Indholdsfortegnelse for April 2025 i Practical Motorhome

Star picture 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 France; All the Aires Spain and Portugal; Road Trip Europe – Best of Belgium; All the Aires Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands; Go Motorhoming and Campervanning; Sea View Camping Scotland; Sea View Camping West Country; Road Trip Europe – The Great War and More; and Road Trip Europe – Go Dutch. Note, list of prize books may change depending on stock. All are from Vicarious Books, www.vicarious-shop.com, 0131 208 3333.…

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 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: Leisurely 15 = average More than 35 = well done NOTES HALF & HALF George James Symons (1838-1900) was an important figure in establishing the systematic measurement of what in the UK? Cross out a letter in each square to get a…

‘The beach at Seaton is part of the famous Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site’ Over many years of touring and camping in the UK, we have often made use of local buses to get around rather than driving, but I can’t remember ever having travelled on an electric tram, before our trip to the glorious Axe estuary in East Devon. The journey was inevitably a little slower, but much of the joy of any tour is gaining new experiences and seeing parts of the UK we wouldn’t otherwise manage to get to. That is certainly true of a journey on the dog-friendly Seaton Tramway. Colourful narrow-gauge electric trams run three miles through the Axe Valley from Seaton to Colyton, taking about 25 minutes each way. The route passes through Colyford…

There are, apparently, no fewer than 105 towns called Richmond in the world (estimates vary!), but here, we’re focusing on the original in North Yorkshire – which is arguably the best, even if its London counterpart came second in a recent Guardian poll of the UK’s happiest places to live (Woodbridge, in Suffolk, took the top spot). The beautiful market town near the Yorkshire Dales is prized for its traditional cobbled streets and historic buildings. Chocolate box it may be, but Richmond is not just a tourist town – it is also home to a thriving local community with a rich cultural scene, and a bustling centre of commercial activity. There’s no denying those historical roots, though, with fine Georgian houses rubbing shoulders with the Norman castle that dominates the…

The Meteor is WildAx’s first foray into converting a standard Ford Transit, the West Yorkshire-based company having already launched vehicles on the Transit Custom. As a brand-new model, the two-berth comes fitted with the new Transit cab, complete with the dial for gears. Just above is a display screen, with DAB radio and Bluetooth connections, as well as a reversing camera. You also get cab air conditioning, ESC, cruise control, a leather steering wheel and gear knob, smart alloys and a metallic exterior finish. Even with the washroom just behind the driving seat, this 6ft 6in reviewer found plenty of legroom when driving. And unlike some motorhomes with a forward kitchen and washroom, both of the cab seats swivel. The kitchen extension could make a resting place for a cuppa.…

Yes, it’s showtime again. The NEC Birmingham’s February event, officially termed the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show to differentiate it from the Motorhome & Caravan Show in October, runs from 18 to 23 February this year. The change of name suggests that motorhomes are not as much the focus here as they are in October, and there are one or two notable absences. Swift, for example, will not have a stand of its own, although you can see its vehicles at the Lowdhams stand (3090) or Couplands (1100). Pilote, similarly, while not having a presence at the event, can be seen at SMC (3080) or, for Joa Camp, Grantham’s (2200). Here is our round-up of what else makes the February show a must-see, and you can find further information at…

The latest motorhomes and van conversions from Auto-Sleepers are coming out of a factory at Willersey, in the Cotswolds, that has seen quite a few changes over the past couple of years. Whereas previously, all of the firm’s vehicles used to be made together, there are now two separate production lines, one for coachbuilt models and one for panel vans. Altogether, some 630 units are being manufactured by the brand each year. There has been more of an emphasis on producing the individual units that make up the motorhome away from the final assembly line, to reduce the potential risk of damage. But the firm’s tradition of producing as much as possible in repairable GRP, rather than plastic, has not changed, and the windows in its vehicles are still made…

Tyne Valley’s campaign lights up cancer charity Tyne Valley Motorhomes, near Newcastle, really lit up the festive season by raising money for local cancer care charity, Daft as a Brush. It’s an annual thing for Tyne Valley – helping add to the lights displayed at nearby Mountsett House, for a cause supported by the company’s founder, Derek Armstrong. Last year, Tyne Valley helped to raise nearly £2000 for the charity, which provides vital support for cancer patients. Jonathan Bell, MD of Tyne Valley and Derek’s stepson, told local newspaper the Sunderland Echo: “Derek’s Christmas lights were his way of bringing happiness to others, and we’re honoured to continue this tradition in his memory. “By supporting Daft as a Brush, we are keeping his spirit alive and helping those in need.”…

PLUS DIGITAL ACCESS TO 130+ ISSUES ** FIND YOUR PRACTICAL MOTORHOME SUBSCRIPTION AT www.magazinesdirect.com/PRM/DJ23P SUBSCRIBE TO PRACTICAL MOTORHOME TODAY CHOOSE YOUR PACKAGE PLUS DIGITAL ACCESS TO 130+ ISSUES** PRINT MAGAZINE, PLUS DIGITAL ACCESS ◼ £20.55 every 6 months! ◼ Digital access to 130+ issues when you subscribe to print!** DIGITAL MAGAZINE ONLY ◼ £16.44 every 6 months! Terms and conditions Offer closes 8 October 2025. Please allow up to 6 weeks for the delivery of your first subscription issue (up to 8 weeks overseas); the full subscription rate includes postage and packaging. *Savings are based on the cover price. Payment is non-refundable after the 14-day cancellation period. **Access to the digital library will end with your subscription. For full terms and conditions, visit www.magazinesdirect.com/terms. For enquiries and overseas rates please call:…

‘For the confirmed off-gridder or lovers of remote camping, a good mobile internet set-up is your route to Wi-Fi nirvana’ Nowadays, it seems that there are four essentials in life: air, water, food and the internet (the order will change if you have children!). We have all become so accustomed to having information, entertainment and apps available on demand via our digital devices, that being deprived of our 100MB/s of Wi-Fi reception can feel rather like losing a limb. You would certainly think so in my family, given the amount of moaning and anxiety when it happens. What is mobile internet? Luckily for motorhomers, our access to the web doesn’t have to disappear when we head off into the wilds. Cutting-edge technology can keep you in touch almost anywhere. First,…

what3words ///withdraw.splice.diverting Why tour here? As we become an increasingly connected world, it’s harder to find unspoiled places that allow you to experience truly different and special destinations. Norway’s Lofoten Islands, in the north of the country, buck that trend, combining unparalleled scenery and wonderful wildife encounters both on land and sea, with white-tailed eagles soaring above and orca and humpback whales breaching below. Indeed, it’s billed as a land ‘where the mountains meet the sea’ and nowhere more so than at Lyngvær Lofoten Caravan Camping, on the shores of Vestfjord, where the nearby mountains rise to 1000m. Don’t miss… Depending on the time of year, you can take your pick from watching the Northern Lights to climbing one of the many granite peaks. Experienced paddlers should take in one…

Proposals for a new campsite in the north of the Isle of Man have been given the green light by the island’s Planning Committee. The development, located on agricultural land on Summerhill Road near the eastern coast, will feature 10 touring pitches, 15 tent pitches and three shepherd-style huts. The land, used by the Isle of Man Motor Caravan Club since the 1990s for parking, is primarily used for livestock grazing. Committee member Sam Skelton voiced support for the plans, noting that the land’s agricultural quality was “poor” and the development aligned with tourism goals. Plans also include a reception office, and toilet and shower facilities, with landscaping to mitigate any visual impact through tree planting. A planning officer’s report also deemed the scale of the project acceptable, especially considering…

We were rumbling along the single-track road in our motorhome in rather excited trepidation. Big signs, posted at regular intervals along the riverbank, warned us of the consequences of entering the water. The river marked the Norwegian-Russian border, and we envisaged Russian soldiers with their binoculars trained on us at that very moment, waiting for us to step one millimetre out of line. A tad melodramatic! In truth, we continued to the end of the road, at the northeasternmost point of Norway, and spent the night there without incident, the stormy Barents Sea pounding the rocky shoreline our only disturbance. Despite the presence of several other ’vans, it felt like being at the end of the world – the perfect start to our Norwegian adventure. We first visited Norway two…

Electric camper pioneer collapses Hopes for the rapid development of electric campervans in the UK have been dealt a blow by the collapse of CampervanCo, a pioneer in the field. The Scottish company closed down on 24 December 2024, with James Dewar and Alistair McAlinden from Interpath appointed joint provisional liquidators at Campers Scotland Limited, trading as CampervanCo. This was shortly after CampervanCo launched a hybrid camper based on a used Toyota Proace. The company also had a stand at the NEC show in February 2023, when it exhibited what it claimed was the world’s first all-electric zero-emissions campervan, also based on a Proace. The liquidators have said there is no prospect of a sale of the business. Any customers affected should email campersscotland@interpath.com for further information. Gaslow warns on…

→ Price £779.99 → Web garmin.com → Dimensions 24.5 x 15.4 x 2.1cm → Display type 10.1” wide-view IPS, colour TFT, with on-lens capacitive touch panel → Display resolution 1280 x 800 pixels → Battery Rechargeable lithium-ion → Battery life Up to two hours → Internal storage 32GB → Storage capacity MicroSD card (not included) → Features include Customised routing, gradient/curve warning, full European mapping, Birdseye aerial imagery, Roadtrip routes, campsite directories, voice assist, environmental zone routing, wireless updates, live traffic and weather, live fuel prices, Michelin Green Guide, Trendy Places feature Motorhome sat-navs have come a long way. They used to just offer basic guidance for larger vehicles, but they’re now more comprehensive, with the best models letting you locate campsites and great places nearby, see live traffic updates…

Auto-Sleepers is this country’s longest established volume motorcaravan manufacturer, with a pedigree stretching back to the very early 1960s. It has a long association with Peugeot, and before them with Talbot and Commer. A-S panel van conversions in general – and high-top variants in particular – have sold well, are highly regarded and have strong residuals. Hardly surprising then that Boxer-based examples have many serial purchasers. In the early 2010s they decided to use the variant featuring OEM factory fitted bonded glass side windows and infill panels for a better integrated, more fluid, automotive, look. Then 2013 saw another first, when the firm decided to convert the ‘new’ XL version of the LWB van as part of the 2014 model year line-up. Kingham featured an unusual layout for a PVC,…

◼ Stronger signal Mobile routers are designed for internet connectivity and usually come with better antennas than a phone. These weatherproof antennas can be positioned outside and higher up, on the roof or sidewall, where they receive a much stronger signal than a phone inside the ’van. ◼ Dedicated device A mobile router’s sole purpose is to provide internet, so it doesn’t get bogged down with calls, apps and so on, unlike your phone. ◼ Battery life A mobile router has its own power supply and won’t leave you scrambling about for a charger halfway through your busy day. ◼ Multiple devices Routers handle several devices simultaneously, ideal for families or anyone travelling with multiple gadgets. Phones can struggle to maintain stable connections with too many devices linked. ◼ Data…

Driving in heavy rain is a fact of life for any British motorhomer. We all know the heavens could open at any time of year. The wettest parts of the country get up to 4m of rain annually. Even the driest areas receive around 500mm per year (that’s about 20 inches). Wet weather will place additional demands on both the driver and the vehicle. This is nothing experienced motorhomers cannot take in their stride, but it pays to be prepared, before and during any journey. Get ready for the rain Over the next pages, we’ll run through the various steps you need to take to make sure that you and your ’van are ready for travel in heavy rain. We also have some tips for drivers behind the wheel in…

Britain’s best motorway services Motorway service stations are a welcome sight for millions of road-trippers each year, offering a haven on long drives. CamperDays, Europe’s leading camper tour operator, has compiled a guide to Britain’s top motorway service stations. Max Schmidt, Head of CamperDays, says: “Data from Gridserve has found that Brits spend up to nine hours a year at service stations, totalling 720 hours – 30 days over a lifetime. It comes as little surprise then that we all have a favourite service station, with research showing that drivers are more likely to hold off stopping until they reach a favourite haunt.” From farm shops to lakeside terraces, these are the best places for a pit-stop in Britain, according to CamperDays. Gloucester Services M5 Renowned for its iconic farm…

Wildlife spotting is always at its most satisfying when an unexpected sight pops up out of the blue. Majestic red kites soared effortlessly in the cloudless summer skies as we were approaching Totteridge Farm in Wiltshire – and there were many more such magical moments to come. Admittedly, this often rather overlooked county is prized more for the huge white horses carved into its chalk hillsides, but we were also on the lookout for the beauty of living creatures. As dawn broke next morning, a brown hare bounded past our ’van – the first of many welcome visits – and later, we spied a heron stalking its prey, while we were taking a walk to the nearby village of Pewsey, alongside the scenic Kennet and Avon Canal. But the real…

The market for transverse-bed low-profiles measuring no more than 6m is a crowded one. But that hasn’t stopped Benimar including this new model in its Ford Transit-based Tessoro range for 2025. A shorter vehicle obviously leads to compromises on the outside, so while it is good to see the access to the toilet cassette on the offside, away from any potential awning, the hook-up point is on the nearside and quite close to the door, so the cable could potentially interfere with an awning. Such design choices do allow for a generous garage at the back, however, accessible via two large doors. Our test model was based on the new Ford Transit and had automatic transmission, a £2500 option. In the new Transit, this is controlled via a dial in…

Over the years, I’ve tested almost every size of motorhome, from tiny Berlingo-based campervans to 7.5-tonne RVs and A-class models. I’ve squeezed small campervans along narrow Cornish lanes and wafted along in 9m-long A-class vehicles on the vast German autobahns. This has informed my thinking about the size of vehicle that works best for me. But the key phrase is ‘for me’. What works best for you is going to be different. Many factors come into play when you are selecting a vehicle to suit your lifestyle, so it’s helpful to run through them here. WHAT ARE YOU LICENSED FOR? Before you spend any money, dig out your driving licence and head online to the Government websites at www.gov.uk/driving-licence-categories and www.gov.uk/driving-licence-codes to see which vehicles you are entitled to drive. Do…

One big advantage of motorhomes over rather more basic forms of camping is the vehicle’s hot water supply. But how often have you found that your washing-up, or your family shower schedule, has been interrupted by the need to wait for the boiler to heat up the water again? This can be a problem, even on those pitches where you are hooked up directly to the mains water supply. Now, blown-air heating company Truma has introduced a new heater that should be able to solve that issue. And as a motorhomer in the UK, you could be the first to benefit from it, if you go for a new Auto-Sleeper motorhome this season. Continuous hot water Truma’s CombiNeo heater, brought out in the year the German company has been celebrating…

Diagnostics are all in the data With the engine ECU back, I was hopeful that it had resolved the running problems, but I wasn’t to be that lucky. The vehicle still frequently ran rough and randomly cut out, and all the other symptoms were still present. At least with the CAN bus communications restored, I could rule that out as a potential part of the problem. Now when it comes to on-board diagnostics, there are two ways to access the vehicle’s networks. One is by direct scan, using vehicle-specific software; the other is via Extended On-Board Diagnostics (EOBD). The vehicle-specific option gave no clues to the root of the problem, so I then used the EOBD system and monitored live data. This, as the name implies, involves all of the…

Motorhomes dating back to the nineties can often be a little murky on the inside, thanks to flickery fluorescent lights, small windows and opaque roof vents. Our project ’van’s windows will just be getting a drop of Autoglym on a soft cloth, but both the lighting and the roof vent are improvable. Time to go shopping In fact, it was a chance discovery on Facebook Marketplace that prompted the roof vent upgrade. Our ’van had been reasonably well equipped in 1998, and one of several nice items was a kitchen extractor roof vent. But it had definitely seen better days. It was filthy, and had clearly been extracting a lot over the years. Cleaning is not a big problem, but more questionable was the state of the support legs. Two…

Featuring new 2025 models! About the guide We’ve organised our listings by layout, which is 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, of which we had confirmed details as we went to press. All information was correct at the time of going to print. how to buy… Choosing a layout Before you get close to buying your dream ’van, you need to have a good think about how you are likely to use the vehicle: is it just for touring, or for day-to-day use as well? If the latter, you might need a shorter vehicle with more travel seats in the back. And you need…