Bailey Alu-Tech Caravans successfully complete Towcar challenge
Testing for the 29th Caravan Club Towcar of the Year Competition took place during August at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, where a wide cross section of vehicles from leading car manufacturers were put rigorously through their paces by an independent panel of driving judges over a four-day period.
Bailey of Bristol was delighted to be invited to supply the caravans used in this prestigious event for a 14th consecutive year. Whilst the purpose of the testing to assess the performance of the individual tow vehicles, this competition also provides a thorough examination of the participating caravans in terms of product durability and stability.
During the evaluation period over 200 circuits, featuring a lap of the high speed circular track and a demanding hill route (equating to over 1000 test miles), were successfully completed by the test units without incident.
Appropriately all of the ten models used at Millbrook this year were Alu-Tech vehicles (from the Orion, Pegasus and Unicorn ranges) as it was here that much of the development work for this ground-braking new construction system took place. Enhanced stability in one of the many performance benefits provided by Alu-Tech construction, with the five part body shell assembly – including a unique single piece front and roof section – making the caravan more aerodynamic and thus ensuring a smoother and more efficient ride. In addition its more balanced overall design – with a larger proportion of weight concentrated at the centre – makes the caravan inherently more stable enabling it to take event the most demanding journeys in its stride.
This combined with a comparatively light weight design and the inclusion of such items as AL-KO shock absorbers, an AL-KO AKS 3004 stabiliser (all ranges) and the AL-KO ATC Trailer Control system (Olympus, Pegasus and Unicorn ranges only)* as items of standard specification further facilitates trouble-free towing.
The results of the Competition will be announced at the annual awards lunch held at the Royal Automobile Club in London on 21st September. A full listing of the winners will be available on www.towcarcompetition.co.uk in early October.
The micro site also provides a behind the scenes look at what takes place during competition week, including video footage of a test circuit, to give people a greater insight into what it takes to become The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year.
Nikki Nichol, Head of Publicity and Industry Relations for The Caravan Club says, “Our thanks once again go to Bailey of Bristol for their support of The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year Competition. Testing at Millbrook is indeed rigorous, and the caravans are an integral part of the testing, their durability is key.”
