Indholdsfortegnelse for February 2023 i Practical Motorhome

For all of us, our motorhomes are a home away from home – that special place where you can truly relax in comfort. And we know from your emails and messages that many of you love to make your ’van the very best that it can be – those upgrades really can make a big difference. This issue we’ve some great technical articles on whether you should carry a moped or motorbike (p82), and a handy Alde control panel trick (p90) – but we also have one reader’s amazing tale of how he rebuilt his ageing coachbuilt from scratch. It’s not a project that many of us would be able (or willing) to tackle, but it makes for fascinating reading – see p78! Whether you’re planning to tour over the…

Major research commissioned by The Camping and Caravanning Club and undertaken by a team of academics at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and Sheffield Hallam University has revealed how camping in the great outdoors improves people’s wellbeing and mental health. The Outjoyment Report surveyed a cohort of almost 11,000 people, assessing attitudes to all types of camping activities, from caravanning to glamping. You’d be forgiven for saying, “Of course, camping makes you happy!” and you’d be right. But having credible, independent, scientific data proving the benefits of camping and being outdoors will be hugely useful in future lobbying for pro-camping legislation and policy across a wide spectrum of areas of influence, covering everything from public health to the natural environment. As Club Head of Communications Simon McGrath said at the…

The Nightstop Scheme is run by us in conjunction with the Motor Caravanners’ Club (MCC), and the sites are certificated locations (CLs); you don’t have to join any club to use them. You’ll need to ring the relevant site to confirm whether there’s space for you before you visit: you’ll find information at www.practicalmotorhome.com/nightstops. For further information about the MCC, visit themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk. NOTE We strongly recommend double checking that Nightstops are open before travelling stop of the month 13 The Flying Bull London Road, Rake, Hampshire GU337JB Water available. Toilets available when pub is open. Rubbish bins. Dogs allowed & exercise area. £5 per night. Open all year. FIND FULL DETAILS ONLINE www.practicalmotorhome.com/nightstops…

It’s that time of year again – parties, trees, the gentle whiff of commercialism… Talking of which, have you seen the John Lewis ad? This decidedly uncommercial commercial, apart from making me feel a bit weepy, got me thinking about doing things! Trying out new skills (skateboarding, anyone?) or finding new destinations to explore. And that’s what motorcaravanning is all about: getting out there and visiting new places, embracing the great outdoors. It’s also good for your health – a fact we all knew but which has now been confirmed by research in The Outjoyment Report (see p8), which reveals that camping and outdoor enjoyment really are good for your mental health. With that in mind, we have some excellent travel options this month, including tours of glorious Ireland (p26),…

• Who are you? Sonia Wignall. I started caravanning with husband Nigel in 1989, aged just 18, adding motorhome travel in 2002 for adventures across the UK, Europe and Australasia, shared on our blog Campervan Castaways. • Where are you a local authority? Coastal Conwy, in North-West Wales. • Why are you a local authority? We’ve always lived here. It’s been our childhood playground, teenage haunt and grown-up piece of paradise, where we raised our own family. • What do you love about it? Conwy offers visitors a magical mix of intoxicating scenery. It’s where the mountains meet the sea, overlooked by a historic, yet still superbly intact 12th-century castle. The Town Walls, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, surround Conwy’s centre, where you’ll find atmospheric shops and eateries…

Birthplace of the Merseybeat in the 1960s and European Capital of Culture in 2008, the great maritime city of Liverpool has plenty to be proud of. For starters, it has the biggest collection of museums outside London, alongside a wealth of listed buildings. Brimming with bars and restaurants, beloved for its brilliant music scene and nightlife, the city is as lively as it is historic. DAY 1 10am On the docks Start your visit in style at Liverpool’s Royal Albert Dock, a vibrant hub of culture, local business and community events. Grab a coffee from one of the cafés along the waterfront and then take your pick from the exciting museums. You can learn about the city’s historic relationship with the sea at the Maritime Museum, or its fascinating local…

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We’ve all been there: you get to the campsite, pitch the ’van, set up the awning, rearrange the interior just how you like it, and then realise that, annoyingly, you’ve forgotten something, and the shops are a bit too far to walk. This is why many people tow a car behind their ’van. The trouble is, towing a car behind a motorhome involves mucking about with a large, heavy trailer and then having to unstrap the car and drive it off the trailer (via bulky ramps). By the time you’ve got the car off the trailer, it’s debatable whether this really is a labour-saver. And on top of that, taxing, insuring and maintaining a car can be pretty costly. Happily, there is an alternative, in the form of two wheels…

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 Nick Harding Contributor practical.motorhome@futurenet.com Diamond Dave Contributor practical.motorhome@futurenet.com Q WHAT COULD BE THE CAUSE OF THIS NOISY GEARBOX? I was concerned when I recently heard an unpleasant sound from the gearbox area of my 2001 Fiat Ducato 2.8 motorhome. I thought that it was the thrust bearing making the noise, because the sound went away when the clutch was depressed. I decided to book the vehicle in with a garage for a complete new clutch. However, when I collected the ’van, the noise was still there and the gears felt bulky and notchy. They said perhaps to adjust the clutch cable, but no other advice was offered. I can…

When Any time of year Why? Spectacular, remote landscapes that are ideal for exploration Given the title of this article, fans of Thomas Hardy are almost certainly expecting a tale of Britain’s stupendous south-west. But if you really want to get away from the multitudes, you’ll need to do a 180° turn at Gloucester Services and head towards the astonishing north-east. Northumberland is a sensationally rural county that stretches all the way from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to the Scottish borders, and halfway across England from the North Sea coastline. Yes, it’s very big, but it’s spectacularly beautiful and utterly bewitching, too. Anyone who’s visited this glorious region will know the feeling – you want to tell everyone how incredible it is, but you don’t want them all to go there and spoil…

Okay, so the Winnebago chief executive probably doesn’t own a working crystal ball, but it was fascinating to hear some of his recent predictions about the state of the motorhome industry. The RV company’s chief exec has been discussing his view of the future for the sector, and back in October, said that he believed the boom in motorcaravanning caused by the pandemic was now over. Winnebago doesn’t currently sell into the UK, but given the brand’s kudos and heritage, you can’t help but think he might be right. Do we believe the same in the UK? It’s hard to tell at the moment. October’s NEC show was well patronised, but perhaps the tipping point will come early in 2023, around the time of the February show. We’ll wait to…

Murvi’s Pimento is hot stuff… well, that’s got the ‘seasoning’ pun out of the way! A better informed comment would be to say that it is brilliantly built using quality materials and features a well-proven, easy-to-live-in layout. Murvi is a long-established, highly regarded converter. Its Morello has won more awards than any other motorhome. Pimento is a slightly shorter version of the Morello, and as a result, it is more manoeuvrable, but crucially, retains all of the latter’s strong suits. Enter via the wide full-height sliding side-door and you step straight into an open-plan main salon, which features swivelling cab seats and a longitudinal inward-facing sofa along the offside. Lounge occupants have an unrivalled view outside via the huge side-door aperture, because the furniture doesn’t intrude. This is also a…

www.practicalmotorhome.com/forsale 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,…

What is a battery? In the simplest terms, a battery is just a plastic box full of electricity. Every motorhome has at least one leisure battery, but some have two or more. When you are using your ’van, the main way your leisure battery will be charged is if you are pitched on site and plugged into a hook-up, where it’ll be topped up by the mains charger fitted as standard in modern ’vans. However, to maintain your leisure batteries in optimal condition, you need high-quality charging. Add a solar panel A solar panel is a real no-brainer if your motorhome is stored outside. A good-quality solar panel will keep your battery topped up. They are not cheap, but when the sun is out, your battery will certainly get the…

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letter of the month After spending £130,000-plus on a new motorhome, I am appalled at the shocking aftermarket customer care experience that I have received. Our dealer waits weeks for warranty approval decisions, then it takes months to get parts. They say the manufacturer does not give parts delivery times. At the moment, the market is buoyant and it seems that all parts are prioritised to production lines, rather than supporting customers who have been loyal to the brand. If manufacturers think this is best practice, they are horribly wrong. I believe the first manufacturer to announce a comprehensive customer care programme with parts delivery guarantees will build on their brand perception and expand their market share over time. Lastly, I have not received a satisfaction survey from the dealer…

Tapas dishes Upgrade your dining on tour with this nifty tapas set. Ideal for adventurous meals, the bowls can be used to cook or present food and are easy to clean, hold and stack. Price £22 Web cadacuk.com Flask bag Perfect for picnics, this bag keeps drinks warm or cold and holds a one-litre vacuum flask, with spoons, mugs and napkins for two. Price £45 Web amazon.co.uk Chair Buddies Say goodbye to sinking or slanted seating! Chair Buddies stabilise your camping chair by adding surface area to the feet – just attach and relax. Price £22 Web chairbuddies.com Refrigerator tidies These stylish drawers slide under your fridge shelves to keep food fresh and organised while making the most of the space you have. Price £13 Web amazon.co.uk Long hot water…

Birthdays are better with surprises! Usually involving close family and friends of the birthday boy or girl. Maybe a cake or a special meal. And presents, definitely presents. Again, from family and friends to the celebrant. But when my husband Ro marked his birthday in June this year, he turned the tables. It was me who got the surprise, when he arrived at home one lunchtime waving a printout of an email, when he was supposed to be working away for the week. “I finished early,” he announced, before adding, “so I’ve booked us a few days away in the oldest place I could find.” Now it’s normally me who does the research and the booking, so this was a surprise indeed. It was only fair: it was his birthday,…

“And this,” the guide said enthusiastically, “is the place where they filmed Queen Cersei Lannister’s naked Walk of Shame, a scene that cost the show’s producers almost £40,000 a day for a display of public nudity.” Quite clearly, the ancient steps we’re walking up, alongside an excited group of Americans and their animated tour guide, have a different appeal to those for whom a certain TV series is the main reason for visiting Dubrovnik’s Old Town. However, having never watched Game of Thrones, I had no idea who Cersei Lannister was, let alone why she walked naked down this street. Thankfully, you don’t need to have seen a single moment of HBO’s hit series to appreciate the splendid beauty of Dubrovnik. Race to the summit As we reached the top…

Here’s a good source of potential pre-owned bargain motorhomes, especially if your budget stretches to ‘nearly new’. Around now is the time when many leisure vehicle hire specialists are looking to move stock on, to make way for the arrival of new models. Among larger firms, this often means ’vans that are typically less than three years old. They may have done a few more miles than the norm, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Ex-hire vehicles do come with a bit of a warning – they’ve probably led pretty hard lives, so a good service record is vital. That said, the best ones have been better looked after than many privately owned vehicles, with anything that’s broken fixed before they head out on their next rental. See opposite…

A large proportion of the day-to-day stuff that we see in the workshop is straightforward servicing and fitting various types of equipment, such as solar panels, rear-view cameras or air-assist suspension systems. However, every now and then, something comes along to test the grey matter a bit! One such job – initially quite puzzling – came in a few days ago, in the shape of a 2011 coachbuilt motorhome which, the owner reported, was exhibiting weird lighting issues. The high-level background lighting and the spotlights under the high-level cupboards on the driver’s side were intermittently not working – well, all bar the one at the very front, which was functioning properly. Apparently, the rest of the high-level lights down the offside, and those in the washroom, were just randomly switching…