The Swift Group has announced it will be offering the new AL-KO Automatic Trailer Control System (ATC) as either a manufacturer fitted or dealer fitted option on all of the company’s 2008 models in the Abbey, Ace, Sterling, Swift and Sprite ranges.

The new twin-axle Sprite Quattro has come top in a three van test carried out by Which Caravan, which called it “the best family layout ever”.

Scoring 85 out of 100 compared to the Adria’s 81 and the Elddis’ 76 points, the Quattro, which has an end washroom and front parallel seating, was praised for its price, weight and all-round ability.

“Asking £11,995 for the new 2007 Sprite twin-axle with this fabulous layout (whatever the kit level) is an absolute steal,” said the report.

“Praised before as ‘possessing massive open interior space’, Swift has improved the Sprite further still. The interior is now even more open….,” it continues.

The Quattro also scored highly for its spacious eye-level lockers and its washroom. which is described as “a brilliant full-on washroom for six”.

“We’ve always been impressed that the Quattro sleeps six comfortable and still has a generous washroom,” the report said. “Front settees morph into the double while the central dinette builds into the first of two bunks.

“Opposite is the second set of bunks, with the top fixed and the bottom, unless carrying bikes, also fixed. All are best for kids, except the lower two which, without the sideboards, allow for larger teenager or small adults to make use of them.”

It concludes: “….the twin-axle Sprite is only a fiver more than the single-axle Elddis, and as good as the Elddis is, it can’t compete with the Sprite as a six-berth.”

Read our Sprite Quattro review here

Busy Caravanning in conjunction with Busy Outdoors will soon be launching a new online store, supplying all those essential caravanning and camping accessories along with great product reviews.  For many people, popping down to an outdoors retailer isn't feasible and the Busy Outdoors shop will cater for those must have items that you realise you haven't got the week before you go away!

We have enlisted a family run courier business that can deliver to Scotland the next day and England and Wales in two days.  Using the latest technology with the latest help and support systems we aim to bring the best in online service to the caravanning and camping population.

If you have any suggestions or comments regarding our impending launch then please visit:

Busy Outdoors Support

and give us your ideas and requests.  The "Busy Team" are very excited about this new service and we hope to see you at the new shop very soon.  If you want advanced notification of further developments, just fill in the newsletter form (top right) and will let you know as soon as there are any changes along with some great offers.

Avondale Coachcraft reports buoyant sales on the Glossop stand at this year's Caravan & Motor Home Show held at G-Mex in Manchester.

Commercial director Robin Huckerby says there was particular interest in Glossop dealer specials based on Avondale's Dart and ‘Bird' ranges, with the Golden Osprey and Dart 545-4 Mayfair leading the sales successes.

He adds that during the recent run of shows the new Dart range has exceeded Avondale's expectations, and he anticipates even greater interest to be generated with the launch of the brand new 1450kg Dart 630-6 at the NEC show in February.

From Avondale news

Swift will unveil its new line-up of tourer ranges at the Caravan and Motorhome Show 2007 at G-Mex, Manchester, from January 18-21.

There will be an entire all new Sprite range along with a new four-berth twin-axle Abbey Vogue 620.  The Sterling Europa 620 and award-winning Swift Charisma 620, which have identical layouts to the Abbey Vogue 620, will also be on display.

Read more about the Swift Touring range

Caravans and caravanning are actually a pretty green way of holidaying and generally most of our spending is done in the UK.  The majority of caravans used in the UK are from UK manufacturers and have a considerable lifespan.  However,  we do tend to tow with more powerful cars that may have a greater than average CO2 output.

One nice way to compensate for this is using a carbon offset plan.  By purchasing a plan from one of the more reputable companies you effectively offset your CO2 output by the plan being invested in renewable energy projects such as biomass projects and increasing industrial efficiency.  This isn't a licence to pollute of course, just a responsible way to put something back to balance our everyday energy consumption.

One such company in the USA offering schemes such as this is www.terrapass.com

Terrapass enables you to calculate your vehicle's CO2 emmissions based on model and annual mileage.  You can then buy an annual plan to offset your carbon footprint.  To prove you are a responsible citizen you will receive stickers etc. for your vehicle.  It is surprisingly reasonable and the company has a good reputation in the USA, Ford being one of its latest customers.

The Swift Group enjoyed outstanding success at the NEC Show where record sales of its tourers and motorhomes made it the most successful show in the company’s history.

Touring caravan sales topped a staggering £14 million and motorhome sales broke the £7 million barrier - more than double the figures achieved at the Earls Court show this time last year.

Read the full Swift Group report here

If you're a Bradcot awning owner and have seen the instructions you'll know why I made this video.  I hope you find it useful, I could have done with this before I set off the first time as an awning virgin!

Here is the link:

Bradcot Awning Assembly Instruction Video

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