2013 Skoda Superb: Pictures and details revealed of award-winning towcar

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by Tom Walsh

Skoda is set to launch an upgraded version of the highly popular Superb model with both hatch and estate versions due to be released in the UK.

The manufacturer is to unveil the new-look vehicles at the Shanghai Motor Show on 19 April before they are made available on the European market in June.

Skoda has really gone to town updating the Superb with a comprehensive exterior restyle, while booth boot space and rear legroom are now “class-leading”.

Fuel consumption and energy efficiency have also been high on the company’s to-do list with the Superb now boasting 19% better fuel consumption than its predecessors, while CO2 emissions are down to just 109 g/km.

Winfried Vahland, Skoda chief executive officer, said: “The Skoda Superb is the pinnacle of our model line-up and proves Skoda’s capability as a manufacturer. This comprehensive facelift has made our top model even more attractive.”

The company’s Superb Estate Elegance enjoyed a wealth of success in the past claiming the Caravan Club Towcar of the Year Award in 2011.

Prices and weights are yet to be confirmed, but if the previous Superb is anything to go by, then this should be a highly affordable and practical choice for caravan owners.

This releases follows on from the release of the most recent version of the Skoda Octavia Estate.


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Bailey crash tests Approach SE motorhomes at Millbrook

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by Tom Walsh

Bailey Motorhomes has announced the successful completion of a series of crash tests at Millbrook Proving Ground.

The company looked at key features such as an ABS braking system as well as driver and passengers airbags which are installed in the models as standard while also assessing the strength of the motorhome’s bodyshell.

Working at Europe’s leading test and development facilities for whole vehicles, systems and components, Bailey carried out a series of three 30mph frontal impact tests on the vehicles fitted with dummies for authenticity.

The results were recorded at regular intervals so that the strengths and weaknesses could be equally tested.

Following the test the Alu-Tech bodyshell was found to be performing well under stress but the motorhome furniture was highlighted as being an area which needed more development to ensure passenger safety.

One of the success stories was the redesign of the bulk head which separates the rear passenger seats from the cab which was described as the “toughest nut to crack” after three different tests.

Runaway Compass Rallye narrowly misses Telford restaurant

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by Tom Walsh

A runaway caravan has caused chaos in Telford after becoming detached from a silver Mitsubishi and crashing into nearby trees.

The vehicle was travelling along Holyhead Road when it reached the junction with Beverley Road just prior to 15:30 GMT on March 28th.

A twin-axle Compass Rallye came loose from the car, leaving the highway and mounting the pavement before crashing into trees on the embankment of the Mauchak restaurant car park, the Shropshire Star reports.

Luckily no-one was injured in the incident and eyewitness, Michael Wilkinson, who also runs the nearby Infocus Photography shop, told the news provider that “thankfully no pedestrians were nearby”.

“It appears the tow bar came loose and the caravan, travelling at quite a slow speed, hit a tree. There was a six-foot drop on the other side so it could have been a lot worse. It was non-reported road traffic incident, which means no one was injured,” Toby Shergold, West Mercia Police, explained to the source.

Staycation trend leads to 14% surge in bookings, says NCC

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by Tom Walsh

The ‘staycation’ resurgence has been highlighted as a driving force behind an increase in people camping and caravanning in the UK.

Research by the National Caravan Council (NCC) found that the industry has experienced a 14 per cent improvement in terms of the amount of advanced bookings that have been placed this year compared to 2012.

The increase has also helped towards the £6 billion that the industry has contributed to the UK economy and shows that people are becoming more and more interested in holidaying all across the country.

Even despite March seeing some fairly unsettled weather, with parts of the nation being blanketed by snow, this has not put off the British public from booking a caravan holiday.

Jenny Pritchard, head of Caravan Industry Training, said: “The options for caravanning and camping have broadened significantly, giving a diverse range of luxury options and ‘glamping’ to accompany those that already exist in the marketplace.”

VIDEO: Road rules for towing a touring caravan

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by Chris Jefferies
When towing a caravan there are three key things to bear in mind, as we have been learning in our latest video series.
Towing instructor Neil Greentree claims that the tenets of good towing are maintenance, preparation and awareness.
This time we take a closer look at each of these, from the necessary maintenance checks through to the crucial preparation steps, and finally the need for extra awareness while towing a caravan.
Neil talks us through the different accessories needed, such as the humble torque wrench and the often misunderstood breakaway cable.
We also hit the road to take a look at a few common towing scenarios, such as queuing in traffic and entering roundabouts.
Thanks to Towergate Insurance, Golden Castle Caravans and Greentrees Adventurestore for their help with this video.
In association with

Nottingham couple seek refuge in caravan following house fire

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by Tom Walsh

A retired Nottingham couple have been forced to spend the Easter holiday in their caravan after their home went up in flames.

Peter and Sandra Newton were left devastated when the fire engulfed their house on Nottingham Road, Nuthall, leaving the property black with soot and the kitchen completely destroyed in the incident.

Mrs Newton explained that she had left the house having forgotten to turn the gas cooker off and this had caused the fire to spread so quickly. Mr Newton was sitting in the lounge but could only watch as flames took over his home.

Fourteen firefighters tackled the blaze and the couple were able to escape along with their six Irish setters.

Mrs Newton told the Nottingham Post: “The house is a complete mess now. We stayed in a hotel on Friday night but we didn’t want to stay there longer. So we have come back and are staying in our caravan for the foreseeable future.”

Derbyshire caravan park hit by big freeze

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by Tom Walsh

The past few weeks has seen parts of the UK blanketed by snow despite entering the first days of spring.

Freezing temperatures and unsettled weather have had an impact in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, where caravan parks have seen visitor numbers fall significantly as the cold conditions have meant people have opted against setting up camp.

Peak Gateway Caravan Park said that it was not expecting any campers to pitch their tents up in the snowy grounds but was pleased by the amount of people that were visiting the popular site in their caravans.

Alan Palmer, owner of Callow Top Holiday Park on nearby Buxton Road in the area, told the Ashbourne News Telegraph: “Quite a lot of our customers did cancel, and we’re well down on tents to what we should be at this time of year, but a lot of people have come on spec so we’re not doing too bad.”

Hove caravan booked on driveway for 30cm pavement overhang

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by Tom Walsh

A Hove caravan owner has been left stunned after his mobile home received two parking tickets in as many days, despite it being parked on his driveway.

Julius Rost, from Davigdor Road received two £70 fines from Brighton and Hove City Council traffic wardens in the past week even though he has parked the caravan outside of his home for the past three years with no problem.

The Argus reports that tickets were issued “parking in a restricted street during prescribed hours” as the vehicle stretched out one foot onto the pavement with the rear wheels sitting on the drive.

Mr Rost told the news provider: “It’s been there for three years and I’ve never had a ticket in that time until the two last week. The back is overhanging by one foot and I think they are just trying their luck. It’s an outrage.”

A spokesman for Sussex Police told the Argus that it had not received any complaints relating to the vehicle.

Norfolk couple launch campervan wedding car business

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by Tom Walsh

Fans of BBC3’s Don’t Tell The Bride will be well aware of trials and tribulations it takes to organise a wedding, and now a Norfolk couple have given would-be newlyweds a unique offering.

Samantha and Neil Adcock from Swaffham are allowing brides and grooms to travel to their nuptials in style in a converted 1970s VW Campervan.

Mr and Mrs Adcock have launched VW Camper 4 Weddings which gives people the luxury of going to and from their ceremony in the comfort of a cream campervan, complete with a bow tie at the front.

Speaking to Lynn News, Mr Adcock said: “We are amazed with the response and great comments we have been receiving. Couples seem to like something different nowadays and that we offer.”

However, they are not the first to latch onto this gap in the market, with rival services include Dub Tails and Love Dub Campers.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise, after all a recent survey showed that caravanning honeymoons are on the rise.

To take a closer look at the VW Camper 4 Weddings conversion, click on the slideshow below.


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Winnebago records 53% jump in profits in first three months of 2014

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by Tom Walsh

US motorhome maker Winnebago Industries Inc has enjoyed a highly successful first quarter of 2014 with a 53 per cent increase in profits.

The company bucked the trend to the rest of the sector which has been hampered by storms in the US causing transportation and business disruption.

Winnebago managed to record a 45 per cent increase in the total amount of motorhomes delivered (2,055 units) up until 1 March. Trailer shipments had also improved by five per cent to 575.

In a statement, chief executive Randy Potts said: “We achieved strong results for the quarter, notwithstanding challenges associated with the severe winter weather.”

Winnebago has now switched its attention to the creation of new models with the company already having rolled the first Travato motorhome off the production line. Further “Class B” motorhomes are also in the works.

Deliveries of these models had also improved in the second quarter, further adding to the firm’s confidence.

Eterniti Caravans enters administration leaving orders undelivered

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by Chris Jefferies
‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/eterniti/">Eterniti Caravans has passed into administration, leaving many caravanners in limbo with regard to their new models.
The last week (27 March), SJ Woodward and TA Jack of Ernst & Young issued a statement saying that they had been appointed as joint administrators under the provisions of the Insolvency Act.
What’s more, the administrators added that Eterniti “is not in a financial position to fulfil outstanding customer orders or refund customer deposits”.
This means that any caravanners who have ordered an Eterniti in the past few months could be left significantly out of pocket.
Eterniti unveiled its ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="http://www.caravantimes.co.uk/news/caravan-shows/eterniti-caravans-reveals-prices-and-pictures-of-new-slide-out-range-$21380923.htm">first prototype caravans in early 2012, with the first complete ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="http://www.caravantimes.co.uk/news/caravan-shows/eterniti-caravans-reveals-launch-layouts-for-chronicle-and-genesis-$21381837.htm">Genesis and Chronicle ranges showcased at the Birmingham NEC in October 2013.
Most recently the company had exhibited at the 2014 Spring Caravan and Camping Show, with many hailing their innovative ideas and refreshingly honest approach to handling complaints.
Indeed, Managing Director Phil Daniels told CaravanTimes that he had sold his business Eterniti Steels to help fund his expansion plans and the company had benefitted from TV exposure on The Apprentice: You’re Fired and Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
The administrators added that they will be contacting all creditors and customers as soon as possible, but in the meantime, all queries should be addressed to the address below:

    Eterniti Caravans Limited (in Administration)
    c/o Ernst & Young LLP
    100 Barbirolli Square
    Manchester
    M2 3EY

For news on job losses at the Eterniti factory click here, or to read Ernst & Young’s statement on Eterniti warranty and repair work, click here.

Caravan Club closes 12 parks for Easter weekend due to snowy weather

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by Emmy Griffiths

As if the prolonged snow and rain wasn’t making everybody miserable enough, The Caravan Club has reported that several of their sites have been forced to close due to the bad weather conditions for the first Bank Holiday of the year.

If you were planning on taking a break with your caravan over the long weekend and want to know if the weather is going to rain on your parade, then be sure to check the following list of park closures where the snow is still heavy on the ground. We hope your chosen destination isn’t one of them.

Park closures:

  • Bromyard Downs Caravan Club Site
  • Buxton Caravan Club Site
  • Carsington Water Caravan Club Site
  • Chatsworth Park Caravan Club Site
  • Coniston Park Coppice Caravan Club Site
  • Lady Margaret’s Park Caravan Club Site
  • Lower Wensleydale Caravan Club Site
  • Much Wenlock Caravan Club Site
  • Stamford Caravan Club Site
  • Troutbeck Head Caravan Club Site
  • Tewkesbury Abbey Caravan Club Site
  • Uttoxeter Race Course Caravan Club Site
  • Houghton Mill Caravan Club Site (closed to motorhomes only)

There are also several sites that are still open but experiencing light snow fall. As long as you are determined to go and are not expecting a suntan, you shouldn’t have a problem with the following:

  • Braemar The Invercauld Caravan Club Site
  • Hawes Caravan Club Site
  • Hebden Bridge Caravan Club Site
  • The Firs Caravan Club Site
  • The Howard, Rosedale Abbey
  • Scarborough West Ayton
  • Wirral Country Park Club Site

Finally we have a list of parks that are very much open and clear from snow, but still very wet – be sure to take your wellies!

  • Aberbran Caravan Club site
  • Durham Grange Caravan Club site
  • Exmoor House Caravan Club site
  • Yellowcraig Caravan Club site

If you’re in any doubt, call ahead and check with the wardens. Have these closures put a dampener on your weekend plans? Post your comments below.