Nick’s News – Nick Harding is an expert in all things motorhomes, caravans and camping. Each week, Nick explores products, locations, holiday ideas and essential community information on our behalf – It’s a Hard-ing Life for Nick, but here is what he found this week.
My week
Well, the Erwin Hymer Group UK (that’s Elddis, Compass, Buccaneer and Xplore) 2022 preview last week was quite interesting… but there’s a mid-August embargo on any new model news. What I can tell you, though, is there’s been significant investment by its Erwin Hymer Group parent company – and that’s great news in terms of confidence in its UK operation, not least for job security for its workforce.
This week’s trip out is to Coachman to see its caravans for the season ahead, but there’s likely to be a similar embargo.
In the news
The show goes on – in Germany
Our own industry showcase event, originally scheduled for October at Birmingham’s NEC, may have been postponed, but there is still a Europe-wide event, of sorts.
The organisers of Caravan Salon, Europe’s largest motorhome and caravan show, say they’re going ahead with a “hybrid” offer at its Dusseldorf, Germany venue – combining a live event with virtual experiences.
There will also be a matchmaking tool which enables potential buyers to introduce themselves to manufacturers and retailers, with a view to ending up with an actual meeting at the show itself.
That’s if we’re allowed to go to Germany by that point, of course. Caravan Salon is scheduled to run from August 28th to September 5th.
Working from (motor)home? 
A new twist on the theme of working from home has been announced by German manufacturer Sunlight, part of the Erwin Hymer Group.
Its Home Office on Wheels project means you really can take your work with you wherever you go. OK, some will love that idea, others may not be quite so keen…
Sunlight calls it digital nomadism. Very much a concept at this stage – and, of course, quite a few folk have tried similar things in the past, I – for one – am definitely interested.
Sunlight’s project sees the fitting of a modular system comprising a folding desktop, complete with computer monitor, plus suitable storage space, and more.
If you’re going to have an office on wheels, I have to say the seat (especially) and desk must be designed for such uses, for starters. Add in full connectivity and, er, you’re away!
Motorhome for me
Niesmann+Bischoff iSmove 7.3F – top of the class
This is a serious motorhome. But we’re also talking serious money. If the £91,500 starting price isn’t enough to make your eyes water, the optional extras listings certainly will (hint: expect to end up paying at least £110,000). The iSmove 7.3F is a 7m-long A-class from Germany’s Niesmann + Bischoff and it really is the business, in all senses. This is a manufacturer that doesn’t do cheap and, with the iSmove, definitely tries to do it differently.
It’s also very exclusive. Still, if you’re going to go to all the effort of specifying exactly what you want, you’ll surely find any wait is more than worthwhile.
OK, it all sounds straightforward enough – a rear island bed floorplan on Fiat Ducato/Al-Ko chassis running gear, but then you can easily get carried away with the bespoke nature of the N+B way of making its motorhomes.
What more can I say? Go and see for yourselves, when you can.
Three good: Build quality, style/presence
Two bad: Phew it’s pricey, so are the options
Perfect for: Grand touring
Also consider: Carthago Chic e-line I
Gadget envy
Time to break out the barbie?
Fancy a new barbecue? There’s plenty to choose from. I really like the look of the little new Attitude model from Campingaz. Truly portable, the 2go CV uses small gas canisters but nevertheless has a cast-iron cooking area that reaches temperatures up to 250 degrees C and reckons it’s large enough to cater for up to six people.
Not exactly a barbecue, but if you really do want to create some gadget envy, how about the new FirePit from BioLite. It’s not cheap, but it’s a portable unit that cooks using charcoal or wood as its fuel. It also replicates a campfire and comes complete with a fan and flames that can be adjusted via an app. Neat, eh?
Almost exactly midway in price between the above two (it’s around the £150 mark) is the Primus Kamoto OpenFire Pit. Again, it’s an open fire design but burns charcoal or logs and is equally adept at barbecuing.
