New Website Launched For Travelworld

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By William Coleman

Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld has announced the launch of a new website offering impressive new levels of content and delivering an intuitive user experience for motorhome customers.

The world of technology is moving at a rapid rate, so much so that it is sometimes difficult to keep up. Not to be the ones left behind, Travelworld have kept ahead of the curb and have kept their online presence new and fresh with a brand new site aimed at keeping their visitors and customers up to date.

Visitors to the site can now find up-to-date information on upcoming industry events, including all the latest UK motorhome shows and exclusive Erwin Hymer Centre events.

Also available are in-depth travel guides with topics as varied as what to do in Yorkshire when it’s raining, where to taste wine in Devon and details on days out for couples in Scotland.

Users can now glide seamlessly from desktops to mobiles and the new system intuitively pulls data from the new sort and search mechanisms, helping to find vehicle information and resources more quickly and easily.

New model brochures for all HYMER Group vehicles are available on the site, along with help guides, providing advice on dealing with gas and LPG, making pre-trip check lists, practical suggestions on mobility camping and much more.

Comprehensive videos on specific motorhome models also form part of the website’s resources, and members can keep themselves regularly informed by signing up to the new Club Travelworld newsletter.

Managing director Ross Edwards, said: “Our new platform is not a simple refresh, it’s launch has been preceded by two years of solid effort and input from all our internal departments at the Erwin Hymer Centre, we think the hard work has paid off and we’re excited for new and existing visitors to use it.”

Customer Research
The website structure and emphasis on content arose following research into what motorhome enthusiasts want and search for on the internet, as well as information gleaned from the company’s 10,000 Facebook followers.
“We found that now more than ever, users are seeking a much more content-rich experience, as well as fast and simple on-site navigation.” Ross said.

He added: “Motorhome and caravan customers are an extremely informed audience; we needed our new site to cater for this, along with a mounting new wave of first-time motorhomers.”

The HYMER motorhome specialists, who moved into their new state-of-the-art premises in February last year, believe the new website mirrors the quality and range of services its contemporary showrooms include, and the launch serves as a continued commitment to becoming the ultimate one-stop shop for motorhome customers.

Having grown up in a world both with and without the internet I can safely say that a good site can make the world of difference when dealing with a company. There was a time when trying to book any kind of caravan trip online was just a chore so it is good to see the industry moving with the time.

With the world moving so quickly do you think the caravan world is moving too slowly?

Holiday Park Sector Boosted By Multi Million Investment

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By William Colemman

The world of the caravan holiday is getting a multi million pound investment boost as a motorhome investor has entered the holiday park world from across the pond in the US.

Cove Communities, the specialist long-term investors and operators of manufactured home and motorhome communities and resorts in the United States and Canada, announces the completion of its first UK-based acquisition, Bunn Leisure, 116.58 acres in Selsey, West Sussex.

This acquisition reflects the Company’s belief in the long-term growth prospects for the UK holiday park market and the opportunity to further enhance the broad appeal of the Bunn Leisure site and proposition, offering residents and guests an appealing lifestyle in a unique and accessible coastal location with world-class amenities.

Cove Communities’ UK business is led by UK Managing Director, Mark Seaton and the Bunn Leisure team is under the leadership of Geoffrey Smith, Director of Finance and Operations, and Danny Kaye, Resorts Director. Between them, the UK management team has over 80 years of UK tourism and leisure experience.

Mark Seaton, UK Director for Cove Communities, said: “Bunn Leisure is a fantastic holiday park, which we believe offers a truly unique proposition to families looking to enjoy a staycation or purchase a caravan vacation home on this beautiful stretch of accessible coastline.

“We see immense potential for the UK’s caravan, holiday and residential park sectors, supported by appropriate investment and careful strategy, and as such we are excited by the long-term prospects for Cove Communities to further invest and enhance the unique aspects of exceptional parks, such as Bunn Leisure, as part of a wider UK caravan and residential park portfolio.”

Bunn Leisure provides self-catered family accommodations, incorporating three Holiday Village areas and one Camping and Touring Park area, all graded from 4 to 5 stars, along with resort-style entertainment leisure facilities and amenities.

Cove Communities is currently undertaking a £23m investment programme at the site, started under the previous owners, and is in the process of developing a further five-year capital investment programme to include investment focused on environmental management and new sea defenses.

The business is intent on building on Bunn Leisure’s strong reputation in the marketplace and ensuring the business is well positioned to serve guests, residents and the local community for years to come.

During peak season, the business will employ over 600 people and host 11,000 guests and residents, generating significant income for the local economy. The business is also exploring options to introduce an apprenticeship scheme for young adults once the integration of the site into the Cove Communities business is fully complete.

Cove Communities was founded in 2017 by industry experts, focused on the long-term investment and operation of manufactured home and motorhome communities and resorts. The portfolio has since grown to include over 9,250 sites across the U.S.A, Canada, and the UK.

The Company has a robust pipeline of deals internationally and is looking to grow its portfolio in the UK through acquisition of further exceptional caravan, motorhome and residential park sites.

Swift Confirm Factory Closure And Redundancies

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By William Coleman

Some sad news has come from one of the UK’s most popular caravan manufacturers who have been forced to cut staff numbers and even close down production due to a rocky year and some negative political decisions.

Toward the end of last year CaravanTimes reported that Swift were taking some staff into consultation to
reduce staff numbers but nothing had actually been publicly, or officially announced, until now.

Due to a “turbulent political and economic climate” Swift have made the difficult decision to cut the production of their touring caravans and motorhomes, which has sadly had a knock on effect for their staff numbers.

Following this very bad news for the staff Swift actually took employees into consultancy and made redundancies in December for staff at certain locations.

The caravan manufacturer has confirmed it has made a series of redundancies at their East Yorkshire facility. The Cottingham based firm have 1100 people under their employ.

On top of reducing the headcount Swift have also totally closed the Mexborough manufacturing facility in South Yorkshire. But in some good news from all the bad, staff that have been affected at this site have been transferred to East Yorkshire location.

So it seems that Swift are still very much in a position to continue business and do want to retain as many staff as possible to ensure they can still run and produce an amount of vans that will be healthy for the company to maintain.

A spokesman said: “Due to the prolonged turbulent political and economic climate which has impacted on consumer confidence, the company has found it necessary to reduce its production volume of touring caravans and motorhomes.

“As a responsible manufacturer, we actively respond to market changes and the challenges they present, constantly reviewing our cost base to ensure the company is as fit as it can be today and into the future.

“In November, the company entered into consultation process with its employees to consider options for streamlining the business in line with the reduction of production volumes.
“As a responsible manufacturer, we actively respond to market changes and the challenges they present, constantly reviewing our cost base to ensure the company is as fit as it can be today and into the future.

“In November, the company entered into consultation process with its employees to consider options for streamlining the business in line with the reduction of production volumes.

“Through collaborative working during the consultation with employee representatives, we worked together to agree a fair and transparent process for those affected by the review.””

For quite a while we have seen both the positive and the negative impacts of Brexit on the caravan and motorhome world. There has been a huge volume of UK holidaymakers opting to stay at home for their holidays but this unfortunately has not been reflected in the sales numbers of new vans.

Some say Brexit has been a good excuse that has been thrown around quite a bit to deflect some poor decisions but I feel that there are genuine cases where the uncertainty of the future has caused major issues for companies in England, Scotland and Wales.

Another concern that has lead to issues within the industry, and has been a major factor in Swift’s recent decisions, is the new road tax prices for motorhomes. The new VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) will see buyers pay a fee of up to £2,135 when they first buy a motorhome. This is an issue that has faced such a tremendous backlash as it could be quite a blow to sales figures across all dealers and manufacturers.

This downsizing has come as a bit of a shock as Swift had reported in May that the company turnover had gone up to £287.8m due to a boost in sales. It just shows what a difference 7-8 months can make.

In a recent update Swift announced that some of the staff opted for voluntary redundancy whereas others were transferred their roles from the Mexborough facility to Cottingham. Despite the best efforts around 50 people have now been made redundant. Very sad news indeed.

A spokesperson from Swift spoke to Hull Live and said “Unfortunately at our Mexborough site we were not able to identify any viable business solutions to maintain production.

“As a result the site will not operate past 2019. A small number of colleagues will be transferring to our Cottingham site in the New Year.”

Midlands Football Manager Scores At Salop

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By William Coleman

The year is kicking off with a bang over at Salop Leisure as they appoint a brand new area sales manager who has quite the background within the West Midlands football world.

Richard Brown, who celebrated his 46th birthday on Christmas Day, is the new area sales manager for caravan holiday homes and luxury lodges at the Shrewsbury-based caravan and motorhome dealership.

He will be liaising with holiday home park managers across the Heart of England and Mid Wales and is looking forward to the new challenge.

During his sales career, he has worked for Coca Cola, British American Tobacco, Philip Morris Tobacco, SMKD and Dunlop Agencies.

“In all the sales jobs that I have had to date, I have focused on customer service and building relationships and I am looking forward to meeting caravan park owners and managers,” said Richard.

“I believe a lot of people with disposable income have been holding back on investments until Brexit is decided. Hopefully, 2020 will see a big uptake in caravan sales.”

Away from work, Richard has a passion for football, having been a YTS trainee at Walsall Football Club for two-and-a-half years as a teenager. He played 12 times for the first team in the former Division Four of the Football League and captained the club’s youth team before moving to play non-league football.

He played for Paget Rangers in Birmingham, Rushall Olympic in Walsall, Lye Town. Romulus, Market Drayton and Shifnal Town before stepping into management at Wellington Amateurs, AFC Wufrunians and Ellesmere Rangers.

Having managed Ellesmere Rangers twice, he is now in his third spell at the club as joint manager with Connor Courtney, whose grandmother, Jean, is a long-serving receptionist at Salop Leisure.

If you are popping to Salop anytime soon keep your eyes open as you may just walk away with an autograph, the signature not the Bailey Motorhome. Sorry bad joke.

Caravanning New Year Resolutions

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By William Coleman

The New Year is here and it is time to set ourselves some goals and challenges for 2020. As touring folk we can sometimes endulge or get stuck in our ways so why not combine some new year resolutions and holiday making?

Hands up if you may have overdid over the Christmas period…. I am sat here with both hands up in the air. Now that all the cakes, biscuits and selection boxes have been consumed its time to put the cookies down, start prepping the van and get active once more.

I have already set myself a couple or targets for 2020 but I can already feel myself slipping, and I always do when I am in the van and on the road. I do tend to snack a lot when I go away and stopping that is at the top of my resolutions list.

The way I look at it, we all just want to spend more time in the van which means more upkeep and more munching, if you’re me.

So aside from the “new year, new me” health kick what bad habits can we do away with and what good habits can we introduce to our touring lifestyle in 2020?

Find Two New Locations

A lot of the people I speak to across the sites I visit all over the UK are repeat visitors. Families and couples that tend to find an area or specific site and that then becomes their destination of choice for a lot of their future visits. One older couple I met in Battle have been using that site for over 15 years and do not want to go anywhere else.

This year don’t just pick two new sites, pick two entirely different parts of the UK to visit. If you usually go away in the South West why not try Scotland or even pop across the pond and find a nice site in France.

Make 2020 the year of freedom and new experiences. I would always recommend Scotland if you’ve never been caravanning their, or if you want to try something really different take a week off and travel to Italy and spend a few days in the South. You may just find your next favourite destination.

Books Not Phones

It was not that long ago that people used to look up when they walked, read books and find things out for themselves instead of burying their faces in mobiles. It seems that the youth of today are the worst at doing this. And dare I say some parents actually use iPads as a form or parenting, which is something I never had when I was younger and I still knew how to behave in public and in restaurants.

One target I have set myself is to put the phone down when I am away, unless I need some directions or perhaps a cheeky photo of where I am staying. Instead I am opting to read books! Something I used to do a lot before the lure of the phone screen became too much.

Recent studies have shown that too much screen time is actually very bad for your mental and physical health, so reducing your time on the phone or tablet will make you feel better.

Reading is also a very good for mental stimulation and gives your brain a much needed rest while actually strengthening it at the same time. I would also suggest doing thirty minutes of reading before you go to bed and see how much better your nights sleep it. You may be very surprised.

Get Active And Keep Fit

You can be a little bit tricky and tie this one in with finding a new location to visit. Why not pick somewhere new that is surrounded by activities to get the heart racing? Two birds one stone.

There are a lot location all around the UK that have amazing walking trails, swimming lakes and even on site activities like canoeing.

One such location that has a ton of fun and healthy activities to try is Salop Leisure’s Love2Stay site in Shrewsbury. They are very much about keeping you fit and healthy while you’re away.

On site they have kayaking, yoga, fishing, swimming and even a gym! Not to mention massage and beauty treatments.

If you spend your leisure time outside seeing the world you will be a lot more healthier both mentally and physically which are two things we all need.

2019: A Year In Review

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By William Coleman & The Team

Last year was quite the year for CaravanTimes, not to mention the rest of the UK. Now we are in 2020 we can look back fondly at 2019 and share some of our highlights for one of the rockiest and fun years in recent memory.

Well what a year that was! Over the past 12 months we have seen some high and some lows both in and outside of the caravan and motorhome world. I think it is safe to say that a lot of the negative things that happened within the caravan sector were Brexit related, or so a lot of people were saying. Which is actually a good thing when you sit back and think about it. Imagine if the issues and business dips were due to people’s lack of interest?

No we are not out of the woods, or the EU, just yet but we have a clear government who want to move on and get the country back to where it needs to be and restore a lot of people’s faith in the future. Moving forward, in or out of the EU, one thing is for sure, we all are still very much in love with our caravanas.

For me one of 2019’s highlights was just how much I was able to travel around the UK. I managed to see both Scotland and Wales as well as many other parts of England. Oh and the shows are always great fun too, and a good way to travel all over the UK.

As of writing this I am sorting out the travel and accommodation for both the Manchester and Scottish caravan shows and cannot wait to get there and spend some time both at the show and in the two great locations.

Rob Key – Post Production Manager

I joined the team just before 2019 began and did not have too much knowledge of caravans, I have always been a campervan user. Having spent a lot of the year filming caravans, and actually getting to use them, I can see why they are the most popular touring vehicle.

One of the best things about the vans I saw were just how much space you have compared to the smaller more “home made” vans that I have been used to using. Having an on-board shower and toilet that is sectioned in its own room is something I that I will struggle to go without moving forward. Have been this easily converted to the touring caravan?

Through 2019 I was able to take motorhomes from Auto-Trail to Wales which was great as I got to see the higher end motorhomes and van conversions, the ones I have used are nothing like these so it was nice to see what other options are out there for future use.

2019 has been a year that has really shown me the diversity within the leisure vehicle world and come 2020 I will be going out of my way to get in more touring caravans.

Dan Cartwright- Director

Can I mention my 2018/19 highlight? I mean they are the same thing, I was just lucky enough to be asked to do it two years in a row.

The stand out for me last year, and 2018, was being a judge in the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Towcar of the Year testing. It is genuinely one of my highlights of the year.

I love anything with an engine and you’ll usually find me tinkering on cars and bikes so getting a chance to try out some of the world’s best cars, 4x4s, SUV and all other manner of towcars is right up my alley.

Aside from my personal love for vehicles I do take a great amount of pride in actually being able to judge each vehicle as I know the feedback is going to help caravan owners make a much more informed decision as to what towcar to buy. The testing is a great way to keep your finger on the pulse to see what new innovations and tech they are adding to towcars.

The information is also fed back to manufacturers so they can look at how they can improve and market their new models toward the caravan market.

Spending a week at the Millbrook testing ground with the Club and other industry experts is also a treat as you get to converse with your caravanning peers and have some great conversations about all things towing. Who wouldn’t want to test drive around 50 vehicles around a race course with a caravan attached?

James- Camera Operator, Producer & Post Production

2018 was very tough year to beat due to legs 1 and 2 of the Bristanbul tour. But that being said I still managed to get out in the field and do a lot of filming for the caravan world, but all very much in the UK.

If I had to choose one thing that I enjoyed the most, I’d have to say the October show at the Birmingham NEC. Which is odd because its a full week on your feet running around trying to film tons of vans and interviews.

The past October show was busy but this meant I actually got a chance to see pretty much the entirety of the show, something I rarely get to do. This also meant that I got to see a lot of familiar faces and all the new goodies and gadgets that we can expect in 2020.

The week was capped off nicely by the Caravan Design awards on the Friday evening of the show, the 5am wake up call to go home was a little rough though.

2019 In A Nutshell

Overall 2019 was a good year, if not a tad quieter than the 2018. A lot of times people are too quick to compare the current state of the caravan world to 2017 where we saw a huge rise in pretty much every sector.

Each year manufacturers make some changes but it seemed, to me anyway, that the changes and additions added for this coming season has been the biggest leap in innovation for the past few years.

Over the last year me and the team got to travel all over the UK spend time in pretty much all of the major fans that are now on the market and made lots of interesting video content for a lot of companies within the leisure vehicle industry.

Now that the elections are out of the way and a little bit of public faith has been restored I think we will start to see an upswing come early to mid 2020 for the caravan and motorhome world.

Cosy caravan stays are good for your health

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By Emma Dodd

In the depths of winter, the idea of getting cosy in your caravan is a welcome thought, but it’s also good for your health, according to one expert.

Christian van Nieuwerburgh is professor of coaching and positive psychology at the University of East London and he’s been speaking to Park Leisure.

He highlighted the importance to our mental wellbeing of feeling warm and secure at this time of year.

Professor van Nieuwerburgh said: “Human beings may be drawn to cosiness because it is indicative of having a safe, warm place to shelter from the elements.”

Any caravanner who has returned to their van after a wet walk and fallen asleep to the sound of rain drumming on the roof while warm in their bed will be able to relate to this sentiment.

So, what are the nation’s favourite ways to get cosy during the winter months? The holiday park company asked around and it turns out that it’s all about tapping into our senses.

Scents were found to be particularly important when it comes to ramping up the cosiness, with the fragrance of vanilla and freshly baked bread proving popular.

And it’s not hard to fill a caravan with lovely smells, as these spaces are smaller than the average home.

So, next time you’re away in the van, be sure to pack all the ingredients for a loaf, and as well as the delicious scent, you’ll also enjoy making it and take even more pleasure from eating it.

Speaking of taste, nobody will be surprised that hot chocolate came out as the number one drink to evoke cosiness amongst caravanners.

Whether you enjoy yours with a dash of something stronger added or a melting marshmallow on top, it’s sure to warm you up on cold days.

What are your favourite ways to get cosy in your caravan? Let us know in the comments or drop us a line on Twitter.

Merry Christmas From CaravanTimes

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By William Coleman

It has been quite the year for the caravan world and ultimately the country. The UK put the caravan on the map and now we close a decade of success. As we near the New Years we want to extend a very Merry Christmas.

I just want to extend a very Merry Christmas to all of you, our readers. Myself and the entire team cannon express just how much we really appreciate your support.

For the whole of the UK, it has been a bit of a roller coaster year. We have seen our political system affect the entire caravan and motorhome world. We have seen some companies thrive, some have made some cuts and sadly some have closed their doors.

Now as we near the end of this decade, one thing is certain, the caravan world is in a safe place and growing stronger each year.

So, before I get emotional let me close off by once again saying Merry Christmas to one and all.

Caravans Transformed Into Offices & Man Caves

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By William Coleman

Refurbing caravans, trailers, statics and motorhomes seems to be very much in vogue at the moment and some are being turned into absolute beauties. This couple from sunny Australia have done an amazing job turning these caravans into luxury offices and hideaways.

I have seen some restorations that can rival a brand new van direct from the production line. Most of them are pet projects that are not meant to be taken touring but they are still fantastic and make for a great little getaway at home.

Marc Pedavoli and Elizabeth Danieletto are a couple from Australia who now work full time transforming old caravans into work spaces and man caves. All at a minimal cost of $8000. The creative couple have now renovated around caravans as well as completing some odd jobs on other leisure homes. You can view a gallery of the vans Caerphilly County Borough Council

Among some of their innovative creations they have created salons, man caves, mobiles bars, gaming rooms and offices. After seeing that some people would pay thousands for converted caravans the pair decided to make a career out of it.

Marc Pedavoli, 35, and Elizabeth Danieletto, 37, started their business Your Palace Caravan Restoration after an elderly couple asked if they could renovate their old camper.

After the first van was completed the pair travelled around the countryside of Central Coast in New South Wales trying to seek out old vans that they could restore and renovate for resale.

“Marc’s parents were avid home renovators and they had him helping them since he was old enough to hold a paintbrush,” Elizabeth told FEMAIL.

“I lived in the UK for five years where there are a lot of old caravans that needed love and I had the idea while I was there that I would love to do one up.”

When Elizabeth moved back to Australia and met Marc she found a dilapidated camper in Wollongong and the pair started their new project and future.

“Not long after that Marc became redundant from work so we decided to give it a go as a full time business… After about the eighth van we had a lovely old couple ask us if we could renovate their caravan for them and have been doing them full time for other people ever since,” she continued.

“Depending on the starting condition of the space will determine how much repair work is necessary before we start the transformation,” Elizabeth said.

“If there is loads of water damage or the client wants a fully customised layout we would strip the entire van out and start from scratch with new electricals, insulation and a complete custom-designed interior rebuild.”

The builds usually consist of relining the walls, building cabinetry, beds, bunks lounges and total kitchen refits.

“We have a designer on board that helps clients visualise and perfect the space before we even start the project, which also helps with costings and budget,” she said.

“The design is customer driven and the inspiration generally comes from other projects, Pinterest and interior design.”

These unique vans come at all different price levels, depending on the level of specification you require, and some go for as much as $15,000.

“We are also happy to do smaller projects like exterior spray painting for $2,000, adding beds/bunks, resealing work and repairs,” Elizabeth said.

“We also source caravans and cabins for clients to ensure they are not buying a lemon and over paying for it so depending on the individual project the costs vary considerably.”

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.