Innehållsförteckning för June 2023 från Practical Caravan

GETAWAY TRAVEL GETAWAY HAVING BEEN FANS of both Morse and Lewis since watching the series on TV, my housemate, Pearl, and I have always admired the historic buildings of Oxford. So for our first trip of the season, we planned a tour that included this lovely city. We also wanted to spend some time in Stratford-upon-Avon, so we looked for a campsite that would make a good base for exploring the two places. Chipping Norton Camping and Caravanning Club Site, which is almost equidistant from both, proved to be the ideal choice. A leisurely drive The campsite is a comparatively easy reach from our home in North Wales, so after a leisurely drive, we were soon set up. We prefer to use public transport where possible, leaving our vehicle on site…

FIRST LOOK SHOWROOM Price £25,495 Berths 3 MiRO 1020kg MTPLM 1146kg SWIFT'S BASECAMP was launched in 2016, the year of the Brexit vote. And just as new variations on that theme keep popping up, so new versions of the Basecamp emerge, with different numbers of berths, but the same package of rugged good looks and units that fold to leave room for bikes. The latest incarnation, the Basecamp 3, sports a more or less fixed bed for the first time. We visited Stewart Longton Caravans, in Chorley, Lancashire, to take a look. Pitch and set-up The Basecamp is designed to look striking on the road, and with its blue decals, alloys and GRP mouldings, it certainly does. Unusually, you enter through a door at the back, but that makes it easier…

USED TOW CAR YES, THE WORLD has indeed gone SUV mad these days, it would appear, but for some tow car buyers, those high-riding pseudo-off-roaders simply don't push the right buttons. In which case, an estate car would make a great option. If that's your situation, and you're also on the lookout to bag a bargain-priced load-lugger that might even have some of the original manufacturer's warranty outstanding, the Kia Optima Sportswagon is likely to be a pretty fine choice. What's it like inside? Big. As in really big. The two people in the front seats get a huge amount of legroom and headroom, and the seats adjust every which way, so getting comfortable should be no problem at all. The good news continues in the back, where there's enough…

IT'S QUITE AMAZING, what caravanners take for granted. For example, who's ever given a thought to how all of those electrical items operate just when we want them to? I recently visited BCA Group in West Yorkshire, where I was given an informative tour of its three constituent companies by Sales and Marketing Director, Wayne Boyd. BCA Group is essentially three firms – BCA Leisure makes wiring harnesses, control panels and power distribution units (PDUs) for leisure vehicles, while BCA Motion deals with battery boxes and smaller-scale wiring harnesses for panel van conversion manufacturers. The third company, Pennine Leisure Supplies (PLS), supplies dealerships and other outlets with accessories such as lamps, kettles, cable reels, water pumps, electrical sockets and switches, as well as easy-fit mains electric kits for van conversions.…

MANY CARAVANS SPEND a great deal of their life standing stationary, parked up on the drive or in some ‘away from home’ storage venue. This creates a knock-on problem, in that if the caravan is not moved periodically, the tyres can ‘flat spot’ – that is, the profile flattens where it meets the ground, which can create unwanted wheel vibrations once you're on the move. To offset this problem, many van owners remove the wheels during long periods of inactivity and replace them with wheel stands (sometimes referred to as ‘winter wheels’, because this is the season when they are commonly deployed). These wheel stands usually comprise a universally drilled plate, suitable for four- and five-stud wheels, to which is attached a metal stand, which is designed to sit on…

THE BIG SHOT VINDOLANDA ‘This is an active archaeological site. Some 5000 shoes of all shapes and sizes have been found so far’ (p38) Where are we? Vindolanda Fort, Northumberland Why tour here? For its dramatic scenery and historic significance. Found south of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hadrian's Wall, which it predates, the fort was in use between 85 and 370 AD. Today, the archaeological site and museum provide an insight into military life at the northern extremes of the Roman Empire. Don't miss… Marvel at the remains of daily Roman life, including two bath-houses (one pre-Hadrianic, the other from the third century) and evidence of workshops and even latrines.…

Whether you're on tour or at home, relax with a cup of tea and some brain-teasers to ponder! SUDOKU To solve the puzzle, each row, column and 3×3 box must contain the numbers 1 to 9. No single digit can appear twice in any one row, column or 3×3 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: gathered. 25 = average. More than 45 = well done HALF & HALF Patton Oswalt voiced which of the central characters in the 2007…

12-15 May 2023 ARRAN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL Outdoor enthusiasts should head to Scotland for this superb hillwalking and mountaineering festival, offering a choice of walks and climbs that range from moderate to extreme. Be aware that some moderate walks involve easy scrambling, elements of exposure and some rough terrain – this is very much a connoisseur's festival. You'll also be able to enjoy talks and a ceilidh at social events open to all. Events and walks are individually priced. LochranzaCaravanandCampingSite 12-21 May 2023 BATH FESTIVAL The theme of this year's great celebration of music and books is ‘Opening Up’ and visitors can enjoy a variety of entertainment throughout the city, with the focus on Bath's Guildhall. See award-winning writer Joanne Harris, of Chocolat fame, in conversation, listen to Bath…

TRAVEL GETWAY A SHORT BREAK touring Northumberland seemed an excellent way to make good use of a week's holiday in mid-summer. We decided on one campsite in the south of the county and another further north, so we could visit parts of this beautiful region that we had not previously seen. Our first stop was Well House, a Caravan and Motorhome Club CL at Colwell, near Hexham. Although this site is tucked away, it makes a great base for exploring the area, and provides really amazing views over the countryside. Late afternoons were spent watching the swifts swooping and flying over the fields right in front of us. We drove to Hexham on the Saturday morning. This fine old market town dates all the way back to Anglo-Saxon times and…

Porsche and Airstream unveil concept trailer Innovative new vehicle aimed at urban-based caravanners AN INFLATABLE POP-UP roof and a chassis that lowers so the caravan can be stored in a conventional garage are just two of the innovations the Porsche design studio has included in a new concept RV that it has produced with Airstream. The new trailer retains Airstream's famous aluminium body, but its profile has been altered to make it more aerodynamic. It also includes a rear door with a bottom half that opens down to make a sun deck, and continuous windows along the sides. Airstream says it wanted to try out the new sinking chassis – a first for the brand – with the aim of appealing to urban-based customers, who might not have a great…

FIRST LOOK SHOWROOM Price £29,995 Berths 4 MTPLM 1420kg Max payload 349kg LAST MONTH in Practical Caravan (issue 464), we took an exclusive look at the new quartet of French-built La Mancelle vans now being brought into the UK by dealer giant Marquis Leisure. This issue, we're stepping inside the larger of the two Fantaisy models – the four-berth 440 CL – to find out exactly what it can offer British caravanners. Pitch and set-up With their white-and-brown exteriors, the La Mancelle Fantaisy models look smart and certainly stand out on site. The quirky ‘porthole’ windows towards the rear are another stylish touch. The Fantaisy caravans feature an Al-Ko AKS 3004 stabiliser, for increased safety on the road, and heavy-duty corner steadies will help with stability when you're pitched up. On…

Dealer Special Swift Finesse Compact 400 courtesy of Couplands Caravans www.couplandscaravans.co.uk What's new? Škoda has recently added the sleek Enyaq Coupé to its electric vehicle portfolio, for those wanting something different to the SUV-style ‘standard’ Enyaq. In vRS spec, this is the most powerful Enyaq, too. What are we looking for? From a distance, the Enyaq Coupé doesn't look it, but this is actually a large car, so we are looking for good towing ability along with big car comforts and practicality, and reasonable running costs. Plus, what's it like to live with on a day-to-day basis? Towing ability The Achilles heel of many electric vehicles is their limited towing capacity and, of course, the potential hit on the range that they will travel before needing a recharge when towing.…

Featuring models on UK sale for 2023! FIND THE PERFECT FLOORPLAN FOR YOUR NEEDS Please check model details with the manufacturer or dealer before travelling to view or buy There are a wide range of caravan layouts to choose from (pictured below), all with their own pros and cons. When you're trying to settle on the arrangement that will suit you, there are some points to think about that can help you decide. Here, we take a look at a few of the most popular floorplans out there, and what they can offer you. B TRANSVERSE ISLAND BED, REAR WASHROOM Island beds are a surprisingly recent addition to caravans, and were really introduced from the world of motorhomes. Caravans are usually a bit wider than motorhomes, though, so it is…

GETAWAY TRAVEL GETAWAY WALES IS FAMOUSLY a land of castles – not only those built of stone which have stood the test of time, but also of far more temporary constructions, made of sand and washed away by the rippling tide. On a recent visit to its spectacularly beautiful north, I also discovered that Wales is a land of water (and of railways, but that's a story for another day) – from the sea demolishing those sandy structures, to the moats surrounding castles of stone, and from the gently meandering rivers to the wildly cascading waterfalls. Caernarfon cobbles We started our trip at the small but friendly Is-Helen Farm Caravan Park in Caernarfon, a convenient 20-minute walk from town via the Aber Swing Bridge (whose gates are locked at 11pm prompt,…

‘Perfect for a relaxing beach break or a quiet retreat into nature’ SET IN THE distinctive scenery of Northern Ireland's Causeway Coast and Glens, Castlerock is a peaceful village on the country's north coast. Perfect for a relaxing beach break or a quiet retreat into nature, the area is a 35-minute drive away from the Giant's Causeway, and is known as the western gateway to the Causeway Coast route. If you're seeking a base for exploring Northern Ireland's best beaches and most famous historical sites, Castlerock could be just the place for you. HOUR BY HOUR DAY 1 10am Heading downhill Set the tone of your trip with a visit to Downhill Demesne. This fine 18th-century National Trust estate, on the captivating cliffs of the north coast, offers green spaces…

FIRST LOOK SHOWROOM Price £43,645 Berths 4 MiRO 1740kg MTPLM 2000kg Eye-catching new profile, with large front gas locker and extended drawbar WHEN IT WAS launched in 2012 under the Astella name, the Rio Grande was an 8ft-wide van (an idea then new to touring) that sported a front kitchen. Such a layout was not uncommon in UK tourers in the 20th century, although by the 1970s, it had rather lost its appeal here. Fast forward 11 years and the refreshed version, rebranded the Alpina Rio Grande, continues this layout, but with a transverse double at the rear, rather than the corner bed found in the Astella. The new model was launched at the October NEC show, and will be on the forecourts this April. Pitch and set-up The Rio Grande…

THE COACHMAN BRAND has become synonymous with great style and the highest quality. It's getting on for 40 years since the company set up by Jim Hibbs (formerly of ABI Caravans) launched its first models. At one stage in its long history, Coachman was sold to Elddis. But by the early 2000s, it was back in Jim Hibbs’ hands, with son Elliot later following on. A few years ago, Coachman became part of upmarket Swedish manufacturing group Kabe. Its backing provided opportunities for continued development at the Hull plant. With the growing popularity of 8ft-wide caravans, in 2020, Coachman's designers decided to introduce this width in the super-luxury Laser range. The new eight-footers, which were designated Xcel, proved an immediate success with the brand's loyal buyers, and the Laser Xcel…

NOTHING SPOILS a caravanning holiday like breaking down on the road. Picking a reliable tow car will keep the chances of that happening to a minimum. There are plenty of studies and surveys out there to help you track down a really dependable vehicle. For example, in compiling this list, we have leaned heavily on the What Car? Reliability Survey, as well as other reliability and driver satisfaction studies. Some makes are generally safe bets, such as Lexus. But not all models from a given brand are created equal, so it's worth doing some digging into the strengths and weaknesses of specific vehicles. Your choice of engine and gearbox can also make a difference. Whether you plan to tow with a crossover, an SUV or an estate, there are reliable…

YOUR CARAVAN is nothing like your car, where the most complicated bit of kit you have to navigate is usually going to be the multimedia system. In a caravan, you have the kitchen, the washroom, the lounge and the dining area to figure out, complete with plumbing systems, secondary heaters, ovens and all manner of electricals. The presence of all these complexities brings with it plenty of opportunity for error. But don't worry, that's what we're here for – to steer you through all these bits of kit, so you know exactly what you're doing. Or at least how to fool most casual observers you encounter on a campsite! Electrickery The thing that causes most difficulty on site is very often the leisure battery. Modern caravans rely on 12V DC…