Making Money And Winter Touring With Camplify

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By William Coleman

Letting your van pay for itself and generate you extra income seems like a no brainer, especially with the off season well and truly in force. We caught up with the Camplify team at the NEC to get some hints on getting away in winter and how you can monetise your leisure vehicle.

Camplify are a peer to peer platform where you can list and rent caravans, motorhomes and statics. As an owner listing your vehicle you can make the van pay for itself or have it earn you some extra pocket money for a rainy day.

This week at the show you can visit the Camplify stand and find out, with their brand new price calculator, just how much extra cash you can take home by listing with them.

As well as being the AirBnb or the caravan world they are also touring holiday experts who have a wealth of knowledge on seasonal touring. They have some keen advice for winter touring, just in the nick of time too.

To find out more you can visit them at the NEC Motorhome and Caravan Show this week or visit them directly at Camplify.co.ukl.

Apps And Automation With Oyster Sat Tech At The NEC

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By William Coleman

The world of technology is an ever changing one and the caravan world is moving along with it. As the world of on demand, automation and entertainment technology moves in leaps and bounds Oyster stay up to date and innovative to provide you with the easiest TV set up on the market.

When it comes to on board entertainment TV will always be king. Yes, there is streaming but the data does not go a long way, costs an absolute fortune and is only as good as the 3G/4G the area provides. When it comes to satellite connection you really do have to go out of your way for it not to work.

There are some that still feel that a satellite system can only work with a Sky Box with a subscription and is overly technical to use. This may have been true 15 years ago but the tech world has moved light years away from that.

With Oyster systems it really is all about ease of use and automation. You do not need to keep taking your Sky box out of the house, unless you really want to keep up with their specific programming which is very simple to do with an Oyster system. They have a one button system which means all you need to do is turn it on and the dish and box does the rest of the work for you.

In keeping up with things Oyster have now developed a brand new app which makes your on board TV needs even easier. The app will let you know when the system needs an update which it will organise for you, all you will need to do is connect the phone to the system via bluetooth while you sit on the sofa and relax.

Buying a van with an Oyster system will remove any long winded set up and now with the app that does the other half of the job for you it really does make for an easy and relaxing evening in the van.

Get Away Your Way With The Caravan And Motorhome Club

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By William Coleman

With so many offers and services provided by the Caravan and Motorhome Club you really can take any holiday you want and do it exactly your way.

The Club can help you with every aspect of any holiday you want to take. They can help with sites, overseas trips, insurance, ferry crossings and a whole lot more. So make the most of your Club membership and get away your way.

Those looking to banish the winter blues in sunnier climes should look no further than a European getaway with the Caravan and Motorhome Club. With a year-round warmer climate and sites from just £12.61 a night, Spain and Portugal are great destinations for a winter caravan, campervan or motorhome break.
Here are the Club’s top picks for enjoying some winter sun:

Spain

Altomira

Set on a hillside in the rolling Valencian countryside, the Altomira site is a peaceful spot that’s perfect for nature lovers. Visitors looking to explore the stunning Spanish countryside will enjoy the many cycling and walking routes that are easily accessible from the site. Valencia, best known for its charming architecture and paella, is just a train ride away. Prices start from £12.61* per night for two people sharing a pitch.

Cabopino

Close to a beautiful beach and marina, the Cabopino site is great for those after a beachside break. The famous resort town of Marbella is a short drive away, with many popular beach clubs, restaurants and bars to be enjoyed. A heated indoor pool is open all year round, and the site organises excursions to other popular nearby locations, including Seville and Gilbraltar. Prices start from £19.14* per night for two people sharing a pitch.

Bonterra Park

The site at Bonterra Park is known for its fantastic social activities, which continue throughout the winter season, with quiz nights and Spanish cookery and language classes all on offer. The picturesque town of Benicassim is just a ten-minute walk away, with sandy beaches and the beautiful Desert de ls Palmes Natural Park. Keen cyclists can enjoy the many cycling routes close to the site. Prices start from £18.02* per night for two people sharing a pitch.

Half Term Adventures With The Caravan And Motorhome Club

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By William Coleman

From quaint villages in the Cotswolds to the rugged Jurassic Coast, the Caravan and Motorhome Club has sites in some of the UK’s most beautiful destinations. With Club membership starting at just £52 a year and sites available from just £28.20 per night for a family of four, the only tricky decision families need to make is where to enjoy their budget half term break.

Here is a round-up of the top places to visit this October with the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Club’s glamping arm, Experience Freedom:

Touring with the Caravan and Motorhome Club

Cirencester

Where could be better for a half term family break than the ‘Capital of the Cotswolds’? Cirencester sits in the heart of this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and makes a great base for enjoying all the Cotswolds has to offer. Families can wander through the ‘wolds’, explore honey-coloured villages and enjoy sampling local produce at the many markets. Cirencester has plenty to keep little ones entertained, with the Corinium Museum and the Cirencester Treasure Trail. The Cotswolds Wildlife Park is also a short drive away.

Stay at Cirencester Park Club Site, where prices start at £28.20 per night for two adults and two children sharing a standard pitch. Set in Grade 1 listed parkland, there are a number of stunning walks to take from the site, including routes into Cirencester itself, as well as a playground and a large dog field.

Devon

Families looking for coastal charm and culture will love south Devon. Brixham and the surrounding areas boast a huge range of activities, with something to do no matter the weather. Kids can brave the October chill and go crabbing in Dartmouth, or learn all about Tudor history whilst they explore a replica of the Golden Hind in Brixham. There are also a wide range of museums and art galleries in the area, perfect for budding culture vultures. Woodlands Family Park in Dartmouth is home to exciting theme park rides, a zoo farm and lots more for both big and little kids to enjoy. Its annual Hallooscream event is back for 2019, and throughout half term kids can scream their way around the Ghost Farm and carve spooky pumpkins.

Stay at the Hillhead Caravan Club Site, where prices start at £33.60 per night for two adults and two children sharing a standard pitch. Hillhead is one of the most impressive family-inclusive campsites in the country. With a huge range of on-site facilities, including a newly refurbished playground and play area, games room and restaurant, there really is something for everyone. Nearby activities also include a pitch & putt, tennis & fishing, which makes the area great for active families and competitive siblings!

Cambridgeshire

Those looking for an idyllic countryside break without heading too far from a city will love spending a half term break in beautiful Cambridgeshire. Peterborough is perfectly located for exploring the Cambridgeshire countryside. Sacrewell Farm and Country Centre, a lovely spot outside of the city with a working mill, farm animals and walking trails, is running its annual ‘scarewell’ Halloween event during the half term. Kids and adults alike will love picking pumpkins and visiting the infamous Farmhouse of Horror. Peterborough itself is full of family-friendly activities, including ice skating, theatres and the spectacular Peterborough Cathedral.

Stay at the Ferry Meadows Club Site, where prices start from £31.10 per night for two adults and two children sharing a standard pitch. Well placed in a country park, the site has access to all the park’s facilities, including off-road cycling, walking trails and a lake. The onsite playground is huge, with climbing equipment, tunnels and bridges that are suitable for kids of all ages. The bustling city of Peterborough and its many amenities are just three miles away.

Dorset

Dreamy Dorset is home to miles of beautiful coastland and countryside, as well as plenty of family attractions. Corfe Castle is a wonderful day out for the entire family, take a walk through the beautiful castle grounds, or head into the castle remains and learn all about the English civil war. The castle has plenty of exciting events planned for over the half term break, including a teddy bear Great Escape. Any visitor to Dorset should take time to explore the stunning Jurassic Coast, with particular highlights at Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove.

Stay at the Hunter’s Moon Club Site, where prices start from £33.10 per night for two adults and two children sharing a standard pitch. Nestled against the beautiful Wareham Forest the site is a peaceful base for exploring all that Dorset has to offer. An on-site play area and playground are great for kids, and there is a fenced dog walk to keep four legged friends happy. Novelist Thomas Hardy’s birthplace, Higher Bockhampton, is a short drive from the site, and the nearby market town of Wareham holds frequent farmers markets – perfect for stocking up on snacks!
Glamping with Experience Freedom

For a half term holiday with a difference, book a luxurious glamping break at one of Experience Freedom’s beautiful sites from just £69 per night.

Abbey Wood

London isn’t often thought of as a glamping hot spot, but the Experience Freedom site at Abbey Wood is enough to change anyone’s mind. Nestled in wooded grounds in the Borough of Greenwich, visitors to the site are able to enjoy the best of the city away from the hustle and bustle. There’s plenty of green space in the area to explore, including Greenwich Park and Mudchute Farm and Park. Further afield, the site is well-located so families have easy access to London’s best attractions, including the iconic London Eye, ZSL London Zoo and the theatres of the West End.

Stay in one of the site’s trendy Airstream trailers. Airstreams feature a luxury kitchen, bathroom facilities and entertainment system and sleep up to four people (two adults and two children). Airstream hire at Abbey Wood starts from £69 per night (minimum two night stay) between 21 and 24 October.

Brighton

Bustling Brighton has the best of both worlds – an exciting seaside city and luscious countryside. The Brighton Club Site is set within the spectacular South Downs, with a huge number of walking trails available from the site itself. Brighton city centre is just two miles away from the site, with a range of activities perfect for any weather. The infamous Brighton Palace Pier brings hours of fun to both big and little kids, and the twisting alleys of the Lanes make for a shoppers’ paradise.

Coniston Park Coppice

Lying by the waters of the stunning Coniston Water in the heart of the Lake District, Coniston Park Coppice is the perfect off-the-beaten track half-term getaway. The Lakes are notable for their huge range of trails and tracks, with the highest peak in England, Scafell Pike, as the jewel of the area. Further afield, the The World of Beatrix Potter is great for keeping little ones busy on a rainy day, and Wray Castle in Windermere has both indoor and outdoor fun.

Stay in a contemporary glamping pod at either Brighton or Coniston Park Coppice from £89 per night (minimum two-night stay) between 21 and 24 October. Glamping pods sleep up to four people (two adults and two children) and feature simple cooking appliances, essential tech and an en-suite, as well as an all-important outside box for muddy boots!

Brand New Member Offers From The Caravan And Motorhome Club

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By William Coleman

Many people are aware that Caravan and Motorhome Club membership offers access to over 2700 quality sites in the UK and overseas. However, not everyone is aware of the range of offers, specially created to reduce the cost of the ultimate holiday adventure, that are included in the membership fee of just £52 per year.

The Club is constantly launching new offers, covering a wide range of interests and activities, and its most recent new deals include:

Jaguar Land Rover – Save up to 24% off the stylish Jaguar XE and XF, plus up to 10% off capable towcars Land Rover Discovery and Discovery Sport

National Tyres and Autocare – Free safety checks and save 5% off tyres, 50% off MOT and 20% off autocare including batteries, breaks, exhausts and much more at the UK’s largest independent tyre and autocare specialist

ViewRanger – the world-leading walking, hiking and outdoor app helps people plan, track, and share activities. Members receive a seven-day free trial and 12% discount on PREMIUM + Ordnance Survey Maps subscription

One of the most popular offers is the Pump-King Fuel Card, which enables members to save on average 8p per litre on premium diesel or unleaded fuel and 5p per litre on standard diesel or unleaded fuel at all Esso petrol stations. That’s a typical saving of £5.60 per tank on premium fuel or £3.50 on standard fuel (based on a 70-litre tank of fuel). Not only will the Pump-King Fuel Card save members money at the more than 1,300 Esso stations across the UK, but it’s free – there is no sign-up fee, no transaction fee and no processing fee. Plus, members can earn Nectar Clubcard points when filling up.

The Club also offers some exceptional car offers with a number of manufacturers inspiring members to embark on their next road trip with the very latest make and model.

Here are just some of the great deals to choose from:

Save on Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year 2020 winners including £3,983.75 on the Volvo XC40 D4 R-Design Pro AWD and £5,235 on the Volvo V60 D4 AWD Cross Country Plus

Save over £5,600 on a brand new Hyundai Santa Fe Premium SE Automatic

16% discount plus a free fitted tow bar on all new Mitsubishi Shogun Sport models

SsangYong offers a free fixed towbar and electrics on selected models

Other examples of the Club’s offers include:

Save an exclusive 20% at Roadchef including Costa, Fresh Food Cafe or Restbite

Save 10% on a caravan motor mover. Witter Towbars and Westfalia Automotive UK
have partnered with leading manufacturer Purple Lines to offer this discount to Club members

Purple Lines’ enduro and e-go caravan motor movers come with a five-year warranty and are fitted to the highest standard by a professional installer

Members receive a free remote control worth £200 when purchasing a motorhome kit from E&P Hydraulics. The self-levelling system enables drivers to get their motorhome perfectly level and stable at the touch of a button

Save up to £40 on a TyrePal Tyre Pressure Monitoring System which continuously monitors the pressure and temperature of your tyres whilst you are driving and gives clear visual and audible alerts should anything start to go wrong

Outdoor adventurers can re-style their holiday wardrobe and save up to 15% off with both Cotswold Outdoor and Mountain Warehouse

Save up to 10% on car hire with Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Save 10% on Raleigh bikes

Save 4% with Sainsbury’s Everyday Shopping Card

The Caravan And Motorhome Club Announce Worldwide Tours

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By William Coleman

The Caravan and Motorhome Club has further expanded its offering of worldwide tours. The Club has also revamped a number of its existing escorted and independent worldwide itineraries, with exciting updates of tours in Canada.

With both escorted and independent worldwide tours including motorhome hire, pre-booked campsites and personalised road books packed with local travel tips, there has never been an easier time to enjoy an international road trip!

New tours for 2020 – 2021 The USA

The Club is proud to announce three new tours in the United States. Each tour covers some of western America’s very best national parks, highways and cities, with different tour lengths meaning that there is something for everyone.

The Big One sweeps through California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah, cruising along some of the most iconic highways in the US, including Route 66 and California Highway 1. This 38-day independent tour covers some of the USA’s best-known natural attractions, from the infamous Yosemite National Park to the incredible Grand Canyon.

Kick things off in glamorous Los Angeles before winding down through some of the world’s best national parks – Joshua Tree for stargazing and the epic Grand Canyon. The route then travels through the desert to Lake Powell, a shimmering man-made reservoir that cuts through the landscape. Continuing the exploration of canyon country, the tour crosses Bryce Canyon National Park and Boulder Mountain and on to Zion National Park, the oldest national park in Utah.

After exploring the beauty of Zion, it heads to the bright lights of Las Vegas before venturing back to nature to explore the giant trees at Sequoia National Park and monoliths of Yosemite. The trip finishes with three nights in San Francisco to check out the Golden Gate Bridge, before cruising through one of the world’s most scenic driving routes – the Pacific Coast Highway and the Big Sur, known to many as the home of Big Little Lies.

As it’s an independent tour, holidaymakers have the flexibility to choose their stops between sites – from stopping at the awe-inspiring Antelope Canyon, laid back Santa Cruz or the wineries of Santa Barbara.

Salops Safe Way To Move Touring Vans

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By William Coleman

Two companies with bases in Shropshire have worked together to come up with a safe handling solution that saves time and ultimately reduces strain on staff.

Award-winning caravan and motorhome dealership Salop Leisure has invested in a pedestrian operated Multi-Mover XL50 electric tow tug to allow staff to move touring caravans in and out of the company’s busy workshops.

Multi-Mover UK, which has its head office in Burton-On-Trent and a warehouse in High Ercall, Telford, offers an extensive range of pedestrian operated tugs with up to 80 tonnes of push and pull capability.

The Multi-Mover XL50 moves everything on wheels up to 5,000kg with 2,800 Newton tractive force. The XL series has several types of steering, a variety of hitches to choose from, different tyres and is available in three very strong and reliable electric motors.

“We are very pleased to have supplied one of our electric tow tugs locally to Salop Leisure,” said James Dixon, Multi-Mover UK sales manager. “The acquisition of a Multi-Mover shows Salop Leisure’s commitment to improving employee safety, reducing emissions and improving efficiency.”

Kevin Courtney, Salop Leisure’s business development manager, said: “We were previously using a tractor to move touring caravans in and out of the workshops, so there are obvious environmental and safety benefits to using the Multi-Mover, which is small, easy to operate and emission free.

“Staff like using it because it saves time, is more efficient and improves safety.”

Multi-Mover UK’s tugs are used in factories, airports and on production lines to provide a safe heavy handling solution. They are easily operated, do not require a driving licence, are silent, emission free and have more than a day’s use from just one charge.

The company offers a range of service packages designed to ensure that each Multi-Mover is always safe and reliable. Because certain working environments and tasks place varying demands on the Multi-Movers, the company designs service packages to meet every need.

Fiat To Make Big Display At NEC

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By William Coleman

Fiat Professional will show the new Ducato model year 2020 for the first time at the Motorhome and Caravan Show in Birmingham from October 15th to October 20th, 2019. With numerous innovations, Ducato consolidates its position as the market leader in motorhome base vehicles.

One of the key innovations of Ducato model year 2020 is the new 9-speed automatic transmission, which I am sure will have people’s opinion split right down the middle. I am not super keen on automatic vehicles of this size but this new model may be the one that converts me.

Another key strength to Ducato is the new range of engines, consisting of four performance levels of a 2.3-litre turbo diesel, all of which comply with the Euro 6d TEMP emission standard. All variants feature the MultiJet2 direct injection diesel engine, which further improves the engine’s efficiency, making long journeys even more comfortable.

The New Automatic Transmission “9-Speed”

The new 9-speed automatic transmission offers a relaxed and enjoyable driving experience, optimising consumption levels and actually improving performance. It is best-in-class in terms of weight in its sector, and it allows for optimum use of driving torque that reaches a record of 450Nm on the 180hp version of the 2.3-litre MultiJet engine.

The Fiat Professional technicians developed the Ducato MY20 with the 9-Speed automatic transmission so that every customer would be able to benefit from the optimised performance and consumption levels, no matter the specific task and route. Drivers can choose between three different driving modes: Normal, Eco and Power.

The Eco mode provides a smoother acceleration response and a dedicated gear shift pattern to allow for a greater reduction in consumption levels. Switching to Power mode, this delivers a prompt throttle response and gear changes for optimal performance even in tough conditions. The Normal mode balances the economy of Eco mode with the performance of Power mode to provide optimum driving conditions for every situation.

There are two operating modes, Drive and Autostick. In Drive the control module automatically selects and shifts into gear according to the various driving conditions: speed, load, gradient. In Autostick the driver can manage the gear shifts, so that in challenging conditions, such as on steep slopes, they can retain a lower gear to increase performance levels and avoid overheating.

Drive Assist and Infotainment

The Ducato MY20 is the best ever Ducato in every way: technology, safety, ADAS, connectivity and engine line-up. The new range boasts the most sophisticated drive assist systems which allow drivers to have complete control. The following optional driver aids are now available:

  • Blind spot assist (BSA), uses radar sensors installed in the rear bumper to identify approaching vehicles in blind spots.
  • The Rear Cross Path detection (RCP) uses radar sensors to identify vehicles approaching from the side, when the vehicle is reversing.
  • Full brake control (FBC) identifies obstacles and, after checking whether there is imminent danger of collision, alerts the driver and intervenes by automatically triggering emergency braking.

    • In addition, opt for the devices below to improve and assist your driving experience:

  • Lane departure warning system (LDWS), determines whether the vehicle is leaving the lane, even in poor visibility conditions, and in the event of danger an acoustic and visual signal alerts the driver.
  • Traffic sign recognition uses the on-board camera to recognise speed limits, displaying them on the instrument cluster.
  • High beam recognition manages the main beam headlights, increasing visibility and reducing the risk of dazzling when driving at night, automatically recognising vehicles travelling in the opposite direction.
  • Rain and dusk sensor activates the windscreen wipers and adjust their speed according to the intensity of the rain. The dusk sensor automatically activates the low-beam headlights when required.
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) monitors the pressure of the tyres constantly, indicating any loss in pressure directly on the on-board display.

Fiat Professional Ducato, “Leader in Freedom”

Leader in Freedom means that Fiat Professional offers products and services that give the customer maximum freedom and flexibility. At the Motorhome and Caravan show, visitors can learn about the range of services that make life on board a Ducato motorhome even more enjoyable.
The ability to listen to customers – which starts with Customer Care and continues in Fiat Professional’s workshops – means being able to respond efficiently to current needs and plan ahead for those of the future. Therefore the service concept doesn’t stop with product assistance but includes caring for customers on holiday by being on hand at all times.
Twenty multilingual Fiat Professional Brand Ambassadors are ready to take calls on the Motorhome toll-free number in 44 European countries, in customers’ own languages, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

What To Get Excited About At The NEC Next Week

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By William Coleman

In 3 short days we will be heading up to Birmingham to get a head start on all the attractions and displays at this year’s Motorhome and Caravan Show at the Birmingham NEC. With so much to do and see what should you be looking out for?

The October show at the NEC seems to get bigger each with each year that passes and you genuinely do need 2-3 days to really get around and see everything.

This year I am going to try and select a few things specifically to look, almost a little checklist of must see exhibitors and van types.

The New 2020 Line Up

Although myself and the CaravanTimes team attended several of the manufacturer product launches earlier this year we didn’t get a chance to see every aspect of each vehicle so we will take this opportunity to spend a week with them all. There are also many other new products from smaller companies who do not hold launch events that I am dead keen on seeing.

Dealer Specials are something I really want to see more and find out what real differences these ‘special edition’ really have from the more standard models.

I also really want to get a good look at the full Adria line up as well as the new Coachman range. These are two that I did not manage to see this year first hand so I am excited to see for myself what we can expect from these two major manufacturers’ 2020 line up.

Campers And Conversions

This sector seems to be carving its own place within the industry and is seeing a real boost in sales and new plates being registered.

Why are custom builds and the camper making such a big return to popularity, and just how many are actually leaving dealerships? These are all the questions I am keen to ask the many dealers who display at the NEC.

One major thing I have noticed is just how much the conversion van’s presence has grown. They pretty much have an entire hall dedicated to them which I think will spill over into a second hall this year.

I think that due to how customisable these vans are we are seeing a much younger crowd gravitate toward them and use the van as both leisure and dad to say vehicle.

A watchful eye will kept to see the age range buying them to see if my theory is correct.

Catching Up With Folk

The NEC is a bit like a family gathering, it only happens once or twice a year and everyone manages to get under one roof for a good old chit chat and a few cups of tea.

It is always a pleasure seeing Lee Davey, Martin Dorey, Andrew Ditton, the CAMC teams and the Here We Go team, to name but a few.

Accessories Central

I do love a gadget or snazzy accessory that I can pack in the van and use to entertain myself. There are so many different stands to browse and fill your basket. I have to literally get pulled away from the Prima and Kampa stand because I just want it all.

I may also treat myself to a brand new Cadac this year. I just need to convince the wallet master that we do genuinely need one.

Bailey Announce New Autograph Weights

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By William Coleman

At the beginning of September Bailey of Bristol announced their brand new 2020 Autograph range which they will be showcasing next week at the Motorhome and Caravan Show in Birmingham at the NEC. At the time of the announcement the final weights for the models were not available, but they are now.

The first thing to point out here is that the MPTLM of each model is unchanged from the previous series which has resulted in a significant weight loss reduction. This has directly led to the vehicles having a large increase in user payloads so you can go further for longer.

With the models’ quoted Mass in Running Order, or MRO for short, figure there is an allowance made for ‘essential habitation equipment’ which consists of the following:

  • Vehicle driver = 75kg
  • 90% fuel tank capacity = 81kg
  • One full gas bottle = 14kgs
  • Fluids in ALDE heating system = 10kgs

The MRO for each vehicle has been calculated with the fresh water tank being 100% empty. Bailey strongly recommend that when travelling you have a totally empty fresh water tank as having a partial or full tank will reduce the available payload accordingly.

Model MTPLM MRO Total User Payload Payload +/-
Autograph III 69-2 3,500 kgs 2,993 kgs 507 kgs + 56 kgs
Autograph III 74-2 3,500 kgs 3,014 kgs 486 kgs + 171 kgs
Autograph III 74-4 3,500 kgs 3,055 kgs 445 kgs + 90 kgs
Autograph III 79-4I 3,850 kgs 3,233 kgs 617 kgs + 133 kgs
Autograph III 79-2F 3,850 kgs 3,070 kgs 780 kgs n/a
Autograph III 79-4F 3,850 kgs 3,151 kgs 699 kgs n/a
Autograph III 79-4T 3,850 kgs 3,276 kgs 574 kgs + 116 kgs
Autograph III 81-6 4,250 kgs 3,400 kgs 850 kgs + 57 kgs

This policy is fully compliant with the EWVTA requirements and is very much inline with other market competitors.

One final point to mention is specifically on the new Autograph 81-6 model. Owning to the weight and size of this vehicle it will be sold with a factory fitted restrictor limiting it to speeds of 68 mph (or 110 kph). This not only has positive safety implications but also ensures that the vehicle is again fully compliant with new EWVTA legislation.

You can see Bailey’s full motorhome line up next week at the Motorhome and Caravan Show at the Birmingham NEC.

Would You Use Your Caravan For A Festival Trip?

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By William Coleman

Each year it seems festival seasons gets bigger and bigger. More events, bigger names and a lot more space for campers to rest after a day on their feet. Another aspect that is on the rise is the leisure vehicle’s presence. Would you use your motorhome or caravan for a weekend at a music festival?

When I first heard that a close friend of mine was going to rent a 4 berth motorhome for a 5 day getaway at the Glastonbury I patted him on the back and said, “good luck”. The idea of taking a large vehicle through the huge crowds and traffic jams of that festival used to fill me with dread, until I saw how easy it actually is to do.

My friend had never used a caravan, motorhome, camper or even a tent in his life and yet still had zero issues on his first attempt, at the UK’s largest music festival no less. If a first timer can do it we all can, right?

Reasons To Use The Van

Now that the caravan and motorhome’s popularity is on the rise we are seeing waves of younger people embracing the lifestyle and using the vans for any and every activity they can. On the top of that list is festivals, so much so that organisers are now adding larger specific locations for guests bringing leisure vehicles. It must be a better option than a tent if everyone is doing it.

A Real Home Away From Home

With a festival you do give up a few of the creature comforts. With a caravan you do not have to make this compromise and you still get to have the real festival experience.

Being able to come home after a day walking around, and maybe dancing, it’s a lot better to be able to sit on the sofa and relax while you kettle is on the boil than roll around in a tent trying to get comfy in the cold.

No Shared Facilities

As fun as a festival can be there are still a few aspects that are not really that desirable- mud, communal showers, portaloos..

There are some that feel using a public festival toilet is a bit of a ‘rights of passage’ for the festival goer, whereas others like me will avoid them like the plague. Having your own personal spotless mobile bathroom is the dream when going to a festival.

The shower situation is also not amazing as week long festivals, some actually opt to not shower for some reason. Being able to have a steaming hot shower when you want is worth its weight in gold when the warm water runs out by 9am.

Save A Ton By Using The Kitchen

Festival food always has the added premium attached to it because the promoters know that you have no choice but to eat and drink inside the venue’s grounds. So naturally the price for a burger, chips and beer has to be teetering around the £20 mark.

With your own fridge and freezer on board you are not beholden to the overpriced and frankly poor food on offer. You can eat like a king three times a day and spend £15 a head each day.

Oh, and you can keep the beers chilled too.

Sleep In Luxury

As much as I love laying on the floor or on a slightly deflated air bed with rain, dust and mud you just cannot beat a real bed inside an insulated, heated and air conditioned mobile dwelling.

Having your own bed elevated off of the floor is something I think we take for granted, so having a luxury memory foam bed while “camping”, for me, is absolutely the way forward.

Reasons Why Not To Take A Van

A festival event can attract tens of thousands of visitors, most of which have cars and vans and a lot of them do not care or understand what goes into towing a caravan in and out of a location like this. Due to this your rig can become a bit of a nightmare.

Despite all the great reasons there are a handful or bad reasons that I know will deter a tourer from using this form of accommodation for a festival stay.

Damage Worries

Not all festivals are as alcohol fuelled as the music ones but is it this type of get away that is attracting a lot more caravans and motorhome users. Once the last show has finished you can have hundreds and hundreds of slightly tipsy people marching back to camp ready to hit the hay.

Once the horde starts flowing through the caravans and motorhomes some accidents and damage may occur. This aspect is what I think puts a lot of more seasoned caravaners off of using their vans for this sort of thing.

The Mass Exodus

Despite someone I know having a very easy time getting in and out of the event it is very much not the norm.

I have visited lots of different festivals over the years and leaving in a car is always a nightmare, not to mention towing and needing to manoeuvre with hundreds of other cars all trying to squeeze out through a small funnelled exist.

This reason is why I would never take a caravan, ever. I would take a camper or a reasonable sized motorhome though as a lot of van sized vehicles are in these locations delivering goods and providing food and drink services.

So, Is It A Good Or Bad Idea?

There does seem to be a lot more positive reasons to take a leisure vehicle to a festival but it seems that the few negative ones may actually outweigh the good.

For me I would only take a rental that is covered by the insurance that the rental company provides. This way you remove any fear of third party damage that may occur when you’re away from the van or leaving in the mass rush.

I certainly wouldn’t take or recommend taking anything you have to tow unless you feel 100% comfortable with taking on the task.

Cumbria Tourism’s Park Of The Year Claim To Fame

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By William Coleman

Lakeland’s newly-crowned holiday park of the year in the Cumbria Tourism Awards 2019 can also claim a more historic title, according to recently discovered documents and publications.

They reveal that Castlerigg Hall Caravan and Camping Park in Keswick was possibly the location of Britain’s first ever permanent holiday park.

Park owner David Jackson said he was amazed when he found that the site had been providing holidays to Lake District lovers for at least 110 years.

He already knew that an enterprise called Derwent Holiday Camp had previously existed on land now owned by his park, but only recently learned of its long history.

It came about after he was contacted by a relative of the camp’s original owner, William Pattie, who was tracing his family tree and had unearthed a number of papers and photographs.

They showed that in 1909 the camp was offering stays in canvas bell tents, and provided toilets and a pavilion where guests could enjoy “recreation and dining with a liberal table”.

“This was clearly a permanent site offering holidays with accommodation, amenities and meals, and I know of no evidence that anything similar around or before that time,” said David.

“The camp was clearly very popular, but was forced by the government to close for one summer in 1917 for fear that German Zeppelin bombers would mistake it for an army camp.

“Sometime after its creation, the site went on to build small wooden dormitories in which guests could stay, and it’s been suggested that these were most likely groups of children.

“There was also a railway carriage offered for holidays, so we might also have claim to being the first park in Britain with glamping accommodation!” added David.

The Jacksons originally moved to Castlerigg Hall farm in 1938 when David’s grandfather, William, became its tenant, raising sheep and cattle.

He was succeeded by David’s parents, John and Betty, who purchased the land and began moving away from agriculture in favour of tourism.

In the early 1950s, the couple started to welcome campers, and as the park grew and developed they acquired – at the start of the 1970s – the adjacent Derwent Holiday Camp.

The bells tents were still in operation, and David says he recalls playing among their wooden flooring bases while the tents were being erected for the coming season.

His father went on to build three large wooden dormitories in the mid-1970s which eventually replaced the previous long-serving bell tents.

Today, David and his wife Jill have helped to make Castlerigg Hall one of the Lake District’s most highly regarded parks attracting visitors from across the UK and overseas.

Their achievements have been recognised by a raft of accolades, including the now prestigious 2019 park of the year award from Cumbria Tourism.

The park, with its spectacular Lakeland views, provides luxury holiday caravans for hire as well as pitches for tents, caravans and motorhomes, plus a range of eco-friendly glamping pods.

Its facilities include a first-class amenity building, a large shop with local specialities, the popular Gallery cafe, and plenty for children to enjoy.

More about Castlerigg Hall Caravan and Camping Park can be found at www.castlerigg.co.uk