Indholdsfortegnelse for December 2024 i Practical Motorhome

SUDOKU To solve the puzzle, each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the numbers 1 to 9. No single digit can appear twice in any one row, column or 3x3 box HALF & HALF If someone had ailurophobia, what would they be afraid of? Cross out a letter in each square to get a grid filled with words. The uncrossed-out letters in the shaded squares will complete the puzzle answer! WORDWISE You have 15 minutes to find as many words as possible using the letters in the grid. Each word must contain four or more letters, one of which must be the central square. No proper nouns, plurals or foreign words are allowed. There is one nine-letter word in the grid, for which the clue is: Congregated 25 =…

Duration 24 days When June-July 2024 Why? An epic motorhome tour and some fantastic football! When we purchased our first motorhome, part of our motivation was being able to combine our love of travel with our love of football. I’m on the Board of Brora Rangers, who play in the Scottish Highland Football League, and we’ve enjoyed many weekends travelling in the Highlands while taking in a Brora match. As soon as the Euro 2024 venue was announced, we made up our minds to go. After all, Germany is a motorhome-friendly country, and has easy access from the UK and a superb road network. Our anticipation reached fever pitch when Scotland was drawn to play Germany in the opening fixture in Munich! Our plan was to leave our Inverness home…

Swift launches new models – but announces it may have to shed jobs Swift is unveiling two new Voyager 5 models for the 2025 season, and one new model in each of its Carrera and Trekker van conversion ranges, and updating external graphics and some interiors on other line-ups. The new Voyager 5s are the 505 and the 510. Both are 6.19m four-berths, with an end washroom and parallel settees in the front lounge below a drop-down bed. The main difference between them is that the 510’s settees house two fold-up travel seats, so four can travel. All Voyager models now come with new external graphics and new Jet soft furnishings inside. The new Carrera, the 244, is a version of the 6m-long 144 rear-lounge model, but with a rising-roof.…

The Harrogate show is relatively new to the leisure vehicle industry calendar, arriving in its current form last year. In September, it made a welcome return, and this time around, it came with a brand-new name – the Great Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show 2024. One thing that had not changed was that the event took place at the same venue as last year, the Great Yorkshire Showground. The Practical Motorhome team went along to the expanded show, to see the very latest new-for-2025 models – and here, we take a look at a few of the show’s highlights. To find out more about plans for the 2025 event, visit theharrogateshow.co.uk. Swift showcases brand-new models Swift launched a number of new vehicles at the show, as well as revealing…

Choosing the appropriate toilet chemical can make the task of emptying the toilet cassette a less daunting prospect, helping to maintain your facilities in tip-top condition and keep them fresh. This is because the best chemicals make it easier to dispose of waste, breaking it down and liquefying it, as well as combatting odours. Even when you are staying at a full-facility touring park, it’s likely that you will want to use your own washroom at some point, which is why keeping things fresh and well maintained is so important. There are three main types to choose from. These include the pink toilet rinse, which will go in the flush reservoir, and the blue toilet fluid, which goes into the waste cassette. The final type is a combined product, which…

Jordans Leisure opens its doors Jordans Leisure is a new motorhome dealership in the Hull area. It’s part of the Rix Group, founded in 1873 by sea captain and merchant adventurer Robert Rix. Today, this is a major conglomerate, including caravan holiday home manufacturer Victory Leisure Homes, and was the UK’s first privately owned Fiat Group supercentre. Jordans itself came into being in the 1900s, initially as a bicycle and motorbike retailer that moved into cars and commercial vehicles. Jordans Leisure is already selling pre-owned motorhomes, and has service centre back-up in place thanks to its long-established interests in the commercial vehicle sector. Sales director Ben Hakes told local news outlet thebusinessdesk.com: “As a business, Jordans has a long association with the motorhome industry, as our trained technicians carry out…

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Motorhomes are incredibly popular at the moment and the combination of Covid, Brexit, silicone chip shortages, wars and economic uncertainty have seen their popularity (and prices) soar. Rather than risk going abroad, many people have chosen to holiday in the UK, with this staycation enthusiasm further stoking demand. This is great news for sellers, but not so good for buyers – the cost of leisure vehicle ownership has also risen. More worryingly, whenever there is a spike in demand for any particular vehicle group, there is a corresponding spike in theft. Criminals clearly keep a close eye on market trends, too. So what can you do to avoid becoming yet another crime statistic? Happily, there are lots of simple, free, practical steps that you can take to protect your much-loved…

how to buy… Choosing a layout Before you get close to buying your dreamed for van, you need to have a good think about what you are likely to use the vehicle for: is it just for touring, or for day-to-day use as well? If the latter, you may need a shorter vehicle with more travel seats in the back. And you need to think about who is likely to use it. If children are coming with you, for example, are they still growing? You had better make sure the beds are going to be big enough then. And teenagers might not be so keen on the idea of sharing a double with their younger sibling. Motorhome layouts can also be subject to the whims of fashion. This year, for…

What3words ///admit.appeals.mayor Why tour here? The medieval town of Dettelbach, in Bavaria, Germany, lies on the River Main and is famed for its attractive architecture, with rows of impressive half-timbered houses perfectly set in streets of cobbled stone. Motorhoming visitors will no doubt make for the Stellplatz located on the banks of the river, where they can enjoy a stay immersed in the area’s natural beauty, with the old town only a five-minute walk away. There is good easy hiking here, with plenty of other beautiful villages nearby, as well as a number of well-maintained cycling paths. Don’t miss… Dettelbach is known for its wineries and holds an annual wine festival. This charming event is more low-key than the celebrated Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich, but all the more pleasurable…

WHY IS THE OVEN IN OUR ’VAN FAILING TO HEAT UP PROPERLY? Q The oven in our 2008 coachbuilt seems to have a fault - it doesn’t appear to be getting hot enough, even when set to the highest temperature on the dial. I can see the blue flame, but it’s lower than it used to be, and food is taking an age to cook. There is plenty of gas left in the bottle and the burners on the hob all appear to be working correctly. Can you advise, please?  Christian James A Diamond Dave replies… There are two main possibilities. First, the jet could be partially obscured, causing low gas flow, which would give a weak, low flame and not much heat. Second, the thermostat could have a fault.…

Spooky goings-on! The Enchanted Forest Highland Perthshire 3 October to 3 November 2024 Explore the glorious Highlands enhanced by captivating lights, as Faskally Wood transforms into a spellbinding forest (1). This popular annual event features a spectacular light show over Loch Dunmore, an interactive trail through the forest, and a uniquely mesmerising orchestra conducted by Beira, legendary Goddess of Winter. Indulge in delicious toasted marshmallows and churros along the trail, for a perfect evening. Adult tickets cost £30. enchantedforest.org.uk Stay at Milton of Fonab fonab.co.uk The Dragon’s Breath Carmarthenshire 24-27 October 2024 Visitors can watch and wonder as the much-loved National Botanic Garden of Wales reveals a truly captivating fire trail. Immerse yourself in the exciting story of the Dragon’s Breath, told in flaming performances, handcrafted fire sculptures, music, and…

Even people with no experience of motorhomes and campervans will recognise the VW California. And as the name suggests, the Grand California is the supersized version of the California. Perhaps that undersells the differences – the Grand isn’t just a stretched version of the popular ’van, it’s built on a different base vehicle, with a very different internal layout. Two models are available: the bigger 680, with a lengthways double bed to the rear, and the shorter 600, with a transverse double bed. Price start from £82,030 for the 600 and upwards of £84,718 for the 680. Drivers with a C1 licence can order the Grand with a 3.88t gross vehicle weight, although this costs extra. Otherwise, both the 600 and the 680 come in a standard specification, with an…

Earlier this summer, I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to try out one of the new-look McLouis Fusion low-profile ’vans, produced by McLouis in partnership with Auto-Sleepers. The revamp includes new silver side panels and an interior that largely replaces any wood veneer with a smart foil wrap. My first impression of the latest 373 was that both of these developments are improvements, particularly the interior, which feels brighter, thanks also to the large windows and sunroof (you can read my full review in issue 290). But where to take such a vehicle on a summer weekend? Norwich and the Norfolk coast – where I’d never been before – were beckoning. Living in the wilds of northern England, I must plead guilty to assuming that all journeys…

They’ll be gone in a year,” was (rather dismissively) opined by some established British converters in the early 1990s, when Derby-based Don Amott unveiled several Italian budget coachbuilt ranges in RHD and with an OTR price undercutting competitors by 25%. They didn’t disappear, but continued to find favour with British purchasers (especially young families) to such an extent that early in the new millennium, Swift produced a range to compete head-on with the hugely popular Italian imports. Monikered Ace Novella, these coachbuilts did just that and then some. They were exciting, appealing, and sold by the shedload. Now, two decades later, they make a savvy pre-owned purchase. Unveiled at the October 2001 NEC show, Novella’s launch offer numbered four… all Luton overcab coachbuilts, and all named after well-known, iconic, Italian…

With our 1998 ’van’s kitchen looking sharper as a result of its DIY-friendly makeover (issue 290), we decided to carry on with the cosmetic surgery, to make its dated interior more pleasant to be in. However, as we all know, it is quite easy to ruin a motorhome interior if you just start slopping paint around without careful thought as to exactly what you want to achieve. Seeking inspiration Social media is chock full of inspiration on what to do to cheer up a campervan cabin, and there is plenty of applicable content from the wonderful worlds of boats, caravans and even the ‘tiny house’ movement. But perhaps the best thing about trawling Instagram and YouTube for ideas is that you quickly establish what looks good, and what doesn’t. Our…

letter of the month As an avid reader of your magazine, I thought I’d highlight my problem with finding an insurance firm that would give me a reasonable quote. Having hired motorhomes in the past, now at 67 and retired, my wife and I had decided to buy one and tour Europe for longer periods than the norm. This was likely to be a one-off, only purchase, given our ages and for me, about 10 more years of driving before handing in my licence. We found a motorhome we liked, so we decided to shop around for insurance quotes before we went ahead with the purchase. But the insurance company had so many demands that it made the purchase less enjoyable, and this has now put us off the idea.…

‘After a little over two years of travelling through Europe, Asia and Africa, it felt good to be back in England’s green and pleasant land’ Duration Three days When Spring 2024 Why? The chance to reconnect with the beautiful British countryside As I strode along the well-trodden ridge leading up to Mam Tor, with the early spring sunshine on my face and a gentle breeze at my back, I couldn’t help but think of the opening lines to William Blake’s most famous poem. After a little over two years of motorhome travel through Europe, Asia and Africa, it felt good to be back ‘in England’s green and pleasant land’. Heading for the peaks You might think that after such an epic journey, there would be little desire to keep moving…

The new, two-strong Panama campervan range that Marquis Leisure is taking on is produced in Peñíscola, in eastern Spain. As a new company, Panama can do things differently, and one of the first things you’ll notice about the P12 is that it is based on the Ford Tourneo Custom, rather than the Transit. This means Panama can offer the option of having seven seats, making it easy to adapt for day-to-day use. Our test model, which had five seats, also came with Ford’s great new cab, with a central cabinet containing drinks holders and USB and USB-C ports, which you can shut away with a tambour door. There is a huge infotainment screen, and we particularly liked the slightly square steering wheel, reminiscent of early-generation games consoles. Pleasingly, the driver’s…

It’s here again and it’s probably more exciting than ever! Many of the leisure vehicle manufacturers left it until much later than usual this year to reveal their plans for the new season, which means that this year’s Motorhome & Caravan Show at the NEC will be the first time for new models to get a comprehensive airing. Here’s our pick of the highlights. Adria (Stand 7-35) The brand’s new Compact Max models – compact low-profiles, but on a VW Crafter for the first time – should be on view at the Adria stand, along with the Supersonic and Sonic A-classes, Matrix and Coral low-profiles, and Twin van conversions. adria.co.uk Auto-Trail (8-30) The Grimsby firm will be launching a new model in its Compact Excel range, the two-berth, end-kitchen 620S.…

AUTOHOMES EXCALIBUR AND MERLIN 1983-1988 The history of Autohomes goes back a long way, but not quite as far as the reign of King Arthur, after which these coachbuilts were named. Excalibur was his legendary sword; Merlin, the mythical magician who attended the Royal Court. Poole-based Autohomes started off as Bluebird Caravans and produced the original Highwayman coachbuilt. Bluebird became CI Motorised (CI for Caravans International… formerly Sprite) and finally, Autohomes. Talbot Express-based Excalibur and Merlin majored on clever design, plus value for money, and became Autohomes’ first mega-sellers. Excalibur was launched for the 1983 model year. Layout features a front lounge consisting of a face-forward travel seat either side of the central aisle. After some cushion shuffling, these convert into two inward-facing settees, and ultimately, a transverse double bed.…

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.…