THE IDEAL MOVABLE HOME FOR THE FAMILY

Press, 4 August 1977, Page 9

THE IDEAL MOVABLE HOME FOR THE FAMILY

In less than 30 years, e*nv aning has become one of New Zealand’s (and the world’s) fastest growing industries and, keeping pace with the growth, has been a staggering improvement. Technical advancement has given the caravan the role of an ideal movable holiday home instead of the original concept of a tent on wheels. The change has been far from gradual. In the last decade, the market has boomed along with rapid growth of caravan parks and camping in most popular areas of New Zealand.

Today’s caravan is no longer the small plywood, home built, egg shaped unit with the appeal of a gypsy waggon. It is a first class piece of highly skilled workmanship and technological design incorporating the science of design into a modern size. The range of features is large. There are showers, flush toilets, automatic ignition stoves, gas and electric refrigerators, ample bench space, more than ample cupboard space, full insulation and a host of safety features. In fact, today’s caravans are so luxurious that one can be excused for spend-

ing more of the holiday inside than outside.

During 1964-66, when caravans grew in length, they also grew in width, making them more roomy inside —a feature which has proved popular with buyers. In New Zealand, there are about 25 manufacturers producing about 6500 caravans a year. The largest and most experienced are C.I. (Caravans International), who produce three main brands — Crusader, Oxford and Sprite — the latter model being known world wide. First produced in England, then refined and modified by the company’s development division in Germany. The Sprite range produced in New Zealand is substantially like those produced in Germany, Spain and South Africa, except for the towing and braking equipment.

Much of the method and equipment used in the New Zealand C.I. factory is covered fay C.I. world patents and registered designs. C.I. manufacture a full range of caravans from the 27ft Penthouse to the Sprite Hardtop Camper, selling for $lB2l. C.I. attribute the popularity of

their products to the large range of models, coupled with practical layouts and the varied specifications of its three brands.

Supplied by New Zealand’s largest chain of caravan dealerships (about 31), providing a good back up service of spares and factory approved accessories.

Mr McGregor claims that the caravan market has split three ways. Firstly, there is the medium size family holiday type caravan and those who have been bitten by the caravaning or camping bug will realise that it is an on-going business which is forever changing as new ideas and new equipment appear. More and more people are turning each year to caravans and other types of recreational vehicles for their holidays. There are several basic reasons for the continued, rapid growth of the recreational vehicle industry. Recreational vehicles give the holiday maker the opportunity to “holiday without hassel.” Other forms of holiday accommodation are becoming more and more expensive and forward bookings even more difficult. The caravan can prove to be an extremely economic and relaxing family holiday, especially through the advent of the new type polystyrene in-

sulation which vastly supersedes the use of fibre glass for insulation both for efficiency and because it does not shake down with road use leaving no insulation in the upper cavities after continued road use.

The use of polystyrene makes possible further family holidays during the cooler months of the year and even winter ski holidays in perfect comfort.

Nevertheless, some manufacturers still use fibreglass — so it is wise to ask before you buy.

With wage indexation and rising oil prices making all forms of manufacturing costs dearer, caravan prices are rising steadily too. However, it is interesting to note that, compared with the cost of a family car, caravans have risen much less in proportion over the years due to the different construction and production methods now being used.

The caravan, therefore, must be considered an investment. Not only does it do away with living out of a suitcase as required by a motel holiday, but it is a substantial investment.

Perhaps the biggest problem facing a potential owner is how to choose the right caravan from all the models and makes available. As always, the best advice is to seek out

the quality product on the market with the latest technical advancement and up-to-the-minute features and a well known brand with a good reputation. Then find the right size from the range of models available and consider the layout on floor plan options in the selected size.

In recent years, the specifications have increased, coupled with new plastic surfaced wood grained materials which enhance the practicability and appearance of the interior of the caravan, such as hot water, refrigerators, oven stoves and more cupboards. These improvements have resulted in a general increase across the board in recreational vehicles manufactured in New Zealand.

It is fairly general to assess the weight of single axle caravans at 1 cwt per body foot plus 3.

That is to say, an average 15ft caravan with good quality and specifications would weigh about 18 cwt. To this (ex-factory weight) should be added about another 1 cwt per person, thus giving a gross rolling load.

There are some exceptions to this generalisation, such as Sprite, which is a continentally designed light weight caravan, developed more for high speed cruising behind light weight, high

performance, continental cars.

The ex-factory weight of the range of Sprites would not average much above 1 cwt per body foot. The logical yard stick to start with is the car because the chosen caravan must be within the towing capabilities of the vehicle — that is if one is expected to be happy with

the over-all performance. For the same reason of difficulty in generalising in the (ex-factory) weights of caravans, some cars of equivalent (c.c.) rating are better tow vehicles than others because of their gross weights and gearing. However, as a general guide, a car is capable of towing on main routes or average conditions 1 cwt per rated c.c.

That is to say, a 15ft caravan at 18 cwt which is four-berth, 4 cwt, total 22 cwt could be towed very comfortably by a 2200 c.c. motor car.

This is only general and does not mean that a sixcylinder 2000 c.c. car could not pull the 15ft caravan, because it could. And a final check, the laden weight of the caravan, including holiday equipment, should not exceed the weight of the fully laden car with its passengers. The car handbook should show its gross weight. It is advisable to ask caravan salesmen about the towing capabilities of the car and chosen caravan. The salesman probably has had years of caravaning experience and is a member of a caravan club.

He probably has helped many people and may suggest a test tow. If so, it is best for him to come along for his advice. Camper trailers are not entirely new to the New Zealand caravan scene. When the Propert folding caravan was introduced from Australia about 22 years ago, the unit was ingenious but sales were very small.

This model was soon followed by the Companion from Germany, which was manufactured in Christchurch. Next was the all fibreglass. Matedore, from South Africa, then the Sportsman, made in New Zealand.

Few people seriously considered that there would be a boom market for this type of mobile holiday unit, half-way between a tent and a caravan.

During the last three years in New Zealand, the camper trailer has proved a success because of its versatility. Best described as a type of collapsible caravan with canvas sides, the camper trailer can be folded to a height of 4ft for towing purposes — yet they can accommodate from three up to six people. They are tractable and can be towed into normally inaccessible camping and fishing areas. Today, camper trailers form an important part of the caravan manufacturing industry. Undoubtedly, these units owe their success to the lightness and low wind resistance while being towed. Because they have such a low profile while being towed, camper trailers can be towed successfully even by a Mini. Probably the lightest of the campers is the Sprite Hardtop, which is 16l/4cwt, 10ft 2in long, sleeps three or four people, has 12v lighting, 230 v power, a sink and provision for a refrigerator, gas stove and bottle. (Continued on P. 10)