Indholdsfortegnelse for June 2020 i Practical Caravan

As I type this, the UK is a couple of weeks into a lockdown due to coronavirus. It does mean that us caravanners can’t get out on the road for the time being, of course: at the moment, staying home (and staying safe) is absolutely crucial. But that’s not to say we can’t use the time in a positive way. If your caravan is parked on your drive, it’s the perfect chance to get those niggly DIY tasks completed – this issue we’ve brought you some ideas of what you can tackle now (p83), and there are loads more to look forward to next month. Finally, don’t miss our fantastic subscription offer – you can get five issues of Practical Caravan for just £5, delivered direct to your door (p82).…

TOP PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS Hold the camera securely And not just because you don’t want to drop it! Holding your phone using both hands, elbows tucked in against your body, helps reduce camera shake. Alternatively, use a tripod. Avoid the flash Despite advances, the flash built into phones often produces unflattering results. More often, a ‘noisy’ picture is preferable in low light. Tap the lightning bolt symbol and set the flash to Off. Zoom with your feet You can zoom with an ‘unpinch’ gesture, but all that does is crop the photo that’s taken – which you can control better later, using the Photos app’s Crop tool. Instead, simply try to get closer if possible.…

On the road, when the time is right While we are all confined to barracks, we can take time to plan what we might like to do when we can again enjoy our hobby. We have some tours to inspire you when the time is right to take the cover off your caravan and hitch up your tow car. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty will provide space to enjoy our glorious landscapes later in the year; we’ve picked out 15 for you to explore, with nearby sites (p28). We also feature the less well-known Arnside and Silverdale AONB (p20) and the more famous Cheddar Gorge (p24). And when we can once more cross the Channel, there’s France’s beautiful and historic Normandy region to look forward to (p32). claudia.dowell@futurenet.com Features editor…

M5 (north) Sponsored by We look at major UK driving routes and reveal everything you need to know YOU MIGHT SAY that this is the road to holiday heaven in the UK, connecting, as it does, the north, north Wales and the Midlands via the M6, and south Wales, London and the east via the M4 to the mild weather, moors, areas of outstanding natural beauty and coastal resorts of England’s beautiful south-west. As such, it gets extremely busy during the holiday seasons. Not that it isn’t busy at other times, because it also connects Britain’s second-largest city, Birmingham, with the port of Bristol, linking the industrial heartlands of the Midlands to Avonmouth and south Wales. The road follows the route of the A38 quite closely, although unlike the A38,…

Storage sites issue coronavirus guidance CaSSOA (the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association) has issued special guidance during the coronavirus lockdown to storage site owners, saying that they should only expect caravan owners to visit their sites if they are returning vehicles. If the site owners tow vans into place themselves, CaSSOA says that it is reasonable to allow customers to clean any part of the vehicle that they touch. However, because CaSSOA is a membership organisation, it is leaving the decision on whether to shut sites to individual owners. As we went to press with this issue of Practical Caravan, it was still unclear whether security staff at such sites should be regarded as key workers, who are allowed to go to work under the Government guidelines.…

• Calibrated to BS7691 • Remains accurate to within 2kg after 1000 uses • Clear and easy to read • Goes up to 130kg • No need to jack caravan to use • Stay safe on the road! Subscribe online at www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/prc/prc426 or call 0344 848 2852 Quote the promotional code PRC426 for either print only, or print and digital Every issue is packed with… Touring inspiration • In-depth reviews • Technical tips • Buying advice • Special offers and much more PLUS You’ll get our new and exclusive subscriber-only covers! PICK A PACKAGE PRINT-ONLY SUBSCRIPTION ACCESS ONLY £42 every 13 months by Direct Debit, saving 28%* NEVER miss an issue FREE P&P every issue delivered to your door EXCLUSIVE subscriber-only covers! DIGITAL-ONLY SUBSCRIPTION ACCESS ONLY £21.50 every 13 months…

Nigel Hutson is a lifelong caravanner who toured as a child before buying his first caravan at the age of 22. He also served in the police for 30 years IF YOU’VE BEEN to any of the major caravan and motorhome shows, there’s a good chance you’ve seen the E&P Hydraulics caravan demonstration unit, where a large sheet of Perspex forms a ‘floor’ with a shortened caravan chassis attached, along with the firm’s levelling units. A few years ago, I visited E&P’s HQ near Amsterdam (the company has since moved to larger premises, still near Amsterdam), where I met founder Pierre Blom and the MD of E&P Hydraulics UK Ltd, Oliver Drinkwater. On that visit, I witnessed the various components (hydraulic jacks, pumps, corner steadies) being assembled, and the final…

Choosing a layout People’s needs differ, and your layout choice will depend on your companions and how you want to use your caravan. To understand which layouts are available, spend a day at one of the big shows, where manufacturers and dealers will be showing their latest models. A dealership is also a good place to start, but can be affiliated with a limited number of manufacturers. A chat with a dealer, though, could raise issues or offer ideas you hadn’t considered. Think about your needs: will you want to carry bikes, sports kit, barbecues or outdoor lounging furniture? Perhaps creature comforts are higher on your list; you might want a separate sleeping area, a lounge with parallel sofas and TV points, and an oven. If you plan to tour…

This layout, with a transverse island bed and an end washroom, is one of the most popular in the current market. It is particularly favoured by those who are looking to use their caravan as a seasonal pitch. With the washroom tucked away like an en-suite, it almost feels like home. It might not be so great if you travel frequently with younger children, however. Pros With no separating washroom, the central area often feels very airy Cons The washroom isn’t very convenient for anyone sleeping in the front A Front lounge mustn’t be squeezed to make way for everything else in here B Even with the van’s airy centre, you might still want a concertina partition here C Make sure the gangway past the bed is large enough for…

Rear corner beds are commonly known as French beds, for reasons that are becoming rather lost in the mists of time! They do take up less room than an island bed, so are quite a happy compromise if one of you is prepared to climb over the other to get out of bed at night With this layout, the bed doesn’t take up so much space in the van, either, because the washroom fits in beside, rather than behind, it. Pros A corner washroom is more accessible for everyone in the caravan Cons There’s less privacy than you would get with a central washroom A Front lounge settees should ideally be long enough to act a single beds B The second dinette often includes an optional bunk bed C The…

1 All-in-one Not only does Dolaucothi Caravan and Motorhome Park, in Carmarthenshire, have an idyllic location in the Cothi Valley, but there’s also a fascinating disused goldmine to explore, just a few minutes’ walk from the site. www.nationaltrust.org.uk 2 Rising from the ashes Just a 20-minute drive from Lincomb Lock Caravan Park’s riverside location and adults-only touring area, you’ll find the fascinating remains of Witley Court and the surrounding gardens. This grand Victorian house was gutted by fire in 1937, but you can still see grandeur in the ruins. www.hillandale.co.uk/our-parks/lincomb-lock-caravan-park 3 Pocket-sized powerhouse One of the Lake District’s lesser-known attractions is Stott Park Bobbin Mill, which once supplied millions of wooden bobbins to factories during the Industrial Revolution. Stay just a few minutes away from the shores of Lake Windermere,…

A great excuse to catch up on planning! I’ve lost count of the number of emails I have opened in the past week that start with the words: “We are living in unprecedented times.” Indeed we are. I can’t think of any other time when everyday life has been so curtailed. Of course, it puts paid to any ideas of getting away for a quick tour this spring. But there are other opportunities that are opening up! Being stuck at home is a great excuse to think about and plan your next motorhome purchase. We’ll continue to bring you details of brilliant new products until we’re all back on the road again – you won’t miss out if you read Practical Caravan! peter.baber@futurenet.com Reviews editor PETER BABER is a hugely…

Fixed-bed layouts remain popular So spring is finally here, after a deluge of rain – and how’s the used caravan market doing? Well, having various conversations with dealers on my travels has flagged up that some are finding themselves quite low on stock at the moment. One dealer told me he had few fixed-bed vans on the forecourt, following a spike in sales. Family models were also selling well, especially those with fixed bunks. And the coronavirus? I reckon that once things have settled down again, folk will be in need of a relaxing holiday here in the UK, so we might see a big demand for used as well as new caravans. practical.caravan@futurenet.com ANDY JENKINSON is a caravan expert and historian – he loves pre-owned and classic tourers! ANDY’S…

SAMMY FAIRCLOTH grew up in a family of keen caravanners, and tours the UK and further afield IN DISCUSSIONS WITH other caravanners, it can sometimes surprise me how little some know about caravan weights and limits. A minority even seem to believe it is acceptable to chuck everything randomly into the cavernous interior of their tourer, without a thought for the stability and safety of their tow car or caravan (1). So for those of you who do not know about the important weights and limits operating for our pastime, here is what you need to bear in mind. Weighbridge First, the caravan needs to be weighed and this is carried out at a weighbridge (2). These are simply a very large set of scales, used to weigh trucks, tractors…

JULY 1982 The great outdoors A classic summer camping scene graced the cover, with playful kids in knee-length socks providing a spectacle for a watching Mum, while Dad tended the barbecue Take to the water There was action aplenty inside this issue, with an article on using inflatable boats – safety was the key theme in this useful report, which highlighted some of the precautions amateur boaters should be aware of! Back to the drawing board The Focus on Britain section gave our illustrators a chance to show off their skills, with drawings of bridges, rivers and churchyards accompanying the article, which included a trip along the Thames to the outskirts of the Cotswolds What’s new? Hair curlers for use on tour (we love the big ’80s hair!), a cable…

Sarah Wakely Editor sarah@practicalcaravan.com Peter Baber Reviews editor peter.baber@futurenet.com Claudia Dowell Features/Travel editor claudia.dowell@futurenet.com David Motton Tow car editor motty@practicalcaravan.com John Sootheran Consulting editor practical.caravan@futurenet.com Andy Jenkinson Used-van contributor practical.caravan@futurenet.com WHICH FESTIVALS OFFER HOOK-UP? Q I have always wanted to go to the Glastonbury Festival, but didn’t fancy the camping. We bought a used 1999 Swift and a few years ago, were lucky enough to get tickets to Glasto. Although we didn’t have electric hook-up, we had our own facilities, and had a fantastic time. We haven’t used the caravan that much since then, but we are hoping to go to another festival to celebrate my birthday and this time, I’d really like the convenience of electricity. Do you know of any festivals that arrange hook-up? Rita Cooper Claudia Dowell…

Long-time caravanner Janette Sykes is a regular contributor WHENEVER MY HUSBAND and I drive north on the M6 towing our caravan, more often than not, we’re headed for the tried and trusted landscapes of the Lake District. But recently, we decided to leave the motorway a junction earlier (35) to explore a lesser-known area, Arnside and Silverdale, at the mouth of the River Kent and the north-western corner of Morecambe Bay. Blessed with a breathtaking coastline, scenic villages and plenty of scope to enjoy leisurely sightseeing, walking and cycling, it’s deservedly designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Big skies, great views This is also the ideal location for a relaxing long weekend, an unbeatable combination of coastline and countryside, with big skies and panoramic views wherever you…

Who are you? Paul Critcher, Deputy Editor of Practical Caravan. For me, caravanning has always been all about the pleasures of travel and being able to enjoy everything that the great outdoors has to offer. Why are you a local authority on Rye, East Sussex? I’m originally a Sussex lad (although I’m from the west side of the tracks), and I just love this part of the world – I’ve visited the town many times. What do you love about it? Rye has such wonderfully preserved history – walking the ancient streets here is like taking a step into medieval England – and even today, you might have an encounter with the odd growling pirate in some of the town’s many inns! What’s your favourite place to visit when you’re…

A clever, welcome innovation It’s always interesting to see the world through the eyes of children. I took my daughter (12) and son (seven) to the NEC show in February. My daughter is a great fan of caravans and motorhomes; my boy was perhaps not so sure. But by the end of the day, he was converted. My son has cerebral palsy, and carrying him in and out of conventional tourers was a strain. But our last stop of the day was Coachbuilt GB, a specialist in accessible vehicles. Instead of lifting him out of his wheelchair, he was transported by lift into a palatial, fully adapted ’van, like a king on his throne. He wanted us to take it home. I’d better start saving… motty@practicalcaravan.com Tow car editor DAVID…

THESE VERY STYLISH taps are quite commonly seen in caravans, especially the more upmarket variants When used in tourers with pressurised fresh-water systems, they come without an embedded microswitch, whereas for systems that use an ‘on demand’ pump, the action of lifting the tap lever activates an internal microswitch, which supplies current to the pump. Long service In general, they give long and reliable service. However, leaks can occur, which are usually attributed to swivel-spout O-rings not sealing properly, or ceramic mixer cartridges becoming faulty (often caused by sub-zero temperatures freezing residual water inside, causing the casing to fracture or the seals to fail, or both). I have also encountered a number of owners reporting a problem in caravans fitted with Vector taps and an ‘on demand’ pump. It appears…

Kerbweight As defined by EU Directive 95/48/EC, the car or other vehicle’s weight with a 90% full fuel tank, all necessary fluids, 68kg for the driver and 7kg of luggage. This is the figure that is used to calculate a tow car match GTW (Gross train weight) The maximum allowable combined weight of the towing vehicle and the caravan, as specified by the maker of the towing vehicle Hook-up Cable connection to the mains electrical supply at a campsite. Provides power to mains sockets and appliances Maximum towing limit The greatest weight that a car can legally tow, as specified by the manufacturer of the towing vehicle MiRO (Mass in running order) The caravan’s weight, with all factory-fitted equipment, when it leaves the factory. MiRO replaces the old terms ‘ex-works…

This is a classic van layout, and although it has now largely been superseded by floorplans with fixed beds, it’s still kept on by some manufacturers. It’s not hard to see why. You get two separate lounges, so adults and kids can have their own areas. And the heavy part of the caravan – the kitchen – is nicely kept over the axle, to make towing easier. Pros Relaxing space for all, with room in the middle to house a large kitchen and washroom Cons Nobody gets a fixed bed, and the rear lounge can sometimes feel boxed in A Wraparound seating can sometimes be an option in the front lounge B There should be plenty of room in the centre for the kitchen C Even if there is a…

Caravan and Motorhome Club 01342 326 944 thecaravanclub.co.uk Camping and Caravanning Club 024 7647 5448 thefriendlyclub.co.uk CRiS 020 3282 1000 www.cris.co.uk Approved Workshop Scheme www.approvedworkshops.co.uk NCC (National Caravan Council) www.thencc.org.uk Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA) 0843 216 5802 www.cassoa.co.uk Towsafe www.towsafe.co.uk DVLA 0300 790 6801 www.dft.gov.uk/dvla Mobile Caravan Engineers Association (MCEA) 01249 651 036 www.mobilecaravanengineers.co.uk For the very latest reviews and brilliant buying guides, visit the Practical Caravan website – you’ll find us at www.practicalcaravan.com…