravan and camping site plans

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by Tom Walsh

A Welsh company is aiming to bring more tourists to the region after resubmitting plans for a new seasonal caravan and camping site.

Kidwelly-based Dyfrig Dalziel wants to be boost the town’s tourism industry and has lodged proposals to Carmarthenshire Council’s planning department which aim to change the use of an agricultural field at Waungadog Farm, the Llanelli Star reports.

The plans have already been knocked back once in May 2013, after head of transport Stephen Pillner recommended for the proposals to be rejected. There were concerns of the problems that it could cause to traffic levels in the area.

However, the company is more confident that the proposals will now be given the go-ahead.

Speaking to the news provider, Mathew Dalziel, the firm’s co-director, said: “It’s a plan that is going to bring local tourism into the area, which will help local businesses in Kidwelly like pubs and the small eateries.”

Kidwelly sits in an ideal location for caravanners due to its close proximity to the coast.

Airstream and Company to hold open weekend this easter

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by David Weston

Airstream and Company is inviting its existing and prospective caravan owners to their Cumbrian showroom for an open weekend over the Easter break (18-21 April).

At the event, the luxury touring caravan manufacturer will showcase a range of unfinished trailers, which feature the iconic American silver bullet bodywork.

There will also be complete Airstreams, ready for the road, and a number of pre-owned trailers to tempt owners into splashing the cash.

The showroom will also contain models from teardrop trailer manufacturers T@B and the Eriba range – including the Touring, Freeling and Nova S.

If you can’t wait until Easter, Airstream owners also have the opportunity to attend the European Airstream Gathering (21-23 March) at Holgates Caravan Park in Silverdale, Lancashire.

Airstream’s Cumbrian showroom is located at the Tebay Business Park, just off junction 38 of the M6.

The open weekend runs over the long Easter weekend of Friday 18 April to Monday 21 April, from 10am until 4pm every day.

Dometic launches new Waeco portable fridge-freezer

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by David Weston

Caravan and motorhome appliances manufacturer Dometic Group has launched a new portable compressor fridge-freezer.

The Waeco CoolFreeze CDF 16 has a 15-litre capacity and at just 260mm wide, it’d fit neatly in the space behind the front seats of a vehicle.

It’s tall enough to hold a one litre bottle upright and making it a good size for a day trip in your caravan or motorhome.

It can be connected to a 12 or 24 volt socket and, by using the digital display, the user can read the temperature inside, accurate to within 1°C.

Food and drinks can be kept cool or frozen as the Waeco CoolFreeze CDF 16 has a temperature range of 10 to -18 degrees.

Inside, there is an integrated compartment to store fresh-food, a soft-start feature and turbo cooling as well as a three-stage battery guard, which ensures that the coolbox won’t completely flatten your motorhome’s battery.

2014 NEC Caravan and Camping Show reports record attendance

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by Chris Jefferies
It will come as little surprise to those who there to soak up the buzzing atmosphere, but last week’s Caravan and Camping Show at the Birmingham NEC was more popular than ever.
Organisers NCC Events have reported that the outdoors extravaganza, which ran from 18-23 February, attracted 84,205 visitors.
This is new record for the total number of people who came along to see the biggest names in the caravan, motorhome, tent and holiday home world packed into five halls of the exhibition centre.
Free activities, complimentary parking and a whole host of celebrity appearances also played a part in the popularity of this year’s show, which featured ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="http://caravantimes.co.uk/news/caravan-shows/ncc-spring-caravan-and-camping-show/ashleigh-and-pudsey-wow-the-crowds-at-caravan-and-camping-show-$21383920.htm">2012 Britain’s Got Talent winners Ashleigh and Pudsey performing in the new Dog Agility arena.
Other big-name cameos included former Blue Peter presenter and adventurer Helen Skelton, Springwatch presenter and Camping & Caravanning Club president Julia Bradbury and ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="http://caravantimes.co.uk/news/clubs/caravan-club/world-s-fastest-man-andy-green-aims-to-create-world-s-largest-caravan-site-$21383906.htm">the world’s fastest man, Wing Commander Andy Green.
John Lally, CEO of NCC Events, said: “The show has provided newcomers with the opportunity to fully explore and appreciate the many benefits of caravanning and camping.”
If you missed out this year, then you can get a glimpse inside the show with our CaravanTimes highlights video, and perhaps we’ll see you at the NEC in October for the Motorhome and Caravan Show.

Lunar unveils 2014 Saros caravan and Landstar RL motorhome

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by David Weston

Lunar Caravans launched several new models at the Caravan and Camping Show in Birmingham last week (18-23 February). These include a new motorhome and a limited edition anniversary caravan.

Lunar is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of its Clubman range by releasing the new limited-edition Saros.

The Saros is a four-berth caravan with three layout designs and will cost £22,690.

Lunar has also released details of their new Landstar RL motorhome. Lunar has used a Mercedes Sprint 313 CDi as a base model to create a two-berth motorhome with ABS, traction control, ESP safety handling system and cruise control.

The RL is the first of a new range of Landstar models Lunar will release this year. It is a revival of the Landstar brand last used in the 1990s. Prices for the Landstar RL start at £49,995.

The third release at the Caravan and Camping show by Lunar is the new Quasar 525. Joining seven other Lunar Quasar models in the range, the 525 is a single-axle caravan with two 6’1″ benches at the front which also act as spacious single beds.

At the rear there is a spacious dinette which provides twin 4’5″ benches that convert into sleeping accomodation for up to three – as a double bed, two singles or a lift up bunk. The Quasar 525 will be available for £16,945.

Finally, Lunar showcased the latest version of its Vacanza Camper Car at the Caravan and Camping show in Birmingham. The company says the compact motorhome can double as a fuel-efficient everyday family car.

The Vacanza uses the Nissan NV200 Combi as its base model and can deliver over 50 miles per gallon. It produces 135g of CO2 and delivers four-berth accommodation on the same footprint as a VW Beetle.

Alloy wheels, an MP3 system and a reversing camera all come as standard, with the base model prices starting from £29,995.

West Norfolk caravan and camping park plans unveiled

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by Tom Walsh

Plans have been unveiled for a new camping and caravan park in West Norfolk.

Wellington Lodge Farm, Northwold, has been highlighted as the home to a new facility which will have space for 100 pitches, Lynn News reports.

Proposals have been submitted to West Norfolk Council and will go ahead should councillors grant planning permission.

The application includes a 50-pitch caravan site with the idea of operating between March and November while a further 50 pitches for camping and glamping. It will also see the creation of a new shop, office, function room and toilet and shower block.

Northwold provides a perfect location for people wanting to enjoy the Norfolk countryside while it is still within driving distance of King’s Lynn and Norwich.

The caravan site will be built on an horse riding area, but if the plans are approved it would still see the creation of a clubhouse for equestrian purposes.