Weekly Wrap

NO.1 AND RISING...

The latest official figures from the Nielson Online Census have further cemented Caravancampingsales.com.au as the number one caravan and RV website in Australia.

A record high, 185,341 unique visitors were recorded for the month of January, up from more than 120,000 unique visitors in September last year when the website, previously RVpoint.com.au, was relaunched. Page impressions during the same period reached more than 4.6 million.

The recent figures also placed Caravancampingsales.com.au in the top 10 automotive websites in the country; in ninth position behind other Carsales network websites, carsales.com.au, bikesales.com.au and RedBook.com.au.

POLISHED ACT

We know of many caravan parks upgrading and expanding their accommodation options to include luxury self-contained units and the like, but we hadn’t heard of boutique hotels offering caravans to sleep in until we stumbled across the website of Atlantic Guesthouses in Byron Bay.

Situated close to the beach in the popular northern NSW tourist spot, the Atlantic offers its guests a number of luxury options including a very stylish American-built Airstream caravan. According to Atlantic’s website, "the Ocean Breeze Airstream is a high end caravan and part seaside cottage complete with double bed and private bathroom". The "highly polished" interior comes with air-con, TV, dinette and kitchenette, while fresh linen and towels are provided.

Daily rates range from $140 to $315 depending on season.

SMOKE ALERT

It’s official! NSW has followed Victoria’s lead in making it compulsory for all caravans and mobile dwellings where people sleep to be fitted with smoke alarms.

The new regulations, which don’t include tents, apply to all new and existing caravans, campervans and annexes, regardless of whether or not they are registered for road use.

A six-month grace period will apply before penalties, including on-the-spot fines of $200 or a maximum penalty of $550 if the matter goes to court, take effect.

FLEETWOOD’S FACTORIES FIRING

The West Australian company that manufactures the popular Coromal and Windsor caravans has bounced back after a dismal 2009 when it cut its RV production by half.

Revenue from the recreational vehicles division of the ASX 200-listed Fleetwood Corporation increased from $74 million in 2009 to $91.9 million in 2010, with EBIT (earnings before interest and tax) increasing from $6.7 million to $10.2 million during the same period.

Fleetwood reported "continued strong demand" within its recreation vehicles division, which also includes Camec RV accessories and Flexiglas ute canopies. RV production was up 39 per cent in the second half of 2010, compared to the first half.

SLIDE-OUT SENSATION

Caravans and fifth-wheelers with slide-out sections are not unusual in Australia, so it comes as a surprise to hear that a UK manufacturer has produced "Europe’s first ever van with a slide-out section".

The Caravan Times website reports that the Fifth Wheel Co. in Wales has built its first touring caravan with a slide-out that increases internal floorspace, by three metres square. The mid-section slides out at the push of a button using 12V power.

"With our experience in manufacturing fifth wheel tourers we have been able to develop the technology to make a slide-out feature for the caravan market," said operations director Adrian Parry-Jones.

Price of the luxury Inos caravan begins at £36,000 ($57,866).

COROMAL CAMPER UP FOR GRABS

Another week, another organiser of a caravan show tries to bribe punters through the turnstiles with a big dollar giveaway. This time it’s the Sunshine Coast Home Show and Caravan and Camping Expo, which is giving show-goers the chance to win a brand new Coromal F400 Camper from Coromal Sunshine Coast valued at $30,795.

The Sunshine Coast Expo runs for three days from April 1 at the Nambour Showgrounds, from 9am-5pm each day (4pm on Sunday). Admission for seniors is $6, $8 for adults while children 16 and under with adults are free.

More than 200 exhibitor sites will display thousands of products and ‘Tommo’ the celebrity bush cook will be providing free cooking demonstrations all weekend. Check out the show's website  for further details.

OPERA SAILING OUR WAY

One of world’s most innovative camper trailers is on its way to Australia.

Reader Monika Brennan has told Caravancampingsales.com.au that a Euro-built Opera camper is on its way to our shores, due to arrive in Sydney around early May.

The Opera was designed by Netherlands-based manufacturer Your Suite in Nature (YSIN) and while looking like a conventional looking ‘pop-top’ camper trailer in travel mode, it unfolds to reveal a funky canvas framed arrangement inspired by Sydney’s Opera House ‘sails’.

Monika has invited Caravancampingsales.com.au to a sneak preview when it arrives, and hinted that original designer Rob Vos is also planning to be in Australia at the same time to answer questions. Stay tuned...

TRAVEL GIANTS HOP INTO BED 

Leading campervan rental company, Apollo Motorhome Holidays has joined forces with car rental giant Hertz.

The new alliance, which kicks off April 1, means customers will have access to Hertz rental cars at a select number of Apollo's rental locations throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Apollo already has a fleet of more than 3000 recreational vehicles across 23 rental branches in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA.

WIN AN ARB COMPRESSOR

We want to hear from you! Just a reminder to send in your comments and criticisms (not too many, we hope) and in the process you'll go into the draw to win a great prize.

This month we’re giving away an ARB portable air compressor valued at $350 as our ‘best letter’ prize. For further details on how to win, click here.