Practical Caravanの April 2020 の目次

One of the best things about caravanning is the sense of community it engenders – it’s such a great opportunity to meet like-minded people who simply want to get the most out of our wonderful pastime. It was with this in mind that we recently overhauled our online forums. They’ve always been popular, but now they’ve got a brand new look and an easier-to-use format, they’re attracting more users than ever before – which means your opportunity to get great advice from, and chat with, fellow caravanners is now simpler than ever. Topics currently trending as I type this include new insurers, worn tyres, motorway service parking and much, much more! If you’ve not visited them yet, do take a look – you’ll find them at https://forums.practicalcaravan.com. sarah@practicalcaravan.com Editor-in-chief SARAH…

Having recently read an article regarding insurance for cars and caravans, I have been wondering whether vehicle owners are aware they are compelled to disclose to their car insurer that the vehicle has been fitted with a towbar? When you purchase your car insurance, one of the questions you’re asked is, ‘Has the vehicle been modified?’ If you’re applying for insurance online and you click on ‘modifications’ in the accessories section, you’ll see that ‘towbar’ is included in the list. So in this day and age, when insurance companies are always looking to save money, I’d say, always declare your towbar! Otherwise, if the worst comes to the worst, you could face the possibility of a refused claim.…

1 Trevornick Holiday Park in northern Cornwall is to host its first ever Wellness Retreat this June. You can find your zen with yoga lessions, spa treatments and surf lessons during the special event, which takes place on 5-7 June and 19-21 June; prices start at £115 per person. Find out more at https://trevornick.co.uk. 2 New low-emission zones are scheduled to come into operation across France this year, extending the number of areas where you will be required to display a Crit’Air sticker. Additional regions that are slated to enforce the regulations in 2020 are Nancy, St Etienne and parts of Toulouse. To find out more, visit www.lez-france.fr/en.…

I reckon there is a little of the eco-warrior in all of us caravanners. Of course, by not flying to holiday destinations, our carbon footprint is already smaller; but there is so much more that we can all be doing to look after this beautiful planet. Many campsites are helping by providing recycling facilities, and some are taking further steps to minimise their impact on the environment, while still making their sites really pleasant places to stay. It’s a balancing act we can all contribute to. Our corner of the world is beautiful and diverse, with a benign temperate climate and four wonderfully varied seasons. Let’s do our best to protect it. claudia.dowell@futurenet.com Features editor CLAUDIA DOWELL is our touring expert – she’s been caravanning for years, and loves to…

‘With stunning views over Derwentwater, we wasted no time in setting up’ Being snowed in at Christmas last year in the Lake District was truly magical. However, the short winter days and treacherous conditions meant we could not safely attempt the mountain summits that beckoned from afar. To rectify this, we decided to book a return visit to this wonderful region at Easter, when we would divide our stay between two campsites: the Camping and Caravanning Club site at Keswick and the Caravan and Motorhome Club site in Coniston. Perfect hiking conditions Weather conditions for our Easter trip were the polar opposite to those we experienced in winter. On our arrival at our first site, the wardens presented us with a long-term forecast that predicted a break from the persistent…

When to go We visited Speyside in May, so the rain was a little bit unpredictable, but there’s always lots to see and enjoy here, whatever the weather Way to go We took the scenic route, detouring to visit Pearl’s sister in Berwick-upon-Tweed Find out more Visit Scotland › www.visitscotland.com Visit Speyside › www.spiritofspeyside.com Visit Moray Firth › www.lovefromscotland.co.uk/moray-firth Findhorn Ecovillage › www.ecovillagefindhorn.com The Black Isle › www.visitscotland.com…

Who are you? Peter Whalley, a retired photographer and watersports instructor who has always enjoyed travelling around Europe. Where are you a local authority on? Darlington, a historic market town in County Durham. Why are you a local authority on this place? Although I was born in Essex, I have lived in Darlington from the age of five and it was the place where I spent my youth, and later married. Although for many years I lived in Europe and various other places in the UK, here I am back in my home town. What do you love about it? Darlington is a compact town with a large selection of restaurants, coffee shops and independent retailers. It is the home of the Quakers, and George Stephenson, the ‘Father of Railways’…

WHETHER IT’S RECYCLING, global warming or discussions about diesel engines, the focus of the world is firmly on how to save our precious planet. That’s why we’ve dedicated this special section to how caravanners can make a difference: from choosing an eco-friendly site, to getting the lowdown on electric vehicles, over the next few pages you’ll be able to find out how, with a few small steps, we can all become that little bit more environmentally friendly.…

1 Highlands End The clifftop location of Highlands End, on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, gives panoramic views. Five-star facilities include a leisure club, pitch and putt, bar and restaurant, and live music and entertainment, but that’s not at the expense of the environment. It has achieved a David Bellamy Gold Award for 19 years! The 1.8-mile nature trail around the park takes in the bee bank, bug hotels, bird and owl boxes and Mower’s Mead Wildlife Lake. Current initiatives include electric vehicle charging points, water butts and solar panels. › wdlh.co.uk/holiday-parks/ highlands-end 2 Tyddyn Isaf Caravan & Camping Park Last year’s Top 100 Regional Winner for Wales puts conservation at the heart of everything it does, earning it Gold Award status. Rabbits, hedgehogs, red squirrels and more make this their home.…

“I’m over the moon with my solar panel set-up! This is despite the fact that my first panel, a 100W flexible model, started delaminating after a few months (the company just told me to glue it together). “I had bonded it to the roof, so I managed to peel it off and instead, bought a 150W rigid panel, which I mounted to the roof with brackets that I had bonded on. So I’d say, yes, price is important, but in the long run, build quality trumps it. “I also fitted a Votronic Duo MPPT controller, to maximise the charging potential. This allows me to charge both of my leisure batteries. “The performance is excellent. I’ve never, ever had a problem. Although the experts say that a 100W panel will be…

Price £25,463 Berths 6 MiRO 1420kg MTPLM 1600kg Payload 180kg Awning size 10.79m Spec includes • GRP sides with exclusive graphics • External BBQ point and 230V plug socket • Large front rooflight • Bespoke upholstery and furnishings • Two USB sockets in lounge, one in kids’ area • Loose-fit carpets • TV aerial • Pleated blinds • Microwave Measurements Interior length 6.32m Shipping length 7.87m Overall width 2.21m Headroom 1.92m Front double bed 1.50 x 1.98m Front sofas 0.68 x 1.72m Offside fixed bunks 0.66 x 1.84m Nearside make-up bunks 0.66 x 1.80m Contact Raymond James Tel 024 7647 4747 Web raymondjamescaravans.co.uk…

Price £31,995 What Car? Target Price £30,724 Retained value after three years 53% Kerbweight 1613kg 85% of kerbweight Not legal Gross vehicle weight 2042kg Max towing limit 1300kg Gross train weight 3342kg Towball limit 80kg Price of towball and electrics £383.69 Boot size min/max 422/1398 litres Payload 429kg Test conditions Damp Engine size 1998cc Power (bhp)/rpm 178@6000rpm Torque (lb ft)/rpm 165@3000rpm Official combined economy 43.5mpg Towing economy 26.3mpg CO2 emissions 111g/km First year car tax £170 Second year car tax £145 Insurance group 22E Euro NCAP protection rating…

PEOPLE BECOME VERY attached to their caravans; they can become almost part of the family. But the threat of 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 (www.caravanguard.co.uk). Fortunately there are some simple steps that you can take to keep your home-from-home secure. Most touring units spend far more time in storage than on tour. So, when you’re choosing where to store your ’van, its security should be a priority. Start your search for secure storage at CaSSOA (the Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association). All of the 400-plus sites listed on the CaSSOA website (www.cassoa.co.uk)must reach a minimum level of security, which is independently assessed every five years. Despite all that,…

Winter warmth A fun-filled snow scene graced this wintry land, with skiing child on a mini Cresta Run! Comfort in cold weather was our theme, complemented by the Europa on test and a tour of Burgundy Problems solved Pitching problems, water systems and a mystery clonking noise made by a 1966 Sprite 400 towed by a 1972 GT Ford Cortina were among the queries put to our panel of experts. Our answer to the latter was to adjust the brake mechanism Break for the Borders Writer John Topham headed north for a travel feature that crossed from England into Scotland and took in Hadrian’s Wall, the harbour at St Abbs and Barnard Castle. John wisely counselled that anyone looking to cross the causeway at Lindisfarne should “check the tide-table which…

SHOULD A TOWBALL BE UNPAINTED? Q I’ve just bought my first caravan. The dealer has told me that I need to take the paint off the towball on my car before towing. But won’t this make the towball go rusty? J Hancock ‘An unpainted towball might go rusty if you don’t take steps to protect it, but your dealer is correct: it’s important the ball is paint-free’ A David Motton answers… An unpainted towball may go rusty if you don’t protect it, but your dealer is right: it’s important the ball is paint-free (and clean of any grease) if your caravan has a stabiliser hitch. These act like a steering damper on a motorbike; the stabiliser pads will be contaminated if there’s grease on the ball, or if the paint…

Your monthly guide to major roadworks and diversions › A69/A68 Styford Jn in Corbridge and A69/A6079 Bridge End Jn in Hexham. Until spring 2021. Road closures and diversions. › M6 junction 19 March 2020 to September 2021. Work on junction improvements, part of the development of the Smart Motorway for J16-J19. › M62 junctions 10-12 Upgrading 9.8-mile section to Smart Motorway. Completion scheduled for spring 2020. › M6 junctions 13-15 Until 2021/2022. Smart Motorway construction. Installation of gantries and central reservation work. Contraflows in place. Sources: Highways England, Traffic Scotland, Traffic Wales…

When to go We visited in April and booked our pitches ahead – campsites book up very quickly in school holidays. The Lake District is great at any time of the year, just be prepared for rain! Way to go We went via the Midlands (visiting family in Solihull), so travelled on the A14, M1, M54, M62, M6 and A66. Keswick C&CC Site Address Keswick Camping and Caravanning Club Site, Crow Park Road, Cumbria CA12 5EP › www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk › 01768 772 392 Open All year Pitches 250 touring Charges £9.40–£15.70 Coniston Park Coppice C&MC Site Address Park Gate, Coniston, Cumbria LA21 8LA › www.caravanclub.co.uk › 01539 441 555 Open All year Pitches 222 touring Charges From £10.85 Find out more Keswick Tourist Information › www.visitkeswick.com Coniston Tourist Information › 01539…

Beadnell Bay C&CC Site  Address Beadnell NE67 5BX › 01665 720 586 › www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk Open 1 April to 2 November Charges £8.10 to £13.65 Witches Craig  Address Blairlogie FK9 5PX › 01786 474 947 › www.witchescraig.co.uk Open March-October Charges (pitch+2+hook-up) £22.50 to £25.50 Nairn C&CC Site  Address Delnies Wood, Nairn IV12 5NX › 01667 455 281 › www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk Open 1 March - 26 October Charges £6.50 to £11.05 Moffat C&CC Site  Address Hammerlands, Moffat DG10 9DY › 01683 220 436 › www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk Open All year Charges £7.30 to £12.40…

THE ORIGINAL 1920 route was from the City of London to Fishguard. It officially starts where St Martin’s Le Grand meets Cheapside and includes Holborn Viaduct, High Holborn, Oxford Street and the Westway, following the old Roman road to Oxford. As caravans are unlikely to use this section, we’ll begin where the A40 leaves the M40 at Oxford and heads into Wales. As a major route to the port of Fishguard, the A40 is useful for those going to Ireland by ferry. It is a mix of single- and dual-carriageway, passing through the Cotswolds and the Wye Valley before skirting the edge of the Brecon Beacons and continuing on to Carmarthen. From the M40, the A40 is a busy dual-carriageway, picking up traffic to Oxford and beyond, forming the northern…

Although Old Oaks Touring Park, near Glastonbury in Somerset, is no longer part of the David Bellamy Conservation scheme, it won’t surprise you to learn that the Best Green Site in our 2019 Top 100 Sites Guide has achieved 15 David Bellamy Gold Awards over the years, and a Special Distinction Award for the green technology in the new washblock. This includes a solar hot water system, heat recovery and low-energy LED lighting. Waste-water is filtered in a reed bed, which attracts wildlife. Guests at this adults-only site can also encourage wildlife through its ‘borrow a bird feeder’ scheme. Planting native trees and shrubs has made this a haven for wildlife, especially hedgehogs. Head gardener James White, son of site owners Jim and Sally, says: “We won Gold for 15…

When we asked for your thoughts on smart motorways last month, we didn’t realise what a timely question this would become. Now, with relatives of some of those who have been killed on these motorways (where the hard shoulder is used for traffic) threatening to sue the Government, a group of MPs has brought out a report that is critical of the way they have been introduced. It’s important to make our views as caravanners known. So if you don’t like the new system, say so! Write to your MP. Write to your club, if you are a member. After all, we are as much affected as car drivers – and probably more so. peter.baber@futurenet.com Reviews editor PETER BABER is a hugely experienced caravanner who enjoys touring whenever he can…

It’s good to see the days lengthening, always a sign that spring is just around the corner! This means caravanners will be looking towards summer and holidays. I visited one dealership two days after Christmas – they sold their first used tourer that morning. The market seems to be holding firm, and another outlet confirmed stronger interest than the same time last year. It’s good to see folk on the forecourt, one dealer said. I saw several couples looking at used caravans who told me they had taken early retirement and planned to go touring. Great news… although we love seeing young families caravanning, too! practical.caravan@futurenet.com ANDY JENKINSON is a caravan expert and historian – he loves pre-owned and classic tourers!…

TO SOME, THEY were simply innovative design, to others, more of a folly; and not all of the tourers in this new series did well in terms of sales when they were launched. But these days, the vintage caravan market is thriving, so we’re taking a look at some fine examples. Trendsetting This month we’re going back to 1987, when ABI Caravans, then the UK’s biggest manufacturer, launched its new ABI Mode line-up. Rival Abbey Caravans had released its SR range, which many thought better equipped, the year before, and the aim in the industry was clearly to attract younger buyers into the market. The Mode was based on ABI’s successful Monza entry-level range, so the design team at Beverley must have thought the Mode was a dead cert. One…

How much? £8000-£31,000 A reasonable £8000 will net you an early Sportage of the shape we’re covering here, but bear in mind it will have covered a hefty mileage and is likely to have accumulated a few scars. Still, the warranty will be intact (as long as it’s been serviced properly). Raising the budget to around £12,000 lessens the worry considerably, because you’ll be looking at cars with less than 50,000 on the clock, which are likely to have had only one or two owners. Spending £18,000 will get you a car only a year or so old, with less than 20,000 showing. Bargain. What will it tow? Kerbweight 1662kg Towing limit 2200kg Noseweight limit 100kg 85% match 1413kg How much is a towball? Witter flange towbar £155.91 Witter detachable…

WHAT’S NOT TO love about a gadget? Those of you who regularly visit the caravan and motorhome shows (right) will be familiar with some of the flamboyant demonstrations you’ll see, launching the very latest must-have gizmos, and the numerous stands selling anything and everything to do with caravanning. If you haven’t been to a show, I recommend a visit – they are a great way to browse for kit! Meantime, here’s my gizmo wish list. SMART Trailer This great all-round system has multiple functions controlled from a phone app. It has a levelling function (E-Level), tyre pressure module (E-Pressure), battery monitor module (E-Volt), module to check if windows or skylights are open (E-Switch) and fridge temperature module (E-Temperature). A base station is fitted inside the caravan, which communicates with your…

YOU ALSO SAID... In reply to the letter from J Drake (Practical Caravan issue 422), if I ask, my doctor will prescribe an additional month’s worth of tablets before I go touring on the Continent in my Knaus 500 FVU caravan. Perhaps J Drake could show their doctor a copy of this page? However, if the doctor cannot oblige, you can usually get a prescription from a French pharmacy. I have done this several times, when I have run out of my prescription tablets (because of not getting enough before going on holiday!). If J Drake takes their tablet container to the pharmacist and asks if they have the same medicine, the pharmacist will usually say yes. The pharmacist will ask for proof of your ID (in other words, your…

Now this is a really clever idea. If you tour in warmer and colder weather, and use a sleeping bag, you’ll know finding one that suits can be tricky – and pricey, if you end up needing to buy two. The new Contour range from Outwell helps with that: the bag has double insulation on one side, and single on the other, so you can simply flip it when the weather changes, to get the  right temperature for you. The Contour Lux is a three-season bag that weighs 1.7kg; it costs just £68.99, so won’t break the bank. See www. outwell.com for details.…

WHEN WE DISCOVERED we were going to be parents for the first time, we accepted that life would change. Visits to gourmet restaurants would be replaced with meals at more family-friendly establishments, lazy Sunday mornings in bed would be traded for rambles around parks and forests, and leisurely coffees would probably be a thing of the past. However, there was one aspect of life we were determined to retain, and that was travelling and seeing the world. My childhood was full of family adventures, my favourites being our camping trips to various corners of the UK and France. I have fond memories of long coastal walks, days at the beach, exploring old ports, and impromptu picnics, all with an overriding feeling of happiness at being together. These early trips instilled…

THIS MONTH, WE say “Guten tag!” from Bremen, home of the ‘Town Musicians of Bremen’, one of the fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm. It’s also where you can find the Mercedes-Benz factory, and an interesting local tradition known as Kohlfarht (cabbage walk), where groups of friends or colleagues gather together on a Saturday afternoon in January or February, load up a little wooden cart with beer, whisky and schnapps, and set off on a two-hour walk through the countryside, playing party games and downing shots at every opportunity. This charming city was to be our home for December and, for the first time ever, we would be celebrating Christmas with strangers! ( B) We arrived at the home of the Orr family (John, Anna, Knut, Talia and Flint)…

Waste plastic is one of the biggest dangers that our environment faces – plastics can take up to 1000 years to decompose There are more than five trillion pieces of plastic floating about in the oceans The average person in the EU produces 31kg of plastic waste every year You can do your bit when you’re on tour by recycling using a site’s facilities, or taking waste plastic home to recycle in your own domestic bins Schemes such as the 2 Minute Clean aim to tidy our beaches of washed-up plastic and more. Find out more on p59…

In-depth test In our most detailed test, we spend at least one day (usually more) in the van, to bring you our verdict. The score is based on the opinions of the PC team. First look Each month, we test new models of all sizes and report back to you in our regular review pages. This is the place for the quick low-down on a model! Our vans, our month Our long-term-test tourers are loaned to PC by the manufacturers, allowing us to give you warts-and-all reports over the months.…

Price £23,490 Berths 2 MiRO 1397kg Payload 127kg MTPLM 1424kg Awning size 932cm Spec list ATC • Omnivent • External access to nearside locker • Branded washroom • Mirror and doormat • Truma Waterline connection • Al-Ko wheel lock Measurements Interior length 4.95m Shipping length 6.66m Overall width 2.23m Nearside single bed 1.96 x 0.72m Offside single bed 1.86 x 0.72m Front double bed 2.02 x 1.86m Contact Contact Kimberley Caravans Tel 01159 382 401 Web www.kimberleycaravans.co.uk…

Cars have been getting lighter for years. Now, as the pressure of emissions targets starts to bite, there’s a strong emphasis on efficiency over punchy performance. Take the new Vauxhall Astra. The most powerful diesel has just 122hp, the most powerful petrol, 145hp. Yes, a growing number of plug-in hybrids combines performance, fuel efficiency and towing ability, but they’re not cheap. What’s the solution? Well, we need a new breed of tourer, combining light weight, quality construction and reasonable pricing. The Swift Basecamp, Knaus Sport & Fun, and Easy Caravanning TakeOff point the way. motty@practicalcaravan.com Tow car editor DAVID MOTTON is a former PC editor, and has towed with more than 500 cars over the years…

Model tested 2.0 TDI 4Motion 190PS DSG Price £39,255 What Car? Target Price £32,666 Retained value after 3 years 35% Kerbweight 1725kg 85% of kerbweight 1466kg Gross vehicle weight 2320kg Max towing limit 2200kg Gross train weight 4520kg Towball limit 90kg Boot size (min/max) 639/1769 litres Payload 595kg Test conditions Damp Engine size 1968cc Power (bhp)/rpm 187@3500-4000rpm Torque (lb ft)/rpm 295@1900-3300rpm Official combined economy 42.2-46.3mpg Towing economy 28.4mpg CO emissions 127-133g/km 2 1st/2nd year car tax £530/£145 Insurance group 25E Euro NCAP rating (2014)…

I CONFESS THAT I became a fan of the caravan towing cover a couple of years ago, following a trip when the Beast from the East struck the UK. Up to that point, my attitude (like that of many caravanners, I imagine) was simply, “the caravan will wash”. But arriving at the campsite with the front of the caravan so filthy, we weren’t able to see out of the windows, made me start to change my mind. Damage control It’s not only the aesthetics that make towing covers worthwhile, either. A flying stone can cause damage costing hundreds of pounds to repair. If you haven’t seen how much a new window would cost, perhaps it might be worth taking a look – you could be in for a shock. One…