The iconic American Airstream trailer has come of European age with a model made specifically for the European market.  It hasn't lost all the glitz that differentiates an Airstream from the rest but it has been slimmed down slightly for our smaller, twisty roads.  For the largest model you'll still need a mighty 4×4 to pull it but the aerodynamics could reduce your fuel bill by up to 20% compared to a standard "white" caravan.  You'll also need a hefty wallet but you'll never be lost in the crowd!

For a full report from The Telegraph click here

Scotland's only dedicated event for caravanners and those who love the outdoor life - The Scottish Caravan & Outdoor Leisure Show - will take place at Glasgow's SECC from 4 - 7 February 2010.

We have 12 pairs of tickets to give away in our competition!

Our 12 lucky winners will each receive a pair of tickets for the show which brings together over 150 companies showcasing the latest caravans, motorhomes, holiday homes as well as outdoor leisure accessories, camping equipment and small boats – all under one roof.

Go to our competition page here

Those buying a caravan could make a lifestyle choice by allowing them to holiday every weekend, it has been claimed.

Brits who opted for a caravanning holiday this year could make it a regular occurrence it has been suggested.  According to The Caravan Club, those who spent their holiday in a caravan could decide to make that sort of break a lifestyle choice.

Spokesperson Nikki Nichol explained the rise in the number of Brits opting for this kind of holiday is likely to continue and said it presents people with a different option.

"Who wouldn"t want a holiday every Friday night?  If you have a caravan, you can do that," she said.  The comments come on the back of what caravan park operator Park Resorts called a "record-breaking season". Sales of the mobile holiday homes were up by 40 per cent in the first half of the financial year.

Meanwhile, an IM Financial Services survey found that 89 per cent of respondents would consider buying a caravan to holiday in the UK.

Jim Hibbs, managing director of east Hull firm Coachman Caravans, said despite last year's near collapse, the sector had experience a "massive turnaround" in recent months.  He said the recovery was being driven by young families choosing to buy caravans instead of holidaying abroad.  The weak pound is also making caravans built in East Yorkshire attractive to foreign holiday park owners, which is bolstering export sales.

Mr Hibbs was speaking after local firms reported record sales at the annual International Caravan and Motorhome Show, held in Birmingham last week.

Beverley manufacturer Swift Group achieved total sales of £28m at the show – £10m more than last year.  It sold about 600 caravans.  Coachman, based in Amsterdam Road, sold 410 caravans, beating its 2007 record of 354.  The firm almost doubled its sales on last year, from £3.5m to £6.8m.

Mr Hibbs said: "It is a massive turnaround.  "More people are taking British holidays because they can't afford to go abroad. Its having a huge effect on the market.

Swift commercial director Nick Page added the company's performance in Birmingham had "exceeded our wildest expectations".

He said: "The mixture of existing owners coming back into the market and a large number of younger couples and families spending their holiday money on our products for the first time is really positive news going forward."

Yet again, we are pleased to announce that in partnership with the International Caravan & Motorhome Show we are offering the chance to win a pair of tickets for this ever popular show at the Birmingham NEC taking place between 13 and 18 October 2009.

Go to our competition page here.

Thousands of new caravanning families are expected to be out and about this summer. The National Caravan Council, the trade association that represents the UK caravan industry, is issuing free safety advice on what to do before towing a touring caravan.

Caravanners who want to know more about towing, loading, hitching and general safety can ask for a free copy of the Caravan Towing Guide either by calling 01252 318251 or by ordering online at http://www.tourerinfo.co.uk. The NCC's top ten safety tips are:

More

At Green Transport Week gets underway, the National Caravan Council (NCC) claims that the current boom in UK caravan holidays could save literally thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Bookings to caravan parks in the UK are currently up by around 25 per cent while passenger numbers at UK airports have slumped. The NCC believes that many of those new to caravanning have switched from taking a European trip, choosing instead to holiday in Britain, while existing caravanners are 'staycationing'.

A return flight to Europe produces between 250 kgs and 500 kgs of CO2 (depending on distance and age/type of aircraft) per person. However, four people travelling 250 miles in an average sized petrol car towing a medium sized caravan would only create 38 kgs of CO2 emissions per person – and even less in a diesel car - resulting in significant savings.

Director General of the NCC, John Lally, says: "We believe people are changing their holidaying habits. We know that new people are being attracted to caravanning. We also know that many existing caravanners are choosing to holiday closer to home.

"Caravan enthusiasts have a high level of "green" awareness compared to the public in general. They often choose cycling and walking once they have arrived at their destination and are already more likely to be using energy efficient products. This week saw the launch of a carbon offsetting policy for caravan owners from leisure insurance specialist, Towergate Bakers.

"We really want to get the message out that not only does caravanning support rural economies, but it allows you to control costs, get back to nature and to choose a greener holiday option."

Other 'green' aspects of caravanning include:

- 95 per cent of touring caravans on UK roads are actually made in Britain

- In many caravan parks, great attention is paid to protecting the environment, with e.g. use of solar power to heat communal shower blocks, wildlife areas, recycling points etc.

- Water and power usage during the holiday is often less than in a hotel.

Lifeboatmen have made one their most unusual rescues - towing a caravan to safety. Kinghorn Lifeboat was called out by the Coastguard on 3 May after the caravan, which had been pushed into the water by a gang of youths, was reported floating near Cockenzie Power Station on the Firth of Forth.

When the lifeboat arrived on scene the caravan was floating just a few metres offshore, and two RNLI crewmen entered the water to check that nobody was trapped. The caravan proved to be empty but attempts to push it ashore failed, so the Atlantic 75 lifeboat towed it in to deeper water and along to an area of beach near the slipway at Cockenzie for recovery.

"This must be a first for the RNLI," said lifeboat helmsman Scott McIlravie, "I doubt we will have been called out to tow a caravan before, but it certainly would have posed a danger to passing vessels if it hadn't been brought ashore."

from Motor Boats Monthly

Most responsible  people who tow caravan or trailers know about noseweight and how to obtain this figure.  What I, and I think a lot of other people didn't realise is the noseweight gauge you and I have been using is probably grossly inaccurate.

Tests performed by Milenco have shown that after a while, a normal piano spring gauge can be out by as much as 30kg.  Milenco took this information and developed their own gauge which complies with the British Standard and is very accurate.

Take a look at here for more detail about this new product:

Milenco Noseweight Gauge

Many caravan dealers are seeing a surge in sales, particularly from young families. Many of the enquiries are coming from first time caravanners who are trying the hobby for the first time due to the credit crunch and poor exchange rates.

Weather forecasters are predicting a good summer after the cold winter we have just experienced and both the Caravan Club and Camping and Caravanning Club have seen a significant increase in bookings.

Let's hope the predictions are accurate!