Consider weight and size when choosing caravans

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by Chris Malone

Caravan enthusiasts planning to purchase a new tourer should take its size and weight into consideration before agreeing to the sale, it has been claimed.

According to the Camping and Caravanning Club, it is wise to think about what vehicle will be used to tow the mobile holiday home.

A spokesman from the organisation said it is important to decide whether you will use your current car, or purchase a new one.

“From that, you can decide what size and weight of caravan you can manage. It really is one of the most important things for people to consider before they go off buying a caravan, because you can often be quite surprised how heavy they are nowadays,” he said.

“Also, with the price of fuel going up people don’t always want a large four-by-four vehicle.”

The representative urged buyers to do their homework and find out what their maximum weight is.

Once this is done and the caravan is bought, he urged owners to “just go out there and enjoy yourself”.

Caravanners should check tyre pressure before long journeys

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by Chris Malone

Caravanners have been urged to check their tyre pressure before setting off on their summer holidays.

According to manufacturer Bridgestone, 71 per cent of motorists begin their break with under-inflated tyres, putting themselves at risk of accident through sluggish handling and financial loss through wasted fuel.

The data, published on etyres.co.uk, showed that of the 38,000 vehicles checked, 12 per cent of them were actually illegal due to being below the minimum 1.6 mm tread depth.

“The figures from the survey are startling, especially at this time of year when families are setting off on long journey with heavily loaded cars,” communications manager Andy Dingley told the online resource.

“Bridgestone is committed to encouraging safe driving and with so many people still choosing to take staycations, we want to help motorists ensure that they’ve completed the proper safety checks before beginning their journey.”

The firm advised that caravan owners and other road users regularly check their tyres for lumps, bulges and worn treads.

Keeping the pressure at the manufacturer’s recommended level should also help improve economy and safety.

Caravan tyres should be changed every five years to help reduce the risk of a blow-out, which is increased thanks to the extra weight.

Laura Marling invites strangers into caravan for music experiment

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by Chris Malone

Folk singer Laura Marling has been inviting pairs of strangers into caravans, tents and steamboats to conduct a strange and unexplained experiment.

The blonde musician selected random revellers at Glastonbury, Camp Bestival and Wilderness Festival to serenade in some very intimate settings, according to music site ForFolksSake.com,

She has a history of experimental music, having performed with Mumford & Sons and a collection of local artists in India for the Dharohar Project.

However, her latest actions are as yet unexplained, with Glastonbury festivalgoer Steve Murphy telling the website that there was no reason given for the experience he had.

“We went into a caravan two at a time and she came in, played us a song (which I assume will be on the new album) and left without saying a word,” he said.

Laura invited fans at Wilderness Festival to take a steamboat ride to a secret jetty, where she sat them two at a time in a luxurious tent and played them just one song.

It is thought that the Brit Award-winning songwriter is documenting people’s reactions to awkward situations, although the reason for this is still unclear.

Laura’s third full-length album, A Creature I Don’t Know, is due to be released on September 12th and will feature the new single Sophia (below).

The new Lunar Lexon 520: Lightweight luxury gets a green twist

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by Chris Jefferies
Balancing luxury interiors with lightweight and energy-saving considerations, the new Lexon range from Lunar Caravans offers a range of smart solutions and extra bathroom space.
It’s all change in the mid-range models, with only the Lexon 550 remaining unaltered for 2012 – and that caravan was only introduced four months ago.
Launched last week at the Farington Lodge Hotel near Preston, the new 520 model is an interesting addition to the range, with its flexible four-berth layout – ideal for small families taking a touring holiday.

On the outside, Lunar has given the Lexon range sharp new graphics and a redesigned back end, but it’s on the inside where buyers will really notice the difference.
The spacious end-bathroom unit features several domestic-style fittings, including a ‘swan neck’ basin tap and an LED-lit vanity mirror unit.
Furthermore, the shower features the Eco-Camel showerhead (as seen on BBC One during last year’s series of the Apprentice), which reduces water consumption by 20 per cent, while keeping the pressure as high as ever.
LED lighting can be seen throughout, in order to keep the energy consumption levels down, meaning you won’t need to charge the batteries too often.
Lunar’s green credentials don’t stop there, either… Read more 

Are you impressed by the new Ariva / Quasar range?
Share your thoughts in our Lunar forum.



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Sally Gunnell speaks of sadness over scuppered caravan park plans

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by Chris Jefferies
Former Olympic hurdler Sally Gunnell has spoken of her disappointment at the decision by the Caravan Club to drop her plans for a giant Olympic caravan park in Chigwell.
Sally had planned to set up a temporary site for the London Olympics on land owned by her parents, but despite a stipulation that the land would only be used for six weeks, she faced stern opposition from local residents.
“They said they didn’t want it because they were going on about the noise and they thought it was going to get travellers in and they thought we were going to do it again, even though it was just a one-off,” the former athlete told the Daily Telegraph.
The Caravan Club took the decision to drop its support for the project in May after the local council received 600 letters of objection. The Club said that it had never seen such vociferous opposition to a caravan park in its 104-year history.
Sally added that it was “very sad” that the plans had fallen through, saying that many of the people who had expressed an interest in staying on the site were Olympics volunteers.
Meanwhile, the Caravan Club has said that it will be continuing its search for a suitable site close to the Olympic Park at Stratford, so its members can hitch up close to the action.

Secure your wheels: Top five wheel locks

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by Chris Jefferies

When it comes to immobilising your caravan to stop potential thieves making off with it, there are two main items you can make use of: the wheel lock and the hitch lock.

Wheel locks are very popular and effective as they stop the wheel from turning in much the same way as the wheel clamps used by those annoying parking wardens, so rest assured any would-be criminals will find them just as irritating.

The wheel clamp is just one among many options on the market, and would-be buyers need to consider weight, insurance discounts and usability when choosing their lock, as they should be used regularly, even when stopping at a service station.

If you’re new to the caravan accessories market, the choice and range of prices can be confusing, so we’ve come up with our top five picks for securing your wheels.

Wheelok Eezi-Fit

RRP: £124.52

Best Price: £89.95

Weight: 14kg

A bright, but sturdy option, this model features an integral radial pin cam-lock, which is removable by key only. If you’re worried about losing the key, Wheelock handily supplies a spare. At 14kg, it’s quite a weighty option, however.

Pyramid Barracuda

RRP: £55.99

Best Price: £45.95*

Weight: 8kg

This bright yellow wheel clamp may also stand out from your exterior decor like a sore thumb, but it also works as a clear deterrent to anyone thinking of trying their luck against your security system. This fully-adjustable model can fit any tyre size from 12 to 17-inches and comes complete with a padlock for a very affordable price.

Bulldog Titan

RRP: £142.00

Best Price: £125.99

Weight: 12kg

Continuing with the theme of hyper-manly names, this option comes in a range of specific models to fit your wheel type and size, as the steel arms come in several fixed widths. The steel cover plate and drill- and pick-resistant lock add to the toughness. What’s more, Bulldog even offers a fitting video on their website to help guide you through the process. This is certainly a favourite amongst the press, with Auto Express saying that this lock is “virtually attack-proof from all angles”.

To read our top two picks, click here 

*all prices quoted are exclusive of delivery, but inclusive of VAT

Absent caravans offer a beacon to burglars, police warn

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by Chris Jefferies
Burglars in the Doncaster area have been targeting caravan owners, as the absence of a tourer in their driveway is taken as a sure sign that the house is unoccupied.
South Yorkshire police have issued this warning after a spate of burglaries, which are thought to be down to a small group of people.
Officers are keen to speak to the man pictured, as they believe that he may be able to assist with the investigation.
Caravan owners are advised to be on the lookout for suspicious behaviour and pay particular attention to the safety and security of their homes before they set off on their touring holiday.
Detective Inspector Steve Whittaker said: “I would strongly advise residents to be vigilant. We believe this is a small group of people that are targeting houses when residents take their caravans from the drive or garden away for their summer holidays.”
He added that South Yorkshire Police are aiming to combat this rise in domestic robberies by increasing the number of patrols in the Doncaster area.
Other domestic tips for caravan owners heading away this summer include installing a burglar alarm, keeping cash and valuables stored safely and out of plain view, setting timers on lights to create the impression that someone is at home, and asking a neighbour to keep an eye on your house.

Top Gear turns Bailey Pageant caravan into train carriage

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by Chris Jefferies
The BBC’s most three notorious caravan haters, Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond, reignited their relationship with tourers last night, when they tried to create an affordable and exciting train for the 21st century.
Using a workshop on the restored heritage railway from Leicester to Loughborough, the team converted a string of caravans, including a Bailey Pageant Champagne CD, into a series of train carriages.
The first class section featured a garish interior makeover; with wingback leather chairs, decorative plants, antique furniture and even a stuffed animal head on the wall.
However, their first choice of towcar/locomotive, a rear-wheel drive Jaguar XJS convertible, did not have the sufficient traction to shift the carriages, which must have had a combined weight well in excess of five tonnes.
After much arguing, James May suggested a more sensible Audi S8 as the four-wheel drive solution to their problems, which worked a treat.
Despite the boys’ delight at their wonderful creation, their passengers, all of whom where train inspectors, were less impressed by the caravan train.
The excessive noise, bumpy ride and meagre catering provisions were all singled out for praise, but eventually (and somewhat predictably), it was the flammability of the caravans that proved their downfall.
Charged with catering duties, Richard Hammond took it upon himself to cook some chips on the stove, which lead to the buffet car being reduced to a smouldering wreck.
As if that wasn’t enough, the show finished with the rear carriage being smashed to pieces by a freight locomotive.
To watch the entire show on BBC iPlayer, click here (the caravan train feature starts around the 21-minute mark), but squeamish caravanners may be best advised to watch through their fingers.
Fans of the Top Gear caravan train can see Jeremy Clarkson’s Sports Train on display at the Beaulieu National Motor Museum

2012 Swift Challenger Sport and Sterling Eccles Sport replace Charisma and Europa

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by Marcus Dubois

Swift Caravans has revealed two all-new ranges to replace the popular Charisma and Europa models for 2012.

Called the Swift Challenger Sport and Sterling Eccles Sport, the new models feature a completely new exterior design, as well as restyled interior furnishings. And the names offer an early clue to how Swift has positioned these new caravans. Both ranges draw heavily on the flagship Challenger and Eccles models, but with markedly different engineering for lighter weight.

The Caravan Times team was on hand in Cottingham yesterday for the official launch of the new tourers. And while most of the key details are still under wraps, over the next two months we’ll bring you the first pictures and video tours of the new range, as well as full specifications, layouts and reviews.

Less weight, lower costs

While Swift has taken its popular mid-range caravans upmarket, buyers looking to save money will benefit from the changes in weight and costs. The design team has used the “Sport” suffix to create a caravan that’s significantly lighter to tow, and as such is more affordable.

The new ranges are said to offer weight savings of 35kg to 50kg compared to the equivalent Swift Charisma and Sterling Europa models, without any loss in specification. As a result, we believe these new caravans will fall within the reach of family car owners, where weight has previously been an issue.

Both the Challenger Sport and Eccles Sport ranges feature eight models, with two all-new layouts. New for 2012 is an open plan four-berth featuring a fixed bed, while large families can enjoy a twin-axle six-berth offering bunk beds.

Over the next two months Caravan Times will bring you the first pictures and video of the new Swift and Sterling models, with full details of layouts and pricing. Stay tuned by liking our Facebook page or join our Swift Caravans group

Caravan couture taking over Britain’s tourers

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by Chris Jefferies
British caravan owners are spending as much money doing up the interior of their caravan as they are on holidays to Spain and Italy, it has been claimed.
Terrys Fabrics, an interior design company based in Stoke and Stockport, has reported a rise in inquiries about their caravan makeovers.
Threadbare seat covers, wipe-clean cushions and chintzy prints are a thing of the past, as Brits are embracing this new interior design trend, which has been dubbed ‘Caravan couture’.
Paul McGuinness, Director of Terrys Fabrics, said: “With the British weather being what it is, there’s a strong possibility that you’ll be seeing a lot of the inside of your caravan on holiday, so it makes sense to make the interior comfortable and stylish and make sure it’s in tune with your personality.”
He added that there is a certain element of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ as many of the caravan owners he has spoken to are quite competitive about having a nicer interior than their neighbours.

Drivers name caravans as their top summer motoring pet peeve

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by Chris Jefferies
Tailbacks caused by slow-moving caravans have been voted as the most annoying thing about driving in the UK during the summer months.
In a survey by Manheim Auctions, 70 per cent said that they hate being stuck behind slow-moving vehicles, such as caravans or tractors.
Furthermore, bank holiday traffic jams came in second in the poll, something caravan owners are also likely to be familiar with.
Other pet peeves to make the top ten include hot leather seats and steering wheels on sunny days, as well as loud music being blared out by other drivers.
Complaining children were also regularly quoted as a major bug bear, although two-thirds of parents said that they combat road-trip boredom by playing traditional car games, such as i-Spy with their kids during long journeys.
In response to the survey results, Craig Mailey, marketing director at Manheim Auctions, has offered his top tips for summer driving.
“Be prepared for the worst when embarking on a long journey in the summer. Check your tyre pressures, oil and water levels and make sure you have enough fuel before you set off. But above all, try and stay calm and relaxed behind the wheel ,” he advised.

Lunar Caravans announce new 2012 models for Quasar, Lexon and Delta

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by Chris Jefferies

Lunar Caravans has today announced several changes to its line-up for the 2012 season, including four all-new models and eight improved tourers.

The Quasar 494, Lexon 420, the Lexon 520 and the Delta FB are the four new arrivals, all featuring larger bathroom and kitchen layouts, along with larger convertible front beds.

In particular we can report that the shower areas are genuinely spacious across the range, with the circular showers being phased out – resulting in plenty of space for even those who are picky about their elbow room.

Despite all these changes, the weights have been brought down on various models, while some of the list prices have been cut as well.

A more domestic feel

The various modifications being brought in for next year’s range all share the same objective – to make these caravans feel more like a home from home.

Domestic-style furnishings abound, with Lunar Caravans describing the new ranges as something you might see from a high-street retailer such as BHS or Next.

Furthermore, the Preston-based ‘vanmakers have enhanced their green credentials by introducing LED lighting throughout the interiors, and adding an Eco-Camel shower in the bathroom.

This water-saving system was first seen on BBC’s The Apprentice last year and can reduce consumption by 20 per cent, while keeping the shower pressure as strong as ever.

In the kitchen, you get a new Sanyo microwave, as well as… Read more 

This week Caravan Times brings you first pictures of the new Lunar models with further details of layouts and pricing. Stay tuned by liking our Facebook page or join our Lunar group