Indholdsfortegnelse for August 2021 i Practical Motorhome

Whether you’ve been touring for a while, or are new to our pastime, there’s always something to learn – and that’s exactly the thinking behind our new series of cut-out-and-keep Know-how guides. Over the next 12 months we’ll be bringing you handy guides on a selection of the hottest motorhome-related topics, giving you a comprehensive library to collect over the year. Each one is also available as a free digital download, so you can keep them saved on your device, allowing you to refer back to them whenever you need to. This issue, we kick things off at the beginning, by focusing on The Basics: you’ll find our special section – produced in association with myAutomate – on p99. Keep an eye out for our next fantastic Know-how guide in…

Our expert panel SARAH WAKELY Editor-in-chief sarah@practicalmotorhome.com PAUL CRITCHER Deputy editor paul.critcher@futurenet.com PETER BABER Reviews editor peter.baber@futurenet.com GENTLEMAN JACK Contributor askjack@practicalmotorhome.com CLAUDIA DOWELL Features/travel editor claudia.dowell@futurenet.com NICK HARDING Contributor practical.motorhome@futurenet.com DIAMOND DAVE Contributor practical.motorhome@futurenet.com WHICH HEADLIGHTS SHOULD I FIT ON MY FRENCH ’VAN? Q We have sourced a 2021 Rapido 686F from a French dealership, but the headlights need to be changed to UK specification. I would like to replace them as soon as I take possession of the motorhome and I have investigated various options on websites. However, several different types of lights appear to be available. Could you please explain which would be the correct ones for this vehicle – levelling motor, LED daytime running lights, clear, and so on? The pricing at a Fiat dealership is out…

With family celebrations, weekend breaks and our planned trip to Denmark all cancelled because of the pandemic, we set our sights on a destination closer to home. Inspired by writer, campervan owner and green activist Martin Dorey to Take the Slow Road and pause for thought to admire the glorious views, we settled on exploring the dramatic Scottish Highlands and Islands. As last summer’s holidays were approaching, the Scottish Government issued guidelines and legislation on social distancing, which gave more campsites the confidence to open to the public. Like us, others soon started to come to terms with 2020 staycations, and the sites and ferries began to book up, making it very clear that to avoid disappointment, we would need to plan our trip meticulously. But at last, there was…

Duration Three nights When September 2020 Why? All that the Lake District has to offer, without the crowds My love affair with the Lake District began back in the long, hot summer of 1976. I had just started work as a cub reporter and money was tight, but I managed to escape for a long weekend at Waterhead, on the northern tip of Lake Windermere. The area’s legendary lushness had been crisped to a cinder by months of blazing sunshine and the total lack of rain, but even so, I was bewitched by its beauty and the liberating feeling of being far removed from the cares of everyday life. Over the years, I’ve been back more times than I can remember, and I still feel a frisson of excitement every…

Sponsored by The A34 is a road of two halves. It started life back in 1922, as the route from Winchester to Oxford, and then in 1935, was extended north to Salford, via Birmingham, Stoke and Manchester. The southern section, linking Winchester to Oxford, is a fast intercity highway, upgraded over the years. The final upgrades were the Newbury Bypass in the 1990s and the M4 interchange, which allows the A34 to pass through as a free-flowing dual carriageway from the M3 to the M40. Heading north The present A34 gives way to motorways at the Bicester roundabout and is not seen again until it emerges at the Dorridge roundabout with the M42. From here, it heads north from Birmingham to Stafford, Newcastle-under-Lyme, then through Cheshire, going around Alderley Edge…

HIGHS • Extremely high spec for the price tag • Comfortable island bed • Excellent storage opportunities • Upgraded Peugeot Boxer engine • Bright and spacious lounge LOWS • Washroom is on the small side • Washroom door opens directly onto kitchen • Front bed is only a small double BUY IF… You want a well-specified British coachbuilt, but don’t want to spend a huge amount of cash. You’re also likely to appreciate the Majestic 150 most if you’re a couple touring alone, perhaps with the occasional visitor, and are happy to trade in a large washroom for the comfort of an island bed and the convenience of plenty of storage space. VERDICT Practical Motorhome’s Peter Baber tested the Elddis Autoquest 150 on which this vehicle is based a few…

IN ASSOCIATION WITH FORD NUGGET ➜ Price From £62,736 (as tested £65,826 with metallic paint, towbar, ICE Pack including DAB radio, Visibility Pack with rear-view camera) ➜ Berths 4 ➜ Belts 5 ➜ Base vehicle Ford Transit Custom ➜ Engine 2.0-litre 185PS EcoBlue ➜ L/W/H 4.97/1.97/2.07m ➜ MTPLM 3200kg ➜ Payload 961-1073kg ➜ Expenses None ➜ MPG 24.8 ➜ Previous reports N/A The people at Ford have been very patient. Thanks to the seemingly never-ending lockdowns, we had to postpone our booking to test the new Ford Nugget van conversion no fewer than three times. Still, such a long-drawn-out experience does rather mirror the arrival of the vehicle on these shores. The Nugget was originally unveiled by Westfalia at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf several years ago, but it took…

APRIL 2013 MISSED AN ISSUE? Want to buy a past issue of Practical Motorhome magazine? Simply call 0330 333 1113, visit www.magazinesdirect.com/single-issue/, or email help@magazinesdirect.com…

Festivals are back! Not all of them, but enough to promise a season of fun and music around the UK. We have a round-up of summer events on p72, while reader Susan Taylor shares her love of using her ’van at festivals on p66. With uncertainty still hanging over foreign travel, it’s time to settle into making the most of these beautiful British Isles. There are close to 19,500 miles of coastline, dozens of national parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and many gardens, castles and stately homes to explore – no end of opportunities to discover somewhere new or revisit an old favourite. Find inspiration in our travel stories by readers who have taken to Britain’s roads, including one who is new to touring (p36). There are plenty…

Duration Two weeks When September 2020 Why? Freedom and adventure of exploring on four wheels! It was about 7pm on a Thursday evening and I was just finishing some work in my study at home. As I happened to looked out of the window, a motorhome pulled up on our street and a couple with a small terrier got out. My wife, Liz, and I had a trip planned to drive to the Scottish Highlands – we had recently bought a new Mercedes AMG C63 car, and we thought it would be a great way to take in the sights. Initially, I didn’t think that much about the motorhome being parked outside; but as the couple wandered off down the road, it suddenly dawned on me – we should really…

Duration Eight days When September 2020 Why? Historic sights in the university town, great walking on the Norfolk coast It was great to be back on the road again, and our first post-lockdown tour last autumn made us appreciate our freedom more than ever. Never having had the slightest chance of an Oxbridge education in the dark ages of the 1970s, and living in South Wales, at a bit of a distance from Cambridge (if not Oxford), I have always had a hankering to visit the university towns. We ‘did’ Oxford back in September 2019 so then ventured to Cambridge between lockdowns, in September 2020. We decided to pair this visit with a holiday extension to the North Norfolk coast, another new destination for us. We booked two Camping and…

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Edging a win The lucky winner of Swift’s Win an Edge competition has picked up her new Swift Edge 476 Black Edition from Lowe & Rhodes Leisure in Cheshire. Catherine Lear won not only the new ’van with a 140bhp engine and Living Pack, but also a one-year membership of The Camping and Caravanning Club and 30 free nights of camping. Merton on tour This autumn, comedians Paul Merton and Suki Webster will feature in a six-part series for Channel 5, Motorhoming with Merton and Webster, which will see them take to the roads of Britain, meeting touring fans and testing new products. Roller Teams for hire A new hire firm has launched, focusing on family-sized Roller Team ’vans. Campervango, in York, has two ’vans in its fleet, with a…

Which motorhomes can I drive? Did you pass your driving test before 1 January 1997? ✔ You can drive a motorhome up to 7500kg on your B+C1 licence. When you reach 70, you must submit a medical form to renew your licence to continue driving a motorhome over 3500kg, and you will need to do this every three years. Did you pass your driving test after 1 January 1997? ✔ You can drive a motorhome up to 3500kg on your B [car] licence. To drive a motorhome heavier than 3500kg, you must take a C1 test. What’s the speed limit for motorhomes? In the UK, motorhomes with an unladen weight of more than 3050kg are restricted to the following speeds. Built-up areas: 30mph Single carriageways: 50mph Dual carriageways: 60mph Motorways:…

Many people shy away from finance (specialist loans or hire purchase) when buying a pre-owned motorhome. But if you do want that extra bit of help for your dream purchase, there are numerous financial companies that have arrangements in place with almost all of the UK’s top dealers. This ultimately gives you even more peace of mind. However you buy, key advice includes: ■ You’re best off paying any deposit (which should be kept to an agreed minimum) with your credit card. This gives you more rights, for example if the company you’re buying from goes out of business. ■ If you’re ready to buy, agree a reservation fee that’s refundable if the ’van proves faulty. ■ Take your time and carry out a full inspection of the vehicle at…

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/practicalmotorhome Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/pmotorhome for the latest news and events Email us your letters and photographs to talk@practicalmotorhome.com Write to us at 1-10 Praed Mews Paddington London W2 1QY letter of the month One of the things that I love most about our lifestyle is the general friendliness from everyone involved – whether it’s a cheery campsite owner or the person pitched up next to you onsite, people tend to be so welcoming to others. When we bought our first ’van 10 years ago, the ‘motorhome wave’ – where you’re given a hearty greeting by those in a motorhome travelling in the other direction – always tickled me; over the years, though, I’ve come to really enjoy making that brief bit of…

The Nightstop Scheme is run by us in conjunction with the Motor Caravanners’ Club (MCC), and the sites are certificated locations (CLs); you don’t have to join any club to use them. You’ll need to ring the relevant site to confirm whether there’s space for you before you visit: you’ll find information at www.practicalmotorhome.com/nightstops. For further information about the MCC, visit www.themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk. 1 Airman Hotel SG17 5JF 2 The Black Horse Pub HP16 9AX 3 The Seven Wives PE27 5RF 4 The Penrhiwgaled Arms SA44 6LN 5 Railway Hotel SA32 7LQ 6 Mousehole Camping TR19 6XB 7 Blenkinsopp Castle Inn CA8 7JS 8 The Thelbridge Cross Inn EX17 4SQ 9 The Ship Inn YO15 1EW 10 The Crown Inn GL7 5QH 11 Elton Farm GL14 1JU 12 The Gloucester Old…

June ■ Until 27 June May brought the hugely welcome return of the Brighton Festival, and now the Brighton Fringe Festival and Artists’ Open Houses are picking up the baton for June. The Fringe celebrates all things weird and wonderful, through an entertaining mix of cabaret, circus, theatre, literature, music and workshops (1), while visitors to the Artists’ Open Houses have the chance to buy paintings, sculptures, prints, photography, jewellery, textiles and ceramics directly from the artists over three weekends from 29 May. July ■ 2-4 July Jazz and soul fans are in for a feast of fantastic music at the Love Supreme Jazz Festival (2), which will be held at Glynde Place, near Lewes in East Sussex, within the beautiful South Downs National Park. The line-up includes TLC, the…

Duration Four nights When Autumn 2019 Why? Historic towns in spectacular locations We usually lay up our motorhome, Hilary, over the winter and as the year was moving toward its end, it was time to decide on a venue for our final trip of the year. It had been some time since we last visited the West Country, so we decided to go to Somerset, hopefully to photograph the autumn colours. We opted to stay at the adults-only Wells Touring Park, a really good decision. I had also intended to vote for it in Practical Motorhome’s Top 100 Sites awards, but sadly missed the deadline! We like to set up our home-from-home and tour using either car hire or local transport, and this time hired a vehicle from the KNW…

Duration Two nights When Spring 2021 Why? Getting back into the great outdoors With no boundaries other than those their little legs might enforce, Harrison and Dorothy ran free with wild abandon. Gone were the restraints of our garden fence, replaced by the glorious green pastures of Wales stretching as far as the eye could see, curtailed only by the peaks rising into sharp ridges, cutting through the clear blue sky. Before we knew it, they were ant-sized dots racing through the grasses, wheeling around and heading off towards who knows what, their joyous laughter carried back to us on the warm afternoon breeze. This was the freedom we had all been craving for so long. That the heart of the Brecon Beacons is only an hour from our front…

• WHO ARE YOU? We’re the Lyon family – we love touring, which is a brilliant way to enjoy the great outdoors. • HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE AREA? We have lived here for over 30 years, originally choosing the town for its proximity to our work in Colchester (5km), London and Stansted Airport, and its easy access to public transport. • WHY DO YOU LOVE IT? Wivenhoe, a small and tranquil riverside town of Saxon origin, was recorded as Wiivnhou in the Domesday Book of 1086. It has a long history of fishing and boat-building. The area offers a great choice of countryside walking trails, National Cycle Network routes (www.sustrans.org.uk) and scenic coastal footpaths. Nearby Essex University gives the town a buzz, with a mix of students, commuters…

It’s been a busy month for us here at Practical Motorhome HQ, as dealers have reopened after months with their doors firmly closed. We’ve been dashing about, visiting forecourts across the UK to see some of the latest 2021 models, including a visit to Marquis’s Surrey branch to review the new Majestic 150 (p82). While there, we took a first look around that branch’s new campervan showroom – it’s located inside what was previously the accessory shop, and very nice it is, too. It was great to see things busy at every dealership that we’ve been to this month; while at Marquis, we spotted a couple of families enjoying their new-vehicle handover, before driving off in their ’van, ready to enjoy a good season ahead. I, for one, am hopeful…

Do you carry a fire blanket? What about an extinguisher? If you do, where do you store them? The reason I ask is because I frequently see both items stowed in cupboards or seat lockers. But if you ever have occasion to use either one, you need to be able to get it quickly, not go scrabbling around trying to remember where it is and having to open cupboards or move seat cushions to reach it. If they are not readily available, your motorhome could be a burned-out wreck before you even get a chance to try to put out the fire – and worse still, if you’re spending precious time looking for the extinguisher, you could end up badly burned, too. A fire blanket should be surface-mounted within easy…