"Go west young man"...or east, south, north, wherever thou wilt. With a caravan on your bumper, the world’s your oyster!
From Britain’s first ‘Wanderer’
The idea of a having a 'home from home' purely for pleasure originated in Britain when Dr William Gordon Stables created The Wanderer, an appropriate name for the first purpose-build touring caravan which hit the road in 1885. His idea obviously appealed to intrepid travellers, because in 1907 (June 14th to be exact) the Caravan Club was formed to "bring together those interested in van life as a pastime". With almost 400,000 members and access to some 3,000 locations throughout the UK and Ireland, that interest has mushroomed; caravanning now accounts for almost 20% of all 'paid for' British holidays.
To America’s pioneering RV
It wasn't until 1910 that the USA cottoned on (sure there were wagon trains but, let’s face it, epic journeys to the untamed West could hardly be viewed as fun!). It didn't take long, however, for Americans to crank things up a gear, adapting the concept to their own magnificent mode of transport - the Recreational Vehicle, currently celebrating its centenary. Hard to believe that when the RV began its journey, there were just 140 miles of paved roads throughout the States – hardly enough for the 8 million or so motor homes trundling around today, from basic Winnibagos to 45ft, 500 horse-powered motoring mansions with marble bathrooms, gold faucets, designer decor and all the latest gadgets.
Holidays to beat the credit crunch
In fact, RV manufacturers are doing rather well just now, despite the downturn on other motor industries due to the credit crunch. At Elkhart, Indiana where 50% of recreational vehicles are made, Four Winds International are producing 22 hand-built models every day. It isn’t hard to see why. The freedom of the roads, being able to wander at will whilst relaxing in the comfort of your own ’home’ (and eating just as cheaply) are genuine pluses. And, no matter how modern and techno-savvy these vehicles become, there’s genuine nostalgia involved; in many ways, interiors have altered little over the years with kitchen, bathroom and living room built to a similar layout on a Ford chassis.
More pulling power from The Caravan Club
Another advantage of RVs is being able to travel abroad without the same restrictions that apply to caravans. Purists, of course, will not be swayed from the pulling power of a traditional van, but if you’re planning to tour the continent, you need to mug up the rules. For example, drivers of caravans weighing over 3,500kg should take the B+E test before venturing abroad. Most average-sized caravans are lighter than this; however, the overall weight includes that of the towing vehicle, which a typical 4x4 of, say, 3,000kg, would exceed considerably. The Caravan Club have a list of companies who offer B+E training to their members. They also provide a leaflet giving details of Driving Licences, towing restrictions and other requirements
And, whether you have a caravan or a top-of-the-range RV, don’t forget to take a good range of Mer Car Care Products, such as our caravan cleaner products that help keep your vehicle in tip top condition – inside and out.