Table of contents for Summer 2020 in Practical Caravan

Your caravan and tow car keys are among the most valuable possessions in your house – so why not keep them secure by storing them in a Vecta Personal Safe? It’s fitted with a key rack and valuables tray, and comes with a signal-blocking Faraday bag to help prevent relay-theft of cars with keyless ignition. It’s easy to use – just input your four-digit code – and has UK Police Secured by Design accreditation. The safe has also been Sold Secure tested by the Master Locksmiths Association. It is available from www.vectasafes.co.uk or locksmiths. Win your own Vecta Personal Safe worth £149! We have a Vecta Personal Safe, worth £149, to give away to one lucky reader! To enter, and see terms and conditions, go to practicalcaravan.com/competitions.…

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‘Businesses everywhere are having to adapt to social distancing, to minimise the risk of spreading the virus’ AS WE WENT to press, caravans all over the country have been basking in the summer sunshine and perhaps even gathering dust on driveways, in storage compounds and on sites, waiting for their owners to unlock their doors. Now they might not have so very long to wait. If the country can meet the five tests laid down by the UK Government for the road to recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, the hospitality industry can look with hope towards July as a possible date for resuming business – at least in England. This will be good news for campsites, desperate to claw back revenue lost during the best spring we’ve had for years,…

FOR MUCH LONGER than I care to, or can actually remember now, I have been craving space and the freedom to go somewhere, anywhere that isn’t home. Instead, I have found myself, along with the rest of the nation, confined behind the all-too-familiar walls of my house and my mind. At last, after many long weeks, it seems there’s light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel. With the restrictions on movement and our ability to travel to outdoor spaces now slowly starting to ease, and with a roadmap of how they will continue to do so being laid out, there is a rising sense of optimism that all of us might yet be able to get away on a trip or two during the summer.…

SOME TWO AND a half months after the lockdown was imposed, Britain’s caravan dealers were finally allowed to reopen again at the start of June. We caught up with all of our most recent Owner Satisfaction Survey winners to see how they have been faring – on the whole, it’s a reassuringly positive story. ■ Blackmore Vale Leisure › www.bmvleisure.co.uk This Knaus, Weinsberg and T@B dealership, in the heart of Thomas Hardy country near Shaftesbury, in Dorset, is providing gloves and masks to all customers who visit the premises. A new 2m social distancing rule is in place. Access to the indoor showroom is restricted, and Perspex screens have been installed at sales desks. The company is also increasing its cleaning and sanitation rota. ■ Broad Lane Leisure › www.broadlane.co.uk…

ADRIA ALTEA 492DT AIRE In a nutshell... Spacious and self-sufficient for social distancing Tested by Peter Baber Price £19,395 Berths 2 MiRO 1256kg Payload 164kg MTPLM 1420kg IT’S FUNNY HOW life can come and hit you at unexpected moments. The last time I tried out this caravan was straight after picking it up from Adria’s UK headquarters, in Sudbury, Suffolk. Then, I signed off my report by saying, “I’m looking forward to many trouble-free nights in this van.” That stay was in mid-January (14 to 16 January, to be exact). As we all know, many caravan parks remain open for the first two weeks of January, possibly to catch the last of any extended Christmas break. But the vast majority tend to shut for February and most of March, when,…

BAILEY LAUNCHED THE original Unicorn line-up following the production of its first Pegasus Alu-Tech models, back in 2010. The Unicorn quickly proved to be a big success and soon the pressure was on for the manufacturer to upgrade this popular range. However, when the Unicorn 2 was launched, it was slightly controversial. Its distinctive exterior, with that curvaceous lower front moulded panel and rear panel mouldings, was not to everybody’s taste. But the range still seemed to pull in plenty of buyers. Bailey was also very keen to upgrade the interior, which came to be the Unicorn’s main selling point. The line-up comprised six models for 2013, with five four-berths and a two-berth; two were twin-axles. All came provided with an excellent spec, including a TV with DVD player, and…

Price From £22,390 Kerbweight From 1357kg Towing limit 1500-1600kg 85% match From 1153kg THE NEW ŠKODA Octavia is due on sale this summer, promising a more upmarket interior, sharp new looks and updated technology. Three engine options will be available from launch; a 150hp 1.5-litre petrol, and 2.0-litre diesels with 115hp or 150hp. Later in the year, Škoda will add a 1.0-litre petrol, and introduce mild and plug-in hybrids. As before, the Octavia will be sold in hatchback and estate body styles. Luggage space has always been one of its strengths, especially in estate form, and the latest estate offers 640 litres of boot capacity with the rear seats upright. That’s a class-leading figure, and a 30-litre improvement on the previous generation. Kerbweights start from 1357kg for the 1.5 TSI…

CITROEN HAS LONG been renowned for doing things its own way, with a bit of Gallic flair and a highly commendable disregard for the ‘norm’. Well, at least it was until the late 1990s, when the company seemed to lose sight of what made it different, and decided instead to chase bigger sales. Thankfully, it began to plough its own furrow again in the mid-2000s. First of all came the gloriously idiosyncratic C6 executive car, in 2005, and then at the end of 2006, Citroën managed to blend the practical and the avant-garde in one package, with the seven-seat Grand C4 Picasso MPV ( A). This was followed just a couple of months later by the five-seat C4 Picasso, but it’s the seven-seater model that we focus on here (…

BUMPER PROTECTION PLATES used to be popular, but I suspect interference with rear parking sensors might have made them problematic for some drivers. And in theory, if we always stick to the rules when hitching and unhitching, there should be no contact between the caravan hitch and the back of the car. However, even after many years of experience, I find it difficult to guarantee I will not cause small scratches on the car over a period of time, and this could eventually affect its trade-in value. Make your own plate I wanted a bumper protection plate made of thicker metal, so rather than buying one, I decided to have my own made. I drew out a plan for the plate to be cut from 3mm stainless steel by my…

‘If your cash is stolen, this is unlikely to be covered by your travel insurance, and losing credit cards causes a lot of hassle’ ON HOLIDAY, YOU want to be able to devote all of your time to rest and relaxation, not worrying about the security of your cash and your kit. And what a disaster it could be, if you were to lose some or all of your portable valuables. It is, of course, best to leave your jewellery at home when you tour, but there are some things you simply can’t do without. Lose your passports and you will need to seek out a British embassy and pay £100 each for an emergency travel document. This is only valid for the one trip home – there will be…

How do I match my car and caravan? The most commonly asked question in caravanning is whether a certain car is appropriate for pulling a certain caravan. To answer this, you must know the kerbweight of your tow car (X), the legal towing limit of your tow car (Y) and the maximum technically permissible laden mass (MTPLM) of your caravan (Z). Car details are often found in the handbook, but if not, you can contact the car manufacturer. The weight of the caravan can usually be found on a chassis plate, by asking the seller or, if it is a new model, by checking the brochure. What can I legally tow? When did you pass your driving test? If it was before 1997 and you have no other restrictions on…

Coordinates 54°16’20”N 8°36’16”W Why were we there? Six years ago, Practical Caravan’s Kate Taylor and Claudia Dowell set out to pay a long overdue visit to regular Top 100 finalists Rushin House and Ballyness Caravan Park, a journey of 100 miles taking a direct route. Craving adventure, they decided to follow Ireland’s western coastline along the Wild Atlantic Way, beginning at Strandhill Caravan and Camping Park in Co Sligo Don’t miss… Catch some waves at Strandhill’s surfing beaches, visit Glencolmcille Folk Village and take in the outstanding views from the coastal mountain of Slieve League in Co Donegal Outfit Land Rover Discovery towing a Sterling Eccles Sport Photographer Phil Russell…

Just like campsites everywhere, Bagwell Farm Touring Park, on Dorset’s dramatic Jurassic Coast, had to close to visitors as we went into lockdown. Site manager Karen Kennedy got in touch to tell us what this meant to the campsite and what has been happening there. “It was heartbreaking, closing the site. Phoning and emailing all of our expected arrivals to ask them to stay home instead was surreal,” she says. It soon became clear to the team at Bagwell Farm that there were some people on local sites who had nowhere else to go – carers unable to live in their normal home, workers stranded between live-in jobs, touring full-timers – and needed their assistance. “With the help of our MP, emergency planning councillor and environmental health team, we managed…

Sitting comfortably We love this heated seat pad, with a rechargeable battery that lasts four hours. Price £22.50 Web www.worldofcamping.co.uk Puzzle picture Complete this colourful 1000-piece jigsaw, and you could even frame it when you’re done! Price £14 Web www.gibsonsgames.co.uk Time to tow Treat a youngster (or yourself) to this brilliantly detailed toy car and caravan. Price £8.50 Web www.johnlewis.com On the carpet Plastic rugs are perfect for setting up outside to minimise grass and mud inside your caravan. This one is 180 x 120cm. Price £29.99 Web amazon.co.uk Sitting comfortably, again Can’t face sitting on the ground at a picnic? You don’t have to with this self-inflating mat in rip-proof fabric, with its own bag. Price £7.99 Web mountainwarehouse.com Swimming in style Waterbabies will love this rainbow rash vest…

Ferry companies continue to operate throughout the Covid-19 crisis, providing a valuable service for freight and essential travel. Many passenger services, however, have been suspended and some have now gone altogether. All of the companies refer potential passengers to the Government travel advice at www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus. They all also assure that the strictest hygiene protocols are being observed and that because capacity has been reduced, it is easy to observe social distancing. Only two people at a time are allowed in lifts, for example, and disembarkation is being strictly staggered. At the time of writing, all passengers travelling between the UK and the EU must wear a face mask, on board and through EU ports. Those for France must produce a travel declaration (www.gov.uk/government/news/attestation-forms-for-travel-to-and-within-france) confirming their trip is essential. You can…

■ Driving The Wild Atlantic Way website offers plenty of handy tips on driving the route, which might be useful to you. › www.wildatlanticway.com/info-pages/ travel-tips ■ Roads The quality of the road surfaces can vary from smooth Tarmac to rough gravel, so you should take your time. The route passes mainly through rural areas, so you can expect to encounter farm machinery, cattle, sheep and working dogs. The Wild Atlantic Way really can’t be rushed, so don’t expect to cover more than 65km per hour. ■ Petrol/diesel Fuel stations are few and far between in rural areas, so fill up at any opportunity to avoid running out. Some outlets don’t accept credit cards. ■ Navigation You might want to invest in a sat nav that gives the best routes for…

A HULL MP is calling on the Government to extend business rates relief, granted to the leisure and tourism industry, to the caravan sector as manufacturers begin to open up after the lockdown. Hull West & Hessle MP Emma Hardy called an adjournment debate in the House of Commons in June to discuss the matter, and to ask for a “flexible, sector-based approach” to be adopted on ending the furlough scheme. She said, “While 2021 may see the caravan holiday become more popular, this does not address the severe economic difficulties the industry faces this year.” ‘Bright future for the industry if they can get through immediate problems’ The leaders of both Hull City Council and the East Riding of Yorkshire have also written to Chancellor Rishi Sunak to request…

1 BUCCANEER ARUBA This ex-display six-berth model is a generous eight feet wide, with a rear corner bed and corner washroom. It comes with a self-levelling system and a 40-litre on-board water tank. • Where Newport Caravans & Motorhomes, NP20 2DU • Was £34,995 • Now £31,995 • Saving £3000 2 ELDDIS AFFINITY 520 This ex-display tourer, an extended two-berth, is some 4.97m long on the inside, with a large rear washroom. It comes with Alde heating and ATC. • Where Newport Caravans & Motorhomes, NP20 2DU • Was £22,794 • Now £19,995 • Saving £2799 3 SWIFT ELEGANCE GRANDE 845 This 8ft-wide twin-axle would make a perfect seasonal pitch, with a transverse island bed and a large front lounge. There’s Alde heating to keep you warm, and this is a 2020 model, so you should still…

THERE ARE CRUCIAL choices and checks to make when you pick your next caravan. Take notes while you assess the van and use any repairs that are required to haggle on price. Before viewing, and even if you’re not intending to, ask the vendor if you can have the van checked by an AWS-approved technician. If they have anything to hide, they won’t get back to you to arrange your viewing. Trust your nose How does the caravan smell when you first step inside? If it smells damp or fusty, walk away or take extra time with your damp checks. Be wary of over-fragranced caravans, or ones with the door and windows all open when you arrive. If they're baking bread, just run! Curtain up Do all of the blinds…

FORD’S KUGA IS one of the most popular tow cars on the market today. The second generation built on the success of the first, with more space and practicality, although perhaps the design was a tad bland. Now, with the third generation, Ford has been considerably bolder. Not only is the new car more eye-catching, it’s also much more technologically advanced. Nowhere is that more evident than under the bonnet, with buyers able to choose mild and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions. Diesel versus hybrid In many ways, the PHEV looks like the pick of the range. For starters, it’s the heaviest model, with a kerbweight of 1773kg. It should prove a lively performer, too, thanks to a 115hp 2.5-litre petrol engine and 110hp of electric power. The electric motor is…

CARAVANS COME WITH a whole variety of external doors and lockers (garage, gas, toilet cassette and so on). Invariably, these will have some form of catch to keep them open while you are rummaging about inside. In most instances, these catches employ friction as the retaining medium. Some are assisted by springs (nylon or metal), but still have a friction action as the mainstay of their operation. I have an assortment of door catches spread around the outside of my caravan and they all have one thing in common – they’re not particularly brilliant to start with and their operation deteriorates over time, owing to frequent use and exposure to the elements. This project shows you how to make a magnetic catch, removing the reliance on friction. Magnetic external catches…

Typical British summer! It may have been June, but our cover stars were dressed for decidedly cooler weather! This issue included top tow cars and tourers, along with 32 pages of essential caravan information Cheap and cheerful A couple of budget caravans featured in our Two Van Test – Sprite’s Finesse and ABI’s Mode, which we described as models for families with panache. Both did well in our test, although the Mode ‘swayed in crosswinds’ Lakes superior This in-depth report on the Lake District National Park had something for everyone, from ‘strenuous walks’ to ‘leisurely sightseeing’. We picked out the most popular places to visit, including Grizedale Forest, Old Man of Coniston and Fell Foot Country Park Turkish delight A land full of ‘eastern promise’, this travel feature celebrated Turkey…

The Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival are highlights in the calendar for motorsport enthusiasts (and those who just love to dress up), but Goodwood Motorsport has had to take the sad decision to cancel this year’s events. The former is normally in July, while the latter was scheduled for September. Both attract thousands of visitors interested in vintage car races and markets. Tickets for either event can be rolled over for 2021, or refunded. And all is not lost – a ‘behind closed doors’ event is planned for the autumn. For further information, visit www.goodwood.com/motorsport/goodwood-revival. Dining out on the drive Having seen the great photos of staycations in last month’s issue of Practical Caravan (428), we decided to enjoy a Chippy Tea in our Xplore 554, on the driveway.…

A good sat nav is crucial when you’re towing, and there are some great caravan-specific units out there right now. One that’s new to the market is the Garmin Camper 890; it has a whopping eight-inch display that you can use in landscape or portrait mode. Custom routes for caravans will get you safely to your destination, while warnings alert you to sharp curves, and there’s a pre-loaded directory of campsites, as well as many other brilliant features. It costs £479.99; to find out more, visit www.garmin.com.…

Just suppose Jack Kerouac had set On The Road in Ireland – the Wild Atlantic Way is definitely the route they’d have taken. Weaving around the west coast, it clings to the outermost peninsulas, running the length of Ireland from Kinsale in the south to Muff in the north, along sheer coastal and mountain roads. Beyond the rolling Atlantic fog, around each bend in the road lie wonders to behold – distant sea-worn hills falling away into the ocean, historic watchtowers and heart-stopping sunsets. The road tears past uproarious village pubs and whale-filled bays, to the uppermost tip of Ireland, within sight of the Northern Lights. Just south-west of Cork, in the chocolate-box town of Kinsale, is the starting point of the Wild Atlantic Way, a 2500km (1550-mile) journey to…

COUNTY CORK Sextons Caravan and Camping Park R600 Timoleague to Clonakilty Road P72 WY61 › sextonscamping.com The Hideaway Camping & Caravan Park 10-14 Castletownshend Road, Carrigfadda, Skibbereen › www.camping-ireland.ie/parks/cork/hideaway-camping-caravan-park Barley Cove Holiday Park Crookhaven, Skibereen, Co Cork P81 X074 › barleycoveholidaypark.ie Eagle Point Camping Ballylickey, Bantry, West Cork › eaglepointcamping.com Eyeries Motorhome Park (1) Eyeries Village, Beara › COUNTY KERRY Killarney Flesk Caravan and Camping Park Flesk, Muckross Road, Killarney › www.killarneyfleskcamping.com Fossa Caravan & Camping Killarney Caravan & Camping, Fossa, Killarney, Co Kerry › www.fossacampingkillarney.com Fleming’s White Bridge Killarney Holiday Park White Bridge, Ballycasheen Road, Killarney V93 HW56 › killarneycamping.com Mannix Point Camping & Caravan Park Cahirciveen, Ring of Kerry Coast › campinginkerry.com Glenross Caravan and Camping Park (2) Ring of Kerry, Curraheen Little, Co Kerry › www.caravanclub.co.uk Glenbeg…

‘Customers say that they come to our stand because they want to see something different – the products are modern and contemporary and appeal to people who value design’ › Tell us about your current role – what do you do? I’m the managing director of Adria UK, a subsidiary of Adria Mobil in Slovenia. We run all operations from here in the UK – we define how the products should look for the UK market and brief the manufacturers in Slovenia. It’s up to us to find out what the UK customer wants. We then bring the vehicles over and they go direct to dealers. Everything is run through our base in Sudbury, in Suffolk, where we also have a warehouse for parts, so there are no problems with…

GOOD OLD TECHNOLOGY. Just about everything we used to do manually can now be done automatically or digitally. Digital spirit levels on a smartphone are a great example for caravanners, because it’s unlikely that you’ll ever be without your mobile! As well as levelling in all directions, some of these apps come with a sound alert, so you don’t need a second person in the van to tell you it’s level, and you definitely don’t have to run in and out checking the bubble when you’re on your own. The phone will beep rhythmically, getting faster as you get nearer to level, usually emitting a constant tone once you’re there. Genius! There are dozens of apps to choose from. Here’s how you download them. CHOOSE AN APP 1 Fire up…

1 Compass points The Coronas were entry-level models from Compass, and the 382 was a great end-kitchen tourer, ideal for couples. It came well equipped for its time, and at less than £12,000 this one would make a choice upgrade. Condition was superb, inside and out, and it’s an excellent buy. › www.westfieldcaravans.co.uk 2 Bright Venus In its time, the Venus was one of the best entry-level tourers on the market; pre-owned, they make a super buy. The 580 could sleep up to six, with rear fixed bunks. Good kit levels and the modern interior were selling points. For less than £12,000 it provides a lot of caravan for its price tag. › www.westfieldcaravans.co.uk 3 Abbey road This dealer special may be 18 years old, but it…

COMBINING THE PRACTICALITY of a hatchback with the chunky looks and lofty driving position of a 4x4, crossovers are now hugely popular. Some models are close to being true SUVs, and are available with four-wheel drive. Others are content simply to borrow styling cues from a 4x4, but with no pretensions towards off-road ability. Used examples can make affordable and capable tow cars. NISSAN QASHQAI Our favourite 1.6 dCi Stop/Start System Acenta Premium Approx price £8290 (14-plate, 50,000 miles) Kerbweight 1494kg 85% match figure 1270kg Legal towing limit 100kg Just one crossover has won the overall title at the Tow Car Awards – the Nissan Qashqai, which took the top spot in 2014. “It didn’t take long behind the wheel to discover the Qashqai has what it takes as a…

We know from letters and emails that we’ve received that a lot of you have been busy tackling DIY jobs on your van over the past few months - taking the opportunity that lockdown has afforded to upgrade your caravan, or simply finish those niggly tasks that you hadn’t got around to doing pre-coronavirus. We’ve a few more projects for you to get to grips with this issue – including a neat way of keeping your valuables safe – but we’d love to hear what you’ve been up to during lockdown. Share your DIY hints and tips via the email address below, and they might appear in the magazine! practical.caravan@futurenet.com OUR TECH EXPERTS include (left to right) John Sootheran, Sammy Faircloth, Nigel Hutson and Tony Brown…

CROCKERY IS OFTEN kept in a top cupboard in the caravan kitchen, where manufacturers provide plastic-covered wire racks for this purpose. Unfortunately, plate racks are often fitted in cupboards facing in the direction of travel, and have doors that come with non-positive catches. In the event of an emergency stop, all of your plates might land on the floor in a heap of fragments. Even if not placed in this direction, wire racks usually waste a great deal of the available space. Wire cupholders In our caravan, I did think the original wire cupholders looked promising, but when I reached my destination, I found the top cup had been jumping up and down on the one stored below, with quite disastrous results. A much better system would be to remove…

LITHIUM BATTERIES ARE gradually coming down in price as more and more names appear on the market. But what are they? Why are they so expensive? And what advantages do they offer? What do we need to look for when replacing lead-acid batteries with a lithium alternative? Lead vs lithium Look at any conventional 100Ah lead-acid battery – it’s just a pile of chemicals, lead, sulphuric acid and so on in a plastic box. To be precise, it is six boxes connected in series (that is, side by side), as each nominal 12V battery has six cells, each delivering a nominal 2V. Lead-acid batteries have a finite life, and the advice from many quarters is not to discharge your battery below 50% of its rated capacity, to achieve a reasonable…

CARAVANS FOR SALE Coachman Pastiche 460/2, 2010, VGC, two-berth, end washroom, blown-air heating, gas, electric, water heater, motor mover new last year, £8500 ono (01561 377404) 2010 Bailey Pegasus 462/2 FSH mover, Al-Ko wheel lock, ATC, end washroom, awning, Aquarolls, service pitch kit, many extras. Ready to go, excellent condition, £8500. Nuneaton (07736 610 273) Swift Challenger 560 GTS 2017, Special Edition. Single axle, motor mover. Alde heating, island bed, central bathroom. No pets, children, smokers. Fully serviced, exc cond. £17,500. Brecon (07976 603 651) 2014 Coachman Pastiche 565/4, excellent condition, no pets, children, smokers, mover, body coating, many extras, service history, covered when not in use. Sale due to ill health, £14,250 (07947 803273) Avondale 380/2 2005, two-berth, new tyres, mover, full awning, television, water, waste, gas bottles, non-smokers,…