Indholdsfortegnelse for February 2018 i Practical Caravan

 Where are we? Basingstoke Canal campsite ‘For most caravanners, choosing a diesel car was the obvious choice. But is now the time to switch from diesel to petrol power, or even consider a hybrid?’David Motton What’s going on? Given the growing interest in alternatives to diesel tow cars, and the increased amount of letters we receive on the subject, we decided it was time to put petrol and diesel versions of the same car through a tow test. Turn to page 80 for David Motton’s report on alternatives to diesel, and to page 83 to find out which car aced the test. Which outfit? The VW Tiguan SEL 2.0 TSI 4MOTION and the VW Tiguan SEL DSG 2.0 TDI 4MOTION were towing a 2010 Elddis Odyssey 540…

WRITE TO Letters, Practical Caravan, 69 London Road, Twickenham TW1 3SP EMAIL US AT letters@practicalcaravan.com JOIN OUR COMMUNITY AT practicalcaravan.com/forum facebook.com/ practicalcaravan twitter.com/ pcaravan instagram.com/ practicalcaravan The contributors of our Star letter and Star photo each win a pair of Milenco Grand Aero towing mirrors, worth £50. They’re designed to fit all wing mirrors and offer an outstanding view. If you have a top tip, send it in for a chance to win four Milenco Stacka corner feet, worth £14. For further details and a list of retailers, visit www.milenco.com…

Keep rolling on Web www.halfords.co.uk Price £7 A flat tyre can be very stressful and could put the brakes on what might otherwise be a smooth trip, but Tyreweld is a new product that could mean a puncture doesn’t have to ruin your holiday. It is by no means a final fix, but can avoid the danger and difficulty of having to change to your spare wheel at the side of the road. This quick-acting foam will seal the puncture long enough for you to get to the nearest garage for a full repair. Simply attach Tyreweld to the valve on your afflicted tyre and switch it on; the foam will fill your tyre in 90 seconds. You’ll need to drive for a bit so the foam goes around…

GLAMPING IS VERY much in vogue these days, with many places offering the chance to indulge in a more luxurious experience in the great outdoors. From tipis to yurts, camping pods to chalets, many holiday parks have widened their horizons to meet the demand of the more discerning traveller. Our family Sprite is no stranger to what I call ‘glamourvanning’ and is a regular at music festivals and sites with a vintage and boutique style. One such place can be found right in the heart of Northumberland near Hadrian’s Wall. Herding Hill Farm, just north of Haltwhistle, is a positive mecca for cool campers of all ages. From the stylish Retreat Lodge complete with private hot tub, to wigwams and Lotus Belle Tents, glamping is high on the agenda. Traditional…

1 Shropshire With its many neighbours and close connections to Wales, this region is packed with fascinating history and great sites from which to explore Oxon Hall Touring Park Great for… Visiting the county town with all of its history, charm and shopping Address Welshpool Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY3 5FB Tel 01743 340 868 Web www.morris-leisure.co.uk/caravan-parks/ oxon-hall-shrewsbury Open All year Pets welcome? Yes Touring pitches 112 Tariff (pitch+2+hook-up) £28.80-£31.90 Brow Farm Campsite Great for… Walkers and those interested in flora and fauna, who are looking for simple facilities and spending time in the countryside Address Ratlinghope, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY5 0SR Tel 01588 650 641 Web www.browfarmcampsite.co.uk Open All year Pets welcome? Yes Touring pitches 11 Tariff (pitch+2+hook-up) £14.50 Foxholes Castle Camping Great for… The peace of mind that…

NEC show offers added attractions An ice rink is among the new attractions at the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show, which runs from 20 to 25 February at the NEC. The show, where over 370 brands will be exhibiting, also includes a Holiday Park Experience, and a free assault course and climbing wall. You can try your hand at towing, listen to a line-up of expert speakers and watch all the fun at the Top Dog Arena. Facebook’s role in returning van Cambridgeshire police have justified their decision not to enter a Travellers’ site where a woman spotted her stolen Hobby Excellent caravan after hiring a microlight to fly over the site. A police spokesperson said there was “insufficient information” for officers to be able to get a search warrant.…

Chassis Al-Ko single-axle, galvanised steel chassis with AKS stabiliser and shock absorber, standard corner steadies, alloy wheels with larger wheel trims and spare wheel with holder Construction 40mm-thick sandwich floor with 29mm-thick Styropor insulation, 24mm-thick scratch-resistant polyester walls with 20mm insulation and ABS sidewall spoilers, 23.8mm-thick hail-resistant polyester roof with 20mm insulation, two-part entrance door with window, flyscreen and interior moulded liner, double-glazed windows with cassette blinds and flyscreens, 70 x 50cm Midi Heki rooflight External equipment Lit front locker, LED awning light, exterior access battery box with electrical and TV/satellite aerial socket, gas bottle (x 2) storage with bulkhead-mounted regulation valve, external inlet to 50-litre fresh water tank Heating Truma 3004 heater with Ultraheat electric heating and Trumavent ducting, Truma BN14 gas and electric boiler Lounge/bedroom Parallel facing settees…

“The first step is to decide which type of towbar will best suit your requirements, as there are quite a few styles on the market” THERE WAS A time when fitting a towbar was a relatively simple task, but modern cars are now more sophisticated, with ABS brakes, parking sensors, bulb monitoring devices, trailer control units and trailer stability programmes, and so on. When buying a new vehicle, it is possible to get the franchised car specialist to supply and fit a towbar, although this option can sometimes be surprisingly expensive. Alternatively, look for independent manufacturers, such as Westfalia UK Ltd, Witter Towbars or Tow Trust Towbars, to name but a few. Which towbar? The first step is to decide which type of towbar will best suit your needs –…

TA Twin-axle ✪ Practical Caravan top pick Layout finder K Featuring a full-width rear washroom and a pair of twin sofas that make up into a double bed up front, this layout is ideal for couples on tour. The washroom is usually spacious enough to also serve as a dressing room, while the kitchen is very often a really good size – ideal if you enjoy cooking up a storm while you’re away. You might get the option of additional seating in lieu of a chest of drawers between the lounge sofas. Pros This layout allows for a roomy washroom and kitchen even in more compact vans Cons Occupants need to make up the bed each night, leaving nowhere for anyone still up to lounge A Storage is limited, but…

 AHHH, THE DAWN of another new year. ‘Is it just me, or is anticipation of a holiday sometimes better than the holiday itself?’ It’s that time when one of the true traditions of the season kicks off – the gathering together of brochures, articles, guide books and research notes. Yippeeee… Let the holiday planning commence! However, herein also commences one of life’s great emotional conundrums. Is it just me, or is the anticipation of a holiday sometimes better than the holiday itself? The thing is, once you actually start your holiday, you’ve got nothing to look forward to, other than the holiday itself. Sadly, this is a scenario that can have a detrimental effect on your general mood, and in a very complicated way, be the downfall of the very…

Join a caravan to Morocco IF YOU THOUGHT that touring in far-flung places was the domain of only the most intrepid caravanners, think again. A new tour company is specialising in tours for caravans in Morocco – come February, you could be shopping in a Marrakech market, visiting Morocco’s highest waterfall, taking a trip through the Atlas Mountains, or riding a camel over the huge Erg Chebbi dunes to watch the sun go down. To find out more, visit www.moroccocaravantours.co.uk, but hurry, the first 22-day tour starts on 14 February and this caravan of caravans has space for just six tourers. Switching to adults-only Suffolk’s Run Cottage Touring Park, a regular finalist in our Top 100 Sites Guide, is switching to an adults-only campsite from 1 January 2018. The family-run…

1 Portchester Castle Built in the third century AD, the Roman fort (then palace and prison) overlooks Portsmouth Harbour. Web www. englishheritage.org.uk Stay at Rookesbury Park Caravan and Motorhome Club Site Web www.caravanclub.co.uk 2 Bignor Roman Villa Set in West Sussex on the South Downs, visit Bignor for the stunning mosaic floors and hands-on activities for children. Web www.bignor romanvilla.co.uk Stay at Graffham CCC Web www.campingand  caravanningclub.co.uk 3 Verulamium, St Albans Get to grips with everyday life in recreated rooms, and see fine mosaics in the museum. Web stalbansmuseums. org.uk/verulamium Stay at Town Farm Campsite Web www.townfarmcamping.co.uk 4 Colchester Castle The castle stands on the footings of a Roman temple. The castle…

Shropshire ■ WHEATHILL TOURING PARK Web www.wheathillpark.co.uk ■ FARDEN LANE PARK Web www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk ■ WESTLEY HOUSE FARM (pictured above) Web www.westleyhousefarm.co.uk ■ BRUNETTE COTTAGE CARAVAN PARK Web www.caravanclub.co.uk Dorset ■ HIGHLANDS END HOLIDAY PARK Web www.highlandsendholidaypark.co.uk ■ ULWELL COTTAGE CARAVAN PARK Web www.ulwellcottagepark.co.uk ■ MERLEY COURT HOLIDAY PARK Web www.shorefield.co.uk ■ OSMINGTON HILL FARM CAMPSITE Web www.osmingtonhillfarm.co.uk ■ WOOLSBRIDGE MANOR FARM Web woolsbridgemanorcaravanpark.co.uk Suffolk ■ KESSINGLAND C&CC SITE (pictured above) Web www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk ■ HEATHLAND BEACH HOLIDAY PARK Web www.heathlandbeach.co.uk ■ DAN’S MEADOW Web www.dansmeadow.com ■ EEL’S FOOT INN Web www.theeelsfootinn.co.uk Devon ■ HALLSDOWN FARM TOURING PARK Web www.hallsdowntouring.weebly.com ■ COFTON COUNTRY HOLIDAYS Web www.coftonholidays.co.uk ■ STEAMER QUAY C&MC SITE Web www.caravanclub.co.uk ■ LADRAM BAY HOLIDAY PARK Web www.ladrambay.co.uk Oxfordshire ■ BLADON CHAINS C&MC SITE Web www.caravanclub.co.uk ■ BARNSTONES C&CC SITE…

‘Is now the time to switch from diesel to petrol power, or perhaps consider a hybrid?’ FOR MOST CARAVANNERS, choosing between petrol and diesel used to be quite straightforward. For its fuel economy and pulling power, diesel was the obvious choice. Things aren’t so simple now. The VW ‘dieselgate’ scandal shone a light on diesel emissions, and diesel has been blamed for poor air quality in many urban areas. Plans to charge diesel drivers more to drive into some towns and cities have also hit the headlines. Sales have dropped as a result. To the end of October 2017, diesel cars accounted for 42.5% of all cars sold, down from 47.7% over the same period last year. So is now the time to switch from diesel to petrol power, or…

How much? £8500-£36,000 Early cars often have mileages of 120,000 miles and beyond. Still, they wear their miles well, and are available from just £8500 so could still be worth a look if it’s in good condition. A budget of around £14,000 will net you a 2012-2014 car, and it’ll most likely be well cared for with low miles and a full main dealer service history. If you can spend more than £20,000 you’ll be getting a 2015-onwards Audi-approved car with some warranty remaining and less than 30,000 on the odometer. What will it tow? Kerbweight........................... 1785kg Towing limit......................... 1800kg Noseweight limit....................80kg 85% match........................... 1440kg (For 2012 Audi Q3 2.0 TDI 170) How much is a towball? Witter flange towbar.......£126.90 Witter detachable towbar............ £203.58 Fitting extra (From www.pfjones.co.uk) What about…

MANY NEW CARAVANS are fitted with a services light, which is basically an awning light on the offside to illuminate the various water connections and battery box/mains inlet locker areas. If you use well-lit sites, then in the main, you might not find one too useful, and your first thought might be: “What’s the point?” But if you stay on Certificated Locations or Certificated Sites, or sites that aren’t well lit, you might find a services light handy. Even sites that are all singing, all dancing can have dark areas, especially if pitches are divided by hedges, or you’re near a wall. Still not convinced? Having hurt my ankle stepping into a rabbit hole when we were on a wonderful (but pitch black after dark) CL – I forgot to…

TA Twin-axle ✪ Practical Caravan top pick Layout finder AA This is a practical layout that allows you to enjoy the comfort of a fixed bed, while retaining a (usually) good-shaped lounge up front. If that lounge is big enough, you’ll often find that it can be made up into another double bed – handy if you have guests staying over. The kitchen can be on the small side, so make sure that it’s big enough for your needs. However, the washroom will almost certainly offer plenty of space for dressing, because it stretches across the full width of the caravan. Pros The fixed bed should be a good size, and comfortable. There’ll be plenty of room in the washroom Cons The fixed bed takes up a relatively large amount…

TA Twin-axle ✪ Practical Caravan top pick Layout finder B This is a relatively new layout in the caravanning world, but one that’s proved popular: it combines the comfort of a fixed bed with practicality, because that bed can be retracted a short distance during the day. As a result, it’s much easier to access the rear washroom – which stretches across the whole of the rear of the caravan – during the day. The space eaten up by the washroom and fixed bed means that the lounge can be small, so check this if it’s important to you. Pros The fixed bed should be a good size, and comfortable. Plenty of room in the washroom Cons Guests sleeping up front will find it tricky to access the washroom at…

AS WE REVEAL on page 52, one of the UK’s leading dealerships is building for the future by turning itself into a touring destination in its own right. Alongside tourer sales, an accessory shop and more, Salop Leisure’s Emstrey branch now offers a fully fledged touring site, looking down over a field full of high-end glamping units, itself adjacent to a health spa – yes, really. Offering such comprehensive facilities, so the thinking goes, will enable the dealership to become an attraction and convert curious visitors into potential caravanners. It’s a major investment and the execution is superb so I can heartily recommend a trip over to Shrewsbury to see the future today. As we approach the end of another year, may I wish all Practical Caravan readers a happy…

1 Treasures of old Galloway Antiques Fair, at Stonyhurst College, brings antiques, silver, jewellery, sculpture and fine art to the Ribble Valley. Ponder your choices over a coffee from the on-site café. Date 16–18 February Web lapada.org/events/ Stay at Dale Hey Touring Park Web daleheyfarm.co.uk 2 Diverse selections Immerse yourself at Oxford International Art Fair, with a huge selection of painting, photography, crafts, jewellery and sculpture. Date 23–25 February Web www.oxfordinternationalartfair.com Stay at Oxford C&CC Site Web www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk 3 Be inspired At Sandown Park Racecourse Contemporary Art Fair, you can browse works at a range of prices, meet the artists and visit workshops. Date 24–25 February Web www.contemporaryartfairs.co.uk Stay at Walton on Thames C&CC Site Web www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk 4 One for culture vultures The annual Hertford Arts Festival has plenty to see – shops…

1 Royal neighbours Spend summer with the Queen at either of the two caravan sites in the grounds of the spectacular Sandringham estate. Both the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club have excellent sites here. Once you’re pitched, you can explore 240 hectares of the estate for free, head to the visitor centre or visit Sandringham church. As for the house, it’s open from 31 March - 21 October. Ticket prices start at £10. Web www.caravanclub.co.uk and www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk 2 Great Scot Get to know an ancient Scottish border estate when you stay at the well equipped Hoddom Castle Caravan Park, complete with shop, bar and launderette. It’s in the grounds of the Hoddom and Kinmount estates, with an impressive 16th- and 17th-century towerhouse…

CONTINENTAL CARAVAN MAKERS are reporting a strong increase in interest from British buyers this season, with doors on the UK nearside proving a useful selling point. Adria, which has sold caravans with doors on the ‘right’ side for some years, claims its sales so far this season, following on from the NEC show, are 17% up on last year. All 2018 Caravelair Antarès models have doors on the UK-friendly side. Although they are yet to arrive at any Marquis Leisure branches, group marketing director Andy Brand says they were “well received” at the NEC and will soon be “flying off the shelf ”. Knaus Caravans secured NCC approval last season, and for 2018, sales and marketing director Mike Lake says he is expecting strong sales from its upmarket StarClass range,…

‘Wallets, phones and maps should be accessible while the day pack is on your back’ FROM A PRACTICAL point of view, rucksacks are brilliant. By utilising the full length of your back they provide huge amounts of storage space, while leaving your hands free and not actually adding to your overall width – which is obviously important whether negotiating narrow stiles in the countryside, or trying to melt into the crowd in a busy train carriage on a city break. But many people are put off rucksacks by bad experiences, such as bags that flop around and don’t stay where they should, or intense back ache after a day of carrying even moderate loads in one. Yet these well-known foibles are down to poor design – usually because the rucksack…

First drive Škoda Karoq 2.0 TDI 150PS 4x4 Price From £25,505 Kerbweight 1561-1633kg Towing limit 2000kg 85% match From 1327kg Towball limit 88kg IT’S A SHAME Škoda calls its new crossover Karoq, rather than continuing the Yeti name, but otherwise there’s a lot to like about the new car, especially the 2.0-litre diesel model. There’s a broad choice of petrols and diesels, but for the time being, the 150PS (148bhp) diesel tops the range. There’s every sign it will make a capable tow car. It’s the only version with four-wheel drive, which boosts all-weather traction and makes this model a bit heavier. Including 75kg for the driver, minimum kerbweight is 1561kg. As well as its extra heft, the 2.0-litre diesel has a higher maximum noseweight of 88kg, whereas other versions…

Audi Q3 2.0 TDI 170 SE Excellent build quality (the cabin is very well put together) and a great driving position. I’ve now covered 11,000 miles in it and it is comfortable – although the seats are on the firm side. For an SUV, the fuel economy is reasonable. The salesman described it as a bit of a ‘Tardis’, looking small on the outside but roomy on the inside. This turned out to be true except for the boot. I use it mainly for myself but if you were choosing it as a family car with children the boot is definitely on the small side. I previously had a BMW 118d hatchback, which was good, but this is definitely a step up. Nicholas Wigdahl Audi Q3 2.0 TDI 140 SE…

TA Twin-axle ✪ Practical Caravan top pick Layout finder G In this layout, fixed twin beds towards the rear of the van are accompanied by a central kitchen and an end washroom, plus a lounge up front. This floorplan is great for couples who want to relax in the lounge without having to disassemble a bed every morning. You’ll usually find a curtain or screen separating the rear beds from the lounge. Pros The pair of single beds means that you both have access to the washroom at night. The washroom is often quite spacious Cons The side kitchen may not have much space for preparing meals. The fixed single beds cannot be made up into a double A Square showers are more roomy than circular versions B There’s often…