Indholdsfortegnelse for February 2020 i Practical Motorhome

1 Beautiful Lac du Tech in the Vallée d’Arrens, in the French Pyrenees. Touring just doesn’t get any better! Sally Moorhouse 2 Woke up surrounded by green fields and the sound of birdsong at Clifton Dykes, a perfect stop en-route to Scotland. Diana Mullin 3 At the always popular Lake Iseo, in Italy. An ideal spot to visit the local town, Lovere, in the shadow of the mountains. Tom Philips 4 Not your typical motorhome! This one really could go anywhere you want. We spotted it at the Volvo Museum in Gothenburg. Julia Harris Email your pictures and their stories (40 words, plus name, address and contacts) to hotshots@practicalmotorhome.com. The best photo will win these guides: All the Aires Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands; Go Motorhoming and Campervanning; Seaview Camping…

WHERE WE STAYED • Stowford Farm Meadows Berry Down, Combe Martin, North Devon EX34 0PW Tel 01271 882 476 Web stowford.co.uk Open All year Charges (Pitch+2+hook-up) £18.50-£40.00 Touring pitches 600 + 300 seasonal Stowford (pictured right), just inland from Combe Martin, covers 500 acres and five touring fields. The rolling countryside means that in some instances, you might need levelling blocks, so it’s best to be prepared. A large site usually means plenty of facilities and these are in abundance at Stowford, although sadly for us, most of them close on 1 November. This is a popular site with families, because they are well catered for. Children can play with the animals at the site’s Petorama, go horse-riding, or use the indoor, heated pool. Also on the list are pitch…

WAY TO GO There are a number of options for accessing Greece when you travel from the UK. You can sail by ferry from four different Italian ports, go by road through Croatia, Bosnia and Albania (although you should bear in mind that the latter is not covered by many UK insurance companies), or take the overland route through Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. We travelled with Anek Lines from Bari, Italy, to Igoumenitsa in northern Greece, booking the ‘Camping on Board’ option, where you buy a deck ticket and stay in the comfort of your motorhome for the whole journey. Other ferry operators sail from Venice, Ancona and Brindisi. • Anek Lines Web www.anek.gr • Blue Star Ferries Web www.bluestarferries.com • Greek Ferries Web www.greekferries.gr • Grimaldi Lines Web www.grimaldi-lines.com…

Duration 7 nights When Winter Why? Belgium makes a beautiful backdrop for some festive shopping and fascinating history Just because the nights have drawn in and Jack Frost is now nipping at your extremities, there is no reason why your motorhome should be laid up until the spring. There are some really delightful winter campsites, in this country and abroad, which make braving the elements well worth the effort. Our destination was Bruges, a fairy tale town full of joy and sparkle, tinsel and lights, and Christmas cheer all in one pretty parcel, just waiting to be unwrapped and savoured. Oh, and chocolate – there is a lot of chocolate! We live in North Devon, so the 270-mile trek to Dover is not an easy one. It requires running the…

Van thefts rise 45% in four years Panel van thefts have risen by 45% in the past four years, research by VW Commercial Vehicles reveals. More than half of the 9371 vehicles reported stolen in 2018/19 were in the Metropolitan Police area. Leicestershire saw the biggest increase, with 10 times as many as last year. EarthRoamer’s carbon-fibre monocoque An off-road RV with a carbon-fibre monocoque shell has been launched in the US by Colorado-based EarthRoamer. The firm uses vacuum infusion to create and bond the two carbon-fibre skins to the core on its new LTi. It says this makes the bodyshell much stronger and lighter than that of a traditional RV.…

2017 (17) MARQUIS MAJESTIC 115 If you were drawing up a shortlist of Most Popular Starter Motorhomes, this would certainly be on it. Marquis Leisure isn’t the only dealer to recognise the potential for turning the Elddis Autoquest into a special edition, adding a massive amount of kit to what starts out as a budget model and making it much more desirable, especially as a pre-owned purchase. This sub-6m two-berth provides an end kitchen, corner washroom and twin-settee lounge that converts to a generous transverse double bed. Based on Peugeot’s Boxer, spec upgrades start with the 160bhp engine and metallic silver cab. But a few areas still show its budget roots, such as plastic wheel trims, windowless habitation door, manual gas ignition for the fridge and so on. It bears…

Adria has been building caravans for 55 years and motorhomes for ‘just’ 38 years! The firm’s first high-top was unveiled in 1995 and it has been a major player in this market sector ever since. When the Twin – with its permanent double bed in a sub-6m PVC – was first introduced, the competition were heard to opine, “There’s no demand for a permanent bed in a PVC,” and/or “It’ll never catch on!” By the time the X/250 had morphed into the X/290, most of the naysayers had copied this pacesetting layout, although constant (incremental) improvements kept the Twin ahead of the pack at this price-point. The original Twin layout (later monikered Twin SP) was by far the most popular. In this, one enters via a full-height nearside (more on…

Motorhomes are not normally equipped with grab handles by the door, although even able-bodied motorcaravanners can find it a bit tricky to get in and out. But if you have limited mobility, I think you would be especially well advised to fit the large, fixed, metal handles made for the purpose. Car roof handle I spent some time searching on the internet for a suitable general-use handle, but those I came across all had a domestic appearance. I eventually realised that a car ceiling grab handle would be ideal – compact, folding and neutral grey in colour. A typical car ceiling handle might cost around £50 new, but online I found three reclaimed Hyundai i10 roof handles for under £12, including postage. If you are reclaiming the handles from 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 ’van over 3500kg, and 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. HOW TO LOAD YOUR MOTORHOME CORRECTLY Heavy items, such as TVs and boxes of wine, should be stowed low down and as close to the floor as possible; medium-weight items, such as clothing, should go below head height.…

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH MY THREE-WAY FRIDGE? Q I’m having a problem with my three-way fridge. Neither the dealer nor the fridge manufacturer has been able to solve the mystery! Before the problem arose, if the fridge was set to automatic – when stationary, with the engine off and no mains connection – it would automatically go to gas. When I started the engine, it selected 12V operation. When hooked up to the mains, 240V was selected automatically. This does not happen now, and if I try to operate it manually on 12V, there is a noise that I can only describe as ‘chatter’ in the top of the fridge, behind the controls. It sounded to me like a relay, but my dealer has changed the panel on which…

December Until 31 December and into 2020 If you’re spending Christmas and the New Year in Brighton and the weather isn’t playing ball, just head to London Road, where you’ll find Presuming Ed’s Coffee House. On the first floor above the coffee house is GOVR, a virtual reality café where you can take part in a variety of single and multiplayer games and experiences suitable for those aged seven and upwards. Pricing is per headset – there is a maximum of four people per headset, although you will almost certainly want to book more for competitive and cooperative games. Concessions get a 10% discount, and the café is open from Tuesdays to Sundays. Fancy an hour in ancient Rome or zombie-infested Paris, anyone? Find out more govrbrighton.com Until 31 December…

Motorhome Pilote P740 Duration Two months When Spring Why? The cultural and natural diversity is enticing, leaving you wanting more When you think about Greece, what comes to mind? The alluring golden beaches, azure waters, or perhaps those iconic whitewashed villages that the holiday brochures feature? But there is so much more to Greece, as we found out when we meandered across this magnificent country on a two-month tour. Up until this time, our full-time travels in our Pilote P740 motorhome had taken us through the comforting familiarity of western Europe, and while this is undoubtedly beautiful, our curious spirits longed to head east. We had been told so many stories about Greece’s beauty that we felt compelled to find out more for ourselves. ‘We loved the charming town of…

● WHO ARE YOU? Sam Johnson, freelance contributor to Practical Motorhome and Practical Caravan magazines. ● WHY ARE YOU A LOCAL AUTHORITY ON PEMBROKESHIRE? I grew up there during my teenage years and, while I no longer live in the area, I return frequently to visit family and friends. ● WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT IT? Its relative lack of large commercial development. There are some busy towns, particularly in the summer. However, none of these is far from beautiful, unspoilt coast or countryside, where you can feel you’ve escaped the rat race for a bit (weather permitting!). ● WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO VISIT IN THE AREA? Skomer Island in springtime. This marine nature reserve is especially famous for its puffins, but Manx shearwaters, razorbills, seals and even dolphins…

There’s no denying that £56,865 looks a cracking price for this compact coachbuilt with drop-down bed, from one of Europe’s most popular manufacturers. You’ve seen what’s coming, though, haven’t you? First, the £3060 Luxury Pack (alloys, central cup-holders, DAB radio with sat-nav, rear-view camera, roof rack and ladder, awning). All the evidence is, you won’t be able to resist. Then there’s the £2590 Pack 2 or the £1820 Pack 1 – the latter alone bringing you cab air-con, passenger airbag and cruise control. And while we’re in spend, spend, spend mode, the £890 Safety Pack adds traffic signs recognition, high-beam recognition, lane departure warning system, automatic windscreen wipers and lights, and collision avoidance. Here in the real world, then, what we’re looking at is a vehicle costing from just under…

The keys to our long-term-test Bailey motorhome were in high demand over the summer months: its combination of spacious lounge, comfortable fixed single beds and transverse rear washroom means that it’s really practical for the couples and child-free among the Practical Motorhome team. (The 76-2T is a four-berth, but only has two belted seats; its sister model, the 76-4T, has two more belts.) I was able to grab the keys for one of the most sought-after weekends, though – the late August bank holiday - to use the Bailey for husband Matt and my annual sojourn at the Twinwood Festival of vintage music and dance. This popular event – which takes place right across the bank holiday weekend – has grown beyond recognition since we first went, seven years ago.…

My advice this month on what constitutes a bargain secondhand motorhome carries on from the comments on p67. But I’m not sure I really like the term ‘bargain’, because it’s simply too subjective – one person’s great deal could be another’s disaster. However, here’s some general advice on how to find the right motorhome for you, pricewise. The key point is, rather than concentrate solely on how much you’re about to shell out, try to take in the bigger picture. What’s the all-round package you’re getting for your money? What warranty is there? Frankly, how good are your DIY skills (warning: the huge majority of us are nowhere near as good as we think we are!). However you make your purchase, there’s lots to look out for – from service…

This branch, previously known as South Yorkshire Caravans and Motorhomes, became part of the Marquis Leisure empire at the end of 2013, with extensive work seeing the outlet reopen under the Marquis name at the start of the 2014 season. But it has continued its role in retailing both motorhomes and touring caravans. Such is the size of this site, at some six acres, that the company can also provide vehicle storage, as well as extensive workshop facilities. The enormous amount of space at Marquis South Yorks also means there should be no problem parking, whatever size of vehicle you might have. Sales manager Neal Denton (pictured above) has worked in the leisure vehicle industry for some 12 years now, starting at the service department here, under the previous regime.…

2014 (14) AUTO-SLEEPER NUEVO EK TB LP Of all the vehicles to grace the Used ’Van Challenge pages over the years, Nuevo is possibly top of the charts in terms of mentions. There are lots of reasons – it’s an evergreen among the best-sellers, so there are plenty on the market. It’s well made and holds its value well, too. And it’s quite simply a cracking used buy, especially – but not solely – for newbies. This great example was sold by Marquis (the retail division of Auto-Sleepers, which is, in turn, owned by Trigano), then traded in for a new Majestic 185. Now it’s looking for its third owner. It could be as good as new. There was a slight ding in the worktop over the fridge, and the…

We are pretty fortunate in that we carry two LPG bottles when we’re on tour, so when one runs out, it’s a simple task to switch them over. However, for a variety of reasons, you might only be able to have one gas bottle with you. That might be because of limited payload, or it could just be down to having enough space (as is the case, for example, in my friend’s camper, which only has room for one bottle). But apart from guesswork, or waiting for the gas to run out (something that you can guarantee will happen just after the nearest supplier closes), how do you check how much gas you have left? Truma offers some answers to this question – it recently launched a new device and…

letter of the month In October, we arrived at a Calais aire in the late afternoon, in our Auto-Trail Comanche. Early next morning, we were awoken by noises, which we thought were caused by someone possibly trying to steal the cycle off the rack. We checked all around, but found nothing. The following day, we completed our various tasks before driving away, bound ultimately for Spain. After passing the Eurotunnel slip off the A16, we heard two thumps at the back of the vehicle. We thought at first something in the garage had fallen over. The thumping became more urgent and we realised to our horror there was someone riding on our chassis. At this time we were travelling at 50-60mph! We pulled into the next services, stopped and watched…

Feetz pocket wellies! Be prepared for puddles or mud with these compact overshoes, which come in five colours and have non-slip soles and a drawstring to keep them secure. Perfect for stashing in the ’van or your backpack. We’ve got 3 pairs to give away – to enter the competition, just go to our website! Price £9.99 Web feetz.co.uk Web www.practicalmotorhome.com/win An eelo CYGLO backpack! We’ve got five of these specially designed cyclists’ backpacks to give away. As well as being practical for holding your kit, the LED signs allow you to let other road users know if you’re turning, or there’s a hazard ahead. The LEDs and bright colours serve to keep you safe while cycling, even in winter. Head to our website to enter the competition! Price £49.99…

‘Understanding the science going on inside your motorhome oven can help you get it right’ For most Brits, Christmas dinner would not be complete without a juicy roast turkey to enjoy alongside crispy potatoes and Brussels sprouts. However, preparing the perfect bird can be a challenge, as it’s easy to misjudge cooking times and the temperature of your ’van oven. Undercook the turkey and you risk giving everyone the unwelcome gift of food poisoning; overcook it and you risk a plate of dry meat. Thankfully, understanding the science going on inside your oven can help you get it right. The physics of heat transfer and the chemistry of flavour development both play an important part in cooking the perfect roast turkey, but resting and drying the meat are vital, too.…

Duration 2 nights When Winter Why? The beauty of the the city of Bath is even more magical during the Christmas period Rosemary wanted to take the ’van to visit a Christmas market. Her enthusiasm for this plan was not diminished by the fact that she works in Birmingham, and therefore has daily access to one of the largest such markets outside of Germany or Austria. It’s fair to say that I wasn’t as keen. Partly this was because it sounded suspiciously like spending a whole weekend shopping. Being a man, I feel this is something that should be limited to the purchase of food and diesel, and completed in as short a time as possible. We had tried something similar the previous year, but got it totally wrong by…

SERVICES WILLOUGHBY HEDGE SERVICES • Where BA12 6AQ. Single site, westbound, located between Mere and Chicklade • Operated by EG Group Services • Parking There’s room on the public road in a layby on the B3089 next to the services. It’s possible to pass through the services to reach the layby. • Catering Starbucks • Forecourt Esso, Spar, Greggs, Subway, Starbucks on the Go, AdBlue • Charging BP Chargemaster electric vehicle charging point SERVICES COUNTESS (Daytime only) • Where SP4 7AS. Eastbound at Amesbury, also accessible from A345, close to Stonehenge • Operated by EG Group Services • Parking Some, alongside grass verges • Catering Burger King, Greggs, Subway, Starbucks on the Go, Sainsbury’s on the Go • Forecourt Shell, Select, Deli by Shell, Costa Express, AdBlue • Charging None…

An electric light commercial van based on the post-war Morris J Type has been launched by a start-up committed to electric vehicles. The Morris JE runs on lithium-ion batteries that give it a range of around 200 miles. Although no formal tie-ups with conventional van converters have yet been established, the firm behind the JE, Morris Commercial, believes its carbon-fibre body construction and modular chassis should make it attractive for campervan converters. The vehicle sits in the 2.5t market segment, but still manages a payload of 1000kg and a 5.5 sq m capacity, with access through two rear barn doors and a side sliding door. Buyers might need deep pockets, though. The vehicle is due on sale in early 2021 at around £60,000. Hembil van targets everyday families CMC Reimo…

Heard of Malibu? This German brand may not be that well known here in the UK, but mention its parent company, Carthago, and things become that bit clearer. Malibu is a sub-brand of the German manufacturer of luxury motorhomes, representing a more affordable (yet still beautifully built) route into the van conversion market. Among its 2020 offering is the model tested here, the Charming Coupé 600 DB. It also has a sister model – the 640 LE - that features two single beds or a longitudinal double at the rear, instead of the 600 DB’s transverse double. Carthago’s regular ranges simply ooze luxury and quality, and there’s a good dose of both to be found in this van conversion, too. The standard-fit Barcelona/Antara cream and brown upholstery looks very elegant…

Amotorhome is a substantial purchase, especially if you are buying new. Shopping for a used model can save a lot of money, or make your budget go further, so you can buy a bigger or better model. But even a secondhand ’van can cost tens of thousands of pounds – hardly small change – so it’s well worth taking your time, researching your purchase carefully and only handing over your hard-earned cash when you are sure you have found the right one for you. 1 WHY BUY USED? There are many excellent reasons for buying a pre-owned leisure vehicle, rather than a new one. The most obvious is price. As soon as a motorhome hits the road for the first time, it starts to lose value. The same is true…

2017 (17) MARQUIS MAJESTIC 115 > Price now £39,995 > Price new £43,995 > Base Peugeot Boxer > Engine 2.0-litre turbodiesel, 160bhp > First registered June 2017 > Mileage 7000 > Berths/travel seats 2/2 > L/W/H 5.71/2.20/2.82m > Extras Bike rack > MTPLM 3300kg > Payload 662kg + Plus points Huge special edition specification, easy to use - Minus points There are still a few pointers to its budget origins…

2013 (13) BAILEY APPROACH SE 620 Don’t turn away just because this price of this vehicle is far below that of the other two here. You might want to do what I did and view the others first. You get a better feeling of space in this Bailey, for starters, because it’s not just 2cm over 6m long (more, with the added bike rack), it’s also much wider. There are driving and parking situations to take into account, but there’s more living space. It feels roomier, despite the lack of a sunroof over the cab area (there are handy storage lockers here, however). This ’van comes from the model year after Bailey – one of the UK’s most successful caravan manufacturers – announced its move into motorhome production. It doesn’t…

In the previous issue, we covered the legality of fitting LED retrofit bulbs to your ’van, and this month, we’re showing you a typical application. The vehicle here is a Renault Trafic, but the fitment is similar for many other vans. The key point is that you must use the correct bulbs for your type of lamp unit – especially in the case of reflector-style housings – and if you are upgrading your headlights, you must get the alignment checked at your local MoT test centre (most will happily check this for you for free). Equally, before you invest in any LED bulbs, check that your insurance company is happy with you making the change. Which LED bulbs do you need? The first step is to work out which bulbs…

Without a healthy interest in the past, we’d have very little need for museums, heritage steam railways or archaeological sites. All of which are most enjoyable to visit when we’re out on tour. A specialist branch of that interest involves collectibles, which range from a pleasant hobby for most of us – be it teapots, dolls, model railways, postage stamps, coins, beer mats or comics – to substantial investments for those with deep pockets and a passion for art, first editions, fine wines or classic cars. Almost anything can be collected, so perhaps it’s time to search the attic! Treasured toys Tin toys and pretty much anything from the Hornby, Scalextric and Tri-ang brands command significant prices at specialist auctions. Take a look at the multitude of items to be…