Camping 'British Style'
Royals, pubs and driving on the left: Anyone thinking of England probably associates these things rather more than caravanning and camper life. But that isn’t really fair, because the British love camping just as much as we Continentals do. So what actually sets caravanning apart on the other side of the Channel?
Camper-Nation Great Britain
Spacious, cosy and as luxurious as possible
Our customer, Bailey of Bristol, one of the largest manufacturers of recreational vehicles in Great Britain, shows us what camping 'British Style' is all about. For more than 75 years, the manufacturer of caravans and motorhomes has been advising and supporting its customers on their search for the perfect recreational vehicle – so they really know what they are talking about, and at AL-KO VT we provide the right products to match. In a nutshell: The British like things big, cosy and with as much luxury as possible.
Everything Left – Camping in Great Britain
Individuality starts with the pitches
The first thing that immediately stands out: The doors on motorhomes and caravans are on the other side. Of course, they are, as parking on the street and getting out needs to work just as well in left-hand traffic as it does for mainland campers.
“The island has a fantastic network of campsites – thanks to organisations such as the Caravan and Motorhome Club or the Camping and Caravanning Club, who set up and maintain the sites,” explains Cristina Dorador de los Santos, Brand Communication Manager at Bailey of Bristol. Many campsites offer various types of pitches, such as a choice between gravel pitches and grass pitches, as well as with or without awning pitches. And if, despite this well-developed network, they ever feel the urge to leave the island, they are happy to travel to sunnier destinations like France or Spain.”
Caravans and Motorhomes
A touch of luxury is always welcome
And now to the requirements regarding camping vehicles: How does Great Britain camp? The layout of a house reflects the character of its inhabitants – and it is the same with the layout of a caravan and motorhome. Should the bathroom be next to the bedroom? Is a separate shower wanted? Where should the large, comfortable bed go?
The answers are as individual as the motorhome and caravan owners themselves, but one thing is almost always agreed among British campers: it has to be high level! Barbecue, oven, microwave, solar panel, security systems – the expectations are high and the ideas seem endless. “In recent seasons, models with island beds – either lengthways or crossways – and a washroom in the centre of the caravan have been especially popular,” explains Cristina Dorador de los Santos.
AL-KO VT provides a secure foundation for motorhomes and caravans
From the chassis to accessory and security systems
With all this luxury, the dependable, secure foundation for motorhomes and caravans must not be forgotten. For this purpose, the manufacturer Bailey of Bristol works together with AL-KO VT: We provide the chassis for caravans and some motorhome models, as well as accessory systems such as the anti-snaking system (ATC) for caravans and trailers, as well as wheel locks. “Levelling systems such as the fully automatic HY4 hydraulic levelling system are not offered as standard equipment, but customers can of course have them retrofitted to their individual needs,” adds Cristina Dorador de los Santos. Because when it comes to individuality and luxury, the sky is (almost) the limit for British campers too. For example, with the comfortable motorhome seats and seat belt frames from AL-KO VT subsidiary Aguti.
Peter Eustace, Managing Director of AL-KO Vehicle Technology in the UK, adds: “Bailey of Bristol was already a customer before AL-KO acquired B&B Trailers in 1982 and the two companies merged. The strength of our business relationship is based on regular quarterly meetings with senior personnel from both companies and on close collaboration in research and development. AL-KO conducts a quarterly audit of the chassis assembly area at Bailey. This is carried out by a trained AL-KO technician together with the head of Bailey’s production team and the quality manager. We check whether the staff are properly trained, using the right tools, and whether the torque settings meet the requirements.”
Large vehicles, big dreams
The great value of sociability
In recent years, there has been a particular increase in demand for wide 8-ft caravans, which measure just under 2.45 metres. And couples, too, quite like to size up: They prefer to buy a caravan designed for four people to have more space, as even a few extra centimetres over the standard length can make a huge difference in space. But it's not just about space and freedom – it's especially about liberty. It's about a sense of freedom. Socialising. Enjoying a relaxed time with friends and family. This, too, is camping 'British Style'.
After all, the British are sociable campers, maybe even more so than we Germans. Even in typically English weather, they enjoy spending time in company – sometimes outdoors, sometimes inside the caravan. In comfort, on a nice site, with a great view and, of course, the door on the correct side. British, indeed.
