Truma LevelControl Christmas Offer

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By William Coleman

In the spirit of giving the guys at Truma are selling one of their handiest little gadgets at a discount. Grab this perfect little stocking filler before they sell out and let Truma make putting gifts under the tree easier and cheaper this Christmas.

Who doesn’t love a gadget? I’m a huge fan of them, especially when they make my life easier. This is something that Truma’s LevelControl certainly does. What makes the LevelConteol so good is it’s simplicity and ease of use for us, the consumer.

The LevelControl accurately calculates the filling level of steel and aluminium LPG gas bottles with a diameter of 200 to 350mm.

The handy this about this reader is that is also measures how much, based on how frequently your usage, gas you have left. This gives you enough info to buy before you leave for a trip or carry on with what existing reserves you have.

You can view what gas you have left as a percentage or in kilograms. There is also a third option that will display how much you have left in days. The control will also send the results to your phone via Bluetooth (if you are in range) or via an SMS message to your smartphone or tablet device.

For those of you who have an iNet system you can fully automate the two together. This is also fully compatible without the iNet too.

Truma have developed two apps to work alongside the LevelControl, both of which are available on the Apple Apps Store and Google Play.

The Truma LevelControl App checks the gas level via Bluetooth and the Truma app checks the gas level via text message, even when travelling. It can connect to other Truma appliances such as heaters and air conditioners to the iNet System but it does require the Truma iNet Box to fully operate.

Key Features

Notification when gas level is low
Use several LevelControl at the same time
Adheres magnetically to any steel cylinder – and, thanks to a clamping sheet, also to aluminium cylinders
Works with all current European gas cylinders – simply select the model from the extensive database
The LevelControl is not suitable for plastic gas cylinders, refillable tank gas cylinders, gas tanks or butane gas cylinders (camping gas).

What Truma’s MD explain in detail what the LevelControl can do and then Click This Link click this link if you want to purchase one while stocks last.

5 Star Site Eatery Takes Home Top Award

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By William Coleman

We all love a bit of posh fine dining now and then but it is not something that you would associate with an on site restaurant. Well, that has now changed following an award win for the Restaurant at the 5 star Islawrffordd Caravan Park, Talybont, Barmouth.

Nineteen.57 Restaurant at Islawrffordd Caravan Park has been named Best of North Wales at the Restaurant Awards 2019.

Very few sites that I have been to, apart from your resort style locations, have onsite restaurants. And the ones that I have come across have left a lot to be desired. That being said there are a select few who actually put as much pride into their eateries as they do their actual site. One such location, as mentioned above, is doing things differently to stand out from the rest.

The Nineteen.57 Restaurant and Bar swooped up the award at a ceremony held at The Exchange Hotel in Cardiff.

Chef Sion Wellings, who took over the lease of the restaurant with his mother, Iola, confessed to being surprised when he was told the restaurant was one of 10 in North Wales shortlisted for the award.

“Someone had nominated us for the award which came as a big shock to be honest,” he said. “We haven’t tended to enter awards or to seek recognition with stars. We have just focused on serving good quality food.

“It’s the first award we have won and we were not expecting it. I am due to leave in January to concentrate on working on my house, so it’s nice to finish on a high.”

Sion and Iola have run the restaurant for five years and he was previously sous chef at Portmeirion for eight years.

Sion made the award ceremony a family affair by taking his parents Paul and Iola Wellings, grandparents John and Jean Roberts, aunt Julie Hughes and sister-in-law Jamie Wellings.

The restaurant has held successful themed evenings, charity events, parties, weddings, afternoon teas for baby showers and numerous black-tie dinners over the past five years.

“Hard work, dedicated staff and a good working relationship with the owners have brought success to our business venture,” said Iola. “The owners have a restaurant and bar to be proud of for park customers and locals alike whose support has generated a winter and seasonal clientele.”

In a joint statement, the directors of Islawrffordd Caravan Park, Gwynfor, Dylan and Geraint Evans and John Billingham, congratulated Sion and Iola for their award success. “We would like to thank them for achieving everything we hoped our £750,000 investment in the restaurant and bar would bring,” they said.

“Whilst we are sorry to be losing them as tenants, we wish them every success with their change of direction and will be doing everything we can to ensure that the high standards set by Sion and Iola are maintained in the future.”

A spokesperson for award organisers said: “The awards have acknowledged the restaurants for the overall experience they provide to their guests, including the friendly staff, comfortable environment, excellent ambience and rich menu, amongst other criteria.

“We would like to congratulate all finalists and winners for contributing to making the country well known for its great food, creating an ideal destination for those who seek some time to relax, enjoying either a good street food or eclectic dishes.”

Located on the Cambrian Coast, Islawrffordd Caravan Park has 201 holiday homes, 75 fully serviced, hard standing touring caravan/motorhome plots and luxury facilities, including a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna and Jacuzzi.

The park was named Best Campsite in Wales by the AA in 2012 and was a finalist at the inaugural Mid Wales Tourism Awards in October.

CAMC Winter Holiday From Under £9!

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By William Coleman

Winter touring has many benefits and here is one more that should convert a few of you into winter caravanners. Get away and save money with winter with the Caravan and Motorhome Club.

For quite a few the winter period is the perfect time to get away and relax. The dark mornings can give you a nice lay in and the early sunset makes for warm winter evenings tucked up in the van.

To help spread the love for winter touring the Caravan and Motorhome Club are running a special promotion to get more out and on site when the cold sets in.

The Club has over 55 UK Club Sites and over 70 overseas sites that are open-all-year round, so you can get some winter sun in Europe or some winter festivities right here at home.

The Club sites that are open all year suit the needs of any and all tourers with prices at some of the UK’s festive favourites starting from £8.90 and winter sun destinations from just £18.18, a last minute winter break is accessible for all tastes and budgets.

UK Winter Sites

Many Club sites are open throughout winter and within easy reach of some of the UK’s best Christmas markets.

Birmingham

Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market is a must visit for anyone who loves the festive season. The largest authentic German market outside of Germany itself, this sprawling market takes over Victoria Square until 23 December. Visitors can enjoy German glühwein, pretzels and bratwurst as they browse traditional alpine chalets. There is also plenty of entertainment courtesy of the ever-changing line up of bands on the Christmas Market stage, from traditional carols to jazz.

Chapel Lane Club Site is a wonderful base for a trip to Birmingham, due to its convenient location near a number of major motorways. The site is set in a peaceful open field flanked by trees. Birmingham city centre is a half-hour drive away, and there are a number of great museums and attractions such as Cadbury World close by. Prices start from £17.25 per night based on a standard pitch and two adults sharing, staying mid week.

York

York’s St Nicholas Fair and Christmas markets will be bringing festive cheer to the city until 22 December. With traditional fair rides at Kings Square, festive food and drink at the Yorkshire Barn and dedicated Made in Yorkshire Yuletide Village, York’s festive markets will please even the grumpiest of Scrooges! Beyond the market, Yorkshire’s Winter Wonderland, home to North England’s largest ice rink, is open until 5 January 2020.

York Beechwood Grange Club Site is set in rolling countryside just outside the historic city of York. It is perfectly located for easy access to York city centre and the Christmas markets. Beyond the festivities, visitors to York can enjoy the stunning York Minster, the JORVIK Viking Centre and the National Railway Museum. Prices start from £21.90 per night based on a standard pitch and two adults sharing.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s Christmas market at East Princes Street Gardens is bursting with traditional stalls selling local wares, quaint Christmas decorations and delicious food. Little ones will love the nearby Santa Land, where they can pay a visit to the man himself, and also enjoy a range of child-friendly rides. Open until 5 January, tourers can tie in a visit to the market with the traditional Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations that take place to celebrate the New Year.

Edinburgh Club Site, situated on the Firth of Forth, is a wonderful base for tourers looking to enjoy Edinburgh in the winter months. The city centre can be reached in 20 minutes, and the site’s location near the coast makes it perfect for seaside strolls. Prices start from £17.30 per night based on a standard pitch and two adults sharing, staying midweek.

Euopean Summer Sun

Tourers looking to escape the chill at home can enjoy some winter sun in Spain or Portugal, where temperatures reach up to 20 degrees during the winter months.

Altomira, Spain

Nestled in the rolling Valencian countryside, the Altomira site is a peaceful spot that’s perfect for those looking for a quiet break in the countryside. Visitors looking to explore the stunning Spanish countryside will enjoy the many cycling and walking routes that are easily accessible from the site. Valencia, well known for its charming architecture and Spanish classic, paella, is just a train ride away. Prices start from £20.91 per night for two people sharing a pitch.

Villasol, Spain

The Villasol site in lively Benidorm is wonderful for a beachside break. There are a wide range of activities in the nearby area, with restaurants, markets and shops all easily accessible from the site. Beautiful sand beaches are just a short walk away – perfect for those looking for a relaxing time by the sea. Alicante, a short drive away, is home to beautiful castles and archaeological sites, and makes for a great day trip. Prices start from £20.91 per night for two people sharing a pitch.

Ria Formosa, Portugal

Settled on the doorstep of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, the Ria Formosa site is hugely popular with wildlife lovers. The site is also perfectly situated for exploring the popular resort of Albufeira, with its spectacular beaches and year-round sunshine. Warm weather means the on-site pool is open year round, and evening entertainment includes traditional Portuguese music in the restaurant. Prices start at £18.90 per night for two people sharing a pitch.

Scotland Launch Fresh Call For Tourist Tax

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By William Coleman

Due to environmental reasons the Scottish government have been consulting with the public to see how they feel about the impact tourism has on the country and if they would be happy for a tourist tax to be put in place.

According to some recent survey feedback it would seem that the City of Edinburgh would be in favour of imposing a new tax for tourists. The new Transient Visitor Levy, or TVL for short, would see a £2 per night room fee if this new tax idea goes through.

The TVL would potentially bring in an additional £13.6m per annum to the city. I wonder what these extra funds would be spent on? Seeing as this is being proposed all in the same of protecting the environment it should go towards that, right?

The sustainable transport charity, Transform Scotland, carries out the survey with 320 residents and found that 78% were in favour of the TVL and feel that it would protect Edinburgh from the negative impacts of tourism.

On top of this locals also believe that the new fee would help manage tourism across all of Scotland. So what does this mean for the touring community who are very much ‘transient’?

If rooms will fall under the TVL it will only be a matter of time until this moves over to sites, pitches, caravans, campers and motorhomes. If the concern is about the impact that tourism has then the caravan world must also be on the radar as we drive to our holiday destination and then drive around that area once unhitched.

We cannot deny that the amount of driving we do does impact the global warming issue. Based on that I foresee more changes to how we pay coming in the not too distant future.

As Scotland is taking a new proactive stance on how tourism impacts the environment and are looking to put a charge on visitors it begs the question of how this will negatively impact the number of tourists who visit the country for their leisure time?

Colin Hoden, Director of Transform Scotland, spoke with the BBC and said: “There is global concern about the impacts of tourism, from fuelling the growth in aviation emissions, to the impacts that large tourist volumes have on fragile historic environments and ecosystems.

“The volume of tourism is having severe impacts on Scotland’s transport system. During Edinburgh’s festivals, our bus network now routinely grinds to a halt. So it’s clear that something needs to be done to tackle the impacts of tourism in Scotland.

“Our report takes forward the debate on the Edinburgh TVL proposal by presenting additional public opinion on how the revenue from the scheme should be invested.

“We believe that a significant proportion of the TVL revenue should be invested in improving the City Centre public realm and in supporting public transport services.”

I am very much on board with doing all we can to help save the planet which we have unfortunately almost pushed to the brink, but I am not convinced that raising more money to improve a city’s streets and transport is going to do very much in the grand scale of things.

When it comes to how caravan and motorhome owners impact the environment, and ultimately global warming, I feel we are not a drop in the water compared flights and sea travel.

A spokeswoman from the Scottish government has said: “We are committed to maintaining and enhancing the tourism sector’s economic, social and environmental contributions, as well as empowering communities by devolving more power to local levels.

“The Transient Visitor Levy (TVL) would not be a national levy – rather it would be for individual local authorities to decide whether or not to apply a charge if they consider it appropriate for local circumstances, with any revenues being spent on tourism-related activities.”

I feel that this will be a case of each part of the UK adopting it once they see there is a pound note to be had.

The caravan industry is one of the largest tourism sectors here in the UK so it is only a matter of time before additional taxes or levies start being thrown our way. Just look at the new road tax for motorhomes.

Those within the caravan world, both consumer and trade, are aware that there is a lot of money in the industry. A new caravan with a good quality tow car can be a very costly venture. Based on this I think there are a lot of companies/institutions who feel we are OK to tax or have price increases. Which is totally wrong when you have companies like Starbucks and Amazon who pay their tax offshore for the business they do in the UK.

So, how long will it be before tourism tax starts knocking on out caravan door?

Successful Salop Santa Dash

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By William Coleman

This past weekend saw a sea of red and green in Shrewsbury as both Santa and his elves ran the Salop Santa Dash all in the name of Christmas, giving and charity.

At Salop’s leisure Christmas themed event almost 300 adults and children turned up to Salop Leisure to paint the site red, and green, to help raise funds for a local charity.

Once again organised by caravan and motorhome dealership Salop Leisure and the company’s Love2Stay resort, the Salop Santa Dash and Elf Dash attracted 280 runners and raised money to support the work of Shrewsbury Town in the Community.

The charity is independent of the football club, self-funded and needs to raise £1 million a year to deliver 39 different programmes for people of all ages in the community.

The Salop Santa Dash took a sea of red runners along a five-kilometre course around the beautiful grounds at Salop Leisure, the company’s Love2Live fitness and wellness centre and Love2Stay, where the event started and finished.

The Salop Elf Dash, a new addition this year, saw 40 children under the age of eight complete a 1.1-kilometre course.

Ed Glover, Salop Leisure’s marketing manager, said: “The event was a great success and we had excellent feedback from everyone who took part. The Santa runners loved the course and parents liked the idea of the Elf Dash for their children.

“We had lots of families taking part, some corporate groups, couples, friends, runners with prams and dogs and even one lady with a Zimmer frame. There was a mixture of ages and the atmosphere was great as people joined in the festive fun.

“We don’t yet know how much has been raised for Shrewsbury Town in the Community, but a donation will be made from the profit.”

It was also another busy weekend for Santa’s Grotto at Salop Leisure and the synthetic skating rink at Love2Stay, which are part of a range of activities organised for the Salop Christmas Adventure. Full details at www.salopchristmas.co.uk.

Butlins To Dabble In The Caravan World

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By William Coleman

Following some rather scathing news and reviews for the once great Butlin’s they have announced that they are planning on introducing 100 new caravans for staff members as part of their ongoing site development at their Minehead location.

This news follows checks done on current lodging that were deemed ‘beyond economical repair’. The current accommodation started to be demolished in May of this year.

At their Minehead site Butlin’s offer accommodation for guests within eight villages, one apartment block and one fully licenced caravan park.

Butlin’s also has two villages where staff stay during their time working on site. These locations offer 876 bedrooms of their 1300 full time and seasonal workers.

The famous holiday chain have submitted a planning application to Somerset West and Taunton Council to erect 98 three bed caravans to house staff.

This new development will be positioned on the eastern section of the site, Caribbean Quay Village, and should be able to serve 294 people.

A description on the design and access statement said: “The proposed development will see one empty land parcel arising from prior approval of demolition redeveloped to accommodate a replacement team village comprising 98 three-bedroom caravan units.

“Providing 294 bed spaces, each unit will be installed on a permanent base serviced with a network of utilities sufficient for proposed systems including LPG, water, date and electrical power, to meet the resort’s staff accommodation demands.”

The new leisure home will be positioned next to the Starfish Quay Village which is actually another staff site. Which also happens to be currently be under refurbishment.

An interesting note from the planning application states that these new caravans will not serve as permanent residential addresses but more as temporary location. We will see these caravans start to house guests who want caravan holidays?

While the plans state this will provide accommodation for 298 people, the overall total occupancy figure will be reduced by 498 people.

If approved, this will mean there will be 12,136 bed spaces across the holiday resort and 614 spaces below the resort’s maximum.

It is in my opinion that a lot of sites like Haven and Butlin’s will start to look at moving into the caravan industry as for them it is an untapped source of huge additional income.

As good as most caravan sites are they will find it hard to compete with some of the facilities on these sites should they start adding touring pitches.

If you could stay on a caravan site that has 2 pools, 4 restaurants, arcades, clubs, bars and large shops would you not jump at the chance?

I know a lot of what caravan trips are about is getting away from this sort of thing but there are a lot of people, especially with the newer and younger caravanners, who would love a resort bases caravan park. Just look at the Love2Stay site, that is doing amazingly well and is very much resort based.

Mid Winter Caravan Checks

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By William Coleman

The cold weather has very much set in and a lot of caravans and motorhomes are tucked up safe and sound on drives or in storage. Now that we are heading toward the end of the year and half way(ish) through the off season we may want to start planning a mid break checklist.

Lets face it, winter touring really is not everybody’s cup of tea and a lot of people opt to wrap the van up and take a break when the sun goes on holiday. If you are one of these it is almost the time where we need to get back in the vans and do some checks and maybe even another clean up to ensure they are surviving and thriving in winter.

I am in no way a neat freak but I do enjoy having a good clean up and clear out of the caravan. A great time to do this is when the van is taking a break. As you have not used it for a while you kind of look at the van through different lenses and you may be a bit more willing to get rid of things you may think you need. I mean how many bedding sets do you need?

Check For Water Ingress and Damp

Should there be any water ingress after an extended amount of time without using the van you will probably be confronted by the smell before anything else.

If you do jump aboard and there is no smell or any obvious signs it is still worth going round the van and having a check.

You can do this the old fashioned way by simply going round the van and check any part where a panel has been factory cut. So check all the windows, doors, sky lights, aircon units etc etc.

You can also get yourself a damp reader which can sometimes reveal things you may not be able to see just by looking. They are not that expensive and can save you a lot of time, hassle and money in the long run.

If you do find some damp patches get them cleaned and dry right away as it can spread and cause a lot of damage.

Air the van and then trace it back to the source and then call the repairman and wait for the bill, unless you fancy yourself a bit of a craftsman.

Clean The Upholstery

The upholstery is the one thing in the caravan that sees the most action, there is a joke there somewhere, so it deserves some extra attention and maintenance.

I give the seating and cushions a thorough clean before every new season and during the off season too.

After a while without using the air inside the caravan can stagnate a bit and then you’ll find the seating has this odd musk that is not overly pleasant. Think an old charity shop smell.

If you do not want to go to the effort of a full clean a good upholstery spray should do the trick but you have to do it a lot more regularly.

Give The Kitchen And Bathroom A Once Round

As much as you may clean the bathroom and kitchen after every use it is still worth doing it once more.

This where most, if not all, of your water sources are so it is where you may find damp, food, limescale or just general grime.

While doing this cleaning always keep some windows open to let out any fumes from cleaning products and a good gust of wind through the van will do a world of good removing any musky smells

Hoover Throughout

Once I have cleaned all the surfaces, cupboards, nooks, crannies, beds and sofa I give the entire van a thorough go through with a vacuum.

You do not realise until you’ve finished just how much dust and debris occurs when the van is left unused.

Exterior Checks

Now for the final check, and maybe the most important? Usually if you find something wrong inside you will go straight to the outside of the van and see where the issue is coming from.

In the event that everything looks good on board it is still worth giving the chassis a once over to see if there are any dings or dents that could lead to further issues down the road.

I always make sure I check the windows both in and out as they are a common place for leaks.

Once that is done I make my way around the lockers to make sure they are all intact as the key slots are not blocked with muck.

Also, weather dependant, give the van a quick clean so no dirt gets embedded on stains the van. If it is left too long without a clean the van can be a nightmare to get site ready come the new season.

A Very Bailey Christmas

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By William Coleman

The countdown to Christmas has officially begun and the shopping trips are about to become hectic. Let Bailey and Prima Leisure help take some off the stress and expense away from this year’s Christmas list as they launch their ‘Bailey Big Christmas Countdown’.

It seems that each year Christmas shopping becomes ever more of a chore, bah humbug, but when buying for friends and loved ones it has to be done. In an effort to give gifts away this year Bailey are hosting a very special advent treat.

Bailey want to try and help the touring community celebrate the festive season by launching their new Bailey Big Christmas Countdown. Bailey have teamed up with Prima Leisure to create online advent calendar where Baley owners can win prizes by opening a window and answering a caravan and motorhome related question.

The competition will be running from now until the 12th of December. Each day a new window will be available to open where you stand a chance of winning a top prize from Bailey and Prima.

You really cannot help but get into the spirit of Christmas with a fun prize winning competition like this. I am just excited to see what each new window reveals!

To get some more Christmas gift inspiration visit Prims Leisure to see what you can fill your stocking up with.

Or if you really want to splash to cash and treat the whole family have a look at what Bailey of Bristol have on offer.

Park Holidays UK To Host Free holidays For Thomas Cook Staff

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By William Coleman

Park Holidays UK has invited more than 600 Thomas Cook staff and their families to enjoy a weekend by the seaside so that they can say “a proper goodbye”.

The holiday park group will pick up the tab for their accommodation in fully-equipped holiday homes for up to three nights, and will lay on free entertainment.

Scene of the huge reunion party will be Broadland Sands Holiday Park near Lowestoft which the group is opening up especially for the event on 8-11 November.

Park Holidays UK marketing director Geoff Barnes said it would be a chance for staff to swap memories and let their hair down after Thomas Cook suddenly went into liquidation in September: “The immediacy of the announcement meant that there was little time for many staff at Thomas Cooks’ Peterborough headquarters to say a final farewell,” said Geoff.

“As members of the holiday industry ourselves, we were also deeply saddened by the news and wanted to reach out to try and soften the blow in some way.

“We thought the best way to help would be to open one of our most popular parks, Broadland Sands, for a long weekend and to offer free stays to staff and their partners and children.

“Within one day of making the opportunity known to Thomas Cook staff, we were delighted to have taken bookings for all of the park’s 150-plus holiday homes.

“It means that we’ll be welcoming over 600 guests in total for between two and three nights, and we hope it will create a truly memorable experience for everyone.

“I’m sure there will be some nostalgic moments, but overall we simply want all the Thomas Cook team, and especially the children, to share a very happy time,” added Geoff.

As well as the free accommodation, guests will have use of all of Broadland Sand’s leisure facilities, including a recently opened £1.6 million swimming pool complex.

Charges will also be waived on some other activities usually paid for by holiday guests, such as the climbing wall, adventure golf course and Segway Scooters.

In addition, Park Holidays UK will be laying on a full no-cost entertainment programme in the park’s clubhouse featuring professional family-friendly acts.

Broadland Sands will be offering a subsidised food and snack menu to Thomas Cook guests throughout the weekend, and a range of drinks will also be discounted

It’s hoped that other businesses will also rally to support the weekend with donations of competition prizes or by providing free activities or pampering sessions such as nail treatments or massages.

Established almost 30 years ago, Park Holidays UK is one of Britain’s largest and fastest-growing holiday park groups with 31 holiday centres across Southern England.

Auto-Trail Factory Visit

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By William Coleman

Get a behind the scenes look at how one of the UK’s most popular motorhome brands put their award winning leisure vehicles together.

Have you ever wondered what goes into making a home on wheels? I have, quite a lot. Once I finally got to walk a production line that was churning out leisure vehicles I was shocked at just how “hand made” they are.

One of the things that struck me the most was just how fast and precise the operation was. It just proves what kind of feats human engineering can accomplish.

If you are interested in seeing how we put together motorhomes in the UK Auto-Trail will be opening their doors to the public for a factory tour.

You can see just complex the construction of the Adventure, V-Line and the Tracker, to name but a few, really is.

The tour will give a first hand and unique insight into the extreme care and attention that goes into each vehicle that Auto-Trail roll out.

All tours begin at 10am and lasts for around 90 minutes. The tour costs just £5 which Auto-Trail will be giving to our chosen charity for 2019, the Cleethorpes RLNI.

To book your tour visit Auto-Trail’s tour booking page here.

Wave Of Caravan Battery Thefts In Telford

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By William Coleman

Recently there have been a spate of thefts of across Telford of caravan batteries. Owners have been warned to take extra precautions to ensure they do not fall victim to these targeted crimes. What else can be done to keep your caravan, and it’s parts safe?

Like I have said many times before, the caravan will always be a target for vandals and thieves. I cannot give you an exact reason as to why this is but in my opinion I think it’s because they are seen as easy pickings. And maybe there are certain communities that are transient and dont mind rolling through a town and taking the opportunity to “relieve you” of some spare parts.

Whatever the reason we need to make sure we do all we can to prevent things like being pinched from our vans, something that seems to be happening far too often in Telford over the past few weeks.

Police in West Mercia have issued a warning to caravan owners regarding a spree of leisure vehicle battery thefts in Donnington. Something I am sure is happening all over the UK.

Officers said: “PCSOs have received reports of leisure batteries stolen from caravans on residential properties in Donnington”.

Police have warned owners to “Check your caravan is safe and secure,” following such a high number of break ins.

The leisure batteries are able to power 12V equipment in caravans and motorhomes so they are something that someone who doesn’t want to pay will target for theft.

Authorities have advised those with caravans, motorhomes or campers to ensure that they are kept secure and locked with the keys kept somewhere safe and secure.

I do not know too many people who keep their leisure vehicles unlocked, or keys anywhere other than inside their home, but it is always worth popping out and double checking. It could be the difference between having and not having a leisure battery.

Anybody with information about the thefts can call police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Keeping That Van Safe

When it comes to keeping your caravan safe there are a quite a few measures that can be taken to ensure no third party harm comes your way.

With that being said, if someone wants in, they will go to a lot of lengths to get what they want. There is only so much you can do, but the more you do the safer you are. I would always advise you to get some kind of insurance cover just to be on the safe side.

Here are a few reminders of what can be done to keep your leisure vehicle safe, especially during the winter when it is being kept in one place until it warms up again.

The Regular Check

I am a self confessed creature of habit who, for some weird reason, loves checking and rearranging things. So when it comes to the caravan I habitually go out and check it and move things around.

This is a good habit to get into when the van is not in use. A once round every week will take no time at all. It will be the one time you do not check where you’ll end up not releasing the door was left unlocked or a window wasn’t closed.

Alarms and Cameras

Exterior cameras watching the drive where the caravan was kept, interior alarm system with supporting cameras, GPS trackers and then the good old fashioned wheel locks. These are all great tools to deter or even stop a would be thief from gaining access to your van and pinching whatever he likes.

Never shy away from an alarm due to its price. With alarms you get what you pay for. If you have budgeted for a motorhome or caravan you should always add a little bit more for the after purchase essentials like alarm systems.

A motorhome, being part car/van, usually has an alarm in the cab. This does not always extend to the rear doors. So always check when purchasing what factory standard security the home as. When you go to store the home you can’t put a price on peace of mind.

You Just Can’t Beat A Cover

A caravan cover is such a simple idea but one of the most effective when it comes to protecting your van from the weather and vandals.

If the van is out of sight it is also out of mind. I urge anyone who does not have a cover to go out immediately and get one.

The other great thing about how the cover can be an extremely effective deterrent is the fact it takes a while to remove it.

The would be thief is probably want it to be a bit of an in and out job and wont like the idea of standing out in the open, removing an entire caravan cover.

Auto-Trail Adventure 65 Review

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By William Coleman

Auto-Trail have unveiled their newest addition to the already impressive line up to support the overwhelming love for all things that are camper vans. This impressive new 4 berth has been designed for adventure and really is quite impressive.

The new Adventure 65 is a new 2020 model and should make quite the splash for young adventurers and families who want to get out more without having to drive something as large as a motorhome.

With a rear lounge, with two rear doors, makes this model great for activities and keeping the van free of muck that will inevitably be brought in after a day trekking through the great outdoors.

This is a 4 berth van that also comes with 4 belted seats which makes this ideal for a family get away. I especially like how smart the pop up roof is, and just how comfortable it was even when 2 adults used it for a nights sleep.

Usually I am not overly keen on high top models, this one stands as 2.27m, but this outer design and colour scheme makes this camper stand out, in a good way. The decals are very modern and gives the overall appearance a sporty look, imagine a Fiat Abarth but the size of a high top camper.

As you’d expect this is built upon and trusted Fiat Ducato base with a 120 Multijet 6 speed engine, which for a cost can be upgraded to a 140/160/180 or a Fiat fully automatic 9 speed gearbox. So you do have quite a lot of options to choose from to help suit your needs and driving style.

One aspect of this van, that could fly under the radar, is the anti rattle dampers that have been fitted to the draws. I absolutely hate the rattly sounds when driving so this gets two thumbs up from me.

The driving side of this van is top notch. We took it through towns, busy A roads and off the beaten track down towards a lake to sit and have afternoon tea. The van handled well on all surfaces and was an absolute pleasure to drive. The fuel economy is not to be sniffed at. A full tank got a surprising amount of millage, even with 4 adults and their kit on board.

When it comes to actually living in the van, which lets face it that is not really what campers are for, there is room to move around even when there are 4 people aboard. I would not recommend hosting a party on board but the van makes for the perfect retreat after a day out.

The Adventure lives up to its name as it makes for the perfect vehicles to go out on action adventure weekends and see more of those rural spots that may be tougher to get to in a full size motorhome.

The interior of this brand new compact is very smart indeed, much like the rest of Auto-Trail’s 2020 range. The Salinas Oak wood colour inside gives it more of a hotel feel than a camper.
The large double pop up roof bed really makes this stand out and with the LED reading light it makes for a very comfy and cozy hideaway.

Overall there is very little in or out the van that can spoken about negatively. I can see where some traditionalists may not be keen on the colour, something I love, but when it comes to function and day to day use you can ask for more.