May 9th, 2012
Have you ever thought about saving a little more money and helping the environment while on holiday in your campervan? We know this can be a difficult task in today’s society as everything is disposable rather than reusable, however here are our top 5 gadgets all green campers must have.
Solar Powered Hat
This baseball cap is made from cotton and is waterproof. It consists of white LED lights that have a life of 100,000 hours and are powered by a battery that is charged by the solar panel that is on top of the peak of the cap. The solar panel collects sunlight and then stores this energy in a small battery. This is then used to power the LED lights which can be used for reading during the evening and night. This will help save on your electricity bill over the course of your holiday as you won’t need your lights on inside your campervan (as long as the sun has been out during the day!).
Lightcap 300
This is not just an ordinary water bottle. It also doubles as a latern that is powered by LED lights. The lights are again powered by small solar panels in the top of the bottle. As this is one product with two functions using light from the sun to power it, it is another good green camping gadget for your summer holidays.
Solar Pocket Shower
The Solar Pocket Shower is heated by the suns energy. It is a bag that has a plastic nozzle at the end, acting as the shower head. It holds up to 10 litres of water which gives about 7 minutes of shower time. All that is required is that the bag is filled with water, left in the sun, hung over a tree branch and then the shower is ready. This means not having to clean out your water containers after the shower is used, you don’t need to use the public showers and it is again very eco-friendly.
Freeloader Globetrotter Kit
Once again, this eco friendly gadget is powered by solar panels that can be attached to back-packs or bike racks and are weatherproof. This way you can leave them outside in all conditions to take advantage of any glimpse of sunlight. The Globetrotter Kit is used to charge other electronics from Mp3 players to GPS devices. This is a great way to charge most electronic devices that may be needed on your holiday and as it uses no electricity at all, is another eco-friendly gadget we love.
EyeMax Wind Up Solar-Powered Radio
Number 5 in our list is a wind up radio that also has a solar panel for the days when there is enough sun for the wind up not to be necessary. By winding up this radio by 5 minutes you get 35 minutes of radio time.
With these gadgets you can save energy, save money and even help save the planet! Just make sure that all your eco gadgets in your campervan are covered by your campervan insurance policy.
May 9th, 2012
A well known motoring expert and TV presenter is giving motor home enthusiasts tips on how to cut down their motoring costs as motor home insurance and fuel prices continue to be an issue for the average UK driver.
Quentin Wilson, one time presenter on BBC show Top Gear and now one of the leading lights in the Fair Fuel campaign that grows stronger by the day, says that driving with forethought and using a bit of common sense can help reduce the cost of motoring. Wilson has joined forces with a leading motor home insurance provider to produce a video that gives drivers tips on how to reduce their fuel costs by almost one third. The video gives a whole host of advice on how to cut down on fuel consumption with some hints well known and others not so obvious. It is fairly well documented by now that driving on correctly inflated tyres will save the average motorist about 3% in fuel costs but goes on to explain that a regular engine service will save a further 4% and that ensuring your fuel filters are clean will save yet another 2%.
Most people realise that they use more fuel the heavier their vehicle is, but often just equate this to the number of people it is carrying. The video explains how a motor home owner can easily lower his fuel consumption on every day journeys by taking out lots of equipment that he will only use when touring, and car ventilation is one more area to be considered. When driving on a motorway the video suggests you should always keep your windows up as the “drag” from an open window will seriously affect fuel usage, however, when driving in the city a partially open window may prove more economic than having your air conditioning on.
Dave Halliday helped produce the video with Quentin Wilson and said “With the cost of petrol and diesel continuing to rise who wouldn’t want to cut their annual fuel costs? Our advice is straightforward, and even if you don’t want to follow every tip, just following a few could save you money. Also by burning less fuel each year you will lower your carbon emissions, so smarter driving is good for the environment as well.”
May 8th, 2012
Here at Comfort Insurance we’ve heard no end of stories about motorhome owners who have planned fabulous trips across the UK and Europe only to get across the channel and for something to breakdown on the way out of Calais. A breakdown is always frustrating, whether it happens at the start or end of your trip, but it doesn’t need to be the end of your holiday all together.
Quick Repairs
A good breakdown company will be able to look into repairs on the roadside and if your problem is simple enough to fix, they should be able to do it there and then. All the electrical equipment in your motorhome means battery failures are common and it’s usually only a few minutes work to get things going again. More complex problems might mean you spend an hour or so on the roadside so be prepared with food supplies and warm clothing, especially if you’re travelling somewhere cold.
Full Breakdowns
If you suffer a serious technical problem then that’s where breakdown cover comes into its own. If you need to be towed to a nearby garage or even all the way back to the UK for repairs then good EU breakdown cover makes everything easy. There’s no need to worry about finding a foreign and trustworthy repairs centre – you can just let your breakdown company take your motorhome away.
Different Levels of Cover
Of course, different breakdown companies will offer different levels of cover and if you’re planning to go outside of the EU or have specific requirements, you need to check your policy. You should also check whether your motorhome insurance offers a breakdown cover – the top policies will offer a good level of breakdown cover as complimentary.
You absolutely shouldn’t travel without it and though hopefully you’ll never use it, breakdown cover is a lifesaver when things go wrong. Don’t let a breakdown be the end of your holiday – make sure you’re covered and prepared for the worst!
May 8th, 2012
Campervan and motorhome enthusiasts have been specifically targeted by one of the world’s leading satellite navigation producers with the launch of a new motoring accessory.
Dutch manufacturers TomTom are recognised throughout the world for their many products centred around satellite navigation systems but their latest offering the GO LIVE Camper & Caravan TomTom has been designed with the touring fraternity in mind. In the past GPS devices have been blamed for several motorhome insurance claims where motorhome drivers have damaged their vehicle when going down routes not entirely suitable for motorhomes. It has been an ongoing problem exacerbated by the fact that mobilehome drivers are often in places that are unfamiliar to them as they travel across the country, but this new offering should alleviate many of the problems.
The new sat-nav contains software that will configure a route that is appropriate for a motorhome because it takes into account the vehicles weight, height and maximum speed, which should eradicate misdirection. It is certainly not cheap at just under £350 but you do get up to date weather forecasts, real-time traffic information with TomTom’s HD Traffic, and Google Local Search functionality included in the purchase price.
TomTom Executive, Marielke Nieuwerth-van den Akker, launched the product saying “Many customers have been in touch requesting navigation designed specifically for their camper or caravan. The launch of the GO LIVE Camper & Caravan puts an end to unnecessary detours and unwanted surprises. Not only does it calculate the very best routes, it is also a great source of relevant information on the journey including points of interest relevant to the camping fraternity.”
May 4th, 2012
You might have heard the tragic story of a Merseyside man who was killed undertaking repairs to his campervan a few months back. Just yesterday an inquest found his death was an unfortunate accent that might have been preventable with a few safety precautions. Though it is a truly sad story, it does highlight some important issues concerning safety when working on repairs or modifications to a motorhome.
Chocks and Jacks
If you’re working underneath your campervan you need to check and double check that your jack and chocks are firm and secure. Your campervan shouldn’t be able to roll anywhere and if there is even a chance of it moving you need to readjust your set-up and move things around. Absolutely do not take up a position underneath your campervan to set up your work area properly – it’s too big a risk to take.
Electrical Safety
Though wiring and soldering are fairly simple skills to master, there is no room for error when it comes to working with live electrics. You need to be absolutely certain that you are in no danger before you fiddle with electrics and don’t always trust the person who wired up your campervan before you – they may have used the wrong colour wires or made a mistake. Make sure you understand the circuits and where is live, neutral and earthed.
Protective Wear
If you’re an experience engineer you’ll know that goggles and good gloves are basic essentials, but you might not be so aware that repair works can damage your body in other ways. Prolonged exposure to loud drilling or hammering is incredibly damaging to ears and many welders have suffered eye damage from overexposure to light. You only get one body so you need to look after it!
Safety is paramount when it comes to campervan repairs so don’t take any chances that you don’t need to. If you have incurred damages that are not your fault, you may be able to claim on your campervan insurance but check your policy carefully – you may well not be covered for incidents that occur when your campervan is in the workshop.
May 4th, 2012
Motorhome enthusiasts in the North West will be delighted to know that one of the major car dealers in the area will now be stocking a selection of brand new motorhomes on its showroom forecourts.
Cumbrian based Border Cars are already one of the biggest names in car dealerships in the North of England and the South of Scotland with franchises for giant car manufacturers such as Mitsubishi, Mazda, Fiat and Ford. However, in the coming weeks the seven showrooms owned by Border Cars will have brand new motorhomes on show, displaying all the current models from top manufacturer Eldiss, who have decided to team up with the well respected dealers.
Mike Ferguson is the head of the new Border Cars motorhomes division and was delighted with the choice of the famous motorhome manufacturer to open up the new venture, he said: “Elddis motorhomes are renowned for their high quality design and exceptional build quality. We like the fact that Elddis motorhomes offer so much choice – a wide range of layouts, class-leading specification and really competitive prices.” Prospective customers will get a full and comprehensive service including the chance to organise extras such as motorhome insurance, extended warranties and scheduled service plans.
There is no doubt that the border country is a perfect landscape for motorhome enthusiasts to holiday and explore and now local owners will be delighted they have seven new showrooms to visit when it comes to trading in their vehicles for a newer model.
May 3rd, 2012
Last weekend we were at The National Motorhome Show which gave us a chance to meet all you lovely motorhome enthusiasts! We had a fantastic time as we were surrounded by campervan and motorhome owners who were checking out all the latest accessories and models. Many people were so enthusiastic they actually camped at the show!
This year the show also had free seminars for the first time ever and although we didn’t get a chance to go to one, we heard lots of great things about them. The talks ranged from what were the most important things to consider when buying a motorhome to how to stop thieves trying to steal them!
There was a whole range of different sellers as well as other motorhome insurance providers. This was a great chance to meet some of the biggest names and suppliers in the motorhome and campervan industry.
During the show we had our Top Gear style vision racer set up for people to have a go on and try and set the fastest lap time and we also had a raffle to give away three Lego campervans! We had an amazing time and met some lovely people over the course of the weekend.
Peterborough was a welcome host to The National Motorhome Show and we can’t wait for the next one!
May 3rd, 2012
Once you start tinkering with campervans, it becomes very difficult to stop and for many campervan owners what starts as a hobby becomes a real lifestyle. There are limitless modifications that can improve a campervan and for many people the dream is to build up and restore something to new. How can you go about starting off on your own campervan project?
The Starting Point
Few people these days are able to design chassis and even fewer have the requisite skill to build them. Most people start off with a body and a solid chassis of something reliable and classic – a Transporter or a Transit is a good place to start. Go for something with a little bit of age, too, the computer wizardry on a lot of the newer models makes life a little more tricky for the amateur.
Replace or Repair?
Once you’ve found a base, the question is should you strip it out completely or look to modify and change what already exists. The first thing to think about is the quality of what is there – anything rotten, weak or damaged needs to go immediately. Replacements might also be cheaper than you think so unless you’re particularly fond of vintage décor, it’s often best to start afresh.
Road Legality
The final step is making sure that everything is road legal. You’ll need to ensure that you have the proper safety provisions, an appropriate license for the weight and, of course, you’ll need to find the best motorhome insurance quote for a modified vehicle. Even if you’ve just made a few changes to the interior, some insurers will request you have special cover, so make sure you are properly insured.
It’s not always easy to build your dream motorhome, but it’s so rewarding. You’ll need to make some tough decisions, probably splash some cash and make sure that everything is up and running safely before you hit the road but you can be assured that it’s worth it!
May 2nd, 2012
There is no doubt that purchasing a motorhome in today’s tough financial climate is a major decision, fortunately one of the UK’s largest camping clubs is offering prospective buyers a “try before you buy” scheme.
The Friendly Club, officially known as the Camping and Caravanning Club, is offering a service that is proving popular not only with would be purchasers but with motorhome manufacturers as well. The club has launched the Privilege Scheme which allows members to test drive a motorhome before they buy. The hire scheme will cost participants an agreed fee which will also provide the motorist with motorhome insurance for the term of hire. Almost all Camping and Caravan Club venues will accept people on the scheme and give them preferential rates. A spokesman for the Friendly Club said: “Buying a motorhome is not something you do on a whim. The scheme allows people to test out several models before making a decision, and the chance to actually drive and live in the vehicle is so much better than just looking round different makes at a motorhome show. The scheme is proving to be very successful from both sides of the equation.”
The scheme is also proving very popular with motorhome manufacturers. As the holiday season gets into full swing and the motorhome show circuit starts attracting new buyers, manufacturers know any edge they can get over rivals will help their sales. The Privilege Scheme certainly offers that and already over 100 companies selling motorhomes in the UK have signed up. Potential customers can get more information from the Camping and Caravanning club as well as from motorhome companies supporting the scheme.
May 1st, 2012
The campervan community is well known for their green credentials by making sparse use of water, electricity and always being respectful of where and how they travel. Now, though, as there is increasing pressure for us to all start considering our carbon footprint, many campervan owners are taking big steps to make sure their travels are as environmentally friendly as possible. How can you make your campervan even more efficient and even more eco-friendly?
Heaters and Air-Conditioning
You may have read our blog last week about powerful air conditioning systems which are great at keeping you cool in the summer but aren’t so energy efficient because, often, they run off your fuel supply. They need to be used in moderation and where you only need a small change in temperature, try opening doors and windows before reaching straight for the air-con remote.
Solar Panels
You probably won’t have seen many campervans equipped with solar panels on the road yet, but there are some excellent models available specifically for campervans. You can fit systems which add charge to your battery which can then be used to power utilities around your campervan. If you’re thinking of adding fixed solar panels to your campervan, make sure you take out a good campervan insurance policy which covers possible damages or theft.
Waste
It’s important to dispose of your waste appropriately as sanitary chemicals or disused parts like batteries can cause serious environmental hazards if they end up in landfill. Most good campsites will have appropriate areas for disposing of waste so make sure you follow advice and it’s better to keep hold of batteries or electrical waste until you get home where you can dispose of them responsibly.
Small things can make a real difference to the environment and whether you want to invest in some portable solar panels or just look after your heating waste, you’d be doing your bit.
