The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show returned to the NEC with hundreds of caravans, motorhomes, trailer tents and tents from the major UK and European manufactures and dealers.
Here the magazine team round up some of the new models launched at the show.
In Hall 3 Bailey continued to celebrate 75 years with the new Pegasus Grande GT75 Amalfi caravan. This versatile six-berth twin axle unit offers a comfortable double bed and static bunk beds to the rear, plus a living area that converts to two extra spaces to sleep up front.
It has a separate shower and toilet in the centre of the caravan ideal for families, and a washing area which can be closed off on either side to ensure privacy and enough room for changing.
The kitchen is efficient, with a drop-down work surface above the oven, plus a family-size fridge freezer, and there's a media centre to keep everyone entertained.
At around £31,000, it sits in Bailey mid-tier offering, but the sleeping versatility of the Amalfi is useful as kids grow or if you want friends and family along for the ride.
The ORX is a new and exciting self-inflating camper from OPUS. Emerging from an off-grid trailer, this unit contains two double mattresses, a king-size bed extension, a portable toilet, a slide-out kitchen, two 40-litre fresh water tanks, a drying rack, blown air heating and so much more. It’s inspired by Australian and American models, so should suit hardier campers.
The mass in running order is 1,400kg, so if you can tow it, you’ll have everything you need for a complete off-grid experience for just under £30,000.
Pre-pandemic almost all of the motorhomes at a show like this would have been based on a Fiat Ducato.
These days a fair number of larger campervans are based on the VW Crafter like the Hopton from Hillside Leisure (a basic model will set you back £78,000). For aroud £84K you can get a M-A-N TGE based version.
The main living area is at the back, with two large sofas that become single beds or a large double. At night your feet will tuck under the fridge or the hob, making the most of the space available. In another interesting development, you’ll find Thetford’s combined gas and electric hob inside, with two gas burners and an induction ring.
Roller Team has expanded its Livingstone Range to feature the 6 Sport. This model has either the two single beds at the rear, or the double layout if you’d prefer. A lot of thought has been put into the washroom, where there's a shower and toilet, but seemingly no sink. That is until you notice the drop-down basin built into the wall to save space.
The kitchen is basic but nicely done, with a sink-cooker combination above a small oven. There is a step up into the driver’s cabin but the front seats swivel around for comfort. At around £57,000 it’s a good price for a new campervan.
Coachman may be best known for it's long history of high quality UK caravan manufacture, but since its buy out by Swedish company Kabe it has ventured into top-of-the-range motorhomes. Here at the show they have introduced two new panel van conversions called Affinity.
The Affinity Duo has an unusual layout with a rear washroom and fixed double bed to one side. It's on the M-A-N base and has a top spec that's reflected in its nearly £100,000 price tag but with a maximum mass of 3,500kg it can still be driven on a standard B-class driving licence.
Chausson’s X-series was on full display in the 550 and the new 650 specifications. Despite them being the size of campervans, both models offer a good size bathroom, with a folding shower wall for comfort.
The longer 650 has an external hatch to the rear of the off-side, which gives upper access to the excellent garage space. The social space behind the driver cabin turns into a sleeping area at night, with a second full-width bed that lowers from the ceiling to allow space for four sleepers. The kitchen has a gas hob and sink, with chunky drawers below with more storage at head height.
Expect to pay the best part of £75,000 for the smallest model, but there are plenty of extras to choose from. And with the biggest model at 3,500kg there should be something for everyone.
For anyone keen to take their camping trips off-road, the Tribal Motorhome 650 MEG Platinum could be a good investment.
In a partnership between Premium Motorhomes and Knaus, the lifted VW chassis with an automatic gearbox would suit a pair of travellers who have their hearts set on adventure. Knaus has supplied elements of the body, while the leather décor inside is stamped with the Tribal branding.
The fixed rear bed will provide comfort, and as well as a useful kitchen with a 142-litre tower fridge freezer, there is an external barbecue point. Other luxuries include a 32in TV in the lounge area, as well as a scooter garage to the rear.
It's on sale at the show for £129,99.50, but this good-looking vehicle has everything you need packed in to 4,000kg.
If you are a motorhomer who enjoys cycling, the BR Bike Lift could be for you. It looks like a regular rack but it incorporates an electric lift which lowers to ground level allowing you to safely mount up to three bikes (with a maximum load of 60kg), with minimal lifting. The rack features adjustable holders that are lockable to keep your bikes safe.
Check out the BR Bike Lift on the Road Pro stand.
£1,475.98
Making its UK debut at the show was German manufacturer Trelino who showed off its range of mobile composting separation toilets. Made using recycled and recyclable materials these toilets are an environmentally-friendly alternative to conventional camping loos which require no water or chemical to operate and offer a simple and safe way to dispose of waste. Priced from £299.
Another show newcomer is The Nomad’s Kitchen, supplier of a range of portable cooking kits, cooking spices and cookware utensils to help you take your campsite cooing from ordinary to extraordinary. Its compact Cooking and Cutlery Kit includes two sets of stainless-steel cutlery, a bottle opener, reusable straws and straw cleaner, as well as a stylish three piece utensil set, all of which pack away into a neat hard-shell case on sale at the show for £20 (usually £25).
Its new for 2024 BBQ Briefcase is a portable barbecue made of stainless steel, weighing just 2 kilograms. It has a removeable baking tray and after use folds up neatly into briefcase-sized carry case for easy transportation and storage. Show price £40, RRP £50.
Well-known tent brands like Outwell, Coleman, Vango and Zempire – companies that often feature as winners in our Owner Satisfaction Awards - could be found in Hall 4.
Coleman, known for its Event Shelters, showed off its Air Shelter M. It's available with side walls or there’s a larger L model if you need more space.
Scottish company Vango displayed its new Classic Instant 300 (right) – an interesting twist on the traditional ridge tent as it’s in pop-up form.
A few unusual names included Dutch company De Waard with its smart sturdy cotton canvas tipi -- Compact Fir (right), costing a little under £1,000.
And here for the first time was NorthPeak.
A Korean company selling high quality polyester air-framed tents in partnership with Khyam, though they have slightly confusing names as the A5 is a four berth and the A7 is a five berth.
Somerset-based Latitude showed off its new Gen.2 Latitude Explorer, a roof tent built for serious adventure. The robust aluminium and polycotton roof tent pops up in seconds thanks to its gas struts. Inside there’s a thick foam mattress and storage options including internal pockets and a cargo net. Accessory roof bars mounted on the top of the tent allows kayaks, bikes and SUPs to be carried, while accessory channels on the tent sides cater for additional smaller kit. Expect to pay £2,495
If you’re after a stylish, easy to transport tent for your dog, look no further than Pooch and Paws Dog Teepees. Designed and made by Fay who used to make all the canvas teepees for Glastonbury Festival, these beautifully created mini tents come in a variety of colours and sizes but all pack away easily into a cotton bag for transport.