Motorhomers all over Europe are looking to buy smaller ’vans and usually, the first choice when downsizing is whether or not to forego the fixed bed, which can easily be fitted into a motorhome of 7.5 metres but tends to dominate in just a six-metre ’van. With this motorhome though, with it’s eletronically lowering bed, you get the best of both worlds.

Of course, putting the bed in the roof has been a motorhome designer’s solution for as long as we can remember. Spacemaker elevating roofs encouraged you to go upstairs to bed in the early 1980s, and later that decade Pilote brought us a low-profile with a drop-down bed in the roof.

You can also set the seating area up as a second double and only half lower the fixed bed, creating a comfortable double bunk setup.

With the bed hidden away above your head, the Chausson can devote plenty of space to lounging. Two swivel cab seats (with two armrests apiece) are a good starting point, but they’re joined by a long settee on the UK offside and an even longer (5ft) L-settee opposite.

The massive opening sunroof (£550 extra) over the front seats means that you’ll not miss having any daylight directly over the lounge, especially as there’s a large Heki-style wind-up vent over the kitchen.

Chausson listened to their UK dealers, too, when they said that the kitchen worktop should sport a wood finish, for a warmer look. And they add a Smev grill.

The galley itself sits aft of the high-backed forward-facing section of the L-settee (where two three-point seatbelts allow for passenger-carrying). It’s not the biggest kitchen, but it seems well planned.

Somehow, in this 5.99m vehicle, Chausson have incorporated a huge across-the-full-width-of-the-vehicle changing-cum-ablutions room that betters even many luxurious British newcomers. For a start, there’s a huge double wardrobe in here, while the shower is big enough for two!

Slide back the curved tambour door and step up five and a half inches and you’ll find yourself in a remarkably good bathroom. All the normal stuff is here; a swivel cassette toilet (with masses of legroom in front of it), a fixed corner basin with cupboard below, wall cupboards, opening window and roof vent, towel and toilet roll holders.

But it’s the size of that separate shower (better than you get in many 8-metre A-classes) and the amount of clothing storage that makes this washroom special.

And there’s versatility to the wardrobe space, too. The left-hand mirror-fronted door hides a conventional, but good-sized, space to hang clothes. The plain wood right-hand wardrobe door opens to reveal a large locker with two shelves.

A tall thin door (1.87m by 0.44m) on the outside of the Flash 10, however, reveals yet more versatility to this area. Even with the second wardrobe in use you have a generous locker below for small folding chairs, mains lead, hose reel, etc, but you can also remove the floor of the second wardrobe and create a floor-to-ceiling external locker.

You’ll find more stowage space, accessible from inside or out, in the base of the straight settee on the offside, but the L-seat houses the boiler and fresh water tank, so there’s no more room therein.

The Ford Transit immobiliser is the main standard fit security device for this motorhome but even having that fitted could give you a saving on motorhome insurance.

Verdict

This is a six-metre motorhome that has it all. It has, in effect, a very comfortable permanent bed. It has a big lounge, huge fridge/freezer and plenty of exterior storage. It has travel seats and berths for four and it has an excellent washroom.

Cost to insure: £258.50*

Fact-file

• Price from: £38,516
• Berths: 4
• Travel seats (inc driver) 4
• Dimensions 5.99 L, 2.30m W, 2.89m H
• Beds: Drop-down double 1.94m x 1.39m, lounge bed 2.13m x 1.30m. Headroom of 670mm in each bed when both in use.

*Motorhome insurance based on Chausson Flash £38,516. Fitted with Manufacturer’s Immobiliser system. Kept on driveway at home at TD9 8ED. Insured & spouse, 50 years old, professionals, with no claims, convictions or health conditions in last 5 years. 5 years transferred NCD, 5 years motorhome driving experience. Members of motorhome club doing less than 5000 miles annually. Quote includes up to 8 months European insurance cover. £300 excess applies. European Breakdown is £43 extra. Premium includes Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) at 6% and is correct as of 16.05.12.

Wind Blocker Shades are made in the UK by Lillypad Leisure, a family firm based in the north of England. If you have a caravan or motorhome that has a wind-out or a roll-out canopy, do you take a weighty bag with side and front panels to convert the canopy into a “room style” awning?

Would you like to have some protection against the wind that only takes a few minutes to set up, that is lightweight and very compact? You need a set of Windblockers.

They are made from very light polyester voile; here’s a fascinating piece of information as it’s the same fabric the Dutch use when cultivating bulbs or growing flowers, as the material lets light and air diffuse through gently so not to upset delicate blooms and flowers yet allows you some privacy and doesn’t limit the view of your surroundings.

You can purchase just a front panel; it slides into the channel on the edge of your canopy or one or two side panels; in fact any combination of panels that suits you. A front and side panel gives you a cosy corner and with side and front panels you can have your own “room style” awning but without the weight; will you believe me when I tell you that a full set of panels weighs around 3kgs and fit into a small bag. Another benefit is that you don’t have to fold them with scrupulous care to avoid damaging awning windows. So we think it’s win-win Windblocker.

The side panels have elastic loops that slide over extending poles that fit between the canopy housing and the front channel of the canopy and the bottom of each panel also has elastic loops to peg them down.

They do offer some protection against rain but in heavy rain and windy conditions you will experience some light spray.

So now, what about the wind that comes under your caravan or motorhome? There is an answer for that too in the form of a lightweight draught skirt which attaches to a motorhome with self adhesive press-studs or slides into the skirt rail on a caravan. The skirts have enough depth to allow for having to use levelling blocks and you can complete the tidy draught proof look with a wheel arch cover if you want.

Standard wind blocker sizes are made to fit 95% of motorhomes or caravans on the market but can be altered for those who require a different size and can as a special order be made to measure if you have an outfit that is an unusual size. Draught skirts are made to measure; the reason for this is to ensure the press studs are in the correct place for your unit.

There is a colour choice of White, Grey, Blue, Charcoal or Burgundy. Green is available on special order only (i.e. made to measure.)

Last but not least, not only lightweight but light on price, with full sets starting from around £150. See the website for further details

Please note that the blue Windblocker shown has extra long panels that are not standard.

For more information visit http://www.lillypadleisure.com/

With this caravan model, the standard equipment level in AS caravans reaches new heights – there are two televisions, a vacuum cleaner, a hairdryer, extractor fans in both the kitchen and the shower and a motor mover.

The Westminster is the latest model to join the three-model AS Caravans line-up and it has a U-shaped dining area that makes into a double bed.

Plus, all four AS caravan models are equipped with AL-KO’s anti-snaking device, ATC (Active Trailer Control).

This equipment, plus the addition of Sargent Motion sensor alarm inc PIR movement sensor, which is key fob activated, and a HAL-locate tracking system inclusive of two years’ free subscription, will not only make your caravanning experience more enjoyable but will secure discounts on your caravan insurance too.

In shape, there’s nothing extraordinary about the Westminster’s full-width shower room. The shower is square, on the nearside, the washbasin is in the centre and the toilet is on the offside.

A hairdryer is mounted on the wall alongside the washbasin and mirror and there’s an extractor fan too.

The Westminster provides two double beds. The lounge bed makes up by pulling base units from under each of the settees.

You make the second double bed in the dining area by using the table as part of the base.

We think the lounge double bed is easier and quicker to make up than the rear one, so we guess that couples who buy the Westminster just for two will use the caravan this way around.

At 1.4m long, the settees aren’t long enough to put your feet up, but they are superbly firm and supportive, with armrests that wrap around the corners.

It’s in the lounge that you’ll find one of the Westminster’s other defining features. A television (that comes as part of the package) is mounted in a cabinet at the forward end of the kitchen. You lift the piano-hinged lid, press a button – and the TV rises to a viewing position.

The Westminster isn’t the only caravan to come with a television as part of the package. But it is the only one to come with two. The second, smaller TV is mounted on the dining area’s wall.

Up to six people can sit around the dining table. You feel that you’re set apart from the rest of the caravan; this is truly a dining room as distinct from a dining area.

Lower cabinet space is this kitchen’s strongest point. Three separate cupboards and a drawer give excellent accommodation. Three top cabinets give more than enough space for tableware, and there’s a surprise.

Four Cristal d’Arques cut glass wine glasses are on clips here; they come as part of the package.

There’s a vacuum cleaner in one of the lower kitchen cupboards – and a set of Melamine tableware, packaged in a useful cool bag, in the cabinet under the front chest of drawers.

The microwave is at pretty much the perfect height for most people. Kitchen equipment extends to an extractor fan over the dual fuel hob, and a kitchen roll holder is alongside the microwave.

Perhaps more important than any of those features is the size of the fridge, it’s the Thetford 175-litre model with a separate freezer.

Verdict

Loaded with spec and with great comfort everywhere – as you’d expect from a caravan costing £30,000.

Cost to insure: £389*

Fact-file

Price: £29,500

Berths: 4

Length: body 5.6m, overall 7.25m, width 2.24m, headroom 1.98m

Weight: MIRO 1643kg, MTPLM 1795kg
*Caravan insurance cost based on Autosleeper Westminster £29999 . Fitted with hitchlock, wheelclamp, AL-KO ATC, AL-KO Secure, Hal Locate Tracker and alarm. Kept on drive behind 24 hour locked gates at HX4 0BE. Caravanners over 30 years old, claim free for 3 years and a member of a caravanning club. Quote includes 10% online discount and 6% Insurance Premium Tax and is correct as of 16.05.12.

All of them are four berth caravans with fixed double beds, what we call the lazy man’s two berth, with parallel seating at the front and offside kitchens.

Sprite Lite 4

To look at casually, you’d think there was little difference except in aesthetics to seperate these three models.

But look closer and you’ll see why the Sprite Lite 4 wins in terms of weight.

There’s neither chest of drawers nor locker over the one-piece front window but there is a neat little table.

It doesn’t have an oven either but does have a two-burner gas hob; a slow cooker would complement this. The space heater uses gas for convection heat, there are no blown air ducts to toast your toes on the uncarpeted floor.

It lacks a shower too, but does have a Thetford loo. However, despite the lack of features it probably fits the bill perfectly if you want a step up from camping. Although you may want to add extra comfort to use it all year round as it only has a Grade II classification for thermal insulation and heating rather than Grade III as found on higher spec caravans. Bear in mind also this caravan is over £2000 less to buy than the other two featured here.

Bailey Orion Evo 4

The Bailey Orion Evo 4 is a new light weight concept. Again no chest of drawers at the front, a small table is fitted but there is an overhead locker over the one-piece front window.

The kitchen has a two-burner gas hob with an electric hotplate which has a neat split lid, divided ⅓ and ⅔, and a 900W combination oven/grill/microwave; but luxury or essential?

The end shower room has full facilities and a quirky retro look. Its weight loss programme is largely due to striping out the full fat dual power supply, to a single source, namely electric, including a plinth mounted space heater. It does have drop in carpets. With no battery either, that has helped reduce the weight even further. It does have Grade III classification for thermal insulation and efficiency.

Lunar Venus 490/4

Venus, like its competitors, is also an entry level product aimed at couples.

The use of the Whale under floor mounted space heater and rapid water heater, both of which are lighter than competitors’ products, is an obvious benefit and it too profits from Grade III classification for thermal insulation and efficiency. A carpet runner takes the chill of the floor and the kitchen does have a three burner hob and a Thetford Combi oven and grill. The end washroom has full facilities.

With all models you need to look at security features; all have CRIS identity etched on windows and security data chips; AL-KO AKS and AL-KO Secure receiver are standard on Evo but options on Venus and Sprite. You would of course still have to purchase the lock for the AL-KO Secure before qualifying for some money off caravan insurance!

Verdict

With the price of fuel eating up our pounds, environmental considerations and the weight of new cars reducing, are these your slimline tonic? The Sprite Lite is a good buy for a first time caravanner, maybe younger couple, who want only a bit of comfort; the Bailey Orion Evo will appeal to those want a high level of comfort and who never rally or visit sites without mains electric hook up; it’s ideal for a couple with a progressive forward thinking outlook to caravans. Venus will suit the first time buyer, or a returning to caravanning couple, the traditionalist who doesn’t mind a touch of contemporary design.

Fact-file

Sprite Lite 4 MTPLM 1079kgs. Price £10,455 including VAT but excluding delivery charge of up to £545
Cost to insure: £221*

Bailey Orion Evo 4 MTPLM 1152kgs. Price £12, 695, including VAT but excluding delivery charge of up to £565
Cost to insure: £268**

Venus 490/4 MTPLM 1189kgs. Price £12,495 including VAT but excluding delivery charge of up to £495
Cost to insure: £264***

For more information

http://www.spritecaravans.co.uk/

http://www.baileyorion.co.uk/

http://www.venuscaravans.com/

*Caravan insurance cost based on Sprite Lite 4 £10,455 **Bailey Orion Evo 4 £12, 695 ***Venus 490/4 £12,495. Fitted with hitchlock and wheelclamp. Kept on drive at HX4 0BE. Caravanners over 30 years old, claim free for 3 years and a member of a caravanning club. Quote includes 10% online discount and 6% Insurance Premium Tax and is correct as of 16.05.12.

The new Elddis Crusader Hurricane was given an airing in February at The Motorhome Caravan and Camping Show held at ExCeL in London. This compact two-berth model with a J shaped lounge area and end shower room is fitted with Alde wet central heating.

The dual fuel hob in the kitchen, the oven and grill are a smart and sexy black, with a Night Sky granite effect sink and drainer. These sit well with the stone colour worktops. There’s certainly plenty of storage for items of assorted heights and sizes. We liked the multi-speed extractor fan too.

There’s a touch of night time drama in the shower room, too, with a black tower style unit in the shower and a Night Sky granite effect vanity basin. We didn’t notice a heated towel rail.

The lounge area makes up into a double bed and uses the Elddis “Easy Glide” technology which make sofa to bed conversion so easy as the bed slats glide in a dedicated track with less risk of derailing; we like that.

Noce Prosecco lockers give a contemporary look and the standard upholstery is called Linden, but there are three other options available, which all co-ordinates with the cream curtains.

We commend the concealed interior lighting as it’s energy efficient and 100% LED.

The exterior certainly looks streamlined with its large flush fit three piece front window and the wider than normal entrance door is barely noticeable. There is one mains electric socket and satellite TV connection in the battery box.

Verdict

Great to see a number of features as standard that will lead to caravan insurance savings – these include the standard fit alarm system and the BPW iDC anti snaking device.  It’s a top of the range specification and this layout is also available to order in Elddis’ Special Edition Diamond Jubilee range with a starting price of £19,669 plus delivery.

Recommended Retail Price: £18,999

Price is ex-works and includes VAT @ 20% but excludes a recommended retailer delivery charge of £495 including VAT which includes delivery and preparing your caravan for collection by you.

Cost to insure: £381*

Fact-file

• Grade III thermal insulation
• 10 years water ingress warranty
• Single axle
• BPW Swing V-tec chassis
• BPW iDC Intelligent Drive Control
• Winterhoff WS 3000 Stabiliser
• Two berths
• Plated MTPLM 1335 kgs
• MRO 1200kgs (23.57cwt)
• Shipping length 6080mm (19ft 11ins)
• Interior length 4450mm (14ft 7ins)
• Maximum headroom 1.950 (6ft 5ins)
• Overall width 2300mm (7ft 6ins)
• Awning size 8900mm (29ft 3ins)
• Bed sizes front double 2070mm x 1350mm (6ft 10ins x 4ft 6ins)
• Safety and Security
• High security locks to all external doors
• CRIS identity number
• Security data chip
• Alarm system (with wireless PIR)
• Optional Thatcham Approved Suretrack anti-theft tracking system
• Optional Robstop security device for use with Winterhoff stabiliser

For more information

http://www.elddis.co.uk/

www.elddis.co.uk/diamond-jubilee.html

*Caravan insurance cost based on Elddis Crusader Hurricane, £18999. Fitted with hitchlock, wheelclamp, BPW iDC and alarm. Kept on drive at HX4 0BE. Caravanners over 30 years old, claim free for 3 years and a member of a caravanning club. Quote includes 10% online discount and 6% Insurance Premium Tax and is correct as of 16.05.12.

Why it’s still important to secure your caravan

Despite the reduction in caravan thefts seen in recent years it’s not time for the industry to let its guard down yet. Theft is still the second highest claims cost caravan insurers face, after accidental damage claims, with up to 1000 caravans stolen in the UK each year, not to mention numerous thefts of equipment following break ins.

The key to keeping thefts down is the continuation of the security conscious approach that owners and manufacturers have adopted over the last decade.

Most caravan insurers still have a minimum requirement for a wheelclamp and hitchlock to be fitted whenever the caravan is left unhitched and unattended – so if you’re new to caravanning it’s a good idea to invest in these two items before hitching up your new caravan and pulling off the dealer forecourt.

Wheelclamps and hitchlocks are a first line of defence that will prevent an opportunist thief attempting to steal your caravan. That said, for higher value caravans and twin axle models it’s worth taking extra steps to secure your ‘van.

It’s great to see more caravan manufacturers fitting the excellent axle wheel locks (or receivers for) and various other security devices as standard, especially on larger, twin axle caravan models.

The security and safety devices being fitted as standard including axle wheel locks, alarms, tracking devices and electronic anti snaking devices offer great peace of mind both when leaving your caravan unattended and whilst towing.

Fantastic insurance discounts

Caravan Guard and many other specialist caravan insurers continue to offer insurance discounts that reward the fitment of security devices. Caravan Guard offers a 5% discount for fitment of caravan alarms and 25% off for fitment of an approved tracking device.

Many sure to be big selling 2012 caravan models are fitted with the receiver only for an axle wheel lock such as AL-KO Secure. Buying the locking mechanism may cost you more than your average wheelclamp, but not only does the axle wheel lock often count as a wheelclamp (helping you to meet the minimum requirements of your insurance policy), it will earn you a healthy 10% insurance discount at each renewal. Please note the maximum combined security device discount for caravans is 30%.

Further 5% caravan insurance discounts reward the fitment of risk minimising devices such as electronic snaking systems such as AL-KO ATC or BPW iDC and even Tyron Safety Bands.

Even if your caravan doesn’t have many security and safety features at the moment they can always be bought and retrofitted so it’s well worth asking your dealer to go through options available.

There are many different factors which affect the price you will be quoted for your caravan insurance. Some of these factors, such as the price of your caravan or your claims history, are fairly obvious but others you may not have considered.

By understanding which rating factors affect your caravan insurance you can take the necessary steps to ensure you are in a position to receive the best quote possible.

Calculating an insurance premium

Most insurance companies first calculate a base premium using a combination of two or more variables – these will be major rating factors such as storage location, value of the caravan being insured, or caravan type (single or twin axle).

Once this base premium has been calculated then a long list of discounts or loadings will be added depending on various other factors such as caravan security, age of owner, number of years claim free caravanning, voluntary excess amount etc. The order, weighting and number of rating factors will change from one insurer to the next and are often adjusted regularly in reaction to current claims statistics – hence the reason insurance premiums can fluctuate from one year to the next.

Reducing your insurance premium

Reducing your insurance premium is about hitting the big rating factors. The first thing to look at is the price of your touring caravan as most insurance companies will have price brackets, meaning a £1000 difference in the price of two models could take hundreds off your premium. When looking at new vans why not give us a call and let us do some sample quotes for comparison?

New for old insurance is generally more expensive than market value insurance as premiums for such cover are worked out on the brand new replacement cost of your caravan. So if your caravan is over a year old you could consider switching to market value insurance, which bases your premium on your caravan’s current value which obviously takes account of depreciation. The great benefit of new for old cover of course is that if your caravan is stolen or damaged beyond economic repair, providing your sum insured is sufficient, you would be supplied with a brand new equivalent caravan. Market value of course would simply pay out the caravan’s value at the time of the theft or accident.

Another big rating factor is the storage location of your caravan, so before moving your caravan to a storage site (or back home from one) always find out the postcode of the new location and check with your insurer how this will affect your premium. It’s also important to have a storage location with good security, so if you’re opting to keep your van at home then why not get a drive post or locking gates fitted? Or if using a storage site then opt for one with security such as perimeter fencing, CCTV, access control and 24 hour monitoring. Better storage security can result in premium reductions. For more information on caravan storage locations visit our caravan storage page.

The security fitted to your caravan can also make a huge difference. For example we offer a 25% caravan insurance discount for the fitting of an approved tracking device, and a 10% discount for the fitting of an axle wheel lock such as the Al-Ko Secure, plus many more.

You can also get discounts for safety features such as electronic anti snaking devices and Tyron wheel safety bands.

A large number of new or recent model caravans come with many of these discount qualifying security or safety features as standard. For a list of our safety and security discounts visit our caravan insurance discounts page.

Olympic fever has hit us like a Bolt out of the blue (sorry we couldn’t resist that) here in the Caravan Guard offices with only 84 days until the start of London 2012 which start on the 27th July. We asked our special Olympic correspondent to don his track suit and get set for the off by looking at campsite arrangements within easy reach of the Olympic venues.

There are a number of large temporary sites arranged for the Olympic Games by several different organisations, many are for tent campers only, and those for tourers and motorhomes are already getting booked up.

If you are not a member of one of those organisations and you are trying to make your own plans we hope that the following information may be helpful. These are sites which have availability at the time of writing (2/05/2012) and do not represent a recommendation as to quality. It is essential that you make contact with the park to establish availability, price, grading, opening hours and any special services being offered for Olympic visitors. It’s wise to phone the site to make your booking, not all are taking bookings via websites and you may want to ask which specific services they offer, i.e. transport to and from the nearest train station or time the site barrier closes.

If you have tickets for events remember that it is necessary to leave early to get into the venues and you may be returning late in the evening.

If you don’t have tickets but still want to soak up the atmosphere, remember there are Live Sites, big screens, being erected in regions around the UK including Hyde Park in central London, Victoria Park in Tower Hamlets and Woolwich.

Don’t forget the Paralympics too, which are just as exciting and start on the 29th August.

The sites listed for London all have a railway station nearby, this is the recommended form of transport for speed and comfort, driving to a venue is not a practical option.

For more information: http://www.london2012.com/

Olympic venues in London:

The new Olympic Park

• Stadium (athletics, opening/closing ceremonies)
• Aquatic centre (swimming, diving, synchronised swimming, water polo)
• Velodrome (track cycling)
• BMX track (BMX cycling)
• Hockey complex (hockey)
• Multi-sport complex (basketball, fencing, handball, volleyball, modern pentathlon events)
• Tennis complex (Olympic training venue and Paralympic competition venue)

Venues in and around London

• Greenwich Arena (badminton, rhythmic gymnastics)
• Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, (canoe slalom)
• Wembley Stadium (football finals)
• Wimbledon (tennis)
• Lord’s Cricket Ground (archery)
• Horse Guards Parade (beach volleyball)
• Hyde Park (triathlon)
• Regent’s Park (road cycling)
• Greenwich Park (equestrian; modern pentathlon)
• ExCel exhibition centre (boxing, judo, taekwondo, weightlifting, wrestling, table tennis)
• The Dome (gymnastics – artistic/trampolining; basketball)
• Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich (shooting)
• Eton Dorney, Berkshire rowing centre (rowing and flatwater canoe/kayak events)
• Hadleigh Farm, Essex (mountain biking)

Caravan sites within reach of Olympic Venues in and surrounding London:

Homestead Lake Park
Thorpe Road (B1033)
Weeley
Clacton-on-Sea
Essex CO16 9JN
T: 01255 833492
F: 01255 831406
Email: lakepark@homesteadcaravans.co.uk

Willows
Lippitts Hill,
High Beech
Loughton
Essex
IG10 4AL
T: 07816 847541

Lee Valley Campsite
Sewardstone
Sewardstone Road
Chingford
London
E4 7RA
T: 020 8529 5689
F: 020 8559 4070
Email: scs@leevalleypark.org.uk

Highclere Country Touring Park
Newbarn Lane
Seer Green
Buckinghamshire
HP9 2QZ
T: 01494 874505 / 875665
F: 01494 875238
Email: Highclerepark@aol.com

Lee Valley Camping and Caravan Park
Meridian Way
Edmonton
London
N9 0AR
T: 020 8803 6900
Email: leisurecentre@leevalleypark.org.uk

The Elms Caravan and Camping Park
Lippitts Hill,
High Beach
Loughton,
IG10 4AW
Email: info@theelmscampsite.co.uk
Web: http://www.theelmscampsite.co.uk
T: 0044 (0)20 8502 5652 (8.30am – 8.30pm)

Caravan sites near Eton Dorney rowing centre:

Highclere Country Touring Park
Newbarn Lane
Seer Green
Buckinghamshire
HP9 2QZ
T : 01494 874505 / 875665
F: 01494 875238
E-mail: Highclerepark@aol.com

Laleham Camping Club
Laleham Park
Thameside
Laleham
Middlesex
London TW18 1SS
T: 01932 564149

Caravan sites near Paralympics road cycling Brands Hatch:

Thriftwood Holiday Park
Plaxdale Green Road,
Stansted,
Sevenoaks,
Kent TN15 7PB
Sevenoaks, Kent,
TN15 7PB
T: 01732 822261
F: 017 01732 82226132 824636
Email: info@thriftwoodholidaypark.com

Caravan sites near Weymouth-Portland (sailing):

Pebble Bank Caravan Park
90 Camp Road,
Wyke Regis,
Weymouth,
Dorset
DT4 9HF
Contact: Ian and Dot Hartley. T: 01305 774844
Email: stay@pebblebank.co.uk

East Fleet Farm Touring Park,
Chickerell,
Weymouth,
Dorset.
DT3 4DW
T: 01305 785768
F: 01305 784680
Email: enquiries@eastfleet.co.uk

Bagwell Farm Touring Park
Knights in the Bottom
Chickerell
Weymouth
DT3 4EA
T: 01305 782575
F: 01305 780554

Portesham Dairy Farm
7 Bramdon Lane,
Portesham,
Weymouth,
Dorset, DT3 4HG
T: 01305 871297
Email: info@porteshamdairyfarm.co.uk

Caravan sites near the various Olympic Football venues:

Old Trafford (Manchester)

Holly Bank Caravan Park
Warburton Bridge Road
Rixton,
Warrington,
WA3 6HL
T: 0161 775 2842
Web: www.hollybankcaravanpark.co.uk

St James’ Park (Newcastle)

Derwent Park Caravan and Camping Site
Rowland’s Gill,
Gateshead,
NE39 1LG
T: 01207 543 383

Bobby Shafto Caravan Park
Cranberry Plantation
Beamish
County Durham
DH9 0RY
T: 0191 370 1776
F: 0191 370 1783
Email: info@bobbyshaftocaravanpark.co.uk

Hampden Park (Glasgow)

Craigendmuir Caravan & Camping Site
Clay House Road,
Stepps,
Glasgow,
G33 6AF
T: 0141 779 4159
F: 0141 779 4057
Email: info@craigendmuir.co.uk

Millennium Stadium (Cardiff)

Cardiff Caravan Park
Pontcanna Fields
Cardiff
CF11 9XR
T:029 2039 8362
F:029 2039 8362
Email: CardiffCaravanPark@cardiff.gov.uk

Vale Touring Park
Port Road West
Barry
Glamorgan
CF62 3BT
T: 01446 719311

City of Coventry Stadium (Coventry)

Hollyfast Caravan Park
Wall Hill Road
Allesley
Coventry
CV5 9EL
T: 024 76 336411
F: 024 76 338007
Email: sales@hollyfastcaravanpark.co.uk

Higher end security systems such as pro-active, monitored tracking devices and Cat 1 Alarm systems will earn you the biggest discounts when it comes to your motorhome insurance, but did you know that many of the devices fitted as standard will earn you a discount too?

Many newer motorhomes come with an immobiliser fitted as standard, but it’s a device that many people forget will earn them an insurance discount. Caravan Guard offers a 15% motorhome insurance discount for customers who have a manufacturer’s immobiliser fitted, and the same discount for retrofitted (Thatcham category 2 approved) devices too.

Another product which more and more motorhome converters are including are reversing cameras or reversing sensors. These devices reduce the risk of a motorhomer backing in to a wall, bollard or parked vehicle – and as accidental damage is the leading cause for motorhome insurance claim, they also qualify for a discount. Caravan Guard offers a 2.5% discount for motorhomes with a parking camera or parking sensors fitted, which on a premium of a few hundred pounds can make a worthwhile difference.

Of course some high end motorhomes will come with top flight motorhome security devices fitted as standard, and these will earn even higher levels of discounting when taking out an insurance policy. As already mentioned, with Caravan Guard an immobiliser will earn you a 15% insurance discount, then the next level is to have Thatcham category 1 security system (alarm & immobiliser) or Van Bitz Strikeback system which earns you a 20% discount, and then finally a Caravan Guard approved tracking device which will earn the top security system discount of 25%.

Remember though that this is a sliding scale, with 25% being the top security system discount available, meaning a motorhome with both an alarm and tracker fitted will still earn 25% – it’s not a case of adding these discounts together.

It’s also worth remembering that an insurer may require you to fit extra security on some higher valued motorhomes in order to give an insurance quote, although in this instance you will still generally receive the insurance discounts associated with doing so.

Sat Nav manufacturer TomTom have announced details of a new product aimed specifically at caravan and motorhome owners.

The “GO LIVE Camper & Caravan” has been designed to help caravan and motorhome owners avoid low bridges or narrow roads in an effort to provide a more stress free route to the campsite. But what’s really clever is that you can setup a number of different profiles with specific size, weight and speed restrictions – so switching between using the device when towing, in a motorhome or in a normal car is quick and simple.

It also highlights points of interest relevant to caravan and motorhome owners, such as campsites and services.

After seeing motorhome roof damage rise in recent years we launched a Free Height Reminder Sticker which helped claims drop by 43%, and this new device can only help the number of accidents to drop even further.

The GO LIVE Camper & Caravan Sat Nav comes equipped with maps for 45 European countries and will have an RRP of £349.99. TomTom have not yet announced when the device will go on sale.

Images courtesy of TomTom.