Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2020 i Practical Caravan

Here at Practical Caravan HQ, we were disappointed to learn that the annual Motorhome and Caravan Show at the NEC had been postponed – it’s such a major event on all of our calendars that it really brought home the ongoing impact that Covid-19 is having. Safety has to come first, of course, so it’s an understandable decision; but it’s one that will sadden many, offering as it does the opportunity to see a whole host of new models under one roof. But the industry will bounce back – there are already positive noises coming from dealers across the UK, and with the height of the summer still in front of us, there’s plenty to look forward to in the months ahead. And, as we have done since 1967, Practical…

Sarah Wakely Editor sarah@practicalcaravan.com Paul Critcher Deputy Editor paul.critcher@futurenet.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 HOW CAN WE FLUSH OUT THIS PROBLEM? Q My 2011 caravan has a Thetford cassette toilet, but recently when I’ve been flushing it, a load of black bits have come through into the toilet as well. We usually use the specialist pink fluid you can buy online, but I’ve also tried flushing it through with plain water, and this doesn’t seem to have helped much. Could you advise on what we can do to clear it, and prevent this from happening again? Chris King Sarah Wakely answers… You’ll be pleased to know that this…

Plan a quick getaway So you can just hitch up and leave It’s Friday afternoon. The weekend weather forecast is great. Time to hit the road! Here are our top tips for making a smooth and speedy departure: 1 Make a list One of the main challenges is getting all of your stuff together. If you haven’t been touring for long, and don’t have separate kit in your van, too often, you’ll find that some essential or other is in the loft or the shed and your cooking utensils have made their way back into the kitchen drawers. It goes without saying that if things are all over the house, you inevitably end up forgetting some critical item. So at the start of the season, it’s worth putting together a…

In association with BAILEY DISCOVERY D4-4 Price £17,499 Berths 4 MiRO 1059kg Payload 147kg MTPLM 1206kg A We love the funky exterior look of the Bailey Discovery range – the silver-grey sidewalls will really make you stand out onsite, and they’ll help hide any dirt, too B The dark upholstery might not be to everyone’s taste, but we think it looks great and it’s practical, as well. The sunroof up above also helps to flood this area with natural light C This is only a short caravan, but there is a good sense of roominess inside, and it helps that the washroom has been very cleverly designed to offer lots of space D There are some neat touches inside, including USB sockets built into the light switches. No more fighting…

KTG Caravans & Campers Staffordshire and nationwide> ktgcaravansandcampers.com> 01782 636 306 National Caravan Salvage Colwyn Bay, North Wales> nationalcaravanbreakers.co.uk> 01492 512 880 New & Used Caravan Parts Castleford, West Yorkshire01977 604 656 Halesowen Caravan Centre West Midlands> halesowencaravancentre.co.uk> 0121 550 7949 DDS Caravan Spares Oldham, Greater Manchesterddscaravansupplies.co.uk01706 847 776 Essex Caravan Breakers Stanford-le-Hope, Essex> essexcaravanbreakers.co.uk> 07786 391 015 MK Caravans Rochford, Essex> salvagecaravans.com> 01702 541 001 Jones Caravan Breakers Aspatria, Cumbria> jonescaravanbreakers.com> 01697 451 306…

Ideal time to revamp the van! We’ve all had to spend more time at home than we usually would over recent months, and it’s been fascinating to read about some of the DIY projects that Practical Caravan readers have been completing during lockdown. We were particularly impressed with the photos that Heather Berry sent us, of the work that she and her husband carried out on their 2004 Ace Ambassador (see p9), in which they gave their van a whole new interior look. If you’ve also been busy revamping your van, do let us know – we’d love to see it! You can contact us on the email address below. practical.caravan@futurenet.com OUR TECH EXPERTS include (left to right) John Sootheran, Sammy Faircloth, Nigel Hutson and Tony Brown HOW TO…FIX A…

Where are we? Compton Bay, Isle of Wight Coordinates 50.6562° N, 1.4757° W Why tour here? From the mainland, the Isle of Wight involves a short ferry ride to a very family-friendly holiday destination. Seaside towns, award-winning beaches, watersports, downs for walking, wildlife and attractions children will love – there is so much to do, as well as some great campsites. Don’t miss… Osborne House, Queen Victoria’s summer residence; Ventnor Botanical Gardens; stargazing in some of the darkest skies in the UK; and a fossil tour – the isle is also known as Dinosaur Island! Photographer Bob Atkins…

THIS ISSUE WE… PLAN A GREAT SUMMER // GET ON OUR BIKES // EXPLORE THE DALES Inspirational destinations Are you on a pitch and looking to be entertained, educated, amused, inspired? Slowly, slowly, the nation’s museums and attractions are opening up to bring some cheer to what’s left of summer 2020. Now, with patience – we’ll be queuing, at a distance – we can have a great day out. Car enthusiasts will enjoy Beaulieu Motor Museum’s Simply Rally events, while those who get tickets for IWM Duxford’s Battle of Britain commemoration will be exhilarated by the great Spitfire flypast. If coast and country are more in your line, Blackpool is ready to welcome you, as are some of our spectacular stately homes. claudia.dowell@futurenet.com Features editor CLAUDIA DOWELL is our touring…

1 THE BIKE As growing numbers of cyclists seek traffic-free routes away from the roads, there has never been a better time to have a bike that covers all terrain. Ribble’s CGR, for example, is an excellent option, and what’s more, it is available as an ebike, too, if you’re looking for a little assistance. Haibike also has a great range of ebikes, suitable for everything from gentle touring, right through to downhill mountain biking. 2 THE KIT At a time when the traditional coffee and cake stop might not always be possible, why not carry your own with you? The Apidura Racing Handlebar Pack (don’t be put off by the name) is perfect for taking plentiful supplies of cake and a flask of coffee with you, with room enough…

Sponsored by AT 410 MILES, the A1 is the UK’s longest numbered road, giving access to eastern England – Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire – the East Riding of Yorkshire and North Yorkshire, the towns of Peterborough, Doncaster, Leeds, York, Darlington and Durham, then past the Angel of the North to Newcastle upon Tyne. As it starts to follow the Northumberland coastline, the route is pleasantly scenic, reaching Alnwick, Bamburgh, Seahouses and Berwick-upon-Tweed. The A1 passes through 17 counties and has 36 services, although we only list those with room for caravans. Having covered the southern section in issue 429, we begin this stretch in South Yorkshire, at Carcroft services. Incidentally, Wetherby services claims to be the greenest service area in Britain. Services CARCROFT DN68LR SinglesitebetweenDoncasterand Pontefract EuroGarages Somebutlimited BurgerKingGreggs EssoHurstsCosta…

Police warn over thefts Police in Staffordshire are warning caravanners in the county to be on their guard after a number of reports of attempted thefts in recent weeks. Two men tried to take a van from a drive in the Staffordshire Moorlands area, claiming they thought it was for sale. Detective Superintendent Colin Mattinson said, “We’re asking people to be aware of those enquiring about potential sale of a caravan. Those responsible for these crimes will move on before returning to take your van.” Thief rams police vehicle A man who rammed a police BMW while towing a stolen caravan earlier this month has been charged with a string of offences. Wiltshire Police says Simon Coates, 43, from Kent, will appear at Swindon Crown Court on 14 August, charged…

Pre-owned tourers are in demand! Are used caravans becoming scarce? Many dealers seem to be searching for stock, owing to the high demand. Several have been telling me that with new models also selling well, and nothing left at the factories, this is turning out to be rather a strange year. Will dealers find their forecourts empty, or will the market settle down? Many dealers report used models being snapped up on the same day as they arrive, and some buyers annoyed to find the tourer they came to see already sold. The idea of holidaying in the UK has had a massive impact. Let’s hope even more people are converted to caravanning! practical.caravan@futurenet.com ANDY JENKINSON is a caravan expert and historian – he loves pre-owned and classic tourers! ANDY’S…

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 (www.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,…

> 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.…

Even with the ever growing popularity of fixed-bed layouts, this end washroom layout – with two parallel settees you can use as singles or turn into a double – shows no signs of disappearing. It often goes in a caravan that is slightly longer than you might expect, so there is plenty of room for two of you to move around, both in the usually large rear washroom and in the area immediately outside it. Pros The absence of any fixed bed means that there is more room in the caravan during the day Cons You do still have to make up the bed at night if you want a double…

JANUARY 1974 Happy new year! Our cover image of a sun-baked caravanning family was a classic 1970s scene. Remember the ’70s? There were children everywhere, complete with shorts and long socks! Astral wins Astral’s new 14-footer got the thumbs-up from our reviewer, who liked the ‘well appointed’ kitchen area and ‘huge’ dinette. And, although they would have preferred to see an additional window area, they liked the caravan’s ‘clean and simple lines’ Make your mark The Range Rover has long been a popular choice of tow car, and this positive review of the MK II reflects that popularity. We were most impressed by its ability to stay cool in the heat of southern France, where despite the heat, the temperature gauge stayed fixed at ‘normal’ Perfect plan We kicked off…

OUTDOOR FURNITURE // CLEVER KIT // GREAT GADGETS Luxury hamper It’s picnic season, and what better way to celebrate than this classic hamper? It has an insulated inner and comes with a smart rug. Price £115 Web fortnumandmason.com Lumi-Mosi mosquito killer This LED lantern and UV midge/mosquito killer should enhance nights in the awning. It charges via USB and has three settings. Price £24.99 Web outdoor-revolution.com Two-way family radio Keep the family in touch on site or during cycle rides and hikes with this set of four walkie-talkies, with a range of up to 3km. Price £59.99 Web www.argos.co.uk Helinox Table One Hardtop This small table can hold up to 50kg, but folds down to a very compact size. Price £120 Web www.amazon.co.uk Inflatable mattress When you need an extra…

PLEASE NOTE All event details correct as we went to press, but double-check before making any journey AUGUST Blackpool Blackpool is opening many key attractions, hotels, restaurants and bars, but the town is keen to deliver the Know Before You Go message, which will give visitors an insight into measures being taken to ensure their safety. These will include reduced capacity, allocated time slots, managed queuing, enhanced cleaning regimes and extensive training for all staff. Blackpool Zoo, the Pleasure Beach, part of Blackpool Tower, the SEA LIFE Centre, Madame Tussauds, piers and amusement centres along the Golden Mile are all now welcoming visitors. Attractions are being urged to sign up to VisitEngland’s We’re Good To Go industry standard, aimed at giving visitors the confidence that guidelines are being adhered to.…

Who are you? Nigel Donnelly, fomer editor of Practical Caravan and author of the Haynes manual Van Life. Where are you a local authority on? Uxbridge, in Hillingdon, Denham, Buckinghamshire, and the surrounding area. Why are you a local authority on this place? Born and bred nearby and never really managed to escape for more than a few years at a time! What do you love about it? Let’s be honest, you probably aren’t going to spend your summer holiday here; but with busy London an easy train ride away, people might be tempted to stay here for that. It’s worth staying an extra night or so, to unearth a few little gems among the urban sprawl. It’s also a great way to break a journey when circumnavigating the nation’s…

We’ll keep you updated! Well, that’s it then. It’s official: October’s Motorhome and Caravan Show at the NEC will not be going ahead after all. The news, when it came, was not entirely surprising, because there had been rumours for some time, and you could say it is the safest option amid fears of Covid-19 reappearing in the autumn. But don’t despair if you are one of the many people for whom a trip to Solihull in mid-October is a treasured event. Here at Practical Caravan HQ, we hope to give you the next best thing over the next few issues. Keep coming back to see what we have planned! peter.baber@futurenet.com Reviews editor PETER BABER is a hugely experienced caravanner who enjoys touring whenever he can HOW WE TEST VANS…

A leading insurer explains how they write off a caravan, which might go to salvage: “The decision to write off is a balance of economics. Do the repair costs exceed the insured value? That’s muddied if there’s new- for-old cover, rather than market value, especially if it is old. We take into account any salvage value before we write it off. “We also factor in the possibility of further damage becoming evident, parts availability and supply delay, and where practical, the customer’s preference. “For example, does the layout of the van particularly suit the owner, meaning they have a desire to keep it? There are too many factors for it to be simply a case of a fixed percentage point at which any unit is a write-off.” “Not all caravans…

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,…