Caravan & Motorhome Show guide goes live ahead of Manchester show

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by Joe Jeffrey

Plan your visit now with Caravan & Motorhome Show guide

The countdown has begun and this Thursday (21 January) sees the grand opening of the Caravan & Motorhome Show 2016, due to be held at Manchester’s EventCity.

And now, to help you plan your visit, show organisers have released an online show guide preview so you don’t miss a thing.

The show promises to present a huge choice of the latest model caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes on display from over 200 exhibitors, as well as savings on essential season products and accessories, live shows, and plenty of inspiration to help you build your next holiday.

A number of new launches are also set to take place during the week, including the launch of the all-new 2016 Hymer ML-T 580 4×4 Edition, and the Terrier LUX-XL campervan.

There’ll be plenty more to see and do too, courtesy of exciting exhibits including the Back to Nature stage where you will be able to pick up great ideas for exploring the best of the British countryside in your caravan or motorhome, towing master classes, live shows and much more.

That’s not all though, and some topnotch special guests will also be on hand including TV presenter and New York Times bestselling author, Simon Reeve, TV and radio presenter, Katy Hill, and extreme sportsman and ambassador for Swift, Neil Greentree.

To access the guide and to plan your time at the show, click here.

Advance ticket sales are now open and can be purchased before 9pm on Wednesday 20 January, so if you’re looking for discount tickets, click here now. Alternatively, you can turn up on the day and get tickets at the on-site box office.

Proposed new drink and drug driving laws supported by motorist organisation

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by Joe Jeffrey

GEM calls for greater consistency in sentencing drink and drug drivers as new laws are proposed

Road Safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist has praised proposed government plans to charge any drink and drug drivers with manslaughter if they kill someone in a crash.

The move, reported over the weekend, is part of a proposed shake-up of criminal justice after MPs demanded harsher and more consistent sentencing of offenders.

The proposed new guidelines would involve greater use of the manslaughter charge, meaning that drink or drug drivers who kill someone in a collision could face life in prison.

At present, the highest sentence for death by careless driving under the influence is 14 years, increased from ten years in 2004. Causing death by dangerous driving can also lead to a sentence of 14 years.

GEM chief executive David Williams MBE said: “GEM has long been calling for greater consistency in sentencing, particularly in drink driving, where it is vital to send a strong message. The present reliance on individual judges to be either harsh or lenient with offenders is entirely inappropriate.”

“The act of driving a vehicle while intoxicated is serious enough in itself,” Williams continued. “If that then results in the death of someone unfortunate enough to be in that driver’s way, then we believe a manslaughter charge is right. This, we hope, should act as a strong deterrent to anyone willing to risk driving after taking alcohol or drugs.”

Powrtouch Evolution caravan mover voted Accessory of the Year in CaravanTimes Awards

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by Joe Jeffrey

Powrtouch Evolution grabs 35.8 per cent of vote share in Awards

To say the CaravanTimes Caravan & Motorhome Awards 2015 were a bit of a battle would be an understatement. And the Accessory of the Year category was no exception.

The Awards, which saw you – our readers – determining an eventual winner in each category, saw the largest number of votes we’ve ever received, along with the largest prize giveaway we’ve ever provided for Award purposes and it just goes to show the caravan community has no qualms when it comes to saying what we like and what we don’t.

The contenders for Accessory of the Year for 2015 were all worthy, but there could only be one winner. In reverse order, and in third place, came Outdoor Revolution Inflatable Awnings garnering 13.2 per cent of votes. Following on from this, and in second place, Alde’s Smart Control came up trumps, receiving 17.6 per cent of the voting pie. There could only be one winner though, and the accolade went to the Powrtouch Evolution caravan mover with a whopping 35.8 per cent of votes.

Designed and developed in the UK, the Powrtouch Evolution is said to make extensive use of lightweight alloy materials and an efficient gearbox, whilst ensuring a smooth roll and tight grip thanks to its innovative dynamic roller location mechanism and much more. And, that said, it certainly looks like a popular choice for when it comes to pitching up.

To take a look at a more comprehensive detailed breakdown of this category and others featured in this year’s Awards, visit our forum by clicking here.

Meanwhile check out a video of the time we pitted our biggest CravanTimes man-beast against the Powrtouch Evolution caravan mover here.

Caravan park sees £1m of damage caused by floods

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Caravans wrecked to the tune of £1m in recent Christmas floods as video footage emerges

The owner of a caravan park in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, has said more than £1 million worth of caravans were destroyed in the recent floods.

Gordon Bruce, owner of Ballater Caravan Park in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, said 60 caravans were wrecked and 40 more had gone missing following the River Dee bursting its banks.

Bruce went on to describe how the toilet and shower facilities were also facing reparation with costs estimated to be in the region of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

He said: “There are around 60 caravans which have been destroyed.

“Around 40 are still in different parts of the River Dee – up banks and even in trees. We have more or less got a count of all of the owners of the caravans.”

Bruce added: “We have a lot of very big decisions to make to get up and running again.

“We have been in discussions with Aberdeenshire Council and other officials.

“The amount of damage is massive.

“It will be more than £1m worth of caravans that have been lost.

“And we are still costing the damage to the caravan park but it will be hundreds of thousands of pounds worth.”

Although most of the caravans destroyed were static, the touring section of the park, which is made up of 72 hard-standing and grass pitches was also hit hard, but it is hoped this section of the park will open later this year.

Take a look at the video below to check outage devastation caused by the flooding within the Ballater area and let us know your thoughts.

COMPETITION: Win tickets to the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show 2016

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by Joe Jeffrey

Win one of ten pairs of tickets to the greatest show Scotland has ever seen

It’s a firm fixture on the calendar for caravan and outdoor enthusiasts and the great Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show is set to make a welcome return to the SECC, Glasgow from the 4 to 7 February.

Visitors can look forward to exploring the very latest models on the market in one destination with all the popular touring models on display plus an impressive range of holiday homes and luxury lodges. With all the major dealers present, visitors can take advantage of some fantastic show only offers.

There will be a number of holiday parks on hand so that visitors can discover the beautiful sites available across the UK, and both The Caravan Club and The Camping & Caravanning Club will be offering advice on the best options for your next break away.

This year the show will not only take over the entire SECC complex but includes an additional external marquee area where leading outdoor company PJ Outdoors will be showcasing a selection of 2016 tents from Vango, Outwell and Kampa.

Furthermore, motorhome retailer BC Motorhomes and Leisure will return as headline sponsor following their success at the show last February and will be showcasing their widest selection of vehicles to date. The sponsor will also be offering visitors the chance to win a motorhome for a year.

With an increasing number of families visiting there will be plenty to make sure the kids are entertained with free face painting, balloon modelling and an exciting new treasure hunt to find show mascot Beepy.

Other highlights include:

– Knaus will be bringing their UK spec Caravans to the show, offering visitors the first opportunity to see the models in Scotland
– Pathfinder will be bringing it’s very own grand design, Sunrise to the show – with a curved eco roof and luxurious interiors throughout
– New Family Camping area from PJ Outdoors showcasing a range of family tents from Vango, Outwell and Kampa and camping accessories
– Adventure Leisure Vehicles will be showcasing their latest models
– Go-Pods will be showcasing their 2 berth micro tourer caravans. Light enough to tow with even a small engined car & easily stored inside most garages
– More Caravans and Motorhomes on display than ever from all the major manufacturers and dealers
– Free caravan towing and motorhome manoeuvring sessions courtesy of The Caravan Club
– Free fun activities for children
– Farmers market

Tickets are on sale here now, but to try your luck and win your own pair for free, simply like our Facebook page here and complete the form below. Oh, and remember to check our weekly electronic newsletter on 29 January to see if you’ve won!

Good luck!

Competition rules:
The lucky winners will be picked at random at midday on 29 January 2016 and will be notified via the email address supplied in the entry form
Only one entry per person
No purchase necessary
No cash or alternative will be offered
This competition is open to new or existing CaravanTimes members and Facebook fans only
No employees of CaravanTimes or StantonPace Ltd may enter
The competition is open to UK residents aged 18 and over

The Caravan Club launches its Great Savings Guide 2016

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by Joe Jeffrey

Find out how you can bag yourself a bargain below

The Caravan Club’s 2016 edition of the Great Savings Guide, sponsored by Mitsubishi Motors, has been launched.

The guide, exclusively available to Caravan Club members, is full of money-saving offers for exciting attractions throughout the UK and Ireland, including historic castles, museums, galleries and wildlife parks – offering plenty to see and do for everyone.

A number of great offers feature throughout the guide for 2016, including two-for-one entry to the famous Roman Baths in Somerset, providing visitors the opportunity to explore the remains of the finest Roman religious spa in Northern Europe. Additionally, there’s two-for-one fun to be had at South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria, as well as at the famous Ripley’s Believe it or Not! visitor attraction in London.

Discounts include ten per cent off a Tree Top Adventure at Go Ape’s various activity locations, where you and the family can tackle exciting Tarzan swings and zip wires, great for keeping your little monkeys entertained! Other discounts include money off activities including laser games, site seeing tours and even swimming lessons.

Caravan Club members can order a FREE Great Savings Guide from our Club shop by clicking here now.

Shield Total Insurance launches new caravan selector tool

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by Joe Jeffrey

Intuitive new caravan and motorhome tool from Shield Total Insurance set to make things a lot easier

Caravan and motorhome insurance specialist, Shield Total Insurance, has announced the launch of its new Caravan Selector tool. The resource, the insurance company says, is the most comprehensive and complete online tool available, providing all the latest information around the 2016 ranges, and sits within Shield’s growing information hub for UK caravan and motorhome owners and enthusiasts.

The tool can be used to compare all new caravan models on the market today, allowing users to browse nearly 280 models from their favourite manufacturers and gather all the information needed to find the new caravan that best suits them.
Visitors can select their ideal berth, length and weight and choose their preferred manufacturers, from Adria through to Weinsberg.

The search results provide a wealth of helpful information including price, floor plans, dimensions, as well as indicative annual insurance premium.

With new models ranging in price from £10,595 to £31,394, sleeping between 2 and 7 people, and containing a range of improved and updated layouts and features, the tool can help create a shortlist of models according to your specific needs and requirements.

Stuart Craig, Shield Total Insurance marketing manager, said: “Now leisure vehicle enthusiasts can get all the information they need to find their perfect new caravan at the click of a button.

“We’ll be gathering and increasing the number of models as they are released , so the tool will always hold the most up to date information and latest model releases – we’re excited about the potential this resource holds for the UK caravanning community.”

To check out the Caravan Selector tool, click here.

Aguri announces world’s first Android sat nav

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by Joe Jeffrey

Aguri Motorhome & Caravan RV700 DVR LIVE comes packed with feature after feature

Sat nav experts Aguri have announced an all new portable navigation system for caravans and motorhomes, featuring built-in Wi-Fi and – in what is a world first – powered by Android OS.

As well as incorporating satellite navigation software specific for motorhomes and caravans, the Aguri Motorhome & Caravan RV700 DVR LIVE will offer users the opportunity to download apps from the Google Play Store and browse the internet as a result of the introduction of an Android-based power system.

The high resolution 7″ screen should also certainly come in handy, whilst the free lifetime maps and speed trap updates makes this a serious option to consider when looking to buy your next sat nav device.

The Aguri Motorhome & Caravan RV700 DVR LIVE has been touted as the manufacturer’s’s most advanced sat nav to date, combining Aguri’s specialist motorhome and caravan routing software with the very latest connected technology and built-in DVR dash cam.

Aside from those listed above, other key features include the listings of over 30,000 campsites and motorhome stopover locations across Europe, including many from the Camping & Caravanning Club, Caravan Club, ACSI, Bordatlas, Camperstop and more, as well as Junction View and Lane View, essentially allowing for an advanced visual warning when approaching major intersections and junctions and to keep in lane.

A spokesperson for Aguri said: “We are really excited about this unique and innovative development in Motorhome & Caravan navigation that offers functionality that drivers who spend a lot of time on the road, will genuinely benefit from.”

To find out more about the Aguri Motorhome & Caravan RV700 DVR LIVE, click here now.

Snow and ice warning for UK as temperatures drop to minus 7

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by Joe Jeffrey

Colder weather predicted as snow heads east

Parts of the UK remain on high alert this week as temperatures continue to plummet in a sure sign that winter is here to stay.

With the cold snap, snow has fallen across the Borders, Pennines, Wales and the Midlands, with temperatures dropping as low as minus 7C in northern Scotland.

A mixture of rain and sleet, as well as snow, will continue to spread further to the east across England and Wales, eventually reaching the east coast tonight, with some lower ground receiving heavy bursts.

Cold and strong winds, with North Sea coastal counties predicted to play host to gales of up to 55mph, are also forecast, with the effects of scattered winter showers continuing into Friday.

The fall in temperature has prompted health chiefs to issue warnings to elderly residents across the country, advising those most vulnerable to have the flu jab and ensure homes are kept warm. The advice follows a stark rise in winter deaths last year, rising to 151 per cent which, according to official figures, saw almost 44,000 deaths in England and Wales between December 2014 and March 2015.

Public Health England’s Dr Angie Bone said: “It’s so important to remember that cold does kill, even in places where the temperatures aren’t at their lowest.

“Most of our advice at PHE on keeping warm in cold weather may seem like common sense but people should think about how the cold weather can affect them.”

The weekend looks set to allow for the cold snap to continue, with temperatures plummeting even further and mercury is predicted to fall as low as minus 15C in some parts of the UK – the lowest temperatures recorded in the UK since 2012, when it fell to minus 15.C at Holbeach in Lincolnshire.

Meanwhile, motorists have been warned of difficult driving conditions and travel disruption.

How’s the weather where you are at present? Join in with our Snow Watch topic in our forum here for all the latest updates from our readers.

Whale’s unique underfloor gas and electric water heater highly commended in National Caravan Awards 2016

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by Joe Jeffrey

Whale scoops commendation thanks to innovative contribution to leisure industry

Whale’s unique expanse underfloor gas and electric water heater has been highly commended in the Innovation category of The National Caravan Awards 2016.

The Innovation award, which recognises excellence in components within the framework of innovation as a development area that is crucial to the future of the caravan industry, saw the Whale system recognised for making a major contribution to caravan product development.

Identified as offering a unique, complete underfloor water and space heating system, all wirelessly controlled by a full colour touchscreen control panel providing more heat, more space and more control, Whale’s water and space heaters are both fitted underfloor to maximise living and storage space inside the vehicle. The unique RV heating system delivers what Whale claims to be the fastest water heat up time and highest heat output to date, supplying a total system power of 7kW.

Whale’s underfloor gas and electric water heater gives leisure vehicle owners the freedom to heat space and heat water together, or heat space only or heat water only, with the extremely intuitive iVan also offering owners the ability to select the power source that suits, namely electric, gas or boost. The iVan Control Panel features simple icons and easy navigation to ensure that controlling the water and space heater and water pump is easier than ever before.

The wide range of power settings also allows users to select the optimal heat output that’s right for them, providing the user with an option of choosing low gas consumption, running on electric or running on both or maximum heat output. The new iVan control panel also incorporates an integrated master switch, interior light switch and awning light switch, all from one central location, as well as also allowing the user to set up to three timers per heater, per day for ultimate comfort.

Mark Walmsley, Whale’s commercial director RV said of the recognition received: “The Whale team is excited to be recognised by the National Caravan Awards, 2016 in the Innovation Category.

“Our design ethos at Whale is to strive to offer the most innovative RV heating systems possible. Expanse is a unique and exciting product in its own right, however by creating innovative products designed to work together we are able to deliver a revolutionary new heating package. The industry’s first under vehicle gas and electric water and space heating system.

“Whale offers the van user, more space, faster water heat up, more heat and the highest level of control in Whale’s history!”

Luxurious £150,000 Morelo Palace motorhome set to impress at this years Caravan & Motorhome Show

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by Joe Jeffrey

Most expensive motorhome Caravan & Motorhome Show has ever seen set to debut

Premium Motorhomes is set to add a touch of luxury to the Caravan & Motorhome Show 2016 this year as they showcase the stunning Morelo Palace 90G – a behemoth of a leisure vehicle with a price to match.

Not only does Morelo Palace 90G have a built-in garage, but also features a panoramic skylight and windows which give a clear view of the surroundings so you can immerse yourself in the great outdoors, as well as a premium roof and walls for super insulation.

The kitchen will come with state-of-the-art features including a Nespresso machine, gas oven with grill, scratch resistant countertop and domestic AES refrigerator with freezer and vegetable compartments, whilst the bathroom has a separate real glass shower with large showerhead.

The bedroom, meanwhile looks equally set to impress, with a detached medium bed with remaining space for two closets.

Mathew Herzberg, managing director of Premium Motorhomes, said: “We can’t wait to bring the Morelo Palace 90G to The Caravan & Motorhome Show 2016 for everyone to see and be inspired by its luxurious and stylish features. Also on our stand is the Carthago c-line 5.0 and Weinsberg range.”

Rob Debenham, show manager at the Caravan & Motorhome Show 2016 said: “We are really excited for the Morelo Palace 90G to be coming to the show. It will be the most expensive motorhome we have ever had and it is sure to go down a storm with visitors”

The Morelo Palace 90G will be on stand 3-80 at the show.

The box office is now open for the Caravan & Motorhome Show which takes place at Manchester’s EventCity between 21 and 24 January. To get your tickets, click here.

The Caravan Club’s Tourer Explorer initiative donates to Fields in Trust

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by Joe Jeffrey

Ten per cent of Tourer Explorer profits passed to worthy charity

The Caravan Club has donated proceeds from sales of merchandise from its Tourer Explorer fun family initiative to Fields in Trust in order to help fund the charity’s wonderful work to help preserve outdoor spaces.

A cheque for ten per cent of the profits made from the sale of Tourer Explorer goodies, including soft toys, key rings and games, was presented to the charity by The Caravan Club’s director general, Nick Lomas, in a bid to help Fields in Trust continue to work to protect open spaces for sport and recreation in cities and towns.

The 90-year-old charity helps protect over 2,400 sites across the UK, working to keep spaces open for many to enjoy and partnered up with The Caravan Club in May last year.

Lomas said: “We are delighted that, from the sale of Tourer Explorer merchandise, we have been able to raise funds to support Fields in Trust.

“We recognise, just like Fields in Trust do, the importance of outdoor spaces for families of all ages to enjoy together, for fitness, fun and relaxing time together.”

Tourer Explorer is a fun family initiative from the Caravan Club with the aim to help get children and their families enjoying the great outdoors together while holidaying with the Club.

Encouraging wholesome family time, the initiative provides activities for kids including treasure trails in search of the Caravan Club geocache, activity pack challenges to win rewards and much more to help them remember their stay.