Remember the summer, remember the airport chaos, received your lost luggage yet, did your holiday accommodation really live up to your expectations?

The good thing about such vehicles these days is that they are fully insulated, have all the gadgetry you have at home and all have provisions for the use of electricity and hot and cold running water. They can, and are, used all the year around, from skiing holidays to ‘silver nomads’ searching for the winter sun.
This October motorhome buyers, and those who choose to rent such vehicles, will be heading for Birmingham’s NEC and the International Caravan and Motorhome Show.
From the latest micro motorhomes to a mighty twin axle, from the iconic campervan to the most luxurious coachbuilt units, this show is one of the highlights of the motorhome world.
The motorhome market still growing, there are over 140,000 such vehicles registered in the UK, many of them used for holidays at different times of the year. The latest forecast for new registrations for 2007 is over 11,000 vehicles and looking set to continue.
The Motorhome Information Service said, “This Show is going to be as important as ever. All the motorhomers we’ve spoke to are desperate to see the latest designs and trends.”
“In fact, the motorhome is more popular than at any time in its history. The combination of the growth and the ability of the industry to build many different designs means that there’s real potential to meet many different customer demands. And it’s a very broad picture, as the campervan continues its comeback and the coachbuilt gets both bigger and smaller.”
The UK’s biggest manufacturer, Swift, has already announced new models which include a giant twin axle Kon Tiki – a new family vehicles that makes use of Fiat’s latest higher payload Ducato – and some compact versions of the popular Bolero and sister models, the Ace Airstream and the Bessacarr E500. Fiat has also introduced automatic gearboxes which Swift is offering as an option on all their models.
Auto-Sleepers Group doesn’t seem to be able to stop launching new models, adding three more to the Symbol and Warwick camper vans and the coachbuilt Sigma launched this summer. This time it’s the Orian sister range, which includes two coachbuilts – the Pavo on a short wheelbase Peugeot and Capella on a long wheel base with an all new layout – and a new mini coachbuilt called the Misa. Built on the Peugeot Partner, this is a true micro-van and, according to Auto-Sleepers, a really simple but affordable van that doubles as a day van, as well as being there for instant leisure when you need it.
Meanwhile Auto-Trail has added a new version of the Cheyenne, the 740 S, which offers a twin bedded permanent rear bedroom and comes as a high or low profile option – as with all their models. The low profile has an additional double berth in the lounge area, while the high profile has an additional double bed over the cab. Under the company’s Trigano badge, comes the latest Tribute van conversion, to compete in this growing market. New features across the ranges include new high-security door systems, new-look locker doors, environmentally friendly low energy lighting, repositionable shelves for high level cupboards and new graphics. On all models, the company offers an SE pack which includes cab air conditioning, home entertainment centre and a reversing camera.
There’s a bit of retro, at least in name, from Autocruise, who are re-entering the camper market with their all new Tempo – a conversion on the long wheelbase Peugeot – which they claim is putting the Autocruise quart in a pint pot. Loads of storage, a cleverly compact kitchen, shower and toilet compartment and a bed made up in seconds. Tempo is a name which will ring a few bells with some motorhome users – it’s the name on one of the last conversions made by the old Holdsworth company, before it was taken over by Autocruise. Added to this, the whole Autocruise coachbuilt range has been given a makeover inside and out. There’s a bit of retro, at least in name, from Autocruise, who are re-entering the camper market with their all new Tempo – a conversion on the long wheelbase Peugeot – which they claim is putting the Autocruise quart in a pint pot.