Indice dei contenuti per October 2020 in Practical Caravan

Last issue I mentioned how disappointed we were at Practical Caravan HQ that the October NEC show had been postponed; in fact, so many events have been cancelled this year across our industry that it feels as though we’ve really missed a whole season. With that in mind, we’re pleased to announce the launch of our new VanLive! Practical Caravan & Motorhome Virtual Show, to be held online from 12-18 October. You can find out more about it on p64, but suffice to say: join us and you’ll be able to see all the latest news from manufacturers, campsites and more, take part in brilliant competitions, and even claim your free goodie bag! Look out for our exclusive show coverage in the next issue of Practical Caravan. We’re so excited…

Campsites offer extended season Covid-19 continues to dominate our thoughts, and we’re now used to wearing masks and carrying hand gel. Our lives, perhaps, have become more considered: ‘Know before you go’ is a sensible mantra for those venturing beyond their front door, while Visit Britain’s ‘We’re good to go’ industry standard is giving businesses guidelines for safer operation. We will have to wait a bit longer to enjoy the festivals and fairs that epitomise the summer, but there’s still great countryside and gardens to explore, views to marvel at, new skills to learn. With many campsites extending their season, there are plenty of marvellous opportunities to be taken. claudia.dowell@futurenet.com Features editor CLAUDIA DOWELL is our touring expert - she’s been caravanning for year and loves to explore both far…

1 Inversnaid, Loch Lomond Part of the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park (A), the RSPB Nature Reserve at Inversnaid, on the east shore of the loch, is an important woodland area of some 800 hectares, including rare Atlantic oaks. The reserve climbs from sea level to the top of Beinn a’ Choin. You can approach it by road, but even better during high season are the regular cruises across the loch from Tarbet to Inversnaid. Expect to see black grouse, redstarts and pied flycatchers, and listen out for the wood warbler. Pine martens live in the woods and you might also glimpse peregrines, ospreys and golden eagles. › www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/inversnaid Where to stay On the western side of the loch, you’ll find Loch Lomond Holiday Park perfectly placed to…

Camping Loisirs des Groux1 Chemin de L’île, 78270 Mousseaux-sur-Seine› +33 (0)1 34 79 33 86› www.campingdesgroux.com Camping Ile des Trois Rois1 Rue Gilles Nicole, 27700 Les Andelys› +33 (0)2 32 54 23 79› www.camping-troisrois.com Camping Utah BeachLa Madeleine, 50480 Sainte Marie du Mont› +33 (0)2 33 71 53 69› www.camping-utahbeach.com Camping Omaha BeachRue de la Hérode, 14710 Vierville-sur-Mer› +33 (0)2 31 22 41 73› www.camping-omaha-beach.fr Camping de la Seine2699 Route du Conihout, 76480 Jumièges› +33 (0)6 60 22 84 22› www.campingdelaseine.com Camping de la ForêtRue Mainberte, 76480 Jumièges› +33 (0)2 35 37 93 43› campinglaforet.com Camping Le ParcRue Victor Hugo, La Mailleraye-sur-Seine, 76940 Arelaune-en-Seine› +33 (0)2 35 37 12 04› www.seine-maritime-tourisme.com Camping Les PeupliersAllée des Pins, 14810 Merville-Franceville› +33 (0)2 31 24 05 07› camping-peupliers.com Camping Riva Bella (1)1 Rue…

Don’t miss our online Leisure vehicle show! Lockdown may have ruined the spring, but hasn’t totally devastated the summer. I have been on the road a fair bit in the past two weeks and it was wonderful to see so many caravans out and about again. Of course, everything’s not entirely back to normal - there’s no NEC show this October, and we will all miss it. But don’t despair. Practica! Caravan has launched Van Live! - our own online caravan and motorhome show - which starts on 12 October. We’ll reveal more on our website and social media pages over the next few weeks, but to find out more now, turn to P64. peter.baber@futurenet.com Reviews editor PETER BABER is a hugely experienced caravanner who enjoys touring whenever he can…

All else being equal, low weight is a good thing in a vehicle. Lighter cars ride and handle better, use less fuel and emit less. With ever-tighter emissions regulations, and fines for carmakers who don’t achieve their targets, manufacturers will continue to keep weight to a minimum. But for caravanners, heavy cars offer more favourable matches and better stability. The heavier a car is in relation to the van it tows, the better - a small tail will struggle to wag a big dog! Some of the heaviest cars today are electric. So perhaps we are only a few years from an electric SUV being default choice for towing a heavy caravan. motty@practicalcaravan.com Tow car editor DAVID MOTTON is a former PC editor,and has towed with more than 500 cars…

› 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…

‘We used the bus into Douglas to explore the capital and ferry port. It’s an easy place to walk around, with a pedestrianised area and a number of interesting places to visit’ p38 Where are we? Douglas, Isle of Man Coordinates 54.1523° N, 4.4861° W Why tour here? Located in the Irish Sea, the Isle of Man is a place of myth, legend and great beauty. It’s famous for the annual TT motorcycle races, but there is much more to see and do. When visitors are allowed to return, you can explore its unique culture and wonderful heritage. Don’t miss… The Great Laxey Wheel and mine trail, the Snaefell Mountain Railway and the Great Unión Camera Obscura. Photographer Getty images/benkrut…

PLEASE NOTE All event details were correct as we went to press, but you should double-check details before making any journey Ongoing York’s National Railway Museum has reopened its doors to visitors. Explore the Great Hall to see a history of engines, including the famed 1938 steam locomotive Mallard, and steam locomotives Evening Star and Duchess of Hamilton, along with a Japanese bullet train from 1976. Entry is free, but you do need to book your tickets in advance. Find out more at www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/visit. From now until 24 October Visit the Historic Dockyard at Chatham and you can explore the great maritime heritage of this important industrial site. Alternatively, enjoy a guided tour of the film locations of TV hit series Call the Midwife. While you’re there, catch up with…

Who are you? Sarah Wakely, editor in chief of Practical Caravan. I’ve been working on the magazine for many years now, and grew up in a caravanning family! Until recently I also owned an ageing Bailey Pageant, which I loved. How do you know about the area? I have family there and spend lots of time exploring the beautiful countryside surrounding this fascinating town – in the car, on foot and on two wheels. What do you love about it? There’s so much to see in Wiltshire – Stonehenge, of course, and numerous ancient settlements, as well as chalk hill carvings and other fascinating monuments. Warminster High Street has a nice mix of cafés and shops, and if you want to learn more about the town, try the Blue Plaque…

HAVING TOURED EXTENSIVELY around the Scottish islands, my housemate Pearl and I decided that for this (pre-Covid 19) trip, we’d visit an island that was a bit closer to home. We had a couple of ferry port options to get to the Isle of Man and opted for Heysham - the new junction off the M6 made it an easy destination to reach from our home in North Wales. After an uneventful crossing, which took about three hours, we booked into Glenlough Campsite in Union Mills, just outside Douglas, the island’s capital, which makes an ideal base for exploring. Although Glenlough is not staffed for much of the day, the owners were there on our arrival to introduce us to the site. Exploring the island Wherever possible, we prefer to…

APPS TO KEEP YOU ENTERTAINED 1 Peak Brain Training Price Free Available For iOS and Android ■ Keep your mind in trim with some entertaining but intense mental work-outs. These short games, developed in conjunction with leading research, will help to test and improve your focus, memory, problem-solving and mental agility. Advanced programmes, challenging specific brain skills including memory and attention, are also available. 2 SkyView Lite Price Free Available For iOS and Android ■ Ever laid back on a clear, balmy night and wished you knew more about the stars and planets? This illuminating app can help! With it, you can identify major stars, planets and constellations. An augmented reality screen shows you what’s in the sky in the direction of the phone camera and there’s a search facility…

Customers head for the forecourts I am delighted to see how busy the forecourts are! I went to a local dealer one wet Saturday lunchtime and was astounded at the car park being full. Was there a show weekend on? No, the dealer said, at this time of day the crowds came in and sales were indeed buoyant. It wasn’t just entry-level, either, because upmarket tourers were clearly in demand, too. The accessory shop was also full of customers and it was a joy to see such interest. Let’s hope lots of these folk trade up to new models one day – but then, new stock is going pretty quickly! practical.caravan@futurenet.com ANDY JENKINSON is a caravan expert and historian - he loves pre-owned and classic tourers! ANDY’S PICKS OF THE…

Price £36,985 What Car? Target Price £34,781 Retained value after three years 53% Kerbweight 1844kg 85% of kerbweight Not legal Gross vehicle weight 2320kg Max towing limit 1200kg Gross train weight 3520kg Towball limit 100kg Price of towball and electrics £625 Boot size min/max 411/1481 litres Payload 476kg Test conditions Dry Engine size 2488cc Power (hp)/rpm 225/NA Torque (lb ft)/rpm NA Official combined economy 201.8mpg Towing economy 43.8mpg CO2 emissions 32g/km First year car tax £0 Second year car tax £140 Insurance group 20EE Euro NCAP protection rating…

CARAVANS HAVE TWO electrical power systems: mains (230V AC, usually from a hook-up point) and 12V DC, which powers lights, pumps and so on. The latter is usually supplied from the leisure battery. There are times when it is useful to have access to a 12V DC supply remote from the caravan (for example, running extra lighting units and portable cooling fans, or charging up a phone or tablet computer while you’re sitting outside the van). This project explains the construction of a rechargeable power supply that has a capacity of 2.5Ah with a single bank of 10 AA batteries, rising to 10Ah capacity with the four-bank battery configuration. It also offers the convenience of two USB 5V sockets, suitable for charging phones and tablets. A CREE LED light is…

PEOPLE BECOME ATTACHED to their caravan; they’re almost part of the family. And as you would for any family member, you’ll want to protect your caravan and keep it safe. The threat of vehicle theft is very real. “We have seen a rise in caravan thefts in the past 12 months,” says Craig Thompson, marketing director of insurance specialist Caravan Guard (caravanguard.co.uk). “Motorhome theft is also on the rise.” Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to keep your home-from-home secure. Storage Most touring units spend more time in storage than on tour. When choosing where to store your caravan, security should be a priority. A friendly local farmer might rent out the corner of a disused barn, but if the closest thing to security is a geriatric sheepdog,…

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 furniture? Perhaps creature comforts are a bit 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 in Europe,…

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…

DECEMBER 1980 Most wanted! We’d never describe ourselves as cowboys, but this cover had something of the Wild West about it! Our Earls Court Show issue promised plenty of action - from previews to round-ups We’re only here for the Beer A small corner of Devon provided the perfect getaway for writer Bob Musker, who enjoyed the delights of Beer and its surrounds. Thatching and medieval bridges were some of the highlights in what felt like a gentle step back in time Hot, hot, hot! The luxury of a water heater was the promised land for Frank Clark, who showed us how he fitted a Carver Cascade in his Cavalier 4.40 GT in a Weekend Workshop feature. “Car, patience and reasonable DIY competence are all necessary,” he wrote Show business…

WHERE IS BEST FOR A SHORT BREAK? Q We’re new to caravanning this year, but have taken the plunge and bought a lovely secondhand van. Where would you recommend for our first weekend test trip?Carol Davidson Paul Critcher replies… Based in the West Midlands, you have easy access to some truly fantastic beauty spots relatively nearby. You probably don’t want to go too far on a test run, so I’dsuggest a couple of destinations that are quite close – the Gower,in Wales, and North Devon. The stunningly beautiful Gower Peninsula (www.visitswanseabay.com/destinations/gower-peninsula) can easily be accessed from the M4 and isjust a short hop from Swansea. Perfect for beach-lovers, it’s also home to the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and if you like walking,there are some fabulous trails.…

SOME YEARS AGO, my then boss was organising her hen weekend. She wanted to go somewhere in the country, but not too far out of London. She fancied Suffolk, but didn’t know much about the place. So she rang the English Tourist Board to see what they could tell her. She was rather surprised at the response. “Where did you say?” “Suffolk.” Long silence. “Never heard of it. Are you sure you don’t mean south Norfolk?” The ignorance of even some employees of our tourism organisations about Suffolk’s charms isn’t entirely surprising. Somehow, when people think of East Anglia, they inevitably gravitate to the Norfolk Broads, or those (admittedly wonderful) North Norfolk beaches. The rolling hills of inland Suffolk seem to be awaiting discovery. At least that’s what I think…

Sponsored by THE A49, IN western England, is a north-south route that crosses the Welsh Marches. It runs north from Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire, linking the medieval market towns of Hereford, Leominster, Ludlow, Shrewsbury and Whitchurch, continuing through Cheshire to Warrington and Wigan before ending just south of Bamber Bridge at its junction with the A6. From the ancient market town of Ross-on-Wye to Warrington on the banks of the River Mersey, the A49 is a pleasant country drive alongside the hills of the English/Welsh borders, winding its way up through Herefordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire, coming within a couple of miles of the border near Whitchurch. Stop off to explore The route is mainly single carriageway, so it can be a slow drive, but you’ll probably want to stop off to…

It seems that our favourite pastime is more popular than ever – if the post-lockdown reports from dealers across the UK are anything to go by (and they are), a whole raft of newbies have been looking for their first caravan over the past few weeks. If that’s you, then welcome – you’ve joined a fantastic community! And in this issue, we have everything technical you need to know about buying your first van – you’ll find it on p82. Even if you’re a seasoned caravanner, there’s something for you, too – it’s always worth reminding yourself of the key tech legislation. practical.caravan@futurenet.com OUR TECH EXPERTS include (left to right) John Sootheran, Sammy Faircloth, Nigel Hutson and Tony Brown…

LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS, commonly known as LPG, is a truly wonderful fuel. It’s versatile, easy to store and transport, and relatively clean. A single cylinder holds a vast amount of energy. In short, it’s the perfect fuel for touring, especially when you’re off-grid. Not only is LPG ideal for cooking and heating, it will also chill your caravan fridge. In fact, it’s the most efficient way to heat your van and provide hot water - and keep your Lambrusco cool! Burning any hydrocarbon fuel has a detrimental effect on the environment, of course, but LPG is one of the cleanest options. It’s non-toxic and low-carbon, burns cleanly and emits almost no black carbon or particulates, and every kg of LPG contains more energy than other options, so it’s also very…

■ Main housing: 1 ABS enclosure 200 x 120 x 75mm ■ 12V to 19V converter housing: 1 ABS enclosure 80 x 55 x 35mm ■ 1-4 AA battery carriers (10-cell variant) ■ 1 rocker switch with ‘LED on’ indicator ■ 1 momentary ‘on’ push button ■ 1 small toggle switch (for torch) ■ 1 20mm fuse carrier (bulkhead mounting) and fuse to suit the capacity chose(see text) ■ 1 voltmeter* ■ 1 cigar lighter socket* ■ 1 dual 5V USB socket* ■ 1 12-19V converter ■ 2 cigar socket plugs ■ 8 M3 x 10 screws plus nuts plus washers ■ 4 rubber feet ■ 1 Eagle Eye CREE LED white light ■ 1 smart charging unit suitable for NiMH cells (12V) ■ AA batteries to suit (see text)…

UU This kind of layout is clearly one for large families. You might think having four bunks at the back is a waste of space, but it does have its advantages. The kids get a room of their own, particularly if the nearside bunks fold to become a dinette. A door or - better still - a sliding partition across the middle means they can go off to bed at night and you don’t need to worry about disturbing them. And everyone has equal access to the toilet! Pros Clear separation between adults’ and kids’ spaces. Cons The bunks can feel a bit redundant if fewer than four childen are travelling AI An in-line island bed at the rear with a washroom spread across the centre is a layout that…