We are pleased to announce that Ropers Leisure will be opening safely from the 1st June 2020. Our dedicated team will be available for sales enquiries, as well as servicing and repair work. Our re-opening has been carefully thought out and planned with both the customers and our team’s safety being the main priority.

Health and safety is absolutely paramount for our staff and customers. In order to continue to limit the spread of the Coronavirus whilst ensuring business continuity, we have decided to implement some stringent changes to the way we interact with customers and colleagues until the risk is alleviated.

Ever since closing our doors on the 23rd March, we have made numerous alterations to our premises to ensure our branch is a safe place for you to visit, and if you’re unable to visit, we are able to offer you the same level of expertise, knowledge and customer service from the comfort of your own home using video calling in your own personal consultation.

Please read through the new procedures below, which we have put in place to protect staff and customers.

Upon arrival to the site

We have installed prominent floor markings to enable compliance with the social distancing rules and to ensure customers can always retain their personal space. A hand sanitising station has been installed in the main entrance and another at the entrance to the sales park and we urge all customers to ensure they use it upon entering the premises & before entering any caravans or motorhomes.

Sales

• We will be asking that a 2-metre gap be observed at all times between colleagues, and between colleagues and customers.
• All caravans and motorhomes will be locked if you wish to enter a caravan or motorhome please contact one of our sales staff to ensure after each viewing the said caravan can be fully sanitised.
• The sales desks all have protective screens for both your and our safety and will be fully cleaned and sanitised after each appointment.
• If you have seen a caravan or motorhome you would like to view, please book an appointment to limit the number of people on the site at any one time.
• If you would rather not enter the buildings, we are happy to arrange a ‘’contactless’’ visit for you. We also offer services such as video calling.
Sales handovers
• All caravans and motorhomes will be fully sanitised before collection.
• All customers will be contacted by phone prior to the scheduled handover to discuss our changes in the handover procedures.
• The preferred option for collection would be via instructional videos.
• Alternatively, customers will be given the option to collect without a handover and return later for a full working demonstration.
• We encourage the use of bank transfer or payment over the phone to keep physical contact to a minimum.
Accessory shop
• We would kindly ask that all customers wishing to browse our accessory shop use the hand sanitising station prior to entering the premises and respect other customers and staff by adhering to social distancing guidelines. To help with this we have clear floor markings and screens fitted in the till area.
• We will be happy to take payment over the phone and send items via our preferred carriers. We are also happy to arrange car park collections if you prefer.

Servicing and warranty

• All customers will be phoned in advance of their scheduled appointment to confirm attendance and to discuss the scheduled jobs.
• At this point we will confirm that the customer is not showing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 and that they have not been in contact with anyone showing symptoms and have not recently returned from a restricted area.
• We will outline our current health and safety processes in this phone call.
• After the phone call an email will be sent to confirm all jobs that are to be carried out, along with our new working procedures.
• A clear and prominent tape line has been placed at the front of all desks to ensure social distancing is adhered to. Please respect this upon arrival.
• Upon delivery, please unlock your caravan and leave the caravan keys inside the door.
• A member of the team will come and unhook your caravan and take the caravan from you. We ask that you respect the social distancing guidelines set out by the government at this time.
• If you would rather not enter the buildings, we are happy to arrange a ‘’contactless’’ visit with us.
Servicing and warranty collection
• Once all the agreed work has been done, a member of the team will contact you to confirm completion and take full payment if required. Both your keys and any relevant paperwork will be left in an envelope inside the door.
• We ask that all customers please arrive as close to their appointment time as possible. This will help us limit the number of customers on the premises at any time.
• On arrival and respecting social distancing, please inform a member of the team of your arrival and we will then arrange for the caravan to be hooked to your car for collection.

We appreciate your cooperation at this challenging time. We will continue to monitor the changing situation and amend our new policies and procedures accordingly as and when needed. Please feel free to call us on 01748818666 if you have any questions or wish to discuss anything further. We hope to see you soon!

Towing a caravan for the first time may seem a scary prospect, but it needn’t be. Here are some handy hints…

When you’re towing, you’ll need to give yourself more time and space for everything. It’s best to brake earlier than normal and you’ll probably accelerate more slowly with a caravan on the back. The extra length means you will need to take corners more widely than normal so the back of the caravan doesn’t clip the kerb or cut the corner.

Remember, the legal speed limits are often lower when you’re towing. Don’t exceed 50mph on single carriageways or 60mph on dual carriageways. You may not tow in the further right (outside) lane of a three-or-more lane motorway unless instructed to do so and it is a legal requirement to always have a good view to the rear of your unit, which will mean using extensions mirrors in the vast majority of combinations (don’t forget to take them off when you’re not towing!).

Never carry passengers in the caravan when you’re towing it. It’s theoretically legal to transport animals inside a caravan, but it’s definitely not recommended.

Your number plate must show your car’s registration number, conform to the relevant British Standard, and be illuminated at night. This means no felt-pen on cardboard!

Remember to check before driving off and keep an eye out for anything that changes during your journey. Your car must show that the indicators are working while you are driving.

Park carefully where you won’t cause an obstruction. Caravans must not be parked in parking meter bays.

Your ability to legally tow will depend on the driving licence you hold. It’s paramount you’re fully covered by your driving licence for towing your caravan, as it’s against the law and your caravan insurance can be invalidated if you are not.

If you obtained your licence on or after 1 January 1997, you will be able to tow a car/caravan combination weighing 3,500kg or less – that’s the total gross mass of car and caravan or trailer combined (as identified on the vehicle weight plates). To be able to tow a heavier caravan, you’ll need to pass an additional driving test.

The Camping and Caravanning Club has information and a list of course providers covering courses and training to help you reach the required standard. Local training organisations can also be found through the DVLA.

If the thought of towing is preventing you from buying a caravan, then talk to us. There are places where you can have a go before you buy a unit, and at Ropers Caravan World we can help point you in the right direction for the help and advice you need. Give us a call today!

So, you’d like to buy your first caravan. You’ve decided to buy a pre-owned one and now you’re looking for a checklist to help you through the process. Well, here it is, our 5-step guide to buying a used caravan.

First to consider are the reasons why buying a pre-owned caravan is such a good idea. Unlike a used car, a used caravan usually only covers a few hundred miles each year and some owners treat them like pampered pets, so with over 500,000 touring caravans in the UK there’s choice and value to be had from buying a pre-owned caravan.

With so many pre-owned caravans available you can narrow your search by identifying which caravans your car can safely tow. In short, your vehicle should weigh more than your caravan. Your car has what’s known as a ‘kerb weight’. Once you know the car’s kerb weight and the max tow limit, you then need to know the weight of the caravan you intend to purchase. You can usually find a caravan’s weight in the handbook, on the manufacturer’s website, or on a plate (usually positioned near the caravan’s door). However, our team can guide you through this.

The third stage to consider is the layout of your caravan. Knowing how many people will sleep in your caravan determines how many beds (berths) you need. Plus, if you plan to stay on one campsite and return there for all your holidays, you won’t need a caravan that’s designed for moving from site to site. Also, if you are keen on outdoor sports, you will probably need a different layout to someone who wants a less active holiday. Again, our team are on-hand to help advise in this area too.

The fourth factor is affordability. In your mind, you’ll probably have a vision of your perfect caravan. Whether you are buying with cash or on finance, you need to set a budget you are happy with and then explore what’s available in that range. Once all that is sorted, you’ll need to know where to buy your used caravan and when is the best time to buy it. Well, it won’t surprise you that we’d suggest right here and right now at Ropers Caravan World. We have over 125 caravans and motorhomes in stock to choose from including 50 used Bailey caravans, as well as a selection of Swift, Elddis, Lunar, Coachman, Compass, Hobby, and Sterling caravans, plus a selection of quality used motorhomes. On that basis, we’re sure you’ll be able to find your perfect caravan and with our early bird sale on right now, there’s never been a better time to buy with huge savings available and our 1-2-3 offer where you can choose from:

1. A free Powrtouch Freedom motor mover (single axle models only) OR
2. A free Truma 100watt solar panel OR
3. A further reduction of £500 off the ticket price

Be prepared to act fast though as these offers and great caravans won’t hang around forever!

With the Powrtouch Caravan Mover… you’ll be amazed where your caravan will fit! Available in single, twin axle and all-wheel drive with manual or automatic roller engagement, the Powrtouch range is designed to make moving your caravan a breeze as it allows you to move it to precisely where you want it to be. Lightweight and contemporary in design, you’ll have the ability to change direction without stopping and to engage/disengage both rollers from one side. Designed and built in the UK for over 25 years, these are an absolute must for all caravaners.

Truma Solar Panels – Your independent, intelligent power supply, supplying power to your caravan or motorhome wherever you are! These kits generate power even when it’s cloudy and are lightweight and durable. So, if you want even more comfort on the move, choose this.