Indholdsfortegnelse for March 2021 i Practical Caravan

We know from reading your letters and emails, and chatting to you at many shows and sites over the years, that Practical Caravan readers are a diverse bunch – some of you tour with a large family, others as couples; many prefer UK staycations, while some travel as far as they can, whenever they can, across mainland Europe. No matter what your likes and dislikes, though, we would love to hear from you in what is perhaps the biggest reader survey we’ve ever carried out. In this issue you’ll find a form you can fill in to tell us all about your caravanning preferences, which will help us make Practical Caravan even better than before. What’s more, you’ll get the chance to be entered into a draw to win one…

At last, we can start to plan ahead The emergence of vaccines means we should at last be able to look forward to the prospect of touring in Europe, something that until a year ago was commonplace, and resume our love affair with France and Spain for their sunshine and accessibility. But things can never be the same. For one thing, the necessity of staying put has meant we have rediscovered Britain. We have found glorious beaches, wild seascapes, breathtaking views, dramatic national parks and tranquil corners of woodland and garden. The summer weather played its part for a brief respite in 2020; now let’s hope that science can offer something much more permanent in 2021. claudia.dowell@futurenet.com Features editor CLAUDIA DOWELL is our touring expert – she’s been caravanning for…

Camping Le Neptune Le Neptune is a family-run campsite with 160 pitches, all flat and separated by hedges and trees (which offer some shade). The pitches vary in size and have 10A electricity supply. Charcoal barbecues are not allowed on pitches, only on the dedicated areas. Gas barbecues are allowed. The facilities blocks are kept very clean. There’s an outdoor heated swimming pool and a sports field. Also available on-site are free Wi-Fi, a launderette, a snack-bar and a bar (with TV). Bread and pastries can be ordered the day before, and other basic provisions are available, too. Address 46 Boulevard du Saint Christ, 34300 Agde › +33 (0)467 942394 › www.campingleneptune.com Open From early April to early October Charges (Pitch+2+hook-up) ¤16 (low season, using the ACSI camping card)…

Bank Farm Leisure Address Horton, Gower, Swansea SA3 1LL › 01792 390 228/687 205 › www.bankfarmleisure.co.uk Open 1 March 2021 to 5 January 2022 Charges (pitch+2+hook-up) £24.50-£33 From Bank Farm, you have wonderful views of Horton and Port Eynon Bay and you are just a short drive away from Rhossili Bay. The generous pitches here are mainly grass, with some hardstandings. Electricity is paid for via a smartcard. Site facilities include a swimming pool and tennis courts, coffee lounge, bar and restaurant, shop and launderette, as well as two washblocks. Seasonal pitches are also available.…

Positive signs for the industry in 2021 During the lunacy that was 2020, it was all too easy to focus solely on negative stories. So it’s good to kick off this, our first issue on sale in the new year, with two reports that I think are very positive. First, the Dutch caravan manufacturer that, after launching at the end of 2019, has come through the year with flying colours and is now thinking of exporting its products to Britain (see opposite page). And then there is a report on yet another bumper year for the mighty Erwin Hymer Group. Yes, here we are in yet another lockdown, but I hope these stories are a sign of the way things are going in 2021. peter.baber@futurenet.com Reviews editor PETER BABER is…

Here at Practical Caravan, we want to make sure that you get the very best magazine for your interests and needs – which is where this survey comes in. Over the next pages, you’ll find your opportunity to tell us about your magazine preferences, your caravan and where you like to tour – with your help, we can make Practical Caravan even better than before! What’s more, everyone who enters their details onto the completed survey and returns it to us will be entered into a fantastic prize draw, to win one of five £100 Amazon vouchers – perfect for treating yourself to some brilliant caravanning kit! When you’ve filled in your survey, simply cut it out and return it to us at the address below by 6 March 2021.…

www.practicalcaravan.com/forsale ON THE LOOKOUT for your next caravan? If so, we can help! Just like our travel stories, expert reviews and advice, we reckon that our online classifieds are the best in the business, featuring a host of caravans, both new and used – you’re sure to find the right one for you. If you’re looking for a new van, you can also read our expert reviews, making www.practicalcaravan.com the one-stop shop for all your touring needs. We already know that 50% of you access our website via mobile devices, so our classifieds are fully responsive – they will work just as well on your tablet or smartphone as they do on your desktop or laptop computer. We’ve worked hard to make these classifieds as easy to use as possible,…

Where can I find information about satellite dish angles? There are many sources, but I use DishPointer. If you’re ‘going rural’, check your destination before you leave; if you can access Wi-Fi, you can do this at the campsite. • Go to dishpointer.com, then select your satellite (the Astra series at 28.2° E) from the list.• Click on your camping location on the map. Your current position will be highlighted; add your camping location if you’re not already there.•Click on the pointer and a panel appears which provides all of the relevant details. How do I set up my system for first use, before the TV has memorised the stations? Many new TVs, including Avtex models, have pre-loaded channels. Once you find the signal, the TV places the signals with…

> Kerbweight As defined by EU Directive 95/48/ EC, 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.…

MARCH 2015 Castle views A short hop back to 2015 saw us enjoying the delights of Pembrokeshire as we posed for a cover shot by beautiful Laugharne Castle, with a Bailey Unicorn Valencia Shine a light A lantern is a useful, if not vital, part of your camping kit and in this feature, writer James Stanbury put 10 to the test. His pick of the bunch was the Outwell Carnelian 400, which provided a staggering 400 lumens of light Walk on! With its picturesque villages and gentle river valleys, the East Yorkshire Dales make the ideal destination for walkers. We picked out some of the best spots, and featured a list of top sites to allow you to make the most of them Galloping gourmets TV chef Rosemary Shrager shared…

FOR THIS TRIP we had a full four weeks away planned, so thought ourselves very fortunate indeed; and because our main stop in France was a site that we’d stayed at before, we knew what to expect. Following three days of relaxed travelling (including an overnight ferry crossing from Hull to Zeebrugge), we arrived at Camping Le Neptune at Agde, where we received our usual warm welcome. It’s easy to see why Neptune is so popular, with its individually separated pitches, clean facilities and lovely pool area. After a day or two of settling in, which included trips to nearby Le Grau d’Agde – a short cycle ride along the path by the River Hérault, to a favourite seafront café and the daily market – it was time for us…

Who are you? Andy Carter, lifelong camper and now retired. I live with my wife, Christine, in Lerwick, the capital of Shetland (population 23,000), islands 180 miles from Aberdeen in Scotland and about the same distance west of Bergen, Norway. Why are you a local authority on Shetland? Christine and I have spent most of our lives here. Until 2007 there was a ferry to Norway and we used to visit every summer on camping trips with the kids. Now, we go overnight with Northlink to Aberdeen, from where we can travel further afield. What do you love about it? The open, friendly community, where people have time to share with each other and visitors alike. We value the closeness to nature and magnificent seascapes; you can get to a…

The hunt is on for used bargains! Dealers are gearing up for what should be a busy new season. Some have told me November saw very buoyant sales from phone enquiries, with keen customers picking up their tourers after lockdown. But pre-owned stocks remain low, and with neither of the regular October or February NEC shows to boost new business, there’ll be far fewer used vans hitting the forecourts. One dealer told me they are buying in some stock, but private sellers are asking high prices, squeezing their margins. Family models, in particular, could be in short supply for 2021, and bargains might be harder to find – nobody will be giving away their high-quality stock! practical.caravan@futurenet.com ANDY JENKINSON is a caravan expert and historian – he loves pre-owned and…

Plenty of time for electric to improve A lot of caravanners are clearly concerned by the Government’s decision to bring the ban on new petrol and diesel cars forward, to 2030. Hybrids are getting a further five years’ grace, but only if they can travel “a substantial distance” on electric power alone. Should we be worried? I wouldn’t push the panic button just yet. This will be the end of the sale of new vehicles, not a ban on using the millions of petrol and diesel cars that will still be on the roads in 2030. Think back 10 years to how few electric cars there were. We have the best part of another decade for the cars, and the charging infrastructure, to improve. motty@practicalcaravan.com Tow car editor DAVID MOTTON…

All you need to know about TV! Sometimes it’s nice to get away from everything – the television included – but there’s certainly something very attractive about sitting in a warm caravan, with the rain on the roof, watching your favourite TV programme in complete comfort. With that in mind, in this issue we’ve brought you a comprehensive guide to everything television (and satellite) related, to help you get the most from your viewing on your next tour. From which TV to buy, to getting the best signal, just turn the page to find out what you need to know! practical.caravan@futurenet.com OUR TECH EXPERTS include (left to right) John Sootheran, Sammy Faircloth and Nigel Hutson HOW TO... TOUR OFF-GRID WITH SOLAR POWER SOLAR PANELS CAN keep your leisure battery topped…

YOU MIGHT HAVE gathered by now, I like my gadgets, and I doubt I’m alone in that. If you’d asked me 20 years ago what a USB or a tablet was, I would have suggested that the former was some kind of ailment, and the latter was the treatment for it! These days, so many items have USB charging capability – phones, tablets, rechargeable lamps and torches, to name but a few – that you simply can’t have enough USB sockets in your caravan. There are plug-in types, but they can sometimes interfere with radio signals. A better solution, and one of the simplest (although not the cheapest) ways of adding USBs to your caravan is to swap some non-USB reading lights for ones with integrated USB sockets. Another very…

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, where manufacturers and dealers will be showing 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 plan to…

PLEASE EXPLAIN THE 85% MATCH FIGURE! Q I am rather confused by the 85% rule. If caravans should only weigh 85% of the weight of the car, why do cars have towing limits that are often much higher? Steven Gibbs David Motton says... Although it’s often referred to as the ‘85% rule’, it is better to think of this as a guideline, rather than a hard and fast rule. Both major caravanning clubs recommend towing caravans weighing no more than 85% of the kerbweight of the car, especially if you are new to towing a van. It’s considered acceptable for experienced drivers to tow up to 100% of the tow car’s kerbweight, but not over this figure. The legal towing limit should never be exceeded, even if that figure is…

Way to go A9 exit Agde, then exit Le Grau d’Agde. First exit over bridge Grau d’Agde. Fourth exit at first and second roundabouts, straight on at third and fourth roundabouts, second exit at fifth (Grau d’Agde). Campsite is on left. Our outfit Land Rover Discovery towing a 2019 Coachman VIP 545. Find out more ■ Fonseranes Locks › beziers-mediterranee.com/les-9-ecluses-de-fonseranes ■ Château-Abbaye, Cassan › chateau-cassan.com ■ Fortress of Salses › forteresse-salses.fr ■ Grotte des Demoiselles › grotte-des-demoiselles.fr ■ Nîmes parking › www.car-parking.eu/france/nimes ■ Les Arènes › www.arenes-nimes.com ■ Nîmes Petit Train › www.nimes-tourisme.com…

When to go So long as you check the forecast, this is a weekend break that you could enjoy all year round. The summer months will provide better weather, but will be busier, while the winter is bound to be much quieter – and beautiful, with hard frosts. Useful information Visit Swansea Bay › www.visitswanseabay.com Visit Wales › www.visitwales.com Culver Hole › www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/37514/details/culver-hole-dovecote Pennard Castle › www.castlewales.com/pennard.html The Salt House, Port Eynon › www.gatehouse-gazetteer.info/Welshsites/465.html Food and drink Fish and chips Captain’s Table, Port Eynon, Swansea SA3 1NN…

THE A15 RUNS north from Peterborough, in Cambridgeshire, following a fairly straight line through Lincolnshire via Market Deeping, Bourne, Sleaford and Lincoln. Much of the route follows that of the Roman road, Ermine Street, before it is interrupted at its junction with the M180 near Scawby. The road restarts 10 miles (16km) east, continues north past Barton-upon-Humber, crossing the Humber Bridge (before the bridge was built, crossing the river meant a ferry trip) and terminating at Hessle, near Hull. Historic route The route is 95 miles (153km) long, and driving it takes around 2.5 hours. A section of the A15, between Scampton and the M180, provides the longest stretch of straight road in the UK. This is a historic route and worth pursuing as several themed tours. It encounters three…

Sedgemoor Caravans wins mentoring award Sedgemoor Caravans, set up just five years ago by then 19-year-old Shaunessy Abrahams, has won a 2020 award for Careers Inspiration in Business, from Somerset Education Business Partnership. Tara Hoskin of The Bridge School, who nominated the firm, said: “Shaunessy and his team offer an amazing opportunity to young people.” OSS deadline extended The deadline for surveys to be sent in for our Owner Satisfaction Awards has been extended to 20 August this year. For more information about the awards, and to have your say, visit www.practicalcaravan.com/vote. Spring camping show The National Camping Show is due to be held from 18 to 21 March – just in time for the Easter break – at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. Admission is free, but you can pre-register…

How much? £4000-£25,000 The lowest-priced E-Class Estates are available for around the £4000 mark. But whether you’d really want one at that price is a different matter, because they’ll rarely have stopped moving, and will display the commensurate scars. E-Classes can shrug off big mileages, but still… Best to up the budget to £11,000 or so, for a five- or six-year-old car with a five-figure mileage. However, if you’re lucky enough to have £19,000 to spend, you’ll be in a position to net a high-spec, late-model version with less than 50,000 on the clock. What will it tow? Kerbweight 2020kgTowing limit 1900kgNoseweight limit 85kg85% match 1580kg How much is a towball? Witter flange towbar £160.47Witter detachable towbar £259.10 Fitting extra (from www.pfjones.co.uk) What about servicing? Interim service £106.50Full service £154.80…

Caravan and Motorhome Club > 01342 326 944 > thecaravanclub.co.uk Camping and Caravanning Club > 024 7647 5448 > thefriendlyclub.co.uk CRiS > 020 3282 1000 > www.cris.co.uk Approved Workshop Scheme > www.approvedworkshops.co.uk NCC (National Caravan Council) > www.thencc.org.uk Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA) > 0843 216 5802 > www.cassoa.co.uk Towsafe > www.towsafe.co.uk DVLA > 0300 790 6801 > www.dft.gov.uk/dvla Mobile Caravan Engineers Association (MCEA) > 01249 651 036 > www.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…