Andrew becomes a writer and caravan journalist

In 1989 Andrew turned his thoughts to getting “involved” in the caravan industry. This was to be  through writing. Andrew contacted several magazines with his idea of a series on classic caravans, explaining about his ever-growing archive content and interest. Months later one magazine Caravan Life and its then new editor Stuart Craig decided to take one article on a trial basis.

The result was that in the May 1992 issue Andrews name appeared in print with an article about the famous Cheltenham Caravan. From this another 36 classic caravans were covered running the series for just over four years. Andrew used this as a springboard to begin doing industry write-ups and testing new caravans, as well as the odd site report. Andrew was now becoming established as an authority on the UK caravan industry, makers and models. Andrew also turned to other journals such as Caravan Magazine, followed by Practical Caravan. He also turned his expertise on buying used, and again further enhancing his reputation within the industry.

Andrew writes his first book

In late 1997 Andrew began work on his biggest project then to date, a history book on the start of the touring caravan, this was followed by the second volume in 1999. The second book also coincided with the birth of Andrew & Jackie's first child Georgina Olivia who went caravanning at two weeks old!  For 2000 Andrew had published the first ever buyers guide to used caravans. Next to this came the I-Spy Caravans & Motorcaravans for Michelin.

Andrew has now become a well-established author with a new book on motorhomes released in March 2003, which is again published by Veloce PLC. With several national and local TV appearances plus radio interviews (Explained in full on this web site) Andrew is now known as an expert in his field.

Not content to be a caravan journalist, Andrew decided that it was time that a book was produced which gave the history of the caravan and the industry in the UK. Andrew contacted several publishers one of them who showed a keen interest was Veloce Publishing PLC. Within a few months Andrew was given a contract to write 'Caravans; British Trailer Caravans from 1919 to 1959'.

"Andy Jenkinson on left nearest camera takes a break with radio GMR talking about caravanning in a Swift Lifestyle"

The book was published in late 1998 and was given excellent reviews in the caravan press and was given the accolade of Book of the Month in Practical Classics in the July 1999 issue. Andrew was then commissioned by Veloce to write the books follow up 'Caravans; From 1960'. Within a few months the book had sold over 1,000 copies, combined sales have been just short of over 4,000 copies. Both books were reprinted in March 2003 to coincide with the release of his new Motorhome book. With both history books having sold well, Veloce also commissioned a new book, called 'Veloce Used Touring Caravans'. This unique guide was released in April 2000, and early reactions have been encouraging with good reviews. 

Andrew approached the publishers (Michelin Guides) with an idea to produce an I-Spy Caravans and Motorhomes. This meant cataloguing and doing 40 word write-ups on each model range produced by the manufacturers. Andrew was given commissioned to do the children’s I-Spy book which was released in July 2000, making this his fourth book in just over two years.

"The children’s I-Spy Caravans & Motorcaravans is now available from all major bookshops at £1.99-hey and its not just for the kids, adults too can join in!"

So who does Andrew Jenkinson write for?

Andrew writes for all the UK caravan magazines, including an Australian publication and also a UK caravan trade magazine. He’s done work for Your Cat and also Yours magazines, all caravan related.

Andrew has his own column in the UK’s leading caravan magazine Practical Caravan. He also does the used buy test reports and also tests new caravans, and does site reports as well as what’s happening in the industry. Andrew specialises in the historical side of the industry and also in used buys. He also answers reader’s queries in Practical Caravan regarding caravan identities, years and background history.

Andrew does first impression tourer tests for Caravan Magazine and other news and touring caravan related items, such as the historical side.  Caravan Life was the first magazine Andrew wrote for on a regular basis in 1993, with a series titled Classic Caravans. Since then he has done new tourer test reports, company profiles, industry personality interviews, used tourer reviews plus other caravan features.

Andrew writes for the trade magazine Caravan Business doing special reports on industry news and the GMex show. Caravan Mart, is also another of Andrews outlets. Used & new tourer reviews, features and new model news are just some of the subjects Andrew reports on for Caravan Mart. Andrew has also written for the Caravan Clubs Magazine comparing motorhomes to caravans and also writing about the Clubs history.

Andrew Jenkinsons name is now featuring round the other side of the world-in Australia to be exact. Writing for Caravan and Motorhome, he reports on what’s happening in the UK regarding new caravans and motorhomes. Also all the major shows are visited and reported on by Andrew giving the Australian readers an insight as to how the UK industry and European manufacturers differ.

Andrew Jenkinson has begun a new bi-monthly series on caravan decades for the Camping & Caravanning Club magazine. He is doing a potted two-page history on caravans through the ages. Andrew shows briefly some of the popular makes and how caravan design has changed through the last 60 years. It’s only a brief history and readers are advised to check out Andrews two in-depth history books on the subject at ; www.veloce.co.uk

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Andrew has also been commissioned by the Camping & Caravanning Club to supply photos and to write-up the information for a touring caravan identity video and booklet. This will be used by various police forces in the UK to help combat crime on caravan theft. It will give police vital clues in identifying the recovered touring caravans that are stolen in the UK each year, to return them to their rightful owners.

Buying a used tourer

Looking for a used tourer but your budgets not as large as you would like it to be? Well no matter, I am a firm believer that tourers that are in good road worthy condition, and that the gas, electrics and all the appliances have been fully checked for safety can provide good caravanning. I would like to see tourers from the 60’s / 70’s and even the 80’s now join the ranks of the classic car owner. In fact I reckon a classic touring caravan club for tourers of those eras should be started, before most of them disappear.  

"This 1987 Ace Globetrotter is a good family starter tourer, and one of my personal favourites"

Buying a used tourer is like anything else, you have to check for the entire pitfall’s of the item your buying. What I always say is pop down to your dealer if you don’t know much about caravans. Buying private for the inexperienced is a major mistake. Unless of course they have a friend who has enough knowledge on the subject, but then if all goes wrong friendships can become stretched. Model years are a problem and even the seller may have originally been misled about the caravans age.

If you go to a dealer you will have more comeback if the year of manufacture has been mistaken. Also check for damp – it’s the caravans main enemy also spongy floors show that the Styrofoam sandwich is breaking up. Check for maintenance, coupling, corner steadies’ etc have they seen any sign of a grease gun? Don’t forget trim as well especially any exterior moulds these can be damaged and very hard to replace.

Dealers will usually put a notice in the caravan if it’s in a state of needing repair telling of such faults. Anyone who is good at DIY then this type of purchase could be the thing to do. If electric’s or gas checks are needed call in an expert. Don’t risk potential injury or even death all to save a few quid.

So what to buy? Well like cars and anything really there were good and bad model years and some designs that are more prone to things going wrong. I recommend that you buy my 100 Used Buyers Guide To Touring Caravans (£6.99). Here I have listed 50 family tourers and 50 two berths from £900 to £12,000. I give an honest opinion on the vans again its published by my publisher’s www.veloce.co.uk . Or you can also see what I have discovered on my latest dealer forecourt visit’s by checking out Practical Caravans Used Buys, Caravan Mart and Caravan Life’s used buy features too.  

Good luck with your used tourer search!

Buying a new tourer

It’s a great feeling when you pick up that new tourer, you have the latest model to hit the forecourts and you just can’t wait to try it out on site. However, buying a new tourer isn’t as cut and dried as you may think. Once manufacturers stayed with one market place; either budget, mid-market, luxury or super luxury tourers. Now manufacturers cover most of those criteria’s, that means common components are used throughout the ranges.  

"Lunars 2001 range is one of the companies best, picture is of the Lunar Clubman"

To some extent this makes for some manufacturers ranges becoming almost identical except for different body graphics and soft furnishing designs. Also dealer specials are becoming more common place and this to can confuse the buyer. It’s a case of finding your budget price and then taking off to your nearest dealer. Most will carry a demonstrator of all the manufacturers ranges for you to look at and hopefully narrow your choice down to what you require.  

End bathroom models in both two berth and family tourers are a popular choice, and are ideal for those who don’t want to use the sites facilities. Increasing in popularity is the end bedroom fixed bed models, taking away the bed making ritual but then again these are in longer lengths and can mean much of the vans living space is confined to the frontal area.

Double dinette layouts are still proving popular and make a great two berth as well as family tourer.