Table of contents for August 2016 in Practical Caravan

Martin Goldsmith Piped-in warmth With so many conveniences offered by caravans, I like to use them all. My season starts in March and finishes in November, which is why I decided to use the awning warmer fitted to my Coachman. The vent, unfortunately, is beyond the bounds of my porch awning. My remedy was to use rainwater downpipe cut to length and two 90° bends. A spacer is needed at the outlet to make a perfect seal; a thick rubber band or similar works. My dogs return from walks on those frosty mornings or evenings and enter a warm awning. Some people suggest using an electric heater for the same effect, but some sites do not allow them. The caravanners who ask about the pipe all like the idea, so…

1-7 August Join the merry men The free Robin Hood Festival in Sherwood Forest Country Park gives children a chance to learn about the legend. They can even test their archery skills. Stay at Sherwood Forest Holiday Park Caravan Club Site Web www.sherwoodforestholidaypark.co.uk 20–29 August All together Leicester’s City Festival offers a host of family-friendly events and activities. The city will fill with music, dance, sports and much more — all local. Stay at Shardlow Marina and Caravan Park Web www.shardlowmarina.co.uk 13–14 August Look to the skies Follow the highs and lows of Portsmouth’s International Kite Festival near beautiful Southsea. There are also workshops on making and flying your own kite, so you can join in the fun. Stay at Fleet Farm Campsite Web www.haylingcampsites.co.uk From July Sights of a…

AS FAR AS I’m concerned, my caravan has just about everything that a good ‘home from home’ requires. There’s a comfy fixed bed, a perfectly adequate kitchen, a nice-sized fridge (as long as I use the additional one outside as a wine cooler!), a flushing toilet (yes, I know it needs emptying every now and then, but let’s just skip over that bit for now), generally nice views out of the window, a DVD player and a large-screen TV, and even a doorbell. So what could I possibly yearn for? A swimming pool? Nope – our favourite site already has one of those! A snooker room perhaps? Again, nope – there’s a good pub nearby that has a full-sized table. Perhaps a treehouse and a climbing frame for the kids?…

Tintagel to Boscastle (above) on the north Cornwall coastal path. It’s challenging in places, but so beautiful! Deb Birch We’ve just finished the North Downs Way. It took three years and 20 trips in the caravan! We’ll tackle the Thames Path next — it’s a great excuse to get away. Jonathan Watson We’ve taken various circular walks around Melrose in the Scottish Borders. Although it has stayed dry, the sun hasn’t put in an appearance any of the past three days of walking! Mike Slater There are too many to choose from! Forest paths in Natterer See near Innsbruck, Northumbria beaches, Blakeney Point in Norfolk… Louise Edge We love the coastal path around Anglesey. Steve Maddison…

Enjoy these sites and much more when you join! Just £48 a year gives you access to over 2500 of the best caravan and camping sites in Europe and a host of member benefits. Tel 01342 488 115 Web www.caravanclub.co.uk/membership Southland On the outskirts of Newchurch in the Arreton Valley, this is a great site for exploring the stunning Isle of Wight – half of which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Tel 01983 865 385. Rookesbury Park Ideally located for shoppers and city visitors, yet also perfectly placed to enjoy plentiful country walks along with the peace and tranquility of the Forest of Bere clearings. Tel 01329 834 085. Morn Hill This is a large site, yet not overwhelming because it is well separated by pretty trees and…

SUZANNE ASQUITH Suzanne, her husband Mick and children Sam (10) and Charlie (7) love touring Britain in their six-berth Bailey Ranger I CAN THINK of better ways to spend my weekends than paddling through mud and losing my tent forever in a sea of identical-looking two-man pop-ups. So imagine my surprise, when I heard myself uttering the words: “Darling, we should go to the DeerShed Festival this summer. It’s a family festival and I think the kids would love it.” That’s how we found ourselves towing our six-berth Bailey Ranger the hour or so up the A1 from our home near York to the DeerShed Festival at Baldersby Park. I might have been willing to be free-spirited and chilled for a couple of days, but I wasn’t going to do…

Family lands huge Truma prize Truma’s great caravan giveaway (revealed in March’s Showroom news) has been won by the Jackson family — Stephen, Emma, Isabella (7) and Jasmine (4). The Jacksons could pick their first caravan from the Bailey Pegasus range, and opted for a family-friendly Ancona – which Truma loaded with accessories, including the iNet system, a mover, a solar panel and air conditioning. The family had only been to the February NEC show to look for accessories for their tent, and were overwhelmed by their win. Said Emma: “It’s going to be life-changing. We’ve always wanted a caravan but were looking to buy secondhand, so couldn’t believe it when Martin Fitzpatrick from Truma rang with the news. It was better than winning the lottery.” Having picked up the…

Price From £29,995 Kerbweight 1913kg 85% match 1626kg Towing limit 2000kg Towball limit 90kg What size van can I legally tow? LEGALLY MATCHING A car and caravan is more complicated than it might appear, especially for younger drivers with a B rather than a B+E licence. With help and advice from Tim Booth, Leisure Vehicles Officer at the College of Policing in Coventry, and the NCC, we’ve put together this brief guide. Am I safe and legal at 85%? Both major clubs advise that newcomers shouldn’t tow a caravan weighing more than 85% of their car’s kerbweight, but this is a recommendation rather than a legal requirement. Cars homologated (officially approved) for towing will have a legal towing limit. This may be more or less than the 85%, but shouldn’t…

THIS IS THE 10th year of the Tow Car Awards. Over that time we’ve reviewed more than 400 tow cars and racked up thousands of miles of testing. Some 41 cars have been put to the test this year. As before, experts from Practical Caravan, What Car? and The Camping and Caravanning Club have joined forces to sort through these contenders to find Britain’s best tow cars. Every car goes through the same demanding tests, whether it’s a small hatchback or a huge SUV. We’re looking for cars that tow brilliantly, have practical features to make a tow car-driver’s life easy, and which will be enjoyable to live with every day. Our scoring also reflects a car’s value for money, safety standards and resale values. Here’s exactly what we’re looking…

How much? £12,800-£46,000 Discovery 4s hold their value well, and even the cheapest GS models were £32,000-£34,000 new, so you’re unlikely to find anything costing much below £14,000. Add another £2500 to that for XS starting prices, and a further £2000 to get enough for HSE trim. The best of the HSEs can still command £27,000 from a dealer for a five-year-old example. The SDV6 models are still above the £20,000 mark, say £21,000 for a private GS with average miles; add £3000 to step up to an XS and the same again for an HSE. What will it tow? Kerbweight ......................... 2583kg 85% match........................... 2196kg Towing limit........................3500kg Towball limit.......................... 150kg (Figures for 2011 Discovery 3.0 SDV6 HSE) How much is a towball? Witter flange towbar ......£172.80 Thule Brink detachable…

All Swift Group touring caravans are based on Al-Ko chassis, which is the market leader for touring caravans. The chassis accepts a wide range of Al-Ko accessories and safety products, such as ATC, which is an electronic, emergency trailer control system, and AKS hitch-head stabilisers. ATC is sited behind the tourer axle and uses electronic sensors to apply the brakes when it detects instability, which can occur in high winds or when overtaken by a large vehicle, such as a coach. This can prevent snaking. Al-Ko chassis use rubber suspension axles, shock absorbers and a proven overrun braking system, which offers unrivalled stability and roadholding on tow. The overrun device controls the caravan’s braking system: when you dab the tow car’s brakes, the towing vehicle produces a drawbar force on…

1 Westfalia UK Ltd Web www.westfalia-automotive.com Email Info.uk@westfalia-automotive.com Tel 01179 551 011/01179 551 022 Address Units 5 & 6, Days Road Commercial Centre, George Jones Road, St Philips, Bristol BS2 0QS Open Monday-Friday, 8.30am-5.30pm 2 PCT Automotive Web www.pctautomotive.com Email sales@pctautomotive.com Tel 01142 511 000 Address Holbrook Industrial Estate, Holbrook, Sheffield S20 3GH Fitting centre Based in Sheffield 3 Anglia Towbars Web www.angliatowbars.co.uk Email email@angliatowbars.com Tel 01638 577 411/07831 804 624 Address Glebe Farm, Fordham Road, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7LG Fitting centre Workshop near Newmarket 4 Mr Towbar Web www.mrtowbar.co.uk Email info@mrtowbar.co.uk Tel 01294 277 277/07919 342 605 Address Unit 8, Kyle Business Park, Irvine, Ayrshire KA12 8JJ Fitting centre Workshop in Irvine 5 Professional Towbars Web www.professionaltowbars.co.uk Tel 01953 536…

Accounting for around 10% of caravans supplied to the British volume tourer market, the parallel-lounge, end-washroom floorplan is popular with those who go to rallies. There’s room to socialise, and the end washroom will compensate for a lack of site facilities. A Choose a U-shaped lounge over a centre chest for more space B It should be possible to use the lounge sofas as single beds C The full-width washroom should be spacious and bright D The sideboard can usually be used as additional worktop…

Freedom Freedom has been a rather quirky niche presence on the UK caravan market for many years now. Conceived, designed and built in Poland, these cheeky little tourers feature light weight, and a strong GRP bodyshell said to be highly impervious to water ingress due to its unique design. If you want luxury and vast tracts of interior space, then look elsewhere. However, if a budget-priced lightweight tourer for two, three or four people is what you’re after, then they’re certainly worth a look. Freedom soldiered on with the habitation entrance door on the ‘wrong’ UK side for years, until some bright spark came up with the idea of fitting the body to the chassis back to front. This singular approach to the problem certainly put the door on the…

Wingamm This Italian firm may be fairly new to the tourer market, having only branched out into caravans over the past few years, but it has a much longer history — back to 1977 — as a maker of motorhomes. In both fields, however, it has a USP: glassfibre monocoque construction. Making the living pod as a one-piece GRP unit has many advantages, key among them being high resistance to water ingress: with no joints or fixings, it should remain impervious unless you play chicken with height-restrictors. The standard kit includes an on-board fresh-water tank, and among the 'big-van' options are ATC and air-con. Despite that, the mid-spec Pitch boasts an MTPLM of 1000kg (including a hefty 270kg payload), making it ideal for someone who likes the idea of an…

A DECADE AGO Practical Caravan, What Car? and The Camping and Caravanning Club decided it was time our readers and members got proper advice on buying a great tow car, and the Tow Car Awards scheme was born. We’re immensely proud that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the UK’s most rigorous tow car testing programme. We couldn’t do it without the dedication of our tow car editor, David Motton, not to mention such experts as Peter Simpson and the army of C&CC volunteers who give up their time to be part of the scheme. And, of course, we’re grateful for the contribution of our key partners, in particular The Swift Group. It’s important to remember that the car is merely a tool, a facilitator – just like the…

Kate Hannam has family in Wiltshire and is a regular visitor to the county. Among its many attractions is the medieval cathedral city of Salisbury, which is ideal for day trips. 1 Stay here Salisbury Camping and Caravanning Club Site is a fantastic base for visiting some of Wiltshire’s best-known attractions. It is also ideally situated for exploring Salisbury and the idyllic countryside that is right on the city’s doorstep. 2 Eat here There are lots of inviting cafés and pubs in the heart of Salisbury, but venture a bit further afield to the Horseshoe Inn at Ebbesborne Wake, a beautiful country pub serving great food and a variety of ales. Be sure to head to Salisbury Market (picutred), which takes place every Tuesday and Saturday in the city centre…

PAUL GENNER HAS been a keen caravanner for many years. He and his partner Trisha are members of the Historic Caravan Club and enjoy the classic scene, attending many vintage caravan rallies, which also fits with Paul’s interest in vintage vehicles. It was in 1986 that Paul first clapped eyes on the Winchester tourer that would become part of his classic caravanning for many years to come. The model is one of the few surviving vans of the 1930s that had moved on from the traditional boxy shape to a more aerodynamic, streamlined design. The Winchester story began back in 1912 when founder Bertram Hutchings began building horse-drawn units after honeymooning in a caravan. The tourers became known as ‘The Rolls Royce of Caravans’, such was the quality of the…

‘After a couple of days' reading and resting, we were itching to explore – chilling out isn't our thing' WE LOVE ROME. Joe and I have visited before, staying at Roma Flash Sporting campsite, but only long enough to make a day trip before moving on. This time we were looking forward to staying longer; we wanted to enjoy the countryside and get a fix of city life. The campsite nestles on the shore of Lake Bracciano, one of the largest lakes in Italy, and has a mixture of shady pitches under the trees, some in full sunlight and some by the lake, although these are nearly always occupied. We sunshine-starved Brits choose the sunny pitches. You can swim in the lake or in the pool and there's a good…

CARAVANNERS Colin & Elaine Burdett CARAVAN 2016 Bailey Unicorn Madrid TOW CAR 2012 Nissan X-Trail WE LOVE The freedom that caravanning brings us, and the chance to visit grandchildren and get a quiet night’s sleep! WE OFTEN VISIT Hampshire’s New Forest area and love exploring the National Park and its quaint old towns and villages, such as Lymington, Lyndhurst and Beaulieu. Picnicking on the promenade at Hythe, looking across to the other side of Southampton Water, is also a favourite pastime, but we had yet to venture across the estuary. It was high time we explored the ‘other Hampshire’. We searched for somewhere new to stay, and eventually settled on Rookesbury Park Caravan Club site, which enjoys a wonderful rural location about five miles north-west of Portsmouth. The access road…

1 Grub’s up! Head down to Big Feastival in the Cotswolds over the weekend of 26-28 August for your fill of entertainment, fine food and fun It will be held on Alex James’ farm and have Jamie Oliver’s foodie touch. Web www.thebig feastival.com 2 Oodles of activities This year, 11 - 14 August, Lakefest moves to the grounds of Eastnor Castle. This is more than just a music festival, with dozens of free activities. Web www.lakefest.co.uk 3 V-dub love VW Whitenoise, at Euston Park, Norfolk, isn’t just for those who own a VW – all are welcome to enjoy the unique atmosphere on 4-7 August. An interest in VWs is just a bonus. Web www.vwwhitenoise.com 4 All hush-hush Set aside 25-28 August for Shambala Festival. The line-up…

Ford was Britain’s fastest-growing SUV brand last year – and that was without the range-topping new Edge. With prices starting at a fiver less than £30,000, Ford is pitching it at prestige SUVs such as the BMW X3, as well as mainstream models such as the Kia Sorento. It’s certainly refined enough to compete. The engine is quiet and there’s very little wind and road noise, partly thanks to the acoustic glass and clever noise-cancelling technology used on high-spec models. The Edge is big, too, with lots of head- and legroom, and a large boot. It’s not especially quick, though. Kerbweights start from 1913kg for the 2.0 turbodiesel 180PS (178bhp) manual and rise to 1949kg for the 2.0 turbodiesel 210PS (207bhp) PowerShift auto, which helps make for healthy matching ratios…

This year sees the return of fuel-economy testing as part of our assessment for the Green Award. Cars were shortlisted based on their official economy figures. Each car was matched to a caravan weighing 85% of its kerbweight, and the fuel tank was brimmed. At the end of our 55-mile test the car was brimmed again, and the fuel economy while towing was calculated. Every car was driven by the same person, using a consistent driving style. In the case of the plug-in hybrid Mitsubishi, our test loop was completed twice: once with a fully charged battery, and once when the battery had depleted. Winning the Green Award wasn’t simply a question of achieving the best economy while towing: our driving judges also discussed the merits of the most economical…

‘Quite simply, the Land Rover Discovery 4 is the best tow car of the past 10 years’ TO MARK OUR 10th year, we’ve chosen a Tow Car of the Decade. Sometimes our judges take a long time to reach agreement over the merits of different rivals, but the discussion over this award was short and to the point. Quite simply, the Land Rover Discovery 4 is the best tow car of the past 10 years. If you include the earlier Discovery 3, there has been just one year since the Tow Car Awards started when a Discovery of some description didn’t win a prize. No other model can match that record. While the 3 was a very fine tow car, the 4 marked a significant improvement. When we first reviewed…

Discovery 3.0 SDV6 auto Fuel costs aside, there are few — in fact, none — that can compete with this land tug. The 255PS 3.0 SDV6 has been epic in every situation we’ve come across. Ours is a 2012 and we pull a Sprite Major 6 TD. So if fuel consumption doesn’t worry you too much and you can afford to run one, I suggest you go and try out a Disco. James Deene Discovery 3.0 TDV6 auto Towing with the Disco is effortless. The Disco’s weight inspires confidence. You are always in control. As long as I have wheel grip, it has pulled up all hills, no matter how steep. It is an excellent tow car. Charles Dorrington Discovery 3.0 SDV6 auto We used our Disco 4 with eight-speed…

Following the towing theme of this issue, we’ve taken a look at the history of the towbar – and followed one being fitted. Plus, Donna Garner shows us a budget fix for a cracked caravan shower tray WHEN THE FIRST car-pulled caravan emerged after World War 1, there was a seemingly simple solution to the problem of attaching the tourer to the tow vehicle: a leather loop on the caravan drawbar was just slipped over a hook at the back of the car. It soon became clear, though, that a more technical hitch solution was required to ensure the security of the connection and, of course, the safety of everyone else on the road. This developmental process would take a number of decades. The next step forward took place in…

AS THE YEARS pass, I’m not the only one to suffer signs of wear and tear: poor old Monty (our 2000 model-year van) is starting to feel his age, too. The latest indication was a couple of cracks across the washroom floor. Monty’s washroom floor is also the shower tray. Fortunately we don’t use it for showering, so we didn’t have to worry about water seeping through and rotting the flooring below. However, research showed that shower-tray cracking is a common problem, due to ageing plastic becoming brittle, and inadequate underfloor support. Further investigation led us to companies that specialise in replacing or repairing shower trays. We ruled out replacing ours, due to the expense and hassle. Having it repaired was an option; we were quoted from £350 for the…

This is a compact layout that you’ll usually find in the shortest vans on the market; the double bed is made up from the pair of sofas at the front. You’ll sometimes find that the sofas aren’t long enough to be used as single beds, so be sure to check this if it’s important to you. The washroom is located in the corner, and as a result is often narrow. Pros No inch of space is wasted here: you’ll have everything you need in a small space. Cons The washroom is unlikely to have a separate shower, and can be narrow. The kitchen may have limited work surface, and storage is likely to be at a premium. A Check that the lounge area and the sofas are big enough B…

Nearside fixed-bed tourers with an end washroom are the choice of couples who only occasionally tour with children. They’re glad to avoid making up a double bed each night and appreciate having a separate shower. Often, the kitchen and lounge are roomy, but single-axle models may reduce their size, or make washrooms narrow in order to accommodate a shorter bodyshell. Pros You’ll sleep well on a proper mattress, while a full end washroom adds more luxury. Cons Space-hungry end washrooms and fixed beds will eat away at lounge lengths and kitchen worktops. A Lounge may be compact to fit in the bed and washroom B Storage space under the sofas should prove handy C If the kitchen worktop is small, use the dresser’s surface D Tall people should be sure…

Gobur Gobur Caravans first started experimenting with folding tourers back in the early 1970s, having realised that some people were put off the pastime by the sheer size and bulk of an average family van. The thinking was that if a ‘proper’ caravan could be designed with folding sides and a drop-down roof, it would solve the problem of towing concerns at a stroke. It would also have the bonus of being easy to store in a standard garage, and would cut down on fuel consumption. The first Gobur — called the Govan — was absolutely tiny, but proved to be an instant sales success. The latest Carousels are bigger and much more stylish, but still adhere to the original plan: each can be erected or folded away by one…

ON THE LOOKOUT for a new tourer? If so, we can help! Just like our travel stories, expert reviews and advice, we think that our classifieds are the best in the business. So now you can read our review of your chosen caravan, watch the video, then find it online, making www.practical caravan.com the one-stop shop for all your touring needs. We know that 50% of you access our website via mobile devices, so our classifieds are fully responsive — they will work just as well on your tablet or smartphone as they do on your home computer. We’ve worked hard to make these classifieds as easy to use as possible, with filters to help you narrow your search by location, price, brand, year, weight and number of axles or berths.…

STACIE PARDOE enjoys touring with her young family and loves to put all of the latest gadgets to the test Wedge level set Price £12.99 Web www.milenco.com To get a straighter perspective, pop these wedge levels under your van’s wheels. The new level by Milenco uses patented front edge grip teeth that stop them sliding away without the need for a gripper plate. The raised wedge shape reduces the chance of sinking into soft ground and can support up to four tonnes. The set features a wedge level and a compatible wheel chock, available separately for £2.99. A twin-level pack costs £17.99 Centuple camp bed sleep system Price Single £109.99; double £179.99 Web www.outwell.com If guests or younger family members are relegated to sleeping in the awning this summer, they’ll…

Screen out those bugs! SUMMER MEANS INSECTS that can slip undetected into your caravan. JML may have the answer: the easy-fit Snap Screen. And we have five, worth £9.99 each, up for grabs. The mesh screen is ideal for keeping out bugs and dust while letting in fresh air, and can be fitted over single, sliding doors at home, as well as on your van. It is super-simple to put up and take down – no tools or screws are needed. The Snap Screen has no zips or other fasteners – it uses magnets to snap shut behind you. That frees you from standing guard at the door, opening and closing it for kids and pets. The hard-wearing white mesh can be sponge-cleaned and packed away neatly when not needed.…

Tour further with Limitless Travel A FEW MONTHS back I received word of a new website that was about to launch, which was set to feature a wealth of travel information for those with a disability; and this month I was pleased to hear that it has gone live. Limitlesstravel.org was founded by Angus Drummond, who was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy in 2012; the website allows attractions to details their access features for disabled guests, and visitors can then rate the facilities. As such, it offers a handy database that’s searchable by your specific requirements, to help you find the most welcoming locations to visit. You can also search for attractions that are family-friendly. At the moment the guide only covers London, but it’s planned that it will expand to…

When to go Although Rome is a year-round destination, May or early June are the most comfortable months to visit. It's hot from late June to September and is also very busy. Way to go Check out the special deals for ferries, plus Camping Cheques, with the Caravan Club at www.caravanclub.co.uk. We took the P&O ferry route from Hull to Rotterdam and stayed with our family in Belgium before continuing through Luxembourg and France to Italy. Food and drink The campsite restaurant serves well-priced, simple, but tasty food. Very useful after a long day in Rome. Find out more Rome tourist information www.rome.info Rome travel guide www.fodors.com…

WHEN TO GO Portsmouth and Southampton are both busy cities, so any time of year would be good for a visit and the attractions mentioned here are open all year, so the choice is up to you! It’s a matter of finding a site that is receiving visitors during the low season. The annual Southampton Boat Show is from 16–25 September 2016 so, unless you love boats, Southampton is best avoided then. FOOD AND DRINK A wide range of places to eat out is to be found in nearby Wickham and many of the surrounding villages. There is an excellent book in the campsite’s Information office, which gives details of local pubs/menus and lots of useful comments from caravanners who have visited them. A fish-and-chips van visits the site at…

‘Find central sites with attractions just a walk or cycle away’ KEY The Petrol Prices website (www.petrolprices.com) is fantastic for finding the cheapest fuel in your area – simply enter your postcode and it’ll tell you where you can get the best deal at the pump. It’s free to sign up, and you can get a daily update of the cheapest prices in your area, too. Sarah Wakely How organised are you? If you carry two gas cylinders and don’t mind doing a bit of legwork, you can save around 20% on the cost of bottled LPG by opting for one of the less obvious suppliers. For example, FloGas charges around £16.50 for a refill of a 6kg propane cylinder, as opposed to £20.25 for a Calor LPG one. You…

Britain’s big guns set their sights on China IT’S HARD TO downplay the impact of Chinese manufacturing on everyday British life, because its workers make the goods and gadgets that glue together so many aspects of our lives. So it’s refreshing to hear that it’s not all one-way traffic between the People’s Republic and Blighty. China’s adoption of a market economy has resulted in the emergence of a middle class with disposable income and the time to spend it. So what could be a better way of enjoying this opportunity for recreation than exploring the outdoors in a caravan? Consider this: five years ago, there were scarcely 100 campsites in China (population: 1.376 billion). That figure grew to more than 500 at the end of 2015, and a further 1000…

Where tested Camping de la Fontaine, 49 rue Fontaine aux Pélerins, 35400 Saint Malo, France When tested March 2016 IF YOU’RE LOOKING for a head-turner on site, you could do worse than the Knaus Sport & Fun, just as long as you can live up to the credentials of its target market: people of action with a youthful outlook on life. It may be hard to believe, because the model is uncommon in the UK, but this brightly coloured sporty caravan has been around for nearly 20 years. Design Its raison d’être is that it has a vast amount of storage for carrying bicycles, surfboards and so on – therefore, sport and fun. A quick search of online ads reveals that some, with reinforced floors and roofs and uprated payloads,…

BEST ULTRALIGHT TOW CAR Suzuki Vitara 1.4 Boosterjet ALLGRIP S If you have a small trailer or micro-caravan to tow, you can’t go wrong with the Suzuki Vitara S. BEST PETROL TOW CAR Ford Mondeo Vignale 4dr 2.0 EcoBoost (240PS) Auto The Mondeo Vignale was one of the quickest cars in this year’s tests; it also has a high level of standard equipment. GREEN AWARD Kia Cee’d Sportswagon 1.6 CRDi 134bhp ‘2 ’ The Kia Cee’d achieved an impressive 31.6mpg. It’s also keenly priced and easy to live with. BEST MPV Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI 184PS SE Lux DSG The seven-seat Seat Alhambra proves just how well a big MPV can tow. It’s stable, quick and very practical.…

With a nearside-rear dinette as well as rear corner bunks, this layout has lots of space for the kids, while mum and dad relax in the lounge. The amidships kitchen is often short on work surface, but the side dinette provides extra space. The washroom, opposite the kitchen, is useful for nighttime visits, but there is not as much elbow room in the shower. Pros Children can take over the rear while their parents relax up front. The rear dinette offers a separate play space, and can usually be shut off from the rest of the van. Cons The washroom has limited space, and the kitchen is squeezed between the lounge and the main door. A This area may house a wardrobe or dresser unit B Fixed bunks are a…

Fixed twin beds towards the rear of the caravan are accompanied by a central kitchen and an end washroom, plus a lounge up front. This layout is great for couples who want to relax in the lounge without having to disassemble a bed every morning. You’ll usually find a curtain or screen separating the rear beds from the lounge. Pros The pair of single beds means the front double doesn’t always need to be made up. The washroom is often quite spacious. Cons The side kitchen may not have much space for preparing meals. The fixed single beds cannot be made up into a double. A Square showers are more roomy than circular versions B There’s often an external hatch to access under-bed storage C If there’s no wardrobe here,…