by Chris Jefferies
One of the biggest themes of 2013 has been motorhomes getting smaller without losing the luxury flourishes we’re used to.
Bailey of Bristol is wise to this trend, as evidenced by the new Approach Compact range, which broke cover in the Birmingham NEC as part of last month’s Motorhome and Caravan Show.
In this video, CaravanTimes catches up with Simon Howard from Bailey to talk about this new Alu-Tech arrival.
We discuss the practical benefits of owning a motorhome that measures less than six metres from nose to tail.
Simon also talks us through the luxury specification that can be found on board these classy tourers and explains the difference between the two layouts that the company has launched with.
Finally, we hear about why the company has chosen to fit the Al-Ko AMC super low-line chassis to both of these models.
Bailey of Bristol tackles motorhome safety with further crash testing
by Chris Jefferies
Crash testing is a hot topic in the world of motorhomes and understandably so, as surely every motorhome owner wants to keep their passengers as safe as possible.
With this in mind, Bailey of Bristol has recently completed its latest crash test session at the Millbrook proving ground, where the new Bailey Approach Autograph was put through its paces.
When it was launched back in July 2013, the Autograph won wide plaudits for its modern styling and luxury specification, but does it have the high safety standards to match?
To find out, the motorhome in question was attached to a HyGe sled crash-test machine and subjected to a full-frontal impact at 30mph.
And Bailey is happy to report that the new Alu-Tech model came through the test with flying colours.
The results were particularly encouraging with regard to the new electric drop-down bed that is fitted to the Approach Autograph 765.
To see for yourself, click on the video below:
In related news, the Bailey Approach Autograph has been nominated as Motorhome of the Year in the 2013 CaravanTimes Caravan of the Year poll.
To vote for your favourite, and be in with the chance of winning an Amazon Kindle, click here.
Auto-Trail V-Line compact motorhome range gets two new layouts
by Chris Jefferies
Auto-Trail has announced the details of two new motorhome layouts for its V-Line van conversion range.
The V-Line 610 and 620 both measure in at less than six metres long, making them just as practical and easy to manoeuvre as the original 600 layout that was launched earlier this year.
In the V-Line 610, motorhome lovers will find a rear lounge, which can be converted into a double bed, as well as an offside washroom and a nearside kitchenette.
Meanwhile, the 620 comes with enough seatbelts to keep a party of four safe on the road, as well as a rear transverse double bed.
These models will share the high specification levels you’d expect from Auto-Trail and the raised roof line of the V-Line 600, making for extra headroom.
Key on-board features include a Euro-5 compliant 2.3-litre Fiat Ducato Multijet engine, cab air conditioning, cruise control and a six-speed gearbox.
Both models will be on display at the Birmingham NEC as part of the NCC Caravan and Camping Show 2014, which runs from 18-23 February.
Full specification levels and prices will be released closer to the show.
In the meantime, you can vote for the Auto-Trail V-Line as your Motorhome of the Year in our 2013 Caravan of the Year poll, in which one lucky voter will win an Amazon Kindle e-reader.
Auto-Trail V-Line 610 layout
Auto-Trail V-Line 620 layout
French Artist Benedetto Bufalino creates sky-high caravan art
by Jake Polden
Just when you thought modern art couldn’t baffle you any further, Benedetto Bufalino – a French artist known for distorting perception by creating, amongst other things, a cardboard Ferrari and fish tank phone box – has sent a caravan into the skies.
Entitled “la caravane dans le ciel”, the performance art piece involves the caravan rising up on a go-go-gadget jack, slowly elevating to a precarious height way up in the clouds.
Watching over the land below both in the day and at night, the caravan casts a warming glow from its interior lights to illuminate everything in its vicinity.
Quite what this work of art ‘says’ is anyone’s guess, but we’d say that bringing attention to something that may be otherwise overlooked in the most brash way possible, can only be a good thing.
Below you can watch the tentative journey of the caravan ascending into an area previously undiscovered by its kind:
South-east London blighted by spate of motorhome thefts
by Tom Walsh
South-east London has seen a spike in motorhome theft over the past two months, according to the latest figures.
Speaking to The Camping and Caravanning Club, Tim Booth of ACVIS Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service said that the area of the capital is being targeted by criminals.
Between ten and 15 models were reported to the Metropolitan Police as being stolen during October and November. The trend has been described as “very unusual” for this time of year.
While motorhome owners in the area are being told to remain calm, it highlights the need to have the right insurance policy in place should the worst happen.
Mr Booth explains that people need to invest in an alarm system and test it on a regular basis to ensure that if someone does try to break in it will alert the owner and the rest of the neighbourhood.
The security expert also advised people to contact the police if their motorhome is either stolen or subject to suspicious activity.
Caravans used as HIV testing station in Sydney
by Tom Walsh
Sydney has become home to Australia’s first pop-up HIV testing station.
The site is housed in a caravan and it allows people to get results from the simple finger prick test in just 30 minutes.
Health officials believe that the test centre, due to be set up at Taylor Square in Darlinghurst until 1 December, will help to curb to rise in HIV infections in New South Wales.
Dr Kerry Chant, the state’s chief health officer, said: “We want to break down those barriers.
“This way we can encourage early treatment if people are HIV positive, and prevent transmission.”
People who use the testing station have the option to wait around for their results or have a SMS alert telling them to pick them up.
There has been a growing problem of HIV infections in New South Wales with 2012 seeing a 24 per cent rise in cases and an 81 per cent increase in the gay community.
NACO urges caravanners to contact MP over industry changes
by Tom Walsh
The National Association of Caravan Owners (NACO) is encouraging members to contact their MPs should they have any queries about changes within the industry.
It comes as the NACO is set to met with Simon Danczuk MP to discuss the various the issues that are facing caravan owners in the UK.
The organisation has been working alongside Trading Standards in its investigation into Unfair Terms in holiday caravan agreements.
The NACO stated that it was aware of changes of legislative reform in Wales and Northern Ireland which has been the introduction of caravan specific law to support owners.
The group now wants to ensure that these benefits are brought into England making it a level playing field for every owner in the UK.
Many caravanners enjoy travelling the length and breadth of the nation and should not have to be met with different legislation should they stay in certain parts of the country, they argue.
Lyon’s Holiday Parks buys North Wales site
by Tom Walsh
A North Wales holiday park is under new ownership, it has been announced.
St Mary’s Holiday Park in Prestatyn, North Wales, has been purchased by Lyon’s Holiday Park from Colliers International.
The company has paid over £500,000 for the site which takes its portfolio to eight parks and it already has big plans for the popular seaside park.
Richard Moss, director of the specialist Parks division of Colliers, explained that St Mary’s is in an ideal location and Lyon’s will be able to benefit from the popularity of the area to bring in more customers.
Lyon’s has purchased both the 54-pitch site and fishing lake along with a further plot of land which spans over 5.9 acres.
Mr Moss added: “The investment by West Register, coupled with the appointment of a specialist management company, has resulted in continued growth, which the new owner can develop to take the park to its optimum trading level.”
Elite Caravans releases hilariously cheesy Luxury Class music video
by Jake Polden
Of late the likes of One Direction, who recently took the right direction out of Britain to set the States alight, and everyone’s favourite Disney Star Miley Cyrus, have dominated music-related headlines to represent the proud nations of Britain and America respectively.
Australian pop stars it appears are nowhere to be seen, until now. Aussie company Elite Caravans are hoping to put their country back on the cultural map, and with the release of this new music video we’d have to say they’ve got a great chance.
Lasting just over four minutes, Peter and Kathy (who we assume are a couple off-screen, considering they exchange a kiss at the end of some increasingly saucy exchanges), prove they have the musical endurance to surpass all those three-and-a-bit-minute songs of today.
Opening on a shot of the couple sat outside what appears to be a regular caravan – with the glow of the green screen encompassing them throughout – the scene quickly becomes one of “class” as the couple magically shed their mundane clothes for a tuxedo and evening gown.
As the action moves inside we realise very quickly that we are in fact within the confines of a luxury caravan, with Peter highlighting this further in his attempts to woo Kathy with his “filter tap”…
Taking a sudden surreal turn, as if channelling a young Jimmy Hendrix, the couple take an illusory journey through time, space, sea and sky – all of which is captured with the cutting-edge cinematography you’d expect to see in 2013.
As their bed completes its Bedknobs and Broomsticks-style journey over Sydney, the couple find themselves in front of what appears to be the chorus line from a Sheila’s Wheels commercial, showing off some revolutionary dance moves, amongst other things.
We at Caravan Times could talk about this video all day and still not do it justice (it’s that good), so all we can suggest is, watch it for yourself below:
Tewkesbury storage site blaze claims 50 caravans
by Tom Walsh
Fifty caravans have gone up in flames during a huge fire at a mobile home storage park in Tewkesbury.
Gloucestershire Fire Service were called to a scene near Bredons Hardwick in the early hours of Sunday morning (24 November).
It took 11 crews to tackle the fire which prevented it from spreading to a huge nearby fuel storage vessel.
An investigation is underway to find the root of the cause but the owner of the caravan site told ITV there were floating lanterns let off into the sky on the night of the fire after a party in the site’s clubhouse.
However, a spokesman for the Hereford & Worcester Fire Service stated that it was still too early to determine how the blaze started but he failed to rule out the possibility that the lanterns could have been to blame.
Update: It has now been revealed that eighty caravans were destroyed in the fire. To see a video clip of the site after the blaze, click here.
New group aims to improve caravanning in Shetland
by Tom Walsh
Shetland is looking to boost its camping and caravanning options with the launch of a new development group.
The team will be tasked with looking at potential sites and areas that could be used to attract tourists to the Isles.
One area that has been earmarked for a potential holiday park is a hockey pitch in Seafield, the Shetland Times reports.
Should the Shetland Caravan and Camping Development Group (SCCDG) manage to secure funding then a proposal could be launched in the near future.
Gary Learsk, chairman of the group, told the news provider: “At the moment we are still very much at the stage of formalising ideas.
“Initial plans for the site have been drawn up but they are not official and changes might need to be made, but we are looking to provide a site with access for up to 30 caravans as well as a tented area.”
It is hoped that the move will help to attract for people from mainland Scotland and further afield to the Isles.
Base Camp Bonn takes indoor caravanning to the next level
On the hunt for a camping holiday that’s a little bit out of the ordinary?
Well, we may have just found exactly what you’re looking for in Germany.
Make your way down to Bonn, along the famous river Rhine, and you will finally reach BaseCamp.
The BaseCamp Young Hostel offers you a rare caravan holidaying adventure as it allows you the chance to camp at an indoor campground, which is situated in a former storage facility.
BaseCamp believes in mixing adventure with a bit of quirkiness, topped with a flair for the dramatic.
This unique camping ground has a host of retro caravans for travellers to choose from, depending on their own individual character and taste.
Each caravan is themed in a unique manner, with accompanying lawns in front of the furnished caravans.
This way you get the added benefit of spending a lovely, relaxed evening in a classic tourer, without having to worry about those dreaded rain showers and storms.
In order to give a unique experience, each caravan has additional decorative accessories, some that may take you by surprise and bring you into the relevant time-period.
It may further interest ardent travellers to know that all the caravans at BaseCamp have been designed by the respected German television and film set designer, Marion Seul.
This means that the caravans are authentic and as close to its relevant time-period as possible.
Our personal favourites amongst the caravans included the ‘Eye Candy’ and ‘Give Peace a Chance’ caravans.
These two highly individualistic caravans reinforce the creative aspect of the hostel, where being bold and beautiful is a key principle.
The ‘Eye Candy’ caravan, as its name suggests, is a sight for sore eyes. Completely enveloped in the theme of pink, this is the caravan for fabulous campers who want the maximum amount of sparkle.
There are even a few hidden surprises inside the caravan that are bound to catch your attention.
Ever wanted a chance to get nostalgic and reminisce about the 1960s? The ‘Give Peace a Chance’ caravan might be your answer.
Capturing the spirit of love and harmony, this caravan is as orange as the setting sun, with beautifully decorated vintage wallpaper and classic record sleeves by artists like The Who and David Bowie, so it is guaranteed to take you back in time.
Directly above these special caravans is a spacious balcony that can function as an area for events along with being the general dining and socialising area. Other facilities include conveniently located bathrooms.
What’s more, there is free Wi-Fi throughout the caravan park along with ever-friendly staff available on reception 24/7.
And you can breathe a sigh of relief, for meals are also provided. Breakfasts are always included along with a regular supply of towels, bed linen and sheets.
There are also drinks and snacks sold inside the caravan park while a food truck sells various items outside the hostel.
Further emphasising the community feel of the park, the hostel also caters to nature-lovers since there is a BBQ area located outside the hostel along with sports and leisure facilities.
Meanwhile avid adventurers can enjoy the hostel’s custom tours of the most popular local attractions.
If laying about and doing nothing is not really your thing, then this could be the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself and discover the surroundings of Bonn in more detail.
Of particular interest to visitors are the Siebengebirge nature reserve and the well-known Rhine river.
So go on then, get your traveller books and bags ready for what could be the caravanning holiday of a lifetime.
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