5 things every caravanner or motorhomer will experience this Christmas

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It’s great owning a caravan or a motorhome at any time of the year, but there’s a number of situations you’ll find yourself in at Christmas that only those with leisure vehicles will recognise.

So, you know you’re part of the lifestyle when…

All your Christmas presents are stashed in the caravan

Finding a place to hide the kids’ presents is always tricky, but being a caravan owner, you’ve got the perfect place away from prying eyes. Just remember to check every cupboard, the fridge and under the seats to make sure you haven’t stashed them away so successfully even you can’t find them!

Your Christmas list is made up of accessories for your leisure vehicle

There’s always something you need for the caravan or motorhome and Christmas is a great opportunity to get them. Whether you want a new awning, fancy a brighter head torch or have your eye on a portable pizza oven, your Christmas wish list is bound to be full of camping-related kit.

There’s a novelty campervan item in your stocking

Whether it’s a VW mug or campervan socks, you can guarantee that a distant relative who didn’t know what to get you went down the obvious route and went with a novelty take on your favourite hobby.

You’ll escape to the motorhome at least once over the festive period

If your motorhome is parked just there on the drive, then it’s inevitable that you’ll end up sitting in it to escape the family at some point during the celebrations. The benefits of motorhome ownership really are endless and five minutes’ peace is priceless.

Boxing Day will be about planning adventures

By Boxing Day the frenetic energy of Christmas Day will have subsided and there’s a chance to enjoy a more sedate activity. For caravan and motorhome enthusiasts, this is an opportunity to spread the maps out on the floor and crack open touring guides to plan adventures for 2022. The possibilities are endless…

 

Photo credit: Pexels/Andrea Imre

Nick’s News – Towing rules, end-of-year bargains and the Adria Sonic Supreme 700 DC

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Nick HardingNick’s News – Nick Harding is an expert in all things motorhomes, caravans and camping. Each week, Nick explores products, locations, holiday ideas and essential community information on our behalf – It’s a Hard-ing Life for Nick, but here is what he found this week.

My week

It’s time to hunker down, I reckon. The latest Covid news – and I’m sure there will be more developments between me writing this and you reading it – is not good, yet we still all have a part to play in keeping transmission levels down.

But, I’m in a celebratory mood. This month sees me reaching 20 years of continuous membership of the Caravan and Motorhome Club. Over that time, I’ve benefitted so much from everything from its authoritative technical advice to its huge network of UK sites, smaller-scale Certificated Locations (CLs), which are exclusive to members, and campsites abroad. Frankly, long may it continue.

In the news

Tow heavy – it’s official now

It has finally been confirmed! As of December 16th this year (2021) anyone with a full driving licence can tow a caravan weighing up to 3,500kg. In other words, any caravan. That brings everyone into line with us more mature drivers who passed their driving test before January 1997.

Do check your towing vehicle details to ensure your car is OK to tow if you’re going for a heavier unit. Maximum towing limit and gross train weight are the two key figures to consider. Oh, and check your insurance while you’re at it.

And I’m sure all road users will feel comfortable to accept government advice that you take proper training from a qualified instructor if you are considering towing a caravan of any weight and size, most especially if it’s your first time.

See more here: Role 2: Guide and control the vehicle – National standard for driving cars and light vans (category B) – Guidance – GOV.UK.

Smile – the grandparents are here

Kids love their grandparents; it’s true. A survey of five- to seven-year-olds for the www.playlikemum.com website has found that youngsters like being with their grans and gramps because they make them smile.

They also prefer being with their grandparents over any other family member, apparently. Playing games together is another key reason, plus, of course, the fact that grandparents are more likely to dish out treats than anyone else in the family.

As someone who’s become a grandparent by proxy in the last two years, I can’t wait to take two-year-old Thomas and his slightly younger cousin Millie off on what will hopefully be the first of many camping trips.

Motorhome for me?

Adria Sonic Supreme 700 DC – the stuff of silver dreamsThe interior of the Adria Sonic Supreme 700 DC

Over here and under-rated? A-class motorhomes from Adria tend to sneak under the radar, which I think is a little unfair. The Slovenian company has been making coachbuilt motorhomes since 1982, and its reputation on the international scene is second to none, which is just as well, because it exports nearly every caravan and motorhome it makes.

Finished in silver, the 7.5m-long Sonic Supreme 700 DC boasts luxury from all angles. It’s a proper four-berth, with rear island double bed plus a typical A-class pull-down double over the cab area. The lounge settees can be converted to forward-facing seats for travel. It’s all based on Fiat’s latest Ducato chassis-cowl.

Supreme is Adria’s highest level of specification. Such is the skywards-heading way of motorhome prices at the moment, the 700 DC tops £103,000, but that’s before you add any goodies, such as automatic transmission, upholstery upgrades and the pretty-much-essential £3,850 Lux Pack.

Three good: Well made, stylish and innovative
Two bad: Price of extras and availability could be an issue
Perfect for… The grandest of touring adventures
Also consider: Dethleffs Esprit I 750-2 DBL and Rapido i96,

Grab an end-of-year bargain?

As per my suggestion last week, if you’re looking to buy Christmas presents, boy are you cutting it fine. There are some interesting bargains to be had, though, especially if you’re not overly worried about meeting that December 25th deadline.

My pick of the special offers is from Snooper, where there are also a couple of dash cams with significant reductions. Its Tyre Pilot STP1400 tyre pressure monitor is down to £59.99 from £99.99 – although I must admit I struggled to access this offer at the time of writing.

Still searching for ideas? You need a torch. Check out the portfolio at Princeton – starting with the £6.95 Tec Pulsar Handheld 10 Lumen Water Resistant Light. And yes, the name is bigger than the light itself!Torch

Further up the price scale is the £59.95 Alloy-X 400 Lumen Waterproof Pen Light, which can be powered via a couple of AAA batteries or a USB connection.

A little call-out, too, for Ethical Superstore. As you’ve probably surmised, all of its huge portfolio of homeware, grocery, cleaning, beauty and gift products is ethically sourced. And it’s offering half price delivery in time for Christmas if you order anything before 2pm on Wednesday 22nd December.

Motorhome and caravan expert makes 2022 predictions

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Chris Lowe, director at Kimberley – The Caravan and Motorhome People, has given his predictions for the tourism industry in 2022.

He highlighted how the pandemic has brought about new opportunities and this is something he expects to continue into the future.

Mr Lowe said: “The new market size for leisure vehicles has grown significantly since the UK lockdown ended. The current prediction is around 16,000 new units produced, up from 14,000 18 months ago, which is a 15 per cent increase.

“However, without the current supply chain issues and manufacturer production capabilities, it is expected that this figure would have been even higher.”

He referenced the new coronavirus variant and how it’s likely to continue the trend for holidaymakers looking to be self contained on their getaways.

We saw the first time Covid-19 restrictions were loosened that those with motorhomes equipped with their own toilets and showers were able to enjoy trips away without using shared facilities.

Mr Lowe believes that the younger generation will still be keen to convert their own campers in 2022, lured by the cost savings and freedom of a DIY project.

There are some 286,000 posts tagged with #camperconversion on Instagram alone and such inspiration is likely to lead to even more people joining the movement.

Google’s A Year in Trends report recently reported that “how to maintain mental health” was searched more than ever in 2021.

This emphasis on mental health is something that is being reflected more in the choices people make about their holidays.

The pandemic has highlighted to many the importance of getting out in nature and enjoying healthy pursuits.

Mr Lowe thinks this will see more people combining their motorhome or caravan trip with rambling, golf, fishing and cycling in the year to come.

The best campsites for winter motorhome holidays revealed

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The Canterbury Camping and Caravanning Club Site in Kent has been declared the best location in the UK for taking a winter motorhome break.

Research carried out by the experts at Buymymotorhome.com discovered it had eight key factors that make it a the perfect place to enjoy a getaway at this time of the year.

Among the considerations were proximity to attractions, the quality of winter weather, the price of a pitch, the number of things to do in winter, the amount of all-weather attractions, and visitor reviews.

The Canterbury site is just a short walk from the city centre, where 267 winter attractions are listed on TripAdvisor.

Its location means it boasts warmer and drier weather than many other parts of the UK, and it was also found to represent good value for money for Kent.

Motorhomes enjoying a winter break in Canterbury can visit its famous cathedral and the historic neighbourhood known as the King’s Mile.

Here you’ll find an eclectic mix of independent shops, cafes and pubs, which are perfect for getting cosy after a wander around the city.

Natalie Drewery, operations director at Buymymotorhome.com, said: “Demand for holidaying in the UK has never been higher. It’s fantastic to see so many people out camping, caravanning, and rediscovering the beauty of the UK, but it also means securing a pitch for the summer is harder than ever before.

“A motorhome holiday in the winter months is one of the best ways to explore the UK. The campsites are a lot more quiet and tranquil – there’s something magical about parking up to views of peaceful fields of frost.”

Here’s the rundown of the top five sites for winter motorhome holidays:

1. Canterbury Camping and Caravanning Club Site, Kent

2. Cambridge Cherry Hinton Caravan and Motorhome Club Site

3. Brighton Caravan and Motorhome Club Site

4. York Rowntree Park Caravan and Motorhome Club Site

5. Bridlington Caravan and Motorhome Club Site

Nick’s News – Delivery dates, 2022 plans and the Elddis Avanté 585

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Nick HardingNick’s News – Nick Harding is an expert in all things motorhomes, caravans and camping. Each week, Nick explores products, locations, holiday ideas and essential community information on our behalf – It’s a Hard-ing Life for Nick, but here is what he found this week.

My week

Am I winding down to Christmas? Not really. It’s still all go for me. Literally, because there are already lots of travel plans for next year. I stress, they’re still pretty much at the planning stage, but it’s good to be optimistic.

Conditions allowing, my 2022 is shaping up with proposals for trips including the Cumbrian Coastal Route 200; the Isle of Bute; a fair sprinkling of festivals (Hay, Wychwood and Busfest to name a few); and over to Europe for some summer touring through Italy. All of this will culminate in a 60th birthday at the end of the year. Maybe then it will be time to slow down a bit.

In the news

Delivery dates? Gotta keep believing

Have you placed an order for a new or pre-owned leisure vehicle and are expecting delivery as per an agreed date? Do keep checking on developments.

A friend of mine has just been knocked back – not for the first time – on the delivery date of a campervan he first ordered just over a year ago. The general background is it’s a new conversion on a pre-owned vehicle that has been imported from Japan.

This has long been a popular way of getting into campervan ownership at a bargain price. The vehicle was in the UK at the time of the order, but there have been all kinds of excuses for the conversion work still not having been carried out.

The latest one? A recall of Dometic’s hob/sink units. Now we’re getting into fantasy land. That was about three months ago and was handled with excellent efficiency by the manufacturer, especially considering everything else that’s been going on.

What’s worse is my friend’s friend had made an order for a similar vehicle from the same company, albeit some three months later. Having had similar deadline issues, he gave the manufacturer an ultimatum and it seems he’s now been bumped up the queue ahead of my friend.

Climb every mountain? Start at the top?

Want to reach the peaks? Why not read about it first? The Epic Mountain Guide is brought to you by none other than Land Rover and it lists 40 summits that are ranked from hardest to easiest to climb in the UK.

Depending on how you look at it, starting at the top – in other words, the easiest to get up – that accolade goes to Sawel. It’s the highest of the Sperrin in Northern Ireland, but is also the quickest, taking people on average an hour to reach its 678m peak.

At the other end of the scale, 1,234m Aonach Beag, is reckoned the hardest mountain to climb. Give yourselves about six hours to tackle it. I’ve not had the pleasure of either of these, but I have made it to the top of Snowdon, which gets honourable mentions for being the most popular, taking into account TripAdvisor and Instagram reviews.

Find out more here at Land Rover Epic Mountain Guide.

Premium service means a Silver lining

Hmmm, how to make insurance interesting? That’s a challenge. Anyway, congratulations to caravan and motorhome specialist Caravan Guard for picking up a Silver award in the Personal Lines Broker of the Year category of the latest Insurance Times Awards.

It’s reassuring to know the prize recognised the company’s excellent customer feedback and high levels of loyalty, amongst other aspects of its family-run business.

Caravan crush

Elddis Avanté 585 – go nap with a five-berthThe interior of the Elddis Avanté 585

Family-friendly? That’s harder to define than you might think, but one factor could be a floorplan that puts beds as far apart as possible to optimise privacy. That’s what you get the with Avanté 585 from Elddis, as well as its sister model the Compass Casita 585.

And yes, it does sleep up to five, with three at the back, thanks to an L-shaped settee that can extend to a double bed, plus a single bunk. The front settees make a transverse double.

All this while also having sufficient facilities for family catering. The kitchen, for example, has a full cooker, as well as microwave oven, plus a Dometic 120-series slimline fridge. And the washroom has a water-efficient Ecocamel Orbit showerhead.

A maximum weight of 1,485kg (upgradeable to 1,550kg) puts it in the range of many towcars, too. And an on-the-road price of £23,644 represents good value, although you may well want to find an extra grand or so to grab some additional items, including ramped up security, from the options list.

Three good: Family values, light weight and end bedrooms
Two bad: Lacks a bit of sparkle and no washroom window
Perfect for… Five going caravanning
Also consider: Sprite Major 6TD or Weinsberg CaraOne 400 LK

Christmas come early, 2021. Part six…

Oolang bootsA winter boot that promises warmth, amazing grip and good water resistance? Try on the Olang Nora G for size, with its all-new Arctic Grip sole from specialist maker Vibram. The wool lining keeps it all cosy. Prices start at around £115.

Another handy item to keep your progression elegant whilst conditions underfoot aren’t so favourable is a walking pole. Austria’s Komperdell has long been a major name in this sector, offering a massive pole portfolio. I’d suggest starting with something like the £79.95 Trekmaster with cork grip and padded strap, all packing down to just 57cm for carrying.

Finally, do you need some help with your wrapping? Retailer Decathlon has this handy little video that gives great advice on how to gift-wrap any presents, including trickier items right up to bikes. It’s complete with lots of eco-friendly hacks to help keep any waste to a minimum. Hence tips like using recyclable wrapping paper, biodegradable tape, and lots of other re-use ideas.

My guess is by the time you read this there will be only a few days of online ordering left if you’re to guarantee on-time deliveries. So, it just leaves me to wish you a very Happy Christmas and all the very best for the year ahead.

21% of Brits planning a winter staycation

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If you’re thinking about heading off on a getaway in your motorhome or caravan in the coming weeks, then you’re in good company.

According to Park Leisure, 21 per cent of Brits are planning a winter staycation, with the Lake District, Devon and Cornwall at the top of most people’s lists.

The holiday park operator found 25 per cent of those surveyed preferred to holiday at this time of year because it’s more peaceful than during peak season.

While countryside and seaside locations are always popular, you may be interested to know there were a number of cities within the top ten too.

London, Edinburgh and York all featured as destinations popular with those looking forward to a winter break.

Lisa Williams, director of marketing and holiday sales at Park Leisure, said: “There’s no better way to embrace the colder season than to explore some of the most beautiful locations in the UK.

“Our caravan, lodge and cottage accommodations are available twelve months of the year and, with winter just around the corner, now is the perfect time to book.”

A winter holiday offers something to look forward to during the darker months of the year and as long as you’re prepared, can be a cosy experience.

Plenty of warm clothes, emergency supplies and knowledge of the conditions will mean you can make the most of your motorhome or caravan all year round.

You may also want to consider winter tyres for your towcar and leisure vehicle to be fully prepared for any adverse weather conditions.

If you’re looking for some inspiration, here’s the top ten winter staycation destinations for 2021:

1. Lake District

2. Devon

3. Cornwall

4. London

5. Yorkshire Dales

6. Edinburgh

7. Scottish Highlands

8. York

9. Cotswolds

10. North Wales

For more tips on winter getaways, see the Park Leisure blog.

 

Photo credit: Unsplash/Daniel Bowman

Travelworld marks 10 years of Hymer franchise

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Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld is marking a decade of being the UK franchise for the Hymer motorhome brand.

Back in 2012, the dealership entered into an agreement with Hymer to supply leisure vehicles to lovers of the lifestyle in the UK and has been going from strength to strength ever since.

In fact, Travelworld is now the biggest Hymer dealership in the country and is recognised as a centre of excellence, providing high-quality customer service to prospective buyers.

Ross Edwards, managing director at Travelworld, said: “The last ten years has been an incredible journey for our business, our staff and of course our customers.

“We’re extremely proud and honoured to have such strong links with Hymer and we are totally committed to specialising in what we believe are the best motorhomes in the world.”

Hymer has been manufacturing leisure vehicles since 1957 and prides itself on being the inventor of the motorhome.

It occupies a space at the premium end of the market and is known for its quality and innovation, whether it’s designing integrated or semi-integrated motorhomes for luxury excursions, or smaller campervans.

By 2015, Travelworld was ready to strengthen its ties to Hymer yet further and was renamed the Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld.

It cut ties with other manufacturers, offering only campervans and motorhomes associated with Hymer, including the Carado and Dethleffs brands and chassis accessory maker Goldschmitt.

As well as selling leisure vehicles, parts and accessories, Travelworld has a specialist servicing capability inside its vast workshop.

Some 20 bays are available for MOT testing; mechanical and habitation repairs; and accessory fitting.

Travelworld’s showroom can be found near Stafford just off junction 14 of the M6.

Nick’s News – Exploring Kent, adding value to your leisure vehicle and the Auto-Sleeper Warwick XL

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Nick HardingNick’s News – Nick Harding is an expert in all things motorhomes, caravans and camping. Each week, Nick explores products, locations, holiday ideas and essential community information on our behalf – It’s a Hard-ing Life for Nick, but here is what he found this week.

My week

Once upon a time you could order now for delivery in time to take off touring in the spring. I remember those halcyon days. That was all pre-Covid pandemic, of course, and I don’t think it’s exaggerating to say the whole leisure vehicle industry has been hit.

It’s the uncertainty of supply for key components that’s the issue for new vehicles but, in turn, folk are reluctant to trade in their current models until they know for sure their next one is on its way. Hence the relative shortage of secondhand stock. More importantly, if you have been promised a specific delivery date, do keep checking that everything is going to plan.

In the news

Kent calling? It could be garden questing time

Just in case you’re thinking of places to go touring next year… Kent, the self-proclaimed “garden of England”, has been named one of the world’s best travel destinations for 2022 by none other than the prestigious National Geographic.

England’s south east county may not spring to mind when you’re considering where to go with your caravan or motorhome, but I’m happy to add my recommendations.

Its heritage coast boasts ten Blue Flag-status beaches, five of which – Minnis Bay, West Bay, St Mildred’s Bay, Margate Main Sands and Stone Bay – are on the Isle of Thanet, the sunshine coast capital of the UK, according to the Met Office.

National Geographic was also impressed with Kent’s recent rewilding successes and its plans to reintroduce bison to the region. The Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust project will be helping to reintroduce four European bison into Blean Woods early next year.

Amongst Kent’s towns, Ramsgate, Broadstairs and Margate have also been highlighted as favoured destinations. If all that helps with your travel plans, then great.

Adding value? Go solar, wi-fi and a reversing camera

Rental company Camptoo has gathered up a list of accessories you could fit to add value to your motorhome (as well as, presumably, your lives). It lists solar panels, a reversing camera and on-board wi-fi as key items that will also help resale values. Also suggested are thermal blinds, a bike rack, air conditioning and a TV aerial.

If you really are thinking of selling your caravan or motorhome – or just want the peace of mind that everything is working well – I can think of two other highly worthwhile investments that arguably trump any of the above: a thorough valet, inside and out; and a good track record of habitation servicing.

Motorhome for me?

Auto-Sleeper Warwick XL – long, but not in the toothInterior of the Auto-Sleeper Warwick XL

There’s always going to be an element in all of us who wants The Next Best Thing, but there’s a very strong argument for buying products that are proven – not least when you’re handing over some £71,000. Well, here’s a vehicle that first took a bow back in 2014 and is as fresh today as it’s ever been.

Introduced as the 6.36m long version of the original Warwick (which then became the Warwick Duo), the XL packs a lot of kit into a typical end lounge floorplan and still manages to offer lots of living space – not just in the seating zone but the kitchen and washroom too.

Part of that is because it’s strictly two-berth. Minor tweaks – motorhome wi-fi, a new air suspension system, a switch over to space-saving Whale underfloor-fitted heating and hot water systems – have helped the XL stay at the top of its game.

Of course, the Warwick XL hasn’t escaped the price hikes that are affecting the whole leisure vehicle industry. Stronger-than-average resale values will help, though, when it comes to trade-in time.

Three good: High overall specification, much-favoured end lounge layout and the Auto-Sleeper residuals
Two bad: Just the single outlet in the shower tray and not enough opening windows
Perfect for… Two luxury-lovers
Also consider: Auto-Trail V-Line 635SE, IH 630 RL/RD and Vantage Neo

Christmas come early, 2021. Part five…

Here’s another mini-round-up as we count down to Christmas. You’ll get some great ideas if you visit outdoor retailer Decathlon, online or in reality. Possible highlights include the Hiking Fleece Jacket for just £14.99, with its environmentally-friendly credentials. Its polyester fabric is made from recycled plastic bottles and there are men’s and women’s versions. Ditto for the £49.99/£29.99 (men’s and women’s) Quechua SH100 hiking boots, in a choice colour finishes.

For accompanying trousers, Keela’s Nevis could be the ideal fit. They’re made from a four-way stretch fabric that’s also water-resistant, with reinforcements at the knees, seat and ankles and come in a good range of sizes. These are prices at £69.95.

Finally, how about this from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM)? A full Advanced Driver Course is £149, but a taster could be a £65 Driver Assessment Gift Voucher. It’s a one-to-one session, which can be given to drivers of any level of expertise or experience. I guarantee it will make a better driver of anyone who gives it a go.

Kimberley launches new range of tailored caravans and motorhomes

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Kimberley – The Caravan and Motorhome People has revealed a new range of leisure vehicles from leading manufacturers that have been tailored to the supplier’s exact specifications.

Models from the likes of Coachman, Xplore, Compass and Swift have all been given a Kimberley makeover and will be available for pre-order for the 2022 or 2023 season.

Chris Lowe, director at Kimberley, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing new caravans and motorhomes to the market – including the completely restyled Coachman Kimberley, Compass Kensington and Swift Icon and Icon Trend – in what is an incredibly difficult time for many businesses.

“I am particularly excited by the development of our new Xplore Activ range, which offers outstanding value in the growing lightweight caravan segment.”

Kimberley has an annual turnover of £23 million, putting it in the position to be able to deal directly with manufacturers and create an exclusive range.

It has enabled the supplier to have the final say on the caravan and motorhomes’ graphics, colours, inside fabrics and seating designs.

Other enhancements include high-specification equipment and security features, which are things that provide the customer with the feeling of luxury normally associated with more expensive models.

Mr Lowe added that there are certain must-haves when it comes to a modern caravan or motorhome, such as extra USB points and an extractor fan in the kitchen, and Kimberley has taken time to ensure they feature in these models.

The supplier, which has branches in Nottingham, Darlington and Chesterfield, has experienced its highest number of enquiries for this time of the year ever.

Mr Lowe expects there to be an undersupply of leisure vehicles for the next couple of years due to the unprecedented demand associated with the pandemic.

Kimberley has been selling caravans and motorhomes since 1981 and has expanded significantly since then, offering comprehensive customer care, as well as sales.

68% of campervan staycationers planning another trip

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It’s safe to say that 2021 has been an unprecedented year in terms of people trying caravan and campervan holidays, mainly due to the restrictions associated with the pandemic.

Going forward, it’ll be interesting to see how many of those who have embraced the lifestyle will continue to enjoy leisure vehicle staycations.

This is a question tackled by Sterling Insurance, which carried out research into the changing habits and opinions of caravan, campervan and motorhome holidaymakers in the UK.

It discovered that 68 per cent of those who have enjoyed this type of trip since March 2020 intend to take another in the next 12 months.

Further to this, 37 per cent of respondents were keen to buy a caravan or motorhome after having positive experiences this summer.

Taking the love of all things touring one step further, one in ten Brits are now tempted to embrace vanlife and live in a caravan or motorhome full time.

Emma Orlando has been living and working on the road throughout the Covid-19 emergency.

She said: “When the pandemic hit and I couldn’t travel overseas anymore, I decided to explore the UK whilst running my own business.

“So far, it’s been an absolute dream parking in some beautiful spots – wild camping in Scotland was incredible, and I got to wake up in the most beautiful places.”

For those really serious about making the switch, Sterling Insurance has a vanlife offering that can be adapted to the specific needs of individuals living out of their leisure vehicle.

Peter Cook, floor manager at Sterling Insurance, said: “It’s great to find that so many Brits have loved their campervan and motorhome experiences, and we expect to see interest continue to grow into 2022.

“We think it’s exciting that many are keen to take to the road more permanently and brave the vanlife.”

Nick’s News – Winter, heavy towing U-turn and the Swift Monza

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Nick HardingNick’s News – Nick Harding is an expert in all things motorhomes, caravans and camping. Each week, Nick explores products, locations, holiday ideas and essential community information on our behalf – It’s a Hard-ing Life for Nick, but here is what he found this week.

My week

There are quieter times now as we head into the winter months. It’s no reason to give up completely on the leisure vehicle life, however, as most models’ heating and insulation systems are good enough these days to brave even the coldest nights. And the right equipment helps, of course.

If you are packing up your caravan or motorhome not to use for the next few months, preparation is key…

In the news

Winter care – get a free guide

Is it time to put your leisure vehicle into rest mode for the winter? You’ll probably already know there are lots of different jobs to do to ensure a trouble-free hibernation. There’s plenty to consider, from a full drain down and looking after your leisure battery to ensuring essential alarm and tracking systems are kept ticking over.

Tyres, protection from the weather and properly closing down the gas system, as well as a systematic clear out of the interior contents are among the other factors.

So, you might find a free download from accessories retailer That Leisure Shop a great helping hand. It’s called Prepare Yours for Winter and it does what it says on the tin.

Heavy towing – time for a U-turn?

Perhaps it’s not quite a U-turn, but plans to allow anybody to tow anything, regardless of their driving experience, have been put on hold.

Regulations meaning folk would no longer need to take a B+E test to tow any car and caravan outfit weighing more than 3,500kg were proposed to come into effect on November 15th. It’s now a case of “as you were”, so hold on for more updates.

Motorhome for me?The front lounge of the Swift Monza

Swift Monza – A Ford first for Swift

Old badge, new concept. Swift has announced its first campervan for over a decade and it’s coming with the Monza name on an elevating roof conversion of Ford’s people-carrying Tourneo Custom.

It’s Swift’s second foray into the campervan sector. Does anyone remember the rather short-lived, Fiat Scudo-based Autocruise Pulse?

I’ll admit £58,395 looks a keen price, especially bearing in mind the superior equipment levels of the base vehicle – including all manner of “driver experiences” like blind spot information, cross traffic alert and pre-collision.

The Tourneo comes as standard with 130bhp diesel engine and six-speed manual transmission. For now, Swift is offering power and automatic transmission upgrades. There’s also a choice of metallic exterior colours to complement the decidedly automotive black/grey interior look – magnetic grey, chrome blue, diffused silver and orange glow.

Despite the Ford’s two sliding doors, it’s a typical side furniture campervan formula, with the usual two-ring hob and sink combination, plus 42-litre compressor fridge. There’s also the option of a grill. Furniture finish is a choice of deep grey or cream.

It will sleep four, but there’s travel for up to five. There’s plenty of built-in versatility too, as that rear seat is on rails; there’s an outdoor shower attachment via the offside sliding door; 100-Watt solar panel; Eberspächer heating; fresh and waste water tanks; and an external gas point. A Dometic portable toilet is standard too.

Official launch date is February, so you have plenty of time to do your research before placing your order. As you can see, it’s not short of Ford-based campervan rivals…

Three good: Tourneo base vehicle spec, premium interior styling and five-seater capacity
Two bad: Same old campervan formula and questions over availability matching demand
Perfect for… The more adventurous
Also consider: Autohaus Ashton GT, Auto-Sleeper Air, Ford Nugget, Wellhouse Trento or Westfalia Kelsey

Christmas come early, 2021. Part four…

If you’re determined to get out and about through the winter months, a new jacket just might prove the ideal Christmas pressie. The Torrent Extreme from Snugpak retails for £216 and claims 50 per cent better insulation than the standard Torrent, as well as a comfort rating of -12 degrees C.

The timing’s not right for Christmas, but you really should check out the latest awnings range from Outwell, especially the Active models designed for smaller vehicles up to campervans based on Volkswagen’s Transporter.

The FIeldcrest canopy, erectedModels here start with the Fieldcrest Canopy, going up to Beachcrest and Sandcrest full awnings for tailgate attaching, to more traditional side-fit, inflatable models like the Linnburg, Breamburg, Newburg and more. Prices span the £300-£1,000 spectrum. Ordering now should ensure you get yours for next spring, when the touring season starts up again.

As I write, Snooper still has a sale of its complete portfolio of sat navs, dash cams, reversing cameras and tyre pressure monitoring systems. It’s 20 per cent off if you order online or via your phone. For example, the Ventura SC5900 DVR G2 sat nav with dash cam for motorhomes and caravans is at £349.99.

Swift previews its first pop-top campervan

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The Swift Group has offered a sneak preview of its new Monza campervan ahead of the official launch in February.

Built on a Ford Tourneo Custom and with a similar footprint to a standard family car, the Monza is being marketed as the perfect leisure vehicle for everyday adventures.

In driving mode, the newest addition to Swift’s range has room for five people, while at night it can sleep four.

The Monza’s push-up pop top contains a drop-down double bed to add capacity to the double that’s created when the rear seats are laid flat.

A two-burner gas hob, 42-litre fridge and external BBQ point offer the basics for cooking on the go, with an optional Dometic mini grill for those who require a little bit more.

The kitchen features a clever cupboard layout to maximise space and there’s additional under-seat storage to stash items away.

Prospective buyers will be able to choose between a sleek cream interior colour scheme or an on-trend grey.

The exterior comes in a magnetic grey as standard, but can be switched up to one of three alternative paint options.

There’ll be no opportunity to get bored during overnight stays in the Monza, as it’s equipped with entertainment functionality, including a DAB radio.

Front and rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel make it a pleasurable driving experience.

Nick Page, commercial director at Swift Group, said: “We’re extremely proud to launch our very first campervan.

“We’re known for our wide and credible ranges of leisure vehicles across touring caravans, motorhomes, and holiday homes and lodges, so to now add a campervan to our line-up is absolutely brilliant.”

The Swift Group is the largest manufacturer in the UK to operate across caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes.

It traces its origins back to 1964 and has become a trusted brand within the industry.