Bailey Caravans launches Olympus Series II for 2012

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by Marcus Dubois

When surveying this year’s offerings from Bailey Caravans, it’s hard to believe only two years ago we were looking at an entirely different line-up. In 2009 the Bristol manufacturer took the bold step towards replacing hugely popular names such as the Senator and Pageant by introducing a new construction platform named Alu-Tech.

As the name suggests, the method uses aluminium as the primary material for lighter weight and strength. First seen in the Bailey Pegasus in September of that year, the positive reception led to the introduction of a second model early in 2010.

Called the Olympus, this smaller and lighter caravan proved popular with those looking for an Alu-Tech model towable by a family car. Since then Bailey has introduced two further Alu-Techs at the top and bottom of the market to complete the line-up, as well as revamping the Pegasus in January of this year – leaving the Bailey Olympus in need of a makeover.

Family characteristics

Bailey is keeping full details under wraps for a few weeks – yet we can confirm the Olympus Series II is a clear move by the Bristol firm to bring together its caravans under one look. On the exterior, the new Olympus takes visual cues from bigger brothers the Pegasus and Bailey Unicorn with new colour-coded graphics and updated exterior fittings.

Inside it’s the same story, with a strong move towards the design language and colouring seen at the top of the Alu-Tech range. The brief throughout appears to have been to take the caravan “upmarket” while keeping costs within the price bracket of previous Olympus models.

New layouts

The Olympus Series II features two all-new layouts. The five-berth end bedroom arrangement which proves so popular in the Bailey Pegasus Series II Ancona can be found here for the first time. Meanwhile those who fondly recall the six-berth variant of the Bailey Ranger GT60 will find a similar layout using a nearside fixed bed. And though the total number of layouts has been reduced from seven to four, this is in keeping with the Bailey Orion launch offerings.

Caravan Times will shortly bring you full pictures and video tours of the new Bailey Olympus Series II. Join our Bailey Caravans Group to hear the latest first

Coachman Caravans relaunches Laser, VIP and Pastiche for 2012

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by Chris Jefferies

Coachman Caravans has relaunched its Laser, VIP and Pastiche ranges for 2012, with a sleek front design that has drawn many comparisons with Swift.

The Pastiche 460/2 and 560/4 are among the upgraded models, with plenty of LED lighting in the kitchen area and wooden flooring in the living room.

Furthermore, the broad panoramic roof in the nose end is sure to prove popular, allowing much more light into the front of the caravan.

Perhaps most significantly, Coachman has fitted these new models with an exclusive, new timed central heating system from Truma.

Despite the obvious comparisons with the newer Swift ranges, the immediate reaction to the new models on Twitter has been largely positive, with the range being described as “just brilliant”.

Full details of the new models will be released next month To stay up to date with our coverage, why not join the Coachman Group here on Caravan Times.

Just one week left to book for 2011 Friendly Club rally

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by Chris Jefferies
Caravan enthusiasts have been encouraged to book their places at the Camping and Caravanning Club’s annual rally, before next Sunday’s deadline (July 31st).
The National Feast of Lanterns (NFOL) 2011 will take place at Newark Showground from August 25th to 29th, with plenty of free entertainment laid on, including live shows and bands, parlour games and a ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ competition.
Furthermore, kids will be well catered for with a purpose-built seaside playground – ideal for building sandcastles.
Those keen to try a bit of dressing up are also being invited to break a Guinness World Record, as the Friendly Club is hoping to bring together the largest number of people dressed as Robin Hood.
The highlight of the weekend for many, however, is the Best of British Mardi Gras Parade, which includes the spectacular light show that gives the rally its name.
With three and a half years’ planning gone into this event, Cath Henson, chair of the NFOL Organising Committee, is confident that this will be a weekend to remember.
“Our bookings deadline is quickly approaching and with over 2,000 applications already received, we only have a small number of pitches available. Book now before it’s too late,” she urged.
Tickets for the NFOL rally start at £59 per couple for a pitch from Friday to Monday, while visitors can stay an extra night on Thursday for £10 or on Monday for £9.

Love rallying? Are you excited about this event? Perhaps you’ve never tried a caravan rally before? Join the discussion in our forum.

The new Lunar Delta FB: More space than a London bedsit

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by Chris Jefferies
Brand new for 2012, the Delta FB offers families more indulgence and more innovation at the top end of the Lunar range of lightweight tourers.
This five-berth twin-axle model features a large convertible double in the front, a side dinette next to the kitchen and a double bunk bed layout in the rear, meaning there’s plenty of space for a family of five.

At last week’s launch, Lunar’s marketing manager Martin Henderson spoke in glowing terms of the amount of room that there is inside the Delta FB, saying that there is “more space than a bedsit in Pimlico”.
Furthermore, there has been no compromise on high-end specifications, with a built-in cocktail cabinet and a bathroom radiator both included in this premium tourer.
Other luxury features include soft LED mood lighting inside the kitchen lockers and cabinets, automatic LED lighting inside the wardrobes, and for added storage there are slide-out chrome baskets in the kitchen.
The honeycomb deep pile carpets add to the soft and relaxing feel of the interior, while the Naomi design soft furnishings, complimented by red throw pillows, create a feeling of conservative luxury.
On the outside, the graphics have been refreshed, while the offside features… Read more 


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Caravan owners offered top tips for exploring Europe

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by Chris Jefferies
With the great British summer proving to be a damp squib, many caravanners may find themselves tempted to head overseas during the coming weeks, but those trying a continental adventure for the first time should make sure to do their homework.
Driving, and indeed towing, in Europe is different from the UK in many obvious ways, such as driving on the right instead of the left, but there are also a few more subtle differences.
Most road users will be aware that in Europe all speed limits are in kilometres per hour instead of miles, but fewer will know that it is a legal requirement to carry a warning triangle and a reflective jacket in some countries.
Fines of up to 80 euros can be handed out in France, Austria, Belgium and Germany, with for failure to comply with this law.
Furthermore, you may need to check your caravan insurance before heading overseas as not all policies cover driving on the continent.
According to the Daily Mail, insurance for European driving can cost an extra 35 per cent more if you take a caravan with you, based on two weeks abroad with a nine-year-old car.
With all this in mind, caravan insurance providers Safeguard have offered some sage advice for anyone thinking of heading overseas with their tourer this summer.
Those taking long distance journeys should make sure that they have enough local currency in their change drawer, as many of the major motorways are toll roads.
Furthermore, in some remote European countries you may need an International Driving License, as a British license is not always sufficient.
Rita Sadler, manager at Safeguard, said: “Taking your caravan onto the continent can be one of the most fun and exciting ways to travel around Europe. However, caravanners need to be mindful of other driving laws and cultures when visiting the continent to ensure they have a safe and happy trip.”

Caravan Club annual awards results announced in glitzy ceremony

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by Tom Lowenstein

Last Friday (October 14th) was an exciting time for caravan fans with the industry equivalent of the Oscars taking place at Birmingham’s NEC.

The now annual October event saw the seventeenth Caravan Club Caravan Design Awards and the tenth Lightweight Leisure Trailer Awards announce their 2012 winners to much fanfare and applause as manufacturers and industry professionals descended on Birmingham for the occasion.

With the awards designed to provide caravanners with fair and impartial assessment on which to base their opinions, all manufacturers were invited to submit entries.

A panel of independent judges and researchers went through a list of stringent and rigorous tests to assess caravans across a range of categories on everything from comfort and size to design and storage space.

Particular mention should go to Bailey, who enjoyed their best-ever performance at the awards, winning three categories and a further three top-three placements.

Not to be outdone, Swift took away more gongs than any other manufacturer with two winning entries and no less than five models making the podium.

Announcing the results, Grenville Chamberlain, Chairman of The Caravan Club, said: “The Caravan Club is delighted the industry continues to support these competitions with such enthusiasm, and we would like to publicly thank them for their continued participation.

“We would also extend our sincere congratulations to the winners and all the entrants.”

Here are the winning entries:

  • Any Caravan under £12,500 – Sprite Alpine 2
  • Family Caravan £12,500 – £16,000 – Sterling Eccles Sport 524
  • Two Berth Caravan £12,500 – £16,000 – Bailey Pegasus Genoa
  • Caravan with Dedicated Bed(s) £12,500 – £16,000 – Bailey Olympus 530-4
  • Any Caravan £16,000 – £19,000 – Bailey Unicorn Seville
  • Any Caravan £19,000 and over – Fifth Wheel Company Inos 1212 2012
  • Caravans 750kg and under – Freedom Jetstream 1st class
  • Caravans between 750kg and 1100kg – Bailey Orion 400-2

Campsite owner to convert helicopter into caravan

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by Chris Jefferies
Visitors to a campsite in Ditchling will soon be able to take their outdoors experience to new heights, as a radical caravan conversion is taking place.
Tim Johnson, the owner of Blackberry Wood caravan site, has announced plans to turn a former search and rescue helicopter into a caravan, the Brighton Argus reports.
His ambitious project should fit in nicely next to his collection of bizarre conversions, including a London double-decker bus, which is accompanied by a traditional red phone box.
Visitors can also stay in a retro 60s aluminium bubble tourer or a traditional wooden gypsy-style caravan, however the helicopter is attracting the most interest, even though it’s not yet finished.
Mr Johnson told the local paper: “Everyone is queuing up to get in there. There are lots of kids on the site pleading with us to let them go in. It will be even more impressive when we have finished it.”
He added that prices to stay in the completed helicopter will start at £60 per night, plus up to £9 per person.
This project won’t be the last wacky caravan conversion at the site either, as Mr Johnson plans to get his hands on either a submarine or a tank.

Friendly Club: Family camping is on the rise

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by Chris Jefferies
With the price of overseas holidays on the rise, more and more British families are discovering the attractions of taking a camping and caravanning trip in the UK, it has been claimed.
The Camping and Caravanning Club has reported a rise in family bookings amongst its members, with The Lake District and Cornwall remaining the most popular destinations.
Kim Blythe, public relations executive at the Camping and Caravanning Club, said: “Why go anywhere different when we’ve got such beautiful countryside around us? We are seeing a lot more campers now and family campers are definitely on the rise.”
She added that advance bookings for this summer are already four per cent higher than they were in 2010.
Members of the Camping and Caravanning club can get reduced rates at over 100 caravan parks and camp sites in the UK, as well as access to 1,400 members-only Certified Sites in remote places across the country.

Caravan tyre checks can prevent summer blowouts

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by Chris Jefferies
With the school summer holidays about to start, families planning on towing their caravan for the first time this year have been advised to check the tyre pressure, or they could be running the risk of a blowout.
Insurance providers Caravan Guard have reported that last summer they saw a 300 per cent increase in claims during July, August and September, with 90 per cent of those claims relating to a burst tyre.
The heavy weight of a caravan means that tyres can wear out while resting in the garage during the winter months, so a pressure check at the beginning of the summer holidays is essential.
Furthermore, UV damage can wear out tyres, so anyone heading abroad for an extended holiday should check their tyres before heading home.
Blowouts often result in serious accidents, with even the most experienced of towcar drivers struggling to maintain control of their rig.
Even if you manage to avoid a crash, the shredded tyre can cause major rim damage to the caravan’s wheel arch and floor.
To reduce the risk of a blowout, TyrePal has launched a pressure monitoring system, which allows towcar drivers to check on the state of up to 22 wheels via a wireless LCD monitor.
Peter Samwell from TyrePal said: “Statistics show that defective or under inflated tyres are a factor in hundreds of fatal or serious road accidents each year.”
He added that tyres should always be inflated to their recommended level when they are cold, as they can increase in pressure by 10 to 15 per cent, while driving.
Meanwhile, Caravan Guard has offered the following tyre safety tips for touring holidaymakers:

  • Check your caravan tyre pressures on a regular basis. Check pressures when cold and then make sure the valve is not leaking and valve caps are replaced.
  • Examine all tyres for sidewall cracks, cuts, impact damage or embedded material at both sides.
  • Check the age of your caravan tyres and replace any over five years old irrespective of remaining tread.
  • When not using your caravan for a long period, try to jack up and rotate the wheels each month, to ensure that a different part of the tyre is taking the weight of the caravan.
  • If travelling in hot temperatures such as abroad, take regular breaks to stop your tyres getting too hot.

Neighbourhood watch scheme urged for parks after triple caravan robbery

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by Chris Jefferies
As part of Security Week, today we’re looking at the importance of keeping valuables out of sight and the value of being watchful neighbours and looking after the pitch next door.
Police in the Northumberland region have suggested that the owners of a local caravan park should form a neighbourhood watch-style scheme after three tourers were broken into during a 24-hour period earlier this month.
The thieves struck between midday on July 4th and midday the following day in the Westerheugh area and took several valuable items, including TVs, a Kindle, DVD players, a cool box and a duvet, the Northumberland Gazette reports.
Furthermore, the local paper reports that a bike was stolen from underneath a caravan at Amble Links caravan park over the weekend.
Sue Peart, Alnwick Neighbourhood Police Inspector, said: “When thieves break into caravans they are looking for items they can carry off quite easily. Remove them where you can, ensure that your caravan is as secure as possible and make sure you carry out regular checks on it.”
She added that caravan parks would be well advised to form a ‘Caravan Watch’ scheme, as this system has proved effective across Northumberland.
Under the scheme, Community Support Officers make regular trips to caravan parks to offer advice during meetings with caravan owners.
“If the owners all work together and form a watch scheme, similar to a Neighbourhood Watch system, then there is more chance of someone spotting any unusual people or behaviour on a caravan site,” Ms Peart added.

Increase in Swift Caravans prices following launch of Challenger Sport

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by Chris Jefferies
The prices for the Swift Challenger Sport have been revealed, and the good news is that the premium for those looking to trade up from a Charisma model isn’t too steep, although prices on other ranges have seen larger increases.
Prices in the Swift Caravans range now start around £300 higher, at £13,675 for the entry-level Challenger Sport 382, rising to £22,225 for the top-of-the-range Conqueror 645 (up nearly £500, when compared with last year).

This hike comes in the same week that rival manufacturer Bailey also announced that their price tags will be marked up by an average of three per cent next year.
Meanwhile, prices in the Sterling Caravans range will continue to mirror those offered by Swift, meaning that the new Sterling Eccles Sport range will cost exactly the same as its sister range, the Swift Challenger Sport.
The biggest price rise can be seen in the mid-range brands, Sterling Eccles and Swift Challenger, which will cost an average of 6 per cent more next year.
Swift explains this increase by pointing out that the 2012 models will feature AL-KO ATC trailer stability control as well as the new panoramic sunroof as standard, which represents an upgrade of around £900 worth of kit.
Those considering buying the Swift Challenger 565 or Sterling Eccles Solitaire are advised…
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Caravan pensioner banned from keeping animals for life

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by Chris Malone

A pensioner who kept a number of cats, dogs and budgies in her caravan has been banned from keeping animals for life.

According to the Wrexham Leader, Florence Guest Williams, 69, was also given a suspended 12-week prison sentence after she was found to have been keeping three dogs, three puppies, two cats and a pair of budgies inside the mobile home.

The cramped conditions were deemed to cause unnecessary suffering and Ms Guest Williams was found guilty of five counts of failing to ensure animal welfare.

She had also breached a disqualification order and violated the terms of her conditional discharge for a similar offence a year previously.

The pensioner had already been banned from keeping dogs for a decade in a court case that took place in 2010.

Ms Guest Williams was told that she would have to wait two years before applying for a review of the life ban.

The news may serve to remind caravan owners that while taking your pet on holiday is perfectly acceptable, it is still essential to look after its welfare at all times.