Indholdsfortegnelse for Summer 2020 i Practical Motorhome

Editor-in-chief What are you most looking forward to in life after lockdown? Like everyone, I can’t wait to get away in the ’van again - I’ve already booked a site for July, hoping things will return to a relative normality by then. I’m looking forward to getting out into the great outdoors, of course; but for me there are other motorhome-related pleasures that I’ve just realised how much I’ve missed. The sound of the Great British rain on the roof while you’re warm and dry inside; having every facility on board, not needing to worry about whether toilets or shops are open; and being able to stroll to the local pub from the site to enjoy a meal and a drink. One thing is for sure: when we’re back on…

During this lockdown period, many people (like me) will have been spending lots of time cleaning their motorhome. I have discovered a safe way to get up to clean the roof. I used to stand on the top of my stepladder when I had a caravan, but the motorhome is higher and I am older, so I wanted to use a ladder instead. However, I did not want to risk denting or scratching the ’van, so I worked out that the top edge where the side joins the roof would be the strongest place for the ladder. Next, I found an old towel and spread this across the top part of the ladder, which would be in contact with the roof, winding the ends of the towel around the ladder.…

Regular readers will no doubt have read our Local Authority articles: each issue, we bring you inside information on a touring area, written by an expert – someone who lives there or has detailed knowledge of the location (p38). We’ve been unable to get out and about recently, of course, so for one time only, we’re bringing you – Lockdown Authority! Don’t miss Art Editor Simon’s rundown of the highlights (and lowlights) of life under lockdown in a central London flat – it’s sure to make you smile! To read Lockdown Authority, simply go to www.practicalmotorhome.com/news/lockdown-authority.…

Your monthly guide to major roadworks and diversions • 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…

Duration Three days When Summer 2019 Why? The challenge of a triathlon against the backdrop of a great house in a gorgeous region Back in March last year, I can only assume that I became very drunk. I can’t recall this happening, but I can think of no other reason why I – who got through two years of sixth-form college and three years of university without going to a single sports class – might suddenly have thought it a good idea to sign up for a triathlon in the following July. I was, however, very much aware of two main reasons for choosing Castle Howard, in Yorkshire, as the venue for my endeavours. First, this event was to take place later than many similar ones at other locations. This…

For longer than I care to, or actually can remember now, I have been craving space and the freedom to go somewhere, anywhere that isn’t home. Instead, I have found myself, along with the rest of the nation, confined behind the all-too-familiar walls of my house and my mind. At last, after many long weeks, it seems there’s light at the end of what has been a very dark tunnel. With the restrictions on movement and our ability to travel to outdoor spaces now slowly starting to ease, and with a roadmap of how they will continue to do so being laid out, there is a rising sense of optimism that we all might yet be able to get away on a trip or two this summer. There being no…

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.…

Peak Brain Training Free. Available for iOS and Android ■ Keep your mind in trim with some entertaining but intense mental work-outs. These short games, developed in conjunction with leading scientific research, will help to test and improve your focus, memory, problem solving and mental agility. Advanced programmes, challenging specific skills including memory and attention, are also available. SkyView Lite Free. Available for iOS and Android ■ Ever laid back on a clear, balmy night and wished you knew more about the stars and planets? This illuminating app can help! With it you can identify major stars, planets and constellations. An augmented reality screen shows you what’s in the sky in the direction of the phone camera and there’s a search facility if you’re looking for particular heavenly bodies. Out…

Smart Dash Cam £3.99. Available for iOS and Android ■ This nifty little app will turn your mobile into a fully functioning dash cam – perfect as a back-up or for those who don’t want to shell out on a pricier purpose-built model. The app’s manual and auto recording modes allow you to capture video at different resolutions, with or without audio, and videos can be held within the app or stored on the cloud. ‘Imagine being able to find the cheapest fuel in your area, at the touch of a few buttons. Well, now you can – PetrolPrices does exactly that’ What3words Free. Available for iOS and Android ■ With this clever bit of technology, you will only need three words to find or share an exact location. Use…

6 MONTHS FOR JUST £9.99 WORLDWIDE OFFER $/€ 9.99 SEE THE ENTIRE RANGE ONLINE www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/summer *TERMS AND CONDITIONS: This offer entitles new subscribers to receive their first 6 months for £9.99 for UK readers, €9.99 for Europe and $9.99 for rest of the world. After your trial ends, your subscription price will be adjusted to the standard 6-monthly recurring price. The biggest savings are those compared with the US RRP: for all savings details, see our online offer page. You can write to us to cancel your subscription within 14 days of purchase. Payment is non-refundable after the 14-day cancellation period unless exceptional circumstances apply. Your statutory rights are not affected. Prices correct at point of print and subject to change. Full details of the Direct Debit guarantee are available…

RoadPro heads out of lockdown with a guide to off-gridding Specialist motorhome equipment supplier RoadPro has published a timely new guide to off-grid camping. The booklet outlines your options when it comes to using your leisure vehicle without having to rely on mains electric hook-up. It’s also a handy reference to the kind of kit that you might want to have fitted in your motorhome, especially in the post-lockdown future. RoadPro is already reporting that many motorcaravanners are looking to become even more self-sufficient as a result of the pandemic, now that motorhomes and other leisure vehicles have become ideal for those who want to tour, but maintain social distancing. RoadPro boss Andy Harris says: “The lockdown and the need to maintain social distancing makes the idea of self-sufficiency even…

Owing to their similarities, motorhomes and caravans usually tend to share the same window manufacturers. Some of the most well known are Dometic-Seitz, Heki and Fiamma. However, older ’vans (like mine) were fitted with windows made by a company called Birkholz, which has long since ceased making them A quick look at online forums will highlight the problems this causes when trying to source replacement windows (size incompatibility with current ranges) and spare parts. Catch operation In the main, these windows are quite robust and give long service, but those fitted to my motorhome are of the three-point catch variety, using one central lever to operate all three catches simultaneously. To do this, the lever drives a PVC strip in a channel which, in turn, moves the left and right…

EASY TO USE SEARCH TOOLS! 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…

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 WHAT IS OUR BEST ROUTE FOR A TOUR IN IRELAND? Q We’re considering taking a trip to Ireland later this year with our motorhome, but we’re not sure of the best (or easiest) way to go. Can you advise please? We live in Shropshire. Tony and Jane Baker A Claudia Dowell says… From Shropshire, your quickest route across the Irish Sea is going to be the Holyhead-Dublin crossing. Irish Ferries provides four 3.5-hour sailings a day, which have a 30-minute check-in time. Stena Line also has four crossings a day, taking 3.25 hours. There is little…

Leisure vehicles all over the country have been basking in the summer sunshine and perhaps gathering a little dust on drives, in storage compounds and on sites, waiting for their owners to unlock their doors once more. Now they might not have so very long to wait. If the country can meet the five tests laid down by the UK Government for the road to recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, the hospitality industry can look with hope towards July as a possible date for resuming business – at least in England. This will be good news for campsites, desperate to claw back revenue lost during the best spring we’ve had for years, and great news for all of us, desperate to see some different scenery. People with their own motorhome…

WHERE TO STAY County Cork Sextons Caravan and Camping Park R600 Timoleague to Clonakilty Road, Co Cork P72 WY61 Web sextonscamping.com The Hideaway Camping & Caravan Park 10-14 Castletownshend Road, Carrigfadda, Skibbereen, Co Cork Web www.camping-ireland.ie/parks/cork/hideaway-camping-caravan-park Barley Cove Holiday Park Crookhaven, Skibereen, Co Cork P81 X074 Web barleycoveholidaypark.ie Eagle Point Camping Ballylickey, Bantry, West Cork Web eaglepointcamping.com Eyeries Motorhome Park (1) Eyeries Village, Beara, Co Cork Web https://eyeries-motor-home-park.business.site/ County Kerry Killarney Flesk Caravan and Camping Park Flesk, Muckross Road, Killarney Web killarneyfleskcamping.com Fossa Caravan & Camping Park Killarney Caravan & Camping, Fossa, Killarney, Co Kerry Web www.fossacampingkillarney.com Fleming’s White Bridge Killarney Holiday Park White Bridge, Ballycasheen Road, Killarney, Co Kerry V93 HW56 Web killarneycamping.com Mannix Point Camping & Caravan Park Cahirciveen, Ring of Kerry Coast Web campinginkerry.com Glenross Caravan and…

Each issue, we look at major driving routes and tell you everything that motorcaravanners need to know From the junction with the A36 at Whiteparish, in Wiltshire, the A27 runs north of the New Forest and north-west of Southampton to follow the coast in Hampshire, West Sussex and East Sussex, ending at Pevensey. In reality, the road is a series of bypasses that skirt the major towns, starting with the North Lancing bypass opened in the 1930s. The Sompting bypass was built in 1939 to avoid tanks using narrow village streets. The busiest section links Portsmouth and Lewes, and there are bottlenecks at Chichester, Arundel, Worthing and Polegate. At Chichester, five roundabouts and one traffic light junction can cause congestion. The section from the eastern end of the M27 to…

Alde Smart Control Free. Available for iOS and Android ■ The ability to heat your ’van remotely sounds great, and that’s exactly the idea behind this Alde heating system app. It works by sending SMS messages to a GSM device. The device interprets and executes the instructions, and then transmits a response message with the heating system’s current status. Read more about how to set up the system here: www.practicalmotorhome.com/advice/how-to-fit-smart-control-for-aldes-3020-heating. Truma App Free. Available for iOS and Android ■ Heating and air conditioning specialist Truma has developed this app to allow users to control their Combi heaters and Truma air conditioners any time and anywhere. Functions allow you to check your gas supply with the Truma LevelControl and give you access to operating instructions and how-to videos. The sun alignment…

This month’s bite-sized information on buying a pre-owned ’van is all about fixtures and fittings. It might sound like basic common sense, but you really don’t want to fork out for items you simply won’t use. If you don’t want TV or satellite, permanent gas cylinders, towbars and the like, you shouldn’t be spending on them. And if they’re aftermarket fittings, check the standard of the installation. DIY, especially, can be hit and miss – if you see something you don’t like, ask about having things restored to their original condition. Check the base vehicle specification. Cab air-con, for example, is desirable, but older models are unlikely to have it. Ditto for alloys. Décor and colours are down to your personal preferences, of course. But do check for signs of…

Modern vehicles often have inbuilt tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), which can be helpful in avoiding flats and blowouts. The one downside of the factory-fitted equipment is that they don’t usually give a readout of individual tyre pressures, they just sound an alarm if one goes outside set limits. There are aftermarket kits available that do more, though. TyrePal is probably the biggest name, but other options are available. I fitted some kits obtained from Amazon to all of our family vehicles and I have to say, I’m very impressed with them. The reading on each tyre is not always precise to the exact psi you’ve set the tyres to, but that isn’t so important: what counts is the fact it will alert you to any variation outside of limits…

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. SPEED LIMITS 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 – 70mph WHERE…

Pierluigi Alinari, one of the best known motorhome designers in Europe and the founder of a string of brands, died at the start of this month, aged 85. Mr Alinari stopped working full-time in the industry in 2016, when he sold Rapido Motorhomes the PLA brand, which bore his initials and which he had launched after a long career in the industry. PLA’s distinctive profiles have been a very significant attraction at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf for many years. He used the success of the company to buy upmarket Italian brand Giottiline, which he also sold to Rapido. Mr Alinari started his career in the 1980s, when he bought the Italian arm of British manufacturer Caravans International, which had become insolvent. After re-establishing that, he founded McLouis, now sold…

We have all been waiting for that moment when campsites can reopen, and when they do, they’re likely to be the very best versions of themselves, with the enforced closure having given them time to repair, preen and evolve. Covid-19 means they have had to come up with new solutions for running the day-to-day business, so we might well see some changes when we return to our favourite campsites. Our task is to embrace those changes and respect the efforts that have gone into making a return to the pleasure of touring possible. There might be fewer pitches available while sites work out how to manage social distancing, and there’s every chance the season could be extended. However things are handled, you can be assured of a really warm welcome…

Ferry companies have continued to operate throughout the Covid-19 crisis, providing a valuable service for freight and essential travel. When it comes to passenger services, many have been suspended and some have gone altogether. All of the ferry companies refer potential passengers to the Government travel advice at www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus. They all also assure that the strictest hygiene protocols are being observed and that, because capacity has been reduced, it is easy to observe social distancing. Only two people at a time are allowed in lifts, for example, and disembarkation is strictly staggered. At the time of writing, all passengers travelling between the UK and the EU must wear a face mask, on board and through the EU ports. Passengers travelling to France must produce a travel declaration (www.gov.uk/government/news/attestation-forms-for-travel-to-and-within-france) confirming that…

• WHO ARE YOU? Paul Critcher, Deputy Editor of Practical Motorhome. I’m also a regular visitor to England’s wonderful south-west region. Unsurprisingly, Cornwall has become something of a second home to me – this lovely part of the world has so much to offer motorcaravanners. • WHY ARE YOU A LOCAL AUTHORITY ON MEVAGISSEY, CORNWALL? I love this part of Cornwall and have visited here many times – a few years ago I organised several scuba diving festivals in the local area. • WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT IT? The coastline – its craggy headlands, small coves and harbours, and rolling baize-green hills are breathtaking. Mevagissey itself is a bustling (especially in summer) seaside town with a traditional working harbour. Despite the huge growth of tourism in the town and…

Reviews editor It is good, although perhaps a little unexpected, to receive some potentially revolutionary news while we’re in the middle of a grim lockdown. The delicate business of emptying toilets has always seemed to be the Achilles heel of motorcaravanning to me – I strongly suspect it is what puts some people off the whole idea of having a motorhome. But Thetford’s innovative new Indus system (see p50) seems from first look to get around many of the problems people might have. My only surprise is that the firm pressed ahead with the launch when so much of the industry’s attention was focused elsewhere. However, I hope Indus goes on to make a profound and positive change in how we all enjoy our motorhomes. Email Peter via peter.baber@futurenet.com…

Licence delays Motorhome drivers looking to renew their C1 licence could face delays, because the DVLA is not currently processing postal applications for any renewals. The agency’s online services are working, but those needing a D4 report to renew their C1 licence will have to wait until the Covid-19 crisis is over and clinical staff are freed up. The DVLA says it is prioritising key workers, such as lorry drivers. BCA auction Auto auctioneer BCA’s first online motorhome sale attracted over 800 trade buyers in early June. The auction, developed by the firm in response to the lockdown, saw many vehicles go for more than their asking price; including a 2012 Nu Venture Rio for £24,100 - more than twice guide value - and a 2019 Bailey Autograph 79-4 for…

SiteSeeker Free. Available for iOS and Android ■ Find a campsite while you are on the road – this useful tool from The Camping and Caravanning Club allows you to locate the perfect place to camp, and features a smart interactive map. You can search by location, distance and on-site facilities, as well as finding prices and booking options. Only Club members are able to view the organisation’s CSs. Level Assist Free. Available for iOS ■ So what is the number one rule of motorcaravanning? Get level, of course! This acoustic spirit level is extremely accurate and sends out high-pitched beeps to let you know how much your position needs to be adjusted.…

As we went to press, we were starting to hear details of outdoor shows that now look likely to go ahead! However, we recommend that you double-check all details before setting off, and ensure Government advice is adhered to. 3-5 July 2020 Caravan & Motorhome Show Stratford on Avon 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.…

Note: Engine shown is purely for illustrative purposes and is not representative TUNING UP How do remapping and tuning boxes improve fuel consumption? The simple answer is air density. The internal combustion engine is basically an air pump and the more air it can process, the more power it can make. This is why almost all diesels are now turbocharged and intercooled; turbo and intercooler work to increase the density and the volumetric efficiency (how much air can be processed). Prolong engine life In the days of mechanical injection and boost control, we could increase fuelling across the range of speed and alter maximum boost pressures by mechanically changing wastegate settings. Now, with electronically managed injection and boost control, it’s all done in the ECU. Boost control is straightforward with…

On holiday, you want to devote all of your time to rest and relaxation, not to worrying about the safety of your cash and your kit. And what a disaster, if you were to lose some or all of your portable valuables. It is, of course, best to leave your jewellery at home, but there are some things you simply can’t do without. Lose your passports and you will need to seek out a British embassy and pay £100 each for an emergency travel document. This is only valid for the one trip home – there will be extra costs in renewing your passports. And if your cash is stolen, this is unlikely to be covered by your travel insurance. Losing your credit cards also causes a lot of hassle,…

HIGH TOP, FIXED ROOF how to buy… Setting a budget Begin by setting a realistic budget: not just the initial cost, but ongoing maintenance – both the base vehicle and the interior will need regular servicing – fuel consumption and insurance. The price of a new motorhome can look prohibitive, but offset this against what you would spend on a holiday, and how you would use your motorhome, how often, and the freedom it gives you to explore new territories. Remember that motorhomes tend to hold their value very well, too; much better than most cars will do. There is a variety of finance options available, but bear in mind that as a general rule of thumb you are unlikely to get an advance of much more than £40,000. That’s…

AUGUST 2010 In a World Cup year, this issue saw a Wildlife Escapes special, new technical pages, a rental round-up - and a guide to watching the football in your ’van! We excelled ourselves with this comprehensive pick of 100 essential touring accessories; everything from solar panels and car kettles to rescue tape and spanners. From the desirable to the unusual, our writers really did find something for everyone A walk on the wild side was on our minds as we traversed the country looking for the very best in wildlife encounters, including dolphins in the Moray Firth and bats in Cheddar Gorge For those who like to dip their toes in the water before taking the plunge, this was the perfect introduction to motorcaravanning MISSED AN ISSUE? Want to…