Tyron bands hold key to tyre maintenance

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by Jack Beresford

With recent research showcasing the growing problem posed by potholes across the UK road network, caravan users would be wise to wise-up when it comes to tyre maintenance.

A compound blowout can be the root cause of any number of serious accidents involving touring caravans, with the potential for a loss of towing control and vehicle collisions.

And alongside these risks are the similarly pressing financial issues created by such a problem, with the average cost of a caravan tyre blowout approximately £2,000.

The message to tourer owners is ultimately a simple one though: look after your tyres.

Good tyre maintenance should focus on preserving the safety and usability of the tyre to reduce the risk of failure or blowout.

Replacing compounds regularly can help, but in the event of a deflating situation Tyron bands can prove useful at increasing tourer stability and allowing the driver to pull the vehicle to the side of the road.

Designed to fill the well in all modern wheel hubs, they also allow a new compound to be fitted easily, reducing the risk of a compound slipping.

Lyme Regis facing slide in caravan site profits

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by Jack Beresford

As much as £157,000 in yearly profits may be lost if a planning application to carry on using Monmouth Beach for caravanning is denied by officials concerned at a recent series of landslides.

That is according to a report from John Wright, a deputy town clerk from the Lyme Regis Town Council, who is concerned at the potential impact a closure would have on the local region.

Under the current plans, the council must submit a five-year planning application to use the Monmouth Beach facility for caravans this July, with the present agreement due to expire on 30 June.

But concerns over the safety of the site, following a series of slips, has prompted some to call for the area to be closed, something which has been met with strong opposition by local leaders.

The new report from Mr Wright counters such concerns though, arguing that a number of measures can be taken to prevent repeat incidents.

“Health and safety has been the most paramount aspect for us and we have been in constant contact with the chalet owners affected,” he said in an interview with The View.

“There is a financial impact for this council. If the council was to lose the whole site we would lose £157,000 and if you included the other areas of day huts it would be considerably more.”

Caravan caper Sightseers set for DVD release

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by Jack Beresford

While horror, comedy and caravanning aren’t necessarily three things that go hand-in-hand, Sightseers could see that particular view point change.

Telling the hilarious and equally morbid tale of caravanning couple Chris and Tina, the film garnered rave reviews from a variety of critics and has already gained something approaching cult status among film-lovers everywhere.

Caravan fans will be particularly interested by the film’s other major star – a rather fetching Abbey Oxford Caravan!

And with the film now due to be released on DVD on 25 March, it could make for the perfect accompaniment to anyone setting off on a springtime trip across the British Isles.

Using sights like the Crich Tramway Museum, the Ribblehead Viaduct and the Keswick Pencil Museum, the film also serves up a rather macabre fantasy for caravanners out there, as this terrible twosome encounter and duly dispatch litterbugs, noisy teenagers and a meddling mother to boot.

With just a few weeks to go until it’s release, this could be one film to have you screaming – with laughter we hope!

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DFDS Seaways sets a course for Spring Caravan and Camping Show

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by Jack Beresford

DFDS Seaways may not be a name traditionally associated with tourers but the ferry operator is hoping to change that this month at the Spring Caravan and Camping Show which is being held at the NEC Birmingham this week (19 to 24 February).

The travel operator is keen to attract caravanners to mainland Europe, with a series of special discounts set to be offered to those heading across to the continent in 2013.

Offers include tickets for as little as £24 each way for a motorhome travelling on one of its Dover to France routes, while a car and caravan can travel for £29 each way on the offer.

Alternatively, a trip for a car and caravan from Portsmouth to Le Havre is priced at £132 one-way, with prices on the Newhaven to Dieppe route starting at £114 one way.

UK passenger director Max Foster said: “The Spring Caravan and Camping Show is always well attended and gives us a great opportunity to offer exclusive fares and deals to our loyal camping and caravan customers.”

DFDS Seaways currently travels 44 times a day between Dover and France.

The Caravan Club secures Shaftesbury site in Dorset

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by Jack Beresford

Members of the Caravan Club look set to benefit from access to the scenic surroundings of the Shaftesbury Park Estate in Wimborne St Giles, Dorset, after the organisation confirmed it had secured the site for use in 2013.

Under the plans, the temporary camping area will be open to visitors from 23 August to 8 September, with bookings available from the first week of March and as many as 5,000 outfit nights set to be available during the 17 days of opening.

The site proved popular with UK staycationers last year, with many drawn to the location’s close proximity to attractions like the Bournemouth Air Festival.

There is also the obvious presence of the Shaftesbury Estate itself, which is home to the Earl of Shaftesbury and includes opportunities for fly-fishing on the nearby River Allen.

This time round there is even a ten per cent discount available for families heading to the Great Dorset Steam Fair (28 August to 1 September).

Events manager Len Short said: “They say location, location, location and Dorset is always popular with so much to do in the surrounding area, and with prices remaining the same as they were in 2012, we hope members will consider it to be great value for money.”

Iconic 1930s Bowlus Road Chief revived for 21st Century

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by Emmy Griffiths and Jack Peat

An iconic 1930s caravan has been revived by Canadian tech entrepreneurs, updating a version of the Bowlus Road Chief in what they call a “revival of an Art Moderne style with 21st century touches”.

Hawley Bowlus, a pilot and aircraft designer, first designed the iconic caravan in the 1930s based on aircraft principles with a streamlined aluminium body.

At the time, the design wasn’t to the taste of American travellers, although a similar design was adopted by Wally Byam in 1936 for the much more popular Airstream range.

However, in today’s age vintage is more popular than ever and the Bowlus Road Chief certainly encapsulates the classic American trailer.

The unique design is what inspired John Long and Helena Mitchell to remake the model, maintaining a retro interior with modern touches, including stainless steel countertops, LED lighting and wireless antennas to bring it into the 21st century.

Mr Bowlus described it as the “world’s most aerodynamic travel trailer”, with an aluminium frame, enclosed undercarriage and elliptical windows complete with brass mesh and a rounded front end.

However, although the caravan sleeps four and you receive a celebratory bottle of champagne on purchase, this newly in vogue caravan will set you back a whopping $100,000 (£64,771).

Do you think it’s worth it? Post your comments below.

Deliberate caravan blaze reported in Sussex

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By Jack Peat

A caravan in West Ashling, Sussex, has reportedly been set ablaze in a deliberate attack, according to local news agencies.

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called to the Ratham Lane on Sunday evening (17 February), by which time the caravan was well alight.

A spokeswoman from the fire service said they had received calls from passers-by and were taking care of the blaze, adding that the fire was caused deliberately.

No one was in the caravan at the time, nor was anyone hurt by the blaze, but the fire managed to destroy 100 per cent of the caravan.

The “deliberate ignition” seemingly swept through the vehicle in no time at all, with first reports of the blaze coming at around 8pm on the Sunday night.

There have also been reports of a small fire on the side of the A27 eastbound three miles from Fishbourne.

Fifth Wheel Co reveals new 2013 DreamSeeker model

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by Arash Hekmat

‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="/fifth-wheel/">Fifth Wheel Company has announced the launch of a new model in its DreamSeeker range for 2013.

The latest variant from the North Wales-based caravan manufacturer promises to make holidaymakers’ dreams come true and is on display at the Spring Caravan & Camping Show at the Birmingham NEC this week.

It sports a bigger slide-out and a range of improved interior options, all with the aim of maximising the available space inside, while also enabling customers to make their tourer more personal than ever.

Among the new options is a leather style add-on, offering a range of leather and complimentary trims, as well as kitchen splash-backs made from acrylic.

“The new DreamSeeker model is more spacious than ever before and can sleep up to five people,” says Adrian Parry-Jones, operations director at Fifth Wheel Co.

“It is ideal for long weekends or holidays in style,” he continued.

The revamp aims to build on the success and popularity of the 2010 model, while making it more practical and luxurious than ever before, he added.

With its Fifth Wheel technology, the caravan is towing by attaching it directly to the bed of specially converted 4×4 pickup-type vehicles for added stability on the road.

Have some February fun with Camping in the Forest and save 25%

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by Arash Hekmat

One of the best bits about camping and caravanning is that you’re always ready to take a holiday, even at short notice. No messing around months in advance trying to get favourable flight or hotel rates.

So why not make this flexibility really count and take advantage of the stellar offer that Camping in the Forest is currently running.

If you book during the remainder of February, you can secure 25 per cent off all standard grass pitches for the rest of the season.

The offer extends to all 20 of the group’s UK sites, including New Forest, Forest of Dean, Scotland and Wales, and is subject to availability, with a maximum of six people per pitch allowed and a minimum of two consecutive nights booking required. The maximum allowable length of a stay under this offer is 28 days.

To take advantage of the deal, ring Camping in the Forest on 024 7767 8317 quoting the reference AF25.

If you don’t feel like holidaying just yet, fret not. The offer covers all arrivals between now and December 31st, 2013.

VIDEO: Specialised Covers explain their new towing protector

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by Chris Jefferies
Caravan storage covers have been commonplace in the UK for many years, but recently they have been joined by towing protector covers, as another useful accessory for people who want to take good care of their pride and joy.
In this video, we meet Elliot Long from Specialised Covers who explains how a towing cover works and why it might be worth investing in one.
His argument is that “care minimises depreciation” and he claims that a caravan towing cover can pay for itself during the life of your caravan, as it will be worth more when you come to sell it on or trade it in.
We also find out about the latest version of the caravan towing protector – the TowPro, which is being unveiled at next week’s NCC Spring Caravan and Camping Show.
Elliot talks us through the different options available and how you can get a cover that is tailor made to fit your exact caravan.
Thanks to Dickinson Caravans for their help with this video.

How to choose the right towcar to match your caravan

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by Chris Jefferies
Picking the right car to tow your caravan with is an expensive decision and one that could make the difference between a great caravan holiday and a disastrous trip.
With this in mind, Towergate Insurance has recently released a guide to three of the most popular and award-winning towcars on sale in the UK today.
The guide looks at the pros and cons of the Volkswagen Jetta, which has won the Caravan Club’s Towcar of the Year for the last two years in a row.
For those with a larger budget, the insurers also take a look at the Nissan Qashqai (which is the UK’s best-selling 4×4) and the ever-popular Land Rover Discovery 4.
Whatever car you choose, the most important thing is to make sure that the weight of the car is greater than the weight of your laden caravan, otherwise you can risk a run-in with the police or, worse still, a towing accident.
To find out how the Jetta, Qashqai and Discovery compare, read Towergate’s original article: How to choose a suitable towcar.

Caravan Club choir to bring harmony to 2013 National Rally

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by Jack Beresford

Those attending the Caravan Club’s 2013 National Rally in Belvoir Castle this May will be invited to indulge their musical side at the Swift marquee.

This invitation comes courtesy of the Caravan Club Singers – the organisation’s very own community choir.

Put together by music educators Alison and Brian Ley back in 2005, the group began with a membership of just 28.

In the years since, this number has swelled to over 70, with an average of 65 singers at every performance.

And come Sunday 26 May, the group will be hoping for another healthy turnout when they perform at the Swift marquee at 2pm.

With a host of familiar gospel favourites, as well as songs from musicals like Les Miserables and My Fair Lady, there will be something to suit all tastes.

After last year’s washout, the Club will surely be hoping for better luck with the weather this time – and with that in mind we think this Caravan Club Singers video is more than appropriate…