September 2010 issue

Exciting times for top-end buyers
Welcome to Practical Caravan. After the toughest budget in a generation, there could be some tough times ahead. With a rise in VAT pencilled in for January, however, it means there is a real incentive to buy a new tourer before the end of this year.
We are hearing now from manufacturers about the 2011 models, which look great. Every brand is concentrating on the top end of their ranges. Elddis is making big changes to Crusader and Buccaneer. Swift and Sterling are making massive changes to the Conqueror and Elite ranges, respectively, but these are companies who know how to make a luxury tourer. And we are getting a complete newcomer to the caravan market in Auto Sleepers.
It’s not a market you associate with Bailey but the Bristol-based manufacturer has decided to launch a top-end caravan for the first time. The Senator range was always impressive value but it never felt as upmarket as other manufacturers’ products. We’ve had exclusive access to the new Unicorn range this month and the details are on page 40. I think it looks great. Make your own mind up and let me know what you think.

Blame Lunar
So is it coincidence that everyone is refreshing their top models? I don’t think so. The reason for all the activity can be traced back to Lunar. It fitted the 2010 Clubman models with the Alde wet central heating system. It was the first time the system had been seen in a single-axle tourer and it has been a big success. For 2011, everyone is playing catch-up and fitting Alde systems. It also explains why Lunar’s tweaks (detailed last month) are more minor than everyone else’s.
Thing is, the Alde system is not a bolt-on upgrade. All the furniture needs redesigning to accommodate the low-level radiators. And, with no ‘fire’ to find room for in the van, interior designs have been tweaked, too.
If you are looking to upgrade to a top-end tourer this season, you’ll be spoiled for choice.

Good day, sunshine
The sun is out as I write at the end of June and it’s glorious. A caravanner who works elsewhere in our office said he’d had one of the best holidays of his life in June.
Derek and his wife took their Swift Conqueror to Devon for one week and Cornwall for the next. The combination of two great sites and stunning weather gave them a top time. The weather so far this year has been pretty good and I’ve got my fingers crossed that, for my holiday, I get skies as clear as Derek did. After the summers of 2008 and 2009, we’re due a cracker.

Happy caravanning