Tilshead Articles

The Sprite range for 2010 gains a baby brother this year with the long anticipated launch of the Sprite Finesse 2.

Official viewings of this lightweight small 2 berth will be at the Boat and Caravan Show this month at the NEC with the very first demonstrator in the country arriving with Tilshead Caravans shortly after.

The Sprite Finesse 2 is a 2-berth end kitchen, lightweight model with an MRO of 897kg and MTPLM of 1073kg, giving a good payload whilst allowing it to be towed by such cars as the Vauxhall Astra and Ford Focus.

The internal body length is 3.66m (12ft) and allows for the classic layout of parallel front seating and chest of drawers. The seating is long enough to provide two singles or one double bed.

Nick Page, Commercial Director for Swift Group commented ‘Aimed at young couples looking for their first caravan and older people wanting a light caravan to tow with a smaller car, the Sprite Finesse 2 is the ideal solution’.

Should you wish to discuss this model in more detail then please come and see both us and the caravan at the NEC show. We are pleased to confirm that Swift have invited Tilshead Caravans to have two representatives attending the Swift Group stand, Owen on the Sprite stand and James on the Swift stand.

If you cannot make it to the NEC, Tilshead Caravans are expecting to be the first dealer to display the model, initially at our site and also at the British Leisure Show over 19 - 21 March at Windsor Racecourse.

The Swift Group have recently announced that after a period of testing, all 2010 Swift and Sterling caravans have been confirmed to meet the Grade 3 insulation classification under the NCC EN1645-1 Thermal Insulation & Heating regulations.

This has recently been in the press due to the marketing by Bailey Caravans of that fact that the Bailey Pegasus range offers the same Grade 3 insulation.

Grade 3 classification is the highest standard for both insulation and heating in caravans, and measures whether the interior of the caravan can maintain a comfortable internal temperature of +20C when the external temperature is -15C.

Nick Page, Commercial Director for the Swift Group, confirmed that the cold chamber tests were conducted at one of the UK’s leading refrigeration test centres, The Cambridge Refrigeration Centre, during the 2009/10 season. He commented that ‘despite these tests only being carried out recently, the actual body construction and insulation used in Swift caravans has remained consistent for several years. The test results offer further confirmation of the already outstanding build quality and high specification of Swift Group caravans.’

However, users of caravans in sub-zero temperatures should remember that the Grade 3 classification only deals with interior temperatures, so exposed fresh and waste water pipes and exterior water containers and tanks are just as likely to be affected by ice, whatever the thermal insulation classification of the caravan!

As the winter months continue to chill us, orders for 2010 season caravans are still being placed as quickly as ever.

According to the Swift Group, sales are so strong that with the wave of orders placed at and since the October Caravan and Motorhome show in Birmingham, availability on some 2010 Swift & Sprite caravan models is becoming very limited, with some 2010 production already fully sold.

A classic example is the Swift Charisma 555, a fixed rear corner bed model on a single axle with a good sense of open-plan space and with the popular Charisma specification. All of the 2010 production of this model has already been allocated to Swift dealers, so if this model suits you, don’t leave it too long to consider! Fortunately, Tilshead Caravans have a factory-fresh model available at time of publishing so contact us if you would like to know how we may assist you!

Fixed beds look like staying in demand for 2010, with the new Swift Challenger 570 and Swift Charisma 550 proving especially popular. Used models such as the Abbey GTS 420 or the Abbey Vogue 470 layouts have also been popular, with Tilshead Caravans finding demand for such models so strong that often they sell within days of arriving on site. 

For more details of the caravans, new and pre-owned, which Tilshead Caravans currently have available, see our website at www.tilshead-caravans.com. If you have a specific model or style of caravan you are looking for, why not let us know and we can ensure you do not miss out on the opportunity by contacting you if your perfect model arrives!

Alternatively, if you are interested in a new 2010 Swift or Sprite caravan and are visiting the Boat & Caravan Show at the NEC next week, please do not hesitate to ask for Tilshead Caravans on the Swift or Sprite stands in Hall 5 for details of how we may assist you.

With the introduction of two new awning designs for 2010, NR Awnings is set to offer one of the best value awning ranges on the market today.

The new top-of-the range 4Season awning uses high quality heavy duty materials for all season use, with the benefit that the canvas is also easy to clean - very important for extended use. It can take the 4Season annexe made from the same material on either or both sides.

The new Vivaldi Luxe porch awning is based on the Coniston Luxe but made using the Tencate all season sidewall material. It has a removable front panel and a zip door on either side with clear pvc windows with curtains and is designed for use all year round.

NR awnings offer a choice of pole systems, fibreglass or steel, and a range of awning sizes and colours to suit your caravan. With a comprehensive five year warranty and excellent backup, plus a range of optional accessories such as awning storage bags and storm straps, why not consider them for your next awning?

Details of all NR awnings are available to view on our website at www.tilshead-caravans.com/Awnings.htm and if you order from us you actually save more money than if you buy direct from the manufacturer!

With the new year in full swing Tilshead Caravans have already started filling their show diaries.

The Boat and Caravan Show will be held at the NEC in Birmingham over 23 - 28 February 2010 and will showcase the latest caravans and motorhomes along with accessories, holiday homes and more. Tilshead Caravans have been invited to demonstrate Swift Group caravans on the Swift and Sprite stands over the past few years and will be doing so again this year. If you are going to the Show, whether to see what’s new or to choose your perfect caravan, why not come and meet us? Just ask for ‘James or Owen from Tilshead Caravans’!

For the first time ever, the British Leisure Show is to be held at the Royal Windsor Race Course over 19 – 21 March and will be showcasing everything to do with leisure, from caravans, motorhomes and boats to outdoor activities. With over 300 exhibitors to choose from Tilshead Caravans decided this was not a show to be missed. We will be displaying new caravans from the Swift and Sprite range so for some of the best caravans around why not come along to see us? We are hoping to display at least two brand new models from the Swift Group, available to view for the first time outside the NEC, so come and see what they look like in the daylight!

The Broadlands estate in Romsey will be home once again to the Caravan and Motorhome Show taking place on the 9 – 11 April and after a successful show in 2009, Tilshead Caravans are pleased to be supporting the event again by demonstrating both new caravans and used motorhomes. Remember that our site at Lopcombe, near Salisbury, is only 12 miles from the event so even if the vehicle you are looking for is not at the show, we may still be able to assist you with your ideal caravan or motorhome for purchase or hire.

The Southern Motorhome Show at Newbury is a new event for Tilshead Caravans but we aim to be there to see you over the 21 – 23 May. With an established reputation, easy access and easy to browse outdoor exhibition area, this show guarantees a wide selection of motorhomes for sale along with most accessories and motorhome services you can think of.

With plenty of opportunities to visit Tilshead Caravans at outdoor events in 2010 we hope to welcome you with knowledgeable staff to help you make a right decision when it comes to buying or hiring a caravan or motorhome. However, don’t forget you are always welcome to visit us at our site on the Stockbridge Road (A30) at Lopcombe, on the Hampshire & Wiltshire border! We are open seven days a week all year round.

The announcement earlier this year that from the 2010 season the British Grand Prix would move from its traditional home at Silverstone to a newly redeveloped Donnington Park caused clients of Tilshead Caravans who use our caravan hire and caravan delivery service to the event to stop and think.

However earlier this month the FIA decided that due to the redevelopment issues the Donnington circuit is experiencing, the British Grand Prix will move back to Silverstone not just for next year but for the next 17 years. This is excellent news for both F1 fans and for the circuit itself, as they can now make long term plans and investments to ensure the event remains a showpiece for British motorsport.

Tilshead Caravans director James Redshaw confirmed ‘I am very pleased with the decision as the British Grand Prix is a major event in our caravan and motorhome hire season and with the FIA confirming that it will remain on the calender for the foreseeable future this can only be great news for us and our customers at Tilshead Caravans’.

Since the news broke we have already started receiving calls from existing hire clients to ensure they have a caravan or motorhome booked ready to attend the Grand Prix event of the year, with renewed interest in visiting the event even more likely now that British drivers such as Lewis Hamilton and the reigning F1 world champion, Jenson Button are racing head to head next year!

For more details of how we may assist with caravan hire, including delivery to the circuit or surrounding campsites, or motorhome hire over the weekend of 9, 10 & 11 July 2010 then please visit our website or call us to discuss your requirements.

Following the drawing of the lucky entry in our Open Weekend prize draw, we are pleased to confirm that the winner was Mr B. from the Eastleigh area. He visited us to look at new and used caravans and now has his winning prize of a £150 voucher to spend with us if he finds a caravan to suit him! Congratulations to him and thank you to all our visitors who entered.

The International Caravan & Motorhome Show is currently in full swing at the NEC in Birmingham and Tilshead Caravans have again been invited by the Swift Group to demonstrate and sell their caravans at the show.

If you are looking to visit the show, please do say hello to James and Owen on the Swift and Sprite caravan stands and if you are considering purchasing a caravan at the show and are local to us here at Lopcombe on the Hampshire/Wiltshire border, please bear us in mind to assist you. Just ask at the reception desk on the Swift Group caravan stand if you can’t see us!

Tilshead Caravans had a successful weekend at the Motorhome & US RV Show at Shepton Mallet. Blue skies and warm temperatures meant visitors were able to enjoy the weekend to the full.

All dealers reported brisk sales, and with many still reporting a shortage of used motorhomes available for sale, it seems the popularity of motorhoming continues to rise.

Please do visit the event website for more details and photographs of the event and if you missed us this time, see Tilshead Caravans at the Outdoor Leisure Show at Shepton Mallet over 8 - 10 January 2010.

Tilshead Caravans held a successful Open Weekend over 10 – 11 October, at which visitors were able to view a selection of the 2010 Swift Caravan ranges alongside a wide range of used caravans and used motorhomes for sale.

As usual, in accordance with our belief that our special events should backed up by genuine offers, all used caravans were discounted by up to £795 for the weekend, there were offers on all PowrTouch movers, accessories as diverse as cleaning products, televisions and caravan covers, with nearly new motorhomes for sale offered with special free packages including Fiamma awnings, Sigma alarm systems and half price Fiamma cycle racks.

Bearing in mind the event was held slightly later in the year than usual, due to limited availability on both new and used caravans during September, Saturday dawned bright and sunny and the warm weather continued throughout the day, whilst visitors on Sunday were greeted with rather more damp conditions which sent us all scurrying for cover at times! Nevertheless, the free hog-roast and bouncy castle were well received and with free refreshments all day, visitors were able to relax and wander the site at their own pace.

We are pleased to report that both caravan and motorhome sales were strong, with the nearly new Abbey & Swift Group caravans featuring fixed beds particularly popular with buyers. New caravan sales levels were encouraging, especially when many potential buyers had already made plans to visit the International Caravan and Motorhome Show at the NEC immediately after the weekend. The 2010 Swift Caravans range was generally very well received and the newly revamped 2010 Sprite Caravans models were especially popular with families, although the eagerly anticipated Sprite Musketeer TD layout will not be available to view until later in the year.

The draw for the £150 voucher to be spent with us is due to be made by Harry (age 4) & Molly (age 2), as Tilshead Caravans is of course a family business, on Friday 16 October and we shall post (brief) details of the winner here and let you know how he or she decided to spend the money in due course……………….

Finally, all the team at Tilshead Caravans would like to thank all those who visited us for helping to make the weekend such fun and we sincerely hope it was a worthwhile visit for all. We look forward to seeing many of you again in the future.