Innehållsförteckning för September 2016 från Practical Caravan

The contributors of our Star Letter and Star Photo each win a pair of Milenco Grand Aero towing mirrors, worth £50. They’re designed to fit all wing mirrors and offer an outstanding view. If you have a top tip, send it in for a chance to win four Milenco Stacka corner feet, worth £14. For further details and a list of retailers, visit www.milenco.com WRITE TO Letters, Practical Caravan, 69 London Road, Twickenham TW1 3SP EMAIL US AT letters@practicalcaravan.com JOIN OUR COMMUNITY AT practicalcaravan.com/forum facebook.com/  practicalcaravan twitter.com/  pcaravan instagram.com/  practicalcaravan…

13 September Victorian delights Discover Halifax’s Victorian roots at the Halifax Heritage Festival, when many of the historic buildings, including the Piece Hall, will be open to the public. Stay at Elland Hall Farm Caravan Park Web www.ellandhallfarm.co.uk 5-6 September Sup up in Kent Look back to the golden days of hop picking at the Faversham Hop Festival, where there will be music and entertainment, as well as exhibitions celebrating 800 years of growing hops in Kent. Stay at Butter Acres CL Web www.butteracres.co.uk 3-18 September Celebrate a Coronation Gloucester’s 2000-year history is laid bare at the Gloucester History Festival in the lead-up to the 800th anniversary of the coronation of Henry III in the cathedral. Stay at Briarfields Motel and Touring Park Web www.briarfields.net September All…

THERE’S BEEN A huge amount of political and economic turmoil over the past few months, but we caravanners seem to have largely been forgotten in all of the ‘what if…’ scenarios that have been played out by politicians and public alike. Amid the (as far as I can see it) ridiculous concern over property prices, exchange rates, global trade, immigration, swords of Damocles et al, any possible effect on the touring community has been swept under the (removable) carpet. It’s not as though our concerns are any less significant when compared to, say, a stock market collapse or worldwide financial meltdown. Why doesn’t the rest of the world recognise that there are some genuinely serious issues that have an impact on us, and that we therefore need to have addressed?…

Enjoy a barbecue! I have a full set of waterproofs so, while my wife and daughter are inside listening to music (or whatever it is that they do), I cook. Paul Turner Join the local library – books and DVDs are available to borrow for just a small fee. Amanda Leetham Always carry a stash of games and books with you. You could also find a scenic drive or a country house to explore. Fliss Spink Open a bottle of red wine! Karen Boyd Go and find the sun (well, a dry spot at least). We are usually pitched up near hills; if it’s raining there, we go out and try to find somewhere dry. This approach has not failed us yet. Kate Charlton Come to sunny France, it’s glorious!…

When to go Granada in Spain is a year-round destination. The Las Lomas campsite, in the heart of the Sierra Nevada National Park and mountain range, provides an excellent base for touring and taking part in many outdoor activities including skiing during the winter months. Way to go Special deals for ferries, including Camping Cheques, can be sourced via the Caravan Club (www.caravanclub.co.uk). We used Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to Santander, but next time we plan to take the Brittany Ferries route from Portsmouth to Caen, driving down through France; it's a longer journey, but avoids the possibility of suffering seasickness in the rough seas of the Bay of Biscay. Food and drink The campsite at Las Lomas has an inviting restaurant serving delicious, inexpensive local dishes. Soak up the…

WHEN TO GO This far south, you’ll find the weather to be good for much of the spring and summer. Plan to avoid the school holidays if you are looking for a quieter break. WAY TO GO The French autoroute network is comprehensive and makes towing easy. You’ll need to exit at junction 23 of the A7 for Camping Flory. FOOD AND DRINK Good eateries in Avignon include Restaurant Des Teinturiers (5 Rue des Teinturiers), O’Petitapetit (29 Rue du Vieux Sextier) and Le Potard (19-21 Place de la Principale). FIND OUT MORE Tourist Information Centre 41 Cours Jean Jaurès, 8400 Avignon Tel 0033 (0)432 743 274 Caravan accessories shop Narbonne Accessoires, Zone de la Marquette, Route de Carpentras, 84700 Sorgues Tel 0033 (0)490 836 045 Local hypermarket and fuel Auchan,…

1 Fallowfield Located near Hexham, this is an ideal base to explore Tynedale. There are areas for caravans and tents, plus pubs a walk away. Stay at Fallowfield Dene Caravan & Camping Site Web fallowfielddene.co.uk 2 Hadrian’s Wall Here you’re perfectly sited for visiting the Roman Wall, with your caravan in the heart of majestic Northumbria. Stay at Hadrian’s Wall Campsite Web www.  3 Mains Farm Eden Valley lies to the east of the Lake District. It’s a lesser-known area of the North Pennines, but well worth exploring. Stay at Mains Farm Caravan Site Web www.  4 Highside Farm A quiet but much-loved place to pitch up in Teesdale, and ideal for immersing yourself in a rural idyll of County Durham. Stay at Highside Farm Camping…

New range-topping tourer for Hymer At Hymer’s new-season event in July, the emphasis was on its premium models. The star of the show was the new flagship, the Nova S, a fully winterised range featuring the single-axle 545 and two twin-axles: the 620 and 690 (above). Outside, these are distinguished by automotive-style LED rear lights and cutouts for the steady winders that are reminiscent of a trapezoidal tailpipe. The five-berth 690 has real wow-factor and is packed with clever details. It has space aplenty in two U-shaped lounges and a UK-friendly kitchen, with a fixed double bed at the rear. The 545 is priced from €33,790, the 690 from €41,990. Models coming to the UK are expected be the Nova S; the Nova GL 470, 541, 545, 580, 585, 590…

PRESSURE WASHERS MAY be a contentious product for a Practical Caravan Test bench, because of the horror stories about the serious damage they can do to caravans. And there’s no doubt about it: when used in the wrong way, these popular household devices can wreak havoc on seals, remove coatings and dent sidewalls. Part of the problem is that you cannot buy automotive- or caravan-specific pressure washers. Practically every model available is a jack-of-all-trades, aimed as much at restoring acres of grimy block-paving to as-new condition as for any other task. Power is everything for cleaning drives and patios – a fact that has increased demand for ever-punchier machines over the years. Modern units pack such a punch that they are easily capable of damaging cars. This doesn’t help on…

How much? £5000-£11,500 Ignore our lower figure; that’s for petrol-engined models. The diesel you almost certainly want was, as mentioned earlier, more expensive in the first place so you’ll struggle to find anything for less than £6000. If you agree with our assessment that four-wheel drive is a jolly good idea in this kind of car, expect to pay £7200 or more for one of those because they are holding their prices a little better than the lesser options. Sadly those facelift models haven’t had time to shed much value and you’ll struggle to find anything under £10,500. What will it tow? Kerbweight .........................1294kg 85% match............................1100kg Towing limit.........................1500kg Towball limit.............................75kg (Figures for 2013 Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi 110) How much is a towball? Witter flange towbar ....... £129.12 Witter detachable…

MODERN CARS AND touring caravans come with lots of sophisticated safety devices, from trailer stability control on some cars to Al-Ko’s ATC anti-snaking system. But there’s one item of equipment without which all the clever electronics wouldn’t matter a jot – the tyre. Whether you’re accelerating, cornering or braking, everything a car or caravan does relies on the rubber. In the wet, its condition becomes doubly important: the tyres will struggle to find any grip if there isn’t sufficient tread depth to clear water from the road surface. Better safe than sorry If you haven’t done so this year, it pays to give your caravan tyres a thorough check. In fact, inspecting the tyres regularly and before every long journey should be part of your routine. Caravans typically cover far…

Layout finder R With a parallel lounge, dinette and end washroom, this is usually a family-friendly four-berth layout. The dinette normally converts into two bunks and there is a privacy curtain to separate the areas at night. The dinette can be used in a few ways: as extra space for preparing meals, for kids' quiet play or by couples who use it for dining, so they do not have to pack away the double bed. Pros The side dinette is a handy eating and break-out area and the end washroom offers comfort and privacy. Cons The layout works best with 5.5m bodyshells or longer. Older children may find the bunks uncomfortable. A The lounge should allow room for four to eat in comfort B You'll usually find plenty of workspace…

Layout finder A Nearside fixed-bed tourers with an end washroom are the choice of couples who only occasionally tour with children. They’re glad to avoid making up a double bed each night and appreciate having a separate shower. Often, the kitchen and lounge are roomy, but single-axle models may reduce their size, or make washrooms narrow in order to accommodate a shorter bodyshell. Pros You’ll sleep well on a proper mattress, while a full end washroom adds more luxury. Cons Space-hungry end washrooms and fixed beds will eat away at lounge lengths and kitchen worktops. A Lounge may be compact to fit in the bed and washroom B Storage space under the sofas should prove handy C If the kitchen worktop is small, use the dresser’s surface D Tall people…

So here they are, the class of 2017... and what an impressive class it is! There has been a real focus on comfort this year, and some innovative technologies being rolled out. But I like to look for one main theme from the ‘launch season’, and this year – apart from the dominance of the island bed – it was families. It seemed as if every brand had a spacious multi-berth tourer added to its range, and it’s heartwarming to see because, for most of us, memories of family holidays are the reason that most of us began caravanning in the first place. And, if we are able to make those same memories stick in the minds of our own kids, the future of our pastime looks rosy. Next month…

WHICHEVER WAY THE EU referendum vote had gone, it was almost certain that changes to our EU membership would have been enacted in some form or another but, with UK voters electing to leave, the effect on our touring is likely to be far more widespread. As this issue went to press, political matters were moving fast. One thing is for sure, though: an exit from the EU is certain to have an effect on European travel as we know it. Here’s a round-up of what you need to know – but do bear in mind that no one is yet sure about exactly what will happen! EHIC cards The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) is a crucial piece of credit-card-sized plastic that currently gives you access to free or…

1 Water adventure Lancashire’s varied landscape includes the wetlands at Martin Mere, managed by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. This wild and fascinating place has miles of trails and plenty to see in every season. If you want to give your feet a rest, join one of the canoe safaris or boat tours to get closer to the huge variety of wildlife. There are even more opportunities to get out on the water just steps from your caravan door if you pitch up at Leisure Lakes, a families-only park with 300 acres of spectacular countryside and lakes to explore. Stay at Leisure Lakes Outdoor Pursuits, Watersports and Caravan Park Web www. leisurelakes.co.uk 2 Flock to Norfolk Norfolk is famously flat, with fenlands and marshes galore. The Cley Marshes on…

Duster 1.6 Access 4x4 The petrol engine lacks power. Putting your foot down to overtake or change lanes does very little. Above 2500rpm, it’s OK but this in turn brings fuel economy down to a crippling 20mpg, which is truly awful. The seats lack bolstering, which makes journeys of any length tiring because you constantly fight against the roll of the car. We wanted to like this car but both of us hate it and look forward to getting rid of it. Nick Brown Duster 1.5 dCi 110 We have only towed with it three times so far, but are very happy with how it pulls our Fleetwood Colchester. The fuel economy is a very acceptable 30+ to the gallon. We are very careful how we load the caravan and…

My name is Ben Briggs, I am 15, and I’m obsessed with caravans. Last year, we purchased a Swift Challenger 630 SE (my favourite caravan of 2015) and, as soon as we got it back, I made a video walk-through of it on my YouTube channel (Yogi the Caravan Man). You can find it at: https://m.youtube.com/ watch?v=f3EqqoneX2c. The video is a year old now, but I would love to hear what you think of it. I watch almost all your videos and read your magazines and love them all. Hopefully, my job will be around caravans – I’m aiming to be a caravan reviewer one day. Ben Briggs Alastair Clements replies... Wow, Ben, you’re a natural. Keep up the practise and I’ve no doubt that you will make a fantastic reviewer…

Practical Caravan’s Craig Evans is a regular visitor to Manchester. The area has a lot to offer holidaymakers, from scenic countryside to bustling city centre in under an hour. 1 Stay here Crowden Camping & Caravanning Club Site is nestled at the northern end of the Peak District. This small park is perfect for back-to-basics touring, you won’t get mobile or TV signal here! The site is an ideal base for exploring all that the National Park has to offer, yet is only 40 minutes from Manchester. 2 Eat here Worsley Old Hall (pictured) is a 17th-century country house that has been turned into a pub, serving seasonal fare and real ales. If you fancy venturing into the city centre the choice is plentiful, but Salvi’s Cucina is a…

Enjoy a better TV signal this summer Maxview has recently launched its new Omnimax Pro Omnidirectional aerial, and to celebrate we have two of the units, worth £86.99 each, up for grabs. Omnimax will also throw in a Magnetic Base, worth £24.99, for each winner. Following the success of the original Omnimax, Maxview has redesigned its existing model for digital TV reception. With improved performance, the Omnimax Pro claims to receive more channels, in more locations, than any other omni-directional aerial. Also, by receiving signals through 360º, the Omnimax Pro requires no directional alignment. The aerial offers wet- and dry-seal installation options, as well as direct and indirect routing into the caravan. All of these features are incorporated within an updated and refreshed robust housing. The Omnimax Pro is complemented…

Make a stately visit on your next tour DO YOU ENJOY visiting stately homes when you’re on tour? Many caravanners do, so it was great to hear this month that The Camping and Caravanning Club has joined forces with Treasure Houses of England – a network of 10 exquisite and historic buildings across the country – to become the latter’s official camping partner until 2018. Each is located close to one of the Club’s major sites, making it easy to plan your trip around a visit. Among the houses in the network are Chatsworth in Derbyshire (near Bakewell Club site), Burghley House in Lincolnshire (St Neots Club site), and Holkham Hall in Norfolk (Sandringham Club site) – the latter is great for visiting Wells-next-the-Sea. The Club is also giving away…

'We familiarised ourselves with Haro's lively old quarter, picking up the essential bottle of Rioja' The idea for the Lyon family’s trip to Spain came while I was photocopying alongside my dear Spanish colleague, Silvia. Talk of tapas, fiestas, vibrant culture, blue skies and beautiful scenery had her feeling homesick and me craving a holiday in the sun. Our son Ben is now eight years old, but before he started school we had swapped the grey British spring for the sunshine and deserted beaches of southern Spain. When it comes to holidays our usual practice is to plan well in advance; however, with new jobs and house renovations, we had been uncharacteristically preoccupied. An outing to the NEC Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show soon had us back on track.…

‘It’s not compulsory to sing the famous song when crossing Pont d’Avignon, but I did, much to Joe’s embarrassment’ CARAVANNERS Joe and Elaine Ormerod CARAVAN 2006 Bürstner S500TS TOW CAR 2007 Chrysler 300C Touring WE LOVE France’s friendliness and historic architecture WE SHOULD HAVE seen the signs. Exactly one mile after we left home for a trip to Continental Europe, the car flagged up a problem with the accelerator. Joe pulled up, switched off the engine, and started it up again; rather like rebooting a computer, we got no further warnings during the holiday. At that time we weren’t to know this, of course, so it was a rather quiet journey to Hull for our overnight crossing to Rotterdam. In the morning we drove to a campsite in The Netherlands…

IT IS OFTEN the simple pleasures in life that provide the greatest rewards, and the hidden delights of Middleton-in-Teesdale and the lovely surrounding countryside of County Durham make for an unhurried and charming tour with the caravan. The base for my Sprite Musketeer was Mickleton Mill; rest and relaxation are the order of the day here, and you’ll find plenty of both. Also known as the Land of the Prince Bishops, this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a jewel in the north-east’s crown. With stunning countryside, a rich history and plenty of wildlife, the region has tradition and surprises in equal measure yet is often overlooked by tourists dashing north and south. It is a place worth spending time in to discover its quiet yet welcoming aura. The village…

Enjoy these sites and much more when you join! Just £48 a year gives you access to over 2500 of the best caravan and camping sites in Europe and a host of member benefits. Tel 01342 488 115 Web www.caravanclub.co.uk/membership Durham Grange Whether you fancy a wander or a bite to eat in one of the many local restaurants, the panoramic views from every vantage point make this city a destination not to be missed. Tel 01913 844 778. Teesdale Barnard Castle This site sits in open countryside just half a mile from the town of Barnard Castle, home to the Bowes Museum, a 12th-century castle and a choice of pubs and restaurants. Tel 01833 637 999. Richmond Hargill House Deep in the area where artist JMW Turner found subjects…

Is it time to take up a new Hobby? DURING AN IMPRESSIVE launch at its Fockbek, Germany HQ in June, Hobby revealed its appealingly different 2017-season line-up – along with bold plans to expand its UK dealer network and build dedicated repair centres here. For many Brits, Hobby would benefit from an image makeover, but open your mind and you’ll be spoilt for choice. The 2017 portfolio comprises 57 tourers across seven ranges – with a renewed focus on touring caravans. All vans, apart from the Ontour series, now have extra-large habitation doors (albeit on the UK offside) and, for the first time, a stability system for the chassis will be an option on all models up to the 660. Another new option is the automatic Kathrein CAP 650 satellite…

First drive Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TDI 150PS 4Motion Price From £27,270 Kerbweight 1641kg* 85% match 1395kg Towing limit 2000kg Towball limit 100kg *Minimum kerbweight VOLKSWAGEN DESCRIBES the second-generation Tiguan as its most important new car of 2016. To build on the success of the old model, the new Tiguan has boosted safety kit, interior space and fuel economy. Seven engine options range from a 125PS (123bhp) 1.4-litre petrol to a 240PS (237bhp) 2.0-litre diesel. In the middle of the line-up is the 150PS (148bhp) 2.0-litre diesel, which is expected to be the most popular choice. Having towed with many VW Group cars powered by this engine, we know it is well suited to towing, with a healthy 251lb ft of torque delivered from 1750-3000rpm. The Tiguan is heavier than most…

ON THE LOOKOUT for a new tourer? If so, we can help! Just like our travel stories, expert reviews and advice, we think that our classifieds are the best in the business. So now you can read our review of your chosen caravan, watch the video, then find it online, making www.practical caravan.com the one-stop shop for all your touring needs. We know that 50% of you access our website via mobile devices, so our classifieds are fully responsive — they will 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 and number of axles or berths.…

! IMPORTANT! Disconnect any mains supply and the 12V battery before you start. WHEN I FIRST heard about the Alde Smart Control (a device that allows you to operate the van’s heating from your smartphone), I thought, “Some people want all the latest gadgets, but what is the point, especially when this one’s RRP is north of £400?” Then I stepped back from my cynicism and realised what a good idea it is. The cost savings may not be much for those who use mains hook-up. Nevertheless, we caravanners like to think of ourselves as conscientious about the environment, so by using less energy we are doing our bit for the greater good. However, if you tour off-grid and rely on gas for heating your tourer, you will derive…

Layout finder B Transverse-island-bed tourers are the height of luxurious touring, given their large end washrooms, and his-and-hers wardrobes. However, the double beds are not necessarily 'fixed'. They must often be retracted during the day to permit unhindered access to the washroom. Some caravanners consider this too much trouble. These can sometimes be twin-axle tourers. Pros This layout is close to that you'd find in a domestic bedroom. It's now available at a variety of prices. Cons The lounge may be smaller. The island bed sometimes requires setting up. A Spacious washroom has all the features and storage you need B It should be relatively easy to access either side of the bed C Kitchen space can be compromised to allow for the bed D The lounge can be turned…

Focus on… Fifth Wheel Company Fifth-wheel caravans (huge tourers that attach to the flatbed of a pick-up truck, rather than a towball) have been around for a long time now — but only in the US. The Fifth Wheel Company, based in the Denbighshire region of Wales, is rather younger — it was founded in 2002 — and is very much a family affair. Fifth Wheel Company is the brainchild of Mervyn and Jenny Parry-Jones, together with their son Adrian and daughter Ceri; it came about following their successful management of a Massey-Ferguson tractor dealership. The family imported a fifth-wheeler from the US to live in at tractor shows and events, and it attracted such a positive reaction that Mervyn spotted a gap in the market for a UK equivalent.…