Swift Group announces exclusive 2014 deals with Duvalay and DMack

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by Chris Jefferies

As the 2014 caravan range starts to emerge, Swift Group has announced a series of exclusive products that it will be fitting as standard on all new models.

Chief among these is the Duvalay Duvalite mattress, which will come in every fixed bed layout of the Swift Challenger SE, Sterling Eccles SE (pictured right), Swift Conqueror and Sterling Elite (pictured below), as well as all the group’s coachbuilt motorhomes.

Duvalay was thrust into the limelight in 2011, when the company successfully pitched for investment on Dragon’s Den.

The Duvalite is the company’s premium lightweight mattress, made using memory foam for extra comfort and featuring hypoallergenic benefits.

What’s more, Swift has sealed a deal with DMack, who supply tyres for the FIA World Rally Championship.

This off-road pedigree will be passed on to all Swift, Sprite and Sterling caravans and Swift motorhomes for 2014, meaning you’ll have even more grip on muddy pitches.

Other exclusive deals carried over from the 2013 season include the Tracker stolen vehicle recovery system, which is fitted as standard, and the Impala luxury fabric option.

What’s more, Swift has teamed up with Glamour Shield to offer discounted deals on Supagard paint and fabric protection.

Nick Page, Commercial Director at Swift Group, said: “We have developed links with a range of suppliers this year to offer our customers exclusive, luxury features that help set out products further apart from the rest of the field.”

Keep checking back with CaravanTimes for more updates on the 2014 Swift caravan and motorhome collections.

Kip offers custom design option on new Shelter micro caravan

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by Chris Jefferies

Every caravan owner likes to make their trailer their own in some way, to make it personal and feel more like home.

But now the Dutch micro caravan specialists at Kip have gone one further with their new Shelter range – these cute pop-top caravans can be built with a custom exterior design of your choosing.

You can choose from predesigned prints (mirrorball, aircraft, Burberry check) or get creative and have your own design printed on your caravan.

This is much more than a novelty sticker, as the design is painted onto the aluminium and then protected with a clear coating.

Kip Caravans is confident that this will be a popular option among caravanners who want a tourer that is truly one of a kind.

Ivar van der Leij, Marketing Manager at Kip Caravan, said: “With this up-to-date printing technique we can make the Shelter even more hip than ever and the customer can distinguish himself or herself on the road and at a camping site.”

The Kip Shelter is a compact, lightweight caravan range, with an ultra-low unladen weight of 560kg, meaning virtually any car can tow one.

The pop-top roof design brings the headroom up to an ample 6’5″, and you still get gas heating, a fridge and a double bed that measures in at six foot long by 5’7″ wide.

Optional extras include a bike rack and fixing points for taking a surf board or motorbike with you.

Prices start at 12,965 euros (£11,155), although the company can’t yet say how much the custom exterior design will cost.

But if you do buy one of these, you can be sure to turn heads and set tongues wagging on your next caravan holiday.

Swift Smart Construction reveals a timberless future for caravans

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by Chris Jefferies
In recent years several caravan manufacturers have revealed their own alternative construction methods, and the latest company to do so is Swift Group.
Announced today (7 August), Swift Smart Construction is a new way of building a caravan, which uses PURe (a type of polyurethane) instead of wood to create the framework.
This all-new technique will be employed in every Swift, Sprite and Sterling caravan that rolls off the company’s Cottingham production line in the 2014 season.
Swift claims that this new process will have five key benefits, each of which contributes a letter to the Smart Construction name.
“Smart is based on proven technology and provides a Strong timberless bodyframe with Modern desirable looks and a leading Aerodynamic shape that is Resilient to moisture, all wrapped up in a caravan that has undergone the most comprehensive Testing,” the company explains.
These claims are backed up by a comprehensive testing programme, including rigorous towing at the Millbrook proving ground and atmospheric tests at the Truma cold chamber, where the prototypes endured temperatures as low as -15 degrees centigrade.
What’s more, as PURe is an engineered material the Swift team can more accurately predict how it will react to the stresses and strains of regular use.
As a result, the amount of material needed can be precisely calculated, which has allowed for weight savings of 10-14kgs in the framework.
But what should really win over sceptical customers is the water-resilient nature of this material, which means that even if moisture penetrates the exterior and tracks along the screws, it cannot permeate into the caravan.
Such is Swift’s confidence in the effectiveness of this new construction process that the company is retaining its industry-leading ten-year water ingress warranty for 2014.
Nick Page, Commerical Director at Swift Group, said: “Smart intelligent construction bears the ethos of what we want to achieve for all our products going forward.
“The introduction of PURe is a simple change that will make a big difference to moisture resilience and has already been proved through use.”
To watch a video explaining how Swift came up with the idea for Smart Construction, click here.

Work begins on new eight-pitch Shetland caravan site

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by Tom Walsh

Caravanners will soon be able to venture to a different part of the Shetland Islands after work on a new caravan site got underway.

The new eight-pitch facility is situated adjacent to the South Nesting hall. It is set to be complete in October 2013 and will represent the 13th camping and caravan site on the islands.

It has been made possible after Highlands and Islands Enterprise awarded £50,000 towards the project which aims to make the area more inviting to tourists.

Leader, Shetland Islands Council and South Nesting Public Hall have all made contributions to the development and public investment is expected to help the turnover of the hall.

Ian Smith, committee chairman of the hall, said: “It will be good to have another income generating aspect to our social enterprise but it’s also great to be able to provide visitors with facilities and the option of using the hall for events including indoor sports during wet weather.”

The Shetland Islands are accessible by ferry from Aberdeen and it usually takes around 12 hours to complete the journey.

Lincolnshire couple open their ‘dream’ caravan park

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by Tom Walsh

A Lincolnshire couple have opened what they have described as their “dream” caravan park in Caistor.

The move has been welcomed by traders and residents in the local area, who had been concerned the vacant space could become an illegal gypsy site.

The Market Rasen Mail reports that Phil and Jane Lodder-Manning had submitted a planning application for a caravan park next to the former GBM scrapyard in Brigg Road almost two years ago.

Residents had initially opposed the plans amid fears that it could become an illegal site for travellers, but it has now been opened as a luxury caravan site.

As the summer holiday is in full swing, visitors will be able to benefit from 40 touring caravan or motorhome spot and 20 camping pitches.

Mr Lodder-Manning told the news provider the park has been a “long-term dream” for both him and his wife and he is delighted now those plans have come to fruition.

Caravanners urged to tow safely this summer

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by Tom Walsh

Despite the recent wet weather, the UK summertime has actually been better than most people would have expected.

With this in mind, caravanners will have no excuse not to jump in the car and tow their mobile home to one of the many sites across the country.

However, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has urged people to stay safe when towing a vehicle and has issued some helpful advice for those doing so this summer.

The organisation explains that people need to watch the weight of their caravan and ensure that it does not exceed 85 per cent of the car’s kerbweight.

People need to also ensure that it is properly connected as this could cause serious accidents if it comes loose at high speeds.

Tim Shallcross, head of technical policy and advice at the IAM, said: “Whether you’re towing a speedboat, a horsebox, a caravan or another car, there are certain rules which must be applied.

“It is important to recognise the challenges which come with having to control not just one vehicle, but two.”

Shield offering repatriation cover on touring caravan policies

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by Tom Walsh

Shield Total Insurance is offering caravanners the opportunity to put their mind at ease when out and about.

The company has made repatriation as inclusive cover on its touring caravan policies meaning that if the vehicle is damaged it will be returned safely from the repairer to its place of storage.

This can be a huge weight off the mind of many caravan owners that will no doubt fear the worst if they have an accident while on holiday.

It can also apply to when a towing driver falls ill and is not able to drive the caravan. It will then be transported to a storage facility by an experienced driver with all travel costs being covered.

Stuart Craig, marketing manager at Shield, said: “We want our customers to enjoy their holiday and not to be worrying about such possibilities. We are confident the latest addition to our policy will be welcomed by the market.”

Caravanners advised on CO and barbecue safety

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by Tom Walsh

As a country the UK loves nothing more than firing up the barbecue over the summer months and enjoying some cooked treats.

With the nation enjoying somewhat of a heatwave of late, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the lethal fumes that are given off by a barbecues hours after use.

The service noted that people bringing doused barbecues into their tents, caravans or motorhomes could be exposing themselves to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Roy Hocking, station manager, said: “It [carbon monoxide] is created when fossil fuels such as gas and solid fuels like charcoal and wood fail to combust fully due to a lack of oxygen. You can’t see it, taste it or smell it, but it can kill quickly with no warning.

Officials have warned holidaymakers never to take a smouldering or lit barbecue into a tent, caravan or motorhome as it could give off these lethal fumes.

VIDEO: Smart new layouts in the Bailey Approach Autograph range

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by Daniel Mackrell

Bailey has introduced five different layouts in its new Approach Autograph range, which provides various options for its customers.

The motorhomes cater to both couples and families with the different layouts, and Bailey has made sure that space is a key part of each motorhome.

In this video, CaravanTimes looks at the differences in the layouts, and why each of them caters to different needs.

The range includes three traditional layouts in the form of the two-berth 625, and the four-berth fixed-bed 740 and 745.

The 750 has a new layout for Bailey, with fixed twin single beds and a storage compartment underneath for equipment that would otherwise be difficult to store.

The six-berth Approach Autograph 765 is also included in the range, and features a side-mounted drop down electric bed which means you can easily sleep six in a low-line motorhome.

CaravanTimes spoke to Rachel May from Bailey about the layouts, and what they offer to buyers.

Watch the video for more information, and a close up look at these new motorhomes.

Al-Ko recalls 7000 caravans for loose wheel fault

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by Daniel Mackrell

German-based chassis manufacturer Al-Ko is recalling a number of their 2361 model caravans after discovering a fault which can cause wheels to come loose.

They are being withdrawn after Al-Ko’s monitoring of its product showed that there were irregularities in the film thickness of the brake drums, which can cause wheel bolts to release, and lead to wheels coming off.

They will replace the brake drums on the caravans free of charge at dealers and caravan workshops for any customers that have one of the caravans.

Al-Ko provides around a million caravans worldwide each year, and around 7,000 caravans are believed to have been affected.

They were supplied by Slovenian, Swedish and German manufacturers in October of last year.

A similar problem occurred two years ago with Bailey when they issued a warning of wheels coming loose on some of their single-axle Unicorn Caravans.

Bailey got help from the AL-KO Kober Vehicle Testing Department to replicate the wheel loss as a way of trying to find the original cause and to find a good solution.

Al-Ko is now facing a similar problem, but the company is acting quickly to ensure no accidents are caused by the fault, and have advised owners to not tow their caravans except to the garage, and to take precautions by checking the wheels throughout the journey.

2014 Xplore caravans get significant revamp and more headroom

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by Chris Jefferies

The all-new 2014 Xplore caravan range has been unveiled, featuring a whole host of improvements and refinements.

This range boasts the most affordable and compact Solid Construction caravans on the market, backed up by an industry-leading ten-year water ingress warranty.

New for 2014, Xplore owners will get full-height front and rear ABS panels, which make for plentiful 6’5″ headroom inside.

What’s more, the exterior design has been completely refreshed to make this a smart, modern caravan that belies its pricetag.

On the inside, key upgrades include a new furniture colour scheme and dovetail locker construction for better durability.

What’s more, Xplore owners will get new LED interior lighting, a Duplex oven, black enamel Argent hob and a Dometic fridge.

Prices and layouts

The Xplore collection has always been renowned for its clever use of space and unique layouts, and the 2014 range is no different.

The best-selling 304 is retained, with an L-shaped lounge and a convertible dinette in the rear corner, which can be made up into two bunk beds.

A traditional two-berth in the form of the 402 replaces the outgoing 302, while the 540 fixed doubled bed and 530 side dinette layouts have also been kept in the stable.

But the most interesting prospect is the Xplore 574, which brings the increasingly popular fixed twin single bed layout into the range for the first time.

Prices start at £12,149 for the 304, while the 402 will cost £12,999 and all the other layouts will set you back £14,199.

Xplore fans can get a first look at these new models on the Elddis Factory Open weekend, which will take place this year over the weekend of 21-22 September.

Or if you can’t wait that long, keep checking back with CaravanTimes over the coming weeks for full video coverage of this refreshed range.


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High spec vans gain in value with campervan conversions on the rise

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by Daniel Mackrell

Highly specified used vans are rising in value as more people are buying them as base vehicles to convert into camper vans.

Autorola claims that companies investing in high-spec vans are seeing a positive return on sales.

The VW Transporter has been proving the most popular van because of its design, which makes it easier than others to convert.

Neil Frost, Autorola’s Head of Operations said: “The camper van is making a welcome return and many of our trade buyers are purchasing vans specifically to sell to consumers as a base vehicle for conversion into a camper van.

“As a fleet operator it makes the investment in options such as electric windows, metallic paint and air conditioning worth it as they are pushing up values when it reaches the used market,” he added.

A VW Transporter T30 LWB currently has a trade value of around £14,000 if it has a high level of specification on a 12-plate.

After conversion, the camper vans sell at retail for around £30,000 which shows the high potential for profit.