Category: Nieuws

Introduction of latest TakeOff 2023 models at Caravan Salon Düsseldorf.  

From Friday 26 August (trade day) to Sunday 4 September, the world’s largest mobile leisure fair will again be held in Düsseldorf, Germany. Easy Caravanning will be there, together with sister brand Holtkamper. 

Our innovative cross-over camping concept undergoes some interesting changes for model year 2023. The TakeOff will have a new contemporary interior with a stylish wood decor and matching upholstery fabrics in no less than 6 different designs that can be easily visualised on the website. In the blink of an eye, you decide which interior ambience suits you best: is it Granito, Azzurro, Spiaggia, Taupe, Vulcano or Oliva?

The exterior got new striping that makes the three versions Active, Sport and Xcite even more recognisable. The Xcite 2023 has been given new chrome-black polished 15-inch alloy wheels. All versions now have standard manoeuvring handles at the rear, at the front the manoeuvring handle is on the nose wheel as part of the (standard) Al-Ko chassis. For the top model Xcite a convenient automatic night light, front and rear organisers and a compressor cool box have been added to the standard equipment. With the product configurator these items can also be selected as factory options on the other product versions Active and Sport.

You can find us in hall 3, stand number E70. Perhaps we will see you there!

 

ANWB road test proves sublime driving characteristics TakeOff:
mileage of EVs largely retained

Recently, ANWB automotive journalists Frank Buma (formerly Autovisie journalist and Dutch member of the jury for the Car of the Year election) and Gert Wisse (editor in chief of ANWB Autokampioen) drove from the Hazeldonk in The Netherlands to Bussang in France.

Final destination was the Domaine de Champé campsite in the Vosges.
The aim of this EV Challenge over a distance of about 550 km was to get a better idea of the feasibility of a car holiday with a fully electric car, with and without a tent trailer. Two identical Hyundai Ioniq 5s were used for the test, with one of the cars driving solo and the other hooked up to a TakeOff.

In the video made by the funny ANWB-duo Frank and Gert of this test, the TakeOff has a glorious supporting role. The results of this test are as follows:

• a camping holiday with a full electric vehicle in combination with a tent trailer has long since ceased to be a utopian idea;
• due to the unique aerodynamic properties of the TakeOff and its low weight, the additional fuel consumption¹ is only 25 – 30%. This has been established in various practical tests by Easy Caravanning. In the ANWB roadtrip the additional energy consumption was 25,7%. This means that a large part of the mileage is retained with the car unoccupied;
• travelling and manoeuvring with the TakeOff is child’s play due to its small size and weight;
• in no time at all you are ready for a comfortable overnight stay in the king-size bed of no less than 2.05 x 1.60 metres.

 

(1) Additional consumption in practice depends, among other things, on weather and route conditions, driving behaviour, load and tyre pressure. No rights may be derived from this test. The test video of the playful duo Frank and Gert can be found on the ANWB YouTube channel.

 

There is already a TakeOff from € 16.495,-. Look at our website for the different versions and personalisation options. Check the versions of the TakeOff here

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 was recently chosen by the ANWB Kampeerkampioen (edition 7, July 2022) as the Towing Car of the Year 2022. https://www.anwb.nl/auto/trekauto/trekauto-van-het-jaar-2022

The Royal Dutch Touring Club ANWB is an association that uses a unique mix of influencing and service activities to promote the interests of its members in the areas of mobility, holidays and leisure. In that work, the ANWB wants to contribute to a sustainable development of society.

Campfire Group opens new manufacturing location ‘Basecamp Emmen’, home base of Holtkamper and Easy Caravanning tent trailers.

On Wednesday the 6th of April Eric van Oosterhout, Mayor of Emmen, officially opened the new ‘Tent Trailer Center Basecamp’ in front of staff and press. At the new location at Paganelstraat 12 in Emmen, almost all activities of Holtkamper and Easy Caravanning are centralised. On the ground floor, the production of the innovative cross-over camping concept ‘TakeOff’ takes place. Furthermore, here you will find all supporting disciplines such as marketing, sales, service, purchasing and the central warehouse, engineering, administration and the tent workshop. All models of both ‘made in the Netherlands’ premium trailer tent brands can be admired by appointment in the spacious showroom on the 1st floor, from where the assembly process can be observed.

“The centralization of our activities in Northern Netherlands is the next step in rolling out our growth strategy at home and abroad,” said Maarten de Roos, managing director of the Campfire Group. “With start-up Easy Caravanning now in the scale-up phase, it was a logical next step to bring together the 3 locations for the assembly of our 2 own brands and the showroom and service workshop. This way, we can realise maximum synergy in both front and back-office activities. The Holtkamper assembly line (in close co-operation with manufacturing partner Technologies Added) is located within walking distance at the Kapitein Grantstraat”.

Niels Gerrits, Manager Operations continues: “The popularity for camping has further increased over the past few years – partly due to the influence of the corona pandemic. Light compact camping concepts are gaining popularity as today’s tow vehicles are more and more equipped with smaller energy efficient engines and/or fully electric drive trains. As Campfire Group, we have seen our growth further increase with the introduction of our 2nd own brand Easy Caravanning at the end of 2019. Several new projects are also in the pipeline for the coming years to further strengthen this strategy. It was therefore time, also from a capacity point of view, to move to a new larger location”.

The new factory in Emmen houses a production line with 8 workstations with separate cells for subassembly, prototype construction and woodworking, among other things. After entering the factory, visitors walk through a corridor to the showroom. In the corridor, a small “history unfold” exhibition looks back at the development of both trailer tent brands. In a time of increasing consolidation of manufacturers in the camping industry by European or global groups of manufacturers, with this new factory, the Netherlands has gained a unique independent manufacturer of top-of-the-range tent trailers.

A whole new 2022 camping season will start soon! We regret that this is the third year in a row that the travel ambitions of adventurous campers will be somewhat limited by the corona measures. But let’s focus on what is possible. Camping is one of the most corona proof way of leisure. It is no coincidence that the popularity of camping has increased over the past two years. In this first news item of the year, we look forward with you.

 

New factory

At the moment, we are putting the finishing touches to our new, larger assembly plant of no less than 4,500 m2 in Emmen – the Netherlands, which is built for further growth. In addition to a new production line and warehouse, we also have a showroom on the 1st floor, where customers can come and take a look at the products of Easy Caravanning and our sister brand Holtkamper by appointment.

 

Delivery times and temporary winter discount

Due to the increased demand in combination with the longer delivery times of our suppliers (partly due to the shortage of corona), the delivery time for current TakeOff orders is now 2nd half of May. Unfortunately, we are still confronted with price increases of materials and components on a weekly basis. This is the result of the globally disrupted supply chain and tightness in the market. We will therefore be forced to increase our consumer prices from the 1^st of March. In the second half of February, we will start delivering the new 2022 show models to our dealers. At the beginning of March, the TakeOff 2022 with the innovative semi fixed-bed layout (which we reported about last time) will be on display there.

Are you considering the purchase of the TakeOff 2022 and would you like to go on holiday this summer? Do not hesitate and visit the dealer and take advantage of the old 2021 prices that are valid until March! Your price advantage in the month of February can quickly amount to more than € 1.000,-! Quickly configure your own TakeOff at www.easycaravanning.com.

At the recent Camping & Caravan Trade Fair in Utrecht, the new semi-fixed bed layout of the TakeOff 2022 – which was introduced there as a first – was received like a bomb. Also at the Suisse Caravan Salon in Bern last week, the reactions were overwhelming. Many camping couples see the lightning-fast changeover from day to night mode and vice versa as an additional enhancement of their camping comfort and, last but not least, of their sleeping comfort.

With the new semi-fixed-bed floor plan, a seating area can be quickly created in the daytime to enjoy breakfast together if it is still a bit chilly outside, for example. Just pull the bed back a little on the comfortable slatted frame, lift the new clever table, put the back cushions against the wall and … done! Under the bed you have a huge luggage compartment that is always easily accessible thanks to the convenient lifting construction with gas springs.

If you want, you can make it easier to get out of bed at night by not closing the aisle completely. This also makes the portable toilet accessible in no time at all via the door in the bench cabinet: useful at night or when travelling. As with the TakeOff with its so-called “train seat”, the dimensions of the king-size bed of 2.05 x 1.60 m are unique in the camping world. Sleeping without worries like at home – that’s what we are all about. In spring, the TakeOff with semi-fixed-bed will be on display at the dealers. But be quick, because despite the fact that we will be further expanding our production capacity (we will be moving again to a larger factory at the end of this year), the order book for the coming season is growing steadily. The TakeOff with semi-fixed-bed is available for an additional price of only € 495. There is already a TakeOff from € 15.595,-. Take a look at our product configurator or visit one of our dealers. Are you ready for TakeOff

The TakeOff from Easy Caravanning will be present at Europe’s biggest camping fair the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf (from 28 August to 5 September) on a joint stand with sister brand Holtkamper. In Hall 3, which has been newly added to the trade fair, the exhibitors will focus specifically on the themes of Travel & Nature and Equipment & Outdoor. “In this environment we feel like a fish in water”, says Maarten de Roos, managing director of the Dutch Campfire Group.  

De Roos continues: “We can hardly wait for the fair to start now that it is allowed – under the applicable measures. Our products distinguish themselves from campers and caravans by the ultimate feeling of freedom. An adventurous way of camping that has everything. Waking up with the smell of tent canvas, but with the comfort of a compact caravan.  The TakeOff is light and aerodynamic, and can therefore easily be towed by compact as well as hybrid and fully electric cars while maintaining sufficient range. The next generation of caravanning”.

“We are convinced that at the current rate of climate change, electrification of the vehicle fleet will take off in the coming years. For example, as of 2025, only fully electric new cars may be sold in Norway, so it is logical that there is a lot of interest in our products from this country. Just as passenger cars will rapidly become more compact, efficient and clean, the camping industry will have to respond to this. Weights, dimensions and/or emissions of mobile recreational vehicles will have to follow the trend.

The European distribution of the TakeOff is growing steadily. After market introduction in the Netherlands, Belgium, England, Norway, Germany, Switzerland and Croatia, further expansion of the dealer network in Scandinavia and Southern Europe is underway. “Winning two first places at the European Innovation Award 2021 has certainly contributed to this success,” adds De Roos.

See also our 👉 videos. Easy Caravanning’s TakeOff is a crossover between a trailer tent and a touring caravan and can be set up and folded down in less than 30 seconds. This makes it an ideal camping vehicle for people who like to be on the road quickly or just want to get away for the weekend. It can be admired at the Caravan Salon Düsseldorf on stand number 3E 60-01/02.

Last week we showed you how the assembly of the TakeOff takes place. Besides this ‘How it’s made’ video, we also made a ‘How it works’ video!

Watch here and see how easy it is to drive the TakeOff in combination with the fully electric Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge. Because of its low weight and air resistance, the additional consumption in practice (depending on the driving style) is often limited to only 25-30%. It is reassuring to know that the range of your combination with a fully electric car is still sufficient to go on holiday without worries.

👉 Watch the video 📽

 

Would you like to take your own TakeOff on the road soon? Then visit one of our dealers and be surprised by the ease of set-up of our crossover camping concept. For dealer addresses and opening hours, please visit the the dealerpage. There is already a TakeOff from € 14.295,-. Are you ready for TakeOff? Have a look at our new 28 page full colour online brochure.

In Emmen, in the north-east of the Netherlands, the assembly of the TakeOff 2021 ‘second edition’ series is as good as completed. Meanwhile, we are preparing for the upcoming camping fairs in Düsseldorf and Utrecht, about which we will inform you shortly.

 Have you always wanted to see how the TakeOff is assembled? You can now!

👉 Watch the video 📽

Besides this ‘how it’s made’ video, we also made a ‘how it works’ video.
Keep an eye on your mailbox! 😉

 

Would you like to take your own TakeOff on the road soon? Then visit one of our dealers and be surprised by the ease of set-up of our crossover camping concept. For dealer addresses and opening hours, please visit the the dealerpage. There is already a TakeOff from € 14.295,-. Are you ready for TakeOff? Have a look at our new 28 page full colour online brochure.

First TakeOffs to the UK!

Last week, on the 2^nd of June, the first load of TakeOffs was collected from our assembly site in Emmen by our English importer 3 A’s Leisure. Meanwhile the TakeOff is in the showroom in Wales and soon it will also be admired at other English dealers.

Furthermore, we are very pleased to welcome Nagbe Schwimmcaravan as our importer for Switzerland. Nagbe, situated between Lucerne and Zurich, is specialised in smart compact caravans and other lightweight camping equipment.

With the ever expanding distribution network of Easy Caravanning, the still available stock of 2021 models has been reduced considerably. Would you like to take the TakeOff on the road this year? Then take a look at the nearest sales point. For dealer addresses and opening hours, please visit our dealer page. There is already a TakeOff from € 14.295, -.

Most innovative start-up in European camping industry Easy Caravanning expands distribution of TakeOff further in Europe.

There is a lot of interest in the TakeOff from abroad and therefore we have been very active in recent months in appointing new distribution partners who can offer local professional advice and service’, says Maarten de Roos, co-owner and founder of Easy Caravanning. Besides the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, the TakeOff is now also sold in England, Croatia, Switzerland and Norway. The delivery of the new show models is in full swing.

Would you like to set off this year with a TakeOff? Then don’t wait too long and visit one of our dealers and be surprised by the ease of set-up of our crossover camping concept. For dealer addresses and opening hours, please visit our dealer page. There is already a TakeOff from € 14.295, -.

 

Tip:
Are you on holiday in Denmark? Then it is great to take a look at the Camping Outdoor museum that opened this month at Egeskov Castle. The very first prototype of the TakeOff is on display here in the 2,000 m2 museum where the past, present and future of camping and outdoor life are united under one roof.