INBOX - latest news and features

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Save money with Sureterm Direct's 15% Discount Offer!

Motorhome insurance is a Sureterm Direct speciality, recent models they've insured include Fourwinds, Winnebago, Elddis, Bessacarr, Swift, Cherokee and all UK and European derivatives. They can find a great motorhome insurance deal for your American motorhome, Caravanette, Campervan, RV and even your classic Camper.

UKMotorhomes have teamed up with Sureterm Direct to bring you a 15% discount on their motorhome insurance policies. Visit their motorhome insurance website, or call them on 0800 999 2030, and quote the special code: UKMHNET

AUTO-SLEEPERS GROUP LTD RETURN TO BRITISH OWNERSHIP WITH MANAGEMENT BUY OUT

Auto-Sleeper Group Ltd (ASG) that includes the prestigious motorhome manufacturing brand of Auto-Sleepers and the UK’s largest motorhome dealer network Marquis, has been subject to a successful management buyout from its parent company S.E.A (Società Europea Autocaravan) based in Italy.

Existing directors Geoff Scott BA (Hons), FCCA and Mike Crouch, recently acquired 100% of the shareholding to become equal partners and return ASG into British private ownership.

Geoff Scott will continue in his current role of ASG Chief Executive Officer with Mike Crouch being appointed ASG Managing Director.

Geoff commented, “Auto-Sleepers and Marquis are brand names that collectively have 84 years of history within the motorhome industry. I am delighted and honoured to have the opportunity to continue building upon the solid foundations of these renowned British marques. It continues to be a turbulent marketplace, where long-term visibility remains clouded. However, despite the current market, Auto-Sleepers are experiencing a renaissance and I am confident that ASG will enjoy a successful future.”

Mike has spent the last 30 years working for Marquis and has been the driving force behind the retail division since becoming MD in the millennium year. Commenting on his new role Mike says, “I am extremely proud that from humble beginnings, Marquis is today the UK’s largest motorhome dealer network.

When I joined the industry, without question, Auto-Sleepers were the leading motorhome manufacturer in the UK. I am relishing the challenge that becoming MD of both Auto-Sleepers Manufacturing and Marquis Retail will bring. I sincerely hope that, with my usual extra passion and enthusiasm, along with the current resurgence being enjoyed, Auto-Sleepers can be driven to its maximum.”

The new owners will be ably supported by an experienced management team and workforce and look forward to continuing success.

For further details of the products and services available from ASG visit www.auto-sleepers.co.uk or www.marquismotorhomes.co.uk

Special offer for selling your motorhome!

In conjuction with our sister site www.motorhomemarket.co.uk we are offering 2 months advertising for the price of one!

To take advantage of the offer just register on the site and purchase one credit at a cost of £6.50

Then use the 'Contact admin' link on the site and quote 'UKMH offer', you will get a an additional credit absolutely free!

Terms and conditions of the offer:
1) The offer is for a limited period and may be withdrawn at any time.
2) The offer only applies to private sales.
3) The offer only applies to purchases of the £6.50 package.
4) The free credit request must be made within 1 week of the purchase.
5) The offer is limited to one per registered user.
6) The free credit will be added within 1 week of a valid request.

More Branch Closures at Discover Leisure

Having already closed its Carlisle, Wrexham, Warrington, Orpington, Herne Bay, Portsmouth and Evesham sites, we now understand that Weston super Mare, Newport and Cannock have closed, leaving only York, Birtley, Chorley, Darlington and Delamere still trading.

The news follows poor half year trading figures, the company recorded a pre tax loss of £9.5m for the half year to March.

We understand that seven of the closed properties are freehold, and will be sold.

We believe that they were only saved from going under by a last minute refinancing deal with Lloyds and RBS which involved an agreement with unsecured creditors that they would get (eventually) 22% of what they were owed.  

The Motorhome & US RV Show
Shepton Mallet - 11th-13th September

It’s fast approaching that time of year again when we'll all be heading to the Shepton Mallet Motorhome & US RV Show, held for the 24th year at the Royal Bath & West showground, just south of Shepton Mallet in Somerset on the A371. If the idea of owning one of these fascinating vehicles appeals, there cannot be a better place to view and compare so many different models than at everyone’s favourite show.

Over the long weekend of the 11th-13th September new and used motorhomes from Europe and the USA will be for sale along with a host of accessories from the very latest awnings, to reversing aids and high tech electronic gear, plus a great selection of outdoor leisure clothing, all at unbeatable prices.

In addition to the exhibition, visitors staying for the long weekend have a varied entertainment programme organised for them. With cabarets on Friday and Saturday evenings and a superb firework show on Saturday night. Kicking off the Saturday evening will be the presentation of trophies to the winners of this year’s prestigious Motorcaravan of the Year Awards. There’s also a fun craft competition on the Sunday morning and a best pet show around lunchtime.

The show opens 9:30am - 6pm Friday & Saturday, 9:30am - 5pm on Sunday. Day visitor admission price is £5 per adult, accompanied children under 16 are free and day car parking is also free.

Camping and Caravanning Club News

The Camping and Caravanning Club’s exciting New to Camping launch at Warwick Castle last Thursday has been heralded a success.

The event took place during National Camping and Caravanning Week (May 23 to 29) with The Club targeting ‘first-timers’ due to the unprecedented surge in popularity this summer.

As part of the New to Camping campaign, which incorporates all forms of outdoor holidays; a comprehensive area within the Club’s official website to help get people started went live on Monday, May 18.

Campers can access the site by logging on to www.newtocamping.co.uk or by following the links via www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk

More than 6,000 people flocked through the turnstiles of the medieval castle on the day with the Pageant Field playing host to an array of quality tents supplied by some of the industry’s leading manufacturers.

Camping experts were on hand to answer any questions whilst face-painters, goody bags, a bouncy castle and an inflatable slide kept the hoards of children entertained.

Television Presenter Julia Bradbury officially opened the event in front of the assembled media and has been quick to officially endorse the initiative.

She said: "It’s great to see a Club of this size taking the lead in a hugely competitive industry and encouraging people to get out camping with their family and friends.

"The New to Camping website is going to help a lot of people get started on their adventure and what better way to connect with nature, embrace the outdoors and have some fun, th

an camping?"

The Club’s advanced booking rate is currently up 23 per cent on this time last year and a bumper season is predicted.

The Club’s Director General Robert Louden added: "As a Club we are passionate about the outdoors and we hope that our new campaign will give us as well as industry suppliers the opportunity to promote camping and caravanning as the great British holiday.

"Camping is a fantastic way to experience the British countryside whilst our network of Sites feel that they play a key role in helping to keep local communities buoyant.

"Hopefully, we’ll have a summer to remember."

Sleep Tight Security System

SleepTight is a proximity alarm system which can work independently or in harmony with your existing alarm system.

As it is a proximity alarm it warns of intruders approaching your vehicle. As they approach, a series of blue flashing lights will be activated to warn them off. If they continue to get closer to the vehicle the lights will flash faster until they get so close that the lights stay on and a buzzer will sound inside the vehicle warning you of their presence.

As the alarm has been triggered on the approach of a potential intruder they are warned off before any damage has been done, and they have lost the element of surprise. You are still safely locked inside and are able to take action.

The distance at which the system is activated is controlled from inside the vehicle so that the sensitivity can be altered to suit where you are parked.

The system also comes with a wireless buzzer which can be taken into your home when the vehicle is in your
driveway. This will alert you if someone is attempting to tamper with your vehicle at night. This works to a distance of 100 metres thus making it possible to take with you into cafés and service stations etc. and still feel safe knowing SleepTight is protecting your vehicle and belongings.

Fitting a SleepTight system will give you peace of mind whilst you are sleep and at your most vulnerable and will warn
you before damage occurs.

Les Mullins, Managing Director of SleeptightUK, told us why they had developed the system:

"Sleeptightuk is a family run business, and run with family in mind.

The idea of the sleeptight system came about following a frightening experience we had three years ago whilst on holiday with our motorhome in France.

After a lovely holiday in St Tropez we were on our way home, driving up through France taking our time and seeing the sights. However the night drew in and we decided to park in a motorway services, thinking it would be safe. We parked next to another couple in a motorhome of their own and after a few hours of socializing decided to turn in for the night.

During the night we woke to a man standing above us over our bed. Frightened as I was, I jumped up and confronted him, but he was far to quick and escaped through the drivers side door. I tried to give chase but caught my knee and had to stop. I later found out I had broken two bones and torn ligaments.

Talking to the young couple in the opposing van the next morning they revealed how they had awoke to a tapping noise on the side of their van and then watched as a man ran off. He must have come back to ours with more success. Our door locks had been broken, the door damaged and we had been badly shaken as well as the injury. Also we had to spend an entire day in the police station, instead of enjoying the holiday we had been planning for so long. The police informed us of eleven captures the night before however our intruder was not one thus making us realize just how bad a problem break ins are to the unsuspecting holiday maker.

For three months the injury took to heal I thought about the incident and how we could have stopped it. We spoke to others who had been in similar positions and read many articles about people who had been not so lucky and had had everything stolen, and the unfortunate ones who had been gassed. That is when the idea of the sleeptight came about.

My family sat down and we discussed what we could do to help others from going through what we had been through. We wanted to know if anybody was around our van, we wanted to stop the attacks on the vehicles and we wanted to scare people of and I truly believe we have come up with the right idea.

We have done a lot of research and after a lot of interest from people all over Europe we have decided to put the system into production to try and help others. We are selling in the UK at the moment but will be expanding into Europe in the next few months due to the high interest, and we also hope to be making it available to wagon drivers and hauliers due to the recent spate of attacks they are suffering.

We believe we have a product that will protect you, your family and your possessions and will enable you to enjoy the relaxing stress free holiday you deserve."

Fore more details and ordering enquiries contact SleeptightUK on 0151 220 4201 or via their website: www.sleeptightuk.com

German Environmental Zones

(Updated 9/4/08) If you are heading for Germany you should be aware of new Umweltzonen (Environmental zones) being introduced from 2008. Entry to the zones will be restricted, depending on the particulates emissions of vehicle engines, based on the Euro classification. To enter a zone the vehicle must display an Umweltplakette (Environmental badge). There are 4 classes, based on emission standards:

Emission level up to Euro 2: No badge Emission level Euro 2: Red badge Emission level Euro 3: Yellow badge Emission level Euro 4: Green badge

The first environmental zones will be introduced on January 1st 2008 in Berlin, Köln and Hanover. Zones will be marked with this sign, together with an indication of the Umweldplakette colour allowed within the zone. Entering the zone without the appropriate badge will result in a fine and possible licence endorsement.

It is possible to get Umwelt stickers at all German "TÜV" and "DEKRA" offices, which you usually find (pretty well signposted) somewhere in the industrial districts of most German towns. These are the institutions which do the regular technical checks on motor vehicles (like British MOT). With your van's VIN number these institutions should be able to find out which sticker is suitable for your vehicle, and hand it out within some minutes. If you don't find one, ask local people or at petrol stations for the nearest "TÜV". An alternative would be to contact a German representative of your MH's base vehicle manufacturer, or a local car registration office ("Kfz-Zulassungsstelle"). The "TÜV" charges only EUR 5 for a sticker.

More information about the scheme, together with detailed maps of the zones to be introduced can be found here (in German): www.umwelt-plakette.de

It is possible to get a sticker in advance, by post. The city of Cologne (Koln) have made the facility available here: www.stadt-koeln.de/en/lowemissionzone/article/11609/index.html#sm1. Although the form asks for payment by bank transfer, we understand that they will accept a 5 Euro note.

PARTS SUPPLIER

We've heard from All Parts Southwest Ltd, about the parts they can supply for the base vehicles that most motorhome are built on, it sounds as if there are some savings to be made!

They are a large motor factors covering the South West of England specialising in crash repair and recycled car and van parts.

They do a lot of parts for Peugeot and Fiat Vans, and are able to offer parts from the original equipment manufacturers at a fraction of main dealer prices.

Contact details: Allparts South West Ltd. Tel: (01392) 824 893 Fax: (01392) 203 161 Email: parts@allpartssouthwest.com Web: www.allpartssouthwest.com

Planning a holiday to Australia in an RV/Motorhome?

They can help you purchase the right vehicle, to suit your needs and your budget. Vehicles are sourced from a vast network from private sellers and dealers.

They tell us: We have saved time, unnecessary expense and stress for our happy clients who have already used our service.

This service is brand new, and most importantly, free to buyers! Glenn loves all things about motorhomes, and he saw a need in the market to assist overseas visitors from the planning stages of their motorhome/campervan holiday to the purchase of the vehicle and even selling the vehicle at the end of the holiday.

Our service starts with emailing you details and images of motorhomes or campervans suitable for you. Based in beautiful Sydney, we can meet you and take you to inspect suitable RVs. Glenn can do a vehicle inspection & advise on all aspects of RV travel, including: cheapest insurance; vehicle registration - using our address as a contact; places to visit, places to stay.

For more information please visit our website: www.motorhomefinder.com.au Email contact - glennal@optusnet.com.au Looking forward to helping you begin a wonderful RV holiday .

Glenn & Bernice Kesbah