Caravanの September 2025 の目次

VAL CHAPMAN GUEST EDITOR September is an important month in the caravan industry calendar. It’s the month in which we can reveal details of new models for 2026. All manufacturers are rising to the challenge of a market restrained by economic forces, by producing some exciting caravans. This month we can share with you major restyling for two of Bailey’s ranges. Coachman unveils a new version of its Lusso – and reveals that this over-£50,000 caravan has now become the company’s best seller. Elddis and Buccaneer get new ranges for 2026. The details we have so far are in this issue, and all the details will be in our Essential Guide to 2026 Caravans, out with Caravan’s November issue. In the meantime, if you’re planning to buy a new –…

Adria ❚ W adria.co.uk ❚ £34,760 Adria’s Adora Tiber has a fair amount of competition. It is one of six single-axle, rear bedroom, Alde-heated, parallel lounge caravans on the market, all in the same price bracket. It competes with Bailey’s Unicorn Cabrera at £33,399 and, in the Elddis ranges, the Affinity 550 at £30,999, and the Crusader Aurora at £35,699. So, what makes the Tiber stand out from the crowd? Staffordshire retailer, Active Leisure, at Stokeon-Trent, provided a Tiber for us to scrutinise – and Hales Hall Caravan & Camping Park, close to Cheadle, in Staffordshire, hosted our review day; plenty of time to discover the Tiber’s finer points… First, though, a look at the Tiber’s competitor within Adria’s range – albeit with Truma blown air, rather than the Alde…

Elddis ❚ W elddis.co.uk ❚ £29,999 Elddis We chose the twin-axle, eight-foot-wide family layout to represent the new Whirlwind range. This layout gives you a proper family bedroom containing a double bed and two bunks alongside it. The lounge is capable of sleeping two more, using the sofas as single beds or by making up a double bed. The Whirlwind range is Elddis’s new entry-level portfolio, with prices starting from £23,999. Styling throughout the range majors on a palette of cream shades for the woodwork, upholstery and curtains, with peach as the accent hue for the tiebacks and two of the cushions. The other two cushions mix peach with grey, aubergine shade and blues in circles, semi-circles and squares, in a raised tactile pattern. Kitchen styling. Is quite stunning, with…

A crucial aspect of caravan maintenance that can easily get overlooked is tyre care. There’s more to the topic of tyres than simply checking that they are inflated to the correct pressure – although, of course, that’s important, and should be done before every tow. The figure you need, to check your caravan tyres are inflated to the right pressure, will be in the caravan manufacturer’s handbook or the data plate (usually near the door or on the A-frame). As car owners, we’re all accustomed to the need to replace tyres when the depth of the tread gets low (the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central 75% of the tyre). But it’s surprising how many caravan owners (especially those relatively new to caravanning) don’t realise that it…

BAILEY BAILEY’S Phoenix and Pegasus ranges will have new features, enhanced spec and new styling for 2026. Both ranges will incorporate Black Edition into their model names, in recognition of the new styling that involves black kitchen and washroom fittings and black alloy wheels. In the Phoenix range, five models go forward to 2026. These are the two-berth 420, the fixed-bed 440, the twin-bed 642, the side island bed 644 and the rear island bed 640. The six-berth 762 has been discontinued. In the Pegasus range there will also be five models. These are the single-axle, island bed Brindisi and Portofino, and the three twin-axle models: the Bologna, with a side island bed, the Messina, with a rear island bed, and the six-berth Amalfi. The five-berth Ancona has been discontinued.…

Coachman ❚ W coachman.co.uk ❚ £TBA Is this the most luxurious twoberth on the market? It certainly comes very close. It’s definitely the first eight-foot-wide two-berth in the UK. And, considering its relatively compact length, it feels amazingly spacious. That’s not just about width; it’s about layout. Every element – shower room, kitchen and lounge – feels enormous. We’ll start our First Look analysis in the centre, where the kitchen occupies both sides of the caravan, with L-shaped Corian-effect surfaces. The offside area has three drawers plus a cabinet, in the area that juts out into the centre of the caravan. A large, hinged extension makes sure this area has a generously proportioned surface. The sink cover fits flush with the surface, so can be factored in as part of…

Swift ❚ W swiftgroup.co.uk ❚ £25,775 Traditional two-berth layouts have, over the last decade or so, been overtaken in popularity by small fixed bed caravans. Yet there is still a case – and a market – for two-berth tourers. There are 14 from which to choose in the mainstream manufacturer sector, plus some ultra-lightweight ones from Poland, and even one from Turkey. Some are eye-catchingly innovative – even quirky – in design; others classic. Like the three from Swift. There’s the baby of the bunch, the Sprite Compact, just over 2m wide and 3.66m in body length. There’s this one, the Sprite Alpine 2, standard width at 2.25m and 4.34m in body length. And there’s also one in the Challenger range, slightly larger and 192kg heavier. The Alpine 2 isn’t…

Wherever you caravan is – on a campsite, at home waiting for your next adventure, or in a storage compound like the one pictured above, security should be a priority. Just as you’d lock up your home, your caravan deserves the same protection – not only for the valuables inside, but for the caravan itself. There’s a lot on the market to help you to turn your caravan into a fortress. Basically, the more expensive the caravan, the more likely you are to find security kit built in. We’re talking about alarm systems (sometimes equipped with motion sensors), trackers and some caravans come complete with wheel locks. Security equipment, though, can be purchased easily. Alarm systems can be fitted, as can trackers (they use GPS technology to identify the location…

Caravan manufacturers to benefit from new Government funding Speaking to Caravan magazine, the Government has confirmed (via the Department for Business and Trade) that British caravan manufacturers are eligible to apply for funding under its new £2.5 billion DRIVE35 programme. The 10-year plan, announced in July, is a part of the UK’s plan to boost investment in zeroemission manufacturing. Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, said, “Economic growth is our number one priority, and by funding our world-leading auto sector, we are creating the right conditions for increased investment, bringing growth, jobs, and opportunities to every part of the UK.” While initially framed around the car sector, a spokesperson from the Department for Business and Trade confirmed to Caravan magazine that leisure vehicle makers will also be considered under the…

The Slovenian manufacturer that exports three ranges of caravans to Britain – plus the standalone two-berth Action model – has introduced updates throughout its portfolio. Fabrics have changed and so have graphics, and cabinetry colour in some models has changed. Graphics are now a subtle purple shade with a slight swirl design. ALTEA In the Altea range, seating is upholstered in pale grey. Cushions are now in different colours – a rich gold shade, a dusky pink and a citrus hue. Curtains mix grey with a light-reflecting ultra-pale gold shade. There are three models in the Altea range. That’s the Tyne, with twin beds, the Avon, a six-berth, and the Dart, with a rear bedroom. All three are on single axles and all are priced under £30,000. The Tyne’s shower…

EYE KETTLEBY LAKES, LEICESTERSHIRE  Eye Kettleby, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE14 2TN T 01664 565900 W eyekettlebylakes.com OPEN All year Eye Kettleby Lakes offers a peaceful, open-all-year retreat in the heart of the Leicestershire countryside, as well as a paradise for fishing enthusiasts. Spanning one and a half acres, the site features scenic country walks and eight fishing lakes. This dog-friendly campsite is divided into two main areas, each providing beautiful views over the surrounding fields. Pitches are available in various sizes, all equipped with electric hook-ups, water taps and waste water drainage. The site’s deluxe facilities include individual bathrooms with a toilet, sink and shower cubicle. There are also accessible facilities, as well as a washing machine and dryer. Guests can enjoy the Lakes Bar and Tearoom, which serves breakfasts…

Bailey ❚ W baileyofbristol.co.uk ❚ £TBA Phoenix models get a new look for 2026. The shape of the front is more curved, and with a single-piece bumper. The rear, too, now has simpler lines and the light clusters are more smoothly integrated into the shape. These are subtle changes – but noticeable, as is the graphics scheme involving a flowing design in pale sepia shades mingling with dark brown. Five layouts go forward into 2026; Caravan was invited to the Bailey factory to view two of the layouts, the 640 and 440. Black Edition, a term that crept into caravans from the automotive industry, defines the Phoenix models by way of taps, cabinet handles and the finish on the (very automotivestyle!) alloy wheels. In addition, cabinet edging, notably by the…

This all-new Mazda CX-80 towcar is the Japanese manufacturer’s flagship model on this side of the Atlantic and, as such, means it has a lot to live up to. First impressions of this 3.3-litre diesel-powered CX-80 model are positive but, before we get into the details, it’s apt to point out that, for those of you unsure whether a large and thirsty diesel engine is the right choice for you, there is a plug-in hybrid CX-80 also available, which is powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine mated to a 129kW electric motor. But here we test that six-cylinder diesel engine, which is coupled to Mazda’s hybrid boost system, meaning there is a whopping 550Nm of torque and 254HP of power on tap, all of which is transmitted by an 8-speed…

Tips on reversing into a pitch Q Do you have any tips for reversing into a pitch with limited space? A If you have someone with you, ask them to watch the corner that you can't see from the driving seat. Pull the caravan just beyond the pitch and turn the bottom of the steering wheel towards the pitch as you begin to reverse. Slow and steady is the name of the game, and keep watching the corner, or corners. If the pitch is incredibly tight, and you have a motor mover, that may be the easier option. Caravanning below zero Q This may sound like a daft question at this time of year, but we are planning a trip this coming winter. Can I use my caravan in freezing temperatures? A Absolutely!…

sudoku If you are looking for a way to exercise your mind, sudoku is great and will certainly get the cogs turning! just for fun Find the 12 countries crossword ACROSS 7 Reveal or open something that was folded (6) 8 Official document granting authorisation (6) 9 Complaint or grievance (4) 10 Put at risk of harm (8) 11 Passage between rows of seats (7) 13 Baby’s pacifier (5) 15 Lending money at excessive interest rates (5) 16 Luxuriously or ostentatiously wealthy (7) 18 Person who copies another’s behaviour (8) 19 Small island (4) 21 Edible oval nut with brown skin (6) 22 Make completely wet (6) DOWN 1 Stake put up by each player in a round of poker (4) 2 Particular arrangement of elements (13) 3 Relating to…