Indholdsfortegnelse for August 2020 i Practical Motorhome

Editor-in-chief As the UK takes its first tentative steps towards (some sort of) post-lockdown normality, this is an important time for the industry. Okay, so we’ve not been allowed out for some time now, but we’ve still the majority of the summer to look forward to – let’s hope that, with some sensible social distancing and a bit of clever planning, campsites will be open to all very soon. In other news – we’ve been working hard over the past few months to upgrade the Practical Motorhome website, and I’m delighted to announce that it’s now up and running! It’s jam-packed with news, reviews, advice, touring tips and inspiration, our forums, motorhomes for sale and much more – and we’ve made it easier to use than ever. Check it out…

CLAUDIA DOWELL We had some glorious weather in the spring, so it was a shame we couldn’t get out and take advantage of it on tour. And despite having time to plan the next big adventure during the lockdown, there’s still uncertainty over the opening of borders to tourists. Still, with our serviced and spotless motorhomes, and lots of research, we’ll be ready to explore. If boarding a ferry or taking the Eurotunnel is what you have in mind, don’t miss the second in our series of road trips. Winding its way from Würzburg to Füssen, through the provinces of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, Germany’s spectacular Romantic Road takes in medieval walled towns, fairytale castles and the mighty Alps. Turn to p18 to delve into the detail and find out where…

• WHO ARE YOU? Claudia Dowell, features editor of Practical Motorhome. • WHERE ARE YOU A LOCAL AUTHORITY ON? The Hampton Court/East Molesey area. • WHY ARE YOU A LOCAL AUTHORITY ON THIS PLACE? I have lived close by for more than 20 years. • WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT IT? It’s a pretty part of Surrey, alongside the River Thames and with access to Bushy Park and Home Park. • WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO VISIT? Bushy Park is gorgeous, but I also love the busy little streets just over the bridge from Hampton Court Palace, which is East Molesey, where there are cafés, antique emporiums and independent shops to explore after a pleasant walk along the towpath. In the middle of the Thames here is Taggs Island, once…

Reviews editor It was really frustrating not to be able to get out on the road over Easter. But the signs from Hymer, Hobby, Chausson and Pilote are positive (p52), so I hope we will see UK manufacturing back on stream very soon. If lockdown is lifted, but foreign travel is still restricted, the summer of 2020 could be one almighty staycation! But if we are allowed further afield, we have learned that Caravan Salon, the world’s biggest motorhome fair, has not been cancelled, just postponed for a week. The organisers have said that this postponement might change again as we get nearer to the proposed date. But if it does indeed go ahead, we’re planning to bring you lots of exciting news from Düsseldorf at that time. Email Peter…

1 Who is travelling? This is the most fundamental question you need to ask. It dictates what kind of layout you are going to need. The days when passengers in the rear could swan about doing what they liked came to an end back in 1991, when wearing seatbelts in the back seats (if belts were fitted) became compulsory in the UK. If there are going to be more than two of you travelling, you should ensure that you have enough belted forwardfacing travel seats in the rear (A). This means that you’ll likely need to look at motorhomes with a rear dinette or full rear lounge (although some motorhomes have fold-away belted seats). Also, don’t assume that because a motorhome is, say, a four-berth, it will necessarily have four…

What do you want from your motorhome? Kitchens and washrooms–you might consider either or both essential, or prefer to have neither (but bear in mind, the official definition of a motorhome is that it must include some kind of cooking facility). Just remember, the more ambitious your cooking plans are (including fridge size), the more space you lose that could otherwise be used for storage. And more kit means a higher vehicle weight, so less payload. As for washrooms: the bigger the ’van, the better you’re likely to get. Again, it’s down to what you plan to do with your vehicle. You might want anything from a portable toilet-in-a-locker, through to an all-singing, alldancing washroom for full self-sufficiency off-grid (p26). Check out the washroom logistics in any ’van you’re considering…

■ Full of practical information for both new and experienced owners, the Haynes Motorcaravan Manual includes an overview of models, details of essential maintenance and repairs on habitation elements, technical information and much more besides ■ The Motorhome Buyer’s Guide is brought to you by the experts at Practical Motorhome – it features up-to-the-minute advice and reviews, giving you everything you need to know to buy and own in confidence! OFFER ENDS 30 JULY 2020 IN ADDITION TO YOUR FREE MANUAL AND BUYER’S GUIDE BUNDLE, WORTH £28, YOU’LL ALSO RECEIVE… ■ 6 issues of Practical Motorhome delivered to your door ■ Your own exclusive subscriber-only covers ■ Brilliant value – save up to 44% on the cover price EXCLUSIVE! SUBSCRIBER-ONLY COVERS CHOOSE YOUR PACKAGE! PRINT 6 issues of Practical Motorhome…

Getting ready to hit the road as soon as you can? If your ’van is stored on your drive, this could be an ideal chance to get down to completing some of those tasks you’ve been putting off – and make improvements to your motorhome! In part two of our series on brilliant DIY, we have seven simple projects that you can carry out right now Double check that any DIY work won’t invalidate any warranty before proceeding Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Motorhome, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Individuals carrying out the instructions do so at their own risk and must exercise their independent judgement in determining the appropriateness of the advice to…

HOW TO USE THE GUIDE We’ve organised our listings by layout, generally the most crucial aspect for buyers. Simply locate the floorplan you like in the guide; then, on the left of it, you’ll find details of every UK model with that layout. Simple! Note that TA in a model name denotes a twin-axle. how to buy… Choosing a layout People’s needs differ, and your layout choice will depend on your companions and how you want to use your motorhome. 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 will be affiliated with a limited number of manufacturers. A chat with a dealer, though,…

how to buy… Choosing the number of berths You may feel that this one is easy – you simply have to go for a motorhome that has the same number of sleeping berths as occupants, right? That’s one way of doing it – but taking a look at the bigger picture is a better method, and likely to cause you less frustration in future. If you’re travelling as a couple, opting for a four-berth can be a great way of getting a motorhome that offers just that bit more space, meaning that you’re less likely to get in each other’s way when moving about. Conversely, if you’ve older children, you could consider going for a smaller motorhome and letting them sleep in an awning or a pup tent - that…

LifeStraw water filter This lightweight water filter makes contaminated water safe to drink by removing bacteria and parasites - reassuring for all walkers and adventurers. Price £25 Web www.cotswoldoutdoor.com Lyfe planter For the ultimate in camper accessories, how about a levitating plant? An electromagnetic system allows this planter to rotate in mid-air! Price €249 Web https://eu.flyte.se Purvario Storage Jam Blocks & Base System Transport breakables using this innovative system, which holds things safely in place while your motorhome is in motion. Price £32.99 Web thecampercoshop.com Pyro Lantern Stand the Pyro on a table or hang it in a tree for atmospheric lighting on three settings: flame light, lower flame light and still light. Price £16.99 Web easycamp.com Helio LX pressure shower A portable shower that delivers seven to 10 minutes…

• A69/A68 Styford Junction, Corbridge, and A69/A6079 Bridge End Junction in Hexham Until spring 2021. Road closures and diversions • M6 junction 10 Until 2022/2023. Lane closure and 60mph speed limit • M6 junctions 13-15 Until 2021/2022. Smart motorway upgrade. Contraflows in place • M6 junction 19 March 2020 to September 2021. Junction improvement • A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon Until end 2020. Road widening using contraflows • M3 junctions 9-14 Occasional lane closures until 2021/2022 • A1(M) junctions 6-8 Work begins on smart motorway update, scheduled to end 2021-2022 • M621 junction 7 Stourton Widening of junction as part of first phase of improvements to junctions on the M621…

“I’m not tight, I just don’t like wasting money.” That’s what I tell my family as I dash around the house, switching off the lights or turning down the thermostat, with plenty of the sort of exaggerated huffing that could win me an Oscar if overacting were a category. It’s similar in the motorhome when we go off-grid, but there it’s all about preserving battery power and gas, as I attempt to make both of these vital resources last as long as possible. There’s a skill to off-gridding, which took me a little while to develop. But the effort was worth it, as I’ve stayed on some sensational facility-free sites over the years. By definition, off-grid touring means you have no electric hook-up, Wi-Fi or those other luxuries we’ve come…

If you’re anything like us, you’ll be dreaming of where you’re going to go when campsites reopen. We can help with that - why not make one of our brilliant Top 100 sites your first destination? Our team and thousands of readers had their say earlier in the year for our annual Top 100 Sites Guide, and in this special section we take a look at each fantastic regional winner! Once you’ve done that, simply go to www.practicalmotorhome.com/travel to download your own guide free of charge. And then, visit www.practicalmotorhome.com/vote and tell us which site you think deserves to star in our Top 100 Sites Guide 2021! NORTHERN IRELAND BALLYNESS CARAVAN PARK Perfectly placed to enjoy several of Northern Ireland’s most popular attractions, including the Giant’s Causeway, Ballyness Caravan Park…

In-depth tests These are our most detailed tests – we spend at least one full day (usually more) inside each motorhome, to bring you our comprehensive verdict. The overall score is based on the opinion of multiple members of the team. ’Van reviews Each month we test new models of all sizes – we then report back to you in our regular ’van reviews pages. This is the place to look for the quick low-down on a model! Our ’vans, Our month Practical Motorhome has numerous long-term-test vehicles – we’re loaned these by manufacturers. We treat these as if they’re our own, allowing us to give you a full, warts-and-all report over the months.…

Many of us rely on our phone for satellite navigation, but if you are driving a larger vehicle, direct routes that can be taken by cars are not always suitable. Narrow, single lanes can see bodywork and windows scratched, and some tricky reversing if there is oncoming traffic. There are weight limits on bridges to think about, as well as headroom if you are going under rather than over the bridge. Can you navigate that sharp bend or steep hill? Can you pass through a medieval town with overhanging buildings? Where can you park or stop overnight? You really do need a sat nav that will find the best route for your house on wheels; one where you can key in your vehicle’s vital statistics to find a route that…

A monthly round-up of shows, news and advice The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many shows to be cancelled, but there are still some planned. We’d strongly recommend doublechecking all details before setting off, and ensuring government advice is fully adhered to. 26-28 June 2020 Caravan & Motorhome Show Stratford Racecourse 17-19 July 2020 Caravan & Motorhome Show New Forest Showground, Brockenhurst 4-6 September 2020 Motorhome & Campervan Show Westpoint Exeter For details of all these shows, see www.appletree-exhibitions.co.uk.…

During lockdown, it’s worth taking time to give some important matters a bit of thought – including the weight of your motorhome. All road vehicles in this country have legal weight limits, shown on the VIN plate, found under the bonnet or in a cab doorway. This shows the VIN (vehicle identity number), MAM (maximum authorised mass), MTW (maximum train weight), and maximum front and rear axle weights, often listed as axle 1, 2 and 3 (tandem-axles). The MAM is the most the vehicle can weigh, including everything inside it. The MTW is the most the vehicle and any trailer may weigh. In motorhomes, while the MAM might not be exceeded, an individual axle limit can be. Overloading of one axle is usually rectified by moving items to a different…

On the look-out for a new motorhome? If so, we can help! Just like our inspiring travel stories, expert reviews and useful advice, we think that our online classifieds are the best in the business. You can read our review of your chosen ’van, watch the video then find it online, making www.practicalmotorhome.com the one-stop shop for all your touring needs. We already know that 50% of you access our website via mobile device, so our classifieds have been designed to be fully responsive – they should work just as well on your tablet or smartphone as they do on your home computer. We’ve worked hard to make these classifieds as easy to use as possible, with filters to help you narrow your search by location, price, brand, year, weight…

OCTOBER 2008 We set off on Great British Adventures – the Peak District was our cover star. We took in the Cairngorms, and a John O’Groats to Land’s End marathon drive MISSED AN ISSUE? Want to buy a past issue of Practical Motorhome? Simply call 0344 848 2852, visit www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/magazine-back-issues/ or email contact@myfavouritemagazines.co.uk…

Our expert panel SHOULD WE SWITCH OVER TO A REFILLABLE GAS TANK? Q I currently have refillable gas bottles in my motorhome, but we tend to get through quite a few because we take long, six-week tours at a time. I’m thinking about changing to a refillable tank – can you tell me what I need to know about them, please, and some brief pros and cons? David Coombes A Diamond Dave answers… Broadly speaking, a refillable, underslung tank is the same concept as refillable cylinders. You can top it up at any time, rather than having to wait until it is empty. There are a couple of advantages to an underslung tank over cylinders; for one, you free up your old gas locker for other storage (payload allowing). The…

Along its full length, this scenic road will take you 232 miles from the Midlands to the Scottish border SERVICES TODHILLS REST AREA ■ Where Two sites between J44 and J45, with no public connection between them ■ Catering Costa ■ Facilities Electric vehicle charging point ■ Forecourt (northbound only) Shell, Select, Deli by Shell, Costa Express, AdBlue; (southbound only) BP, Shop, Wild Bean Café, AdBlue ■ Parking First two hours free for all vehicles; no overnight parking SERVICES SOUTHWAITE ■ Where CA4 0NT. TWO SITES BETWEEN J41 AND J42 ■ Catering Burger King, Costa, Krispy Kreme, Greggs, West Cornwall Food Co ■ Facilities M&S Simply Food, WHSmith, electric vehicle charging point, Changing Places (northbound only) ■ Forecourt BP, Shop, Costa Express, AdBlue, Greggs (northbound only) ■ Parking Plenty of…

1 All-in-one Not only does Dolaucothi Caravan and Motorhome Park, in Pumsaint, Carmarthenshire, have an idyllic location in the Cothi Valley, but there’s also a fascinating disused goldmine to explore, just a few minutes’ walk from the campsite. Web www.nationaltrust.org.uk 2 Rising from the ashes Just a 20-minute drive from Lincomb Lock Caravan Park’s riverside location and adults-only touring area, you’ll find the fascinating remains of Witley Court and the surrounding gardens. This grand Victorian house was completely gutted by fire back in 1937, but you can still see the grandeur among the ruins. Web www.hillandale.co.uk/our-parks/lincomb-lock-caravan-park 3 Pocket-sized powerhouse One of Cumbria’s lesser-known attractions is Stott Park Bobbin Mill, which played a key part in our manufacturing history, as it once supplied millions of wooden bobbins to factories during the…

THE MOTORHOME LIFESTYLE Take the Slow Road: England & Wales Martin Dorey; £20 ■ Martin Dorey is perhaps best known for his TV travelogue around Britain, One Man and his Campervan, and this book reflects his philosophy – it’s all about the journey. Packed with ideas, advice and routes, this meander through England and Wales is a great way to start planning your trip. AA The Caravan & Camping Guide 2020 £13.99 ■ A well-researched bible for campsite aficionados, the AA’s guide has been a stalwart of the UK camping scene for years, and each site listed has been visited by one of the organisation’s expert inspectors. Van Life Nigel Donnelly; £12.99 ■ This practical guide to touring life is authored by Practical Motorhome’s former staffer, so it has an…

BEARING UP UNDER HIGH PRESSURE There are many procedures that are really little more than routine in the workshop – servicing, replacing brake pads and so on. Replacing wheel bearings is usually one of those straightforward jobs that rarely take more than an hour or two. However, that’s not always the case. A few months ago, I encountered one that was just the opposite. This ’van was a 2003 Ducato-based Auto-Trail, belonging to a fellow garage owner. He had already tried, unsuccessfully, to get the hubs off, so he decided to try a 15-tonne hydraulic puller, which he brought over for us to use. We gave it a good go, we really did, even applying quite liberal heat; but when the hydraulic ram on the puller failed, the hubs had…

When you’re buying a fire extinguisher for your vehicle, the Caravan and Motorhome Club recommends a 1kg AFFF device made and tested in accordance with BS EN 3 and with at least a 5A rating. However, this is bulky and while it must be instantly accessible, you don’t want to keep bumping into it. My solution is to recess the device into a cupboard, in an open-front plywood box. I used some offcuts of 8mm ply to provide rigidity for this heavy object without adding excessive weight. Measure and cut The first steps are to measure your fire extinguisher and cut out the plywood sides, back and base. You can then clamp these together temporarily to check the size. Remember to allow for the angle trims that fit around the…