Caravan Industry Expert-Andy Jenkinson
Caravan Industry Expert-Andy Jenkinson
These videos are from Andrew Jenkinson the UK caravan industry expert and published author of 16 books, writes for all the major magazines on tourers, park homes and motorhomes but is also known for his history books on the UK Caravan/motorhome Industry. He tests tourers and motorhomes both new and pre-owned. He has worked on radio and Tv and is the first port of call for all things caravanning. A collection of various videos will be added new and historic, tourers will be covered along with the odd polish/wash reviews too and cars. Andrews books are available from Amazon and all good shops.as well as Amberley Publishing, Shire Publishers and new book in June 2019 The Static Caravan Story - published by the History Press. The Motorhome story and the Touring Caravan Story have since been added in 2021 / 22 by the History Press. Andrew has 4 books under Amberley publishing, #amberley and a visual history of caravans by pen and sword books.
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There’s another gone. 😪. Let’s hope we don’t end up with a monopoly in the world of touring vans like what happened to statics .
Thank you for this video I am in the process of buying one and this video was so much help for me and was lovely to find out the history of the company to
Hi Danny - thats great love to see the one your buying message me on caravan industry FB page and I am so glad the video was of help -
Great Vlog Andy, we store our motorhome in secure storage, we dont have space at home, and our insurance require it secure. Our storage is £140 per month, lot of money, but hopefully its safe. By the way my other half is Julie Gough, i know she messages you a lot. Look forward to the next one. Conrad.
Hi Conrad - yes Julie sent a pic of your super Swift Bolero - have some great times in it and thank you both for watching this channel and your support
I think, as you say, part of the problem are the associated costs. We had caravans for 32 years and then 5 years ago moved to a Motorhome which we find easier. But it costs £120 to fill up and we only use CL 5 van sites, but they are now £25 to £30 per night, so 7 nights could cost £330 which makes it no longer a cheap holiday. That's before you factor in the purchase price of the caravan or motorhome. I know of two people who bought MH's during covid and have now sold them and are going abroad again for holidays.
Curiously enough I drove past the Wimborne branch on Tuesday and noticed there were a good few vans with Sold signin the front windows.
Good to see that then Andy - thanks for up date
Hi Andy still watching you with hubby, i do like the holiday homes, and the park homes we are still looking to buy one. Love the touring vans, any plans to take yours out before summers over? You dont have to go far just get away for a weekend 😁😁
Hi Julie - thanks - no not at present to much going on to be honest and money wise to. I am wanting to do more holiday homes so dont give up on me - ha ha - glad you like the channel and hope your enjoying Park Home and Holiday Living
We are not going anywhere, we enjoy watching you, think my hubby messaged you to.😁
@@juliegough350 He did!!!
What a pity but it happens. I hope there will be a new dealer sooner or later.
Yes ut happens as we know in all areas just a shame when its been established some years - we need some new dealers but the sales dont dictate this happening anytime soon - thank you
There was an Alfa sport parked outside a house on the A45 Coventry for years. Not there now I drove past the other day. I think the problem is these days the land is worth loads more than the business, great little video nice to see your little princess driving you mad enjoy every second of the time with her.
That image I used was taken in 1993 it was being used as a brew hut for a contra tor !! Yes a local dealer near me that had been there in the 60's got sold for building land so thats the problem these days - ah yes nearly two and giving me stick!!
Another great summary and thank you for the shout out Andy! There’s been more on this story in the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph. I only passed the forecourt last week and its was thinning then, having usually been a rammed site, I agree it always presented tatty as a site but the caravans were good and they had broad selection at good prices. I am hoping this is a matter of time before the market levels, but clearly lower demand is forcing some out. Have covered loads on the equivalent motorhome market too on our channel: youtube.com/@thetrackertravels - we live smack between White Arches and this site so lots of friends and neighbours already feeling the impact of these local changes. I used to live in Leicester and saw the closure of their Abbey Lane site and new showroom - which quickly closed as you say. Andrew
ah reminds me when Discover Group went pop and took some good dealers with them including Barrons, Harringtons, Arthur Fitt Caravans and Hants and Dorset all good dealers - we had a few around here start selling and hiring motorhomes but we have Marquis, Campbells and Todds as well as Preston Caravans and Motorhomes all in striking distance - shame about The Caravan Company though-thanks for comments as usual.
Look at the prices of new vans a few years ago to now !!!! During Covid everything went through the roof except wages. Prices have been artificially high for a number of years. Trends and fashions change then normality returns. Except in this case where asking prices are ridiculously high for products that are of ridiculously poor quality. So called experts just shrug at leaking issues, the manufacturers ignore problems and replace wood with plastic in frames to stop rotting. So its ok for them to leak ???? Standards in new UK caravans are about the same as in cars in the 70'S and 80's when it was the dealer who had to fix them before they were sold. I've even see you (in a review) try to open a jammed drawer on a new van and just pass it off as something that would be dealt with by the dealer. On a £20,000 bit of kit. Short term profit and greed always costs in the long run. Poor quality can not be justified at the prices asked. There will be more losses because of it.
Hardly a surprise. My theory is: Manufacturers got greedy in covid with huge price rises. Now, many new caravanners have gone back to going abroad because it suits their lifestyle better/works out cheaper/sounds better to their friends and colleagues. I'd imagine new vans aren't selling because there's a good supply of very lightly used preowned vans for long term caravanners, and with the advent of airbnb and the likes of it's much easier for dog owners to find alternatives and go on holiday with their dog. Offers and discounts have been very forthcoming which goes to show supply exceeds demand. It's a shame, especially for those losing jobs, but we'll find normality restores itself soon enough. Especially now everyone gets B+E on their driving licence, which must have put quite a lot off starting out with a caravan in the past.
Covid did a lot of harm - and yes prices went up but also driven by private sellers to who some made a killing forcing dealers to put their prices up - the industry will never be the same its becoming a more niche market with cars such as electric having low tow limits mainly because makers dont want you to tow with them - expensive prices and site fees are another factor - if the energy crisis hadnt hit things would have nicely gone back to normal - thanks for your comments and watching
you mentioned geist . seen one on a site this week,not seen one for ages. never new they were part of LMC. I do have a liking for the german caravans.
Geist were UK versions brought in by an ex Elddis guy whos name escapes me - they had limited success but you dont see many these days Paul
Had a look around Adventure leisure vehicles at Tebay services recently.They have some used Airstreams Nice vans but very expensive at almost 80k for a 2021
I went past there the other day - I know Michael who owns it and he knows the industry well. For me Airstreams just look old and not to many folks liking - 80k - no thanks!!
Two minute intro zzzzzzzz
skip intro mate then
Hi Andy, different little Vlog this time, yeah be interesting to see what way caravan prices are going. Doesn't sound good that Knaus caravans are being discounted so much for the 2023 vans. You got some very nice shots of Shap Abbey and I like the sound of the river and the birds singing. Looking forward to that Lithuanian video that's coming up. Never know what you might come up with, we'll done as always.
Yes just threw it into the mix - got to experiment a bit now and again !!! this is a lovely little spot and I just thought why not - and thanks yes got a few pics before the rain came down. Yes had a chat with the Lithuanian couple - interesting - just waiting for some images to come from them for the video now - thanks as always Kevin
Not been to Shap Abbey - looks a lovely spot , I will have to visit! Regarding prices, I'm going to Warner's National Motorhome Show in Newark next weekend - should be interesting to see how many offers are available. I get the feeling the camper van market in particular, is reaching saturation.
Nice little spot - - yes see way the prices are looking like and the Campervan market there are a lot out there to so prices will be getting slashed as time goes on Nigel - let me know how you get on
A lovely place down there. Aye, all us locals think Shap Chippy is ruddy expensive!!!
yes expensive Fiona - lovely spot though Shap Abbey
@@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk Aye. That chap at Fell View Garage is called Darren. He's a really nice fella. He bought my Lunar Ultima 2010 EK van and gave me a good price for it. He has a paint mixing business with his dad round the back. The spot is up for sale, a snip at 750k, I would love it, I could have so many caravans!
@@fionastuart7825 so wont be a caravan dealer for much longer then - shame used to have an old MK2 escort with flowers growing out of it for many years
Not everyone wants to sit in a goldfish bowl on site. The smaller windows and voile curtains are great especially for cramped sites abroad.
However sales say that there not popular as a imported brand - lots of big discounts on 2023 models still sat with no buyers - they were never going to be big sellers but for some they will suit.
Hi Andy, nice caravan park. Ah you're right when you go out for the day no time restraints 😂😂. Good to hear you were popular with people on site and they were happy to chat about their caravans. Enjoyed that vlog Andy, some nice shots in it too.
Ahh thanks Kevin - yes great to chat to folk on site and talk about their vans too thanks for commenting as always
We have had a problem with a neighbour in 2020 we bought a 2009 Bailey Ranger 460/4 for £9000 we had saved up for 5 years the caravan was full service history it was one owner like new the caravan stood in my yard for 16 day then on the Sunday Afternoon the neighbour slashed the tyres smashed two windows scored the back and one side the estimate for the repair was £6000 the caravan was a insurance right off so i replaced the windows and tyres and worked on the side and back which made the caravan not a right off then the insurance repaired the back and side. we have CCTV watching the caravan the neighbour was Vandalising the caravan for about an hour three months later the police arrested him he comes from a money family he had a top solicitor that said on the CCTV you can,t see the tip of the barbecue fork touching the caravan but you can see him clearly vandalizing the caravan for about an hour the CCTV is full HD crystal clear. Thanks Andrew.
Oh my what a story I feel for you - what some folk will do its just mad. Glad he got caught to with the camera and the van was sorted such a shame, thanks for sharing with the channel.
When life was simple and not materialistic Andy. My Mum and Dad bought the only one ever built 10' 6' tourer in 1967, it was used in a wind tunnel to test aerodynamics. It was was ony £375.00 from the back of a garage in Allestree, Derby. Mum and Dad towed it with a Maroon Morris 1100 Traveller and later on a new 1969 Green Morros 1300 traveller and then a new SAAB 95 V4 estate in Red, they swapped it in 1976 for a new Ace Pioneer from Spondon Caravans in Derby. The Ace was £1158.00 or £1258.00, they got £600.00 for the Silverline in part/ex.
Hi Rob, what a great story and love the car choices too - Spondon were a big dealership for years selling mainly Abbeys in the end - ah Ace were nice vans - thank you for sharing this and watching the video
Great video, Andy really enjoyed the look around the little Silver line. Nice simple lightweight van that must be a joy to tow around the roads. For a short trip away that would be a great addition to Fiona's caravan collection. Nice lady and her passion for the Hobby comes across well.
@@kevinflood8212 Lovely to chat to Fiona about her Silverline Nova - a joy to do such a video Kevin - love that sort of thing as you know!
As a big Classic car fan, it’s equally lovely to see a classic caravan, and to see Fiona’s passion for her little home from home on wheels. I do remember seeing them on sites in the 80s and 90s 😀
Great to hear Alex - yes the Novas were easy to spot - remember being at a club site and a classic Lotus Cortina MK1 was towing one. Will have a pic of it somewhere - thanks for watching
I say Mr Jenkinson, there is nothing wrong with Model Railways, Fiona quite likes them too especially if she spots a model caravan on a layout when visiting shows !
Nothing at all - done in tongue and cheek a friend of mine has a cracking layout - a passion for anything is good!
My husband and I had the great pleasure of meeting up with Fiona and her partner a few months ago. We stayed at the Wheel caravan park in Falkirk for a couple of nights and I can confirm that there is plenty of room for four adults to sit round the table in this little caravan! Great wee video and I love the original song too.
Thank you for your comments and its great to have you comment on the video thank you for watching
the wood on the panels looks like Bardolino Oak to me - very nice
Baby caravan is a much loved and cherished family member. Weve had some fun over the years in this beauty. Lovely to see it getting the airtime it deserves. Fiona loves this caravan... as do we, we foster it and used it recently for a trip to loch lomond.. ❤ great video, thankyou for sharing
Thank you for your comments Tracy - loved seeing it myself and glad its cherished and feel free to share the video - glad you enjoyed it thank you
great vid again. keep em coming. thankyou
Thank you Paul
Hiya Andy as usual a Crackin little video. What a nice original little van,I bet it gets loads of interest when out and about, listening to Fiona it looks like it’s going to be cherished for many years to come. You mentioned the damp issues on some of them, not much has changed 40 years later I watch loads of caravan stuff and most vans have some kind of damp issue. This day and age with all the modern bonding agents and sealers you would think this would be a thing of the past. But it seams not much improvement than all those years ago.
Thanks Trucker - yes seems leaks are never far away - mid 80s a caravan boom and makers were keen to just build em and send them out a lot of damp issues with 80s tourers - thanks for watching and comments
Andy I am having trouble with next door as you said I keep going away they can’t. We have a shared drive and my Coachman takes up my half so to get in I have to stand on their side and as I motormove van out have to swing round and van rear goes over their half. As they only rent private they contacted letting agent who sent me latter saying I can’t do that and if I did they would prosecute me to which my reply was NUTS and just carry on. So does the disagreement.
Oh that sounds a pain Colin again a petty neighbour - mines same he even tucked my mirror in saying it was invading his air space!! Mine has turned nasty over years trying to stop extensions and basically anything we try and do he is a blue badge holder yet runs around rides a motorbike mows his lawn - a joke chancers these folk just like trouble as we both just get on with the job in hand-let me know how you get on
Nice little video again Andy, you must be old as you was telling us you are even older than the trees😀 Unfortunately we don’t have the room to store our van at home, if I had neighbours like you he would be spending a good deal of time on his arse. We pay £480 a year to store our van, not cheep be very secure, a free wash bay too which is very handy.
Thank you - well those trees wee small but willows so grow quickly - its a green belt - Yes he should have been dealt with long ago I just was polite and played by the rules - he bends them - like the idea of a wash bay at your storage - price seems decent to - thanks for the comments as usual
Hi Andy, nice scenery for a Vlog. Storage seems to be expensive in the UK, over here it seems to be 300 euro for outside and 450 for inside. I don't have any problems with storage as I'm in the county so don't have problem neighbours but I can see how it could be a problem in housing estates. Interesting to hear people's experiences, well done!
Local outdoor storage area is about £385/year, you can choose between gravel (costs more though) or grass and if your vehicle (they store anything, not just leisure vehicles) is long there's an additional cost. This includes two electric gates, a motorised ramp and mobile phone authentication for each gate before you can enter the storage area. Downside is the mice, it doesn't matter where you're located - you will get them so all you can do is make your interior as inhospitable as possible to ask them not to stay long. Upside is all the staff and owners are very friendly and accomodating. A number of our neighbours have caravans/motorhomes on the drive/in their garage so they couldn't really object to ours.
That sounds reasonable and the mioce are thrown in with the price!!! Great that staff are friendly to our farm storage from years ago the guy used to say - you here again! he wanted you to drop it off and not come till you really needed it! Good security to is crucial in this day and age sadly - thank you for comments
I'm paying £620 storage fees for outside on a single axle van. Twin axle vans are even more £700 plus.. Good points are that it's only 5 minutes away, and access is really easy.
Well thats the most expensive yet but if it meets your needs perfectly and it sounds it does then its worth it. Thank you for commenting
I’d say it’s definitely jealousy with your neighbours, and they’ve probably got nothing else to do with there time. I’ve had my van 3 years now and keep it in storage which costs me £340 per annum and it’s inside which I think is reasonable really because I’ve heard people say it’s costing them around £500 to store outside. Keep the vlogs coming mate 👍🏻
That sounds like a great deal David - yes over £500 for inside storage which lets face it is the best if you can. Great to hear you have a good rate and thank you - yes jealousy thats run deep for over 25 years no less - it was getting to the point we dreaded coming back and struggling !!
Such a shame Lunar went pop. So nearly bought a Venus as our first van, it just didn’t quite match up to the Pursuit with a hand pump toilet and no sunroof. It just felt a bit too budget, despite being a brilliant van in other ways. I think Lunar sold it short. Their other vans seemed to fall just short too at the various price points. Which is a shame because the basic van was a lovely thing.
Venus was good and came with decent spec - yes last models went for manual loos though pre that all electric - als Venus still feels modern inside - yep Lunar should never have gone some bad decisions made - thank you for watching
Another great video Andy. Looks like you got the weather too. We are just back from a very wet weekend in the Lake District !!! Nigel
Oh thats a shame Nigel weather over weekend here was lovely - but wet today and thank you
Aw, I really enjoyed this video and hope you didn't get into too much bother! I had a look at those Swift Alpine 4's. A nice layout, would be a good newer version of my Elddis 475 if the fixed bed was a diner for 3 instead! 🙂
Great van is the Alpine 4 Fiona
You always get our name wrong! 😀 nice to catch up again
Im useless!!! Yes good to catch up
Totally agree about it looking dated Andy. There's not many caravans I don't like but this is one! Interesting video though, thank you for doing.
With to modern look that has a danger of happening so becomes dated quicker - not my bag but somebody will like it - were not all the same as they say Fiona.
On the subject of Swift (or rather Sprite) there's currently a Cadet Mk1 bubble top on eBay, and a Cadet Mk2 on Facebook Marketplace - ahhh, if only I were rich ! :) - though if I were I'd get my own Sprite repaired by Swift as I was out with the duct tape earlier as it's leaking like a sieve inspite paying out for a restoration to stop said leaks.
Yes saw it they only made them for a year so not many were made plus that bubble top could crack and also come off causing lots of wet damage so few exist. But that one is still around 54 years on when it was designed to last 15 years at most!!
Hi Andy. Great video, would love to tour the factory at some point, looks really interesting. Conrad
Its well worth a visit if you can get a ticket when they next have one - its a great place and you see all the bits that make up a Swift !!!Thank you for your kind words.
yes. really enjoyed that. i wonder how many wonderful memories have and are still been made there. And yes it would be great to see a collection of as many of their older vans as they could get their hands on similar to to vw museum in germany. There would be a huge cost to that though and i think it would have to pay for itself.
Paul yes many memories made in that plant and yes would love to see more old Swifts there before all the old vans all gone - but expensive to have a building specially glad you enjoyed the video
Love your content, but please, more content than footage of your mush! 😂
I also think he does his archive of videos a disservice by always recording in 480p resolution in the era of 1080p and 4k. Especially in the future and for reference in terms of originality as it's such a huge help to have clear images and video for restorations if you're aiming for a 'just left the factory' finish (and getting the materials for cushions and curtains correct etc.).
@@chiefwhosmoralsareelastix all noted recorded on Nikon at 1080p YT not sure if they knock it down but will try and find out
What!!! ha ha hey just turn away - seriously though I would rather be off camera but not offended !!!
I’d certainly like to see caravan companies get a hold of early models to show how their particular vans evolved over the years. Sadly we don’t see any when on sites these days, and their isn’t Classic caravan show like their is for cars. Great video Andy, and thanks to Swift for taking the time to show you round.
Hi Alex - it would be fantastic I wish Swift would take a few 70's models on there have been some, so all for that and thanks glad you enjoyed the video a bit long I know!!
@@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk there must be quite a few 70s Swift vans still out there Andy. By creating a heritage area at the factory it would surely add to the workers pride of the company they work for (not that they probably need it) and great for any open days they may wish to hold. I believe both these things help to build brand loyalty:)
@@alexrankin8263 my agreement with you there Alex - they should and the old Ci Group had a collection of caravans which were sold off in 1981/2 before the company went bust Yes when I see them again I will ask the question heritage offers stability for a buyer that the brand has been around a long time. Sadly no many Swifts of age left as others but they do turn up - i love seeing older vans - look out for the 1987 Silverline I am doing a video of - few left. Thanks for your comments as always Alex
@@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk Andy, I’ll be keen to see your Silverline video. I firmly believe heritage is a big plus towards worker pride and brand loyalty.
@@alexrankin8263 my exact thought to Alex I also do history stuff because I want folk to know where ideas come from and how things have progressed and UK caravan/motorhome heritage - busy week but hoping to get video of Silverline end of week with luck - it is a gem!
As Mark says, no matter how much you spend, what you do in them is exactly the same. To be honest, this van looks as modern as a new one would be, great value.
Exactly and though nice to have a new tourer it doesnt make you enjoy it any better!!
@@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk it certainly doesn’t. My parents always bought good used vans. They quickly became an extension of our home, as we made the van our own, just as you make any house you move to your own :)
@@alexrankin8263 loved all my vans and parents did to always sorry to change them!!
I enjoyed that. The factory looked a lot less "chaotic" than I imagined.
Its well organised - a lot going on yet every where was productive and nobody got in each others way - thank you for comments and glad you enjoyed it a bit long overall but hope it gave a good insight what goes on in caravan/motorhome production
Brilliant Andy cheers. A was just wandering the other day how I go about getting a factory tour at swift. Had many swifts over the years & just bought a new one last may. Love them. 👍🏆🇬🇧
Thank you very much that video took some sorting - all day in fact ha ha - yes Swift said they will do some more factory tours but were not sure when but keep an eye on their website for any announcements - loved my visit as always and glad you liked the video - and for watching
Great video Andy, really interesting to see around the Swift factory. Kinda had an idea in my head that holiday homes were much thicker walled than that, suppose it's the insulation and the cladding that make them house like in appearance. Unreal to see the panels all stacked up like sheets of cardboard. Would be great to see a video of those old caravans on your next visit. Interesting to see all the models of campers and vans they kit out. Appreciate the time you put into making informative videos for us Andy.
Thank you Kevin as always - yes quite a bit of work involved not easy when you have not got a full day - but putting it together (best as i can) took over 7 hours - hard to believe but yep - great to hear comments as yours makes it all worth while.
Got any photos of the old Swift Factory on Hedon Road? When I looked on google maps it’s where Struthers and Carter/CF Struthers is now, used to work in that building years ago! Might have been on the same site/building!
Hi - yes I googled it to and the Swift factory would have been on that site as a shed with extensions on a vlog I will try and pop a few pix of the old factory on though few taken - they moved to Cottingham by 1972 - message me your availability this weekend near me.
@@caravanindustryexpertandyjenk yea, be good to see if it was the same building/site. We were right next door to Wibbly Wobbly Homes
Kinda surreal seeing the pile of walls just stacked like cardboard, thanks for this video :)
Hi Abigail - yes it is having been round many caravan factories over the years from small to large - I would have loved to have seen the old Sprite factory at Newmarket in action in the late 60s! I love how all the timber etc comes in one door and is then made into a tourer or holiday home thank you for your comments and for watching this long video!!
I wonder if this is still there... shame to see them sat abandoned
Hi - yes it is its been there for 20 years plus and very few left now