Caravan Cruise winter2015 webfull (1)

Caravan Cruise Ireland

Volume 6. Number 2. Winter 2015

www.caravancruise.ie

Volkswagen T6 California The adventure continues!

TOURING: Driving in France TOW CAR: Land Rover Discovery Scoops Top Award

PARK REVIEW: Renvyle Beach Caravan & Camping Park SHOW REVIEWS: • Motorhome & Caravan Show, Birmingham • Caravan Salon, Dusseldorf

MOTORHOMES TO EXACTLY MATCH YOUR NEEDS We are a family business established since 1989; run with our ‘family principles’ of quality, integrity, commitment and service. Our founding motto is “no sale is better than a bad sale” and we work to that ethos today so you can be confident that you will receive the highest quality products, service and customer care.

• Annual habitation check and service.

• Accessory supply and fitting/repair.

• Fully equipped workshop.

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es Motorhom for Hire

We are a one stop shop for motorhomes and provide the following: • Motorhome Accessories • Leaking Repairs, Repairs re Boiler/Fridge etc.

• Agents for Truma, Movera, Reimo, Dometic, Miriad, Unipart and Nova CARA MOTORHOMES For Sales, Service & Rental - County Limerick Tel: +353 (0)69 64400 • Fax: +353 (0)60 63937 Email: info@caramotorhomes.ie Web: www.caramotorhomes.ie Sat Nav Co-ordinates: N52o 30'36' / W8o 55'42' OfÀce opening times: Tuesday - Saturday 9.30am - 6pm Open late evenings and Sundays by appointment

RGI Registered Gas Installers

Caravan Cruise Ireland

Caravan Cruise Ireland, Fleet Publications, D’Alton Street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

Tel: +353 (0)94 9372826/ 9372827 Fax: +353 (0)94 9373571 Email: info@caravancruise.ie Managing Editor: Jarlath Sweeney - jarlath@fleet.ie Editor: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie Contributors: Gerry Murphy, Johanna Parsons Photography: Cathal Doyle, Jarlath Sweeney Administration: Orla Sweeney, Denise Vahey, Paula Mullarkey Marketing/Advertising: Leonard Allison - caravancruise@fleet.ie Orla Sweeney - info@caravancruise.ie Design: Eamon Wynne Caravan Cruise Ireland is published by JJDS Publications Ltd. Registered Office: D’Alton Street, Claremorris, Co. Mayo.

Co. Reg. 368767 Directors: Jarlath Sweeney, Sean Murtagh.

www.caravancruise.ie 4 News • Successful 2015 for camping sector • Holiday Show Belfast to Titanic Quarter • Top Award for Larkin’s, Garrykennedy • Monastic tours • Whale wins marketing award

16 Show Review 1 Caravan Salon, Dusseldorf

6 Awards Top honours for Land Rover in tow car awards

17 Launch Pad • New Wellhouse Leisure M-Sport camper • Wingamm’s first VW T6 Micros launched

8 Cover Story Exclusive first drive in VW T6 California 10 Pin Pics Citroen Cactus M, Jeep & Hillside Ellastone Camper

18 On To Tour Advice for driving in France

11 Product Thetford’s new offerings

20 Show Review 2 Motorhome & Caravan Show, Birmingham

12 Motorhoming Go green by camping says Fiat Professional

23 Waterways • Funding boost welcomed by Waterways Ireland • New book recalls IWAI history • Take waterways care in inclement weather

13 Coachwork Concorde’s Iveco luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinting to US RV success

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Disclaimer: Caravan Cruise Ireland management can accept no responsibility for the accuracy of contributed articles or statements appearing in this magazine and any views or opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Caravan Cruise Ireland management, save where otherwise indicated. No responsibility for loss or distress occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of the material in this publication can be accepted by the authors, contributors, Editors or publishers.

The Editorial team reserves the right to make publishing decisions on any advertisements or editorial article submitted to the magazine and to refuse publication or to edit any editorial material as seems appropriate to him. Professional legal advice should always be sought in relation to any specific matter.

14 Park Review Renvyle Beach Caravan & Camping Park

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Egg Caravans are a Dublin based company offering a new and funky alternative to the standard “white box” caravan, for people who want the independence and freedom that a caravan provides, but in a fresh and fun new package.

The compact nature of our caravans we feel is ideal for people who want all of the essentials of home, but still want to experience the outdoor life.

Whether you spend your weekends hiking or surfing, if mountain biking or kayaking floats your boat, if music festivals make your summer, or if you simply like a leisurely stroll in the countryside then an egg caravan will be the ideal companion to your leisure activity.

For full details and specifications please visit

www.eggcaravans.com Egg Caravans Greenouge Business Park, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin, Ireland.

Tel: 01 4016055 Email: eggcaravans@gmail.com CARAVAN CRUISE IRELAND | WINTER 2015

3

Returning customers vital to Camping business

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ummer 2015 was a particularly successful season boosted in part by return visitors and favourable exchange rates, according to Fáilte Ireland’s Transpor t Barometer Survey.

Caravan and camping park operations welcomed high numbers of repeat visitors to their facilities during the 2015 season. Over 83% of their business came from returning customers, almost as high as golf clubs nationwide (88%) and more than hotels (78%). While the caravan and camping sector did well (with 44% seeing overall growth this year), 28% of respondents reported a decrease in the domestic market, compared to 18%.

However, it was not all sunshine for caravan park operators as the inclement weather had somewhat of a negative impact. Compared to the warm, dry summer of 2014, a high proportion (84%) mentioned that the weather did impact

on their pitch bookings. 28% reported a drop in visitor volumes from the domestic market, compared to 57% who reported an increase in Irish visitors this time last year after a fine summer.

That said, 44% reported an increase in overall visitor numbers and 60% enjoyed a rise in overseas visitors, including nearly half (48%) who saw growth in business from Germany.

Like other sectors, returning customers are vital to their business. “Without repeat business, I would not be in business,” said one operator to Caravan Cruise Ireland.

Speaking on the positivity all round, Fáilte Ireland CEO Shaun Quinn who reported an increase said; “Tourism appears now to be firing on all pistons with every sector of the industry enjoying greater growth. We have been particularly blessed this year by favourable currency rates but these aren’t steadfast and it will be important for tourism businesses to ensure they are not stranded if that tide goes out.

The visitor experience of value for money, especially given that repeat visitors are an important part of our customer base, will be crucial to providing for tourism growth which is evergreen rather than cyclical.” He did express a word of caution; “Looking ahead, the outlook amongst accommodation providers has been strengthened by this year’s performance with a belief that tourism will continue to grow year on year. This is tempered by an acknowledgement that competitiveness must be maintained.”

New Location for Holiday Show Belfast 2016

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n the post-Christmas lull, the Holiday Shows in Belfast and Dublin are always events to look forward to, as people plan for forthcoming holidays.

The big news for 2016 is that there is a new venue for the Belfast Show, with the impressive Titanic Quarter playing host to the popular event taking place over the weekend of 15-17 January 2016.

Previously the show was held at the Kings

Hall, Belfast.

“The pristine new surroundings of the Titanic Exhibition Centre with their airy, contemporary layout and facilities will, clearly, be attractive to our visitors, but the advantages of a highly accessible, central location teamed with state of the art modernity is already creating considerable interest amongst local, national and international exhibitors,”

said Maureen Ledwith, Director of Holiday World, about the new location.

Among the benefits of the new venue will be an expanded area for the Caravan & Motorhome Show section of the event.

Meanwhile, the Dublin Holiday Show takes place on the following weekend, 22-24 January, at its usual location in the RDS Simmonscourt in Dublin 4.

Larkin’s scoop Georgina Campbell Award 2016

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arkin’s Bar & Restaurant, Garrykennedy, County Tipperary, emerged winner of the annual ‘A Taste of the Waterways Award 2016’ judged by renowned Food Writer Georgina Campbell in partnership with Waterways Ireland.

Since 1999, Georgina’s GCGuides has produced an independent guide to the best places to eat and drink along Ireland’s waterways. With the support of Waterways Ireland in recent years, it has developed to include accommodation and Things To Do Along The Way, presenting the waterways as an amenity for all to enjoy and not just boating folk.

brings an unusual element to the Guide’s selection, highlighting lesser-known watery parts of Ireland that are a joy to explore – and with plenty of interesting pubs, restaurants and places to stay.

The Taste of the Waterways Award 4 CARAVAN CRUISE IRELAND | WINTER 2015

The winner this year, Larkin’s Bar and Restaurant, is located at one of the Shannon region’s prettiest harbours, Garrykennedy, and the owners Maura and Cormac Boyle, who are both from farming backgrounds, understand well the combination of services that visitors want. The place has a charming old style appearance even if its not as old as it looks. It has the genuine ambience of a traditional pub and the wholesome food they offer is firmly based in the locality, with the meats that the area is famous for to the fore. Menus always include delicious traditional dishes alongside more modern ones, service is exceptionally accommodating and there’s also music and Irish dancing.

Tour Ireland & UK’s Monastic sites

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St. Canice’s Cathedral, n ow i n g t h at with its Round Tower, there are many and Waterford’s twin who organise cathedrals, Most Holy their holidays around Trinity and Christ Church, visits to cathedrals and are all within an easy drive monastic sites, whether of Rosslare. for reasons of historical, architectural or religious This situation is replicated interest - or simply as a on the UK side where focus for route planning the countr yside is to many of our more dotted with historic ancient towns and cities and majestic edifices.

Irish Ferries is reminding Not far from Holyhead tourers that there are is Chester Cathedral many impressive places Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral, a building of cultural and architectural and the comparatively to see within easy driving significance. modern Roman Catholic distance of its ports on and Church of England cathedrals in both sides of the Irish Sea. Liverpool, buildings of architectural note that are in complete contrast to each other Within an easy drive of Dublin is the town On the Irish side, there are many of in terms of size and design. of Longford where St. Mel’s Cathedral is a historical interest, not least St. Patrick’s ‘must-visit’ destination for everyone who Cathedral in Dublin after whose former Not far from Pembroke, in the would marvel at the superb craftsmanship Dean Jonathan Swift, clergyman and Pembrokeshire village of St. David’s near employed in its restoration after it had author of Gulliver’s Travels, the company’s Haverfordwest, is St. David’s Cathedral, been burnt to the ground in a devastating fast ferry is named. Another is Christchurch founded in AD 589 whose medieval fire on Christmas Day, 2009.

Cathedral that stands imposingly on the artifacts can be viewed on the Gothic Past edge of Dublin’s oldest district, The archive of Trinity College Dublin.

In the southeast, Kilkenny’s ancient Liberties.

Whale scoops local Marketing Award for innovative 3D printing service

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hale (Bangor), the leading pump and heating systems manufacturer for the caravan/ motorhome industry has been honoured with a North Down Business Awards (previously Bangor Business Awards) in recognition of the company’s success in innovation in 3D printing.

Since investing in state-of-the-art multi-material 3D printing equipment 3 years ago, the innovative company has continued to push the boundaries in this fast moving technology by working on pioneering 3D printed injection mould tools.

“We are thrilled to be recognised with this prestigious award. Since the introduction of 3D printing at Whale, we have seen our new product development speed up by 20%. Our ability to experiment and refine new designs has grown significantly with our in house 3D capabilities. Alongside providing leading products to our customers in the leisure industry, we are now able to offer additional technical services to collaborate in even more

Whale Team enjoying the Awards Gala Dinner at the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel, Bangor.

ways,” commented Claire McCrea, Product & Marketing Director at Whale (pictured right).

Whale designs, manufactures and markets water pump and heating and cooking products globally. Product lines include fresh, bilge and waste water management systems, water heaters, galley appliances and accessories. The North Down Business Awards are now in their second year and continue to go from strength to strength. www.caravancruise.ie

5

Land Rover’s towcar prowess recognized

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and Rover’s Discovery took a much-deserved, first overall win in the industry’s most prestigious towcar competition, The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year.

The competition’s 43 entrants, which were split into seven price classes and two weight categories, ranged from the MG6 S DTITECH, to the Land Rover Range Rover SDV8 Autobiography.

Out of a diverse entry list, the Land Rover Discovery HSE LUX secured top honours as class winner in the All-Wheel Drive Over 1,800kg category, and won The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2016 Awards.

Each towcar endured a gruelling series of trials – being judged not only on their towing performance over the testing circuit at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, but also for their ‘caravanability’. This measures how well the car holds up to a caravanner’s needs – how much typical holiday gear and caravan essentials it can accommodate, how easily it can be hooked up to a caravan and the quality of towing information available in its handbook. Also added to the marking equation was the towcar’s value for money.

Seven driving judges evaluated each car for its dynamic abilities and ergonomic qualities – the test route included tight and twisty ‘country lanes’, 17% hill stops and starts, as well as circuits of a high-speed bowl. They were also put through reversing tests. These

four days of rigorous evaluation highlighted that every vehicle could be considered a respectable towcar, so long as it was properly matched to its caravan.

Class awards in the competition went to: the MG6 S DTI-TECH; Renault Captur Dynamique dCi 110; Volkswagen Jetta SE 2.0-litre TDI BlueMotion Technology 150 PS DSG; Škoda Octavia Estate Scout 2.0TDI 150PS 4x4; Volkswagen Passat Estate GT 2.0-litre TDI 190 PS DSG; Volkswagen Touareg R-Line 3.0-litre V6 TDI 262 PS 4MOTION; and the Land Rover Discovery HSE LUX. From these class winners, it was the Land Rover Discovery that took the overall victory. It can accommodate ‘massive amounts of luggage’ and is available with a handy TowAssist guidance system.

All-wheel drive vehicles competed in two additional weight categories; ‘Under 1,800kg’

6 CARAVAN CRUISE IRELAND | WINTER 2015

and ‘Over 1,800kg’. Of course, the Land Rover Discovery took the ‘Over 1,800kg’ prize, while the Volkswagen Passat Estate GT 2.0-litre BiTDI SCR 240 PS 4MOTION took first place in the Under 1,800kg category. Volkswagen also took home the ‘Judges Award for Innovation’, for its fabulous ‘Trailer Assist’ feature, which allows you to reverse the car and trailer using only the door mirror controls and the accelerator pedal.

Commenting on the success of this year’s event, Grenville Chamberlain, Caravan Club Chairman said: “It was great to see such a diverse variety of vehicles entered into the competition this year. There is a vehicle choice for everyone’s needs, whether you tow a small trailer tent or a large twin-axle caravan. On behalf of The Caravan Club, our congratulations go to all the winners and a special mention must go to Land Rover for its triumphant Discovery.”

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A new lease of life for a classic Volkswagen T6 California arrives

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conic is a word that gets bandied around rather too much, but in some instances it really is the only moniker that adequately describes a true classic.

Few would argue that Volkswagen’s California is one product that is deserving of that appellation. If it’s not quite at the same level of familiarity as brands such as Hoover and Jeep, generic products that everyone refers to by brand specific names, it’s what most people envisage when they hear the words camper-van. Since 1950 the ‘Vee Dub camper’ as it’s ubiquitously known, has been synonymous with freedom. It’s the ultimate get-away-from-it-all home on wheels. From young families to rock stars, surfers to retired couples, the appeal of the California stretches far beyond traditional camping sorts.

One big part of its appeal is that due to its relatively compact size, a California can be a practical everyday vehicle. With optional additional seats it can transport up to seven, making it a genuine people carrier, while it’s still low enough to get into most restricted parking areas. Alternatively take out the rear bench seat and you have yourself a rather useful van.

New T6 California The arrival of a new California therefore, is rather a big deal. Especially when there have been only five different Volkswagen camper-vans since the original of 1950.

This new model, which has just gone on sale in Ireland, is derived from the latest T6 version of Volkswagen’s popular Transporter panel van, and Caravelle people carrier.

The last generation came in two versions, the full California with fitted kitchen, and the cheaper Beach model minus kitchen in favour of a more generous sleeping area.

However because of the vagaries of our VRT system making it cost ineffective, the Beach was never offered in Ireland.

That remains the case with the new T6 you’ll have to go to the UK to buy a right hand drive Beach - but the good news for Irish customers is that the California now comes in two versions - the Coast and Ocean.

Cruise Ireland went for an exclusive test-drive to the spectacular fjords of Norway.

It may have been the middle of summer, but the cold and wet weather was more akin to an Irish autumn. Ideal for testing the California as a live-in vehicle in a real life environment.

Both are fully equipped with kitchen and sleeping quarters, with the most significant difference being the California Coast has a manual pop-up roof rather than automated. Prices for the California Coast start from €48,975, with the California Ocean retailing from €57,855.

Picking up the California in Stavenger, a convoy of vehicles drove in miserable conditions to Lauvvik where we boarded a ferry that took us up the spectacular Lysefjord to Lysebotn on the eastern end of the fjord. From there we progressed up the dramatic Lysebotnvegen road - only accessible in summertime - and on to a remote overnight halt surrounded by mountains, waterfalls…and not a hint of other human habitants. Truly wild camping at its best.

California goes to Norway To check out the new California, Caravan

First observation driving the T6 California was just how agile and easy to drive it

8 CARAVAN CRUISE IRELAND | WINTER 2015

is. It felt perfectly at home on the tight twisty Norwegian roads, maintaining pace with regular car traffic with ease.

In contrast, the many larger coach build motorhomes we encountered were finding the roads challenging, having to constantly slow to negotiate other traffic and road hazards.

The steering feels sharper than before, and if it’s never going to be a vehicle you chuck enthusiastically into corners - the living quarters behind will soon discourage you of that - the California is probably the best handling camper-van you can buy today.

Taking a look at the new California in more detail, you won’t win any prizes for guessing its heritage. Visual external updates from the T5 have been kept to a minimum, with sharper headlights with LED daytime running lights and a revised front grille the most noticeable features.

Likewise the interior will be pretty familiar to anyone that has ever sat or driven in a previous generation model.

Rather the T6 is about refinement of an already well-regarded product. Despite the lack of visual updates there are in fact over 6,000 changes from the T5.

Much of that effort has focused on subtle enhancements to make the new vehicle better all-round. We’ve noted when driving the T6 Transporter panel van that noise levels are much improved, and the same benefits are evident in the California.

With smooth shifting transmission and refined and quiet engines, Volkswagen’s camper-van offers an exceptionally polished driving experience with road and wind noise very well isolated. Sitting in the captain’s chair driving seat with a commanding driving position, the California is ideal for long driving trips.

On the engine front, there are three 2.0 TDI diesels to choose from with power outputs of 102bhp, 150bhp and 204bhp. All meet

Euro 6 emissions standards. There’s a choice of five or six speed manuals or DSG automatics, as well as 4Motion all-wheeldrive. Having driven the 150bhp model with six speed manual, this is well suited to the California with useful low down torque minimising the number of gear changes needed.

The cabin layout may be familiar but materials are of a better quality than before with new fabrics, leathers and plastics. Technology such as the latest infotainment system, DAB digital radio, Bluetooth and new multi-function display means the California is as well equipped as any car from Volkswagen’s range. Safety features include Driver Alert System, Brake Assist, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Adaptive Cruise Control, while you can also opt for Front Assist and City Emergency Braking.

The actual camping part of the California is largely unchanged from the T5 apart from some minor updates such as extra rails and cup holders in the kitchen area.

The rear bench seat cum double bed is also easier to slide back and forth than before, while easier to apply front window blinds, introduced at the end of the T5’s

Text & Photos: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

life, are a welcome addition.

Volkswagen has had many years experience refining the ultimate campervan layout, and simply put, it works.

There’s hardly a square inch that isn’t put to good use. All parts are solidly put together - it was impressive how little rattling there was when on the move and you know that they will stand the test of time. Everything opens and closes with reassuring solidness, and for such a compact area, it all feels surprisingly spacious.

If you’re thinking of opting for the manual roof option, be sure to try it out before making any final decision. It works perfectly well but there is a certain amount of pulling and tugging that might prove a little difficult for those less agile.

The T6 California is a worthy successor to the T5 model. If the camping side of the vehicle is the be all and end all, then sticking with, or acquiring a used T5 will more than likely satisfy your needs. But a better driving experience and all-round refinements ensure the new California remains the benchmark for camper-vans the world over.

www.caravancruise.ie

9

COVER STORY

Free your mind with Citroën Cactus M concept

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new Citroën concept car, the Cactus M which premiered at this year’s Frankfurt International Motor Show, is aiming to place leisure at the heart of the automotive experience.

Inspiring a sense of well-being, freedom and escape, the openair crossover builds on the approach suggested by the Citroën C4 Cactus and clearly expresses its family ties with the Citroën Aircross concept that was presented at the Shanghai Motor Show in April.

Through its design process, the Citroën Cactus M turns leisure into a lifestyle. The interior illustrates this approach, using materials inspired by open-air activities.

Cactus M is a modular vehicle, with a rear arch that enables passengers to carry all their equipment, such as wakeboards or surfboards. Everything is designed for comfort, ease of use and peace of mind.

Ready for all sorts of adventures, the cabin can even be hosed down thanks to the drainage outlets integrated in the foot wells. Inspired by the world of surfing, the seats are designed to resemble wetsuits and are upholstered in a brightly coloured neoprene waterproof fabric. The Citroën

Jeep – Official Tow Car at Motorhome & Caravan Show 2015

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eep is well known for its unbeatable qualities on-and off-road, but its models also make superb tow cars. The American Italian owned marque demonstrated this at the recent Motorhome & Caravan Show 2015 where it was the official tow car provider.

Jeep marked the official sponsorship of the popular show in a big way: inside the NEC, Birmingham exhibition hall the brand displayed the latest Renegade, Cherokee and Grand Cherokee 4x4 models.

Outside the building, there was an even greater presence with a hospitality unit and six Jeep Grand Cherokees on hand to test drive.

With 247bhp available from its 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel engine, the Jeep p Grand Cherokee’s 3500kg towing capacity is more than en enough to cope with a wide variety of caravans.

10 CARAVAN CRUISE IRELAND | WINTER 2015

The Cactus M also inspires a sense of extreme freedom with a modular cabin that turns into a ‘couchette’ and a roof that can be made into a tent. The inflatable roof features an innovative operating mechanism and provides welcome protection in the event of rain. The Citroën Cactus M concept also features on-board technologies for everyday use with all the helpful equipment found on the C4 Cactus. This includes the central Touch Drive interface and the Easy Push gearbox system.

Hillside’s Renault Trafic Ellastone Camper honoured

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motorhome based on the new Renault Trafic has won the ‘Best rising-roof Camper’ category in the 2015 Motorhome of the Year Awards.

The 4-berth Ellastone, produced by Hillside Leisure, was acclaimed

by Practical Motorhome magazine in its annual awards that are run in association with heating and water-systems specialist Whale and which recognises the best motorhomes to have been launched in the last 12 months.

Based on the Trafic panel van with a 1.6 dCi engine in 90hp, 115hp, Twin Turbo ENERGY 120hp or ENERGY 140hp specification, the stylish Ellastone impressed the judges with its unrivalled combination of exceptional value and impressive specification.

Standard features of the Ellastone conversion and in addition to its innovative elevating roof, include low energy LED lights, leisure battery with split charging system, integrated two-ring hob and sink with electric tap, activity shower, Waeco 50-litre low energy fridge with ice box and foldout large double bed that when not in use is a rear seat with 2x3 point seat belts 2x3-point belts.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney - jarlath@fleet.ie

Thetford - Moving camping technology forward

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nsurprisingly it’s the glamour products that attract all the attention at any of the major caravan and motorhome shows. The latest motorhomes, caravans, mobile homes - these are the showstoppers we all come to see.

Take the time to walk around a show like October’s Motorhome & Caravan Show at the NEC in Birmingham though, and you’ll notice that many of the ancillary companies that provide parts to the vehicle manufacturers invest heavily in these events, often taking stand space to rival the big caravan and motorhome brands.

While there might not be many people attending to specifically buy a new toilet or water pump, having a presence is considered essential for networking opportunities and highlighting new product developments.

Mind you, attracting customers to your stand can be a particularly hard sell if the products you are best known for are toilets.

Thetford will be a name familiar to most motorhome or caravan owners as it’s the world leader in mobile sanitary systems as well as toilet additives, as well as marginally more sexy products like refrigerations and cooking equipment. At the Motorhome and Caravan Show ,Caravan Cruise took a look at a number of new products that will no doubt shortly be seen on many motorhomes and caravans.

AQUA KEM SACHETS

Having the option of cooking on a dual fuel cooker in a caravan or motorhome isn’t new - many models feature units with gas and solid hotplate electric hobs. What hasn’t been offered up to now is a cooker featuring an induction hob combined with gas. Enter the Thetford Topline 98 Hybrid series featuring a combination of one induction hob and two gas burners, available in two different glass shapes, With a Schott Ceran black glass surface, the induction hob requires no more than 7A on maximum power, which is available on nearly every campsite nowadays. It offers the benefit of heating up quickly and converting 90% of supplied power into cooking energy. The design of the hob is determined by the shape of the glass and the positioning of the cooking pans.

N3140 SERIES 3-WAY FRIDGE FREEZER Maximising use of space in a motorhome or caravan, regardless of whether it is the smallest camper or an articsized RV is always a primary consideration for interior designers. Fridge units in particular have to fulfil the contradictory requirements of taking up minimal space while offering maximum storage capabilities.

Thetford’s new N3140 series manages this Tardis requirement in that it comes with a capacity of over 140 litres plus a 15 litre freezer, yet is only 418mm wide. The standard width for a caravan / motorhome fridge is 525mm, thereby freeing up significant interior space inside the vehicle.

Possibly the new product getting the most attention on Thetford’s stand at the Motorhome & Caravan Show was the lowest tech.

But for anyone who has used a chemical toilet and wondered just how much or little liquid to use, Thetford’s new Aqua Kem Sachets take away the guesswork. Coming in bags of twelve and available in Green and Blue sachets, instead of liquid you simply pop a pre-measured concentrated powder into the appropriate tank. No measuring, and the right amount every time.

TOPLINE 98 SERIES COOKER

Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

Featuring an LED control panel, the N3140 is offered in three versions, the E+ with automatic power source selection, the E+, the E version (LED, manual power source selection) and the A version (LCD automatic power source selection). Two models are offered, the N3141 with external drawer and N3142 internal drawer version.

WASTE DISPOSAL MACHINE Not directly featured at the show, one new Thetford item that will be of interest to a lot of campers is its new waste disposal machine.

A working example was installed, in cooperation with The Camping & Caravan Club, at the nearby Kingsbury Waterpark Site during the show. It makes the unpleasant task of emptying toilet cassettes very straightforward - simply insert the cassette toilet into the machine, turn the outlet pipe and remove the cap. The machine will then empty, rinse and dose the cassette with toilet chemicals. www.caravancruise.ie

11

"Save the environment on a motorhome holiday," says FIAT Professional

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otorhomes have long been a source of irritation for impatient drivers who often complain that they take up too much space and travel too slowly on the road. Indeed, there have been many documented cases of motorhome drivers being subject to fist-waving and finger extensions which could not be described as gestures of affection.

Now, motorhome owners can also sit back with a certain smugness, satisfied in the knowledge that the evidence is there that their choice of holiday making has less of an impact on the environment than those who travel by car and stay at hotels and guest houses.

With the support of FIAT Professional, which provides the cabs and chassis for 75% of all campervans driven in Europe, a study has shown that four people on holiday in a motorhome create a much smaller carbon footprint than four in a car using hotels and guest houses for their accommodation.

Headed up by Professor Paolo Fiamma, a Civil Engineer and Professor of Architectural Design at the School of Engineering at the University of Pizza in Italy, the results of a detailed experiment reveal that tourism with a Recreational Vehicle (RV) produces less CO2 emissions compared to ‘car + hotel’ vacations by a substantial distance.

As an example, data which was gathered on CO2 emissions during a trip of 1,000km by four people over eight days turned out to be 32% lower than the level of emissions achievable with car + hotel accommodation over a similar period. Looking at the various results it is clear from the figures produced that the levels ofCO2 produced

by RV’s, while variable according to the different type of living enclosure, remains comfortably lower than that produced by the combination of car and hotel accommodation.

Further comparisons of the two modes of tourism show that a reduction of up to 56% in CO2 emissions is recorded in favour of

the RV when the trip is extended to 15 days, and as high as 69% if you increase the party size to six people.

Obviously, as acknowledged by this recent survey, there are variations when the standard of hotel accommodation is taken into account.

As some are more ecologically friendly than others these variations have been considered by the survey and are included when arriving at the figures published in Professor Fiamma’s report.

During the survey which lasted over two years, Professor Fiamma used a variety of measurements in a number of different areas including the characteristics of the journeys, the type of vehicle and consumption characteristics of the occupants.

The number of people, distance travelled, days on the road and the amount of fuel used were all included in the trip details. The model, engine displacement, refrigeration, heating (gas/fuel), water heating and whether or not a solar panel was used were part of the vehicle characteristics measured. Thirdly, the consumption levels and length of time that utilities were on for gas refrigeration, general heating, water heating, the usage of cookers and consumption of drinking water were part of the equation, while grey water and sewerage discharges were also measured. Added to these were the cost of food bought on the trip, and other items bought, such as cleaning products, and utensils. Sorted and unsorted waste disposal was also included.

Speaking at the launch of the survey report Professor Fiamma said: “The results provide a clear picture of the current position in the highly topical and delicate debate concerning the relationship between human activities and the impact on the quality of the air that we breath”.

The data collected over a two year period involved hundreds of end users from Camper Clubs all over Italy. The participants painstakingly recorded the detail of a variety of trips and itineraries and the thousands of actual data items for the basis of the research.

Adria Ad A drriia Coral Cooora C ral S 67 ra 6670 70 SSL L vvll 12 CARAVAN CRUISE IRELAND | WINTER 2015

Text: Gerry Murphy - gerrym@fleet.ie

Premium Class Iveco Concorde Cruiser

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uring the various launches of the new Eurocargo medium truck range from Iveco, this Concorde Cruiser motorhome, based on the 7.5 tonne 75E21 4x2 rigid chassis was on display at its Brescia plant in Italy.

Concorde’s Cruiser models have been ranked in the high-end motorhome sector for many years.

Interesting new floor plan concepts include a circular seating section that can rotate 90o at the rear, while the single beds are fitted into the alcoves. Measuring 80 centimetres, the inside height of the alcove is unparalled, with access to the bed particularly easy, thanks to a convenient pedestal with two steps.

The 75E21 is powered by Iveco’s Tector 6-cylinder 6.7 litre Euro 6 diesel with 210 hp on tap with either a 6-speed manual ZF gearbox or an automatic option.

A 186 hp power unit is available on the 75E19.

Concorde, based in Aschbach, Germany, is in the business for over 30 years and also produces the Cruiser coachbuild on the Iveco Daily and Mercedes-Benz Atego van

and truck range respectively.

Sprinter up-to-speed in US RV market

S

ince the arrival of the MercedesBenz Sprinter into the US market (in 2009), some interesting coachwork has been undertaken in the motorhome or RV–Recreational Vehicle industry. One such specialist is Automotive Designs & Fabrications (ADF) headquartered in San Fernando near Los Angeles. Established by Ron Weaver in 1987 and run with his son Jeremiah (pictured), “Innovation through imagination” is the company theme.

customer’s needs,” explained Jeremiah to Caravan Cruise on a recent visit to the workshop. He went on to emphasise the detail of their work; “Pre-made parts and cookie cutter interiors disgust us, we custom build each Sprinter van to exceed customer’s expectations, turning dreams into reality.

“Our policy is to build low cost, high quality Sprinter van luxury conversions. We have developed modular interior fittings, which allow production of a completed vehicle in a shorter timeframe. These include touch screen technology, quality seating and high-end audio/video sound systems.

Lightweight materials like aluminium

are used to keep the vehicles more ecofriendly and easier to work on. With overthe-top work ethic and high amounts of sheer customer satisfaction, we have built and designed automobiles for the most elite clientele in the world.”

That high profile list includes Francis Coppola, Michael Jackson, Heidi Klum and Tim Allen.

Now that the Mercedes-Benz Vito has been launched in the US (as the Metris), Ron, Jeremiah and their team are looking forward to innovating interesting design concepts in this new mid-sized van range.

Each build is directly according to customer’s wishes with every individual section within the transformation between panel van and campervan carefully constructed in-house by dedicated craftsmen. “At ADF, we are the one-stop-shop for all things MercedesBenz, Sprinter - as an accredited Daimler Vans Master Upfitter with two Southern California locations working hard to serve Text: Jarlath Sweeney - jarlath@fleet.ie

www.caravancruise.ie

13

A jewel in the caravanning crown Renvyle Beach Caravan & Camping Park

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he Renvyle peninsula, at the far Western reach of Europe, is home to one of the country's caravan park jewels. Nestled on its own private patch of a white sandy beach, with views of Clare Island, Inishturk, Achill, Mweelrea and Croagh Patrick, The Renvyle Beach Caravan & Camping Park is a retreat in a truly idyllic setting.

Address: Tullybeg Renvyle County Galway Tel: +353 (0)9543462 Email: renvylebeachcaravanpark@gmail.com Web: www.renvylebeachcaravanpark.com Directions: From the N59 between Westport and Clifden, turn at Letterfrack onto the Connemara loop road. After 6km you will pass through Tully Cross, then Tully, and a further 1km will bring you to the campsite on your right.

Number of Pitches: Up to 36.

The park has been run by the Mortimer family since 1955, and there is always someone on site to welcome and assist visitors, from Easter to October.

This special site has a slightly wild feel to it, with just a pebbled path and long grasses separating you from the beach. There is oodles of green space for free-form pitching of tents but the site mainly attracts motorhomes and caravans, with space for up to 80 on its 36 designated pitches.

There are also three mobile homes and two holiday cottages.

Facilities are tucked away behind a hedge to leave the views unspoiled, and include toilets and showers, spring water taps, 10 amp electric hook up points, chemical toilet and grey water disposal points, a kitchen with fridge, freezer, and laundry

facilities. About 75% of the site is covered by wifi access.

The mix of guests is thoroughly international, and many are repeat visitors who have fallen in love with the countryside, the views, and the refreshing lack of midges.

The local village, Tully has a grocery shop, petrol station and riding centre if you fancy a trek on the beach. Just up the hill is Tully Cross, with a chipper and atmospheric pubs with good food and regular live music sessions.

Renvyle is a landscape of mountains and bogland, tranquil lakes and a glorious coastline, offering the tourist extraordinarily diverse scenery and places to explore.

The Old Castle is a picturesque ruined home of legendary pirate queen Gráinne Mhaol.

And another historic homestead - once owned by St.John Gogarty - is now the Renvyle House Hotel, with a bar and fine dining restaurant.

There is also golf, fishing, boat tours, cycling, climbing, an adventure centre, many museums and of course walking.

Letterfrack has the Connemara National Park with trails up the Diamond mountain, guided walks, a bog museum, cafe and playground. Kylemore Abbey is just a short spin away for excellent food as well as iconic buildings, grounds, and beautifully maintained Victorian walled gardens.

Visitors are spoilt for choice with things to do, but the real beauty of this caravan park is the site itself. Pauline says that whilst improvements and maintenance of the facilities are continual, they don't want to change for the sake of it. “We don't like to over commercialise, people like it the way it is,” she says. And looking out across the white sands, who could argue?

14 CARAVAN CRUISE IRELAND | WINTER 2015

Text: Johanna Parsons

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Record Crowds Attend Caravan Salon, Düsseldorf

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he world’s largest motorhome and caravan show, Caravan Salon reported the best result in its fifty four year history for the 2015 event. Held as usual at Messe Düsseldorf, over 202,000 visitors packed in to the nine halls over the week long event in August - September.

Among those reporting a very positive event was British manufacturer Swift. It saw tourer sales increase over 8% on the previous season as well as recruiting new dealers for its newly launched range of left hand drive Motorhomes – the Toscane range.

Knaus Tabbert also reported record sales. The group’s four core brands Knaus, Tabbert, Weinsberg and T@B registered a 20% increase in orders across all vehicle segments including motorhomes, camper vans, and caravans, with the premium class vehicles particularly the new motorhome

flagship KNAUS Sun i and the agile and compact camper vans in great demand.

Two luxury motorhomes built on MercedesBenz truck platforms caught the eye in Düsseldorf. The Vario Alkoven 1200 is based on a Mercedes-Benz Antos 2543 L with a slim M-cab, while the Concorde Centurion 1200 based on the Actros 2542 features a GigaSpace cab and full air suspension.

Hymer launched the Hymermobil ML-I, its first fully integrated motorhome under 3.5 tonnes with standard Crosswind Assist and an optional four-wheel drive, It also showed as a design study, a system based on the Mercedes-Benz V-Class, which allows the living area to be converted in next to no time to suit the individual customer’s needs.

Also on display was the new Hymer Van and the new Hymercar Ayers Rock.

Roller Team presented an interesting

16 CARAVAN CRUISE IRELAND | WINTER 2015

concept vehicle.

The Triaca Concept 230 features basalt fibre wall panels, a recyclable product which helps to cut weight by 30 percent and adds strength when compared to fibreglass. Meanwhile the kitchen counter, kitchen sink and bathroom surfaces are made from Pral, an acrylic polymer-based composite. Trice stands for ‘Tecnologia per Ridurre l’Impatto Ambientale in Camper’ or ‘Technology for Environmental Impact Reduction in Motorhomes.’

Slovenian manufacturer Adria Mobil introduced the new triple-axle Sonic Supreme range-topping motorhome. It also featured an all-new Compact motorhome family, and the new Coral XL ‘alcoven’ motorhome range, while the Twin van range is now available with Alde heating and winter adaptations.

Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

Striking Wellhouse Ford Terrier M-Sport Camper! o sooner had Ford GB introduced a special M-Sport edition of the Ford Transit Custom van as part of the iconic commercial vehicle’s 50th anniversary, than leading campervan conversion specialists Wellhouse Leisure developed its own special version.

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The interior of the cab has also received special treatment from M-Sport, including white M-Sport limited edition dials, Nappa leather seats with M-Sport logo, blue seatbelts, and thicker sport steering wheel with full leather cover, blue stitching and M-Sport logo.

The stunning, extreme-looking Terrier M-Sport Camper is based on a luxury conversion of a Ford Transit Custom by M-Sport, the motorsport specialist that creates Ford’s World Rally Championship vehicles. Looking like it would be more at home on a Special Stage than a campsite, the M-Sport Camper includes a pop-up roof and the new, stylish interior furniture from Tecnoform.

The new Terrier M-Sport Camper has the high-powered 155PS version of Ford’s 2.2 litre Duratorq TDCi engine which delivers 385 Nm of torque via a six-speed manual transmission. Only a few options are available such as an optional roof bed, SMEV mini-grill, Ford Sat-Nav system and Alcantara roof lining, leather door handles and gearstick.

The distinctive, rally-style exterior of the M-Sport Camper has a full body-kit, including lowered suspension, 18” limited edition alloy wheels, side arch extensions, new front and rear bumpers, a rear tailgate spoiler and quad exhaust system.

STOP PRESS: As we go to print, news has broken that Colton Motors, Tullamore & Mullingar has been appointed as Wellhouse Leisure dealer for the Republic of Ireland. Check www.caravancruise.ie for further updates.

Wingamm Micros on new Volkswagen T6

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talian luxury and style was in evidence at The Motorhome & Caravan Show as the new Volkswagen Transporter T6 Micros was premiered by Wingamm UK.

Wingamm motorhomes are famous for their distinctive and aerodynamic, one-piece fibreglass monocoque bodies which are stronger, easier to repair, better insulated and 100 per cent waterproof, with high quality, modern interiors.

The Micros, at 5.3m long is still as compact as a regular campervan as it uses the same short wheelbase of the new Volkswagen T6.

A generous 600kg payload is offered and with a gross vehicle weight of 3,200kg, it is light enough to be driven by anyone with a normal car driving licence.

Inside, the Micros features a side kitchen, rear corner bathroom with shower and Thetford cassette toilet, plus the convenience of Wingamm’s longitudinal, (manual) pull-down double bed which makes getting out of bed without disturbing a partner much easier. The side dinette makes another double bed, giving a total of four-berths with four belted-travel seats. A new, alternative L-shaped dinette can be ordered for MY2016 models.

It is powered by the latest Volkswagen 2.0TDI, 150 PS Euro 6 engine with BlueMotion Technology. The 204 PS engine, DSG (automatic) transmission and 4MOTION (all-wheel drive) are also available, as are options such as a 120w solar panel, a choice of interior décor and upholstery, and if metallic paint is specified, Text: Jarlath Sweeney - jarlath@fleet.ie

the fibreglass body is painted to match.

‘The Wingamm Experience’ provides a valuable opportunity to try a Micros, or a selection of other Wingamm motorhomes, thanks to a rental fleet operated by its sister company, Aston Leisure. The rental cost is refunded if anyone subsequently orders one. Please find more details at http://www.astonleisure. com/our-fleet/.

The Chairman of Wingamm UK, Kenneth Russell said: “With more than 35 years’ experience building beautiful, hand-crafted, fibreglass motorhomes, now with a choice of Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and Fiat platforms, it has never been a better time to buy a Wingamm motorhome.” www.caravancruise.ie

17

Driving in France - all part of the holiday experience! hile Ireland is a wonderful place to explore and take holidays especially from a camping perspective, acquiring a motorhome or caravan will encourage many people to explore the wider world beyond our shores.

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are correct. Breaking down anytime isn’t any fun, but particularly in a foreign country it can be very stressful. You will be travelling relatively long distances so it’s important to minimise the chances of your vehicle failing over something easily avoided if checked in advance.

Unsurprisingly, France is right at the top of the list of popular destinations for camping enthusiasts. Not only is it our nearest neighbour on mainland Europe, it has so much to offer, from a wonderful climate to good food and drink, and a history and culture second to none.

What to bring Passports for all parties travelling and full driving licences for anyone intending to drive in France should be obvious. You should also bring the Vehicle Registration Document as well as insurance details - generally insurance covers you to drive abroad but it is advisable to check with/inform your insurance company prior to departure.

It’s also a mecca for camping enthusiasts with a huge selection of campsites all over the country. They range in size from tiny family owned units to all-inclusive sites covering hundreds of hectares that are self-sustained villages in themselves. Whether inland or by the sea, there are campsites to suit all tastes and ages.

If you’ve never driven abroad before though, it might all seem rather daunting. Especially if you’re undertaking that first trip in a large motorhome, or with a caravan on tow.

The good news though is that France is actually a very easy country in which to drive. It has an excellent road network, and its vast size means that roads are relatively un-congested (unless you decide to explore the Champs Elysées in Paris behind the wheel). With a little planning, your journey to your campsite and back should be a doddle.

Advance planning It might seem obvious, but make sure your vehicle is in good condition before you depart home. Have it serviced, ensure all tyres have at least minimum legal thread depth, and check lights, indicators etc are working, and that water and oil levels

18 CARAVAN CRUISE IRELAND | WINTER 2015

There are also some items that an average Irish motorist might not carry in their vehicle, but are compulsory in France. A reflective jacket for every person in the car is one. It’s illegal to exit your car on a public highway without wearing it, so make sure at least one reflective jacket is accessible from the passenger compartment.

A warning triangle for use in the event of a breakdown is also a requirement.

There’s some confusion over the necessity of having a breathalyser in the vehicle. Having announced back in 2012 a regulation making it compulsory to carry a breathalyser in the vehicle from November of that year, the French Government subsequently postponed indefinitely the sanction for drivers not carrying a breathalyser – a fine of €11. So as the law stands you are required to carry one, but there is no fine if you don’t.

One further point to note is that breathalysers have to be in date, with single-use breathalysers normally having a validity of twelve months.

Speed Limits It’s important to observe speed limits in France as police can be quite strict and don’t make any allowances for visitors that may not be familiar with French law.

General speed limits differ a little to Ireland with motorways having a limit of 130km/h (110km/h when wet), dual carriageways restricted to 110km/h, while single carriageways speed limits are 90km/h. 50km/h is the maximum speed in towns, where it should be noted that the town name starts the limit rather than a specific 50km/h sign.

If you’re towing a caravan, note that unlike in Ireland where a blanket maximum speed of 80km/h is permitted even on motorways, in France the same speed limits as per cars apply, provided the combined gross train mass of car and caravan are under 3.5t. Over that weight, you’re restricted to 90km/h on motorways and dual carriageways, and 80km/h on single carriageways.

These same speed limits apply to motorhomes over 3.5t, whereas if the gross vehicle weight is under 3.5t the motorhome can travel at car speed limits.

Having towed caravans across France for a number of years, while it might be legal to drive at 130km/h, it’s not a particularly relaxing experience. Once you go over 100km/h the stability of the towing outfit worsens considerably, while fuel consumption increases exponentially. Better to take it easy and take in the wonderful French countryside in our opinion.

There has been a concerted effort in recent years to reduce road accidents and deaths and while you still meet the occasional driver who adopts a laissez-faire approach to speeding, it’s noticeable that most French drivers now adhere quite strictly to limits. For

Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

Irish drivers that’s most noticeable in built-up areas - we tend to be quite good at observing 100 km/h or 120 km/h limits, less so at keeping to 50km/h or 60km/h in towns or villages. Make sure to keep an eye for for town or village name signs - and reduce your speed accordingly.

Also note that in France it is illegal to carry a device capable of detecting speed cameras. Therefore if your satnav device is capable of displaying camera locations you need to disable this function.

Motorways & Péages If you want to get to your destination in a hurry then France has an excellent networks of motorways crisscrossing the country.

Many of the most direct routes are tolled péages which can work out rather expensive - a trip from one end of the country can cost in excess of €100 in tolls if you stick to the main routes - and significantly more if you are towing a caravan. It can also be fun stretching for left hand drive payment booths if you're travelling alone! The good news is that there is also a decent network of non-péage routes that might take a little more planning, but are often of motorway quality themselves.

Taking a break Depressingly, despite having one of the newest networks in Europe, you’ll be hard pressed to find any places to pull over to rest when driving on Ireland’s motorways. Even service stations are in short supply. It’s such a contrast to France where you will come across an ‘Aire’ every twenty or so kilometres. Some are purely rest halts with refuelling or food facilities, but invariably are pleasant places to pull over and take a break with plenty of room for parking, rest rooms and picnic areas. Larger ‘Aires de Service’ come fully equipped with service stations, restaurants and shops, sometimes even a hotel.

www.caravancruise.ie

19

Buoyant Motorhome & Caravan

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ith an at tendance exceeding 95,000 including over 25,000 on the Saturday alone, and many exhibitors reporting record levels of orders taken, the 2015 Motorhome & Caravan Show at the NEC in Birmingham reflected the very positive vibes emanating from the leisure vehicle and camping industry in the UK at present.

most of them unveiling previously unseen vehicles, it was quite the challenge to see everything in the eleven huge halls at the NEC.

The October show is the annual showcase event for new caravans, motorhomes, campervans, trailer tents and folding caravans, luxury lodges and caravan holiday homes. With over 400 exhibitors,

The mobile leisure industry is experiencing something of a boom in the UK at present with new registrations for motorhomes up 25% to 10,461, and new caravans despatched to dealers up 5% compared

Caravan Cruise Ireland was at the Motorhome & Caravan Show to catch a flavour of what was to be seen.

Adria

Auto-Trail

Bailey

Special edition caravans from Britain’s most popular overseas manufacturer celebrating 50 years in the business included a Silver Collection version of this Adora 613DT Isonzo, while there was a new range of small low profile motorhomes, the Compact family.

A new range of van conversions debuted at the show. The V-Line SE family joins the existing V-Line models which are now known as V-Line Sport. The Trigano Group owned British company also showed a new island bed model, the Imala 730.

The Bristol caravan and motorhome manufacturer launched the fourth generation of its mid-range Pegasus caravan at the NEC. It’s available in seven different layouts including a redesigned five berth dingle axle Ancona model which features a dedicated rear children’s bedroom.

Bilbos

Burstner

Chausson

The Volkswagen camper van specialists was just one of a number of exhibitors showing conversions of the new T6 model including Nexa and this Celex model. The Sussex based converter is well regarded for the quality of its products.

The German manufacturer was attracting a lot of attention with its innovative new Ixeo motorhome. The IT 680 G features a longitudinal drop-down bed integrated into the roof giving a generously sized lounge area when stored away.

Chausson has a reputation for coming up with innovative designs and features and the new Welcome 620 continued this trend. This low profile on a 2t Ford Transit chassis features a forward facing island sofa positioned below a drop down longitudinal double bed.

With celebrity guests, and attractions including free caravan towing and motorhome manoeuvring lessons, and live product showcases and advice in the Expert’s Theatre, there were also plenty of side attractions for visitors to enjoy. with this time last year.

20 CARAVAN CRUISE IRELAND | WINTER 2015

Show reflect industry on the up

Coachman

Concorde

Danbury

Two new caravan layouts were the highlights on the Coachman stand including the 2-berth Pastiche 470 with full sized fixed bed and generous bathroom area. The Vision 570 is a fiveberth model featuring two lounge areas and the option of a sixth berth.

When size matters then this enormous Liner Plus 990 G from Concorde should satisfy even the most demanding of space enthusiasts (yes that’s a Smart car in the back). That massive rear overhang will certainly demand respect when negotiating tight corners.

Synonymous with the Type 2 campervans, these days Danbury offers an increasingly broad range of products based on different manufacturer vehicles.

No fewer than three new Ford campervans were launched in Birmingham, as was this Volkswagen T6 Surf model.

Dethleffs

Elddis

Fiat

The T 6966-4, a low profile motorhome sleeping four features Dethleff’s first lengthwise pull-down bed in this type of vehicle, meaning it can be lowered right down to the level of the seats without having to move any cushions.

Two new models in the Encore range, the twin single-bed 285 and island bed 254 have joined the motorhome line-up as well as a new rear lounge Accordo 120. New on the caravan side was this transverse bed fitted Avante 554.

The Ducato by far the world’s most popular vehicle on which to build a camper-van. Fiat remains strictly in the business of supplying bases for others to build on, but has built this one-off 4x4 Expedition concept to showcase possibilities.

G&P

Hymer

Jeep

A new addition to its family, G&P debuted this budget market targeted Fiat Ducato based Hyka at the NEC. The Staffordshire company also offers conversions on vehicles as varied as the Fiat Doblò and the Mazda Bongo.

The star on the Hymer stand was the new Van 314. Just 5.45 metres long, it features a rear transverse bed. Also attracting interest was the ML-I 620 on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis featuring Crosswind Assist as standard.

Choosing the right tow car for your caravan is essential, and Jeep was one of a number of car manufacturers to demonstrate its range of capable towing vehicles, including the Renegade, Cherokee and Grand Cherokee. www.caravancruise.ie

21

Lego Caravan

Murvi

Pilote

A genuine Guinness World Record holder was on display at the NEC. Made from over 215,000 Lego bricks, this fully functioning teardrop caravan was assembled by 22 Lego professional builders. With full amenities it took over 1,000 man hours to build.

Murvi van conversions always seem to belie their size, with spacious yet fully equipped interiors. Building on Fiat Ducato and Ford Transit models, exhibits in Birmingham included this Pimento XL with all-wheel-drive on a LWD H2 Transit with 125bhp 2.2 TDCI.

The French manufacturer had the new G650L motorhome as its star turn at the NEC. The spacious A-Class will sleep four and comes with generous sleeping area with separate shower and dressing area and generous storage area. A selection of new van conversions also featured.

Rapido

Rimor

RS

A number of new products on the Rapido stand included this new Distinction A-Class, featuring an ALKO chassis, double floors and double glazed windows, and a height adjustable central bed with large garage.

Italian manufacturer Rimor is back in the UK taking advantage of favourable exchange rates to promote a range of motorhomes at very attractive prices.

Specialising in over-cab models, the brand was promoting this Koala Elite model based on the Renault Master.

This RS Endeavour built on the new Iveco Daily was surely one of the largest non-A-Class motorhomes on show.

Previously known for its vehicles for transporting horses, RS Motorhomes is rapidly making a name for high quality spacious motorhomes.

Sprite

Swift

Wellhouse Leisure - New M-Sport Camper

Sprite is the Swift Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entry range of caravans. At the Motorhome & Caravan Show were a new range of Freedom models comprising three 6-berth models, the 6, 6TD and 6FB with layouts to cater for most families.

The Bolero motorhome range introduced two new models. This 612EK model is a two berth example with kitchen at the rear and a parallel front lounge. Also shown was the 744PR with U-shaped rear lounge sleeping four.

22 CARAVAN CRUISE IRELAND | WINTER 2015

A busy show for Wellhouse with the star turn being this Transit Custom M-Sport Camper - ideal for the rally fan on the move. The Terrier Lux is a more affordable offering, while the new Mosell is based on the latest MercedesBenz Vito.

Text & Photos Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

€2 million investment scheme for built heritage

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ews of the announcement by Ms. Heather Humphreys, TD., the Minister for Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, of a new €2 million investment scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures has been welcomed

by Waterways Ireland. This fund will operate on the same model as the very successful Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme (BHJLS), which ran in 2014, and is expected to support a significant number of projects across the country and create employment in the conservation and construction industries.

“This new scheme will operate on the same model as the BHJLS, which was a great success in 2014.

It will help to regenerate urban and rural areas and will come as a welcome boost to the custodians of heritage properties.”

In explanation the Minister said: “This investment is possible thanks to the increase in funding for my Department in the recent Budget. The €2 million fund will encourage the investment of private capital in small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and conserve historic structures. This will improve the appearance and structure of historic buildings across the country and will also

“Our heritage is one of the main attractions for visitors to Ireland and within Ireland and its conservation reinforces and promotes our growing tourism and recreational industry. Our heritage is also an extremely important element in our cultural landscape and I am pleased that, thanks to the economic recovery, we are once again in a position to invest in the heritage sector.”

support jobs in the conservation and construction industries.”

“Well maintained historic buildings contribute positively to the vitality of our cities, towns, villages and countryside. Local communities have a great sense of pride in their built heritage, which in turn can help to provide an important source of local employment by boosting tourism.”

IWAI & the Waterways of Ireland

O

ver sixty years ago, the first meeting of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) was held in 1954. It attracted some 200 like minded people who had the foresight to come together with the shared aims of promoting traffic on the rivers and canals, opposing any obstructions, and campaigning for the conservation and preservation of a working navigation.

Today the IWAI boasts a membership of around 3,500 who carry on the work of their predecessors. The commitment of each and every member of the

Association has seen the achievement of many great feats and overcome many challenges to ensure that boats can still enjoy free access on the inland waterways from Limerick to Beleek and further afield.

A new book entitled “IWAI & the Waterways of Ireland”, written and complied by Brian Cassells, is a marvellous insight into the Association.

This 188 page hard copy is a formal record of the IWAI's sixty year history and is a must have for anyone with an interest in Ireland’s wonderful inland waterways.

Waterways Ireland issues adverse weather advice

I

n this period of adverse weather, walkers and cyclists using waterside paths and routes are reminded to make responsible decisions regarding their personal safety and their proximity to the waters-edge.

Masters and owners of watercraft are reminded of the dangers following periods of prolonged rainfall. High flow rates, increased current speeds and water turbulence especially in the vicinity of bridges, weirs, locks, flood gates and other infrastructure will be hazardous to craft and persons on or near the navigation. Air draft at bridges will also be reduced as water levels rise.

and marks to be more difficult to discern as the water level rises on the mark itself and they may disappear altogether or be carried away completely in the floodwater. Also, marks will present a different perspective to Masters than they are accustomed to seeing because of the surrounding flood lands.

Owners and masters should also take care if inspecting their craft in any harbours or at jetties which are also liable to be below water level as the edge of the quay or jetty will not be readily identified. It is recommended that any person visiting their boat in a harbour wear a lifejacket as a matter of course under these circumstances.

Masters should also expect aids to navigation such as perches www.caravancruise.ie

23

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