See what’s cooking at the Motorhome & Caravan Show 2015

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by Joe Jeffrey

Find all your favourite TV presenters, celebrity chefs and more all under one roof at the Motorhome & Caravan Show 2015 between 13 – 18 October

It’s almost here. In just a few short days, tens of thousands of people will flock to the Motorhome & Caravan Show 2015 to check out all the latest offerings from leisure manufacturers across the UK and beyond.

The show, which takes place between 13 – 18 October at Birmingham’s NEC, promises to be the most popular yet, not just because of all of 2016’s caravans, motorhomes, static caravans, holiday homes, trailers and so much more on display, but because of the number of celebrities lined up to welcome you once you arrive.

From World Superbike champion and King of the Jungle, Carl Fogarty, to BBC Country File’s Matt Baker, as well as Julia Bradbury and cyclist Dave Sims, the show – sponsored by The Caravan Club and The Camping and Caravanning Club – will certainly see a number of household names come out in force to share in our passion of the great outdoors.

It doesn’t stop there though. And if, while you’re checking out the hundreds of exhibitors in attendance, your taste buds start to tingle it will certainly be for good reason, thanks to the vast number of celebrity chefs on hand to offer some culinary tips to help you cook up a treat on your next excursion. Those scheduled to attend include Sean Wilson, Ali Ray, Paul Da Costa-Greaves and ITV Lorraine’s Dean Edwards.

With so much to do and see, including a whole host of celebrities on hand, we’re certainly going to try and make the most of our time spent at the Motorhome & Caravans Show 2015 – what about you?

It’s still not too late to book your tickets, so what are you waiting for? Head on over to the official Motorhome & Caravan Show 2015 to grab your tickets now.

Launch of new inflatable awnings for campervans

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by Daniella Almeida

OLPRO have launched a range of inflatable campervan awnings

Difficult to use awnings will soon be a thing of the past as British outdoor leisure manufacturer, OLPRO, has just launched a pump up and peg out range of inflatable campervan awnings.

Campervan users will have the choice of choosing from three designs that are sure to fit any caravan, from a vintage VW to brand new campervan conversions (anything up to 230cm).

These awnings are completely freestanding so you no longer have to deal with the hassle of having to take them down every time you need to leave your campsite.

What’s more, these awnings are all lightweight and come equipped with an array of features including fully sewn-in groundsheets, zip up curtains on all windows, built-in canopies, storm straps, and their very own air pump and carry bag.

Of the range, the smallest is the Cubo Breeze which comes in a blue and grey colour. Only slightly bigger in size is the Loopo Breeze and the biggest of the three would be the Cocoon Breeze. The latter two awnings come in a choice of either the blue and grey colour or orange and grey.

These awnings range from £299.99 for the Cubo Breeze, £399.99 for the Loopo Breeze, and £599.99 for the Cocoon Breeze. The first two are currently on sale and can be purchased at a reduced price through the OLPRO website here.

Be quick to snatch one of these up for your campervan before your next holiday.

Leisure World welcomes Xplore, Elddis and Buccaneer caravans to its extensive portfolio

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by Joe Jeffrey

Leisure World Group adds Xplore, Elddis and Buccaneer caravans to its portfolio of tourers at Ebor Leisure World and Tyneside Leisure World sites

The Leisure World Group has announced it is adding Xplore, Elddis and Buccaneer caravans to its portfolio of tourers at two more of its sites, namely Ebor Leisure World at York and Tyneside Leisure World at Birtley.

The news of Leisure World’s range expansion comes following the announcement that its eight-acre Catterick Caravans branch in Richmond, North Yorkshire, has been officially awarded ‘Super Site’ status by Elddis which, as a result, will see every 2016 caravan from all three ranges on display.

The addition of further ranges of caravans, ranging in price from £13,024 to £30,499, from the great value, entry-level Xplore to the ultra-luxurious Buccaneer models gives the Leisure World Group one of the largest portfolios of caravans in the north of England, along with the Bailey, Coachman, Lunar, Sprite, Sterling, Swift and Venus models it also offers.

Matthew Kinsell, director of the family-owned Leisure World Group commented: “The Xplore, Elddis and Buccaneer models were received extremely well at our exclusive ‘Sneaky Peak’ 2016 preview, and this has given us confidence to roll out these great caravans across The Leisure World Group dealerships in the north east.”

Spencer Davies, national account manager at Elddis added: “We are delighted to have full representation at all three Leisure World branches and to appoint the Catterick Caravans branch as a Super Site with every single caravan model on display.

“The Leisure World Group’s confidence in Elddis and our industry-leading SoLiD Construction – combined with their strategy for growth – is both exciting and encouraging. Our partnership is going from strength to strength, and at a time when demand for our caravans is so high, gives customers in the region even greater access to our ranges,” Davies continued.

Have a look at this ingenious Irish pub on wheels

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by Daniella Almeida

A man from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland transformed a dilapidated caravan into a travelling Irish pub

The thought of a travelling pub is one of those ideas that scream brilliance but never really come to fruition. Well, that is, until now. 25-year-old Mark Mooney from Edendork, Co. Tyrone, in Northern Ireland, has transformed a broken-down caravan into a cosy Irish pub with enough room for 15 people inside.

Mooney came up with the idea to cross a caravan with a pub and created the genius ‘baravan’. The transformation took around three months to complete but the result is one cosy looking Irish pub named the Dungloe Baravan.

In regards to his brilliant idea, Mooney told BelfastLive.co.uk: “We have a mobile home in Mullaghmore in Co. Silgo and myself and friends we went down one weekend and brought a keg of beer.

“There was a squad of us down and we had a bit of a party and it just came to me,” he went on.

Mooney is a civil engineer and has been a fan of old Irish pubs and culture for the majority of his life and decided to create something out of this love.

After buying a miserable looking caravan from a local man, Mooney spent three months transforming it into his pub on wheels which he called “A cool wee thing, we are very happy with it.”

Mooney continued: “We have been working on it since the start of July and we have just got it finished and we are having the first night in it this Saturday. The bookings have already been coming in thick and fast, we have a wedding party next week and then a full wedding.

“It can seat 15 inside but the windows fold down to bars and with that, we have the capacity to serve up to 150 people. It is a full working bar inside and as long as we can have room outside, we can serve as many as we want.

“With a bit of music, it has a deadly atmosphere,” he finished.

The Dungloe Baravan functions solely as a private venue for special events or parties, celebrations, corporate launches, and weddings and no licence is required while provided drink is not charged.

For more information, email info@thedungloe.com or visit their FaceBook page here.

2016 Buccaneer Clipper range unveiled in new video

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by Joe Jeffrey

Take a ride on the Buccaneer Clipper tour in this latest video

The Buccaneer Clipper has been unveiled in a brand new video revealing what makes it one of the most luxurious caravans available for 2016.

At four berths, featuring two transverse single beds which retract during the day, as well as a comfortable seating area which transforms into another bedroom should it be required, the Clipper looks set to turn heads owing to numerous factors, including its one-piece GRP silver sides, sports alloy wheels, remote-controlled hydraulic automatic self-levelling system, and sheer size – at over 8ft wide, this certainly isn’t a caravan to be messed with.

Inside meanwhile, the Buccaneer Clipper sees improved 24-hour Alde central underfloor and water heating for those colder months, 40 litre onboard water tank, ‘Reno Walnut’ craftsman built cabinetry with chrome trim detail, luxurious granite effect deep worktops and much more, providing the feeling of being in a luxurious apartment instead of one’s home on wheels.

The abundance of space throughout the Clipper is certainly a selling point for those looking for lots more space as can be seen in the video and, with an OTR price of £31,394, may just be one to watch for the new season.

Take a look at the video above and let us know what you think.

All-new ALV motorhome range to be launched at Motorhome & Caravan Show 2015

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by Daniella Almeida

ALV to launch all-new motorhome range at Motorhome and Caravan Show 2015

Adventure Leisure Vehicles (ALV) have announced that they will be launching an all-new motorhome range at this year’s Motorhome and Caravan Show taking place starting next week from 13 – 18 October 2015.

The new range has been named the Silverline and is the first motorhome range the company has ever done, and will be based on the very sleek V-Line range from Auto-Trail.

However, with a number of enhancements carried out by the people who first brought the Airstream brand to Europe, the special edition Silverline range looks set to be in a league all of its own, with the end result looking to be a compact but comfortable motorhome complete with a fully equipped washroom and kitchen that can be driven on a standard driving licence.

Both the Silverline 610 and 620 will be priced at £59,800 which includes delivery charges, 12 months road fund license, number plates, pre-delivery inspection, valet, and first registration fee.

Those interested can view the Silverline 610 and 620 from this range at the Motorhome and Caravan Show, hosted at NEC Birmingham, along with other leisure vehicles ALV will be bringing along for the ride, including the Airstream 684, 604, and 534, Kip Shelter + and the new 2016 T@B 320 and 320 Off Road models.

Tickets for the Motorhome & Caravan Show 2015 can be purchased in advance from the show’s official website here or by entering our competition to win tickets here before noon tomorrow.

Take a sneak peek at the LEGO caravan looking to set a Guinness World Record at the Motorhome & Caravan Show 2015

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by Joe Jeffrey

Video reveals LEGO caravan ahead of next week’s NEC show

In less than one week the UK’s biggest leisure vehicle launch show, the Motorhome & Caravan Show 2015, will return to Birmingham’s NEC, and thousands upon thousands of caravanners, motorhomers and everybody in-between with a love for the great outdoors will arrive between 13 – 18 October to check out everything 2016 has to offer, including new models, new ranges and much more.

The show will be the only place where new 2016 models from leading brands will be displayed all under one roof to browse and buy this year. There will be every type of leisure vehicle, including caravans, motorhomes, campervans, trailer tents and folding caravans, luxury lodges and caravan holiday homes, not to mention campsites and destination ideas.

With so much to see courtesy of the 400 plus exhibitors in attendance, you’ll certainly be hard-pressed to fit everything in, but one thing you certainly
don’t want to miss is perhaps one of the most novel caravans you will be guaranteed to see during your time at the show.

At 10.45am on opening day in Hall 12, in a Guinness World Record attempt celebrating 130 years of leisure caravanning, ex-World Superbike Champion and King of the Jungle, Carl ‘Foggy’ Fogarty, and TV presenter and guest of The Caravan Club, Matt Baker, will reveal a life-size caravan made entirely of LEGO bricks.

The model will have a full interior with bed, running water, sink, and electric lights, taken more than 1,000 man hours to build and is based on a classic ‘teardrop’ shape T@B 320 RS caravan. Visitors will be able to see it side-by-side with a real T@B 320 RS caravan as part of an exciting feature area in Hall 12, with the model staying on-site until the show closes.

Check out a sneak peek of the LEGO caravan below and let us know if you’ll be checking it out at the show. Oh, and while we are on the subject, make sure you enter our competition to win tickets here.

Leisure Sales teams up with Swift for 2016 for Leisure Home range

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by Joe Jeffrey

Leisure Home range from Leisure Sales set to offer affordable luxury

Cheshire-based, family-operated Leisure Sales have teamed up with Swift to create an unique, exclusively-built luxury caravan range for 2016.

The company’s Leisure Home range was unveiled at Leisure Sales’ grand 2016 new model preview event last month, which showcased a new generation of exciting new models.

With a wide range of models to choose from, including two twin-axle layouts, the exclusive Leisure Home range comes with an array of additional equipment, bespoke fabric scheme and eye catching new graphics.

The exclusive list of items which helps identify the Leisure Home range include ATC fitted as standard, exclusive high-grade Brinkley furnishing scheme, panoramic sunroof, fixing bars for Thule Rear Mounted cycle rack, BBQ point, external mains point, external access door & much more.

Leisure Sales’ Natalie Wilson commented: “We’ve had a tremendous response to the new Leisure Home range. From the day of the launch the new Leisure Home range is proving to be a huge hit, with customers snapping up the brand new models without even previewing all the layouts.

“The whole package has been devised to offer customers the ultimate holiday experience, coupled with the highest specifications as standard and really does offer luxury at no extra cost – only available at Leisure Sales.”

For more information on the Leisure Sales range, visit their website here.

Swift enjoys successful start to 2016 season

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by Joe Jeffrey

Swift’s tourers, holiday homes and website all prove popular for 2016 season

Swift has had an impressive start to the new season, with orders for their 2016 ranges coming in thick and fast.

The news comes as Swift has announced the best sales performance in several years for the company’s touring caravans at the recent Lawns show in Cottingham, signifying an increase of 15 per cent when compared to the previous season.

Other notable successes include sales based upon the company’s presence at the Caravan Salon at Dusseldorf which saw tourer sales increase by over eight per cent on the previous season, as well as recruiting new dealers for its newly launched range of left hand drive motorhomes under the Toscane range.

Moving into Scandinavia, Swift exhibited at the recent Motorhome show in Elmia, Sweden for the first time in many years and enjoyed impressive success with sales climbing well into double figures, whilst establishing a total of nine new dealers geographically located in the country.

It’s not just caravans that are providing popular though, with a sizeable order for Swift’s 2016 holiday homes being placed by one of the UK’s national park operators, as well as an increased surge in visitors to Swift’s website.

Group commercial director, Nick Page, said: “The fantastic start we have had to the year is testament to the very strong and robust product lineup we have for 2016. Feedback has been extremely positive and customers have been drawn to our products through the fact they are great value for money, feature packed and have a number of exclusives such as the ultra comfortable Duvalay mattress – now featured as standard in all Swift Group Holiday Homes which has been fitted with in all fixed bed Swift Group Caravans and Motorhomes models over the last few years with resounding success.

“The strong website and Social Media performance illustrates more customers are coming into the industry for the first time or returning to it, and this bodes well for the season and forthcoming shows such as the Motorhome and Caravan show at the NEC in October.”

Inside the world’s newest, most luxurious motorhome, the American Eagle

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by Joe Jeffrey

New 45ft American Eagle RV comes complete with everything you’d need to live life of luxury on wheels

Recreational Vehicle manufacturers, American Coach, have unveiled their brand new motorhome for 2016, and we’re rather jealous.

The massive American Eagle motorhome, retailing at a cool $700,000 (approximately £462,000), provides plenty of bang for your buck, resembling something more like a luxurious hotel room on wheels than a motorhome seen on someone’s driveway.

Featuring a spacious living room, full kitchen and comfortable bedroom, three televisions, two full domestic couches, and a full-size amazon-style shower, the American Eagle also comes with amenities not found inside most motorhomes, including washing machine, dishwasher, full-size fridge and one and a half bathrooms.

The luxury doesn’t stop there though, and the American Eagle certainly lives up to its price tag, exuding pure luxury and comfort throughout.

Additional finer touches include meticulously handcrafted premium components including solid radius hardwood cabinetry and polished porcelain tiles, oversized high-back sofas with adjustable headrests, 48″ LED HDTV and Sony Home Theater System with Bose speakers, Serenity Max Series beds offers individually adjustable sections and a relaxing head and foot massage feature and much more.

At 45ft in length, the American Eagle is probably not for everyone; in some states in the US, an upgraded driving licence is required in order to drive one – oh, and then there’s always the price!

Take a tour of the American Eagle in all its glory in our forums by clicking here, and make sure you check out the video below.

Oops! ‘Ultimate Road Trip’ tourism video shows motorhome driving on the wrong side of the road

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by Daniella Almeida

Promotional road trip video from New Zealand shows motorhome driving on the wrong side of the road

The official tourism board of New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand, has released an ‘Ultimate Road Trip’ video with a twist – with footage revealing a motorhome driving on the wrong side of the road.

The promotional video, which is five minutes minutes in length and features a motorhome driving through a gorgeous, scenic location, shows the home on wheels driving down a South Island highway whilst in the right-hand lane.

The film, produced by Team Supertramp and filmed by Devin Graham, an American videographer, was commissioned by Tourism New Zealand.

Spokesperson for Tourism New Zealand, Deborah Gray, has since spoken out about the mistake saying that the organisation is working as fast as it can to fix the error.

Gray said: “Tourism New Zealand is taking all steps it can to keep visitors safe on our roads so are extremely disappointed in this oversight.

“The drivers are in fact driving on the correct side, but the image has been flipped,” she finished, citing the error to a problem with video editing.

To make matters slightly more embarrassing, this mistake comes just weeks after the organisation released a safety video for tourists planning to drive in the country.

Following a spike in crashes involving travellers in August, the tourism industry along with the Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key, took to introducing a ‘code of practice’ for preparing visitors for driving in the country.

After a mistake like this, it looks like they need to watch their safety video themselves.

This film had more than 300,000 views on YouTube until it was removed by the company for their blunder, but luckily for you, you can watch a short clip below.

Camping and Caravanning Club and Thetford collaborate to make waste disposal easier

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by Joe Jeffrey

New Thetford machine could eradicate the most annoying aspect of caravanning and motorhoming

The trial of a new device, set to revolutionise the way in which waste from cassette toilets in caravans and motorhomes is disposed of, is set to begin.

In a collaboration between outdoor equipment manufacturer Thetford and The Camping and Caravanning Club, caravanners and motorhomers will simply be able to insert their toilet cassette system into a Thetford-designed machine and allow the machine to do all the dirty work for them in just a few minutes.

Easy and straight forward to use, all that is required is for the user to insert the cassette toilet into the machine, turn the outlet pipe and remove the cap. The machine will then empty, rinse and dose the cassette with toilet chemicals, enabling a squeaky clean cassette to be reused in next to no time. To ensure ultimate freshness, two-litres of water will be added to a dose of Thetford Aqua Kem Blue to dilute the product.

The trial, which will take place at The Camping and Caravanning Club‘s Kingsbury Waterpark Site from 12 – 18 October to coincide with the Motorhome & Caravan Show 2015 at the Birmingham NEC during 13-18 October, will be free to visitors of the site, although a charge will be applied should the idea take off and the machine is rolled out to caravan parks across the UK.

In Holland, where a trial has seen the machine rolled out across ten campsites, the cost for a single use is 3.50 Euros (approximately £2.50).

Bob Hill, Club Sites director, said, “We’re keen supporters of new developments in campsite technology, so we’re excited to see what kind of response the machine generates from our members.”

Paul Martin, Thetford commercial executive, said, “We’re delighted to partner with The Camping and Caravanning Club for this exclusive UK first trial of our machine. The response has been hugely positive from ongoing trials in Holland, and we’re confident it will be received just as well here in the UK.”

What do you think? Is this something you’d use or do you think you’d pooh-pooh the idea?