25 October, 2009

Caravanning - the "Lifestyle Choice"

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.

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11 September, 2009

Win a pair of tickets to the NEC Caravan & Motorhome Show 2009

CARAVAN NEC 2009 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.

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22 July, 2009

Summer Caravanning Safety Advice

family_caravanning 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

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20 June, 2009

Save the World - Buy a Caravan!

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.

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10 May, 2009

Lifeboat rescues caravan

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

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3 May, 2009

Precision Noseweight Measurement

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

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20 March, 2009

Hot summer prediction fuels caravan sales

family_caravanningMany 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!

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7 March, 2009

Busy Outdoors becomes Powrtouch Caravan Mover Distributor

powrtouch_logo We are constantly searching the market for high quality products and we are very pleased to announce that we are now distributors of the Powrtouch range of caravan movers.  Powrtouch's name is synonymous not only with a superbly engineered product but also with fantastic customer care which is why all of their movers are covered by a five year 'no quibble' guarantee.

We have a stock supply of the most popular models, including the Heavy Duty Model 3, and can also supply the twin axle versions.  For more information, please take a look at the product pages where there is also a video demonstrating the movers.

powertouch

If you need more details please give us a call on 01224 676155 or use our contact form

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18 February, 2009

Caravanning in the UK more popular than ever

Caravan holidays in the UK have overtaken Spain as a destination this year as more people look to the rising costs of a foreign holiday. While the number of visits abroad is falling sharply, more and more Britons are looking for options to holiday at home this summer, say reports.

This release of new figures came on the eve of the National Boat Caravan & Outdoor Show, which is on at the NEC in Birmingham until the weekend.

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11 February, 2009

Milenco at Busy Outdoors

logo Milenco caravan and motorhome products are synonymous with high quality outdoors products.  Many of their items are made in the UK and their towing mirror range has been highly commended by the caravan press.

We are very pleased to announce that we are now Milenco stockists and have started to stock towing mirrors, steps, bumper protectors and motorhome thermal blinds.

All the items can be found over at our shop at very reasonable prices accompanied by our outstanding service!

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