Practical Caravanの February 2021 の目次

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CARAVANNING HAS ALWAYS meant different things to different people. For some, it’s a chance to meet up with a circle of close friends. For others, it’s a way to enjoy favourite places in their home from home. Whatever your reasons for touring, there’s always more to explore – not just new places, but different ways to experience your travels and fully appreciate this wonderful way to holiday. Here are just a few ways you can get more from your caravanning in 2021. Driver training For many caravanners, towing is a necessary evil at either end of the fun part of a holiday. But with some expert guidance, it can become a satisfying aspect of the whole touring experience. Trailer training is now big business, as drivers who passed their test…

1 Photography Combine your tour with a photography workshop! Here are a few: Mark Gamblin (mgamblinphotography.com), Nigel Forster (creativephoto graphytraining.co.uk) and Matt Holland (mihollandphoto.com). 2 Cycling Some vans have fittings on the rear wall for a bike rack, or you can carry bikes on the A-frame (being mindful of the noseweight) or on the tow car. Many sites offer bike hire. Use the Sustrans National Cycle Network (sustrans.org. uk) to find a route near you. 3 Kayaking Sea kayaking is a great way to get a new view of our coast. Try Liquid Logistics (liquidlogistics.co.uk) or Sea Kayak Devon (seakayakdevon.co.uk). Beginners might prefer a more gentle introduction with The Canal River Trust (canalrivertrust.org.uk). 4 Hiking Walking is one of the principal activities of caravanners keen to explore new surroundings and…

The process of levelling a caravan is carried out in two stages – first, left to right, and second, front to back. Do not use the corner steadies! They are steadies, not jacks, and serious damage might be caused to the van floor if you do. Starting with left-to-right levelling, you will need some form of levelling device, and the cheapest option is a plastic ramp. As its name suggests, this is simply a ramp, up which the lower side wheel is driven to get the caravan level. Always move the caravan forwards onto the ramp – if you reverse it, you’ll probably find the van brakes won’t activate until it’s rolled right off the ramp again (it’s how the brakes are designed to allow reversing). You also need a…

AFTER MONTHS OF being confined to our homes, we’re all desperate for a change of scenery, but how many of us want to fly and stay in a hotel, or take a trip on a cruise ship? Fewer than before the pandemic, it seems. Dealers have been reporting an upsurge in sales of leisure vehicles to first-timers, as people turn away from spending their down-time in close proximity to strangers. Those new to the idea of touring might feel a bit lost about where to start. Actually, you’ve already done the difficult part, having agonised over the layout that will most suit your family – now it’s time to sit back and seek out beautiful places to explore. Start your search online When it comes to choosing somewhere to stay,…

When to go We travelled in mid-June, when temperatures are comfortable and campsites and attractions are a little less busy than during the peak summer months. Way to go We made our trip in two stages, to make the start and the end of the holiday more comfortable and enjoyable, both for our dog and for ourselves. Our route took us through the rolling limestone dales and meadows of the White Peak in the Peak District National Park, passing through Ashbourne and following the A515 to the cathedral city of Lichfield. We then took the ring road (A5192) to join the A38 and saved time by taking the M6 Toll to the M42 and M40 South towards London. After a lunch break at Warwick Services, we rejoined the M40, leaving…

It’s been a really tough year for campsites. The second lockdown in England, the circuit-breakers in Wales and Northern Ireland, and the various tier systems meant some sites that weren’t normally open beyond October, but had planned to operate until Christmas, decided to cut their losses and regroup for the 2021 season. There are, however, many – about 400 in England alone – that usually stay open all year, and they’re ready to welcome guests keen to return to exploring our beautiful landscapes. We’ve picked out a few that offer year-round touring, some of which are adults-only, in areas that have plenty to entertain visitors of all ages! 1 The Quiet Site Restore body and soul at The Quiet Site, located on a hillside between Little Mell Fell and Ullswater…

Industry warns over green plans Rapid change will be a huge challenge, NCC claims GOVERNMENT PLANS TO accelerate the introduction of electric vehicles by banning sales of new diesel and petrol engines by 2030 could have a serious impact on the caravanning industry, the NCC is warning. The plan to raise the pace of change was confirmed in the Government’s ‘Ten point plan for a green industrial revolution’. Sales of hybrid powertrains are to end in 2035. The NCC says developing affordable all-electrics capable of towing a family van before 2030 is a huge challenge. It also claims the short timescale means carmakers will not have towing ability as a priority. It warns this would encourage caravanners to keep older, less efficient vehicles, or even give up caravanning in favour…

Price £16,713 Berths 4/5 MTPLM 1100kg MiRO 907kg BACK IN THE 1980s, the standard layout for a family-sized caravan usually provided you with a front lounge, a central kitchen and washroom, and a rear single dinette with a fold-up bunk for night-time use. That floorplan, used by many caravan manufacturers, was popular with buyers, too. Now, it might not be so fashionable, but for new caravanners, it’s a layout that still works very well. Enter Weinsberg, a German brand under the Knaus umbrella. Its family-orientated CaraOne 400 LK comes with two (or three) fixed bunks at the rear. We went to Preston Caravans & Motorhomes to see more. Pitch and set-up The Weinsberg is on an Al-Ko chassis with heavy-duty corner steadies. The profile is quite plain, although this model…

‘IF IT ISN’T broken, don’t fix it.’ Yes, it’s an old saying, but one that’s clearly rooted in common sense. It’s also a saying that Seat definitely kept in mind with the Exeo saloon and estate (A), which were basically the then-previous-generation Audi A4, but with Seat badges. There’s no harm in that, because at that point, the A4 had been on sale for a good few years and had been very thoroughly developed, so Seat was simply reaping the benefits of sister brand Audi’s work. The Exeo is a vehicle that should appeal to tow car buyers (B), mainly because there’s a range of engines available. It’s also well put together and reasonably quiet, and it has a huge boot. Better still, if you find the boot isn’t quite…

‘Another must-see was Golden Cap, the highest point on the coast of southern England and part of an ecologically and geologically significant estate owned and managed by the National Trust’ (p28) Where are we? Charmouth, Dorset Coordinates 50°44’00.6”N 2°54’21.8”W Why tour here? Charmouth Beach and the Golden Cap sea cliff are on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast, famous for the high density of fossils that can be found here. The area has been used as a literary setting by several authors and as a backdrop in numerous TV dramas and films. For more on touring in Dorset, see p28. Don’t miss… The Heritage Coast Centre at Charmouth, or a guided fossil-hunt walk on the beach. Photographer Getty Images…

1 Essex It might not be on your holiday radar, but Essex has a great deal to offer. Its coast boasts marshlands, seaside resorts – Southend pier (above) is the longest in the world – and Mersea Island, famous for its oysters. A visit to Colchester will steep you in Roman history, and the pretty villages will delight. 2 Loop Head, Co Clare, Ireland Loop Head (loophead.ie) is one of those fingers of land reaching out into the Atlantic, with a lighthouse marking its tip. A place where you can retreat from busy lives but still meet local artists, eat good food, explore and bathe in rock pools (Kilkee) or spot dolphins (Carrigaholt). The Victorian seaside resort of Kilkee holds an annual Che Guevara Festival! Ferries go from Fishguard to…

1 Using a motor mover If possible, practise before you need to use the mover for the first time on site, and familiarise yourself with the remote control. Always ensure the handbrake is only released after you’ve engaged the mover, and apply it before you disengage it. Even the most experienced tower will use the mover rather than reverse at times, especially where space is restricted. That’s what it’s there for! Try to hold the remote control in the same orientation the van is in. 2 Changing a cassette To remove a toilet cassette, ensure the internal blade is closed, then open the external hatch. Below the handle facing you is a clip, which is lifted to allow the cassette to slide out. To empty, take the cap off the…

PLEASE NOTE All event details were correct as we went to press, but you should double-check the information before making any journey › Until 10 January There’s light all along the tunnel at Charlestown Harbour’s Shipwreck Treasure Museum, near St Austell in Cornwall. Europe’s longest tunnel of festive lights returns to the museum this year, in a socially distanced format. More than 50,000 lights will transport visitors from Narnia to the North Pole, passing through a frozen forest and a neon wood. Extra safety protocols are in place to ensure the visit fully complies with Government guidelines and everyone can safely socially distance. There is limited availability and tickets, which include entry to the museum, must be booked ahead at shipwreckcharlestown.co.uk. The museum holds one of Europe’s largest collections of…

Price £40,455 Berths 4 MTPLM 1960kg MiRO 1800kg A BRITISH-MADE caravan costing over £40,000? An exciting new entry into that prestigious category is Coachman’s new twin-axle Lusso, which costs £40,455 plus £545 for delivery. Seasonal-pitch caravans are increasingly popular, and many have a price tag well north of £30,000. Along with self-levelling, Alde heating and an eight-foot width, the Lusso includes roof-mounted Wi-Fi and a safe. There are other extra touches, too, as we discovered when we took a sneak peak at the Coachman factory in Hull. Pitch and set-up Towing this eight-footer should not be too daunting – Al-Ko’s ATC trailer control system and an AKS 3004 stabiliser both come as standard. As with all Coachman models this year, you also get Al-Ko’s automatic adjustment (AAA) brake. Setting up…

IN THE USED van market, the Xplore can sometimes seem a little overshadowed by the likes of Swift’s Sprite or Bailey’s Pursuit and Orion. But we think the Xplore is definitely worth considering, mainly because these tourers are robust yet lightweight, and offer a good choice of layouts. The Xplore came onto the market in 2008, and its simple lines and essential spec proved popular among customers. Soon dealers were ordering in special specs, adding further to the range’s appeal over the years. In 2013, Elddis introduced its SoLiD construction system, which uses adhesives instead of screws, to reduce the risk of water ingress over time. We shopped around and found this excellent example of the 504, with fixed bed and end washroom. At a smidge under £11,000 it was…

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY Price From £53,090 On sale Now LAND ROVER HAS updated the Discovery for the coming year, with the addition of 48V mild-hybrid powertrains, uprated infotainment, and some minor design changes. The new range features four engines, three with a 48V starter generator to assist the engine and cut emissions. The fourth, the P300, is a four-cylinder petrol engine with 3oohp and 2951b ft of torque. The P360 mild hybrid is the most powerful petrol, providing 36ohp/3691b ft. We’d still choose a diesel for towing, either the D250 (249hp/42olb ft) or the D300 (3oohp/4791b ft). All engines meet the RDE2 emissions standard, but with even the most efficient D250 diesel returning 34.2mpg on the combined cycle and emitting 216g/km, this is a thirsty vehicle. Hefty kerbweights don’t help…

Now featuring new 2021 models! YOUR VAN BUYING QUESTIONS ANSWERED How do I match my car and caravan? The most commonly asked question in caravanning is whether a certain car is appropriate for pulling a certain caravan. To answer this, you must know the kerbweight of your tow car (X), the legal towing limit of your tow car (Y) and the maximum technically permissible laden mass (MTPLM) of your caravan (Z). Car details are often found in the handbook, but if not, you can contact the car manufacturer. The weight of the caravan can usually be found on a chassis plate, by asking the seller or, if it is a new model, by checking the brochure. Please check model details with the manufacturer or dealer before travelling to view or…

Star letter Your article on winter lay-ups (issue 434) advises using a drain-down kit to eliminate water from your caravan’s system during cold weather, but I have an alternative. I suggest that you drain down the water and leave the drain tap open. Then, shut off the kitchen sink and washroom taps and remove the shower head. With the shower tap open, blow down the shower hose. You will soon blow out the residual water and you will feel when you are just blowing air out and the water system is empty. Easy – and free! Paul McCurrach MILENCO The contributor of our Star letter wins a pair of Milenco Grand Aero towing mirrors, worth £50. They’re designed to fit all wing mirrors and offer an outstanding view. For further…

■ First, make sure car and van are well matched. Ideally, the loaded caravan should weigh no more than 85% of the towing vehicle’s kerbweight, and it should never exceed the car’s legal towing limit. Aim for a noseweight (download on the towball) of 5-7% of the van’s loaded weight, so long as this doesn’t exceed the maximum allowed for the towball or the caravan hitch. ■ When loading the car, place heavy items in the boot first, so they sit low and close to the rear axle. In the caravan, keep heavy items low down and over the axle(s). Only light items should be stored high up or at either end of the van. ■ Check both car and caravan before you set off. Make sure tyres are at…

EVER SINCE READING John Fowles’ haunting novel The French Lieutenant’s Woman and watching the film starring Meryl Streep, I’ve had a secret hankering to visit Lyme Regis, on west Dorset’s internationally recognised Jurassic Coast. Once my husband and I had decided that now would be the ideal time to explore this precious prehistoric landscape, part of England’s only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, we began to plan our trip. The holiday got off to a relaxing start for us and our dog, Cara (who is getting on in years and doesn’t cope well with mammoth car trips), as we had also decided to break the long journey from our home in the Peak District with a two-night stay at Oxford. That way, we could visit another prominent entry on our…

Price £30,394 Berths 4 MiRO 1641kg MTPLM 1800kg A COUPLE OF seasons ago, what was then still the Explorer Group introduced a new layout into its luxurious Buccaneer brand. With an L-shaped settee in the lounge, the Barracuda had enough space on the offside front wall for a domestic-size TV and below that, a convenient perch for a Freeview or satellite box. In short, just like home. This season, the Co Durham company has added a similar layout to Elddis’s and Compass’s most upmarket ranges. The Elddis Crusader Borealis and the Compass Camino 650 still benefit from Alde heating and a 40-litre onboard water tank, but don’t have self-levelling, and are a conventional width. So are they as home-like as the Barracuda? We checked out the Borealis at Kenmore Caravans,…

AVOID THE STORMS Crystal weather predictor Now here’s a novelty item – the idea is that the liquid inside the storm cloud will indicate what the weather has in store for you. It’s full of little crystals that freak out to match the weather. Note that the cloud will take a week to acclimatise to its new surroundings before becoming fully functional. Web firebox.com Price £29.99 KEEP CAFFEINATED Nanopresso Elements Chill White This portable espresso machine uses a patented pumping system to deliver fantastic coffee on the go. The hand-powered Nanopresso is capable of reaching 18 bars of pressure, so you can enjoy creamy espresso whenever and wherever you like. It comes with a case made of durable EVA material and a soft fabric interior lining. Web wacaco.com Price £60.90…

The conundrum Truly family-friendly caravans – capable of accommodating up to six, including children from tots to teenagers – are a bit of a challenge for designers. You obviously have to provide plenty of space that is flexible, so it can adapt to a growing family’s changing demands. Yet at the same time, all this needs to fits in a van that is still relatively lightweight. That’s because the one thing young families tend not to have is a lot of spare cash – so they probably won’t be able to upgrade their car to tow the all-singing, all-dancing giant you’ve created! If you are one of those families looking for just such a well-judged, well-balanced van, here is our selection from years gone by. BAILEY PEGASUS ANCONA (2016) Layout…

Price £37,140 Kerbweight 1695kg What’s new? Audi launched the second-generation Q3 in 2019. The German brand added a Sportback version to the line-up, with coupé-like styling, alongside the more conventional SUV that we have on test. The latest model is longer than the first Q3, as well as its key rival, the BMW Xi. The increase in size promises greater space and practicality. The Q3 is also packed with technology, with a fully digital cockpit and a host of driver aids. There are no hybrid models; instead, customers have a choice between petrol and diesel power. We’re testing the petrol-powered 40 TFSI Quattro Sport S Tronic. What are we looking for? Does petrol power make sense for towing, or are hybrid rivals a better alternative to diesel? Can the Audi’s…

BATTERY TECHNOLOGY is about to take off. As the Government bans petrol and diesel cars, so the humble lead-acid battery will inevitably be usurped by far smarter chemical compositions, which are going to Trickle down’ from high-end electric cars to the outdoor leisure market. The caravan leisure battery, it has to be said, has served us extremely well: cheap, compact, reliable and long-lasting, it has illuminated our lighting and powered our (12V) TVs for many years. It’s a little bundle of highly corrosive joy! Of course, leisure batteries are different to car batteries, as they don’t have to deliver that powerful ‘mule kick’ to turn a starter motor; instead they flow smooth, consistent power over a long period, and can be steadily recharged using a solar panel or smart charger,…