Get ready for the 2022 season...

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In the past, caravanners and motorhomers may have waited until they’d attended a show, such as the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show at the NEC, before making a decision on their first or next purchase. However, with no shows taking place in 2021 (both the February and October NEC shows were cancelled due to COVID) this may have thrown a spanner in the works.

Attending a national show like the ones held twice a year at the NEC are a great way of gaining an overview of what’s available in the industry, what dealerships are local to you and which vehicles may best suit your needs. However this year is a little different as demand is so high, so if you were thinking of using the February 2022 NEC show to aid your decision-making, you should reconsider.

Demand for caravans and motorhomes has been higher than ever since the onset of the pandemic, with more people than usual opting to staycation in the UK rather than risk booking holidays abroad. It has been predicted that the staycation boom will continue into 2022 as coronavirus remains a very real concern.

Unfortunately, the pandemic and Brexit have both affected the leisure vehicle industry greatly. Manufacturing stopped completely between March and June 2020 which caused a backlog that has been hard to recover from. Social distancing guidelines imposed over the past 20 months has led to reduced production levels and many parts and materials have proved harder to get hold of due to Brexit limitations.

So the message now is - order now, don’t delay! Orders being placed now are likely to be ready in Spring 2022, which will be ideal for the Spring/Summer season next year. If you wait until the new year to order, you may not receive your new vehicle until much later in the year. As a company, we have now sold over half of our allocation for the 2022 season, so if you delay, the vehicle you want may not be available until the 2023 season!

The other option is to go for a pre-owned vehicle, which you will be able to take delivery of soon after purchase. Although it won’t be brand new and you won’t be able to customise it to your specific tastes and requirements, you can shop around to find a model that suits your needs and has all the features you’re looking for. It will also cost you less than a brand new model so that’s a bonus too!

At Winchester Caravans and Motorhomes, we’re well-placed to assist you with either option, whether you decide to go for pre-owned or new. We offer new caravans from the top manufacturers Bailey and Swift as well as new Bailey motorhomes, pre-owned caravans and motorhomes from a range of manufacturers, and new and pre-owned VW campervans. The VW campervans can be purchased pre or post conversion.

If you’re considering buying your first leisure vehicle or are looking to upgrade, follow our handy tips on how to proceed in the absence of an imminent show to help you make your decision:

• Make a shortlist of the features that are the most important to you. Whilst it may not be possible to get every single thing on your list within your budget, there are certain things that you shouldn’t compromise on to ensure that you are happy with your purchase long-term. These are things like whether you want a standard or wide caravan, berth size, which layouts you favour, which types of bed you’d like (French, island, twin, bunks) mid or end washroom, storage capacity and must-have kitchen appliances.

• Choose a dealership local to you to purchase your new vehicle from - being local means that you’re not far away if any issues need to be ironed out and you won’t have very far to go for servicing and warranty work. Although different vehicles may be available at different dealerships (it’s worth shopping around if you are wed to a particular model) the good ones will work with you to find the right vehicle for you. That’s what we do; we’ll spend time discovering what features will suit your lifestyle and family needs and go the extra mile to find a vehicle that meets them.

• Choose a quality dealership with a good reputation. You’ll want to know that the dealer you’re buying from has customer care at the top of their priority list so that the service you receive is flawless. We go the extra mile for our customers and are proud of our 4.5/5 rating on Google reviews. Our workshop is NCC-approved which gives you an indication of the high quality service we deliver.

• Research the different manufacturers and models to discover what each offers and what matches your requirements. Consider the quality and reputation of each as well as the costs - prices will vary significantly between entry-level vehicles and more luxury models. We stock new caravans from two of the industry’s leading manufacturers - Bailey and Swift, as well as new Bailey motorhomes and VW campervans. Browse the range of vehicles available on the dealerships’ website and make a shortlist of the models that appeal to you. 

We’re here and happy to help! Browse our ranges online and then pop into our showroom for a closer look and to chat through your options over a cuppa. Give us a call on 01962 714 844 if you have any questions prior to your visit and we look forward to welcoming you!

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