Table of contents for September 2024 in Practical Caravan

How do you feel about colourful caravans? It's a subject I've been thinking about this month, given that we have two reviews of tourers with bright graphics: Adria's new Alpina Colorado on p52, and the funky Eriba Touring 530 on p54. Both are Continental brands, but most British caravans have a more muted exterior colour scheme – so how do you feel about brightly coloured caravans? Would you buy one? I'd love to know – email me via sarah@practicalcaravan.com. Speaking of colourful caravans, we've been impressed by how former editor Nigel Donnelly has been updating his 1998 Bailey project van, Penny. This month he's tackling Penny's cocktail cabinet, and I think you'll agree that the outcome is amazing – turn to p92 to see the splendid result! sarah@practicalcaravan.com…

We asked you to share shots of your springtime touring… Star photo Our winning entry receives one of these beautifully illustrated maps from Awesome Maps – check out the amazing range at www.awesome-maps.com WIN ME! STAR PHOTO TAG US #PRACTICAL CARAVAN OR EMAIL LETTERS@PRACTICALCARAVAN.COM NEXT MONTH'S THEME… IN THE SUMMERTIME! Send us your best shots taken this summer for a chance to win an Awesome Map…

29-31 August 2024 Bournemouth Air Festival Head to the south coast to see spectacular aerial displays from the likes of the RAF Typhoon Display Team and the Red Devils Army Parachute Display Team, and a range of vessels on manoeuvres out in the bay. On land, the festival site, stretching 1.5 miles between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers, will host traders, Armed Forces villages, performances, fairs, and food and drink stalls. bournemouthair.co.uk Stay at South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park southlytchettmanor.co.uk 31 August - 1 September 2024 North East Dog Festival Visitors will be in pooch heaven at this celebration of all things canine at Kirkley Hall, Newcastle, where you can see trainers and clubs from across the country and learn about dog sports and activities. There's a wellness tipi, a…

GETAWAY TRAVEL ‘Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre tells the story of the Wars of the Roses and Richard III’ IT WAS A bright September day when we arrived at Fortway Farm Leisure & Fishery, near Leicester. We had a warm welcome, pitched up, and went out to make the most of the sunshine. The nearest village, Stoney Stanton, has a medieval church towering over a picturesque green. Nearby, the Stoney Cove Diveschool operates in an old quarry. You can take scuba diving lessons and explore the quarry, where a bus, a shipwreck and a plane are submerged below the waters. We watched the divers jumping in and swimming about. “Tempted?” I asked Suzy. She didn't seem very keen. For me, it was just too cold… perhaps another time. I've always fancied seeing…

Keep an eye out for big discounts! As the season draws on, sales will begin to slow and dealers who have been closely watching their stock levels know that they won't want to be carrying too much through the leaner months. Tourers at around the £18,000 mark have been reduced by £1000 or more. There are good discounts to be found on the price of some new models, too. One reader told me he recently sold his seven-year-old Bailey for just £2000 less than it cost new. The dealer gave him an excellent deal on a new Bailey model. You can be sure that won't be the last of the great bargains! practical.caravan@futurenet.com ANDY'S PICKS OF THE MONTH 1 Lightweight luxury 2020 Bailey Discovery D4 The D4 is the most popular…

Audi A4 (2015-present) The current Audi A4 might be getting on a bit, but it still makes a great tow car. For a start, it has a huge range of petrol and diesel engines, and it's available with two- or four-wheel drive. It also has one of the best interiors in the class, if not the best. It's superbly built, contains all the tech you're likely to need, and has an enormous boot. BMW 3-Series (2019-present) The BMW 3-Series is like that annoying kid in school who's good at everything. It's great to drive, roomy and efficient, has loads of tech, and looks good. We would advise going for the diesel 320d, but stay away from M Sport models, because these have a suspension set-up that's really just a little…

WITH THE KITCHEN looking considerably sharper as a result of its DIY-friendly makeover (issue 481), we decided to carry on with the cosmetic surgery, to make Penny's dated interior a bit more pleasant to be in. As we've said before, though, it is quite easy to ruin a caravan interior if you start slopping paint around without careful thought as to exactly what you want to achieve. Seeking inspiration Social media is chock full of inspiration on what to do to cheer up a caravan cabin, and there is plenty of applicable content from the worlds of boats, motorhomes and the ‘tiny house’ movement. But perhaps the best thing about trawling Instagram and YouTube for ideas is that you quickly establish what looks good, and what doesn't. Penny was not…

SKILLS SCHOOL DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY DRONE FILMING is big news on television right now. Almost every time you sit down to watch, there will be some great sequences showing buildings and places in a way we've never seen before. Many of us would love to try our hand at drone photography and filming when we're out on our caravan tours, but don't know where to begin. So here's our guide to getting started, along with some expert tips on what to watch out for and how to avoid the potential pitfalls. Choosing a suitable drone for your photos and filming Like most technology these days, drone and camera equipment is advancing by leaps and bounds, all the time. There would be nothing more frustrating than spending your hard-earned cash on a…

Sarah Wakely Editor sarah@practicalcaravan.com Paul Critcher Deputy editor paul.critcher@futurenet.com Peter Baber Reviews editor peter.baber@futurenet.com David Motton Tow car editor motty@practicalcaravan.com John Sootheran Consulting editor practical.caravan@futurenet.com Andrew Jenkinson Used-van contributor practical.caravan@futurenet.com Q WHICH CAR WOULD TOW MY CARAVAN? I'm thinking of changing my current tow car from a petrol to a plug-in hybrid. My budget is around £15,000, so I would imagine I need to shop for a used car. It needs to be capable of towing a 1350kg caravan. What would you recommend? Carl James David Motton replies… First of all, I would only consider a plug-in hybrid if you will be able to recharge it at home. If you don't have somewhere convenient to plug in the car and recharge it, a full hybrid, which you don't have to…

When to go We toured in August and the weather was stunning. It's well worth choosing a time of year when you can rely on good weather, as the coast isn't the same in the rain. Visit in spring or summer and you will see wildflowers everywhere. Food and drink The May Tree whitbreadinns.co.uk/en-gb/locations/the-may-tree Find out more Visit the Lizard visitcornwall.com The Marconi Centre marconi-centre-poldhu.org.uk Mullion Cove, Kynance Cove, Lizard Point nationaltrust.org.uk Church Cove, Cadgwith Cove, Kennack Sands, Coverack cornwall-beaches.co.uk Museum of Cornish Life museumofcornishlife.co.uk Cornish Seal Sanctuary sealsanctuary.sealifetrust.org Gunwalloe Church Cove nationaltrust.org.uk Loe Bar Beach visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/beaches/loe-bar-beach Where we stayed Skyburriowe Farm Caravan & Camping Site Garras, Helston TR12 6LR 01326 221 646 skyburriowefarm.co.uk Pitches 40 Open 18 May - 30 September Charges £27-£33 The campsite is on a working farm. The…

AutoTrader caravan and motorhome views rise Advert views for leisure vehicles on AutoTrader last month were 59% above the level for the same month five years ago, it has revealed. A survey of 2000 UK adults commissioned at the start of July by the company found that nearly a third (32%) were attracted by the idea of going on a caravan holiday, while a fifth are planning to go on one in the next year. Key motivators include the freedom such holidays bring, their cost-effectiveness, and wanting new experiences with friends and family. NCC calls for help with achieving net zero The new Government must give the industry enough time and resources to adapt to renewable technologies, include it more in continuing discussions about managing flood risk, and establish a…

OUT OF SIGHT, out of mind. So if your caravan roof hasn't been cleaned for a year or more, it's likely to be pretty filthy. Tree sap and bird droppings are two common contaminants that can actually damage the finish of your roof, while road grime and algae just make it look bad and can become ingrained in the paint or plastic surface. One thing's for sure, the longer you leave the dirt, the harder it will be to remove when you do get around to the task. The key to effective caravan roof cleaning is to take a planned approach. To watch this in action, I headed to Suffolk, to see Andrew E and his Adria Alpina Colorado, which was about to turn one year old, and was surely…

SKILLS SCHOOL SECURITY WE OFTEN GET requests from Practical Caravan readers for more information about staying safe while you are touring. What follows is an introduction to the subject, rather than a definitive guide. For clarity, we have identified three specific types of theft: ■ Theft from a caravan ■ Theft from a person while outside the tourer or away from where it is pitched ■ Theft of the van itself But first, a little perspective! Everything that we do in life carries associated risks, but most of these can be significantly minimised by changing our attitude and/or spending a few pounds. Pondering on those matters – and acting accordingly – will reduce the risk to an acceptable level for most of us. So plan ahead, be concerned and remain…

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/practicalcaravan Follow us on X at twitter.com/pcaravan for the latest news and events Email your letters and photos to letters@practicalcaravan.com Write to us at 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, Paddington, London W2 6JR * Star letter * My towing mirror tale I've been reading Peter Baber's article on towing mirrors (issue 474), and I'm a bit surprised there's no mention of car brand-specific towing mirrors. In my opinion, there doesn't really seem to be any such thing as a truly ‘universal mirror’. Many years ago, when looking for mirrors for my Vauxhall Vectra, everything said, “Make sure you get the right mirrors, many won't fit the new-style shape.” The car was four years old at the time! Those mirrors have recently been binned because the straps had…

JBL Clip 4 Bluetooth portable speaker This dinky speaker with integrated handlebar clip offers up to 10 hours of play and is rechargeable via USB-C. Price £59.99 Web uk.jbl.com Nebula Capsule 3 Produced by Anker and Google, this compact projector has built-in streaming apps, offering a crystal-clear 1080p picture on up to 150 inches of screen, and 400 ANSI lumens of brightness. Price £499.99 Web uk.seenebula.com Petromax Atago Gas Grill With a grill surface of 34cm, this space-saving gas barbecue is made entirely from stainless steel and features Piezo easy-ignition and folding legs. It weighs in at just 3.4kg. Price £194.95 Web berryuseful.co.uk OutIn Nano Portable Espresso Machine This compact coffeemaker with leak-proof cup makes espresso from ground coffee or pods at the press of a button. It is rechargeable…

Dog days of summer While we might complain about the weather (too hot, too wet… too whatever!) and the traffic and the prices, there's still something special about this time of year, when friends and families get together for picnics, walks and days out. That's pretty much the essence of a caravan holiday: the chance to get away from it all and enjoy what the country has to offer. You only have to look at the events page overleaf to see the variety of days out available. Canine owners, I'm sure, will be drawn to the North East Dog Festival, and fans of Bridgerton are likely to love the Jane Austen Festival in Bath. I hope you get the chance to check some of them out. We'd love to hear…

GETAWAY TRAVEL HAVING BEEN LUCKY enough to tour extensively in Europe and the UK over the past 30 years, it was inevitable that one day, we would return to an area we had visited many years ago. Recently, we did just that, staying at Sandringham Camping and Caravanning Club Site, not far from King's Lynn. Last time we were here, we attended an owners’ rally, also near this pretty market town. First port of call To get the best from a repeat stay, we find the trick is to search for more information about a destination and discover some new places to visit. Armed with a map of King's Lynn collected from the campsite, we drove the short distance into town and parked close to the South Quay. This proved a…

Caravan dealers under pressure It's always sad to see a caravan dealer having to call in the ‘men in grey suits’, especially when it's a dealership you know well. Broad Lane Leisure has been very helpful to this magazine, particularly when it came to loaning caravans for our tow car tests. I am sorry to see the company go (p50). Still, it seems the industry is responding to dealers feeling the pressure, as can be seen from Knaus Tabbert's decision to extend its factory holiday (p50). And AutoTrader's survey makes interesting reading (p50) – it seems there are plenty out there hoping to take the caravan plunge in the next few months. peter.baber@futurenet.com HOW WE TEST VANS Our review types explained In-depth test In our most detailed test, we spend…

Knaus Tabbert is aiming to launch a new brand before the end of the year, across its motorhomes, caravans and campervans. CEO Wolfgang Speck said it was too early to give any precise details about where the brand would be sitting in the new market, although the plan is for the name to be unveiled, along with some promotional videos, at this August's Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf. Dealer network Mr Speck added that the new brand was mainly designed to help the company expand beyond its dealer network. “Our dealers are selling on average 120 units a year, which is way more than our competitors, but that means they are probably full. So to grow more, we need to enlarge our dealership network,” he explained. The new brand would not…

Caravanners need cars that can tow You'd think that a new SUV would be approved to tow a reasonable weight. Yet the new Renault Symbioz has a maximum braked towing capacity of 750kg. That's a paltry 5kg more than the limit for an unbraked trailer. Then there's the new MINI Countryman, the largest car the brand has ever made. The heaviest and most powerful model can't tow, but the lightest and least powerful can. The new Countryman C has a 1700kg maximum towing figure, but MINI doesn't offer a towbar option on this version in the UK. Car makers, please remember, people with caravans, horseboxes and boat trailers need cars capable of towing! motty@practicalcaravan.com FIRST LOOK MG HS Price From £24,995 Kerbweight TBC 85% match TBC Max towing weight TBC MG HAS REVEALED…

Keeping your van in tiptop condition We've a packed technical section for you this issue, with projects to tackle this weekend (p90), all the information you need to know about caravan servicing (p84), advice on how to clean your van roof like a pro (p88) and more. We're also really pleased to bring you a guide to taking photos of your caravan by drone. We know that more and more PC readers like to take a drone along when they go on tour – if you're thinking of doing the same, take a look at p100. And if you've taken some fantastic drone shots, email them to us at letters@practicalcaravan.com – the best will appear in a future issue! practical.caravan@futurenet.com OUR TECH EXPERTS include (left to right) John Sootheran, Sammy…

WEEKEND WORKSHOP SKILLS SCHOOL DIY TASKS 1 HOW TO… ADJUST THE CATCHES ON EXTERIOR LOCKER DOORS Older caravans can continue to run in excellent condition, provided they are given the appropriate care and attention as and when required. My daughter owns an elderly van, which is a really excellent example of this – it's still going strong and she has no plans to replace it any time soon. Loose latches However, everyday wear and tear is inevitably going to cause the occasional problem. She has noticed recently that one of the exterior lockers has been failing to latch properly when closed and locked. This puts the door at risk of opening while she is out on the road. Inspection of the locker door revealed that long-term use had caused some wear…

Make sure it's legal The laws concerning drones are constantly changing. One of the most important things to do before you even take your drone out for the first test flight is to carry out some research and understand the basic laws regarding flying your drone in the UK. For starters, if your drone features a camera (unless it's a toy), you'll need to register it annually with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). If it weighs more than 250g, you'll also need to pass a test (actually, the test is recommended even if it weighs less than 250g). To find out more about this, visit the CAA website (caa.co.uk/drones). Check where you can fly There are limits to where you can fly, especially near people, airports and military bases, so…

OCTOBER 1984 Autumn leaves Covers were simpler affairs back in the 80s, with this candid shot of a caravan on site doing exactly what it says on the tin! This issue showcased seasonal breaks and posed the question: “Have you won this van?” Plus… wheel locks reviewed Peaky blinder Regular contributor Bob Musker's passions for exploration and walking were both satisfied on a tour through the Peak District taking in Buxton, Edale and Castleton, before finding himself on the Pennine Way Protect your van Keeping your caravan and its contents safe from thieves has been a perennial issue for caravanners. Here, we showed the steps required to properly alarm your van Caravan no-go Touring restrictions on the Isle of Man were in the news this month, along with announcement of…