by Chris Jefferies
We hear every week on Caravan Times of unfortunate caravanners who flip their unit over on a motorway, ruining their holiday in the process, but very few of them are as experienced as this.
With more than 10 years HGV1 driving under her belt and a lifetime of caravanning experience, Chris Stewart has even converted her husband to the joys of touring.
But last week on the way back from a holiday in Kent, the couple were caught by a sudden crosswind on the M11, which caused their 2010 Swift Freestyle 550 and Land Rover Freelander to snake violently before flipping over, wrecking both towcar and tourer instantly.
Both Chris and her husband walked away from the dramatic crash with nothing more than minor injuries, and she told Caravan Times that some crashes are just completely unexpected.
“It doesn’t matter how experienced you are; if it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen,” she said. “If it goes beyond a certain point, you just can’t control it.”
Family advice
Having learnt from her father, Chris claims to be meticulous at packing her caravan so that it is evenly balanced in transit, and she adds that she was not speeding at the time.
However, a sudden gust of wind between Junction 8 and Junction 9, caught her off guard and flipped both the caravan and towcar, resulting in a write-off for both.
Whilst the caravan itself remained intact and her belongings were not damaged, the inside was like a “warzone”, Chris added.
Despite this nasty smash, Chris has plenty to be thankful for, as she was using the sturdier of her two towcars, the other being a Kia Sportage.
“It was my Land Rover that saved us, because of the way it’s built” she said, unequivocally. “It was my work-horse and I’m very sad to say it’s been written off after ten good years.”
Get back on the horse
Nonetheless, the whole experience has not put Chris off caravanning, and she aims to be back in the saddle before the end of the month.
She is confident that her insurance with the Caravan Club and Sheila’s Wheels will payout quickly, so she can take a new model out for an Indian Summer break.
Whilst Chris was relatively lucky to escape with no injuries and was wise enough to arrange full cover from her insurers, she warns that others may not be so fortunate.
“A lot of caravanners I know aren’t insured, but you need to insure your unit,” she warned. “When it goes, it goes.”
Elddis Caravans to host unique and free factory open day
by Chris Jefferies
With the new 2012 caravan ranges about to make their debut at the Lawns Show in Hull today, Elddis Caravans has gone one step further to show off its new tourers.
Over the weekend of September 17th to 18th, touring enthusiasts will be able to see the entire range of Elddis Xplore, Avante, Odyssey, Crusader and Buccaneer caravans at the manufacturer’s Consett headquarters.
Particular highlights include new Whale heaters, the return of the L-shaped bed in the Avante 372, Xplore 304 and Xplore 302, and the all-new Elddis Crusader and Buccaneer designs (pictured).
Rob Quine, Managing Director of Elddis Caravans, said: “Outside the major shows – mainly because of stocking finance constraints – no retailer location will ever be able to show their customers the complete range.
“So this represents a fantastic opportunity for those considering purchasing a tourer or motorhome at the present time.”
Those interested in motorhomes may be keen to take a peek at the new Aspire and Autoquest ranges, which will also be on display.
Furthermore, Elddis is throwing open the door to its on-site factory, so you can see for yourself how each tourer is made.
As well as the free factory tour, families will be well looked after thanks to a range of children’s activities, including face painting and a bouncy castle.
On-site parking is provided for free, the event runs from 10am to 4pm on both days, and those attending are encouraged to register their interest on the Elddis website.
Bikers offered cosy caravan option at BMF show
by Chris Malone
Bikers might not often take caravanning holidays, but the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) is giving them the chance to do just that at an upcoming event.
The BMF Tail End Show is due to take place from September 9th to 11th and those wishing to stay the weekend can stay in tourer with its own kitchen, shower and toilet, giving them a great base for the exhibition.
Caravans of up to six berths are available from £125 for the weekend and many of the visitors to the almost 150 motorcycle-themed trade and club stands may be tempted by the offer.
The camping area at the Lincolnshire Showground venue has also been improved over recent years, and this year visitors can enter a competition to win a Honda 600rr sportbike and see The Imps motorcycle display team in action. Other attractions include live bands and moped racing.
Tickets for the event start from £10 for BMF members and £13 for non-members. Those who wish to camp will be asked to pay £20 and £25 respectively, with caravan accommodation costing extra.
Meanwhile, BMF members are invited to attend the AGM on October 8th at Harefield Community Association in Middlesex.
Dogs in Caravans poll closed: The full results and prize winners revealed
Despite the many problems and arguments they cause, caravan owners simply couldn’t do without their dogs, our latest readers’ poll has shown.
We were overwhelmed by the amazing response to this survey and the results clearly reflect a widespread love for man’s best friend, as 93 per cent said that dogs should be allowed on caravan sites.
Furthermore, 74 per cent of Caravan Times readers agreed that visiting a dog-free caravan site would be boring and of no interest to them.
Those who bemoan the mess caused by dogs may be glad to hear that there was a widespread consensus on what should be done to discipline owners who let their dogs foul a camp site, with 79 per cent supporting the use of fines.
Moreover, the use of dog leads is widely supported, with only nine per cent suggesting that canines should be allowed to roam free when on site.
Sites are also encouraged to change their ways, as roughly half of our readers think that sites are profiteering from dog owners and fail to provide sufficient facilities in exchange for the extra fees paid.
We also asked for any other thoughts that you may have and the responses were numerous and often very extensive.
Many said that bratty children were more of a problem – as one Caravan Times member put it: “Dogs don’t run around screaming or constantly kicking a football.”
Meanwhile, another member suggested that a “Dog-Owner Zone” would be a better idea for keeping people happy on larger sites.
Unfortunately there isn’t enough room to publish all your comments here, but thanks to everyone who took the time to let us know what they think about this clearly contentious issue.
Competition Winners
Of course, there was more to this poll that just a survey, as we have five copies of the RAC’s new book ‘Walking the dog: Motorway walks for drivers and dogs’ by Lezli Rees to give away.
The random number generator has done its job and the five lucky prize winners are as follows:
- Frances Thatcher
- Jo Cameron
- Jay Punshon
- Dave Rose
- and Rob BoSmith
We will be in touch with all of you shortly to arrange delivery of your book. If you missed out this time, keep checking back as there will be many more Caravan Times readers’ competitions coming up over the next few months.
Caravan lovers can look forward to self-inflating tyres
by Chris Malone
Caravan enthusiasts could soon never have to worry about reinflating their tyres again, thanks to new technology.
According to manufacturer Goodyear, it is only a matter of time before work is completed on a tyre that automatically reinflates to the right level when required.
The Air Maintenance Technology system will see a small pump included in each tyre that automatically inflates it to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.
Goodyear senior vice president and chief technical officer Jean-Claud Kihn explained that a tyre that can maintain its own level of inflations has been sought after by motorists for a long time.
“Goodyear has taken on this challenge and the progress we have made is very encouraging,” he said.
“This will become the kind of technological breakthrough that people will wonder how they ever lived without.”
Keeping the correct tyre pressure on both the towcar and the tourer can help caravan owners to be more fuel-efficient – especially on long journeys.
Such technology should also improve safety, as tyre blowouts are one of the most common causes of caravan accidents.
Friendly Club event smashes fancy dress world record
by Chris Malone
The Camping and Caravanning Club has organised an event that saw hundreds of people gather to smash a world record.
According to the Nottingham Post, a total of 1,215 participants showed up at the Newark Showground sporting Robin Hood costumes – smashing the previous record of 1,119.
The event was part of the five-day National Feast of Lanterns, which was also organised by the Friendly Club.
Entertainment team leader Les Littlewood explained that it was “fantastic” to have broken the world record for the most Robin Hoods in one place.
“I was walking around the crowds as they came into the arena and everyone looked to be enjoying themselves and really getting into the spirit of it,” he told the newspaper.
“The Nottingham branch held the record for the most number of Robin Hoods a while back, but this was beaten in 2008, so we’re delighted to have won the record back – I just hope we can keep it for a while.”
Touring and caravanning enthusiasts can join the Camping and Caravanning Club from £39, granting them access to members’ rates and exclusive sites.
VIDEO: A tougher Alu-Tech exterior for the Bailey Olympus Series II
Last month, Bailey Caravans relaunched their mid-range Olympus tourer, with several improvements being made on both on the inside and the outside.
In the second episode of our three-part series, Chris Jefferies talks to company Director Nick Howard about exterior improvements and how they have brought the new Olympus models in-line with the second generation Alu-Tech range. Nick also touches on the greater dent resistance offered by the new front bumpers and thicker aluminium walls, as well as mentioning the benefits afforded by the optional AL-KO Secure wheel lock.
The Bailey Olympus II range will be on sale later this year, with prices ranging from £14,795 for the two-berth 460-2 layout, to £16,795 for the twin-axle 640-6 layout.
New tyre pressure monitoring system launched for caravans
by Gemma Roskell
Caravanners will now be able to check on the tyre pressure of their tourers while on the move with the launch of a new tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) from Tyresure.
The device provides real time information to the driver of the towcar using special sensors which fit into each of the caravan wheels, replacing standard valves.
Should the pressure parameter change by more than 20 per cent, the driver will be alerted via a separate dashboard display.
If owners use more than one car to tow their caravan, the display can be transferred to another vehicle in the same way as a satellite navigation unit.
The launch of the product comes ahead of new legislation, which will require all new passenger cars to be fitted with TMPS as standard from 2012.
Although this will not apply to the leisure market, experts believe it may do in the future, so safety-conscious caravanners may be wise to invest in the technology ahead of time.
The Tyresure caravan tyre pressure monitoring system will cost £135 for single axle caravans and £195 for twin-axle tourers.
Brits causing havoc on overseas roads
by Gemma Roskell
Caravanners taking their tourers abroad for a last minute holiday before the summer comes to an end should perhaps do a little research into overseas road rules beforehand.
According to a new survey by Sainsbury’s Finance, millions of UK motorists cause havoc abroad because they fail to understand basic laws and road signs.
Some 2.2 million have driven on the wrong side of the road and a further 1.3 million have driven the wrong way up a one-way street.
Another 880,000 have fallen foul of overseas driving laws by misreading signs, while 520,000 have been stopped by foreign police for speeding.
Ben Tyte, head of car insurance at Sainsbury’s, stressed the need for preparation when taking vehicles overseas, as laws can differ from country to country.
He also pointed out that adequate insurance is a must, while breakdown assistance cover can be a lifesaver.
Caravanners are also advised to ensure that their tourers have full protection against damage and theft when travelling abroad.
VIDEO: Energy-saving interiors for the Swift Challenger Sport
Earlier this summer, Britain’s biggest manufacturer of touring caravans and motorhomes, Swift Caravans launched a brand-new entry-level range. Named the Swift Challenger Sport and Sterling Eccles Sport, these caravans will replace the outgoing Swift Charisma and Sterling Eccles ranges.
In the second of a four-part series, Marcus Dubois speaks to designers Mick France and Chris Milburn about the interior improvements available in these tourers. Key features offered include energy-efficient LED lighting, which can be easily controlled to create different moods during the daytime and at night.
The Swift Challenger Sport and Sterling Eccles Sport ranges will be on sale later this year, with prices ranging from £13,675 for the two-berth 382 layout to £17,425 for the twin-axle family model, the 636.
Calls for end to caravan insurance ‘age discrimination’
by Chris Malone
With caravans over the age of 20 often difficult or even impossible to insure, one firm has called for an end to what it calls ‘age discrimination’.
Specialist brokerage Adrian Flux has said it is time for a new policy to allow those who own perfectly good older tourers to cover their mobile homes.
Spokeswoman Julie Carter said: “As long as the caravan has an identification number – and you can register no matter how old your van is – then age is not an issue for us.
“You’ll find that many online quote systems won’t even let you get past the first couple of questions if your caravan is more than 20 years old.”
She added that Adrian Flux has prided itself on being able to obtain cover for virtually any road-legal vehicle, but has struggled with caravans thanks to underwriter discrimination.
Ms Carter noted that identification is the main problem, but that even older caravans without ID numbers can be registered in order to get one.
Caravan Club named as preferred bidder for Stonehaven site
by Chris Malone
Stonehaven’s Tourism Group has named the Caravan Club as its preferred bidder for the Queen Elizabeth Caravan Park.
According to the Mearns Leader, travel expert Elma McMenemy approached the organisation to make it aware of the site, which she felt needed special attention to help it fulfil its potential.
In a letter presented to a public meeting on the future of the touring site, Ms McMenemy explained that the local authority that has been running the park is no longer capable of keeping the high standards required by caravan site users.
“For several years it has been obvious that Stonehaven needs a better caravan park. The council has done its best within limited budgets to keep our park operational and upgrade others,” she wrote.
“I contacted the Caravan Club on behalf of the Tourism Group, as, based on my tourism experience, I believed it to be the best organisation to invest in and operate a successful caravan park for the town.”
After a number of other bids were considered, it was decided that the Caravan Club offered the best chance of turning the town into a “must-visit destination for tourers”.
According to Aberdeenshire Council’s website, the Queen Elizabeth Caravan Park’s season currently runs from April 1st until December 24th.
The local authority is currently in the process of selling off all of its caravan sites in order to reduce its budget deficit.
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