The British brand Bailey decided to develop its own caravan design, different from the one that has been used by manufacturers for the last 30 years. The introduction of the Alu-Tech system was preceded by intensive tests. Already in the 1980s, the concept was born, according to which the body of a caravan has several layers. To this day, "sandwich" constructions, most often using plywood elements that are not very resistant to moisture, are used by many manufacturers. Bailey concluded that 30 years is enough time for technology to move forward. The company started working on a new structure, which was to be more resistant to weather conditions (inside it should be dry and warm as long as possible), more durable, more aerodynamic and stable at the same time. It was also important that the design changes did not negatively affect the weight of the caravan.

Alu Tech - how Bailey tested the trailer

Fiat Ducato is a car that forms the basis for the vast majority of motorhomes built today. Therefore, the premiere of the new generation is an event not only in the automotive world, but also in industries related to camping tourism. Fiat Ducato and its twin models - Peugeot Boxer and Citroen Jumper - are by far the most popular vans in the world. It was also very successful. The fifth generation of Fiat Ducato collects a lot of positive feedback from users. Will the new Ducato / Boxer / Jumper models repeat the success of their predecessors? Will they be equally willing to be adapted for tourist purposes? Will they maintain their dominant position on campsites? So far, everything points to it.

New Fiat Ducato 2014 - premiere

Semi-integrated motorhome? It is almost always built on a Fiat Ducato chassis. Van-based motorhome? If not a Ducato, then probably a Volkswagen T5. The British Wellhouse proposes something else - motorhomes based on Ford and Hyundai designs. Wellhouse is not following the path of least resistance. This is evidenced by the fact that he decided to build motorhomes on the basis of the Hyundai i800 and the Ford Tourneo . I admit that I do not know any other company that would use these cars for camping (not counting those that declare that they will rebuild a vehicle of any brand).

Hyundai and Ford as motorhomes

The British brand IH Motorhomes can surprise. But this time the surprise is much greater than in the case of the presentation of bright green cars with a bright yellow interior. The IN N-Class 630 SL is probably the first van with a retractable sidewall. At the front and rear, this motorhome hardly differs from a regular Fiat Ducato. However, when looking at the vehicle from the side, we have to start figuring out what it is all about. On the one hand, we find doors typical of caravans rather than vans. On the other hand, in the part behind the driver and passenger compartment, we will not see ordinary doors or sliding doors. Yet a careful observer will notice two vertical lines suggesting sheet metal cuts.

IH N-Class 630 SL - VAN with sliding wall

What takes the most space in a motorhome? Probably armchairs! What if their number was limited to two? This is what the designers of the Dexter Go! 600. Most motorhomes are planned for two parents and two children. Subsequently, further versions are prepared, with more or less passengers in mind. Karmann reversed that approach. He prepared a camping car based on a van, intended from the beginning as a car for two. In this motorhome, we will not find a couch or a bench added to the table. Instead, there is a fold-out table top attached to the seats in the driver's and passenger's cabin. To get a bite, simply turn the seats 180 degrees.

Karmann Dexter Go!

The Bailey Retreat caravan was created for those users who spend a lot of time in the caravan without moving too often. So if you would like to spend your summer at one campground and winter elsewhere, Retrat may be useful for you. Currently, manufacturers of camping vehicles (but also other products) focus mainly on mobility. More and more often they design light, modular and comfortable solutions with an active lifestyle. Meanwhile, Bailey and his largest trailer model seem to follow the current trends.

Bailey Retreat caravan - BIG POSSIBILITIES

Tires in caravans and motorhomes need to be especially taken care of. This is due to the fact that they are usually subjected to very high loads. But even if the RV is left unused, it also damages the tires. If you haven't used your camper or caravan during the winter, check the tires carefully before your first trip in the season. If they have been exposed to frost (or the sun) for a long time, they may have bulges or cracks . To protect the tires from the harmful effects of weather conditions, it is best to cover them during longer stops . In the case of trailers, it is a good idea to remove the wheels when not in use.

Tires for motorhomes and caravans

Although the Italian Arca offers well-equipped motorhomes, their biggest distinguishing feature is their attractive appearance. And because we like to drive cars that look good, Arca could probably count on interest also in Poland. In Italy, Arca is almost synonymous with a motorhome. It all started in the mid-1950s, when the idea came to take the wheels off the caravan and install the living area on the truck chassis. It took several years to transform the idea into a specific product, and finally, in 1961, the Arca Noe model was presented at the Genoa Boat Show.

Arca motorhomes - for those for whom appearance matters

Luxurious? This is an understatement. This caravan is absolutely unique, and this is evidenced not only by its equipment and unimaginable price. The biggest novelty is the design - for the first time such a large vehicle was made of carbon fiber. Americans like to surprise by building things even bigger and more innovative than anyone else. The CR-1 Carbon trailer, developed by Global Caravan Technologies, is the best example of this. The key word in this case is "carbon". The CR-1 trailer would probably not be such a sensation if it was a small trailer. Here, however, we are talking about a vehicle that measures over 10 meters ! How to produce carbon fiber walls and a roof, developing the material to such monstrous dimensions, remains a company secret for the time being.

CR-1 Carbon - a trailer that has never been before

Motorcaravan Motorhome Monthly (MMM) and Which Motorhome? together chose the best motorhomes of 2014. We continue the presentation of the awarded vehicles. Let us recall that the title of "Motorhome of the Year 2014" was won by Rapido 640 . The jury also awarded 8 additional prizes. The British jurors awarded the Bailey Approach Autograph 765 as "Family Motorhome of the Year". This is another of the appreciated cars, which is a semi-integrated motorhome. What made this rather inconspicuous from the outside vehicle appreciated?.

The motorhome of the year 2014 - part II

Although motorhomes of various price classes and ranges were assessed, the title of the best Camping Car of the Year 2014 was won by the relatively small, semi-integrated Rapido 640 model. Ordinary cars have their plebiscites - e.g. Car of The Year, and unusual cars, e.g. campers, theirs. Two British magazines - "Motorcaravan Motorhome Monthly" (MMM) and "Which Motorhome?" have joined forces to jointly announce the winners of the Motorhome of the Year Awards 2014. Four vehicles were nominated in each of the nine categories, which were then assessed by the jurors. Here are the final results of the vote.

Motorhome of the Year 2014 - part I

The Frankia I 840 motorhome in the Platinum Edition version was recognized by the British magazine "Motorhome Monthly Magazine" as the best luxury motorhome of 2014. What did it deserve such a name?. Frankia I 840, like other motorhomes of this brand, has many features that make it stand out from the mass of motorhomes. First of all, it has an integrated body, completely unlike the Fiat Ducato and Mercedes Sprinter , although these cars are the basis for a motorhome. In the case of the platinum edition, a Mercedes with a 190 HP engine combined with a 7-speed automatic transmission was used. But it was not the body or the engine that made it the Luxury Motorhome of The Year award. Probably the most important argument for the jurors was the fact that the Frankia Platinum Edition is a car that can do without the traditionally understood 230 V mains! Solar panels take care of electricity on board almost entirely!.

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Alu Tech - how Bailey tested the trailer