Indholdsfortegnelse for June 2024 i Practical Caravan

One of the aspects of caravanning that we get asked about most is towing with an electric car. It really is the topic of the moment – with the ban on the sale of new fossil fuel-powered cars just 11 years away, it will affect all caravanners at some point. So is now the time to make the move to electric? In my experience, the charging network has improved a lot over the past 12 months. Banks of charging points are springing up all over the place – although there are still very few that offer the space required for plugging in while towing. Our Tow Car Editor Motty gets to grips with the subject on p76 of this issue, but I'd love to know what you think. Have you…

We asked you to share shots of your caravan interiors… 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! TAG US #PRACTICAL CARAVAN OR EMAIL LETTERS@PRACTICALCARAVAN.COM NEXT MONTH'S THEME… HOLIDAY FUN. Send us your best shots taken over the Spring break for a chance to win an Awesome Map…

Meeting up with your mates and other families is great fun and it's a genuine joy when you marry up your caravan adventures with social gatherings. But it is very important not to forget your manners. No matter how good a time you're having, remember the rules: ■ Respect the curfew If a campsite wants you to pipe down after 10pm, don't sit outside shouting, drinking and hollering. Respect other guests and keep the noise down. Awnings aren't soundproof so holding court in there doesn't cut it. If you want to carry on the party, head into your van, close the door and keep voices down. ■ Pay your way If someone in the group ends up feeling like they have paid for all the burgers, or never been offered…

When to go We visited Lincolnshire in July, when the weather was warm. It's on the coast, so summer is ideal to make the most of the beaches in the sunshine. Way to go We followed the A1(M) to Peterborough, then took the A1139 and the A16 to Boston. Skegness is on the A52 road out of Boston. Find out more North Sea Observatory visitlincolnshire.com Skegness Aquarium skegness-aquarium.uk Lincolnshire Wildlife Park lincswildlife.com Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve lincstrust.org.uk Gunby Hall, Woolsthorpe Manor, Belton House nationaltrust.org.uk Natureland Seal Sanctuary skegnessnatureland.co.uk Museum of Lincolnshire Life lincolnshire.gov.uk Lincoln Castle lincolncastle.com Lincoln Cathedral lincolncathedral.com RSPB Frampton Marsh rspb.org.uk ARK Wildlife Park arkwildlifepark.co.uk We'll Meet Again WWII Museum wma-ww2museum.co.uk Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Visitor Centre lincolnshire.gov.uk Where we stayed Skegness Sands CAMC Site Address Winthorpe…

LONG MAN OF WILMINGTON, EAST SUSSEX Standing guard on the beautiful South Downs, the Long Man of Wilmington lacks the surprise value of Cerne Abbas, but is no less imposing. Holding two staves like a pair of walking poles, the 70m-high figure seems to be preparing to stride out over the hillside and join the many hikers drawn to this part of the Downs. Incidentally, those walking poles were, according to 18th-century drawings, originally a rake and a scythe. As with other chalk figures, the Long Man's origin is unclear, with best guesses ranging from a Neolithic figure to mark the stars’ movement, to an early 18th-century folly. The area forms part of the South Downs Way, which you can pick up just north of Alfriston. Stay at Alfriston Camping…

Sad news for the caravan industry It's always upsetting to hear of a caravan dealership closing, and thus it was this month when we heard about the fall of Robinsons Caravan Group into administration (see right). Fortunately, two of its branches have been saved by buyouts, but the Chesterfield branch has shut, leading to the loss of 16 jobs. I also feel for those who were planning to buy from the branch, and who perhaps had found their dream tourer there – particularly those who might have been starting out on their caravanning experience. Let's hope it doesn't put them off. PETER peter.baber@futurenet.com Reviews editor PETER BABER is a hugely experienced caravanner who enjoys touring whenever he can HOW WE TEST VANS Our review types explained In-depth test In our…

Track down those budget bargains! Is the budget pre-owned tourer going to be in demand this year? Chatting to a used-van dealer recently, I learned that their usual price range (from £4000 to £17,000) had been shifting, and quality family caravans priced at £6000 to £12,000 were selling quickly. They also think that prices will stay firm for older models in good condition, which remain affordable even though family budgets are stretched. Could we perhaps see a few small, pre-owned sellers setting up? Possibly, but for the best consumer rights, the advice is to buy from a dealer, especially for older models. practical.caravan@futurenet.com ANDY JENKINSON is a caravan expert and historian – he loves pre-owned and classic tourers!…

Robert and Carol have four children between the ages of five and 14, so they are looking for a family caravan with bunk beds, preferably in a room that can be partitioned off, and a sizeable front lounge so everyone can eat together. Money is tight, so they don't want to spend more than they have to, but fortunately, they have acquired a van to tow with, so weight is less of an issue. Key facts Tow car kerbweight 1900kg Budget £13,000 1 2012 Swift Sprite Major 6 This workhorse of a caravan has been an on-and-off (currently off) presence in the Sprite line-up for decades now. It's easy to see why, because it provides six berths as well as a second dinette, while having enough room for a big…

Land Rover Discovery (2017-) One of the Defender's biggest rivals is another Land Rover. The Discovery is also a large SUV that is incredibly capable and comfortable on the road, and highly capable off it. In addition, the Disco has seven seats, and the two rearmost accommodate adults, which enhances practicality. It also has an enormous boot. Mercedes-Benz G-Class (1979-) The G-Class has been updated over the years, but the song remains the same. So it's massive (on the outside), heavy and a fine tow car. The driving experience feels like it's from a different era, with slow steering and stodgy handling, but the G-Class also feels unstoppable off road. Even used examples are on the pricey side. Toyota Land Cruiser (2010-2023) If you want a large tow car that…

SKILLS SCHOOL TYRES THEY ARE CALLED a ‘distress purchase’, something you have to spend your hard-earned on, but derive no joy from. True as that may be, those black rubber rings are crucial for our comfort and safety, and an incredible amount of science and technology goes into making them. Caravans use commercially rated tyres, which have much stronger sidewalls than standard car tyres. For example, car tyres are typically designed for inflation up to 45 psi, while commercial ones can be inflated to 65 psi. This makes caravan tyres costlier than equivalent standard tyres, but perhaps most distressing of all, they usually have to be thrown away long before they're worn out! Experts agree, car and caravan tyres have a lifespan of five to seven years, because their compounds…

Kerbweight As defined by EU Directive 95/48/EC (which still applies), the car or other vehicle's weight with a 90% full fuel tank, all necessary fluids, 68kg for the driver and 7kg of luggage. This is the figure that is used to calculate a tow car match GTW (Gross train weight) The maximum allowable combined weight of the towing vehicle and the caravan, as specified by the maker of the towing vehicle Hook-up Cable connection to the mains electrical supply at a campsite. Provides power to mains sockets and appliances Maximum towing limit The greatest weight that a car can legally tow, as specified by the manufacturer of the towing vehicle MiRO (Mass in running order) The caravan's weight, with all factory-fitted equipment, when it leaves the factory. MiRO replaces 'ex-works…

Caravan and Motorhome Club 01342 326 944 caravanclub.co.uk The Camping and Caravanning Club 024 7647 5448 campingandcara vanningclub.co.uk CRiS 020 3282 1000 www.cris.co.uk Approved Workshop Scheme www.approvedworkshops.co.uk NCC (National caravan Council) thencc.org.uk Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association CaSSOA) 0843 216 5802 www.cassoa.co.uk Towsafe towsafe.co.uk DVLA 0300 790 6801 www.gov.uk/dvla Mobile Caravan Engineers Association (MCEA) 01249 651 036 mobilecaravanengineers.co.uk For the very latest reviews and brilliant buying guides, visit the Practical Caravan website – you'll find us at www.practicalcaravan.com…

CONNECT GROUP TOURING The old saying tells us, ‘the years go fast but the days go slow’ and nowhere is that more apparent than when you're trying to catch up with friends and relatives. With 52 weekends in a year, it should be easy to align diaries, but fitting in caravan trips and catch-ups with mates can leave your calendar at breaking point. A great way to have more nights away in the van and catch up with your buddies is to do both at the same time. There are plenty of advantages to this. Nobody has the frantic tidying up and hassle of hosting at home, you can meet halfway if you are far-flung friends, and you get an extra trip out in the van. Even if those friends…

sarah@practicalcaravan.com paul.critcher@futurenet.com peter.baber@futurenet.com motty@practicalcaravan.com practical.caravan@futurenet.com practical.caravan@futurenet.com Q WHERE ARE THE TOP SPOTS ON BODMIN? We've been busy planning our tours for 2024, and one of the areas we're thinking of visiting is Bodmin Moor in Cornwall. Can you recommend places for caravanners to visit there? Carol Stevens Sarah Wakely replies… I have family living near Bodmin Moor, and I've spent a lot of time there over the years, visiting the many attractions. It's a beautiful place and one that I love visiting, no matter what the time of year, although it's at its most stunning during the summer. Bodmin Moor is just perfect for walking – especially if you own a dog. There's also a fascinating history of tin-mining in the area, and fragments of the industry's past can often…

Why we went A return visit, to explore the city and its attractions at a relatively quiet time of year, without the crowds. Way to go From Buckinghamshire, this was an easy two-hour journey down the M4 to J18 and the A46, which took us to the site. Note that the city operates a clean air zone (although the campsite lies outside it). We were exempt from this charge – you can check your vehicle here: gov.uk/clean-air-zones. Food and drink The Locksbrook Inn thelocksbrookinn.com Bath Pizza Co bathpizzaco.com Sally Lunn's sallylunns.co.uk The Boater boaterbath.co.uk The Bath Townhouse coppaclub.co.uk/the-bath-townhouse The Boathouse boathouse-bath.co.uk Find out more Visit Bath visitbath.co.uk Green Park Station greenparkstation.co.uk The Roman Baths romanbaths.co.uk Bath Abbey bathabbey.org Sham Castle discoverbath.co.uk/sham-castle The Pump Room thepumproombath.co.uk Prior Park Landscape Garden nationaltrust.org.uk…

David and Rebecca met at a triathlon. They like to take their bikes on tour, although the rides are not so strenuous these days. Their teenage son, Declan, is just getting into the sport. So they need to provide Declan with his own space, and to store their bicycles. They have a powerful tow car, although having splashed out on that, their budget for a caravan is only moderate. Key facts Tow car kerbweight 2080kg Budget £15,000 1 2014 Swift Challenger Sport 524 The end washroom and extra dinette in this caravan should be ideal for the family. It gives them enough space to store an extra bike in the middle of the van, right over the axle. That's in addition to any bikes they might have on a rack…

Summer touring is just perfect Sunny days, longer evenings – I always have high hopes for the summertime. The peak of the caravan season will be here before we know it. It has its downsides, of course, not least of which are busy roads and crowded campsites. But the perfect British summer's day is still hard to beat. I'm a fan of historic motor racing, and famous driver Roy Salvadori once said of the Sussex circuit: “Give me Goodwood on a summer's day and you can keep the rest.” For me, it doesn't have to be Goodwood. Give me anywhere in Britain with the sun on my face, a fine view and a cold beer, and I'm happy. motty@practicalcaravan.com Tow car editor DAVID MOTTON is a former PC editor, and…

CARS THAT ARE powered by electricity, wholly or in part, now account for more than a third of all new models sold in the UK. Electric vehicles of all kinds are firmly established in the motoring mainstream. If we discount mild hybrids (which don't use electricity to directly power the car), there are three main types of electrified car: hybrids (HEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). There are pros and cons to each type in everyday driving, as well as some advantages and disadvantages that are specific to towing. Caravanners don't tend to be the kind of people to change for change's sake, but as the technologies continue to mature, they offer improved performance, greater efficiency and longer range. So is now the time to switch to…

SKILLS SCHOOL BRAKES TOWING UP TO two tonnes of steel and glass fibre down the road at 60mph really isn't something to be done lightly. You'll need an appropriate tow car, preferably some training and a well-maintained tourer with excellent brakes. On today's often chaotically busy roads, having the ability to stop your outfit quickly and safely is more essential than ever, so it's crucial that you keep your caravan brakes in tip-top condition. Well-maintained brakes on your tow car and caravan will deliver effective deceleration in any emergency situation. Part of standard Tow Car of the Year testing is to do an emergency stop from 60mph, and without exception, the hundreds of outfits that I've assessed over the years have all remained under control and been brought to a…

Choosing a layout People's needs differ, and your layout choice will depend on your companions and how you want to use your caravan. To understand which layouts are available, spend a day at one of the big shows in Birmingham or Glasgow, where dealers and manufacturers show their latest models. A dealership is also a good place to start, but can be affiliated with a limited number of manufacturers. A chat with a dealer, though, could raise issues or offer ideas you hadn't considered. Think about your needs: will you want to carry bikes, sports kit, barbecues or outdoor furniture? Perhaps creature comforts are a bit higher on your list. You might want a separate sleeping area, a lounge with parallel sofas and TV points, and an oven. If you…

JUNE 1967 Way back when One of our earliest issues shows a caravanning couple enjoying the latest Sprite 400. Back then, camping was a touch more formal, all shirt sleeves and slacks! For the bargain price of 2s 6d, you were whisked away to the world of touring Euro travel This ‘Go-Abroad Guide’ gave caravanners a potted tour of Europe, and with currency prices favouring Brits, it was the time to go. France, Germany and Italy were among the hotspots… Light relief The new lightweight Sprite 400 was perfect for those with a small car (our tester towed it 400 miles behind his Minivan) and came in at an affordable £255. Our verdict was that it was “smart and stylish” and “splendid value” Post bag It's always fascinating to find…

Star letter Be on your guard I have recently returned to the UK with my caravan, via Caen ferry terminal, arriving at 4pm. After my experience, I would strongly advise other caravanners to be very vigilant and wary when making similar journeys. I left my caravan for an hour or so to go for a meal, but when I got back, I discovered the van had been broken into and three people were attempting to stow away on board. The gendarmerie were called and the people were arrested, while we had to go to the police station and provide a statement. It would appear they broke in through one of the windows. Two were easily located, but the third had hidden away under the front seat of the caravan. Please…

■ Gather groups together with care Not everyone gets on with everyone, so blend the group to get a good mix of people on the same page. You can have more than one group getaway! ■ Location really matters Make sure that everyone invited is fine with the destination. If someone has an epic journey compared to everyone else, they are more likely to bail out ■ Perfect pitches Book early to have the best chance of getting the right campsite/venue for your plans ■ Festival fans Travel in convoy if you want to be pitched up near your pals ■ Don't let money become a problem Use handy group payment apps, such as Splid and Settle Up, to make cash management straightforward…

PICK OF THE MONTH CAMPSTER II CHAIR The summer months on tour are all about lounging, whether that's on your pitch, on a picnic or on the beach. The only problem is hauling your favourite chair around with you. Meet the answer to that problem: Campster II. With a 21-stone weight capacity and stable foundation, the fold-out chair has an embracing seat with side pockets, in breathable, supportive material. It folds down to just 35cm and weighs 1.4kg, making it perfect for popping in your backpack. Optional add-ons include a seat warmer and a ground sheet. Price £89 Web sitpack.com…

Exciting times! As I write this, I can't help feeling a bit like an excitable puppy. The sight of sunshine on blossom-filled trees is a massive mood booster, as is the prospect of an upcoming touring adventure to the Channel Islands. Speaking of which, you can read all about these pretty islands in Janette Sykes’ trip report on p24… I can't wait to visit! Elsewhere in this issue we delve deep into the English countryside, with an inspiring tour around one of the UK's lesser-known counties, Lincolnshire (p36). We enjoy a spot of giant hunting in the shape of huge hillside chalk carvings (p44) and take in the wonderful house and gardens at Chatsworth, in Derbyshire (p40). Beautiful Bath, in the west country, is always a source of sustenance for…

Radio on In 1898, the world's first live radio transmission was made from Rathlin Island to Ballycastle. Commissioned by Lloyd's of London and carried out by Italian inventor and engineer Guglielmo Marconi (above), the first wireless communication reported on yacht races at the Kingstown Regatta. What's on May/June 2024 (TBC) Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival This seafront event honours the heritage and culture of Ballycastle's maritime history. The vibrant festival involves music, storytelling, artisan markets and more. rathlinsoundmaritimefestival.com 24-27 August 2024 Ould Lammas Fair Ballycastle hosts Northern Ireland's oldest fair each year, flooding the streets with entertainment and markets offering local produce and crafts. visitcausewaycoastandglens.com Where to eat Anzac Bar and Restaurant Snug pub with pool tables, serving hearty burgers, steak and mains along with a children's menu. facebook.com/AnzacRestaurant Thyme &…

Shirley and Ralph, both retired, live in Kent and love hopping across the Channel. But with ferry prices rising all the time, they want to trade down to a van under 6m long overall, to keep fares affordable. To fit in better at overseas sites, they hope to find a model with a door on the ‘Continental’ side, although this isn't a deal-breaker. They want to keep their large car, and have a reasonable budget. Key facts Tow car kerbweight 1955kg Budget £17,000 1 2017 Swift Basecamp 2 Plus A caravan designed for cyclists may not be the first thing the couple had in mind. But the Basecamp could suit them. It's short, to fit on the ferry relatively cheaply. It's light, and it gets around the ‘Continental’ side problem…

Maintaining essential safety Of all the technical items in your tourer, your tyres and brakes are probably the most important – after all, your tyres are the sole contact with the road, and keeping your brakes in fine fettle is vital. That's why, this issue, we've got a comprehensive guide to both, which you can find starting on p80. Also this month: we rely more and more on our online entertainment these days, so what's the best way to get connected? Our expert Peter Rosenthal has the answer (p92). With his help, you'll be able to go online whenever you want, wherever you are! practical.caravan@futurenet.com OUR TECH EXPERTS include (left to right) John Sootheran, Sammy Faircloth and Nigel Hutson UNDERSTANDING REVERSE POLARITY REVERSE POLARITY is when the live (brown) and…

SKILLS SCHOOL THE PENNY PROJECT IF YOU SQUINT hard enough, our late-1990s Bailey looks pretty much like a modern van. Not up close, of course, where the old-fashioned stripes, fluted aluminium sides and years of wear make it look old. The basic outline of a caravan has not changed much over the years. Inside, however, a lot has changed, reflecting the current taste for plainer interiors. Less pattern and colour, less fuss. New caravans tend to have larger lockers with flat doors, but most noticeably, they no longer feature heavy floral patterns on the upholstery. The interiors really date an old tourer and we were keen to try to cheer Penny up a bit. I've had a van reupholstered in the past, and the results were stunning – but they…