A Sussex man, Alan Harwood, feels lucky to be alive after his Land Rover Discovery crashed through a fence and overturned in a swollen river recently.  He managed to get out through a rear door and unsurprisingly called it ‘the scariest experience of his life’.

Alan had swerved to avoid two moped riders who were not wearing helmets and who were riding towards him in the middle of the road.

Alan returned to the site of the accident the next day to watch his beloved Discovery being recovered.  ‘The Land Rover saved my life – it took the impact so well’.

If you need a great Land Rover or 4×4 insurance quote then give the team at Sureterm Direct a call on 0800 999 2030.  They won’t charge you for the phone call but they will save you money on your Land Rover insurance and 4×4 insurance policy.

Volkswagen has revealed a fourth model in its commercial vehicle line-up with the debut of an all-new Pickup concept.

Intended for the one-tonne pickup class, the new model will go into production at the end of 2009 and be introduced initially to markets in Europe, South America, South Africa and Australia.

The Pickup is all-new in the VW commercial vehicles line-up and is the first commercial vehicle to be designed under Volkswagen Group design chief, Walter de Silva’s command. VW says the Pickup exhibits ‘historical DNA’ that links to pick-up to historic VW designs.

The concept measures 5.18 metres in length and is 1.9 metres wide, and with four doors and four seats it is ideal for recreational or business use. The Pickup also has the ability to take a standard-sized Euro pallet sideways in the flat cargo bed.

A new common-rail turbo diesel engine will power the Pickup.

Volkswagen’s commercial pick up line-up also includes the Caddy, Transporter and Crafter.

If you need great pick up insurance, then give the team at Sureterm Direct a call on 0800 999 2030.  They won’t charge you for the call but they will save you money on your pick up insurance.

An expanded “wildlife wonderland” was just one feature that may have led TV botanist David Bellamy to award a North Wales caravan park with a gold conservation award for the sixth year running.

Tree Tops Caravan Park increased their wild areas and planted wild flowers this year, to attract a spectrum of butterflies, insects and birds, winning the title of one of the UK’s most environmentally friendly parks.

“Many parks like this have created wildlife wonderlands,” said Professor Bellamy, who judged the awards, adding that Britain’s caravan parks are: “a wonderful place to go and experience wrap-around nature.”

The family-run park that was given a special accolade for protecting and enhancing the natural world, as well as the Bellamy award, says it has planted thousands of trees since its creation in the 1960s.

The owners are also adding to their existing recycling schemes by introducing compost bins for biodegradable waste in the coming months. The products of the bins will be used around the gardens, increasing the park’s sustainability.

Andy Walker, general manager of Tree Tops said: “We use low energy bulbs wherever possible, which helps with our commitment to the environment. It also helps cut our electric bills so being green is good for business as well!”

More than 600 holiday parks all around the UK won gold, silver or bronze Bellamy awards this year. Tree Tops managing director Maureen Walker said they were “delighted” with their latest award.

Owners’ care of hedgerows and wild flowers, bird box sites, reed beds and wildlife ponds and environmentally friendly business and office measures such as recycling, energy efficient lighting and unbleached paper brochures were all considered.

Professor Bellamy said that caravan parks are: “The nation’s favourite get-away-from-it-all locations, and a major point of contact between people and the countryside. They are therefore very important centres of education.”

For a great caravan insurance quote, then give the team at Sureterm Direct a call on       0800 999 2030.  They won’t charge you for the call but they will save you money on your caravan insurance policy.

Wayne Rooney committed a common motorist error when he filled up his wife Coleen’s Range Rover Sport with petrol instead of diesel.

The Manchester United striker had to be rescued from the Burtonwood M62 service station in Cheshire when his Overfinch-tweaked luxury SUV ground to a halt between Junctions 9 and 10 at Warrington.

Rooney was spotted talking to a Highways Agency driver ‘looking sheepish’, and with good reason as significant damage to the Range Rovers engine could cost thousands!

If you need a fantastic Range Rover or 4×4 insurance quote, then give the team at Sureterm Direct a call on 0800 999 2030.  They won’t charge you for the phone call but they will save you money on your Range Rover or 4×4 insurance.

The European Union has introduced regulations designed to increase safety by improving the standards of motorhome and RV drivers mirrors.

Directive 2007/38/EC requires certain vehicles over 3.5 tonnes to be retrofitted with proper devices in order to improve the drivers field of vision.

The deadline for the retrofit of mirrors or other devices is the 31st March 2009 and the Freight Transport Association has now published a Compliance Guide ‘Retrofitting of mirrors to HGV’s’, outlining the new regulations and the actions which operators and drivers should take in order to meet them.

The directive aims to improve the safety of road users, in particular, vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.  This group bears a greater risk of being involved in accidents with larger vehicles including motorhomes, which have a blind spot on the passenger side.

There have been many incidents where pedestrians and riders have been struck by vehicles after entering the road space on the inside of the vehicle and into the drivers’ blind spot.

Previous legislation making an improved set of mirrors mandatory from 2007 onwards for new large vehicles is already in place.  However, existing vehicles remain in circulation without any improvement of their field of vision.  The new directive extends the requirements for the field of indirect vision.

FTA Director of External Affairs, Geoff Dossetter said: ‘The new generation of mirrors considerably improves the drivers’ field of vision and reduces blind spots to the benefit of himself and other road users. The consequences of the driver turning left or simply adjusting his line on the road and into the path of the unseen pedestrian or rider are obvious.

On a mile for mile basis, motorhomes and RV’s are involved in considerably fewer accidents than any other category of vehicle.

The new FTA Compliance Guide provides comprehensive information on the legislation itself, advice relating to retrofit and a series of questions and answers.  For further advice or guidance on the subject of mirrors contact the FTA Member Advice Centre on 0870 605 0000

For a fantastic motorhome insurance quote, then give the team a call at Sureterm Direct on 0800 999 2030.  They won’t charge you for the phone call but they will save you money on your motorhome insurance policy.

Derek Andrews, the likeable founder and company chairman of Leisuredrive, has initiated the search to find the oldest leisuredrive motorcamper to celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary.

Maybe it’s a comer? A Bedford CF? Or an old VW? So if you or somebody you know may qualify, you’re in for a treat as there is a chance of having your motorcamper modernised (maybe you would like some new upholstery or your cooker has given up?)

And the cost? NOTHING! Just their way of saying thank you for loving your Leisuredrive motorcamper.

Contact Leisuredrive on: 01204574468
Leisuredrive also used to trade as Manchester motor Caravans (MMC) until 1980 when Derek’s dad retired.

If your looking for a fantastic motorhome insurance quote, then give the team at Sureterm Direct a call on 0800 999 2030. They don’t charge you for the phone call but they will save you money on your motorhome insurance policy.

An online celebrity gossip magazine is hailing motorhoming as ‘a new wave of holidaying’.

In its motoring section, Female First says the trend of motorhomes becoming more “car-like” has grown even further this year.

It cites Autocruise’s Pulse and Autotrail’s Excel as prime examples and highlights that the two models will be shown at the International Caravan & Motorhome 2008 show at the NEC, Birmingham, between October 14 and 19.

The article’s author, who recently enjoyed a motorhoming holiday, writes: “The best bit is because the motorhome was different from a normal car, not once did I hear those fateful words ‘Are we nearly there yet’.”

She also points out that there are more motorhomes on UK roads than ever before and claims the benefits of such holidays include planning your own route, stopping when you want to and no lengthy airport queues.

For the most competitive motorhome insurance quote on the market, then give the team at Sureterm Direct a call on 0800 999 2030.  They won’t charge you for the call but they will save you money on your motorhome insurance policy.

The award-winning Land Rover Discovery 3 has won the Premium SUV category in this year’s Auto Express Used Car Honours.

The Discovery 3 outshone the likes of the VW Touareg and the Volvo XC90 with its overall package and capability to scoop the accolade.

Auto Express editor-in-chief, David Johns said: “The Discovery 3 is more widely available than its immediate rivals, and the spacious cabin is a delight. The proud, boxy styling hints at the fact that the Land Rover is more capable off-road than any other car in this class – so if you want an authentic, grass-roots 4×4, the Discovery is the one to go for.”

Land Rover UK’s managing director, John Edwards, said: “The Discovery 3 is an outstanding vehicle that continues to win widespread acclaim for its all-round capability and practicality. Owners who contributed to the 2008 Auto Express Driver Power survey earlier in the year praised its ride and handling, comfort levels, usability and ease of driving. This feedback coupled with receiving the Used Car Honours award really proves that the Discovery 3 is an ideal vehicle if you are in the market for a used 4×4.”

Land Rover runs an Approved Used Car Scheme which ensures the best possible condition and most rigorous checks of its used vehicles.

For a competitive quote on your Land Rover insurance, give the team at Sureterm Direct a call on 0800 999 2030.  They won’t charge you for the phone call but they will save you money on your Land Rover or 4×4 insurance.

Land Rover has picked up the Best Compact SUV and Best Premium SUV awards at the recent 2008 Auto Express New Car Honours.

The Land Rover Freelander 2 fought off competition from the VW Tiguan, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Kuga to become Best Compact SUV, while the Discovery 3 beat the BMW X5, Audi Q7 and the Mercedes M-Class to win Best Premium SUV.

Auto Express road test editor, Chris Thorp, said: “Here is the proof that when it comes to building compact sports utility vehicles, Land Rover cannot be matched. Not only is the Freelander 2 as capable on the road as it is off it, the upmarket 4×4 is as refined as some of the best limousines. Generously equipped and tastefully appointed, the car offers an unrivalled blend of versatility and drivability.”

On the Discovery 3 accolade, Thorp continued: “The Discovery 3 is the most distinctively styled and best loved premium off-roader money can buy. The seven seat interior is not just huge, but hugely adjustable. Its air suspension and terrain response allow drivers to reach all but the most inaccessible locations. As at home on the M25, as it is in the Serengeti Desert, no other car offers such wide ranging ability.”

For the best Land Rover or 4×4 insurance on the market, give the team at Sureterm Direct a call on 0800 999 2030.  They won’t charge you for the calls but they will save you money on your Land Rover and 4×4 insurance.

According to the data from ECF, the Adria caravan company managed to become the leading caravan brand in Europe with 4,772 registered caravan sales.

Adria is followed by German companies - Dethleffs, Hymer, and Bürstner.

Sonja Gole, General Manager of Adria Mobil, says that they developed a completely new caravan series last year, focusing on quality, interior and exterior design of all their products.

She pointed put that the number of newly registered Adria caravans was the largest reported in Europe last year which proves that they have managed to preserve consumer trust in these competitive and challenging times.

 For competitve caravan insurance during these challenging economic times, give the team at Sureterm Direct a call on 0800 999 2030.  They won’t charge you for the phone call but they will save you money on your caravan insurance.