Table of contents for January 2020 in Practical Caravan

The eagle-eyed among you will notice our all-new look – we’ve introduced some new features and freshened up the overall appearance of the magazine. I hope you love it as much as we do, but this is your magazine, so let me know what you think – and if there’s anything else you’d like to see in these pages. As I type this, we at Practical Caravan HQ are gearing up for the festive season – there’s much talk about where we’re planning to go in the colder months, and what fantastic events to see. Don’t miss our special festive features this month; there’s even a guide to cooking your turkey! From everyone at the magazine, we wish you a very happy and peaceful caravanning Christmas. practicalcaravan@futurenet.com Editor-in-chief SARAH is…

n I read with interest John Sootheran’s article on packing your caravan fridge, in issue 420. It brought to mind a problem we had with our fridge while touring to Cornwall. The plastic shelving that slots into various positions inside the door started to break and fracture around the locating slots on the door shelf, which we had loaded with bottles of milk and wine. The manufacturer was very sympathetic and agreed to send us two replacements free of charge, but the problem continued to occur. Our solution now is to keep the door shelving free from heavy bottles. We store them flat in the fridge or in the coolbox, transferring them when we are on the pitch. Then, we can pop the cork and enjoy a glass of wine…

Sarah Wakely Editor sarah@ practicalcaravan.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 DO WE NEED A WARRANTY? QI am planning to buy my first caravan (which will be secondhand), but I’ve read various reports online about people getting home, only to find problems with their van. Presumably a warranty would help to cover this, so what should we be aware of before taking the buying plunge? I’m keen to get the best deal possible! Peter Hardcastle A Sarah Wakely answers… Before you do anything, it’s a good idea to enquire with the dealer about the type of warranty that’s available – for example, whether it’s…

DECEMBER › Until 29 February Far from shutting up shop for the winter, the Norfolk coast is definitely open for visitors, and we’re talking the winged variety here, as swans, geese and ducks from the north head for the county’s comparatively balmy climate. At WWT Welney Wetland Centre (www.wwt.org.uk/welney), you can watch floodlit swan feeds and spot hares. If you visit on a Saturday, try your hand at willow weaving. At RSPB Snettisham (https://bit.ly/2l0cX1i), see thousands of pink-footed geese flying to and from their overnight roosts. And from now until January, it’s the turn of the locals, as grey seals are giving birth to pups at Blakeney Point. Once the pups are born, the bulls’ minds again turn to procreation; witness the drama unfold on the beach by booking a…

JUST BECAUSE THE nights have drawn in and Jack Frost is now nipping at your extremities, there is no reason why your caravan should be laid up until the spring. Hebden There are some really delightful winter campsites, both in this country and abroad, which make hitching up and braving the elements well worth the effort. Our destination was Bruges, a fairy tale town full of joy and sparkle, tinsel and lights, and Christmas cheer all in one pretty parcel, just waiting to be unwrapped and savoured. Oh, and chocolate – there is a lot of chocolate! We live in North Devon, so the 270-mile trek to Dover is not an easy one. It requires running the gauntlet of the M25, which is not only incredibly busy, but is also…

Spending cherished family time in our caravan over Christmas is planned well in advance to avoid disappointment. Over the years, we have experienc ed all weathers and we always come fully equipped with an awning that doubles up as outside larder, drying-off area and outside kitchen, for roasting in our two Remoskas! We make the most of limited daylight hours, exploring our surroundings before snuggling down inside our cosy caravan to play games or watch a Christmas film. We keep the family traditions, with a craft evening and stockings hung for everyone. Our dog, Lucy, joins in the grand gift unwrapping. Caravan Christmas is more relaxed; the cooks can enjoy the whole day, there is no need for a large food shop and tidying is limited to one room. We’re…

Christmas cooking science tips for caravans 1 BRINE THE TURKEY  Before roasting, soak the turkey in salty water for at least 12 hours. The salt will change the protein structure within the bird’s muscle fibres, helping it to retain more moisture while cooking. 2 START UPSIDE DOWN  The turkey breast should be cooked at a lower temperature than the rest of the bird, so place it upside down in the oven for the first hour, to shield it from the hotter temperatures at the top. 3 CIRCULATE THE AIR  When cooking, place the turkey on a rack that sits inside the roasting tray. This will allow air to circulate evenly around the bird, giving it a crispy brown skin. 4 CHECK THE TEMPERATURE  When you think…

ON THE LOOKOUT for your next caravan? If so, we can help! Just like our travel stories, expert reviews and advice, we reckon that our online classifieds are the best in the business, featuring a host of caravans, both new and used – you’re sure to find the right one for you. If you’re looking for a new van, you can also read our expert reviews, making www.practicalcaravan.comthe one-stop shop for all your touring needs. We already 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 desktop or laptop computer. We’ve worked hard to make these classifieds as easy to use as possible, with filters…

I’ve worn away a fair bit of shoe leather over the past 30 years, looking around dealers’ forecourts, and in that time, I’ve seen hundreds of used tourers. During those years, there have been times when you’d find a glut of models on offer, and others when there was a real scarcity. Keeping a close eye on the market gives you an idea of what’s hot and what’s not. Now, if/when we leave the EU, I reckon more folk will want to stop here in the UK for their holidays; in which case, used tourers could become very popular indeed. We all know caravans are ideal for getting more value for your money! practical.caravan@futurenet.com ANDY JENKINSON is a caravan expert and historian – he loves pre-owned and classic tourers!…

Practical Caravan has a brand-new look, but we know how much caravanners enjoy reading about all things technical – so this month we’ve made our Skills School section bigger and better! It features all the advice from our expert technical team that we could cram in. We sent Consulting Editor John Sootheran on the road to find out how autolevelling systems are fitted. Next, Sammy Faircloth explains everything you need to know about caravan blinds. Nigel Hutson reveals all about caravan recycling and checking your gas level, while Tony Brown renovates a worn van step. practical.caravan@futurenet.com OUR TECH EXPERTS include (left to right) John Sootheran, Sammy Faircloth, Nigel Hutson and Tony Brown…

Pros + You can extend your caravanning lifestyle as age or health problems take their toll, by letting a levelling system take the strain + Levelling is precise on slopes up to 18% (Emove) + Fully automated systems also make emergency wheel-changing a much easier procedure, because they act as a jack + With the automated rams down, your tourer is much more secure and resistant to theft + Automated systems make it really simple to fit Al-Ko-style wheel locks + You’ll find yourself popping the wine cork much more quickly when you arrive on site! + You can avoid tyre degradation/ flatspotting by storing your van, long-term, with the tyres raised off the ground + Oversize corner-steady footplates are more stable base on soft ground + No more frustrating…

If spring-retracting blinds are left closed for a long spell, their manufacturers point out, this can weaken the spring. Accordingly, if you leave your caravan in storage for extended periods, their advice is to leave all of the blinds and fly screens in the retracted position. The good news is, this will improve the life of the springs… but uncovered windows attract snoopers, and your upholstery could also start to fade. If you have them, you could always draw the curtains, although these might start to fade as well. I have a full cover for my caravan when it’s in storage, which helps avoid problems with snoopers or fading.…

‘SFM’s Bradford site was almost full of caravans. One had become detached from its tow vehicle; another had been found on its side in a ditch’ ALTHOUGH WE ALL hope never to experience a major accident or the theft of our caravans, you can’t help but wonder what happens to those damaged or stolen/recovered vans that insurers write off. So I met Sean McGrath, founder of SFM Caravans in West Yorkshire, to find out. Back in 1990, Sean was working for an engineering company, selling medical instruments and machinery, but was looking for a new challenge. By chance, he bought a damaged caravan from an insurance company, which he repaired and sold on. One caravan became two, then three, and so on. In 1995, Sean bought his property near Bradford,…

OCTOBER 1983 Autumn 1983 and our readers were seeing red – at least on the cover. We promised a look at a trio of luxury tourers, a test of the Volkswagen Santana paired with a budget (£2849) Bailey, and ‘the only used van price guide available’ Sites to behold Writer Dave Rowlands took to North Yorkshire to hunt out five top sites. Among them were Burnt House (a “delightful port”, said Dave) and Grouse Hill Caravan Park (“one of the most beautiful sites we’ve visited”) – both of which are still in operation Our group opinion Six Practical Caravan readers joined us to give their opinion on a trio of comfortable tourers, all featuring an end kitchen and costing less than £5250. The Compass brand is still going, but the…

Regular contributors the Lyon family are big fans of Christmas in their caravan, choosing somewhere with wonderful walks for them and their dog, Lucy, but they are the first to admit that it takes planning (p37). Consulting editor John Sootheran agrees, and this issue suggests 12 ways to make Christmas in your van memorable (p38). Plus, we tell you how to cook the perfect turkey(p40)! If you find shopping for the festivities a chore, why not turn it into a tour, by visiting a Christmas market? Readers have done just that in medieval Bruges (p28) and Georgian Bath (p32). Happy Christmas! claudia.dowell@futurenet.com Features editor CLAUDIA DOWELL is our touring expert – she’s been caravanning for years, and loves to explore both far and wide!…

Ferry DFDS (Norfolkline) Dover Eastern Docks Dover, Kent CT16 1JA › 01304 874 000 › www.dfdsseaways.co.uk Total ferry cost (return) £198 Useful info The Old Chocolate House Mariastraat 1A, 8000 Brugge › www.old.chocolatehouse.be Brouwerij De Halve Maan Walplein 26, 8000 Brugge › www.halvemaan.be Canal boat ride €10 adult Carriage ride €50 for 30 minutes (max five people) Bus tickets €16 for 10 rides Return train to Ghent €8.60 Our outfit Car 2017 Hyundai Tucson Premium SE (4WD) Caravan 2011 Coachman Amara 380/2…

THE VERY BEST recipe for a fun and unforgettable Christmas Day is to start early on Christmas Eve! Simply take a large portion of family and friends, and marinade them liberally in sherry or port. The following day, stuff them with chocolate, walnuts and Prosecco, then stir vigorously with pre-gift-opening excitement and some festive music… all the time carefully adding more sherry to keep them pleasingly lubricated. Let them rest for 40 minutes, before finally warming them through in a cosy caravan. Garnish with paper hats. Yes, Christmas in a caravan is not only possible, it’s downright brilliant… if you plan in advance. My gran used to say: “Anticipation is half the pleasure,” and she was right, especially when it comes to Christmas. The key to any successful and fun…

Nobody in Britain had even seen a turkey, let alone eaten one, until the mid-15th century, when they were first brought over from the Ottoman Empire, now known as Turkey. King Henry VIII was the first monarch to demand the bird for his Christmas feast, but goose, boar’s head or pheasant were traditional Christmas dishes at the time. It wasn’t until the 1950s, when turkey was more widely available, that it became a tradition. It was seen as a practical way of feeding a large family and meant that livestock such as cows and chickens could be used for their milk and eggs instead.…

Towing always requires the driver’s full attention, but towing in winter has its own particular challenges – wet and wintry weather, the sun low in the sky, and slippery road surfaces, to name a few. In winter, especially in bad weather, it pays to leave more space between you and the vehicle in front, to allow for the increased stopping distance. And if really rough weather sets in, even the hardiest all-seasons caravanner might find it prudent to delay their journey. But at its best, winter can be one of the best times to go touring. The journeys can be a challenge, but quiet sites and crisp air make it worthwhile. motty@practicalcaravan.com Tow car editor DAVID MOTTON is a former PC editor, and has towed with more than 500 cars…

Further to readers’ letters on toilet rolls in issue 420… First, many campsites use septic tanks to deal with waste collection and I always understood this was the main reason to use the dedicated toilet paper. With regard to David Green’s letter about toilet rolls unravelling during travel: my wife came up with a foolproof solution to this problem some years ago (see photograph below) – the simple elastic band! It works every time, without fail.…

1 Visit England awarded South Lytchett Manor in Dorset (a previous overall winner in our Top 100 Sites Guide) a five-star rating recently. It was also given a gold award for its customer service and accommodation. 2 Visit Scotland has announced that a project to improve walking paths on the Eildon Hills, in the Scottish Borders, has now been completed. The increasing number of visitors there resulted in erosion; the paths have now been improved using natural materials, which the council hopes mean they remain sustainable. 3 Lonely Planet recently released its Ultimate United Kingdom Travelist, which features the best of the UK’s destinations. On the list was the glorious Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, described as “one of the best experiences, offering staggering beauty, adventure and a wonderful escape”.…

Candylab Camper This exquisitely made wooden toy trailer from Candylab is the perfect gift for anyone who can’t get enough of caravanning. You can get a classic American car to go with it, too! Price $30 Web www.candylab.toys Secret London: An Unusual Guide A trip to London doesn’t have to mean visiting the busy main attractions. This alternative guidebook will give you plenty of lesser-known places to explore. Price £12.99 Web www.jonglezpublishing.com Campervan gingerbread make-your-own-house kit Putting together this van-shaped gingerbread wonder is a great festive activity, whether you’re at home or in your caravan. Price £12.99 Web www.lakeland.co.uk VIOFO dash cam The latest dash cam from VIOFO, the A129 Pro Duo 4k, has clear night vision and uses Wi-Fi to enable quick data transfer, so you can watch the…

› M6 junctions 19-20 (Until 1 March 2020) Repairs to two bridges that go over the M6. Diversions in place. › M62 junctions 10-12 (Ongoing) Upgrading a 9.8-mile section to Smart Motorway. Completion scheduled for spring 2020. › M25 anticlockwise, junctions 17-16 (Until 20 December) Emergency barrier repairs. › M8 junction 4 (Until 9 December 2019) Essential concrete repairs, barrier replacement, carriageway resurfacing. Contraflows. › M18 Junctions 1-7 (Until 16 December) Resurfacing, plus new road markings, road studs and traffic tech.…

Black Horse Farm Caravan & Motorhome Club Site 385 Canterbury Road, Densole, Folkestone, Kent CT18 7BG › 01303 892 665 › www.caravanclub.co.uk Open All year Charges Pitch+2+hook-up £17.10-£33.10 Camping Memling Veltemweg 109, 8310 Bruges, Belgium › +32 50 35 58 45 › www.brugescamping.be Open All year Charges Pitch+2+hook-up €28-€36 Rhodeside (Caravan and Motorhome Club CL) Chapel Lane, Curridge, Newbury RG18 9DX › 01635 200 573/ 01635 201 767 › www.caravanclub.co.uk Open All year Charges Pitch+2+hook-up £18…

1 Christmas fantasy underground Experience a grotto with a difference at Clearwell Caves, where the story of Archie and the Unicorn will capture the children’s imaginations, while festive stalls and a subterranean café will keep the family feeling festive. Stay a few miles away at Bracelands Camping in the Forest site, which is open all year. › www.campingintheforest.co.uk 2 City of festivity Stay at York Rowntree Park Caravan and Motorhome Club Site to be within walking distance of the abundant Christmas festivities in York’s city centre, including St Nicholas Christmas Fair (which runs until 22 December), atmospheric services in York Minster and much more. › www.caravanclub.co.uk 3 Entertainment galore West Sussex’s Warner Farm, part of the Bunn Leisure group, is a great place to stay at Christmas, with a slap-up…

Who are you? Claudia Dowell, features editor of Practical Caravan and a keen caravanner for some 11 years. Why are you a local authority on Brighton and Hove? I lived there during my university years and beyond – 10 years in all. My daughter was born there and I have family there still. What do you love about it? It has just about everything within a fairly small area: vibrant city life, fantastic architecture, and a seafront that buzzes in the summer, but that locals can reclaim in the winter, all surrounded by the beautiful South Downs. It’s impossible to be bored. What’s your favourite place to visit in the area? The seafront has a great deal to offer. From Western Lawns, in Hove, to Brighton Marina, there are 4.5…

How smart are these motorways? I’ve been Reviews Editor of this magazine for a number of years now, but this is the first time I’ve written a monthly column in these pages. I thought I’d get the ball rolling by asking for your thoughts on one question that has been close to my heart this past month, and that is the new smart motorways. What was a hard shoulder has turned into a live lane, with intermittent ‘refuge areas’. After a scary episode with one of our caravans this month, I am not surprised MPs are complaining the refuges are too far apart. But I wonder what you think? Do you still feel safe towing on the inside lane on a smart motorway? Let me know! peter.baber@futurenet.com Reviews editor PETER…

Campbells ‘benefiting from restructure’ Campbells Caravans says it has benefited from closing its service and sales centre at Blackburn and relocating activity to its main Lostock Hall site, which is situated conveniently close to the motorway. In 2018, the company experienced a drop in turnover and dipped £750,000 into the red, partly because of the cost of redundancies. But director Daniel Campbell said: “Having everything under one roof allows us to focus more on what we offer customers.” The company remains a Lunar dealer, although it will not produce its Cosmos dealer specials this year – it might do so in 2021, it said. Teesside Caravans slumps The firm that owns Teesside Caravans has blamed a fall in turnover there for a sharp decrease in full-year profits for 2018. But…

Construction Al-Ko galvanised chassis with Euro Axle • 25mm aluminium sidewall construction with polystyrene insulation • 45mm sandwich construction floor with internal bracing for added strength • ABS front panel • 25mm sandwich construction roof • ABS rear panel • Heavy-duty rear corner steadies • 10-spoke Falcon alloy wheels External equipment Exterior-access battery box with mains hook-up inlet and satellite and aerial connections • External BBQ point • Rear nearside access locker • External mains socket Heating Alde wet central heating and hot water system with five-year anti-freeze warranty Lounge/bedroom Tindari wood colour scheme • Loose-lay carpets • Sprung construction upholstery • Two-tone cranked-style locker doors • LED lighting • Reading spotlights with touch control • TV station with mains/12V • Aerial and satellite sockets in front lounge • 12V…

Price £40,470 What Car? Target Price £34,491 Retained value after three years TBC Kerbweight 1760kg 85% of kerbweight 1496kg Gross vehicle weight 2260kg Max towing limit 1600kg Gross train weight 3920kg Towball limit 90kg Price of towball and electrics £930 (swivelling with electric release) Boot size min/max 483/1613 litres Payload 500kg Test conditions Dry Engine size 1395cc Power (bhp)/rpm 148@5000-6000rpm Torque (lb ft)/rpm 184@1550-2500rpm Official combined economy 180.8mpg Towing economy 29.5mpg CO2 emissions 39g/km First year car tax £10 Second year car tax £465 Insurance group 26E Euro NCAP protection rating…

How much? £5000-£11,500 A budget of around £3300 will net you one of the earlier ix35s, with the preferred diesel or less-favoured petrol engine, but the mileage is liable to be pretty high. It’s a bit of a step, but increase the money you spend to £6500 and you’ll end up with a younger car displaying a five-figure mileage. It’s likely to be in better condition, but the new-car warranty will have lapsed. However, if you have some £12,000 burning a hole, you can expect to get a high-spec, late-model car with a low mileage and some warranty intact. It’s also likely to be in good nick. What will it tow? Kerbweight 1679kg Towing limit 2000kg Noseweight limit 80kg 85% match 1427kg Towball prices? Witter flange towbar £163.80 Witter detachable…

CURTAINS AND BLINDS are installed in caravans for many reasons. Some keep out the light, some keep out heat from the sun, some help to retain heat in the winter and some simply prevent anyone from peeping inside. Let’s take a look at what is out there. Curtains Curtains can be found in almost all homes, and have therefore transferred quite naturally into our caravans. The interior design of a van, enhanced through the use of beautiful fabrics and suitable shades, offers a visually pleasing space and a personal ambience in which to enjoy the interior. They can be quite plush, and you’ll often find that silk-lined curtains are available to match the interior furnishings (1). Most caravan owners usually like to see curtains on all of the windows, and…

CARAVAN STEPS LEAD a hard life and need to be kept in good condition for safety reasons. Mine was beginning to lose the ribbed rubber surface on the leading edge of the steps, which is where they take the heaviest wear. Stepping up Better than rubber for this important safety point is anti-slip tape, which is like coarse sandpaper and is used quite extensively in the marine leisure industry. ‘Reflective tape is mainly decorative, but handy if you’re searching for the step on a dark night’ Some 25mm aluminium angle makes an ideal new step edge, and this is cut to length for each step. Neatly file and sand each end to a smooth finish. It is usually best to remove the rubber step surface from under the new angles…

‘You might only be able to carry one gas bottle. Apart from guesswork or waiting for the gas to run out, how can you check the amount that you have left?’ WE ARE PRETTY fortunate in that we carry two LPG bottles in the front of the caravan, so when one runs out, it’s a simple task to switch them over. However, for various reasons, you might only be able to have one gas bottle with you. That might be because of limited noseweight (adding a second bottle would make the caravan’s hitch too heavy), or it might simply be down to having enough space (as is the case, for example, in my parents’ motorhome, which only has room for one bottle). But apart from guesswork, or waiting for the…