Interviewing Andrew Ditton: Airstreams, Vintage Caravans & YouTubing

[@mpersad]

Andrew is such passionate advocate of caravanning, he is a wonderful ambassador for the hobby and lifestyle and the sooner he is given a gong for his work the better!

[@TravellingK]

I’ll agree to that!

[@christopherrasmussen8718]

I just found you from your UK trip and Cruising the Cut. I wish you the best and safe travels. I remember my first travel trailer (US) with a sofa. Bliss. I raised my children camping every summer. Now they have campers of their own and children to take camping. I also had the pleasure of caravanning in the South of Spain.

[@TravellingK]

Welcome! And sounds like you created some lovely family memories that inspired your children to carry on.

[@rivernelson7239]

Another wonderful chat with an awesome guy, could have watched you and Andrew chat for hours, authentic, genuine and a total gent, loving your work K

[@TravellingK]

That’s really lovely to hear. He’s such a genuine guy.

[@kierandaxton2597]

I guess I am quite off topic but do anyone know of a good place to stream new series online?

[@gideonflynn8944]

@Kieran Daxton i use FlixZone. You can find it on google :)

[@aviarturo5563]

@Gideon Flynn yup, I've been watching on Flixzone for months myself :D

[@kierandaxton2597]

@Gideon Flynn thanks, I signed up and it seems to work :) I appreciate it!!

[@theindigotraveller]

I have been watching Andrews videos for about 3 years or so. he is a lovely, genuine man. we share a love for scotland, especially the islands. He makes great videos and is really interesting to watch. )

[@TravellingK]

Yes, he really is a lovely, genuine man. So glad I was able to meet him.

[@BobEarnshawMoHo]

Great to see Andrew's enthusiasm shining through!

[@TravellingK]

Such an inspiration 😀

[@HomefromHomewithLinRich]

Another great interview Karen. Andrew is another special person in my life who always inspires me. Top man! - Lin xx

[@TravellingK]

Glad you enjoyed it Lin! He’s a lovely person 😀

[@rojomostrat]

Wonderful interview Karen with the lovely Andrew...Helloo :-). I will definitely be following your channel from now on... All my best...John

[@TravellingK]

Welcome John! And that's really great to hear. Andrew is lovely, isn't he.

[@lynnhirst1]

Aw what a brilliant blog ,so enjoyed it ,I follow both of you on KZbin and enjoy everything you do ,hope you are enjoying your stay in the uk too

[@TravellingK]

Glad you enjoyed it 😀😀 So nice to hear you watch us both

[@firstmotorhome8024]

Ok you got me . I had to subscribe because Dougal sent me here !😂. Andrew is the true U.K. guru for caravans and Motorhomes and was the reason we finally got our Motorhome . I also like Bob and Jenny’s channel and enjoyed your interview with them . I hope you enjoy the rest of your tour .

[@TravellingK]

Hehe glad Dougal sent you 🐶 Bob and Jenny will be appearing in one of my videos soon too 😀

[@paulpringle8263]

Totally agree with Andrew on the subject of dealers and manufacturers support. Especially manufacturers. A caravan is a massive investment for people. Support and quality is the top of my wish list. Thanks for sharing

[@TravellingK]

Yes, it was a really nice answer, wasn’t it

[@mikewaller4141]

Nice interview again! And Andrew is another legend very much enjoy watching his videos. Thanks mike

[@TravellingK]

I’m so glad I was able to interview him 😀

[@audreyhodge1221]

I loved this vlog! You interview very well, allowing the interviewee space to respond which is really quite unusual. Most interviewers seem to be champing at the bit to deliver their next question. I subscribe to Andrew Ditton's channel and it was fascinating to hear how he became a caravanner.

[@TravellingK]

Oh, thank you! Yes, I hadn’t realised quite how long Andrew had been caravanning for.

[@vicmiller7191]

Now this is a man of passion for the caravan lifestyle. And I know in the States the Airstream was considered the Cadillac of the campers/caravans on the road for years. Andrew does have loads of insight and the experience to have the right advice for the right question. Great interview...Vic

[@TravellingK]

Yes, he’s got so much experience 😀

[@SteveMorton]

Another great video Karen. It is good to see that Andrew has interviewed you on his channel as well, some nice cross fertilisation and more subscribers hopefully for you both. I thought Andrew looked familiar, he has appeared in videos along side a photographer (James Popsys) in September last year. Andrew was reviewing a motor caravan and James was doing the photos in Italy.

[@TravellingK]

Ah and I’ve spotted James in Andrews videos 🤣

[@kathleenhart707]

Loving these interviews! I too have fond memories of caravanning in NZ as a child back in the early 70's

[@TravellingK]

Amazing! I only have one childhood caravan experience where I got very sick and spent the whole time lying on the couch 🤦‍♀️

[@alisterwest6987]

Pleasant conversation like the retro caravan too these chats with other knowledgeable caravaners a good idea interesting views and ideas of each party useful stuff all the best from me and my wife for happy travels 👍

[@TravellingK]

Glad you enjoyed this video. I do enjoy interviewing and learning too!

[@mick2d2]

Great story Andrew. I think a lot of us got into caravaning as children. Some of my fondest memories too.

[@tassiedevil6933]

Great video, Andrew said so many things that relate to dealers in Australia, it was almost like he was describing how the industry or what they are lacking here, so nice to see my 2 favorite people so enjoyed this one, Tks for sharing, another super video, wish I could have found out if the caravan business transport to Australia as well as New Zealand.

[@TravellingK]

Very interesting to hear it applies to Australia as well 🤔 I’m keen to get some UK to NZ import details here! I’ll bet they’ll ship to Australia too 😀

[@tassiedevil6933]

@@TravellingK that would be good

[@millomweb]

We fitted our own 230 volt shaver socket in the caravan - and it ran off the caravan battery ! And this was before 'inverters' !

[@TravellingK]

Haha nice one 😀

[@carlrees5574]

utterly brilliant, 2 of my fav you tubers being just ace!! thank you and it was great seeing Andrew a little less guarded in a way, looking at the caravans without his review head on was great!! Thank you Karen

[@TravellingK]

I really enjoyed seeing Andrew in action...

[@MadMonk_]

Well said about the state of the market, and the hold dealers have over what we get. In the UK we are rather spoilt for places to get those emergency spares when needed. I feel for you having difficulties getting spares, or those little extras.

[@TravellingK]

Yes, Andrew had some great points 😀 And wish there were easier shopping options in NZ...

[@petermarshall-mcleod1375]

Brilliant video , I've been enjoying your channel and especially how your coping on British roads. Keep up the good work, I've now subscribed too 😁👍

[@TravellingK]

Welcome Peter! Glad you’ve enjoyed my channel. It’s taken a while to get use to the roads here 🤣

[@clanmac66]

We are looking for our first caravan (just waiting for the prices to drop) and there was some good tips there. Thanks Miss K and Andrew!

[@TravellingK]

Glad you’ve found this helpful 😀 Very exciting time for you

[@duncanrothwell8225]

Andrew top man.....genuine...Karen bright future .....genuine 😀😀😀

[@markh3720]

Excellent. Well done. Hope there is a part 2

[@gunnertravel]

This is a very interesting place to do interview. But very comfortable

[@TravellingK]

And great for hiding from the rain 😀

[@mick2d2]

What you said about the caravan dealers selling european caravans in the UK, we have the same problem here. I would have loved to have bought a UK (Bailey) caravan, but the paperwork involved to tow it here in Spain is a nightmare (and expensive).

[@daveslife9486]

Wow a Sprite Alpine a lovely small clean an basic caravan. These were around when I first went touring with my parents. My first touring get up was a Sprite Musketeer pulled by a Vauxhall Viva hc and yes it pulled it great guns👍 Happy days and a great video guys 😊

[@TravellingK]

Ah lovely. Sounds like you also have some great memories with caravans 😀

[@권준형-h9l]

WOW you meet every British caravan youtuber i subscribed!!! Its amazing!!!

[@TravellingK]

Hehe that’s awesome 😀 So no one else you’d recommend I meet?

[@davidtolley4979]

I think the vintage market is going to grow and grow over the next few years and I think that’s a great thing. Enjoyed your video

[@TravellingK]

The vintage caravans just have so much character to them.

[@davidtolley4979]

Travelling K I would have one I have a engineering background and would have enjoy working on one. I did restore a T3 VW air cooled 25 years ago and loved it but I’m paraplegic now so not a opposition now but have a Motorhome now and really enjoy it. Hope you are still having fun in the UK

[@GaetanHobby]

I'm glad to see you both and dougal on your Channel Karen 👏 Big kisses to you both from France 😘

[@TravellingK]

Dougal is such a friendly dog too

[@GaetanHobby]

@@TravellingK It gives you a idea how life would be like having a dog with you in your caravan Karen...😉

[@kf-dk5pb]

Very nice interview thank you

[@TravellingK]

Glad you enjoyed 😀

[@Venomator.]

Excellent interview Karen and brilliant interviewee Andrew - what a pair!... 👍🏻 😉 Cheers, Rog... 😎 🐍

[@TravellingK]

Glad you liked it! I seriously hadn’t realised how long Andrew’s caravanned for.

[@daddybob6096]

Ta Karen, an interesting conversation with Andrew and Dougall. Funny that you should mention the Sprite, back in 1991 i purchased a Sprite caravan here in the Hutt, and i converted it to a food caravan from which i sold hotdogs, chips and drinks, mostly Coca Cola products as they had sponsored my business by painting my van in their company advertising. I towed it everywhere in the lower North Island with a Holden Station Wagon and it towed so well, i could cruise along at 90kph on the straights. I attended most markets and country fairs as far as Wanganui and the Wairarapa to south, and during the week i had a permanent location in the Hutt. It wasn't easy work and this type of food outlet became highly competitive, too many other operators, sadly after just a couple of years i sold it to another operator. But it was fun while i was doing it, although long hours. I'm sure this experience has a bearing on my interest in your programme. Cheers, Bob.

[@TravellingK]

Hi Bob, that’s an interesting story! And I had wondered if the vintage UK caravans had made it to NZ...

[@SteveMorton]

Andrew is so modest, 'Oh it was only a couple of emails' !!

[@TravellingK]

Way too modest!! Seriously, he’s amazing

[@andrew-karens-adventures]

Hi Karen, great interview Andrew is so right about UK dealers & support, I have had the worst experience with my dealer from signing up to buy my dream motorhome but after a long battle things are eventually gettimg sorted 👍😄

[@TravellingK]

Oh, I’m sorry to hear that! What a start to your dream adventure.

[@HitchUpAndTow]

Great video as normal. Love that you are showing people, you don't need £20000+ to enjoy caravanning. Its about getting out there, not how much you spent on your caravan. I do think the industry needs to listen to us caravanners as they aren't quite getting it right.

[@TravellingK]

Nicely put😀

[@michaelhodges2448]

We’ve got the lawns coming up in September so look out for that

[@TravellingK]

Is that a cricket reference...?

[@michaelhodges2448]

Travelling No you make me laugh its a well known caravan show near Beverley

[@joaobernardo4696]

Excelente entrevista. Uma grande verdade sobre a indústria. E sim, fascinam-me também a quantidade de materiais à venda.

[@traicys-dairy]

A recent subscriber.... loved this Vlog, well done x

[@TravellingK]

Oh that’s so great to hear! Hope you enjoy my future videos 😀😀

[@andrewjones-productions]

Excellent video Karen. I agree with Andrew. There is a lack of innovation and whilst caravans have changed in their aesthetic design, they are pretty much still the same thing they ever were. Of course, there are limits to the design as befits the nature of the beast and certainly, lighting, galley and bathroom fittings have really improved. However, there are still two things that we are not seeing on caravans as standard and they are air conditioning and hot water on demand. Admittedly, I live in a climate (Japan) that has very hot and humid summers and very cold winters. However, with even the UK in recent years seeing 30C temperatures and above in the summer months and continental Europe has always seen these kinds of temperatures, I believe there is a sufficient need in the market place that warrants air conditioning. Added to that, there are virtually no caravans (none from Europe that I know of) that are capable of off-roading or even simply have greater ground clearance. The absolutely fantastic Swift Basecamp would have been nicer in an off-road package with greater ground clearance, stronger chassis and larger wheels for those locations that require traversing dirt roads with potholes. Despite its claim to fame as an outdoor activity caravan and does meet that image somewhat with the rear-door and the ability to fold up the seating area, it is still just an ordinary caravan when it comes to towing. They don't need to be rock crawling able, but there are still plenty of dirt-tracks in the UK and beyond that require something just a bit more substantial than what I call a 'sedan-type chassis caravan'. Also, even though Bailey introduced the fabulous Alutech technology for camera manufacturing, their caravans are still dependent on internal fixtures for the integrity of the strength of the vehicle and this type of caravan build really, really, really puts me off. With the extremes of the Japanese climate, I see caravans deteriorate much, much faster here than in the UK. This is where Airstream stand out as being different, but they are the Range Rovers of the caravan market whereas I'd be happy with a "Mitsubishi Pajero" (aka Shogun) type class caravan (FYI: Pajeros in Japan are on the lower price end of the scale of SUVs here in Japan). If livestock trailers can be built to withstand the rigours of farm tracks, then I can't see why caravan manufacturers take a leaf or two out of the books of companies like Ifor Williams Trailers. In short, caravans are pretty much 'same old, same old' and whilst that addresses the bulk of the market, it also shuns people who desire something a bit different away as there is no European caravan out there that REALLY grasps me in terms of design, weight, ability and design.

[@TravellingK]

Really very interesting to read. I’ve found on this trip that a caravan that’ll work well in the UK might not work as well in another country without some changes. Although Bailey Rangefinder was an interesting direction for a UK brand. I’m really curious to see more of the European innovations too!

[@michaelhodges2448]

I worked on them caravan when they were new vans have changed a lot

[@TravellingK]

Oh wow!!! So you’re the guy to talk to about fixing caravans? 😜

[@evdru9028]

A thanks to Andrew for giving you the UK contacts.

[@TravellingK]

Yes, it’s really made this trip amazing for me 😀

[@AndysmGray]

Enjoyed this. Nice one Karen....👍

[@TravellingK]

Glad you liked it 😀

[@krippleinacaravanxxx707]

Wonderful, amazing, gawgus darlings!! Xxxx

[@TravellingK]

Hehe glad you liked it!

[@HexagonicDistortion]

How about a trip to Sweden next? :P Would be awesome to hear your opinions of the country and maybe of the Swedish caravans as well.

[@TravellingK]

Swedish caravans! I’d be keen 🤣

[@HexagonicDistortion]

@@TravellingK Polarvagnen and Kabe are 2 Swedish brand caravans. Quite different from the UK style of campers. Have a look. 👍 And welcome to Sweden if you ever pop over. 👋

[@millomweb]

It's odd putting comments for this video onto another - one of Andrews' !

[@TravellingK]

The crazy cross over 🤪

[@millomweb]

@@TravellingK If he'd commented on this video, I could have responded to him here - but I didn't find one of his comments ! It seems his parents had a Ford Granada too for towing the van !

[@PaulHardingham]

brilliant

[@grahamskilling2147]

Excellent thank you

[@johninokla2635]

Nice interview. 👍 If Andrew feels so strongly about the UK dealers holding back the European caravans he needs to start up or back a dealer with all his pull and knowledge to sell the European caravans. He needs to take the risk and put his knowledge to work for him.

[@TravellingK]

Hmmm I did wonder how you’d get around it. Why not have these alternative caravans displayed but returnable after a couple of months if not sold?

[@johninokla2635]

@@TravellingK, yes that would work. Also if they are as good as he says then after a few are used word of mouth should sell a few more. Sorry for being a bloody nuisance the last few videos. : ( I'll try to tone it down some.

[@ashlybrown5341]

Just brill been watching Andrew a long time now and of course a soft spot for Karen brave girl doing it all on her own

[@TravellingK]

I don’t feel brave 🤷‍♀️ But overall loving this lifestyle.

[@cr0ft-2k]

The caravan weighs 750 kilos. I have a motorcycle in the garage that weighs 400. That caravan is **light**

[@TravellingK]

That’s a great comparison!! The type of caravan I could move on my own 🤣

[@Parknest]

Karen, you should really get that continuous water system. It saves you having to lug the water barrel every time you have to fill it up. They're worth every penny. Aren't most of the caravans in NZ imported from the UK? (including your Sterling) When I was selling the Coachman, a woman who came to view it buys caravans to export to NZ.

[@TravellingK]

I’ll see how much room in my bag I have 🤣 There do seem to be lots of 2nd hand UK caravans in NZ. We’re now getting an interesting mix of new caravans from around the world.

[@GG-gotr6]

Started Watching while eating breakfast - Too much information Andrew 🤢. Another great interview Karen, you’re going from strength to strength. I agree with Andrews comment about a conservativ approach of not daring to change, I asked Coachman if they could supply a rear facing camera or just advise on where to mount one, I got a strange look and the dealer said he’d driven thousands of miles without one. Bully for him, I would like to see who’s behind me and how close. That refusal to acknowledge technology and change is holding back the industry. 👍v

[@TravellingK]

Huh interesting. I’ve been missing my own reversing camera - much better visibility than tow mirrors.

[@GG-gotr6]

Travelling K 👍

[@graemeroberts5730]

Is that caravan Glynis...... The vintage caravan? 😳😳

[@TravellingK]

Yes😀

[@Figure11_Home_and_Garden]

I swear I saw Dougal smile

[@TravellingK]

He keeps smiling off camera 🤣

[@paula.jackson5463]

am loving the vintage...and Karen!

[@TravellingK]

I’m loving the vintage too 🤣

[@MotorHomeMan]

Hi Karen, I’ve just found your KZbin channel and have subscribed! I’ve got friends in Hamilton and have been to New Zealand a few times! It’s a great country and it’s lovely to see you travelling around it! Keep on making your fantastic vloggs! I also have a KZbin channel (MotorhomeMan)perhaps you could take a look and leave a comment! 😎👍🚐

[@TravellingK]

Oh, a well travelled man! That’s great to hear 😀 I’ll have a look

[@andrewflint8509]

Did you actually just buy a caravan

[@TravellingK]

Haha guess it looked like that! No, out of my budget at the moment.

[@botulf4908]

Hillloooo first!

[@flybyairplane3528]

Andrew, HELLO!, You had introduced me to KAREN, & so been following her adventures, along with others from her also, what type TERRIER is DOOUGAL ?, As SS said he never smiles Ha, CHEERIO, FROM NJ, USA

[@TravellingK]

Glad you’ve found my channel through Andrew 😀😀

[@fastasfox]

I love Glynis even in her avocado green...Modern caravans all look the same nowadays ..... all white all identical and with cheap looking graphics on the side. Bring back character i say. Nice interview Karen.

[@TravellingK]

The vintage caravans do have so much character to them 😀😀

[@patrickjobling8676]

Very goods yes ...😁pip pips and carryon

[@trailerparksupervisor7046]

Surprised he let you get a word in 🙄

[@greenjacket66]

as soon as i heard hallo thumbs down

[@y6ti]

I think you should ask a Brexiteer how a solution on diversity in your market should look like!

[@TravellingK]

Ohhh haha

[@y6ti]

@@TravellingK :-)