New caravans from the biggest directory of new static caravans and touring caravans

Information on all UK new caravan models

There are two main types of caravan:

The first is a touring caravan, which as it's name suggests is towed by a vehicle. The folding caravan is a variant of this group and is very specialised.

The second is a static caravan, also known as a holiday home or leisure home. This market has become more sophisticated and now includes log cabins and other more upmarket forms of holiday home.

Touring Caravans

A caravan has a chassis with either one or two axles and is designed for recreational living. It is traditionally built on a wooden frame with an aluminium shell. Although caravans are still built this way, there is more use of moulded fibreglass and plastics in addition to the aluminium panels. There are also some manufacturers who use fibreglass and plastic panels to the exclusion of aluminium.

Touring Caravan Safety

Towing

It is your legal responsibility to ensure thatyour towing vehicle is suitable to tow your caravan. The vehicle must have enough power and weight.to tow your caravan safely and legally.. Any caravan dealer on www.caravan-dealers.com , in the caravan sales section will help you with towing information. You could alternatively use Towsafe.

Coupling

It is essential that the caravan is securely coupled onto the towing vehicle. It is a good idea that a procedure is adopted for safe use.

Running gear

Regular maintenance of your running gear including wheels and tyres is important. www.caravan-repairers.co.uk will help you find an experienced caravan technician , who will also be able to check your gas and electricity services

Caravan insurance

It is vital to insure your caravan for all risks. Your car insurance will probably give you very limited cover and only when towing. www.caravan-insurance.com is a great source of information on caravan insurance.

Caravan awnings

A caravan awning can double your space and give you the perfect outdoor extension. You should always see an awning erected before you buy and preferably have a try yourself. www.caravan-awnings.co.uk will give you a list of caravan awning experts.

Caravan covers

These will help you to protect your caravan investment. We recommend that you use a breathable caravan cover. This will alleviate condensation. www.caravan-covers.co.uk will give you more information.

Caravan Gas cylinders.

www.camping-gas.com will help you to find gas dealers and stockists throughout the UK.

The main British Touring Caravan manufacturers are:

	The Swift Group - the largest caravan manufacturer in the UK - was founded in 1964 and is now one of the world's leading manufacturers of touring caravans. The company's products are sold under the, Sprite, Sterling and Swift brand names. It also produces special edition caravans for individual Dealers. Abbey, Ace,have recently been discontinued because of over production . and this follows the demise of the Bessacarr brand.
	The Explorer Group - the 2nd largest UK caravan manufacturer - was formed in 1998 with Elddis, Buccaneer and Compass. These caravan brands were already well established. They are now produced in Consett, County Durham, close to the original Elddis factory at Delves Lane. They also produce Dealer's Specials.
	Avondale Caravans - was formed by the Ball family in 1970. unfortunately they ceased trading inSeptember 2008. There are however bargains to be had from dealers who still have stock
	Bailey of Bristol - was started by Martin Bailey in 1948 and due to expansion moved to its present address at South Liberty Lane in 1960. The Howard family purchased the company in 1977 and it became Bailey Caravans Ltd.
	Coachman Caravan Co - is headed by Jim Hibbs and his wife Verle. Coachman caravans have just extended their factory to cope with the increased production of these quality caravans.
	Fleetwood Caravan Co - were manufactured in Long Melford, Suffolk, until January 2009 when they ceased production. Again dealers will be keen to sell these caravans.
	Lunar Caravan Co - manufacture some of the lightest caravans, Lunar also manufacture Chateau caravans.

The main Continental touring caravan manufacturers are :

	Adria Caravans - are imported into the UK by the Fleetwood Caravan Co. Adria caravans are originally Yugoslavian.
	Burstner Caravans - have a network of UK Agents. Burstner caravans are manufactured in Germany.
	Geist Caravans is a UK Company based in the North East of England with a nationwide network of dealers. The new Geist ranges (built by LMC in Germany) to English standards and specifications, combine innovative features with continental floor plans.
Folding Caravans Folding caravans fold to reduce their height for easier and safer towing. They are usually lighter and easier to handle. There are two main types: the first is where the top panels fold such as the Trigano Silver range and the Eriba Touring range, both from France and the half folding caravan Gobur Carousel, which is built in Norfolk. Static Caravans Also known as a caravan holiday home, holiday caravan, holiday home or a leisure home. It is designed to be sited and remain on that pitch until it is replaced., It is therefore essential to organise the purchase of a holiday home in conjunction with its location, which is normally a holiday park. As most holiday parks can obtain a caravan holiday home from any manufacturer or dealer, it makes sense to find the holiday home that you like and then find the holiday park where you would want to have it sited. The main caravan holiday home manufacturers are :
	ABI Caravans ( Ace Belmont International ) was formed in 1972 as a result of a merger between Ace touring caravans and Belmont caravans (leisure homes). In 2001 Mel Copper took the reins and immediately withdrew from the Touring caravan market to concentrate solely on caravan holiday homes. In 2004 the management team headed by Mel Copper and Andrew Allwood successfully completed a management buyout of ABI thus ensuring it's continued success.
	Arronbrook Caravans have been manufacturing caravan holiday homes since 1987. The company is based in Hull.
	Atlas Caravans are based in Hull and ceased productuin in the Autumn of 2008.
	BK and Bluebird names have been associated with top quality caravans since 1947. It is therefore unfortunate that they have now ceased manufacturing holiday homes.
	Brentmere Caravans and Oma Caravansr are based in Suffolk. Brentmere were the caravan holiday home division of Omar's 4 companies.They ceased production of Holiday Homes in 2009.
	Carnaby Caravans is based in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Carnaby Caravans have a range of 4 caravan holiday homes.
	Cosalt Holiday Homes were based in Hull until they ceased production in the Summer of 2008.
	Delta Caravans were established in 1983. The Delta caravan website will shortly be completed.
	Heritage Homes (Wales) Ltd was founded in 1988 by Michael Roberts in Blaenau Ffestiniog, N.Wales. In 1991 the Company moved Dolgellau, N.Wales, and in 1996 to its current location in Porthmadog . The turnover in 2004 was 75 Units. In 2005 Christine Williams was made Managing Director of Heritage Homes.
	Kingston Holiday Homes is based in Hull. Kingston produce the Kingswood model of holiday home.
	Normandy Caravans was founded in 1981 mainly dealing with customers in Belgium and Holland. Due to a change in ownership and increased production, Normandy Caravans will manufacture holiday homes for sale throughout the UK.
	Pemberton Caravans started manufacturing holiday caravans in the Pemberton district of Wigan in the late 1940's. Pemberton moved to the Springfield district of Wigan in 1955 from which site they still operate.
	Tingdene Homes was set up in 1969 by its founder and present Chairman Jim Gibbard, Tingdene started out as a Park Homes manufacturer, building to customers' specifications, by a six-man workforce. They now employ about 430 people. Tingdene Homes manufacture Log Cabins.
	Willerby Caravans was founded in Hull in 1944 by Walter Allen. Within six months they had built almost 800 steel framed, canvassed walled and roofed small caravans. This marked the birth of the first mass-produced caravans. In 1996, the Willerby Caravan Company Limited became Willerby Holiday Homes.