Innehållsförteckning för November 2021 från Practical Caravan

This has been one of the most involved, but also one of the most exciting, issues of Practical Caravan that we’ve ever put together. For starters, we’ve been working late into the night to deliberate and cogitate on the winners of our brand new Awards (p56). I won’t reveal the victors here, but suffice to say: each represents the very best of caravanning today - don’t miss it. Then we’ve just some of the highlights of our upcoming Van Live! event - you’ll find our round-up on p64. And, as we went to press, news broke about the Government’s decision to scrap the B+E towing test - meaning younger newbies to our pastime can now tow a heavier caravan from the off (p46). It’s certainly made for an action-packed month…

It’s a busy day for members of the Caravan and Motorhome Club Concert Band (CAMCCB). As we speak with them, they are rehearsing in a marquee at Exeter Racecourse, where the band is playing at the Club’s week-long summer rally event. Busy they may be, but playing with the band is very much a labour of love and combines many of the elements that make touring such a pleasure – working together as part of a community and supporting friends. Caravanning musicians Formed in 1993 by a group of caravanning musicians under the leadership of first conductor Major Brian Smith, CAMCCB has gone from strength to strength and has become something of a fixture at large Club gatherings and rallies. Musicians come from across the UK, with members from Devon,…

It was that time of year again, when we’d normally be thinking about our next tour. But, of course, most of 2020 had been anything but normal, so we kept looking out with frustration at our immobile caravan sitting on the drive, going precisely nowhere. Living in Wales, we were restricted more stringently than those in England, with a five-mile travel limit imposed for months. But eventually, we were released, as the travel limit was lifted and campsites were opened – albeit without facilities. In the van we are self-sufficient, so this wasn’t a problem. We booked a site near Chepstow, loaded up and away we went. Off the beaten track Once we had set up on site, we decided to visit nearby Monmouth. This was an easy trip on…

Harrison’s excited cry: “Look Daddy, I can see a rainbow!” came as he peered out through a window covered in droplets of water from the latest sudden downpour. I can’t say I shared his excitement at that moment. After all, this was our summer holiday and I had hoped, perhaps rather foolishly given the unreliability of British weather in July, for a few weeks without too much rain. As it was, we were doing the typically British thing – making the best of it, while loudly cursing the weather gods and quietly longing to be elsewhere. There was a period earlier this year when we had genuinely hoped to get across to the Continent, but that hope was as fleeting as what passes for summer on our shores. Not that…

Sponsored by THE A66 STARTS near Redcar, running as mainly dual carriageway past Stockton-on-Tees and single carriageway past Darlington, becoming motorway – the A66(M) – before junction 57 of the A1(M). It joins the A1(M) route south to Scotch Corner, from where it continues west across the Pennines, past the old staging post of Brough, and on to the market town of Appleby, with its castle, almshouses and church. It’s a beautiful stretch, but a bit prone to vagaries of the weather. It bypasses Temple Sowerby, aka the Queen of Westmorland Villages, set around a green with a maypole. The village gets its name from the Knights Templar, once owners of Sowerby Manor. On the edge of the village are the National Trust’s Acorn Bank garden, which has the largest…

THE PRACTICAL CARAVAN & MOTORHOME VIRTUAL SHOW 18-25 Oct 2021 Welcome Such was the success of our previous Van Live! Virtual Shows, we ve decided to do it again - join us and fellow showgoers online this month! The world may be adjusting to a new normal, but things are better and brighter than ever for the caravanning industry - we’re taking to the road in our thousands, keen to experience the freedom that we’ve all missed over the past 18 months. Join us online And it’s our brilliant pastime that we’ll be celebrating at the Van Live! Practical Caravan & Motorhome Virtual Show 2021, which will feature on our website from 18-25 October. You’ll be able to read all of the latest news from manufacturers, dealers and campsites, not…

Demand for used vans just keeps growing Well what can I say – used-caravan sales are through the roof these days! As a result, pre-owned tourers now seem scarcer than ever. Recently I was in the sales office of a local dealership, chatting to the sales staff, and while I was there, several folk wandered in, wanting to know when more stock would be available. Simple answer, the sales team said – perhaps by the end of 2022! Meantime, caravans remain in short supply and now, with the towing legislation being altered (p46), more newbies will be taking an interest. Those days of rows of used tourers on the forecourts seem like the very distant past. practical.caravan@futurenet.com ANDY JENKINSON is a caravan expert and historian –he loves pre-owned and classic…

Farewell, B+E towing test So the Government has done away with the B+E test (p46). For many years, this trailer towing exam was required for drivers who passed their test since the start of 1997 to legally pilot car and caravan combinations with a Maximum Authorised Mass of more than 3500kg. There’s no reason someone who passed in 1996 can tow better than those who passed in 1997. But the 70% pass rate is evidence that 30% of test candidates couldn’t tow safely. By making these drivers try again until they reach the required standard, surely we’ve been making the roads safer? I for one am sorry to see the test disappear. MOTTY motty@practicalcaravan.com Tow car editor DAVID MOTTON is a former PC editor, and has towed with more than…

Your window on the world How much care do you give your caravan’s windows? Most of us are probably guilty of not paying them as much attention as they need, particularly during the harsher autumn and winter months. Which is why this issue we’ve brought you a great guide to caring for your windows – whether you need to know how to clean them properly to prevent damage, or replace a skylight that’s past its best, you’ll find everything you need to know on p121. Elsewhere, we’ve advice on how to fit a handy 12V distribution point – don’t miss our guide on p118. practical.caravan@futurenet.com OUR TECH EXPERTS include (left to right) John Sootheran, Sammy Faircloth and Nigel Hutson *Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Caravan, provides the information…

› Kerbweight As defined by EU Directive 95/48/EC, the car or other vehicle’s weight with a 90% full fuel tank, all necessary fluids, 68kg for the driver and 7kg of luggage. This is the figure that is used to calculate a tow car match › GTW (Gross train weight) The maximum allowable combined weight of the towing vehicle and the caravan, as specified by the maker of the towing vehicle › Hook-up Cable connection to the mains electrical supply at a campsite. Provides power to mains sockets and appliances › Maximum towing limit The greatest weight that a car can legally tow, as specified by the manufacturer of the towing vehicle › MiRO (Mass in running order) The caravan’s weight, with all factory-fitted equipment, when it leaves the factory. MiRO…

Go with the flow One of the best pieces of advice I’ve heard regarding touring is to ‘go with the flow’ (wise words from our editor-in-chief, Sarah). In other words, be adaptable, enjoy the journey and don’t be a slave to your itinerary. It’s advice I was reminded of when I read the article by Elaine and Joe Ormerod about their trip to Birmingham and the wider Midlands (p32), which came about when a trip to Scotland was cancelled at short notice due to the pandemic. The resulting tour was an enjoyable week full of discovery. It’s that ability to be spontaneous that can make our holidays on the road such an adventure; I’d recommend keeping it in mind when you next venture out on tour. Birmingham, of course, is…

‘We relaxed at the caravan, enjoying the sight of the trains passing by’ Towards the end of 2019, I stayed overnight at the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Burrs Country Park site, on the outskirts of Bury in Greater Manchester, before an appointment in Blackburn. Discovering that a heritage railway passes right by the site, I promised myself a longer stay in future. I must admit, I had preconceived ideas about the area before I went back there, this time accompanied by my wife, Kay. I rather expected to find lots of industry, and back-to-back houses packed into narrow, cobbled streets. Pitch where you please How wrong I was. Kay later admitted that when she saw we were five minutes from the site and still well and truly in Bury, she…

NEW FOREST With forest and heathland displaying beautiful shades during the autumn months, the New Forest really can’t be beaten for atmospheric walks. Don’t miss the Knightwood Oak Trail, which is less than 20 minutes away from Long Meadow Campsite. › www.longmeadowcampsite.com SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS Watch the moors and mountainsides turn every shade of russet and gold when you’re pitched at Kilvrecht Campsite, which is in the midst of the Highlands near Loch Rannoch. The site closes on 31 October, so get booking now! › www.forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/tay-forest-park/kilvrecht-campsite FOREST OF DEAN To enjoy the multifarious beauties of the Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley, both of which have fantastic autumn foliage, pitch up in the heart of the forest at Whitemead Forest Park. It makes the ideal base for exploring this gorgeous…

Towing is about to become easier It’s great to see the Government finally taking steps to make the rules about who gets to tow what slightly simpler – even if it seems this is only being done to make more room for desperately needed HGV drivers to pass their tests. The idea that much older drivers can carry on towing huge twin-axle caravans while thirtysomethings cannot, without taking further tests, has always seemed a bit strange to fifty-something me. At the same time, I wouldn’t want to see the training industry that has grown up around these tests wither as a result. It’s wise to take a towing course at some stage in your caravanning career – preferably at the start. peter.baber@futurenet.com Reviews editor PETER BABER is a hugely experienced…

BAILEY THE MAIN FOCUS for Bailey this autumn will be its new fifth-generation Unicorn. The range now includes a central front window that is 50% bigger than it was on the Unicorn Black Editions, and which has been more seamlessly integrated into the panel. In response to customer feedback, payloads on all models have also been increased. Attention has been given to bringing the caravans up to date with technology, too, so Unicorns now come pre-wired for Wi-Fi, and you can have an Avtex router as a factory-fitted cost option. The new range includes all existing island-bed models (the single-axle Vigo and Cabrera and twin-axle Cartagena and Pamplona), and the fixed- single-bed Cadiz. The Madrid, a four-berth with a side dinette, is back, as is the two-berth Seville, albeit with…

Sponsored by HAIBIKE Ebike myth busting www.haibike.com An ebike won’t do more for me than a normal bike Yes it will! It allows you to go further, faster and up hills that you might have had to walk up before. They are great for exploring, allow you to go anywhere you would on a normal bike, and a superb way to get to work. It’s just like a motorbike No it isn’t. There is no throttle on the handlebars – instead, the ebike senses how hard you are pedalling and gives you extra power to help you along the way. You can select how much extra power the bike gives you, using a bar-mounted control, and the motor cuts out at 15.5mph – you always retain control. It’s also really…

A CARAVAN is a substantial purchase, and even a secondhand van is likely to cost you several thousand pounds – hardly small change – so it’s well worth taking your time, researching your purchase carefully and only handing over your hard-earned cash when you are sure you have the right van. 1 Why buy used? There are many reasons to purchase a pre-owned leisure vehicle, rather than a new one. The most obvious is price. As soon as a caravan is towed away from the forecourt, it starts to lose value. This steady loss in value is known as depreciation. While it has a negative effect on the first owner, it will benefit the second or third owner – you get exactly the same vehicle, with the same layout, features…

Nigel Hutson is a lifelong caravanner who toured as a child before buying his first caravan at the age of 22. He served in the police for 30 years BECAUSE OF ITS innovative ideas, Colapz is now well and truly on caravanners’ radar. And with good reason. I know that whenever I see something it has launched, I always think, “That’s so simple, it’s brilliant!” Intrigued by their ideas (and the fact that they continue to launch new products, when my addled brain would have stalled long ago!), I recently visited MD David Fannin at the firm’s Nottingham warehouse, to gain an insight into the history and development of Colapz. David studied Product Design at Loughborough University, and after graduation, worked for a couple of well-known companies. However, by his…

Sarah Wakely Editor sarah@practicalcaravan.com Paul Critcher Deputy editor paul.critcher@futurenet.com Peter Baber Reviews editor peter.baber@futurenet.com David Motton Tow car editor motty@practicalcaravan.com John Sootheran Consulting editor practical.caravan@futurenet.com Andy Jenkinson Used-van contributor practical.caravan@futurenet.com WHICH TOW CARS SHOULD I CONSIDER? Q I currently own a 2010 Bailey Pageant Loire. The maximum loaded weight is 1642kg. I’ve been towing it with a 2009 Kia Sorento mk2, but I want to upgrade to a more recent big 4x4. I have a budget of around £15,000. What would you recommend, please? Chris Gordon David Motton replies…. I would take a close look at the Volkswagen Touareg. It’s an underrated car in my book. Some big 4x4 buyers ignore it because it doesn’t have a prestige badge, but the VW Touareg is every bit as capable as an SUV from Audi, BMW or Land…

“Are you serious?” asked Joe. “Perfectly,” was my answer. I’d just suggested we should spend a week at the Chapel Lane Caravan and Motorhome Club Site, near Birmingham. In the past, we’d only stopped off overnight on our way south and again on the homeward journey. We were rearranging sites - we couldn’t visit Scotland as planned, owing to Covid-19. Historic markets Our first day out took us to Birmingham by train, using the park and ride at King’s Norton. Arriving at Birmingham New Street, we walked through the very glitzy Grand Central shopping mall to the famous Bullring. We continued to the outdoor market, where you can buy a huge range of exotic fruit and vegetables. There’s also the Rag Market, in existence since 1154, where you can find…

Who are you? Susan Taylor, keen wanderer to all corners of the UK and Europe for many years with my husband, Ro. Where are you a local authority? Chester, a walled city on the River Dee in the Cheshire countryside. Why are you a local authority on this place? Born and raised in the area, I lived a few miles outside Chester for over 30 years and often return to see family. What do you love about it? There is always a buzz and vibrancy in the city, with its cafe culture and holiday atmosphere. There is plenty of shopping, from the modern Grosvenor Shopping Centre to the 700-year-old ‘Rows’, a medieval half-timbered walkway housing shops and bars, and on Bridge Street, England’s oldest shop front, the Three Old Arches.…

Live-in test In our most detailed test, we spend at least one day (usually more) in the van, to bring you our verdict. The score is based on the opinions of the PC team. First look Each month, we test new models of all sizes and report back to you in our regular review pages. This is the place for the quick low-down on a model! Our vans, our month Our long-term-test tourers are loaned to PC by the manufacturers, allowing us to give you warts-and-all reports over the months.…

Pegasus Grande SE expands Bailey has increased the 8ft-wide Pegasus Grande SE range with the introduction of the single-axle Ancona. This five-berth comes with an L-shaped lounge at the rear for children, similar to EHG UK’s new 585. This can be turned into a double bed with a bunk on top. The new model, which has an MTPLM of 1600kg and an interior length of 5.9m, will cost £26,599 OTR. For more details about new models for 2022, see our Van Live! preview (p64). Caravan parks on screen With motorhomes having featured in award-winning movie Nomadland, last month saw the release of a film shot closer to home, with caravan parks very much at its heart. La Cha Cha, starring Rhys Ifans, Keith Allen and Dougray Scott, concerns a man…

The Practical Caravan Awards have long been a prestigious event on the industry calendar, but this year heralds our most exciting and comprehensive set of awards yet. We have overhauled the process, doubling the number of categories - this year, there are more than 20 - and widening the scope of what is being covered. As well as brilliant caravans, this year we’re highlighting awnings, accessories and tow cars, giving you a complete guide to our favourite products currently on sale. The Practical Caravan Awards are all about helping you discover the very best products, as well as celebrating the latest innovations in the industry. Our aim is to help you make the absolute most of your money, no matter what you might be planning to purchase - whether that’s…

ADRIA THIS SEASON, THE focus at Adria is on its top-of-the-range Alpina caravans. For 2022, all of the models in this line-up now include a feature that was first introduced on the Adoras last season: a wind diffuser on each front corner. There is also a new design for the gas bottle locker door, and a more automotive-style rear panel, with an LED light cluster running right the way across the caravan, as well as LED lighting along the length of the awning rail. Inside, the headrests in the corners of the front lounge seating are now height-adjustable, and come with a curvier shape. The overhead lockers also have a new profile, while remaining concave in design. The fixed beds are 4cm higher, to allow for more storage space underneath.…

CARAVANS ARE ONE of life’s bigger buys. This means that a carefully considered used purchase can save you a lot of money, but it will also expose you to the very unwelcome activities of the unscrupulous sellers and scammers out there, especially if you are buying from a private vendor. A few years ago, I spent a lot of time dreaming about car purchases, scanning the trade magazines for my perfect motor. I soon became adept at spotting scams. It wasn’t rocket science – they were simply too good to be true: a bargain price, always a tale of woe, and often abroad. The vendor usually had a very English name, too: Amelia or Caroline, say, and a rather surprising number of them were doctors. All contact was by email:…

WHEN YOU’RE MAKING a major purchase, such as buying a caravan, it’s important to know your rights if something goes wrong. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 The Consumer Rights Act (CRA) is designed to make consumer law easier to understand, so customers can buy and businesses can sell in confidence, knowing where they stand. First coming into force in 2015, the Act consolidated 12 pieces of consumer-related law (including the Sale of Goods Act and Supply of Goods and Services Act), aiming to reduce that to three sections – Consumer Protection Regulations, Consumer Contracts Regulations and the CRA. The latter covers the supply of goods, including the sale of caravans, motorhomes, accessories and related services. It also follows the processes for when those goods fail to perform to the contract,…

ALTHOUGH THIS PROJECT doesn’t add a new toy to your caravan, it’s a practical solution to a potential problem. Over time, we have added several accessories that require 12V power directly from the caravan battery. If you just need one extra power supply, it’s fine to connect direct to the battery terminals, but when you need several, doing this isn’t ideal. Add a fuse box So what’s the answer? Pretty simple, really. It comes in the form of a fuse box and earthing block. Basically, a single cable feeds the fuse box from the positive (+) terminal on the battery, and a single cable from the earthing block attaches to the negative (-) terminal. The fuse box we used wasn’t expensive, but has the benefit of having LEDs at each…

Choosing a layout People’s needs differ, and your layout choice will depend on your companions and how you want to use your caravan. To understand which layouts are available, spend a day at one of the big shows, where manufacturers and dealers will be showing their latest models. A dealership is also a good place to start, but can be affiliated with a limited number of manufacturers. A chat with a dealer, though, could raise issues or offer ideas you hadn’t considered. Think about your needs: will you want to carry bikes, sports kit, barbecues or outdoor furniture? Perhaps creature comforts are a bit higher on your list; you might want a separate sleeping area, a lounge with parallel sofas and TV points, and an oven. If you plan to…

APRIL 2011 La Grande Évasion Judging by the stripy Breton tops, we had to be in France – but it was Burgundy rather than Brittany that took our fancy as we headed for wine country and a wonderful adventure Baaa necessities! Who can resist the sight of fluffy lambs gambolling in a field? We picked out some fantastic sites where you could wander and watch frolicking jumpers to your heart’s content Family friendly Our Live-in test saw our family of testers check out one of the most popular tourers of the time. They were impressed by the award-winning Elddis Avanté 554’s control panel and thought you got a lot for your money overall – a family favourite! Move it! In Caravan Genius, the late, great Doug King shared his experience…