Tabla de contenidos para November 2022 en Practical Caravan

A WHILE AGO, Kay and I met up with a former work colleague and his wife, who live in the charming Nottinghamshire village of Cropwell Bishop. Our reminiscing about work reminded me of what an interesting part of England this is, something that we took for granted when patrolling the highways and byways. Our conversations set the ball rolling, and I started looking into caravan sites and places to visit in North Leicestershire, just over the county border. I spotted the CAMC’s Grove Farm CL, near the village of Kinoulton, and then it was a case of “Where do I stop?” in answer to my second question. What’s more, the CL is only 30 miles from our home, so any money saved in fuel could be put towards visits and…

Way to go We took the Brittany Ferries Portsmouth-Caen crossing both ways, and from there it was roughly 480 miles to our site at Messanges. The route was easy: head south from Caen on the A88 to Le Mans, then the A28 to Tours and A10 to Poitiers, and on to Bordeaux, then the A63 to Messanges. The last part of the drive includes some long, straight roads through pine forests. Watch for the police doing random speed checks! Now come off the A63 at Castets and follow the signs to Messanges. When you get close, all the campsites are well signposted, so we found Le Vieux Port easily. Find out more Messanges › atlanticcoast-landes.com Surf lessons at Messanges › messanges-surf-school.com/en › manasurfschool.com/en Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains › tourisme-vieuxboucau.com Capbreton › capbreton-tourisme.com Donostia/San…

‘It’s no surprise that Ilfracombe attracts many visitors in search of sun, sea and sand, all in an idyllic setting’ THERE’S A CERTAIN quality to the North Devon coast that makes it special – a blend of clear light, unique topography and glistening water. So it’s no surprise that Ilfracombe attracts many visitors in search of sun, sea and sand, all in an idyllic setting. A traditional fishing village, Ilfracombe became a trading town by virtue of its harbour, a refuge from the tides of the Bristol Channel; however, by the mid-20th century, the key industry was tourism. Visitors are drawn to the harbour and the famous Tunnel beaches, carved out in the 1820s to allow access to the beach and two tidal pools, which enabled Victorian men and women…

TOURING CARAVANS come in all shapes and sizes, which can make selecting the right one for your needs a bit daunting. You have to balance the pros and cons of each option against what you and your family require. Compromises have to be made – space and facilities are good, but length and weight are generally considered bad. Twin-axles are great to tow, but fitting a super-sized caravan onto your driveway at home could be problematic. Here, Practical Caravan takes a look at the various types of tourers available and highlights advantages and disadvantages. TEARDROP TRAILERS Teardrop trailers are tiny, which makes them perfect for storing and towing, but in terms of comfort and versatility, some will find them limited. Put simply, they are a covered bed on wheels, with…

This is the second year running that we’ve held our new-look Practical Caravan Awards – they’re all about helping you discover the very best products, as well as celebrating the latest industry innovations. Our awards encompass a range of categories, including brilliant accessories, top tow cars, awnings and of course, the best new caravans out there. Our aim is to help you make the absolute most of your money, no matter what you’re planning to purchase, whether that’s a £3 bottle of specialist cleaning products or a £35,000 caravan. Our expert team – who also form our panel of awards judges – have decades of caravan experience under their collective belts: from the biggest to the most compact caravan, from the cheapest gadget to the most innovative awning, we’ve tested…

BY 1980, LUNAR had become known for lightweight tourers that were both practical and extremely comfortable. The Quasar was one of the most popular for caravanners seeking value for money in a lightweight caravan. In 2014 the line-up gained a smart new profile: more modern and distinctive. The interiors remained traditional, while the excellent level of spec included blown-air heating, a radio, oven and a dual-fuel hob, as well as a Status TV aerial and microwave. The Quasar was also a favoured base for dealer specials, such as the Cosmos and the Ultima. Model history When Lunar decided to add a family layout to the range, the Quasar was top choice. However, it had to retain its light weight, while still coming well equipped, and it needed fixed bunk beds,…

Price £38,515 Kerbweight 1656kg Towing limit 2100kg Swift Challenger 530 courtesy of www.broadlane.co.uk *includes wing mirrors What’s new? Škoda has given the Karoq family SUV some midlife updates. As well as tweaks to the styling front and rear, the refreshed model has more equipment as standard, including matrix LED headlights. The engines have been fine-tuned for lower emissions and better fuel economy. Unlike many of the Karoq’s rivals, the Škoda still relies on conventional petrol and diesel engines, rather than hybrid or plug-in hybrid power. We’re testing the more powerful diesel in range-topping Sportline specification, with four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox. The Karoq line-up starts from £26,255, rising to £38,515 for the high-spec diesel that we’ve been driving. What are we looking for? Škoda’s changes to the Karoq seem…

SEARCHING FOR THAT PERFECT new caravan can be a headache. You could trawl through brochures, magazines and websites advertising vans for sale, but there’s nothing quite like stepping inside the real thing and having a really good look and a poke around. For instance, if you’re considering a fixed-bed layout, a bed that appears large enough on paper might actually be too narrow or too short when you use it for the first time. The only way to see if you fit is to lie down on it. Once you have determined which layout you want, you might find that a dealership not too far away from you has a demonstrator of one particular brand, but you can almost guarantee that if you want to compare a couple of models…

Dealer specials Look out for dealer specials over the standard model range. For not much more than the standard price, you can get your hands on some great extras. This means things such as upgraded soft furnishings, solar panels and awnings. Andrew Jenkinson, Contributor Research your dealer Do your homework on any potential dealership. We’ve bought several new models from an excellent dealership 70 miles away who I totally trust, so I’m happy to do the travelling. We’ve also bought one from a rather poor dealer half that distance away from us, so I speak from experience. Nigel Hutson, Contributor Wear decent footwear Yes, a caravan show is all indoors on flat surfaces. But you’d be amazed how much distance you will cover traipsing around looking at new models. One…

THE PRICE OF TOWBARS can vary considerably. You can order them from the manufacturer when you buy a new car, although these can cost £1000 or more. However, it might be even more expensive to have them fitted by an automotive main dealer later on. Buying from a towbar manufacturer can cut costs by up to 50%. Check compatibility with things such as ABS and parking sensors on your tow car. It might be worth paying extra to get a towing system that works flawlessly with your car’s electrics. Most tow cars have dedicated wiring kits, which interface with the car’s advanced electrics to ensure systems are integrated. Cheaper bypass kits work, but might not integrate fully. Having fitted the bar and electrics, the technician will plug an electronic device…

ONE OF THE most common fresh-water supply pumping systems utilised by caravans is the Whale Watermaster. The Watermaster assembly itself consists of a water/12V interface connector that mates with its socket counterpart on the side of the van, and a submersible pump which is lowered to the bottom of an appropriate water container, which in my case is a 40-litre Aquaroll, containing the fresh water. The pump is connected to the interface connector by a length of interconnecting tube for the water and a 12V supply wire for the pump. Upon turning a tap on in the van, the system is supplied with 12V via two flat copper strips either side of connector which activates the submerged pump. The pump remains active, pressurising the fresh water system until the tap…

Featuring the latest 2022 models! FIND THE PERFECT FLOORPLAN FOR YOUR NEEDS Please check model details with the manufacturer or dealer before travelling to view or buy There are a wide range of caravan layouts to choose from (pictured below), all with their own pros and cons. When you’re trying to settle on the arrangement that will suit you, there are some points to think about that can help you decide. Here, we take a look at a few of the most popular floorplans out there, and what they can offer you. B TRANSVERSE ISLAND BED, REAR WASHROOM Island beds are a surprisingly recent addition to caravans, and were really introduced from the world of motorhomes. Caravans are usually a bit wider than motorhomes, though, so it is far more…

Halloween… Fright nights! > Shocktober Fest 1-31 October 2022 With horror haunts and other attractions, Shocktober Fest, at Tulleys Farm, West Sussex, is just the place to get the blood curdling. From the Circus of Horrors to the Haunted Hayride, and new this year, the Electrick Circus, scares are guaranteed! Not recommended for under-15s. Tickets from £14 to £95. > shocktoberfest.co.uk Stay at Long Acres Caravan & Camping Park > longacrescamping.co.uk > Owl-O-Ween 28 October 2022 This fundraising event by the Hawk Conservancy Trust, in Hampshire, offers the chance to enjoy a fabulous owl flying display in the moonlight. There will be ghostly stories and a spooky trail to observe native barn owls, great grey owls and a Verreaux’s eagle owl. Tickets cost £19.95 (includes hot dog or burger, spooky…

THE QUANTOCKS, an area measuring about 12 miles by three and covering some 38 square miles, run from the coast through the Somerset hills to Taunton. Offering plenty of walking opportunities and pretty villages to explore, the region abounds with ancient history – and a fair few literary connections, as we discovered. We were spending a week here, starting at Home Farm Holiday Centre in Williton on the Somerset coast – a large campsite with three dog-walking fields, an indoor swimming pool (which we didn’t use as the weather was so good), an on-site bar and beer garden (which we did use as the weather was so good!) and sea views. It also boasts a glorious stretch of beach at St Audries Bay, one of several beaches in the region…

COUNTY ANTRIM GAME OF THRONES ❱ visitbelfast.com Game of Thrones takes place in mythical Westeros, actually a jigsaw puzzle of stunning locations across Europe. You can see why Northern Ireland is among them, with its spectacular coast, mountains and glens. In County Antrim, Ballintoy became the Iron Islands, while the atmospheric Dark Hedges in Ballymoney featured in season two. Drive west for half an hour to see the Cushendun Caves, backdrop to the Stormlands. Stay at Bush Caravan Park ❱ bushcaravanparkni.com HERTFORDSHIRE THE CROWN, THE KING’S SPEECH ❱ knebworthhouse.com This spectacular country estate in Hertfordshire is fit for on-screen royalty. Set in 250 acres of parkland, Knebworth’s turrets and towers make the perfect setting. The house was the interior of Balmoral in Netflix’s The Crown, with Olivia Colman as Elizabeth…

Swift turns blue and adds a new layout SWIFT IS OFFERING additional layouts in its Basecamp and Challenger ranges for the 2023 season, and has refreshed all of its models. Last season’s oranges and browns have given way to a choice of subtle blues and greys. The new model in the Basecamp line-up is the three-berth Basecamp 3. This is on the Basecamp 4 chassis, but has a foldaway double bed with a Duvalay mattress up front, and a single dinette in the nearside rear corner, which you can convert into a single bed when there are three of you on tour. The Basecamp 6 has now been discontinued. The Challenger addition is the Grande, the new name for Challenger’s 8ft-wide sub-range, formerly known as Challenger X. The 670, due…

Price £38,499 Berths 4 MiRO 1694kg MTPLM 1855kg WITH SUPPLY CHAIN issues only just about sorted out, Bailey has taken the decision not to make too many changes this season. This new model in the 8ft-wide Alicanto Grande range is the only new caravan it has launched this summer. Pitch and set-up Although Bailey does make some 8ft-wide models accessible to those with smaller tow cars, by building them on single axles, the 7.86m-long Evora comes on twin axles. With the resulting MTPLM of 1855kg, you could be looking at needing a car weighing in excess of two tonnes to tow this van. Still, two axles give additional assurance, as does the ATC that is fitted as standard. And this sort of caravan is perhaps more likely to be used…

Tested by Nigel Donnelly Price £21,499 Berths 4 MiRO 1059kg MTPLM 1206kg Awning size 1156cm MUSIC FESTIVALS CONJURE images of happy hippies hanging out in cool campers. Beautiful! But experience has taught me such toys are best enjoyed on Instagram. At my age, what you really want is a good bed, a shower and a supply of cold beverages. What you really want is a caravan. Jen and I whisked Chucky the labrador off to the Fairport’s Cropredy Convention, a long-standing and laidback folk music festival, for a blistering weekend in August. The long-term loan Bailey Discovery D4-4 proved to be the perfect companion. First, our Volvo V70 tow car is not in its first flush of youth, and lugging tubby tourers across the rugged peaks of the Chiltern Hills…

THIS MONTH WE FEATURE… ANDY’S PICKS // LUNAR QUASAR 546 Used caravan sales remain robust I recently spent a very interesting afternoon on a dealership’s forecourt, chatting to customers looking for their first tourer. Many said that they had caravanned when young and were now returning to this holiday sector as adults. It was a busy afternoon as we discussed vans they could tow that were within their budget, and it really brought home to me just how much interest in caravanning has taken off again these days. The dealer said that sales of more costly models had slowed a little, and I certainly found that most folk wanted to spend about £12,000 for their first tourer. I also nearly made a sale! The used market remains steady and prices…

WHILE SOME CARAVANS will be tucked under their storage covers for a few months of hibernation, others are used whatever the weather. Modern construction and heating make tourers as warm and comfortable as any home, even when it’s chilly outside. Four-season caravanners are rewarded with quiet campsites, crisp morning walks, and a comfortable chair next to the fire in their favourite pub. Touring all year round is just great. Towing all year round can be more of a challenge. You’ll need to prepare both vehicle and van well – and expect the unexpected. Autumn towing The most challenging driving conditions come in winter, but before we reach the coldest months of the year, there’s still autumn to get through. At its best, this can be one of the most rewarding…

FORD Mondeo Estate The Ford Mondeo Estate has pretty much every base covered. Its 2.0-litre turbodiesel is punchy and refined, with a distaste for the sight of filling stations. The cabin is roomy and well built, but the days when the Mondeo had the biggest boot in its class are gone. Still, it’s good to drive, and you can even have four-wheel drive. ŠKODA Superb Estate It’s gargantuan. That said, it’s not perfect, because there’s a lip at the edge of the boot, and when you fold down the rear seats, they leave a step. Best to find one with an adjustable floor, which solves this. The Škoda feels really well built, is full of luxury kit and drives smoothly. It’s even quite economical if you take things easy. VOLKSWAGEN…

IF YOU’RE PLANNING TO VISIT THE NEC show later this month – something that thousands of caravanners do every year – it pays to do a bit of research before you go, to help you make the most of your day. Here, we’ve included a map of the venue, which clearly shows where each type of manufacturer will have a stand; you can use it to help plan your route through the halls. For more details about the highlights that you can look forward to at the Motorhome & Caravan Show 2022, see p62 of this issue. CUT OUT AND KEEP GUIDE! ESSENTIAL SHOW INFORMATION Opening hours The Motorhome & Caravan Show is open from 10am to 6pm every day, from 18-23 October 2022, at the NEC Birmingham (B40 1NT).…

ALTHOUGH THE UK NOW looks set for a future of electric and hydrogen vehicles, the reality is that many tow cars run on fossil fuel (at least in part), and are likely to continue to do so for some years – diesel and petrol are going to be with us until well into the 2030s. With wars, Brexit, chip shortages and pandemics impacting on energy costs, and fuel prices recently hitting record highs, we’re in uncharted territory. Given that diesel is currently not much less than £2 a litre (more than £9 a gallon), with unleaded quite close behind, it makes sense to ensure your vehicle is as fuel-efficient as possible. It’s good for your wallet and for the environment. 1 Easy wins Ensuring that your tow car and caravan…

THERE’S NOTHING LIKE having the proper tools for the job. For years, like many other caravanners I suspect, I used to carry different types of jack (bottle/scissor/trolley) for the van, “just in case”. As it happens, I was very fortunate and never needed any of them (that’s done it!), but I still wouldn’t be without one. A couple of years ago, I was having a look at all the clobber we traipsed about with on tour, and I decided it was time to invest in a jack designed for the job, and indeed, the only jack that Al-Ko recommends, the Al-Ko side-lift jack (1000kg). The ‘1000kg’ refers to the static load the unit is designed to lift, so this jack is suitable for caravans with an MTPLM of up to…

We got hooked on surfing, or should I say trying to surf, during many years of holidays in Polzeath, on Cornwall’s lovely north coast. But as we hadn’t taken a touring holiday abroad for what seemed like ages, this year we fancied searching for some spots to surf on France’s fabulous Atlantic coast. Would it be better than Cornwall, or in my case, any easier to surf there? Unlike me, my teenagers have picked up the basics of surfing quite well, although I would probably still describe all of us as novices. We like to be active while we’re on tour, and we have developed our surfing skills sufficiently to justify investing in our own surfboards. We now have all the kit, but in my case, I still have no…

The two major caravanning clubs, the British Holiday & Home Parks Association and the National Caravan Council have written a joint letter to Liz Truss, urging her to help the industry by, among other things, reducing VAT to 10%. NCC director general John Lally said he was encouraged to see Truss commit to urgent action on energy prices, but the letter calls for more action to be taken for an industry that it claims generates £9.3bn in visitor expenditure per year. The letter also points out that other European countries have a more favourable VAT system for tourism businesses. This, the letter suggests, helps them control costs in the face of rising energy prices. Cutting VAT, they say, would also help to make caravan and motorhome holidays – which account…

Price £32,995 Berths 4 MiRO 1509kg MTPLM 1665kg IT’S BEEN A tough year for all caravan manufacturers, but Swift has managed to get at least some stock out to dealers. For 2023, many brands will likely be keeping updates to a minimum, although Swift tourers have seen some changes. Here we’re looking at the new Challenger Grande. Yes, that means last year’s ‘X’ has been replaced with the Grande badge. A similar switch has happened with the Sprite Supers, now also renamed Grande. The revamped 560L sports a layout that will no doubt have lots of appeal, along with its new exterior and interior finish. Pitch and set-up The Challenger Grande 560L is on the Al-Ko chassis, which has an AKS hitch. It also comes with a wheel lock receiver.…

Yes, after a three-year enforced break, this October we are finally going to see an autumnal caravan show at the NEC in Birmingham again. Of course, the continuing fall-out from two years of pandemic and lockdowns has meant new launches are perhaps thinner on the ground than you might normally hope to find at the National Motorhome and Caravan Show. But here’s our run-down of the brilliant things you can expect to see. TOURERS ADRIA Stand 6.36 & 7.30-35, Halls 6 & 7 You might recall Adria’s Astella, in particular the Rio Grande, with its unusual front kitchen. Adria is resurrecting that layout with its new Alpina Rio Grande, debuting at the NEC. The new Alpina is a bonus, because the focus this year has been on the updated entry-level…

The previous generation of Range Rover is the ‘least reliable’ used car you can buy, according to extended warranty provider Warrantywise. Comparing reliability rates across its 131,000 policies and focusing on cars less than 10 years old, the Land Rover Range Rover topped Warrantywise’s list of cars to avoid if you want trouble-free driving. The company has compiled a Reliability Index, based on number of faults and average cost of repairs. The lower the Index number, the worse the score. The Range Rover scored 20.2, with the highest single bill for repairing a Range Rover running to £23,890. Another Land Rover, the Range Rover Sport, finished third on 23.1. Other likely tow cars in Warrantywise’s most unreliable 10 vehicles include the Porsche Cayenne in sixth place (scoring 24.9), the Audi…

THE LAW of unintended consequences is usually considered a pretty bad thing (think of a cull of cows to stop them emitting that nasty methane, but suddenly realising you’ll never again have cheese – appalling), but not for the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer. You see, Vauxhall might not have set out to construct a good tow car, but everything it did to make the Insignia Sports Tourer a great family and business car also turned it into a capable towing machine. Unintended consequences, but in a good way. What’s it like inside? Forget the old Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer, an estate which wasn’t actually that big or practical. This later generation of Insignia is much bigger and more usable. There’s loads of space for two adults up front, and plenty…

Financing your purchase Arranging finance for your purchase is often easier than paying in one lump sum, but you need to be careful not to spend more than you meant to. First, you’ll need to think about your monthly income and outgoings. How much is left to pay for the van? Don’t forget to budget for annual servicing, insurance, and storage if necessary. Dealers at a show will usually offer finance packages, but do compare the interest rates with a personal loan to find the best deal for you. A few minutes online will give you a clear idea of how much you’d have to pay each month if borrowing from a bank rather than arranging finance through a dealership. Consider the size of the deposit and the whole cost…

Fuel for thought this autumn We’ve got a packed technical section for you this issue – starting with some very important advice on saving fuel. With diesel prices at an all-time high, it’s important to make as many adjustments as you can, which can help save a few pounds here and there. You’ll find our round-up on p102. We also have a couple of brilliant DIY projects for you this month. If your submersible water pump has given up the ghost, don’t despair – simply turn to p108! We’re also showing you how to fit an Al-Ko side-lift jack (p110). practical.caravan@futurenet.com OUR TECH EXPERTS include (left to right) John Sootheran, Sammy Faircloth and Nigel Hutson *Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Caravan, provides the information in this article in…

NEW TO CARAVANNING, you probably chose your first van to suit your existing car – but we’ll bet that, once bitten by the bug, you’ll choose your next car to suit the next caravan. Here we will assume that you are familiar with the aspects of vehicle and caravan weights for your tow car shortlist, while the choice of saloon, hatchback, estate or MPV is entrenched and your budget decided. The first question, then, is engine choice – and we are currently at its zenith. Very soon, new electric vehicles (EVs) will be mandatory. Battery EVs – in my opinion, a technical cul de sac – will be enforced initially, but their current towing capacity is so poor and its effect on range so catastrophic, we will leave them aside…

THE CHANCES are that if you own a recently manufactured British caravan, the windows are likely to have been made by Dutch company Polyplastic. There will, of course, be some exceptions, but the majority will have come from the Rotterdam factory. A subsidiary of Polyplastic is a company that you’re less likely to have heard of, Delta Glass, which manufactures all of the acrylic sheeting for those Polyplastic windows, and many more of the products that they make. So how did it all get started? It actually began with a plane. Back in 1952, two friends, Wim Veeneman and Henk Kersten, were fascinated by the canopy of the Spitfire fighter plane. They loved the way that it was formed from just one piece and was completely integral to the design…