We were caravanners for over 20 years, I would like a new van but issues like the rotten floors on bailey unicorn caravans has put me off, in fact we had a 2019 bailey vigo and decided to sell after i lost too many sleepless nights wondering if we would have the same issue.
Thats a pity - again I hear different stories some no problems others lots with rotten floors. Its a shame you sold your van because of this worry and thats not caravanning is all about, thank you for watching.
Well I am a bit in front of you age wise - and seen many changes some good others not so - these changes I dont like - thank you and all tghe best to you and your family.
So sad to hear about Ennis Caravans. My older brother work there for 22 years. He was heart broken. I love turning up with goodies for them. So sad and near Christmas time.
Wow 22 years - well thts a major sad blow just so sad my vist many years ago was enjoyable so sad they do have a dealer very close by I noted - thanks for that info.
Hi Andy, thats a shame to see another dealer go out of business. Hope 2025 will see a new dawn for the industry, and a pickup in sales. Dealers are very scarce here in Ireland with only a few used dealers in the South. New sales dealerships are only in Northern Ireland leaving a very long distance to travel for the annual service. Sad for the people working there and for all who bought caravans from the dealership over the years.
Hi Andy as usual bad things always happen at Christmas time but we have come through it in the past and will get through it again. Next year people will think yes we can have a holiday but once we have had it it’s over but if we get another caravan we can have more than one. I think it will pick up next year and sea crossings will increase as long as ferry prices don’t go up. Yes old dealers go but new ones start and the world moves on remember the thoughts in the 70’s when purchase tax was put on caravans makers went but new ones came. Finger’s crossed I’m right. Merry Christmas Andy.
Hi Colin - yes never a good time - VAT in 73 and high inflation saw dealers shut and manufacturers go bust but there were plenty to go at back then - fewer now and not seen any new dealers set up for awhile - hope next year proves better - Merry Christmas to you Colin - thank you
Must be terrible time for the staff and even worse this time of year. The loss of competition is worrying too as like you say it's not good for the industry long term, just more distortion in the market. The government's response to covid is still reaping havoc. There's no dealers within 40miles of us now. We used to have Orpington caravans down the road (now a care home) and everytime we drive past it we think 'such a shame' as you certainly miss them once they've gone!
Thats a distance Orpington a dealership that was well known - no its not good when I think of the smaller dealers that I knew in the past that now have long gone we had Barrons a 5 acre dealership showroom, motorhomes, tourers and holiday homes plus folding campers - now a housing estate! Glad I have images of how it was - yes like Lunar a place I was at many times over 28 years now gone I still miss the staff and the buzz of the factory.
Hi Andy, Such a shame for the staff at Christmas, i feel for them, i think this whole obsession with EV's isnt helping at all as well as previous problems with covid, the government should make the purchase and use of EV's affordable to the ordinary chap in the street, the EV manufacturers need to look at improving the vehicles that will actually tow a caravan without having to recharge it every 100miles or so, is this a UK thing? Is Europe not as obsessed with caravans as us brits, so they aint that bothered. Anyway have a great Christmas and New year. Conrad.
Hi Conrad - if EV's could tow a decent tourer I think the range problem would be acceptable but when few will tow much and lets face it the makers wont want you towing with electric motors. The worlds gone mad Conrad - back in the mid 70s caravan makers were hit with furl costs so caravanners wanted a smaller car and manufacturers made tourers light for this market sector then everything went full circle in the 80s with big twin axle models for the growing 4 x 4 market place. Seems to me the goverment are spoiling life for motorists and caravanners and motorhome users to. All the best for 2025.
Tow Cars , Tow Cars Tow Cars , That’s what’s happening at the minute . EV overload is at fault . The government also has played its part with next year high Road Tax is going to be the end for some who are holding onto their cars but who has the thousands to spend on Tax …. It’s why caravans are dying and MH are being more of an option for those who want to carrry on with touring.
Yes EV aint helping but motorhomes will also get caught up with EV power adding big costs and less travelling and could you get a motorhome to a charge point? Ah worlds gone mad more efficent petrol should be answer and road tax - its getting so expensive - thanks for comments
We were caravanners for over 20 years, I would like a new van but issues like the rotten floors on bailey unicorn caravans has put me off, in fact we had a 2019 bailey vigo and decided to sell after i lost too many sleepless nights wondering if we would have the same issue.
Thats a pity - again I hear different stories some no problems others lots with rotten floors. Its a shame you sold your van because of this worry and thats not caravanning is all about, thank you for watching.
its everything. im 61 now and seen too mush change , and nobody likes change. all the best for the season to you and your family.
Well I am a bit in front of you age wise - and seen many changes some good others not so - these changes I dont like - thank you and all tghe best to you and your family.
So sad to hear about Ennis Caravans. My older brother work there for 22 years. He was heart broken. I love turning up with goodies for them. So sad and near Christmas time.
Wow 22 years - well thts a major sad blow just so sad my vist many years ago was enjoyable so sad they do have a dealer very close by I noted - thanks for that info.
Hi Andy, thats a shame to see another dealer go out of business. Hope 2025 will see a new dawn for the industry, and a pickup in sales. Dealers are very scarce here in Ireland with only a few used dealers in the South. New sales dealerships are only in Northern Ireland leaving a very long distance to travel for the annual service. Sad for the people working there and for all who bought caravans from the dealership over the years.
Scotland is the same fwer dealers around now and in England dealers hav become scarcer - lets hope 2025 sees sales return to some normality Kevin.
Hi Andy as usual bad things always happen at Christmas time but we have come through it in the past and will get through it again. Next year people will think yes we can have a holiday but once we have had it it’s over but if we get another caravan we can have more than one. I think it will pick up next year and sea crossings will increase as long as ferry prices don’t go up. Yes old dealers go but new ones start and the world moves on remember the thoughts in the 70’s when purchase tax was put on caravans makers went but new ones came. Finger’s crossed I’m right. Merry Christmas Andy.
Hi Colin - yes never a good time - VAT in 73 and high inflation saw dealers shut and manufacturers go bust but there were plenty to go at back then - fewer now and not seen any new dealers set up for awhile - hope next year proves better - Merry Christmas to you Colin - thank you
Must be terrible time for the staff and even worse this time of year. The loss of competition is worrying too as like you say it's not good for the industry long term, just more distortion in the market. The government's response to covid is still reaping havoc.
There's no dealers within 40miles of us now. We used to have Orpington caravans down the road (now a care home) and everytime we drive past it we think 'such a shame' as you certainly miss them once they've gone!
Thats a distance Orpington a dealership that was well known - no its not good when I think of the smaller dealers that I knew in the past that now have long gone we had Barrons a 5 acre dealership showroom, motorhomes, tourers and holiday homes plus folding campers - now a housing estate! Glad I have images of how it was - yes like Lunar a place I was at many times over 28 years now gone I still miss the staff and the buzz of the factory.
Just had an email that Lady Bailey Caravans have also taken the decision to cease trading!!
Yes both are retiring apparently land will be worth a few quid - Bailey down to one production line to.
Such a shame another one goes Andy
Its terrible Peter not a good trend and also after loosing Pennine folding campers too
3As Carmarthen is the biggest dealer.
Hi Yes was there in 2015 nice sunny day to and helpful dealership all round 3 As
Hi Andy, Such a shame for the staff at Christmas, i feel for them, i think this whole obsession with EV's isnt helping at all as well as previous problems with covid, the government should make the purchase and use of EV's affordable to the ordinary chap in the street, the EV manufacturers need to look at improving the vehicles that will actually tow a caravan without having to recharge it every 100miles or so, is this a UK thing? Is Europe not as obsessed with caravans as us brits, so they aint that bothered. Anyway have a great Christmas and New year.
Conrad.
Hi Conrad - if EV's could tow a decent tourer I think the range problem would be acceptable but when few will tow much and lets face it the makers wont want you towing with electric motors. The worlds gone mad Conrad - back in the mid 70s caravan makers were hit with furl costs so caravanners wanted a smaller car and manufacturers made tourers light for this market sector then everything went full circle in the 80s with big twin axle models for the growing 4 x 4 market place. Seems to me the goverment are spoiling life for motorists and caravanners and motorhome users to. All the best for 2025.
Tow Cars , Tow Cars Tow Cars ,
That’s what’s happening at the minute . EV overload is at fault .
The government also has played its part with next year high Road Tax is going to be the end for some who are holding onto their cars but who has the thousands to spend on Tax ….
It’s why caravans are dying and MH are being more of an option for those who want to carrry on with touring.
Yes EV aint helping but motorhomes will also get caught up with EV power adding big costs and less travelling and could you get a motorhome to a charge point? Ah worlds gone mad more efficent petrol should be answer and road tax - its getting so expensive - thanks for comments
Motorhomes are already using EV chargers for their house battery charging adaptors are available