New 2012 Elddis Buccaneer Caravel: The end for transverse beds?

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Chris Jefferies
The luxury offering from Elddis has been completely overhauled for 2012, offering a range of premium features for truly discerning touring holidaymakers.
Despite the additions and extra space in some Buccaneer Caravans models, the weights have been reduced, resulting in lower running costs.
Continuing our In Focus series, we take a closer look at the improvements on-board the new 2012 Buccaneer Caravel, which features a new bedroom layout.

At their launch event last week (July 4th), Elddis bullishly asserted that the transverse bed is “dead”, as they believe that the island bed layout, as seen on the Caraval, offers much more space.
The popular his and hers wardrobes are available on this model, as well as a longer fixed bed – ideal for the taller gentleman who doesn’t want his feet poking out at night.
Moving to the living area, and the lighting has been overhauled to make way for new LED bulbs, which offer a softer, more ambient feel, as well as improving the overall energy efficiency of the lighting by up to 80 per cent.
New ‘Cardinal Mirage’ leather interiors have been introduced as an optional extra; in the bathroom there are new granite-effect surfaces; while the kitchen has new hardwood worktops.

When it comes to technology, you are well covered, with modern touches such as USB charging points for hi-tech devices and an optional self-seeking satellite dish, which makes setting up your TV a breeze.
Best of all… Read more 

Are transverse beds dead? Do island beds really offer more space?
Share your thoughts in our Elddis forum.



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Stonehenge caravan site to open after 18-month struggle

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by Chris Jefferies
Caravan lovers will be able to stay near the popular World Heritage spot of Stonehenge after plans for a camping and caravanning site were finally approved this week.
Stonehenge Campsite, as it will be known, was given the green light by Wiltshire Council, after an 18-month planning struggle and a public inquiry, the Salisbury Journal reports.
Space will be limited to 15 pitches in the winter and 35 pitches in the summer (March 19th to September 30th), so booking ahead may be necessary to get a space at this enviable spot.
For big events, such as the summer solstice, the capacity may be increased to allow up to 100 visitors to stay on the spot, the local paper adds.
William Grant, the owner, said: “What was here was a derelict pig sty that had been unused for 20 years plus. I think this is a good use and a major asset to Stonehenge.”
Several upgrades to the site are planned in order to attract visitors from all over the world, he added.

Family devastated by theft of new uninsured caravan

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Next week, Caravan Times will be bringing you Security Week – seven days of articles dedicated to keeping your tourer safe. In this news story a couple explain how their grandchildren were moved to tears by the theft of their caravan.
by Chris Jefferies
A couple from Oxfordshire have spoken of their despair at losing their brand new caravan to thieves before they had been able to insure it.
Paula and Geoffrey Day had spent their life savings, just under £13,000, on a Hobby Prestige. Yet just three weeks after they took delivery of the tourer, it was stolen in a well-planned raid, the Witney Gazette reports.
Thieves broke into their back garden in Sutton, crossed a field, cut through a fence and moved a wood pile to steal the caravan.
The couple told the local paper that they were devastated at the loss, as they were planning to use the tourer to take their two and four-year-old grandchildren away to Newcastle this weekend for their first ever summer holiday.
So distraught were the tots that they broke down in tears upon hearing the news that the caravan was gone.
“We had been getting the children excited and packing everything away ready for it. I had to say nasty people have come and stolen it, and they burst out crying,” Mrs Day added.
What’s more, the couple admitted that they couldn’t afford to buy a replacement, as their savings are now completely gone.
This heartbreaking story reinforces the importance of arranging comprehensive caravan insurance for complete coverage from the day that your new tourer is delivered. Taking the risk, it seems, is just not worth it.

Lottery winners eye luxury caravan in £3.3m spending spree

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by Chris Jefferies
Two lucky lottery winners from Hull have said that they plan to spend some of their multi-million pound winnings on a luxury caravan.
John and Susan Denston, who have been married for 37 years, scooped a life-changing £3.3 million in last Friday’s Euromillions draw after Susan saw that it would happen in a dream.
“I dreamt we had won and that we had gone to Leeds and put the winning ticket into the machine. I said to John it would be nice if we got £250,000. But to win £3m was unbelievable,” she explained.
The couple have already partly planned out their spending spree, with a BMW X5 named as their choice of towcar, but if they are still unsure about which luxury caravan to plump for, we at Caravan Times thought we’d offer our top five luxury picks.
Swift Conqueror
Price Tag: from £18,000
If the Denstons want to shop local, then they can choose from a range of caravan makers in Hull, with Swift’s Conqueror option always proving popular amongst discerning buyers, thanks to its redwood and granite-effect surfaces, as well as the Ultra Comfort luxury beds.
Bailey Unicorn
Price Tag: from £17,995
This model would be a wise investment as the Alu-Tech body makes for lightweight towing and added durability. The luxury features on board include a heated towel rail in the bathroom, walnut furniture and a dedicated drinks cupboard.
Vanmaster Occasion TBEW
Price Tag: from £39,950
For coachbuilt luxury, this tourer is a fine choice, billed as the ‘Caravans of Distinction’ due to its unsurpassed build quality. This particular model comes with a built-in DAB radio, which you can even listen to in the shower, thanks to the bathroom speakers. The underfloor heating system would keep the Denstons cosy, while the optional leather upholstery and solid ash furniture all add a touch of luxury to proceedings.
Tabbert Paganini 655 DF
Price tag: from 37,000 euros
If the Denstons are willing to look overseas for their next tourer, then this German offering could be just the ticket for futuristic luxury. High-quality wood, leather and stainless steel creates a truly opulent look, while the lighting can be individually adjusted to set the mood.
Fifth Wheel Inos
Price Tag: from £36,000
A British-built first – this caravan offers a slide-out side section resulting in three metres square of added interior space. Premium features include an air conditioning system and a rear camera for safer and easier reversing. The super-spacious 6’7″ headroom sets this one out from the chasing pack, while the electrically operated entrance step will make a great first impression on the Denstons’ guests.

Three-tonne whale and WWII relic washed up near caravan parks

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by Chris Jefferies
Some weird and wonderful items have been seen washed ashore on beaches near caravan parks during the past week, including a three-tonne whale and a World War Two ‘torpedo’.
A touring holidaymaker got a shock when he stumbled across a rusty torpedo-shaped object on Monfieth beach, while taking a stroll yesterday, BBC Tayside reports.
The caravanner, who was staying at TayView Caravan and Camping Park, alerted the authorities, who later disposed of the 30-inch long relic, which was thought to be a parachute flare used during the Second World War.
A controlled explosion was carried out by bomb disposal experts at 8 o’clock on Monday evening and fortunately the nearby caravan park did not have to be evacuated.
Meanwhile, holidaymakers staying on the south coast at Bunn Leisure caravan park last weekend may have seen an even larger item wash up on the shore – the body of a three-tonne whale.
The cetacean was found on Saturday and since then the council has thoroughly cleaned the beach, making it safe and hygienic for visitors to return, the Chichester Observer reports.
Marine experts believe that the mammal was of the minke whale variety, which are normally found in the Pacific Ocean. The Natural History Museum has been notified of this unusual discovery.

Caravan owners invited to join the Club for Lakeland walks

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by Chris Jefferies
The Camping and Caravanning Club has announced that it will be running a series of walks in the Lake District this September, giving touring holidaymakers a chance to explore the area’s beautiful countryside.
Starting from the Club’s sites in Eskdale and Ravenglass, each walk will be led by Tom Higgs, a fully qualified Mountain Leader, and they will include an opportunity to see some of the most unspoilt and hidden paths in Cumbria.
Each walk has been tailored specifically to be family-friendly, and outdoor enthusiasts can benefit from Tom’s 20 years of experience and expertise in the region.
The local site owners have described the area as a “walker’s paradise”, with peaks such as Harter Fell and even the gentler Tarns offering great views.
Each walk is priced at £15 for adults and £10 for under-17s for a full day and the trips will be offered from September 4th onwards.

Used Caravan of the Week: 1985 Rapido Pop-Top

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by Chris Jefferies

With lightweight caravans coming back into fashion, this cute 1980s Pop-Top could prove to be a real bargain for the successful bidder. Touring couples looking for a super-compact trailer may be tempted by the low running costs of this two-berth caravan, which weighs just 630kg.

Rapido is a French company that was set up in the 1960s. Nowadays they only make motorhomes, but the used versions of its 1980s folding and pop-top caravans remain highly popular among second-hand buyers.

History

This model has been with its current owner for four years, and it has seen action across Europe, including being towed along the Autobahns of Germany at up to 70mph without any wobbles.

The seller describes the Pop-Top as ‘ready to tow away and start camping’ and he claims that it boasts ‘much more luxury than an Eriba Puck’. Despite being well into its 20s, this mini-tourer has been kept in pretty good condition.

Furthermore, the surprising amount of interior space has led the seller to describe this ‘van as a ‘Tardis’, with the simple pop-top extension offering extra headroom ‘within seconds’.

Kit and caboodle

Certainly all the fittings are included, with an Electrolux three-way fridge freezer and a two-burner hob unit. A knob is missing from the grill, but a frying pan is thrown in to seal the deal.

Storage is provided by several cupboards and a cutlery drawer, while the original wipe-clean flooring is also included, along with a mirror and a smoke alarm.

The double-glazed windows should help make your touring experience that little bit cosier, although there doesn’t appear to be anything in the way of heating.

Meanwhile, bedding is provided in the form of a table conversion, which makes for a ‘massive’ double bed, according to the seller. The interior is decorated with red curtains and some slightly dated pastel pink velour furnishings, while the kitchen area comes with a fold-down blind.

All the lights and the hand brake are in working order and there are four grab handles on each corner for easy manoeuvrability.

  • Price: £265 (bidding not yet ended)

  • Gross vehicle weight: 630kg

  • Overall Length: 13′ 5″

  • Width: 5′ 4″

  • Berth: 2

  • Axle: Single

Click here to view more details of the 1985 Rapido Pop-Top for sale


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VIDEO: Chris Gosling’s Caravan Diary – Great Yarmouth Caravan Club Site (Part Two)

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by Marcus Dubois

If you miss the site reviews and anecodes of the original Caravan Channel since Chris Gosling left the show a year ago, we have good news. You can now watch Chris’ brand new show “Caravan Diary” right here on Caravan Times! The presenter is on a tour of the best sites the UK has to offer and each week we’ll bring you the highlights from his trips.

Last week Chris took a trip to the Norfolk Broads to visit the Caravan Club site at Great Yarmouth. With 115 pitches including hardstandings and sandy grass pitches, there’s plenty of accommodation for all, while as sandy beach is 300 yards away. Yet this week Chris takes us to one of the main attractions for visitors at this time of year.

Great Yarmouth Racecourse hosts a number of race meetings each week in July and August, including a special “Music Live” race night on 3 August where a live music concert follows the horse racing. Follow Chris as he enjoys the sights and sound in this week’s episode.

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Dad fights back from near-death experience with caravan stove pork chop

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by Chris Jefferies
Last month, you may have read a story on Caravan Times about a man who was paralysed after eating a pork chop that was cooked on his caravan stove.
Now, we’re very happy to report that father of three Darren Ashall from Chorley in Lancashire, is on the road to recovery, according to the Lancashire Evening Post.
After five months in hospital, Darran has been released from intensive care and he is adjusting to life at home, the local paper added.
Despite still suffering some of the side-effects of listeria meningitis, the bug he caught from the ill-prepared chop, the plant operator is in good spirits.
“I am definitely getting better. The feeling of going out in the fresh air after being stuck indoors for months was amazing. The first thing I did when I got home was eat a bacon buttie – I’d been really longing for one after being in hospital for so long,” he said.
Darran is one of just 200 people worldwide to have been diagnosed with this rare disease, which he caught after failing to cook his meat properly on a caravan stove.
He is also due to appear on Channel Five’s The Wright Stuff Extra to talk about his experience, which he hopes to write up as a book one day.
The local paper also reports that Darran is hoping to return to work once or twice a week in the near future.
Caravan owners are advised that the symptoms of meningitis are similar to those of the common cold. To find out more information, support the search for a vaccine or get a symptom card, please visit the Meningitis UK website.

In focus: The new Elddis Avante 372

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by Chris Jefferies
Continuing with our ongoing look at the new 2012 offerings from Elddis Caravans, the Avante range has seen a series of adjustments and new features, including the return of the L-shape bed in the 372 and a new lightweight water heater on all models.

As the largest range in the Elddis collection, there is a fairly good chance that you may spot a few Avantes on your travels this summer.
For touring couples, the 372 is the most compact and affordable option on offer, including an L-shaped bed in the front, which offers more kitchen and living room space during the day.
The overall layout is largely similar to its sister model, the Xplore 302, with a compact wet-room with shower in the rear.
Elddis‘ clever use of space includes a pull-out sink, which slides out from the wall to slot into place above the toilet cistern. This space-saving bathroom layout can also be found in the 646 model.
When it comes to using the shower, you will find that this model heats up much quicker than previous Avantes, thanks to the new lightweight Whale water heater.
Elddis claims that this heater can brew up enough water for two showers from a standing start in just half an hour, with a reheat time of only eight minutes.
The 372 is being introduced as a replacement for the 362, while the 462 remains as a larger option for couples looking for a two-berth tourer.
Best of the rest
Elsewhere in the range… Read more 

Are you impressed by the model or do you prefer the previous Elddis range? Share your thoughts in our forum.



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Man injured as caravan flips on A55

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by Chris Jefferies
Emergency services were called out to the A55 last weekend (July 10th), after a car and caravan overturned on the busy dual carriageway.
The incident, which took place at lunchtime, resulted in a man being taken to a nearby hospital with head injuries that were believed to not be serious, the Liverpool Daily Post reports.
A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “We attended an incident at 1.23pm on the A55 where a car and caravan had overturned on their sides.”
This crash comes as a warning to inexperienced drivers thinking of towing long caravans with unsuitable towcars, as high winds on exposed sections of motorways can cause severe handling problems.
In other news, a caravan was also involved in an accident with a lorry on the M5 last week (June 8th) resulting in tailbacks for more than 30 miles, the Weston, Worle and Somerset Mercury reports.

In focus: The new Elddis Xplore 504

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by Chris Jefferies

Earlier this week, Caravan Times brought you key details and exclusive photos from the launch of the 2012 Elddis range. With so many new introductions to cover, it’s now time to go in-depth and look at some of the models with the most changes – starting with the Xplore 504, the replacement for the popular 540 model.

Like every other model in the entry-level range the Xplore 504 comes with a Whale Mark II underfloor space heater, freeing up more interior space. Yet what Elddis has done with this extra space is quite clever.

On the old Xplore model the space heater took up half of the space of the wardrobe. This year the 2012 version has extra room for storage, meaning you could even fit two people inside.

Furthermore, the storage space has been moved from the bedroom and is now situated next to the near-side door.

This results in extra space opposite the fixed double bed, which Elddis has turned into a dedicated vanity unit. A basin and a mirror are accompanied by a pair of bathroom style cabinets – ideal for getting ready in the mornings. As a result the bathroom and shower area now has even more space as well.

In keeping with the main theme from the rest of the Elddis 2012 range… Read more 


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