Police warning after caravan theft in South Lincolnshire

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by Jack Beresford

Lock up your caravan nice and tight this evening was the message following the loss of another beloved tourer to thieves in South Lincolnshire.

The latest theft occurred late on Saturday (November 17th) when a tourer was taken from a property in the Draw Dyke region of Sutton St James, the Peterborough Telegraph reports.

On this occasion, a white 2003 edition two-berth Lunar Stellar vehicle was taken from the home, in what is the latest of a growing epidemic of caravan-related crime.

The previous day saw the attempted theft of another tourer based in the region, with the thieves only disturbed after a neighbor noticed them loitering around the vehicle-in-question.

Police are now calling for assistance in helping to catch these criminals, while also requesting that those with caravans of their own ensure they put the right number of security measures in place to prevent further problems.

Last month law enforcement officials began the search for a man wanted in connection with the theft of a television and several other items from a tourer in North Yorkshire.

Elddis gives insight into motorhome crash testing

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by Jack Beresford

Elddis has stepped up its efforts to promote the company’s ongoing ‘Belts = Berths’ motorhome passengers safety campaign.

Now over a year old, the initiative has seen the tourer manufacturer strive to ensure that every sleeping berth designated on their vehicles is provided with its own specific seat belt.

It’s an initiative that the company is passionate about and something it believes is essential to basic onboard safety.

Despite Elddis’ dedication to this cause, the manufacturer is the only UK motorhome provider to currently adhere to such rules.

As company director Rob Quine argues: “It is wholly inappropriate for a responsible motorhome converter to develop and offer for sale, for example, a four berth motorhome which has only two seat belts.It is just wrong!”

The result is the ‘Belts = Berths’ campaign, which sees Elddis make seatbelt provision a priority, with these safety straps undergoing extensive testing to ensure they are safe and compliant with European Safety regulations.

Elddis is commited to safety and made a point of detailing their extremely thorough crash tests, which they believe are the best in the industry as their ‘<' . strtolower('Array') href="http://www.elddis.co.uk/news/elddis-still-the-safest-motorhomes-in-the-uk"a rel="nofollow" target="_blank">website describes:

“The test is a simulated crash test where the force applied to the seat belt and frame is calculated taking into account the deceleration which occurs in a 70mph crash, the weight of two adults sitting in the seats, and the weight of the frame itself.

“The frame is fitted onto a test rig which is constructed around the motorhome’s chassis and the seat frame…The loads applied can be as high as 4500kgs (4.5 tonne) and these are applied to simulate the rapid loads applied in a crash situation.”

Elddis have made safety a priority in recent years – becoming the first UK manufacturer to gain EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval for their motorhomes in 2009.

With road safety an increasingly important concern across the UK’s busy road network, other manufacturers would be advised to take note.

Subaru XV named SUV of the year by 4×4 Magazine

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by Jack Beresford

The Subaru XV could be rising up the pecking order for caravan owners, after it receiving the title of ‘SUV of the Year’ for 2012 by 4×4 Magazine.

This accolade follows a series of strenuous tests designed to put the vehicle through its paces, with a number of SUVs competing as part of the challenge.

A panel of judges, which was comprised of members of the publication’s editorial team, assessed the performance of the car, with a view to picking a winner.

They eventually plumped for the Subaru XV, praising the vehicle for its fuel economy, off-road ability and all-round enjoyable drive.

In addition to this, the model was also praised for the impressive customer service package provided as part of the purchase.

Speaking about the award-winning vehicle, 4×4 Magazine editor Nigel Fryatt said: “The SUV class in 4×4 Magazine’s 4×4 of the Year test is one of the most competitive. The Subaru XV was an interesting new arrival in that class, which did much to impress judges.”

As CaravanTimes reported back in February, the Subaru XV has a maximum towing limit of 1,600kg and prices start at under £22,000. To see more of this handsome towcar, click on the picture gallery below:


Find more photos like this on CaravanTimes

Tornado turns New Zealand family’s caravan upside-down

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by Jack Beresford

There was caravan-based carnage in the town of Cromwell in Central Otage, New Zealand after a mini-tornado left one family’s tourer in a topsy-turvey condition.

In the hands of less than careful owners caravans can often be tipped over.

However local resident Glen Christiansen, his wife and three young children could blame nature after their caravan was flipped over.

They had planned to enjoy a quiet night in last week, when trouble breezed their way.

As the Otago Daily Times reports, it was around 6.15pm last Friday when his partner Sarah Christiansen noticed what appeared to be a “swirling wind” heading towards their home.

Taking refuge with his family in the nearby laundry, the family waited while the mini-storm passed through their country estate.

It was only afterwards that they discovered the true extent of the destruction left in its wake, with the family’s twin-axle caravan seemingly lifted into the air, flipped up and dropped on its roof.

And while no one was hurt in the bizarre incident, the family admitted that it may have some trouble explaining the situation to their insurance company!

Government fines Devon park owner £20,000 for dumping sewage

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by Jack Beresford

When it comes to caravan park maintenance, one owner has learnt that grime most certainly does not pay after receiving a hefty fine for polluting a local river with sewage.

According to the Herald Express, Martin Willett was fined £20,000 by magistrates in Torquay this week, after he was found guilty of discharging poor quality sewage effluent from his Paignton caravan park into a tributary of the nearby River Dart.

The Environment Agency opted to prosecute the park owner, after Mr Willett failed to heed a previous warning in 2008 that the area’s sewage plant was not operating correctly.

Four subsequent test samples of sewage from the region came back with negative results and over the next four years the park owner failed to make any of the necessary improvements to the site.

Things came to a head in October 2011, when the Environment Agency found that no improvements had been made and that sewage fungus had begun to develop.

Agency representative Pete Ball told the news provider: “Inaction on the part of the site operator resulted in continued illegal discharges of sewage into a rural stream. In the end we were left with no choice other than to prosecute.”

In addition to the £20,000 fine, Mr Willett was forced to pay £13,089 in costs and ordered to carry out improvement work to the tune of £400,000 before March 31st 2013.

The Environment Agency is committed to ensuring caravan and camping sites adhere to strict rules regarding sewage and waste disposal.

VIDEO: Inside a top windsurfer’s Bailey Pegasus caravan

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by Chris Jefferies

For many people caravans are the ideal way to get around the country, see new things and try new experiences.

Keen windsurfer Neil Greentree takes this one step further, using his Bailey Pegasus caravan to protect him and his team from the harsh conditions associated with the sport.

In this video Neil explains how important his tourer is, providing the QSW team with a range of home comforts they would otherwise be without.

He lavished particular praise on the Bailey Pegasus Ancona which he described as “probably the best van we’ve ever had.”

The caravan is not just a base however, and the strength of the Bailey Pegasus allows Neil to stand on top of it to get a better look at the action.

Neil is eager to bring new people into the sport and as so many of our readers at CaravanTimes already have tourers, they are well placed to give the sport a try.

So what do you all think? Fancy giving windsurfing a go? What other things has your caravan helped you do? Let us know in either the comments or on the forum.

Top tips on changing your gas supply for winter caravanning

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by Chris Jefferies

When caravanning in the winter months, gas heaters and cookers can be crucial for keeping you and your family comfy.

So it’s important to make sure that you’ve got the right type of fuel to run these vital appliances, when the mercury drops below zero.

Caravan gas cylinders can be filled with two different types of fuel: propane and butane, and they each have specific pros and cons.

For this reason, the insurance experts at Towergate have recently published a handy guide to choosing the right type of fuel for your holiday.

They also explain the different techniques you can use to tell whether your gas cylinder is empty or not, including an old-fashioned method and some clever new technology from Calor and Truma.

To find how to choose between the different types of caravan gas on the market, read Towergate’s original article: Butane or propane – which is best for winter?

This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby poses in caravan for saucy shoot

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by Jack Beresford

While she may be best known for her television work, this week Holly Willoughby supplied a Surprise Surprise moment of a different kind for avid caravan enthusiasts.

The 31-year-old presenter posed in a series of provocative pictures in a glamour shoot for her official website.

Rumour has it that the telly favourite is a big fan of caravans, with sources suggesting that Willoughby was keen to conduct the sultry shoot in the camper-based surroundings rather than a more luxurious setting.

And speaking to the Mirror, the head of the National Association of Caravan Owners Terry O’Dell welcomed the buxom blonde’s endorsement of all things caravanning.

“Caravans are fantastic value for money and it’s great Holly helped promote this,” he told the news provider.

The television personality is the latest big name to give caravanning the big thumbs up following closely on from This Is England actress Vicky McClure and Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole.

VIDEO: What does your caravan insurance actually cover?

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by Chris Jefferies

CaravanTimes has already discussed why it is important that caravan owners have insurance, but it’s also important to make sure you have the right type of insurance.

Choosing a policy can be difficult, however with plenty of small print to read, often making it hard to understand what is actually covered.

In this video we talk to Rob Walton and Kat Woodhead from Simple Caravan Insurance, who cut through the confusion, with answers to some of the key questions our members have asked about insurance.

They clear up some important questions; such as whether awnings are always included, the difference between caravan and contents cover, plus which modifications can you make without harming an insurance claim?

Thanks to Old Hall Touring Park and Kenmore Caravans for their help with this video.

Swift Group unveils two new Escape motorhome layouts

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by Jack Beresford

Swift Group is set to introduce two new models to the current range of Escape Motorhomes produced by the manufacturer.

The new vehicles continue the company’s long-standing tradition for providing affordable and economical motorhome options with both of the new models priced below £40,000.

The four-berth Escape 644 (pictured below) has been designed with families in mind and is likely to be among the major talking points when it makes its debut at the Caravan and Motorhome Show in Manchester this January.

The two-berth 662 Escape meanwhile is the perfect fit for travelling couples, thanks in no small part to the fixed bed layout of the tourer.

Both motorhomes will be in attendance at the Spring Caravan & Camping Show at the NEC, which is taking place in February.

Commenting on the new arrivals, Swift Group commercial director Nick Page said: “It’s the more price sensitive motorhomes that are performing well and our Escape range of coachbuilt models is attracting the most buyers. This has prompted us to expand the range to offer a wider choice in layouts for both couples and families.”

Cumbrian mum climbs Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for caravan

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by Jack Beresford

The team behind Alice’s Escapes – a charity set up to provide holidays to families with seriously ill children – is celebrating after it successfully raised the funds required to purchase a new caravan.

This new tourer will be used to provide these families with accommodation during the short breaks provided by the group.

This latest fundraising drive was headed up by volunteer Vicky Pyne, who quite literally gave herself a mountain to climb with the challenge of ascending the mighty Kilimanjaro in order to raise the required £10,000.

And as the North West Evening Mail reports, the campaign hit its target this week with Vicky taking to Twitter to appeal for more donations.

The call proved a wise one, with Pyne exceeding her £10,000 target to reach a total of £10,600.

As the news provider reported, Pyne’s daughter tweeted: “OMG. We’ve done it! This week is looking good, going to get a few days home, have #ChristmasInNovember AND buy a caravan!!! THANK YOU.”

Alice’s Escapes currently organises trips in and around the Lake District. For more information on the charoity and the help it provides for families visit Alice’s escapes.

World’s fastest caravan towed across American desert at 140mph

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by Ben Wilby

People will always try and break records. It is a natural human trait to want to be the best, and this has seen man accomplish many great things, and some truly bizarre feats as well.

An American company recently wrote their name in the history books in a highly unusual way – by breaking the world record for fastest speed achieved while towing a caravan.

The attempt was described by David Endres, Director of Operations for Carson Trailers, who provided the tourer as “definitely crazy”.

This continues the trend for attempting speeds never before attempted that was started by German company Goldschmitt, who broke the record for the fastest Motorhome earlier this year.

But this record was arguably even more impressive – Carson Trailers used a GMC 2500 HD that was modified to reach nearly 1,000bhp, almost the same as a Bugatti Veyron.

The caravan chosen for this crazy stunt was a Carson Kalispell, which had its tyres replaced to ensure they stood up to the extreme speeds, but was otherwise unchanged.

Inside this super-fast tourer was a toilet, a heater, a fridge – everything you would need for a comfortable holiday.

Jason Sands, the anxious driver admitted that they “did not talk about safety much” and was understandably very nervous before the run, despite the precautions taken by the team.

However the ride went perfectly with Sands quickly reaching speeds of 120 mph. A quick nitrous boost saw him cross the finish line at 141.998 mph earning him and the team a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

Despite the success David gave a final warning to others eager to break the record: “We don’t recommend towing the trailer faster than the recommended speed limit.”

The world record attempt can be viewed in the video below and we at CaravanTimes look forward to seeing the next set of brave people who are crazy enough to attempt to beat this record.