The best places to take your caravan in the UK this winter

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On the face of it, winter touring seems a bit daunting. Short days, cold weather and dangerous driving conditions all sound off-putting. However, maintaining your leisure vehicle’s health, cheaper rates at caravan sites and the opportunity to visit some of the UK’s most beautiful spots without the bustling summer crowd are good enough reasons for us to hit the road.

Luckily, caravan specialists, Ropers, have rounded up the best places you can head off to this winter. The list features some of the UK’s most scenic destinations, stunning coastlines, beautiful countryside and picturesque villages – this is, perhaps, the ultimate opportunity to get your Christmas card photos sorted for the foreseeable future. Let’s just hope for some snow!

Devon

The south-west corner of England is renowned for its beauty and, come winter-time, it often becomes the perfect getaway spot. Not only does it boast some of the most idyllic beaches and coastline in the country, but Devon is also home to quaint and magical villages, harbour towns and sheltered coves. 

Dartmoor is a must when it comes to touring in Devon. The national park’s rugged landscape and time-worn castles attract visitors from across the world. On top of that, Devonians are renowned for their rich food and drink culture and it might interest you to know the oldest working gin distillery in the world lies within the county. If sampling cream tea and having the choice between two different coastlines sounds like a bit of you, then Devon could be your perfect winter destination.

Cornwall

When you think of Cornwall, pictures of sandy beaches probably come straight to mind. You’d be brave to take the surfboard out across the British winter months, although a refreshing dip in the Atlantic isn’t completely out of the question. However, there’s far more to Cornwall than the coastline.

Take in some Cornish culture at the iconic Tate St Ives gallery, where you can see the work of renowned British artists. Newquay is known for the beauty of Fistral and Watergate Bay beaches, which are perfect for long walks with the family – just don’t forget the brolly! Cornwall is home to plenty of delicacies, such as world-famous pasties, Cornish Yarg cheese and pilchards, which have been fished locally since the 18th century.

The Lake District

Turning our attention to a destination that is far more likely to get snowfall, we’re heading north. Rugged terrain, tranquil lakes and bustling market towns make the Lake District a winter destination straight from the movies. We can’t think of many getaways that can provide better scenery and you might be inclined to photograph the snowy peaks, or head along popular walking trails like Aira Force, Rydal Water and Catbells to soak up the winter sun.

Cumbrian heritage and culture is rich and vibrant. There are plenty of opportunities to visit historic houses, museums and art galleries, as well as The Lakes Aquarium in Newby Bridge, where you can catch a glimpse of piranhas and otters. The Lake District sees lots of winter events each year, including Christmas markets and light switch-ons, making it a perfect destination for a chilly adventure.

Photo credit: Erik Mclean / Pexels

5 reasons to keep using your caravan or motorhome through the winter

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Dan Cartwright has over 12 years of experience in the caravan and motorhome industry. He is a judge for a number of prestigious leisure vehicle awards and regularly heads off in his motorhome with his family. Every week, Dan shares his insights with the community. Here’s what he has to say this week.

At this time of the year, caravan and motorhome publications are full of ways to winterize your leisure vehicle, but it can often feel like a very one-sided argument. Realistically, there are plenty of reasons to get on the road in the winter period. 

So, don’t shove your caravan or motorhome into storage and certainly don’t leave it on the driveway and then lose the keys. Instead, here are five very good reasons why you should use your leisure vehicle for long or short breaks and fun getaways over the colder months.

Caravans get lonely too

Don’t be selfish, it’s not all about you! Think about your poor leisure vehicle, spending its days alone in the cold while we all get together to drink wine and eat festive foods. Well, that’s not exactly true, but in a vehicle sense, it’s really good for them to be used.

Getting out and about in your caravan or motorhome will help to keep it maintained throughout the winter. It will prevent the buildup of dampness, which can be especially disastrous when soft furnishings meet unusual changes in temperature, pressure and humidity. Also, using your leisure vehicle will stop rubber pipes from corroding and avoid tyres from going flat. Your battery will stay charged all year round if you keep using it. So, let the air flow around your motorhome and make sure it’s in good shape!

Site availability

We all have certain sites we want to try, which are bustling during the typical holiday periods and warmer weather. On top of that, I’m sure lots of us are already thinking about where to head off to next year. Shall we book now? No!

Take the opportunity this winter, at a moment’s notice and when sites have plenty of availability, to book yourself into some of the sites you’ve been keeping an eye on. This way, you won’t have to commit to a long summer holiday and risk not enjoying it. The amount of availability in the winter makes things quick and easy. Bear in mind, as the cost of living crisis continues in the UK, we’re expecting campsites to be a lot busier, so get ahead of the crowd and try before you buy.

They’re designed for this!

Just about every modern caravan has been put through a rigorous Grade 3 NCC test, which involves taking the chamber down to -15 degrees C and timing how long it takes to reach 20 degrees C across all 4 corners of the vehicle, evenly. Current insulation technologies mean this usually takes under two hours. I’ve witnessed loads of these tests in person and the thermal ability of caravans and motorhomes is amazing! So, if you’re worried about being cold – don’t be!

Winter sports

Given the current financial climate, not many of us will be looking to blow the bank on a trip to the Alps this winter. But not to worry – you can enjoy winter sports this year from your leisure vehicle. In particular, Scotland has some amazing sites geared for this exact purpose, with drying rooms, ski storage and other great facilities.

If the weather doesn’t turn out how you expected, or there’s no snow on the ground, consider heading to an artificial snow centre or dry slope. Often enough, these places have amazing deals where they might seem very expensive for a single session, but work out to be very cheap for a whole day. This winter, you can hit the slopes in Castleford before heading to an après-ski in Pontefract with your caravan or motorhome.

The money argument

With the ongoing cost of living crisis and soaring energy bills, it probably works out cheaper to spend the night on a site in your leisure vehicle than it would be at home. There’s a much smaller area to heat up and less energy required to do so. Any energy you buy is at a fixed rate from the campsite supplier and, as mentioned, caravans and motorhomes are thermally efficient. So, if you’re considering having to heat a huge house with old windows, don’t bother. Get out in your leisure vehicle and spend your savings on a nice, inflation-busting meal.

We all know hardcores are walking amongst us. Those people who will cook a full turkey dinner for six in their motorhome each year, and swear by it. We’re not saying you need to take it this far, but do consider using it over the winter period for the benefit of yourself, your leisure vehicle and your wallet.

Tips to stay awake at the wheel

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Longer nights and colder temperatures can make it easier for motorists to become drowsy at the wheel. This can lead to unfortunate injuries or potentially fatal consequences.

If you’re embarking on a touring trip in your caravan or motorhome in the coming months, it’s important to know how to spot signs of tiredness and take action for the safety of yourself, your passengers and other road users.

The team at Watermans, a legal firm specialising in personal injury, have put together a list of tips to help you stay alert behind the wheel. John Dillon, head of dispute resolution at Watermans, commented:

“There are many reasons for which you may suddenly feel sleepy, from sentiments of stress to driving for long periods of time. Whatever the motive, stay away from the roads to keep everyone safe, as the consequences of drowsy driving could be life-changing.”

Choose the time of your journey wisely

Avoiding long road trips between midnight and 6am can help to reduce sleepiness when driving, as these are the hours of the day when our body clock naturally dips and tells us it’s time to go to bed. Instead, try to drive during daylight hours but always remain vigilant of signs of drowsiness, which can include yawning or drifting across lanes.

Avoid eating heavy meals before hitting the road

Eating large meals before setting off can cause you to feel more tired as the body has to work harder to digest the food. Instead, consider having a light meal or a simple snack before getting behind the wheel.

Turn off the heating

You know that cosy feeling when you get under your duvet with a hot water bottle on a cold night and you feel ready to nod off? A warm car can have the same effect, especially if you have been on the road for a while. Keeping the heating running during your journey can also cause dehydration, which leads to fatigue. To avoid this, be sure to keep your vehicle stocked with plenty of water.

Share driving duties

For long journeys, it’s a good idea to have two motorists available so one can take over from the other if they start feeling tired. If this isn’t possible, be sure to take regular breaks at service stations and to follow all of the other tips mentioned above to stay awake and alert on the road.

 

Image credit: Samuele Errico Piccarini / Unsplash

Motorhome weights, licence restrictions and load capacities – can you beat the system?

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Dan Cartwright has over 12 years of experience in the caravan and motorhome industry. He is a judge for a number of prestigious leisure vehicle awards and regularly heads off in his motorhome with his family. Every week, Dan shares his insights with the community. Here’s what he has to say this week.

There are two unavoidable facts when it comes to choosing your motorhome. Firstly, the chassis rating – specifically, the maximum laden weight it can handle, as specified by the manufacturer. Secondly, your licence restrictions. When did you pass your driving test? If the answer is any time after 1997, you’re limited to no more than a combined weight of 3,500kg and therefore unable to legally operate any motorhome with a chassis rating higher than that.

However, the licence restrictions are not the same for towing. In fact, you can tow a combined rig of up to 5,000kg. This raises a few questions and takes a bit of time to wrap your head around. Before we do just that, picture this:

There’s a motorhome you like and it’s 3,650kg. You’re in your mid-40s, having passed your driving test in 1998. So, you’re unable to legally drive that leisure vehicle. However, there’s no law stopping you from putting it on a trailer and towing it. This might sound ridiculous and I don’t recommend that you do it – but it’s not illegal.

Motorhomes exist on various weight chassis, with lots of models available at 3,500kg or just under. These range from two to six-berth and will fall within the legal restrictions. Some manufacturers offer paid or free upgrades to increase your chassis rating up to anywhere around 3,500kg to 4,000kg, as it raises the weight capacity your motorhome can carry.

Having judged weights and measures for many years at the Motorhome Design Awards, this is quite a significant issue. In particular, when you start looking at certain family layouts with lots of habitation and equipment, it becomes increasingly difficult to compromise on payload when you factor in the weight of two adults, one or two children, gas bottles and even water and waste tanks.

So, when you’re thinking about buying a motorhome, this is something you really need to consider. Take the mass of your desired leisure vehicle and subtract that from 3,500 – that’s what you’ve got left to play around with. Don’t go over that limit as you’ll be breaking the law and potentially putting yourself and your guests in danger.

Now, you could do things like only fill up with shopping when you’re at a destination, travel with empty tanks or not take full water and waste tanks. But you don’t have to, because there’s another solution – buy a trailer.

This might sound a bit silly at first, but it’s a simple way to beat the restrictions legally and safely. I think we’ll start to see more trailers attached to caravans because you can put absolutely anything you want in it (to the weight limit of the trailer, of course) and avoid having to leave anything behind. More and more motorhomes are now being fitted with tow boards and the majority of manufacturers offer it as an upgrade, if not as standard.

So, stay safe and don’t break the law. Consider putting items in a trailer for your motorhome, rather than inside the leisure vehicle and you’ll find there’s no need to compromise on weight.

Photo credit: Tom Fisk / Pexels

The best meals to get you through your next winter tour

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When people think of touring in a motorhome or caravan, gourmet meals don’t come straight to mind very often. Fear not – there’s plenty you can do in a leisure vehicle when it comes to cooking.

Your winter tour should be all about relaxing and rebooting. That means cosy campfires, great food and your beverage of choice. Most camping and caravan sites will offer basic cooking facilities, but we advise you to do a bit of research on the best parks in the UK before you book anywhere. 

In the CaravanTimes winter kitchen, we’re sending out Michelin-star meals and nobody is left dissatisfied. Why? Because we’re following guides like these! Read on for some of the best meals you can cook this winter to warm up and eat like royalty.

Breakfast

The most important meal of the day. First of all, let’s get some breakfast ideas laid out. If you’ve got a big adventure planned and consecutive busy days, you’ll need a lot of energy. That means you have to eat and you’ll only want to eat delicious meals! Here are some easy breakfast ideas:

  • Full English – probably not a lot needs to be said about this one, but the classic fry-up is simple, fresh and filling. Be careful with it though, as sometimes it can be… too filling.
  • Porridge – a big bowl of porridge puts you in the shoes of an artist and the oats are your canvas. You can be really creative with the toppings you put on it, although foods like nuts, fruits and honey are always winners.
  • Pancakes – another simple addition to the breakfast list, pancakes are quick and easy to make, require minimal effort and taste great. Once again, you’re the boss when it comes to toppings, so you could eat this breakfast several times and not get bored.

Lunch and dinner

Now we’re cooking. We know some of our readers like to keep lunch on the light side, whilst others prefer to have a quick dinner. Whatever your eating habits may be, we’ll be taking a look at the best meals we’d recommend for a winter tour.

Soup

Starting with what some would argue is the ultimate winter meal, you simply can’t go wrong with soup. It’s wholesome, hearty and filling – perfect for when the cold weather attempts to spoil your plans. Of course, there are dozens of types and flavours, so we can’t say which is the best (chicken and sweetcorn), but it’s a great way to use veggies and warm up your guests.

Chilli con carne

Chilli is really easy to make, tastes amazing and can be spiced to your liking – it doesn’t have to be super hot, although in the CaravanTimes kitchen we’re adding any chilli peppers we can get our hands on! Here’s a simple recipe that’s tried and tested. For a perfect chilli, you’ll want to serve it on top of fluffy rice with a generous dollop of sour cream on top. Don’t forget the nachos!

Ingredients:

  • A large onion and a pepper
  • Two garlic cloves
  • 500g minced beef
  • Two cans of chopped tomatoes (and tomato puree for the all-star chefs)
  • One can of red kidney beans
  • A cube of beef stock
  • Spices: chilli powder, paprika, cumin
  • Your rice of choice
  • Sour cream
  • Nachos

Recipe:

  1. Prep your veggies by dicing your onion, slicing your pepper into small chunks and finely chopping your garlic. 
  2. Throw your onion in the pan with some oil and cook for two minutes on a medium heat. After five minutes, or when your onion becomes golden, add pepper, garlic and spices. Mix, then leave for another five minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Brown your minced beef in the pan until it breaks up and there are no more pink bits.
  4. Crumble your beef stock cube into 300ml hot water and add this into the pan with your chopped tomatoes, and tomato puree if you have it.
  5. Bring everything to a boil, then simmer for roughly 20 minutes. Once it looks thick and juicy, add your kidney beans and have a taste. Chilli often takes a bit more seasoning than you think.
  6. Leave your chilli to stand for at least five minutes, then serve on top of rice with sour cream.

Campfire stew

We’re big fans of Stuart Kelly’s campfire stew recipe. It’s hearty, warming and a sure way to impress your guests. The ingredients consist almost entirely of vegetables and on a cold winter evening, this meal is a true delight. Don’t be alarmed by the name – you don’t actually have to cook it on a campfire, a stove is just fine.

The best part about campfire stew is the fact that it’s a one-pot dish, so you can keep a large group of guests happy. The recipe is simple and allows for any chopping and changing of ingredients that you’d want.

Photo credit: Katerina Holmes / Pexels

Take a touring trip to this year’s Historic Houses Garden of the Year winner

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Wentworth Woodhouse, in South Yorkshire, has been announced as the winner of 2022’s Historic Houses Garden of the Year award, sponsored by Christie’s, in a public vote. 

Located in the village of Wentworth, the elegant garden at Wentworth Woodhouse will make a perfect addition to any Yorkshire touring trip this winter. It offers the opportunity to get out in your caravan or motorhome, reconnect with nature and explore the best that the UK has to offer, even if the temperature is less than ideal. 

Featuring a pond garden, stunning fountains and flora galore – this year’s winner was a step above the rest in more ways than one. Despite being hit hard by the drought during the summer season, the garden has bounced back and will be open to the public in 2023. 

So, if you’re already organising a touring adventure to welcome in the new year, consider adding this country house and its 82-acre private gardens in Rotherham to your bucket list. 

If you’re planning a visit to South Yorkshire, you’ll be glad to know there’s plenty more to explore in this region once you’ve spent the afternoon admiring the gardens. Combine your trip to Wentworth Woodhouse with a visit to Yorkshire Wildlife Park, the Sheffield Botanical Gardens or the Yorkshire Dales. There’s also a wealth of prime locations to pitch up for the night in your caravan or motorhome too. 

The Historic Houses Garden of the Year award is presented annually and dates back to 1984. Designed to recognise some of the UK’s most spectacular gardens, the award is voted for by the public and judged on a variety of factors. 

This year’s choice was recognised particularly for its accessibility, as its paths were renovated to ensure people of all ages and abilities can enjoy the varied landscape without a problem. 

Ben Cowell, director general of Historic Houses, commented: “The rescue of the house at Wentworth Woodhouse is one of the most significant heritage achievements of recent years. The work the team has achieved with the gardens is also nothing short of spectacular and deserves just as much attention. 

“We are thrilled to be able to recognise that work with this award, which is testament to the strong support Wentworth Woodhouse has from its local community.”

 

Image credit: Historic Houses

How to stay safe when touring in the cold weather

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Winter is just around the corner and it’s a time of year when a disproportionate amount of road accidents occur. If you’re planning a cold-weather touring adventure, it’s important to make sure you’re taking the right precautions to avoid accidents when driving a caravan or motorhome. 

To help you stay safe, the team at ChooseMyCar.com have put together a list of tips for driving in cold weather conditions. Founder Nick Zapolski commented: 

“It’s really important to get yourself prepared for winter motoring, as half the battle is being ready. Breaking down in summer is a lot different to breaking down in the freezing cold weather, on an unlit road. Being aware and prepped for winter driving will give you some assurances before you make any journey, and help keep you and your family safe.” 

  • Get your car prepared for winter

Ensure your car is ready for the potential risks that bad weather brings. This includes equipping it with items like a warning triangle, water, warm clothing, a torch, a phone charger, and an ice scraper among other things. They will make sure you’re prepared in case anything does go wrong. It’s also a good idea to consider using winter tyres. 

  • Know what to do if you break down on an unlit road

If this happens, you’ll need to alert other drivers to the fact that you’ve broken down using your hazard lights. Once they are on, you can pull over in a suitable location, place a warning triangle 45 metres behind your car and caravan and wear high-vis clothing to ensure other drivers can see you. 

When you’re safely out of the way, call breakdown services to help or, if you don’t have any phone signal, flag down another car safely. 

  • How to proceed if your brakes fail

If your brakes fail, put your hazard lights on immediately and slow your vehicle down using your gears. Once you are at an appropriate speed, use the handbrake to come to a complete stop in a suitable place. 

  • Driving on snowy or icy roads

If you can’t avoid travelling in snowy or icy conditions, be sure to plan enough time for your journey and take it steady. 

Consider changing to winter tyres or keeping snow chains on your car. Additionally, ensure your car is prepared with items such as a de-icer, ice scraper, warm clothes and plenty of food and water in case you break down. 

When on the road, be sure to keep a safe distance from other vehicles. If you do hit any ice, keep the steering wheel straight and don’t hit the brakes suddenly. 

  • Driving in heavy rain or on flooded roads

In the winter, it’s more common for flash floods to occur without warning. If you are caught in heavy rain, it’s important to turn on your headlights and drive to higher ground as safely as possible. Leave twice the normal stopping distance between your vehicle and others on the road. 

 

Image credit: Oliur / Unsplash

7 things you should know about touring caravans, motorhomes and campervans

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CaravanTimes readers are no strangers to a bit of leisure vehicle trivia. However, the National Caravan Council (NCC) has put together a list of fascinating facts, shocking stats and even some figures which simply make you feel proud to be a part of this community. Let’s take a look at some of them below.

Halfway to a million

There are more than 550,000 touring caravans in use in the UK, which means over half a million adventurers head off in their leisure vehicles each year. Nine in ten of these caravans are manufactured here in Britain and are purchased by a broad spectrum of customers – from solo travellers to families and retirees.

Billion-pound industry

Whilst most industries have faced significant pressure in the face of economic challenges following the pandemic, motorhome manufacturers have recovered well and leisure vehicles are more popular than ever before. 2019 saw a record year for caravan sales with 15,324 registered – that’s over £1.1 billion worth of motorhomes.

Convenience? Check

Modern motorhomes are kitted out with pretty much any convenience you could want, including electric drop-down beds, USB sockets and wireless phone chargers, touchscreen TVs, Apple Car-Play, dimmable LED lights, cruise control… The list is seemingly endless. Some larger models even come with a garage!

Antiques roadshow

In September this year, what was labelled the world’s oldest motorhome was sold at auction by Bonhams for £63,250. A custom-built, 20ft-long, 1914 vehicle based on the Ford Model T chassis was designed and manufactured for the Bentall family, who founded the department store chain of the same name. The body was constructed by Dunton of Reading, famous for high-quality traditional travellers’ caravans.

Going green

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) challenges are a top priority for businesses looking to empathise with their audiences. Fortunately, caravanning and motorhoming are already very ‘green’ choices for a holiday, especially for those who tour close to home. But it doesn’t stop there – newer additions like solar panels and fully electric vehicles mean our industry is certainly doing its bit to help out.

Going… to work?

Yes, you read that right. We already know and love the versatility of motorhomes and campervans when it comes to holidays. However, they also make brilliant workspaces. Particularly smaller models, as they can be easily parked in an appropriate, designated area and even double as a second car.

Towing power

In December 2021, when the Category B driving licence was changed, the B+E class was granted to anyone with a full driving licence in England, Scotland and Wales without a requirement to take any further tests. Now, eligible drivers can head out with a combined maximum allowable mass of 7,500kg – covering the majority of bigger cars and SUVs with most caravans.

It’s fair to say that caravan holidays of the past gained somewhat of a negative rep, with claustrophobic sleeping arrangements and noisy neighbours. Fast forward to today and motorhomes have become bespoke hotels on wheels. There’s no longer a ‘typical’ caravanner, but a large and constantly growing community of adventurers.

Photo credit: Matheus Bertelli / Pexels

Caravans vs motorhomes: Practicality, desirability and the snooker test

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Dan Cartwright has over 12 years of experience in the caravan and motorhome industry. He is a judge for a number of prestigious leisure vehicle awards and regularly heads off in his motorhome with his family. Every week, Dan shares his insights with the community. Here’s what he has to say this week.

In the UK, caravans are sold more frequently than motorhomes. However, the latter is on the rise. The rate of motorhome sales is increasing much more, especially taking the pandemic ‘bubble’ into account. But which is better?

In this week’s edition of the Cartwright Chronicles, we’ll be talking about both in terms of general use rather than specialist. We know most of these vehicles are used for leisure purposes, stay within the UK for the majority of their lives and generally remain on-site for an average of three nights.

Motorhomes are often regarded as aspirational or desirable. Any new member of staff here at CaravanTimes wants to take one away for a test. They want to sample the motorhome lifestyle, while taking the humble caravan out for a spin is seen as less of a perk of the job.

Now, it’s true that many people think driving a motorhome is far easier than towing a caravan, but it’s not just about the journey. Your destination counts too, so don’t forget that. A few years ago, we devised something called the ‘snooker test’. Any time a new member of staff starts at CaravanTimes, we take them to a show or a dealership, where they see both caravans at motorhomes. Then, the snooker test begins. Let’s picture the scenario.

You’ve planned a day out, but the weather has turned sour. It’s only midday and already you’re soaking wet and freezing cold. Now, the rest of your day of adventure has been abandoned, so you’re heading back to your leisure vehicle to warm up. At this point, you realise 17 frames of the snooker final are on TV tonight. Brilliant! Time to nip to the shop to get enough food and drink to see you through lunch, dinner and into the evening in comfort.

It’s at this stage that we ask a simple question. Caravan or motorhome? Suddenly, the former might seem much more appealing for a few reasons.

You want to head to the shop quickly to grab enough supplies to last from lunch to bedtime. If your leisure vehicle is a caravan, that means you can simply drive the car into town. No problems parking, even in a small town. If you travelled to your holiday destination in a motorhome, you’re going to find nipping to the shops becomes more of an adventure than you bargained for.

Now, think about the amenities. Typically, fridges and cooking facilities are bigger and better in caravans, which means you can cook and store more food, keeping everyone’s appetite at bay throughout the afternoon and evening.

What about your comfort? A motorhome has to have seatbelts and travelling seats for passengers, often limiting the seating configuration. Would you really want to spend an entire evening with the driver’s seat turned around? Most of us would prefer a lovely long bench seat in a caravan.

Even the smaller things count, like the position of your TV. A caravan is essentially a box, with the only purpose of providing comfort and habitation – the space is used entirely for that purpose. This means your TV can be positioned wherever suits you best. Then think about cupboards, charging points and lights – everything in your caravan is designed to be in a convenient place.

Finally, you can’t ignore the cost. A caravan is significantly cheaper than a motorhome and, being a dedicated habitation device, is very practical. Most often, to get anywhere close to the comfort provided by even a cheap caravan, you’ll have to spend two to three times the money.

So, if you were thinking caravans are inferior to motorhomes – think again. Both have their benefits, but it’s definitely worth considering the advantages of a dedicated holiday machine without any compromise on comfort.

Photo credit: Loes Klinker / Unsplash

The real value of your second-hand motorhome

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Dan Cartwright has over 12 years of experience in the caravan and motorhome industry. He is a judge for a number of prestigious leisure vehicle awards and regularly heads off in his motorhome with his family. Every week, Dan shares his insights with the community. Here’s what he has to say this week.

I’ve noticed there’s a general perception about motorhomes of people thinking they don’t devalue, but that’s not true. They certainly don’t depreciate as much as cars on a percentage basis, however many readers might be shocked by the value they can realise from their motorhome.

This article is important if you’re considering buying a new or second-hand motorhome and are tempted to extend the amount you’re willing to pay based on residual value, or if you’re a motorhome owner considering liquidating the asset.

While it’s true they maintain their value well, you need to look at where most motorhomes are purchased and why. Being a significantly large purchase and with so many makes, ranges, models, layouts and configurations available on the market, most customers want to go to a dealership and have a look around for a trusted buying experience.

However, the popularity of dealerships means that selling your motorhome privately can be challenging. There’s a smaller market for people willing to spend £30,000 to £50,000 on sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace. As such, the value of your motorhome is likely to be based on what a dealership will pay for it.

But here’s where a lot of people go wrong. They look at the price of their motorhome in a dealership and think that’s exactly what it’s worth, but this isn’t the case. Let’s take a look at the example below.

On Facebook Marketplace, I came across this 2017 Bailey Approach Advance 665. It has a great description, one owner from new and low mileage, coming in at the price of £39,000. 

There’s a range of dealers with the same model and it’s roughly £8,000 more. But why? It’s because the dealership has to conduct a lot of work to sell your motorhome. Some of the factors causing the price to inflate are:

  • Inspecting the motorhome
  • Making any necessary repairs
  • Washing the motorhome
  • Promotion and marketing
  • Cost of sales
  • Paying dealership staff

One more point that’s worth noting is the cost of servicing the loan to buy your motorhome while it’s sitting on the dealership forecourt. Let’s say they buy your motorhome for £50,000 and they have it for six months and the loan comes with five per cent interest. This means the dealership will incur £2,500. On top of all of these things, they still have to make a profit. So, when you take your motorhome to a dealership, don’t expect to get a forecourt price for it.

When assessing the value of your motorhome on the second-hand market, always look at what you could buy it for on the private market first. This will give you a good indication of what a dealership might pay for it, although they will probably offer slightly less.

This is in no way meant to seem discouraging. If you’re thinking of buying a motorhome – it’s a fantastic idea. They unlock touring holidays that are unlike any other. But, take your time and do the research. It’s vital to understand how much depreciation you’re likely to experience and avoid overspending on the purchase.

Image credit: Kampus Production / Pexels

7 ways to keep your caravan safe this winter

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Some adventurers won’t be deterred by the winter weather this year, but many of us will be storing the caravan away during the colder months.

Data from the ONS revealed that 192,060 domestic burglaries were reported in the last year, with one house burgled every 164 seconds. Theft is more likely to occur in the winter than the summer as many caravan owners can’t make it to their second home during the period for various reasons. This means that many caravans are completely unattended for several months.

In the UK alone, the volume of in-use caravans is staggering. It’s estimated there are currently:

  • 555,000 touring caravans
  • 365,000 caravan holiday homes
  • 225,000 motorhomes

With over a million leisure vehicles on the road, there’s a prime opportunity for criminals to turn a profit. We’ll be taking a look at advice from Shane Spence, owner of Sell The Caravan, who has listed some of his best tips to make sure your caravan is safe and sound throughout the coming winter.

Mark and register valuables

Starting with a simple one, make sure any valuables you have are out of sight when your caravan isn’t in use. Potential thieves will be deterred if they don’t think it’s worth the trouble to attempt a burglary.

Fit an alarm

For another proven deterrent of intruders, install an alarm in your caravan. If someone does attempt to break in, the noise will be heard all over the holiday park, forcing most to stop and flee.

Window and door locks

It may sound simple, but it’s easily overlooked in a rush to get packed up and back home. Take care to close, lock and secure any windows, doors and roof lights on your caravan when you leave it. If your static home doesn’t have double glazing, it might be wise to have window locks installed.

Choose a reputable holiday park

Put in a bit of effort to research if a site is managed, has on-site security or even a watch scheme. All of these measures have been proven to reduce the amount of caravan-related crime, so it’s worth investing a bit of time and choosing a reliable holiday park.

Protect your belongings with insurance

Taking out a strong insurance policy is recommended when it comes to safeguarding your property. Not only does it offer you peace of mind, but if a thief did manage to steal items, you’ll be covered.

Pack outdoor furniture away

Leaving any furniture outside when nobody is there to watch it is a risk, although can easily be forgotten. Another simple way to keep everything safe is to pack it inside your home and lock it away before you leave.

Network

Whether you’re a social butterfly or an introvert, getting to know your neighbours and other people at your holiday park can be a blessing. They’ll be more likely to watch out for you and your property, keeping an eye on your home while you’re not there and letting you know if something’s not right.

Image credit: Yulia Gadalina / Unsplash

The best caravan parks in the UK to beat the winter blues

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As the days become shorter and the weather gets chillier, touring holidays are a great way to combat the winter blues. 

People who spend more time outdoors are more likely to report improved psychological well-being. A recent survey revealed that a third of Brits feel that caravanning or camping positively impacts their mental health. There are many reasons why getting away and enjoying the outdoors can make us feel happier, including enabling us to get more exercise, detox from our digital devices and nurture our relationships with family and friends.

The team at Pitchup have put together a list of the best campsites and caravan sites across the UK to improve wellness during the colder months. Whether you want to boost your mood with Wales’ stunning natural beauty or explore some of England’s best coastal regions – there’s something for everyone. 

Crowdecote Campsite

For anyone who wants to experience the breathtaking splendour of the Peak District, consider pitching up at Crowdecote Campsite, an adults-only farm site in Derbyshire. 

Tan Aeldroch Farm

Located in Gwynedd, Dolwyddelan is a great spot to stay if you want to explore Snowdonia National Park. Although the weather might not be hike-permiting, there’s still plenty to do in this stunning part of Wales. Explore the quaint towns or get cosy in a local pub over a pint of ale or two. 

Black Barn Farm

Just two miles from the Norfolk Broads, this adults-only caravan site is ideal for exploring the natural beauty of the area. On rainy days, you can check out the sights in Norwich which is just a 15-minute drive away. 

Beechwood Caravan Park York

Just 10 minutes from central York, this delightful caravan park is great for families and offers all the facilities you need to stay comfortable in the winter. From here you can visit the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Trebyla Farm

This peaceful farm site in Cornwall offers spectacular views of the sea and surrounding countryside. Just a short distance from the South West Coast Path, this is the ideal place to pitch up if you want to explore the best of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset. 

Grove Farm Caravan Site

If you fancy heading to the Norfolk coast on your next touring escapade, Pitchup recommends staying at Grove Farm Caravan Site on the outskirts of Warham. If the weather is good you can enjoy sea views and seal spotting, but if it takes a turn for the worse the town of Wells-next-the-Sea is just a short drive away with many pubs and a charming harbour. 

 

Image credit: Roadpass / Unsplash