Weekly Wrap

RV PRODUCTION SLOWS

Australian RV production continues to drop from its 2011 peak, latest figures suggest.

According to peak industry body RVM Australia, 6072 RVs were built in Australia to the end of April. At this rate, overall production for 2013 could be as low as 18,000, a drop of around 13 per cent.

Last year’s figure of 20,708 RVs built was 4.9 per cent less than 2011. The last time annual RV production was around the 18,000 mark was back in 2005.

RVM Australia CEO David Duncan was unavailable for comment, but a spokesperson confirmed production volumes are down compared to last year. Although uncertain about the reasons for this, he did suggest the increasing number of imported RVs, particularly British caravans, coming into the country could be having an adverse affect on demand for Australian-built caravans.

Traditional-style caravans comprise around 50 percent of all RVs built in Australia. It’s estimated up to 500 British or European-built caravans were sold in Australia over the last 12 months.

VISTA CROSSING OVER?

The Bayswater, Melbourne-based manufacturer behind a range of cutting-edge, hybrid offroad caravans is looking at making a move into the increasingly popular, folding camper trailer market.

Although few specific details are available, with design and development in early stages and a prototype being developed, it’s believed Vista RV is currently working on a flip-over-style canvas camper that could hit the market by early-2014.

The new model promises some innovative features not seen before in the off-road camper market. Vista RV currently produces around 50 a year of its three-model range of heavy-duty Crossover campers, priced up to $60,000.

NO SHOWS FOR TOP TOURIST

A regular sight at caravan shows around the country is the retro-themed backdrop and bright yellow and blue signage of Top Tourist Parks.

But that's set to be a thing of the past, with the major holiday park chain deciding not to exhibit any more at caravans shows around the country.

The decision coincides with the planned stepping down of Bill Pycroft from his long-held position of Top Tourist CEO. Bill has been the friendly face of Top Tourist at its show stands for the last 20 years or so. In fact, he recalled while working at his last show in Queensland recently that in all that time he’s missed only one show due to unforeseen circumstances.

Top Tourist will instead focus on its other marketing activities, including the ongoing major sponsorship of weekly TV program Discover Downunder.

Pycroft admitted he’s looking forward to the rest and relaxation that retirement brings – something many thousands of visitors to Top Tourist’s 200 or so parks around Australia already enjoy.

KOCHIE PREACHES TO CARAVAN CONVERTED

Speaking of well-known faces, investment guru and small business advocate, Port Adelaide football club president, and morning TV show presenter David Koch will be one of the key speakers at the upcoming Caravan & Camping Industry Association NSW Conference.

To be held at the The Star in Sydney over three days from July 30-August 1, ‘Kochie’ will be joined by other entertaining speakers including NSW Small Business Commissioner Yasmin King, seven times world surfing champ Layne Beachley and demographer Bernard Salt, who will discuss the future impacts of demographic and social change on the caravanning, camping and manufactured villages industry.

The conference will also include the annual Awards of Excellence, and run classes for participants who want to boost their business with Facebook and other social media.

MORE TALVOR BARGAINS

Following its wallet-thanking 2012 end of year clearance, Queensland RV manufacturer Talvor is slashing prices again on a range of new and used caravans and motorhomes, from both its Talvor retail range as well as the Apollo rental fleet.

Thousands of dollars can be saved on new caravans, with prices starting from $45,990, while prices of new motorhomes will be reduced by up to $15,000. You should also be able to grab a bargain on a number of new models including the latest Talvor 750D.

The 2013 Mid-year Caravan, Camping Clearance Sale runs from 9am-4pm, July 31-Aug 3, at the Talvor factory, 698 Nudgee Rd, Northgate, Brisbane.

Other products and related services will also be available for purchase from a range of other RV businesses.

BEYOND THE BITUMEN

Bailey Australia continues its quest to convince Australian caravan buyers that the British-built vans are as tough and durable as their locally-built rivals.

Last year Bailey Australia took part in some extensive cross-country testing, which resulted in a number of upgrades designed to make the lightweight, hi-tech models better suited to Australian tastes and conditions.

Now a couple of new Bailey models are set to tackle the dust and gravel of South Australia’s Flinders Ranges, as part of a five-day media event in late-August.

To keep the British invaders honest, also in the convoy will be two, Australian-built Regent models; a range-topping, tandem-axle Monarch and a new single-axle Regent 'van with independent suspension.

The trip, which will be filmed by Whats Up Downunder, is being organised by Caravans Australia, which builds Regent and Legacy caravans and  Austrail RV chassis, and imports the Bailey vans.

Tow vehicles will include a couple of the latest VF Commodores, plus old (turbo-diesel) and new (V8 petrol) Nissan Patrols. The trip will include overnight stops at Wilpena Pound, Maree, and Arkaroola.

With Caravancampingsales.com.au along for the ride, stay tuned for a full rundown of what promises to be an Australia Vs England, Ashes-style caravan showdown.

ON DISPLAY AT A POLO EVENT NEAR YOU...

Airstream Australia recently celebrated the first anniversary of the arrival Down Under of the first 'made for Australia' Airstream travel trailer from America.

Priced from as high as $135,000 for the biggest 25ft 762 model, the iconic American vans remain among the most expensive, and exclusive models on the Australian market.

But don't expect to see their distinctive, polished aluminium bodies on display at any conventional caravan show, with the importers deciding to promote them at a range of 'lifestyle' events, including the Mont24 mountain bike race in Canberra, Bathurst 1000 car race in NSW and Cooly Rocks vintage festival on the Gold Coast.

Also guaranteed to attract further attention for the brand, particularly if you mix in the right social circles, will be the arrival of the Veuve Clicquot Airstream in Australia later this year. Taking part in a 'round world promotional tour, the eye-catching Airstream has a customised interior complete with orange-themed decor mimicking the prestigious French champagne's label.

TOWING GUIDE UPDATED

Looking for the most up-to-date information and technical facts about towing a caravan in Australia? Help is at hand with the latest edition of The National Caravan and Recreational Vehicle Towing Guide now available.

According to Lyndel Gray, CEO of the Caravan and Camping Industry Assocation of NSW that puts out the free guide, it's a 'must have' document for "everyone who tows as it provides a wealth of information that not only includes helpful hints and tips but also technical and mechanical considerations for towing".

Reviewed by nine technical experts to ensure accuracy, the Guide is a "useful tool for both beginners and avid travellers. It combines information on everything from regulatory requirements, preparation for towing and definitions of industry terminology through to facts on couplings, braking systems and insurance".

Get your hard copy or ebook version from the Towing Guide website.

CURTAINS FOR CREATIVE CARAVANS

Creative Caravans, which is located among dozens of other caravan manufacturers in Campbellfield, Victoria, has closed its gates for good, reports Caravanning News.

Around 20 workers at Creative Caravans, which previously traded as Prestige Caravans and has been in business since 2003, are out of work and liquidators have been appointed to wind up the company.

Both dealers and workers expressed surprise at the decision, with former employee Ben Galea reportedly saying after being confronted by locked factory gates earlier this week: "Everything seemed fine and we all turned up for a normal day. We were dumbfounded when we found we were out of a job. Workers were very upset."

Creative Caravans was a member of the Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing Association of Australia, Caravan RV & Accomodation Industry of Australia and the Caravan Trade & Industries Association of Victoria. According to its website, the manufacturer is "well known throughout Australia as a progressive and innovative designer and manufacturer of quality caravans".

DOWNLOAD THE LEYLANDS

Fans of classic Aussie TV shows rejoice! Speaking recently on ABC Radio Mal Leyland, co-star of iconic Aussie travel show Ask the Leyland Brothers, has indicated that all 156 episodes of the pioneering documentary-style show, should be available online by November this year.

Notable for its wet t-shirts, classic Kombi campervan and catchy theme song, not to mention its quirky, interactive viewer format, Ask the Leyland Brothers was shot on low-budget, Super 8 film and screened between 1976-80 and 1983-84. Hugely popular, it attracted as many as four million viewers at its regular 6.30pm slot on Channel 9 on Sunday nights.

Unfortunately, Mal didn’t indicate which online platform the shows will be available – free on ABC iView, for example, or payable via a format like iTunes or perhaps Mal’s own website – so we’ll have to wait for a further announcement closer to the date.

To whet your appetite, or simply revive some memories, check out the video below...