Dealerships

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Carthago Liner For Two review 2025.

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What to consider when searching for a luxury motorhome.

In the case of Carthago, the innovative and sophisticated home from home is now on offer in the Liner For Two. This integrated A-class motorhome offers both comfort and utility. The Liner For Two provides a stunning rear lounge with recliner and a drop down bed above the cab. The motorhome remains at a comfortable overall length and width. The price is aligned with the quality, comfort and level of innovation of such a product.

In the front area of the motorhome there is an electrically operated bed with a spacious sleeping area, situated above the driver and passenger seating positions. In the rear area of the vehicle you will find a wraparound lounge seating area, which includes an electrically operated reclining lounger. The extra-wide kitchen, with the fabulous curved kitchen worktop and luxury bathroom rounds off the luxurious experience. The A-class motorhome also has a large double floor system, which contains a tremendous amount of storage space. This can be accessed through the hatches in the main habitation area.

One of the first things to consider is that the Liner For Two is available as a two berth or optional four berth. It has four travel seats.

https://youtu.be/gjl00g1oZM4

Checking out the manufacturer’s website, the Liner For Two is classed as a four-room unit. Looking at this claim objectively I would say that you have the lounge, kitchen area, washrooms and then by day the office space and by night the sleeping area / bedroom. The finish on the motorhome is quite outstanding with its rich looking wooden partitions and use of metals and expensive leather. The drop down bed area is a luxury experience, with the elasticated folding canvas which encloses the sleeping area. There is a sky light which allows for ventilation and offers a view of the stars above whist sleeping.

While the list of features and extras available is almost endless and would take some time to cover I would like to highlight some of the main features. Firstly, the range of chassis availability from the Fiat Ducato to the Iveco Daily. This provides the versatility from 4.5 tonne to 6.7 tonne which, depending on the model choice, can give an exceptional payload to house all these features.


The heating is the Alde system and includes under floor heating and the water heating unit. The generous 210 litre fresh water capacity and 155 grey waste tank giving plenty of capacity on those breaks away from facilities. The ambient light on this model is soft and can be suited to any mood that you wish.

Has this motorhome captured your enthusiasm for taking this home from home on wheels away to some lovely locations? There are a few things to be aware of. Firstly due to the size and weight of this vehicle in the U.K you will need C1 category on your licence to be able to drive this. Another consideration is the hidden costs such as insurance, costs of running and storage. All these things need to be considered when embarking on this adventure.

Finally we would like to thank Camper UK (who are a Carthago dealer in the UK) who allowed us to attend and take pictures and film an in depth review of this vehicle model I 53L Iveco.
There are a number of UK Carthago dealerships and you can search for them here.

Car-Dealerships

How To Make Your Car Dealership Business Thrive (Even In A Saturated Market)

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How To Make Your Car Dealership Business Thrive - Here we Tow Blog

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Making your car dealership thrive is always challenging. However, it is particularly difficult in saturated markets. When competition is high, opportunities to make profits are almost always low. 

Fortunately, this post is here to offer some assistance. It gives you some ways to make your car dealership thrive, even when rivals are all around you. 

Here’s what to do: 

Make Sure Your Customer Service Is Up To Scratch

Make sure your staff is trained in customer service, focusing on building relationships for the long run, not just to close a sale. Understand customer needs and offer tailored solutions. A personalized shopping experience makes customers feel valued.

Also, consider your post-sales support. Great after-sales support, such as maintenance, warranties, and check-ins with customers, could bring a customer back and refer others.

Develop Your Online Presence

Another pro tip is to develop your online presence and make yourself more visible. 

For example, you want your website to be user-friendly and mobile-optimized with easy access to main information such as inventory, prices, and financing details. You also want to leverage UGC. Reviews are a good way of building credibility with potential clients.

If you get stuck, consider SEO for car dealers. These specialist services can take care of all the technical aspects of reaching customers online. For example, they can deal with your website backend and engage prospects on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Furthermore, they can share updates, promotions, and educational content related to cars and the buying process, which is invariably handy for people who don’t know much about cars. 

Stay Adaptable

How To Make Your Car Dealership Business Thrive - Here we Tow Blog

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It also helps if you can be more adaptable. Staying informed about the latest happenings in the industry is essential if you want to provide customers with the best advice possible. 

Currently, dealerships are focusing on the expansion of EVs in the marketplace. Consumers want to know more about electric vehicles, but they don’t always want to drive them off the forecourt because they don’t know enough about them. Being adaptable as a dealership and learning about them can be invaluable. 

Create A Loyalty Program

Depending on the types of services you offer, you could also consider creating a loyalty program. These are ideal for customer retention reasons as they encourage repeat purchases. 

For example, you could: 

  • Offer money off future vehicle purchases
  • Offer customers discounts on various services
  • Provide money off accessories with car-buying loyalty programs

Focus On Inventory Management

Another thing you can try is to better manage your inventory. Focusing on high-volume vehicles will let you stock the cars that people actually want instead of those that are more fringe. By all means, put a statement vehicle at the front of the dealership to get people excited, but make sure your bread and butter are the vehicles people drive every day. Don’t try to do anything too fancy. 

If possible, also think about the colors and trims people want. Having these vehicles in stock ready to go increases the likelihood of making an immediate sale.

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Buying a New Caravan: 5 Top Tips

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Buying a New Caravan: 5 Top Tips

In this blog I’m going to talk about buying a brand new caravan. It might be that you’ve never owned a caravan, or you currently have one and you’re looking to change it for a new one.
I’m talking about new caravans in this blog as it makes a comparison across all manufacturers easier.
By the end of this blog you will have a good understanding of how to make a successful caravan purchase.

Our Own Caravan Buying Experience

I am going to talk about our buying experience and how that can help you. We started looking for our new caravan back in 2017, we spent a lot of time researching caravans online as we knew nothing about them. We then visited numerous dealerships to look at layouts and models. We had our heart set on an Elddis 840 dealer special caravan. We went to the dealership where we got a price for that caravan and we wanted to order it. They said to us we should place our order at the Caravan and Motorhome Show at the NEC. The show was in October and only a few weeks away. They wouldn’t take our deposit and we decided to go and order at the show to get a “show deal”.
In the meantime, Andrew Ditton put out a vlog of the Adria Adora Isonzo that he had on loan. We had never even heard of Adria and we watched Andrew’s vlog and I saw this silver caravan and I said “we need to go and have a look at one of those”. We went and we had a viewing of an Isonzo and that was it, my mind was completely changed at that point. We went to the October NEC in 2017 and we ordered our Adria caravan and it arrived the following April. The rest, as they say, is history! It is interesting how you can start your journey thinking you want one thing yet you end up with something else altogether.

Here We Tow blog - Buying a New Caravan: 5 Top Tips

Research

Research, research and research a bit more. Looking for your perfect new caravan can be a minefield. I would suggest you go online to start you research. There is so much advice that is available for free, from YouTube to forums to digital magazines. The Camping and Caravanning Club offer plenty of advice pages too.
You can research the various layouts, caravans within your budget, the manufacturers and the dealerships around you.
I would advise starting with the number of berths you need your caravan to sleep. Then consider your layout, do you want a fixed island or side bed, single beds or bunk beds? Do you even want a fixed bed, maybe a two berth caravan will meet your needs perfectly.
Next, do you want a large caravan, in which case you might be considering a twin axle or something 8 feet wide. Do you want something small, lightweight and compact? A good place to find out more about layouts and caravans is by watching YouTube. It is packed with caravan reviews of all shapes and sizes to give you some inspiration.

Driving Licence

Buying a New Caravan: 5 Top Tips Caravan show 2018

It is important to check your driving licence categories to see what you can legally tow. If you passed your driving test before the 1st January 1997 you will have what’s called BE category. Your entitlements will be shown on the front and rear of your driving licence. If you have be category you can tow a total combined weight over 3.5 tonnes. If you passed your driving test after that date you will not automatically have the BE entitlement. You will be limited to a combination of a caravan and a car under 3.5 tonnes and that’s going to limit the choice you have of caravan and car combination. It might be that you decide to take the additional BE test which is going to cost you between £500-800. It is worth investing in so you don’t have to worry about these weight limits.

Here We Tow Blog - Buying a New Caravan: 5 Top Tips

Budget

This, unfortunately, is the bit that we all have to think about. When buying a new caravan the prices are fixed in the windscreen, whilst you might negotiate a discount you have a good idea of the price. All manufacturers across the UK, including Bailey, Elddis, Swift, Coachman and Adria are going to have fixed prices. You can see these prices online or at the dealerships. It might be that you’re starting with an entry-level caravan such as a Bailey Discovery or Phoenix, an Adria Altea, an Elddis Avante or the Swift Basecamp. An entry-level caravan is going to start at about £18,000, you will get some that are a little bit below, that but that’s going to be a basic price. The reality is most four berth caravans are going to start between £20000-22000.
A mid range caravan takes you to the Adria Adora, Bailey Pegasus Grande, Elddis Affinity, Swift Challenger and Coachman Arcadia. Caravans like these are going to be from £25000.
At the top end you’re going to be looking at the Adria Alpina, Coachman VIP and Laser, Swift Elegance, Elddis Buccaneer and the Bailey Alicanto. The premium caravans are going to cost you between £30000-36500. There are a few caravans that will cost you more than this including the Coachman Lusso and the INOS.
To finance a caravan you can make a cash purchase, take out finance or a personal loan.
You need to think about a tow vehicle. When we bought our Isonzo we had to buy a new tow car because our car would not be able to match the weight of our Isonzo. That might be something you need to think about will your car to safely tow your caravan. Do you need a tow bar fitting to your car? Think about these additional costs.
As well as buying the caravan you might need a motor mover, try and negotiate that in your deal if you can. You may well need accessories such as an awning, a good awning could set you back anywhere from £600-£2000, again try and negotiate a bit of a discount if you can. You’re going to have to think about other accessories such as an aqua roll, waste master, security devices, crockery and bedding. We worked out we spent about £2000 on accessories, including our awning. Make sure you add that to the budget when you’re thinking about your caravan.
You need to purchase security devices for your caravan, these can include an alarm, tracker, wheel, chassis and hitch locks. There are other devices available on the market too. Using security devices may reduce your caravan insurance premium and reduce the chance of it being stolen. Caravan insurance is a separate cost that can vary from around £100-£400. You can visit the Caravan Guard website and obtain a quote for your own caravan. Using a CaSSOA silver or gold storage yard will reduce your insurance premium too.

Dealerships

Having done the first three points, it is time to hit the dealerships and this is the exciting bit. What you should do is get a list of the manufacturers and models you want to look at. Then check to find the dealerships around where you live that have a selection of those for you to view. Go and visit the dealerships, when you get there my advice is go into all the caravans you are interested in. Go in, sit down and see how they feel. The feeling you get in a caravan will tell you a lot about if it is for you. If you get the feeling you will want to sit down in the lounge and it will already feel like your new holiday home on wheels.
Stick with the caravans that meet your budget, don’t get carried away and go and sit in the luxury one when you can’t afford it. I’ve done that and then you get your hopes up, so look at what they’ve got within your budget.

Buying a New Caravan: 5 Top Tips - Adria Launch

No dealership should have an issue with you spending time in a caravan. You should look around the lounge area, sit down in it, feel the cushions, lay on the bed to check the length. One of the best ways to tell if you like a caravan is whether you even want to sit down. There’ll be some that you step in and you just want to climb back out straight away, you know that’s not for you. Look at your kitchen space, is the kitchen space enough, does it have an oven, does it have a grill, has it got the storage. Make sure it is going to suit your needs, that’s the most important thing. Personally, I like a good sized fridge and freezer because I like to stock up on food, for you it might not be a requirement.
Choosing a dealership is important, most will be very happy to secure a sale and take your money. It is important to consider the after sales service you will receive if you have to return for warranty work. It is worth checking online reviews and Facebook groups to read other buyers experiences. Most buyers do purchase close to home, within 75 miles, due to the warranty. Your caravan warranty will be the responsibility of the dealer and any associated repair work. Dealers are not keen to take on warranty work if they did not sell you the caravan. It is likely you may return to the dealer for servicing, so it is important to have a good relationship with them.
That said, we have ordered a motorhome from a dealer 175 miles from home. This was based on the dealers customer service reputation, product knowledge, the deal they offered and their extended warranty.

Negotiate

You have found the ideal caravan for you and it’s time to negotiate on that deal. It is worth calling around a number of dealerships by telephone and asking them for their best price on that caravan. Once you’ve got the best price research the dealership, look at reviews and see what other buyers have said.
Although demand right now is incredibly high deals can still be done. It might be that you can secure a deal on accessories, such as the motor mover, an awning or a starter pack. Think warranty, how much warranty does your new caravan come with because that could be important. If you’re going to be using the dealership for servicing could you maybe negotiate something around the cost of your first service. One thing I would say is when you go to the dealership, don’t let them tell you that the deal is only for today. Don’t be pressured to put down a deposit, be prepared to walk away. It’s a bit like when you go to the show and they tell you it’s the show deal, generally you could negotiate that deal at other times. Come away and think about it, only put a deposit down when you’re absolutely sure that is the caravan you want to purchase. Once you make a decision then place your order and put down a deposit. You can look forward to your new caravan arriving, timescales for this depend on the manufacturer. If your caravan is built to order it is realistic to to wait from six to twelve weeks. If you are ordering from a European manufacturer you may have a wait of six months. If you want a new caravan sooner then some dealers may have stock, or you could buy a model from the display vehicles.

Buying a New Caravan: 5 Top Tips - Blog Swift Challenger

The day that you collect your caravan the handover is really important, especially if you’ve never owned a caravan before. When we picked up our first we were all ears. Listen to what the dealership tells you in the handover and film it if needs be, so you can play it back later. When you get on site you will have totally forgotten most of it. Youtube is an excellent place to go to look through videos that offer advice about setting up, levelling, filling up the water and emptying the toilet cassette.

I hope these tips have been helpful in assisting you in the purchase of a new caravan.

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Our Top 5 Caravan Reviews 2020

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Our Top 5 Caravan Reviews 2020

When we review caravans it is often hard to gauge how well they will be received. More often than not, the more expensive or more quirky the caravan, the more interest there is in it. In this blog we will look at five caravan reviews that exceed our expectations.

Cara Motorhomes and Caravans Launch

Top 5 Caravan Reviews

T@B 400 and 320

For this video we visited Blackmore Vale Leisure in Dorset to review two Knaus T@B caravans. The first one we look around is the T@B 400 Metropolis, this high spec 3 berth T@B has a lot to offer for the sheer size and weight package. The unique teardrop shape gives this caravan its stand out looks and aesthetics. Combined with a great use of the practical space inside, it’s certainly different.
We then review the 320, an even smaller package but with a few compromises.
This vlog has had nearly 35,000 views since it was uploaded in March 2020.

Adria Action

In this video we take review the two berth 2020 Adria Action.
The Adria Action is the original unique shape, light-weight and stylish caravan for active holidays. It is ideal for two people who are looking for a caravan with bags of storage space in a small caravan.
This smaller caravan delivers on space, features and comfort. The weight of this caravan makes towing this combination possible with a category B licence entitlement (depending on the towing vehicle weights).
This mini caravan offers fantastic use of space and with a contemporary interior design. The Actin provides a smart kitchen, bathroom and comfortable sleeping. This vlog has had 39,000 views since it was uploaded in May 2020.

Coachman Laser Xcel 575

In September we reviewed the Coachman Laser Xcel 575 at Salop Leisure in Shrewsbury.
This is an 8ft wide offering from Coachman, based on a single axle. The Laser is at the top end of the Coachman specifications. It provides four berths with a transverse island bed layout. The Coachman Laser Xcel 575 has a rear washroom and a good level of equipment. This vlog has had 7,400 in the two months since it was uploaded in October 2020.

Our Top 5 Caravan Reviews 2020
https://youtu.be/lshLJE5iE20

Elddis Buccaneer Bermuda

In October we reviewed a new layout in the Buccaneer range at Wiltshire Caravans. The all-new Buccaneer Bermuda, new for 2021. At the front of this new layout is a bright and spacious L-shaped lounge with dedicated entertainment centre and TV.
The “L” shape sofa configuration converts, quickly and easily, to a comfortable double bed at night.
At the rear is a bright and spacious double bedroom, with retractable transverse island bed. The Bermuda has a central split-style washroom configuration, which can be used as an en-suite or family bathroom. A main highlight of this caravan is the underfloor heating and the E&P Hydraulic self levelling system.

Since the vlog was uploaded in November 2020 it has been viewed 20,500 times, which goes to show the popularity of 8ft wide luxury caravans.

Adria Caravans 2021

Adria were the first to launch their 2021 caravan models for the new season and we were invited. In July we attended the launch and filmed a first look.
The brand gets new decals across all ranges, including Altea, Adora and Alpina.
The Adora benefits from a complete re-design, inside and out. The front still retains the large front windows and skylight but receives a new silver front and side handles. The Adora comes in four models for 2021, all are 8ft wide apart from the Seine which stays at 7ft 6.
A new layout arrives in the form of the Tiber, this is expected to be very popular with buyers and will be here in spring 2021. The new LED rear lights are in keeping with the new rear panel. The optional Adria MACH takes it right up to date in App technology and new sound system means improved media and a subwoofer!
The vlog was uploaded on the 21st July 2020 and has had 40,000 views, there’s plenty of interest in the brand.

https://youtu.be/jOmR4C5Totk

Those are the top five review vlogs I have chosen for 2020. It have been a hard year to gather review content due to covid and not being invited to launch events. The lack of the NEC shows has hampered content filming too. Thankfully, several dealerships have been very accommodating and allowed us to film. We intend to keep gathering caravan review content as we head in to 2021 and hopefully we will manage to get some Swift and Bailey content. So far it has proven elusive! if you would like to see some top tips on buying caravans then whyt not click HERE.

Comment below and let us know what you think about the top 5, would you like to see something different here we would love to hear from you.

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New Adria Caravans 2021: Chic and Sleek

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New Adria Caravans 2021: Chic and Sleek

On the 20th July 2021, Adria UK launched the 2021 season range of caravans to the press. It was the first manufacturer in the UK to give an idea of what is to come as we head in to the new season. Having been invited to the launch we can give you an insight in to the exciting changes Adria have made to their caravan range.

New look Adria Adora 2021

Why choose Adria?

Adria are a Slovenian brand who have been building and designing caravans for over fifty years. All their leisure vehicles are manufactured in their purpose built production facility in Slovenia. It is he most advanced facility in the industry. Adria leisure vehicles have a reputation for quality, reliability and durability. Having owned an Adria for two years we would agree with this.
Adria have been winning awards in Europe and the UK for years, a reflection of the owner experience and modern design.
Despite being a premium brand, Adria leisure vehicles are well priced when compared to competitors. Their build quality is second to none.

What is new for 2021?

Adria Adora – Mid Range

Adria go in to 2021 with a completely redesigned caravan in the shape of the new Adora range. Their best-selling caravan range has been completely re-designed and upgraded for the new season, signalling a strong future for the brand. Adria has taken the best-selling caravan model and taken it to the next level, with all new generation design, inside and out. With the new Adora, Adria took what they learnt from the new Astella and created an outstanding new caravan. Adria have improved the comfort, practicality, technology and performance of the Adora. It boasts the largest in-line panoramic window available and is the most aerodynamic caravan in the industry.


Adria took the previous Adora signature features, such as the extra-large panoramic window, and improved them. They have added new wind-diffusers, which help towing and lower fuel consumption. The rear end has been re-designed with futuristic Hella LED taillights. Both the front and rear now have an unrivalled futuristic appearance. The silver front and sides remain for 2021 and they are complemented by new blue solid decals.
Inside the Adora brings contemporary living spaces and a home-style feeling. Adria added inspired new solutions including details in the new kitchen and bathroom. Alde wet central heating is fitted as standard along with the highest levels of insulation.
You can now have Adria smart application – Adria MACH, for an easier way of life. With the added option of the MACH you can control several features fro your smart phone. The application will provide you with the owners manual for your leisure vehicle. It will provide practical information such as locations of dealerships, campsites and maps.

New look Adria Adora 2021 - interior


The new interior is more welcoming than before, which was often criticised for its clinical feel. Adria’s practicality comes before fluffy cushions and that is what owners love about the brand.
The new kitchen has a dark grey worktop, the bathroom has a new style sink and the cabinets see a whole new colour and style change. The Adora offers four layouts for season 2021. The line up continues with the 8ft wide island bed Isonzo, 7ft 6 wide twin bed Seine and the twin axle 8ft wide Sava. The Sava is now available in 5 berth or optional 6 berth for 2021. A new model brings an extra central bed layout in the form of the 8ft wide Tiber, which is in development and will be launched later in the season. The Tiber will have the layout of the Altea Dart, the best selling layout in that range.

New look Adria Adora 2021 - Front

Prices will be around £25,000 for the 2021 season. This makes the Adora excellent value when pitched against potential rivals. The Bailey Alicanto, Coachman Xcel and Elddis Buccaneer are all £5-10K more in comparison.

The best new improvements we discovered on the Adora were;
-Evopore ® mattresses for extra comfort
-Adria MACH for control, manuals and navigation
-New media system including bluetooth, hidden speakers and a subwoofer
-New interior LED lighting and USB chargers

New look Adria Adora 2021 - Sava Interior

Alpina – The Ultimate All-Season Caravan

Adria’s premium caravan range, for all year-round use, benefits from some slight updates. The exterior receives new blue solid decals, to bring Adria brand consistency across the whole caravan range. There are improvements to the ergo bathroom and water installations. The Alpina is a best-seller with its combination of eye-catching design, large panoramic window, contemporary spacious interiors, high specifications and new soft furnishings. The Alpina is available with Adria MACH smart control app as an option, new for 2021.
The two 4 berth layouts, the Colorado and Mississippi, do not receive the new exterior changes of the Adora range for 2021. These are likely to come for 2022.

Action – Love The New Original

The Action is the original iconic, light-weight and stylish caravan for active holidays. It is fifteen years since it was introduced and it is as popular as ever. For 2021 the Action will be updated with new graphics. The current blue front bumper and sides will be updated with a dark grey colour change. The Action is a caravan which always puts a smile on your face and delivers on space, features and comfort. It has a contemporary interior with smart kitchen, ergo bathroom and comfortable sleeping. There will be a new adaptation of the rear wall for bicycle rack, for those that like a two wheeled adventure. The Action will be available in one 2 berth layout, the 361 LT.

Altea – A Light, Bright, Fun Caravan

New look Adria Altea 2021

The Altea range was re-modelled for 2020 and has seen strong sales. This is the entry level Adria caravan, but based on the build quality and fixtures there is nothing entry level about it. With prices starting at around £19,000 it offers four layouts, all with air blown heating. The Altea is a comfortable, practical caravan for a lighter, brighter and a more fun experience. The 2021 model has been updated with the new graphics to bring it on-brand with the Adora and Alpina.
The contemporary interior offers practical layouts, innovative features, improved lighting and storage, better comfort and more practicality.

New look Adria Altea 2021 - Interior

The good news is Adria have toned down the previous indigo blue furnishings in the lounge for a dark blue. New curtains have been introduced to complement this new fabric colour and it does work very well. The Altea is available in the existing layouts, the Aire, Tyne, Avon and Dart offering from 2 – 6 berths.

When are they available?

All Adria dealers have seen the new models and are ready to take orders for the 2021 season. If you want to see one in the flesh then this should be possible from September. Although there is no NEC Show in October, dealerships will be hosting their own mini-shows on site. Adria will be supporting these “roadshows” and the new models will be available in dealerships as we head in to autumn. Adria have been the first to release new 2021 product and are excited about the season ahead. Will the new “staycation” see demand grow? Only time will tell, but the new Adora brings some inspirational changes and the most futuristic looking caravan available.

Swift dealership

Caravan and Motorhome Dealerships Re-open

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On the 23rd March 2020 our understanding of normal came to an end. We saw our caravan and motorhome dealerships close and our campsites close their gates. But what happens now? In this blog we will explain how the leisure industry will re-open and what the National Caravan Council (NCC) has been doing.

When are dealerships opening?

After consideration by the Government, dealerships will be able to open again from Monday 1st June 2020. The NCC has been lobbying for the leisure industry to be able to get back on its feet and support tourism in the U.K too.
Although dealerships will be open there will be some changes. Social distancing will have to be adhered to and guidelines followed. For some dealerships this will mean an appointment system to view leisure vehicles. Most have updated their websites of the policies they will be following.

Can I get my leisure vehicle serviced now?

Yes, the majority of dealerships will be opening their service centres and working their way through the demand following cancellation of planned services. It is permitted to tow your caravan or drive your motorhome to a booked service. Dealerships have practices in hand to ensure you and their staff are kept safe.

When will I be able to use campsites again?

This is the question everyone wants to know right now. I am sure many of us will have a holiday booked in the coming months and are worried if it will go ahead. At this time, suggested guidance is sites will start to re-open from the 4th July. Factors beyond our control may change this but right now at least we have a date.
When they do open it is likely many of the facilities will be closed or reduced for safety and social distancing reasons.

What have the NCC been doing on our behalf?

The below is direct from the NCC to answer this question. Nick Page, Swift Group Commercial Director, has given his thoughts too.

Industry releases guidance and best practice for caravan parks to operate safely
Caravan and motorhome dealerships to reopen amid growing interest during COVID-19 crisis 
– Motorhome /caravan dealerships to reopen on 1 June 2020
– Industry releases COVID-19 industry guidance; NCC continues to press government to allow socially distanced and safe holiday parks and touring sites to reopen as soon as possible
–       Surge in staycation and UK destination interest


The industry has released guidelines for caravan parks to coincide with the announcement that caravan and motorhome dealerships can reopen on 1 June alongside car showrooms. 

The guidelines will ensure strict social distancing and hygiene protocols are in place for when visitors with holiday caravans, motorhomes and touring caravans can return to parks. The trade body, the NCC (National Caravan Council), now urges the government to enable parks to reopen as soon as possible. 

In the meantime, motorhome and caravan dealerships across the country are preparing for reopening on Monday, after a surge in interest online in caravans and motorhomes.

British leisure vehicle manufacturer, Swift Group, recently revealed its web traffic has increased over 40% since the Prime Minister’s statement on 10 May compared to the two weeks prior, with growth driven by a younger audience between 18 to 44 years old, whose visits to the site are up by nearly 50%. 

Nick Page, Group Commercial Director from Swift Group explains:

“We are seeing a really promising trend emerging, which after a hard-few months for the industry, is welcome news to UK caravan and motorhome manufacturers. Holiday parks are a brilliant option to enable social distancing, and as caravans and motorhomes are self-contained, will be one of the safest holiday options for those looking to get out around the UK this year.”

An NCC survey from this week confirmed 93% of those surveyed intend to holiday or take a short break in the UK after the lockdown compared to 84% who booked/planned a UK holiday or short break beforehand. This demonstrates a substantial shift towards UK domestic tourism as an option for holidaymakers. 

In the first months after lockdown, 70% of UK adults said they perceive a holiday caravan-based UK break as a socially acceptable activity.  Motorhoming did even better, with 77%, indicating it as an appealing option. These holiday types were regarded as much more acceptable than, say, a city break to a major European city. A Longwoods survey found that 82% of people travelling in 2020 made changes to their travel plans due to COVID-19. 

In further good news for the industry, the NCC’s members’ recent lobbying campaign, to ensure that motorhome and caravan dealerships in England can open at the same time as car showrooms, has been successful. The government has now confirmed caravan and motorhome dealerships, most of which are predominantly outdoors, can reopen in England on 1 June. 

The NCC is also working with the government to allow the safe re-opening of caravan holiday parks and touring sites in England as soon as possible. At present those offering holiday accommodation – such as hotels and resorts as well as caravan parks – may be permitted to open from 4 July. The NCC is calling on the government to lift the closure notices on caravan parks across the UK so they can reopen as soon as possible, as it issues extremely robust safety guidelines. 

The guidance outlines advice to enable caravan parks to develop their own COVID-19 safety protocol and give assurances that measures have been put in place to protect staff, customers and, as a consequence those in the nearby local community, so they can reopen. A phased opening of caravan parks has been proposed by the NCC to the government. 

Unlike hotels, there are no safety issues with shared facilities or accommodation at caravan parks, as the units are self-contained and 95% are privately owned, thus providing a safe form of holiday accommodation. Caravans and motorhomes are ‘socially distanced by design’ and rules on parks mean that caravans must be 5 or 6 metres apart. The vast majority of caravans have their own cooking and washing facilities, providing the safest form of holidaying possible at the moment.

NCC Director General, John Lally commented:

“The reopening of dealerships is a huge relief for the industry as we are able to start to respond to the public interest in both renting and buying caravans and motorhomes in the coming months. The UK’s holiday parks benefit from rural and coastal locations, away from densely populated urban areas, and each park is working to put in place social distancing measures which will make it the best option for holidays in the UK this year. We are working with the government to look into reopening holiday parks as early as possible with strict social distancing measures, as outlined in the guidance, to enable the industry to get back to work and hard-working families to enjoy full use of their caravans again.”

The NCC’s Freedom To Go website www.freedomtogo.co.uk, enables holiday makers to rapidly search for campsite and holiday park options from one location, as well as find motorhome and caravan dealerships to source vehicles for their late summer getaways. 

In National Camping and Caravanning Week, thousands have been sleeping out in their driveways with the Camping and Caravanning Club as they plan getaways for when lockdown measures are lifted. 

A positive outlook for the future

As we head further in to 2020 only time will tell as to how tourism and leisure will fare. One thing is sure, there will be much to look forward too.

Preston Caravan visit

Hello, just a quick update as I’m sure that you have seen that we recently visited Preston Caravans in order to get an exclusive view of the Hymer Eriba Nova GL range.

We spent several hours looking over and reviewing two of these German brutes. We took our time so we could do them justice, the outcome was we can confirm these are incredibly well made caravans.

We we would like to say a huge thank you to Charlotte Campbell and all the staff who helped us whilst filming in the showroom.

Please check out their blog post below:-

https://www.prestoncm.co.uk/hymer-eriba-video-review/