What Will Be The Next Big Tech Innovation?

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By Wiliam Coleman

We have come a very long way over the past 100 years since we decided to hitch up a caravan and go on holiday. As far as we have come, I think there is still a lot of room for improvement. What will be the next big innovation in caravanning?

As complex as some caravans are nowadays I do wonder where else we can go. Is there anything left that can be added or changed that will actually change the way we caravan?

The areas that I think need attention are the audio and visual side of things. Yes you can connect your phone to car stereo on board and use the CD player but I think designers and manufacturers can do a lot better.

Or do we keep it simplistic for a reason? I have always been of the mind that the more things that a car/phone/cooker/fridge can do, the more things that can go wrong and ultimately. But if you look at the amount of things inside a caravan or motorhome, and there is a lot that can go wrong they seldom do. Well not without some kind of human intervention.

TV And Onboard Entertainment

After so many years I still wonder why the onboard TV/DVD/Blu-Ray features are still option extras. I know that getting out in the van is not really about sitting in front of the TV but it does have a place.

Yes, you can add these on when you’re picking what van to get with what extras but I think that by now a TV should be added as standard. And why not throw in a built in DVD player?

There is an industry within the caravan world that makes its money adding dishes at onboard TVs but I truly do feel that it is time that these become as standard as 3 hob cooker.

With the audio side of things we are still using a car stereo, which I am sure does a fine job for a lot of people but can we not do better as we verge on 2020.

I am not saying we need iPads built into walls, although that would be good, but I think hiding the CD player up by the cupboards is of a bygone era.

Changing The Caravan

Would you like to see your normal caravan have expanding sides? Or perhaps BeauEr van that sides out and doubles in size?

Are these new wacky and wonderful new ideas going to catch on or are we just too stuck in our ways and traditions?

Whatever the future holds, I am sure the caravan world will be on the forefront of it.

What would you like to see added to vans in the future?

Caravan Guard Deliver The Spirit Of Giving

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By William Coleman

‘Tis the season of giving and by now I am sure we have all made our way through miles of wrapping paper to given all of our loved one their gifts and presents. One company embraced the spirit of giving by delivering double digit thousands to charities this Christmas.

Leisure insurance specialists Caravan Guard, incorporating Leisuredays, has delivered a massive £25,000 of festive cheer to a range of charities this December.

The kind-hearted company has taken a share of its profits to deliver 25 days of “charity-mas” to 37 local and national causes!

Staff, who care compassionately about making a positive difference to the community, nominated causes close to their hearts in the firm’s £25,000 “Countdown to Christmas” giveaway.

For 25-days, the Halifax-based company celebrated the season of goodwill by gifting up to £1,000 to chosen causes each day.

As well as their charity Advent Calendar, staff also pulled on their festive gear on Christmas Jumper day for Overgate Hospice and Calderdale Smartmove.

They also helped Overgate with charity collections in Halifax town centre, and wrapped gifts and hampers for Mothershare and Calderdale Lighthouse, to be delivered to families who would otherwise go without over the festive period.

Caravan Guard has a strong culture of supporting charitable causes and one of its company values is “care completely”.

Each year it donates tens of thousands of pounds to Overgate Hospice, Heart Research UK, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility strategy.

Associate Director Laura Wilby said staff loved being able to choose so many causes to receive get a share of this huge £25,000 pot during the season of goodwill.

“All were chosen by staff, with some charities having important personal connections, or they had helped them or close family or friends through difficult times,” said Laura. “It’s been fantastic spreading some festive joy in December and all the charities were so grateful for the extra money.
“It was also very heart-warming to hear first-hand about the amazing work these charities provide to people in need and the real difference they make to lives across Calderdale and the UK. We just hope our charity-mas donations will have an impact.”

The charities who have been donated money from Caravan Guard are:
Alzheimers Society; Yorkshire Children’s Trust; Cystic Fibrosis Trust; Guide Dogs for the Blind; KidScan; Andy’s Man Club; Calderdale SmartMove; Homeless Hampers; Homeless Street Angels; Simon on the Streets; MacMillan Cancer Support; Calderdale Lighthouse; Dwarf Sports Association; Skill Shop; The Hive; Women Centre – Halifax, Marie Curie Hospice; Overgate Hospice; Rotherham Hospice; St David’s Hospice, Llandudno; Mothershare; Martin House Children’s Hospice; Yorkshire Air Ambulance; National Literacy Trust; Candlelighters; Unique Ways; RNLI; Firefighters’ charity; Lymphoma Action; JDRF; Kidney Research UK; Stroke Association; CAFOD; Danny Jones Defibrillator Fund; Samaritans; Dogs’ Trust and Heart Research UK.

Exclusive Coachman 2020 Line Up Video

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By William Coleman

On the face of things the 2020 lineup from Coachman is very different from the 2019 ranges. Coachman now offer 3.5 ranges of caravans and 1 range of Ford van conversion motorhomes.

We will cover the motorhome in more detail separately as this is a big deal for the industry. The ranges for 2020 in order of price and specification are;

Acadia 10 models ranging from £21,800-£25,400
VIP- 5 models. £25,425-£27,495 ,
Lazer/Lazer Xcel- 8 models £31,265-£35,400

Before looking at each range individually the 2020 caravan line gives more clarity to the buyer and, assuming you can afford them, offers some amazing caravans. Also very important for a company known for its quality, attention to detail and build quality is that these big changes seem to have enhanced these “Coachman traits” and the condensed ranges seem to be a way of achieving better quality through rationalisation of individual models.

What this means to the caravaner? Well regardless of which range you choose from they all share a lot of Coachman heritage with things such as;

  • Individual Gas lockers that actually open fully, the highs work incredibly well and swapping gas bottles is easy
  • Internal fixtures and fittings are more akin to luxury apartments with brushed stainless steel kitchen sinks, designer taps and free standing bathroom sinks
  • Bathrooms are designed to be useable with both a hook and a separate towel holder – positioned where you want to see them
  • Sliding doors that work, that run smoothly and are attached at the bottom so they don’t bow, move or rattle
  • Interior doors that are thick, fit squarely in the frame and handles that work and keep them shut
  • Alde wet central heating across all 3 ranges

So regardless of your budget you will be buying to the coachman appeal on quality and usability.

Now to have a look at the ranges.

Acadia Starting At £21K

This new range is considered the ‘entry level’ but having had a good look at all the new fixtures, fittings and exterior finish it cannot really be compared to other vans of the same price range.

Coachman have said that the new Acadia is not a replacement for the ‘Vision’ or Pastiche’ ranges but more of an amalgamation of the two. Therefore improving on their cheaper range of vans without compromising the quality or features.

This range is extremely diverse with 10 different layouts across both single and twin axle platforms offer offering 2-6 berth options. And yes, there is even an 8ft Acadia in this range too!

There is a high level of specification both inside and out with an Alde heating system fitted as standard. The vans also feature Coachman’s ABC (Advanced Bonded Construction).

There will be an exclusive unveiling of the brand new Arcadia 860 at this year’s October NEC show too so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for that one.

Entry level – that said it is not full entry level, as described above on build quality alone these caravans can not be compared to other entry level caravans … unfortunately this is reflected in the price.

VIP Starting At £25,425

The VIP has been, for quite a while, Coachman’s most popular van and has been their highest selling range to date. Not resting on the existing popularity Coachman have pushed the quality even further for the 2020 models.

The 2020 range will feature 5 models, where as last year had 6. Coachman are confident that these 5 new layouts will be the best on the UK market. 2 of the 5 models have actually been fully revised to appeal to a wider audience.

Some features that are new this year start with the change to the interior wood grain, locker doors and drawer front designs.

There have also been big changes to what you’ll find in the kitchen and bathroom with a redesigned washroom featuring better storage and an improved level of usability.

On certain models you’ll find additional under bed access lockers, which is new for this years line up as well as a stainless steel sink with glass lid.

Laser and Laser XEL Starting At £31,265

Here at the higher end of the Coachman price range you really are seeing a luxury range that will really give rivals a run for their money.

Since reintroducing the Laser range in their 2019 portfolio the market response has been a resounding two thumbs. And once more Coachman are not resting on success but striving to improve upon their previous efforts.

These 5 models are fully kitted out with all the bells and whistles you’d expect at this price bracket. From LED touch sensitive dimmable lighting all the way to the Thetford C262 swivel toilet with electric flush.

You will see a lot of similarities on the interior in both the VIP and the Laser as well as a list of Laser specific changes, which you will only find on this flagship range.

The 2020 season will also see the introduction of the 8ft wide Laser XCEL added to the already quite impressive line up.

The new 8ft’er will feature an E&P self levelling system as well as a whole host of other unique refinements.

The Caravan and Motorhome Club Announce New Member Competition

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By William Coleman

With the 2020 fast approaching The Caravan and Motorhome Club are asking ‘Where will 2020 take you?’. This new competition for members has a bunch of prizes which include Dover to Calais crossing, site night vouchers and BBC Countryfile Live tickets.

The competition will simply ask members to share where they are planning to go touring next year and how they get away their way by answering a series of ‘Would you rather’ questions. It will run from Boxing Day until the 3 January.

To find out more or to enter from the 26 December, visit camc.com/win

To join the Caravan and Motorhome Club for just £54, visit camc.com/membership

Terms and Conditions

  • The competition is only open to members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club
  • To enter the prize draw, entrants must complete the poll on the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s website between 08:00 on Thursday 26 December 2019 and 23:59 Friday 3 January 2020.
  • There is no purchase necessary to enter the prize draw and there is no fee payable for entering or receiving the prizes.
  • One winner will be picked at random from the eligible entries by Friday 10 January 2020.
  • This selection shall be final; there is no right of appeal or discussion.
  • The winner will be contacted by on the email provided on the competition contact form on Friday 10 January 2020.
  • If the winner does not reply within 14 days, or is unable to comply with these terms and conditions, the Caravan and Motorhome Club reserves the right to offer the prize to the next eligible entrant. No correspondence relating to the competition will be entered into.
  • All entrants to this competition must be residents of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands, or Republic of Ireland.
  • Entrants must be 18 years or over.
  • The opening date for this competition is 08:00 on Thursday 26 December 2020.
  • The closing date for this competition is 23:59 Friday 3 January 2020.
  • The prizes are not transferable and no cash alternative will be offered.
  • The Caravan and Motorhome Club reserves the right at any time to cancel or change the prize draw in any way if, at its sole discretion, circumstances arise beyond the Club’s control.
  • By entering you agree that your personal details may be stored and otherwise processed by the Caravan and Motorhome Club for the purposes of selecting the winner and for the other purposes explained in our Privacy Policy. In the event of being the winner you agree your personal details and photograph can be used for publicity, including publication of the winner’s name in the Caravan and Motorhome Club members’ magazine and on the website.
  • If you are the winner of the prize draw, you agree that the Caravan and Motorhome Club may use your name, image and town or county of residence to announce the winner of this competition and for any other reasonable and related promotional purposes. If the Competition prize provider or sponsor is a third party the Caravan and Motorhome Club may also share this information with them to enable the administration of the competition and for publicity purposes.
  • If a photograph, article or other submission for a Competition is published in the Club’s monthly members’ magazine; once the magazine has been published and distributed it will not be possible to remove any personal information.
  • The Caravan and Motorhome Club will not be liable for entries lost or damaged (proof of submission is not proof of receipt by The Caravan Club).
  • Except for any liability arising in relation to death or personal injury resulting from the negligence of the Caravan and Motorhome Club or its employees, the Caravan and Motorhome Club shall have no liability in respect of any loss, harm or damage whatsoever (including but not limited to direct, indirect and consequential loss) arising in connection with this or any prize draw to any person who has made or wished to make an entry into the competition or any third party.
  • In the event that a prize is supplied by a third party and the prize is withdrawn following the draw, the Caravan and Motorhome Club shall not offer any alternative prize or compensation in respect of the lost prize or any indirect or consequential losses.
  • The Competition is not open to employees of the Caravan and Motorhome Club, members of their families, agents or any other person(s) or company connected in any way with the promotion or organisation of the Competition.
  • You should read the Club’s privacy policy, which can be viewed at https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/privacy-policy/, to understand how we may use your data. The privacy policy explains your rights, including your rights to object to the use of your data.
  • Entry into the competition implies acceptance of these terms and conditions as final and binding.
  • The promoter is Caravan and Motorhome Club, registered office: Caravan and Motorhome Club, East Grinstead House, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 1UA.

A World Class Luxury Caravan Goes To Auction

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By William Coleman

Every now and then something pops up in the caravan world that is from a bygone era that just needs to be seen to be believed. One such item is about go to auction and I really wish I had the money to bid.

This story comes to us all the way from the United States of America and just screams the Golden Age of Hollywood. This amazing looking caravan is something you’d expect to see James Dean or Aubrey Hepburn relaxing in between scenes.

This luxury 1950 Westcraft Capistrano is headed to auction all the way in Scottsdale, Arizona where someone with deep pockets can pick this beauty up at a great price.

The ‘Capistrano’ is quite the handful coming in at a staggering 33 foot long so you may want a spotter to help you with your maneuvering. Or a rather good reversing camera.

The current owner, Licas Lackner, picked the van up when it was in rough shape and was purchased as a restoration project. And I must say he has done an amazing job in bringing this stunner back to its full glory.

After doing some research I found out that the Capistrano is the longest and rarest of the entire Westcraft lineup. It even has 2 meters of headroom, so you may have some height issues on some sites.

Something of this size is very much for the American market and I can’t see that it would be much user here in the UK unless it was kept as a static van. It was manufactured in Burbank, California by the Westcraft Manufacturing Company after World War 2 and never made it over here.

Due to the vans length and overall size it will probably work a lot better as a static, it was actually purchased to be a “mancave” and guest house by Lucas which he wanted to place next to his infinity pool overlooking Santa Barbar.

Lucas’ original plan was to create his very own restomod which would feature all the mod cons but kept the timeless classic look. And from the pictures, which you can view here, it seems like he has done a top notch job.

From the beginning the aim of the design was to reflect the 1930s Art Deco scene. Despite the exterior and aspects of the interior being based on the 30s look the appliances within are all modern to ensure you get the creature comforts of modern vans while maintaining the vintage look.

Inside you will find light fittings from the 30s that were very carefully sourced to ensure that the van kept its vintage look as much as possible. Somehow it just would not look right with an LED strip light on the floor.

One thing that has been added which nowadays you cannot really go without are USB ports. This van actually have quite a few of them onboard but are placed out of sight so as not to tarnish the historic feel. There is also a modern heating and aircon system inside to ensure you don’t get too uncomfortable when the weather changes.

Would you fancy owning this?

Social Media Helps Find Stolen Motorhome

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By William Coleman

Social media has become one of the biggest entities on the planet and has taken many forms since the early days things like MSN Messenger and MySpace. In today’s world it is very much used to keep people in touch and spread messages. One such message lead to to the recovery and return of a beloved motorhome to its owners.

Having your caravan or motorhome stolen has to be one of the very worst things that can happen. In some cases people do all that they can to keep their vehicles safe yet the criminal still manage to make off with your pride and joy.

If you have a GPS tracker you can sometimes get your leisure vehicle back quite quickly, but in a lot of cases people do not have this tech on board. So where do you turn when this happens? Social media.

This is where this story takes an interesting turn. On Sunday the 15th of this month the owners of a motorhome were left devastated when they found their vehicle missing in North Duffield near Selby. It is believed to have been taken at around 6:30am.

The owners then took to Facebook and quickly shared images and a description of the motorhome in the hopes that the message would spread far enough and someone would spot it.

Fate was on the owners side that day as a local PCSO spotted the image being circulated around social media and decided to keep an eye out and try and locate the missing RV.

One of the most amazing things about this story is just how quickly the message actually spread. Within just a few hours the post on Facebook was shared a staggering 300 times and reached 80,000 people’s timelines.

Following spot of good luck a man from York, having seen the post online, saw the motorhome parked outside a restaurant in Leeds and immediately alerted the police.

Shortly there after the police were able to swoop in and recover the motorhome and return it to the rightful owners.

Speaking with minsterfm.com PSCO Laura Simpson of Selby’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Thanks to the power of Facebook the vehicle was located in just a couple of hours after a member of the public noticed it parked up unattended in Leeds.

I’m pleased to say it was promptly recovered and returned to the owner. Thanks for all the shares guys, you’re brilliant!”

I know there are some out there who are quite opposed to using social media and sites like Facebook have come under a lot of scrutiny over the past year or so. But a case like this where communities come together to help someone is a real way social media should be used.

Drivers Advised To Take Extra Care When Travelling For Christmas

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By William Coleman

Are you planning on getting away in the can this Christmas? Or are you going to be hitting the roads to visit family who may live a good distance away? Whatever your travel plans are this year be prepared from some extremely busy roads and some reckless drivers.

As much fun as this time of year is there is an element of added stress that we put upon ourselves to ensure things go smoothly and everyone has a smile on their face.

Getting to your chosen location for Christmas is one of those scenarios that can be quite stressful, despite your best efforts.

You seem to find that a lot of motorists think that driving fast will get them to where they want to be quicker. When in reality you almost always catch up to the chap who zoomed past you at the next of lights.

For those of you who are going to be towing at this time of year you may come up against these erratic drivers. Do what I do and just let them get on with it. You know how to drive and tow safely so let them run the risk.

It has been estimated that this Christmas there will be around 31,000,000 leisure trips taken. Out of this number I am sure quite a few will have a caravan hitched to the back.

Unfortunately with the ever growing number of people getting away in the vans over winter, and Christmas, the amount of accidents and incidents is on the rise.

A report was recently completed a driving electronics company called Snooper which found that over 6,000 accidents had been reported in icy and snowy conditions, with more than 1,000 serious injuries and 114 fatalities. With such high numbers it is being advised that extra care is being taken when getting away over Christmas.

Analysis by the Snooper found that 6,334 accidents have been reported during wintery weather over the last five years. The data showed the severity of the injuries sustained, with 1,288 serious injuries and 114 fatalities occurring in snow or icy conditions.

Almost two thirds of the injuries (62%) that were sustained in the five year period were caused when ice was on the ground.

More than 1,000 of the injuries sustained occurred in Scotland, with 86 of those accidents taking place in the Highlands, more than in any other area of the country.

Scotland was followed by the South East, with 752 accidents in the wintery weather and Yorkshire and the Humber, reported 647 incidents.

Drivers in Kent are most at risk in the South East region, with 128 accidents occurring in the county, followed by Surrey with 101.

Stephen Gill, Product Marketing Manager at Snooper.eu, said: “The roads become extremely busy over Christmas with people travelling to spend the holidays with their loved ones.

“Last year, it was estimated that Brits would take an extra 2.5 million car journeys the weekend before Christmas. Those additional vehicles on the road create extra hazards for motorists to look out for, without considering the harsh winter conditions.

“We’re hoping that our analysis will help to contextualise the extra risk to motorists trying to drive through snow or ice and make drivers think twice before making unnecessary journeys.

“When it’s not possible to avoid driving in these conditions, it’s important to remain cautious and give yourself extra time to make your journey. That means reducing your speed as well as accelerating and decelerating gradually to make sure you don’t lose control. Always ensure that you give yourself extra time and are fully prepared for your journey.”

Injuries By Region

Scotland- 1013
South East- 752
Yorkshire and the Humber- 647
North West- 619
East Midlands- 546
London- 545
West Midlands- 538
East of England- 521
South West- 445
Wales- 371
North East- 337

The Auto-Trail Tribute F70 Review

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By William Coleman

We have had an in depth and exclusive look at the 2020 Auto-Trail Tribute range and one of my favorite layouts is the F70. We were able to take it away for a weekend to see how this new Ford based motorhome can make a weekend away easy, affordable and comfortable.

The first thing I will say before I go into the details of this motorhome is that I am a huge fan of all things Ford from the transit, Focus, Fiesta, Mustang, so naturally I very much enjoyed my time with this Auto-Trail.

The entire range is very impressive and it is quite tough to pick one over the other. There are 4 new layouts for the 2020 Tribute range, you have the F60, F62, F70 and the F72 all of which range from 2-4 berth with an option of 2-4 belts. So again Auto-Trail are designing their vans for both couples and families alike.

When looking at the Tribute range one of the first things that pops to mind is just how customisable they are. Yes you can choose how many belts, yes you can choose how many berths and what about having 7 chassis colours to choose from? They even do my two favourite colours, Blazy Blue (navy) and Kapor Red. So right off the bat you can have a motorhome that looks like no other.

The F70 features fixed rear twin beds and a front drop down double bed, which is an optional feature. For me, the drop down bed is a must as it saves a lot of time and more importantly provides a lot of extra space without any compromise. Oh, and the added fact that you do not have to pack away the bed each day is a massive bonus.

There is a saying that a Ford is a driving man’s (or woman’) vehicle. The Ford based F70 has certainly been designed for those who love to drive. It may not be as small and nimble as Auto-Trail’s Adventure but the F70 handles the roads like a much smaller RV.

You may not be able to navigate those narrower lanes but it can handle pretty much every road surface you would expect to find when touring.

The standard engine size that comes with the price tag is 130BHP, with an optional upgrade to 170 or a 6 speed automatic, and is quite good on fuel consumption but we did not have much weight on board as it was just an overnight trip. Obviously the weight on board can play a factor when looking at how many miles you’re getting from a tank.

Coming in at an overall length of 7.34m it can be daunting if you find yourself in a narrow spot, but with a bit of calm and a splash of patients you’ll be back on track fairly quick. Add to that the built in colour reversing camera and you’ll have almost zero issues at all. I know I have been saved a few times by Auto-Trail’s reversing tech.

The F70 is ideal for extended touring and seeing multiple destinations over say 4-7 days. On board you have all the usual storage for both ambient and refrigerated food. This model actually comes with a full size fridge that you’d have trouble filling up and the kitchenette has a small, intentionally so, 3 ring hob that leaves a lot of surface space which I prefer to the more traditional larger cooking surface.

Usually I do prefer an end washroom as it tends to be a bit more spacious and laid out better but this centred washroom the perfect fit for a van like this and means that you can have the two rear beds without any assembly required.

So what do you get for your money? In a phrase, quite a lot. It is one of the larger Tribute models and it comes packed with features and has an even longer list of optional extras to make your trips more comfortable. The addition of the drop down bed makes packing away and setting up much easier. If you want more from your motorhome is it hard to look beyond Auto-Trail and the F70 proves that they know exactly what they are doing.

Caravan Site Blocked Due To Green Belt

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By William Coleman

As sites start to spring up all over the UK we are seeing a lot spaces filling up with caravans, motorhomes and glamping accommodations. For me this is a good thing but there are some who think that they may start to impact too many green spaces and potentially cause safety issues.

Plans for a brand new caravan site that would be home to 30 pitches in the green belt has been blocked, only just, thus stopping another site from being available to the public.

It would seem that residents and local counselors took exception to the addition of a new site at the Little Intake Farm at Woodhead Road in Grenoside. It was stated, and agreed upon, that the new 30 van site with camping space would ruin the woodland and would add danger to the already busy 60mph road.

There was a very small margin between the site being approved and not approved. Six councillors voted against, four were happy with it and two abstained. So there was a camel’s hair between the area getting a new site and all the tourist money that would bring with it.

Helen Jackson, former Sheffield Hillsborough MP, was on the opposition team who was very much not in favour of the new site being erected.

Mrs Jackson said: “I have lived here for 45 years and the site is used by a large amount of people for leisure and pleasure at weekends and holidays.

“The woodlands have been well managed and are used by cyclists, dog walkers, ornithologists and ecologists and because of the nature of the open woodland they need very careful planning consideration.

“It’s a swamp at the moment and totally unfit for camping because of the heavy rain. We want the natural landscape to be enjoyed and 30 caravans with all the amenities required is inappropriate.”

One member who was in favour of the new site was Mark Lloyd who has said that tourism bodies were backing site: “The road is very straight with unrestricted visibility and the site is more than adequate for campsite traffic.

“There is an acute need for this sort of facility in the north of the city as other sites are too small.”

The comments against the site did not stop there though. Coun Peter Price disagreed with this and said: “I recognise the importance of camping, particularly in the north of the city, but this car park is always busy and it’s a difficult turn. This will be a scar and spoil the landscape and we should be encouraging other sites.”

Coun Tony Damms added: “It’s going to be a very dangerous situation. We have speed restrictions which need to be enforced but we’re not sure there’s the capacity to monitor that. This area is quite a well used, visibility is restricted and you have cars haring around the bend.”

There are some clear concersn as to why there should not be a new site developed at this location. But, caravan and motorhome drivers are some of the safest drivers on the streets and would pose little to no issues on the 60mph road. All you would need to do is reduce to speed on the road and the majority of the issues are now gone.

Top Tips For A Cosy Winter Break

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By William Coleman
As many caravan owners will agree, one of the best times to head off on a short break is during the out-of-season months. Pitches tend to be much quieter with the absence of tents, and fewer people sharing the communal facilities creates even more of a home-from-home environment. In addition, your caravanning neighbours are likely to also be like-minded owners, creating a safe and potentially sociable out-of-season community.
Another advantage of an out-of-season break is the lack of crowds in the surrounding area. Hotspots that are usually taken over by tourists can be fully explored without queues, traffic jams and-in some places-high season prices. Emily Mercer, from Coast and Country Cottages, highlights some of the benefits of an out-of-season escape:

“Although many people associate the beach with long, summer days, beach breaks are also popular during the winter with visitors who want to make the most of fewer crowds, emptier waters and stunning, undisturbed scenery. Water sport enthusiasts enjoy the quieter waters in the out-of-season months, so you can often spectate surfers trying to catch a wave and people on paddle boards or kayaks exploring the coastline.

“The countryside is particularly popular out of season, offering an abundance of walking routes for keen hikers and for those looking to enjoy a break from city life, or simply seeking fresh air and incredible views.”

Wrap Up

Seasoned caravanners will understand the need for adapting their packing list to ensure they are well protected from the cold. Here are our top tips for keeping your caravan snug and cosy:
Top Tips For A Cosy Caravan

  • Extra thermal blankets and duvets are essential during the colder months.
  • Electric blankets on the beds will add an extra level of comfort.
  • Put warm rugs on the floor for extra warmth under foot. It may even be possible to install
    underfloor heating into bigger statics.
  • Oil-filled radiators generate a lot of heat and can be plugged in to the mains, they are also a safe way of providing heat throughout the night, as many models feature thermostats.
  • Make sure heaters aren’t overcrowded. Aside from the safety issue, you will also need to leave enough space to allow the warm air to circulate.
  • Small portable heaters are cheap to buy and are great for creating an instant blast of heat. Look out for models that cut out if they tip over.
  • Pack lots of layers and a stash of cosy hats, snoods, gloves, scarves and thick socks.
  • Invest in a draught excluder to prevent warm air from escaping under the door.
  • Thick curtains will also help insulate the windows-make sure you open them during the day to prevent condensation.
  • And finally, do not underestimate the power of a good old hot water bottle!

Truma LevelControl Christmas Offer

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By William Coleman

In the spirit of giving the guys at Truma are selling one of their handiest little gadgets at a discount. Grab this perfect little stocking filler before they sell out and let Truma make putting gifts under the tree easier and cheaper this Christmas.

Who doesn’t love a gadget? I’m a huge fan of them, especially when they make my life easier. This is something that Truma’s LevelControl certainly does. What makes the LevelConteol so good is it’s simplicity and ease of use for us, the consumer.

The LevelControl accurately calculates the filling level of steel and aluminium LPG gas bottles with a diameter of 200 to 350mm.

The handy this about this reader is that is also measures how much, based on how frequently your usage, gas you have left. This gives you enough info to buy before you leave for a trip or carry on with what existing reserves you have.

You can view what gas you have left as a percentage or in kilograms. There is also a third option that will display how much you have left in days. The control will also send the results to your phone via Bluetooth (if you are in range) or via an SMS message to your smartphone or tablet device.

For those of you who have an iNet system you can fully automate the two together. This is also fully compatible without the iNet too.

Truma have developed two apps to work alongside the LevelControl, both of which are available on the Apple Apps Store and Google Play.

The Truma LevelControl App checks the gas level via Bluetooth and the Truma app checks the gas level via text message, even when travelling. It can connect to other Truma appliances such as heaters and air conditioners to the iNet System but it does require the Truma iNet Box to fully operate.

Key Features

Notification when gas level is low
Use several LevelControl at the same time
Adheres magnetically to any steel cylinder – and, thanks to a clamping sheet, also to aluminium cylinders
Works with all current European gas cylinders – simply select the model from the extensive database
The LevelControl is not suitable for plastic gas cylinders, refillable tank gas cylinders, gas tanks or butane gas cylinders (camping gas).

What Truma’s MD explain in detail what the LevelControl can do and then Click This Link click this link if you want to purchase one while stocks last.

5 Star Site Eatery Takes Home Top Award

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By William Coleman

We all love a bit of posh fine dining now and then but it is not something that you would associate with an on site restaurant. Well, that has now changed following an award win for the Restaurant at the 5 star Islawrffordd Caravan Park, Talybont, Barmouth.

Nineteen.57 Restaurant at Islawrffordd Caravan Park has been named Best of North Wales at the Restaurant Awards 2019.

Very few sites that I have been to, apart from your resort style locations, have onsite restaurants. And the ones that I have come across have left a lot to be desired. That being said there are a select few who actually put as much pride into their eateries as they do their actual site. One such location, as mentioned above, is doing things differently to stand out from the rest.

The Nineteen.57 Restaurant and Bar swooped up the award at a ceremony held at The Exchange Hotel in Cardiff.

Chef Sion Wellings, who took over the lease of the restaurant with his mother, Iola, confessed to being surprised when he was told the restaurant was one of 10 in North Wales shortlisted for the award.

“Someone had nominated us for the award which came as a big shock to be honest,” he said. “We haven’t tended to enter awards or to seek recognition with stars. We have just focused on serving good quality food.

“It’s the first award we have won and we were not expecting it. I am due to leave in January to concentrate on working on my house, so it’s nice to finish on a high.”

Sion and Iola have run the restaurant for five years and he was previously sous chef at Portmeirion for eight years.

Sion made the award ceremony a family affair by taking his parents Paul and Iola Wellings, grandparents John and Jean Roberts, aunt Julie Hughes and sister-in-law Jamie Wellings.

The restaurant has held successful themed evenings, charity events, parties, weddings, afternoon teas for baby showers and numerous black-tie dinners over the past five years.

“Hard work, dedicated staff and a good working relationship with the owners have brought success to our business venture,” said Iola. “The owners have a restaurant and bar to be proud of for park customers and locals alike whose support has generated a winter and seasonal clientele.”

In a joint statement, the directors of Islawrffordd Caravan Park, Gwynfor, Dylan and Geraint Evans and John Billingham, congratulated Sion and Iola for their award success. “We would like to thank them for achieving everything we hoped our £750,000 investment in the restaurant and bar would bring,” they said.

“Whilst we are sorry to be losing them as tenants, we wish them every success with their change of direction and will be doing everything we can to ensure that the high standards set by Sion and Iola are maintained in the future.”

A spokesperson for award organisers said: “The awards have acknowledged the restaurants for the overall experience they provide to their guests, including the friendly staff, comfortable environment, excellent ambience and rich menu, amongst other criteria.

“We would like to congratulate all finalists and winners for contributing to making the country well known for its great food, creating an ideal destination for those who seek some time to relax, enjoying either a good street food or eclectic dishes.”

Located on the Cambrian Coast, Islawrffordd Caravan Park has 201 holiday homes, 75 fully serviced, hard standing touring caravan/motorhome plots and luxury facilities, including a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna and Jacuzzi.

The park was named Best Campsite in Wales by the AA in 2012 and was a finalist at the inaugural Mid Wales Tourism Awards in October.