Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2020 i Practical Caravan

Covid-19 has played havoc with all of ourlives over the past few months, resultingin events being cancelled across the UK. Manufacturers had plans to launch newmodels, accessories were ready to be madepublic, and campsites had lots of updates toshare - all of which had to be postponedduring lockdown and beyond. However, we’ve been busy gathering allof the latest news from across the industry, ready to bring to you during our Van Live! Caravan and Motorhome VirtualShow, which you can find onlinefrom 12-18 October 2020. In this issue we’ve included a taster of what you’ll be able to enjoy - turn to p43 to see what you can expect. We look forward to seeing you at www.practicalcaravan.com/ vanlive for a fabulous Van Live! week. sarah@practicalcaravan.com Editor-in-chief SARAH is a keen caravannerwho…

Welcome back to revamped sites! Lockdown has been really tough for the hospitality industry, but campsites have used those months of empty pitches (and good weather) to carry out maintenance projects and install new features. These have ranged from cabling for better Wi-Fi, to new on-site roads and refurbished washblocks. Innovations include en-suite portable showers and toilets, pop-up bars and dog baths, and of course, preparations for making their sites Covid-secure. You can see what our Top 100 Regional Winners have been up to while business has been on hold, and what they have planned, when you visit Van Live!, our virtual show - find out more in Hall 5 (p66). claudia.dowell@futurenet.com Features editor CLAUDIA DOWELL is our touring expert - she’s been caravanning for years, and loves to explore…

Way to go Travelling from Surrey, we took the M3, A303 and A36 to Bath. The A36 and A4 connect Bath and Bristol. When to go We went in late autumn (prelockdown), which proved a good time of year to visit. Bath was still busy with tourists, but less packed than it might have been in the summer months or at Easter. Food and drink Bath The Boathouse Newbridge Road BA1 3NB › 01225 482 584 › www.boathouse-bath.co.uk Comfortable eating place overlooking the River Avon Green Park Brasserie 6 Green Park Station BA1 1JB › 01225 338 565 › www.greenparkbrasserie.com Good food and live music in a former railway station hall The Royal Pavilion Café Victoria Park BA1 2NR › 01225 448 860 Simple café food Bristol Harbourside Kitchen Gas…

There’s never been a better time to explore the wild world outside your front door than right now. Issue yourself a green prescription and start planning your next countryside break, wilderness staycation, backpacking or hiking adventure, camping or glamping experience, and get all of the essential information and gear for your upcoming escapade via advnture.com. Packed full of expert advice, top tips, current news, views and trends from industry-leading figures and brands, along with comprehensive buying guides and critical reviews of all the latest outdoor equipment, this website is your one-stop shop before embarking on an al fresco adventure. Don’t go out without checking it out. www.advnture.com…

BAILEY The 2020 season saw plenty of changes in Bailey’s caravan line-up, with the introduction of the new Discovery, Alicanto and Unicorn Black Edition ranges. For 2021, the Bristol company has focused more on its motorhome offering. Even so, there are cosmetic changes to Phoenix and Pegasus Grande. The ranges are now called Phoenix+ and Pegasus Grande Special Edition (SE), and both now come with an Alu-Tech bodyshell – Dove Grey on the sides and Polar White on the front and back. There’s a host of new extras, too. For the Phoenix+ range, this includes 14-inch alloys, dual-finish, Italian designed, curved overhead lockers with a textured stripe, and ambient lighting on corner lockers. Phoenix+ vans have a Light Oak furniture finish and grey/purple Chesham soft furnishings, which echo those in…

ISABELLA INFLATABLE EXPANSION Danish firm Isabella is reviving an old favourite for the 2021 season, extending a range that it only launched last year, but which has already won the awning category at our Tourer of the Year Awards. The award-winning Cirrus 400 Air awning – Isabella’s first venture into inflatables under its own name – will now be joined by its 3m-wide sibling, the Cirrus 300 Air. Just like the Cirrus 400, it is made from the same Isacryl material that graces Isabella’s top-notch Ambassador range. There are also two new Air sun canopies, the Arc and the Y, in the same North colour scheme as the awnings. The Y has a highly innovative design with a triangular window. The popular washable Forum awning, meanwhile, has come out of…

Time to tackle some DIY tasks! The summer may be on its way out, but there’s still plenty of time this year to catch up on a few DIY jobs - and this issue we’ve a couple of crackers for you! First we show you how to renovate your caravan step (right), then we reveal how to upgrade your van’s LED lighting (p94). Looking ahead, winter weather can be very hard on your caravan’s paintwork, so you might like to consider investing in a bodywork treatment - it should help you when it’s time to wash your van, and can protect the exterior against muck and grime over the months and years ahead. You can find out more on p96. practical.caravan@futurenet.com OUR TECH EXPERTS include (left to right) John Sootheran,Sammy…

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…

Whitby hand warmer Keep your digits toasty with this handy refillable gadget, which comes with its own protective fleece bag. Price £19.95 Web www.whitbyandco.co.uk Ember travel mug If you like your hot drinks served hot, this travel mug lets you set the temperature and maintains it for three hours. Price £180 Web ember.com Smart indoor camera This clever camera sends an alert if an intruder is detected in your home, along with a video and a picture of their face. Price £200 Web www.netatmo.com Personalised caravan notebook Keep a record of your touring memories and adventures in this stylish notebook, which can also be personalised. Price £14.45 Web www.etsy.com Sealskinz waterproof beanie Your head will stay warm and dry in this waterproof beanie, which comes in three sizes and four…

The New Quay Inn, Brixham This inn in Brixham’s historic quayside area is one of the port’s oldest pubs and a short walk to the beautiful harbour (see Cover image). > newquayinnbrixham.co.uk The Old Success, Cornwall Treat yourself to a pint of Tribute at anotherwaterside pub! The Old Success has a magnificent view over Sennen Cove. > oldsuccess.co.uk Angel on the Bridge, Oxfordshire Oak beams, fireplaces, riverside views… this Henley institution is the archetypal Thameside pub. > theangelhenley.com…

Who are you? David Dowling, living in Inverness with Sharon, my partner – we love touring. Inverness is the beginning and end of the North Coast 500, but the city has so much more to offer in its own right as a great touring destination. Why are you a local authority on Inverness? I have lived in Inverness since I was five years old, and have seen it grow from a small town of around 30,000 people to the modern city it is today, with a population heading towards 100,000. I have been driving on the North Coast 500 since long before it was being called the North Coast 500! What do you love about it? From the centre of Inverness, within just 15 minutes you can be out in…

Welcome to touring newbies! The pandemic and the resulting lockdown seem to have been going on for so long now, it’s quite hard to imagine a time when it will really all be over. But that time will come, and if a recent survey carried out for the NCC is anything to go by, when it is over, we should see a much larger number of people, including younger age groups, continuing to enjoy caravan holidays. The survey suggested that few of the many first-time caravan buyers want to go back to other types of holiday. This is really good news for our industry, of course – and to all you newcomers out there, welcome to our wonderful pastime! peter.baber@futurenet.com Reviews editor PETER BABER is a hugely experienced caravanner who…

The conundrum Casual caravanners might prefer the option to change their layout from day- to night-time with a make-up bed,so that they can accommodate different numbers of people and use the available space to maximum efficiency.That’s all very well, but for those who are using their caravan more often, comfort and convenience become agreater priority. Enter the fixed bed – a permanent fixture that doesn’t need to be put togetherevery day and offers the benefit of a comfortable solidity to your sleeping arrangements. In this round-up, we look at some past reviews of brilliant fixed-bed caravans,and find a well-priced secondhand version for you! BUCCANEER BARRACUDA (2018) OUR REVIEW SAID… The Barracuda has an L-shaped lounge, where the sofa is ideally located to take advantage of the standard 32in TV on…

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 IT’S AMAZING HOW much caravan lighting has improved over the past few years - in the main, that’s thanks to LEDs. It’s not so long ago that van interiors were illuminated by power-hungry halogen bulbs and fluorescent striplights; although some of us remember when all you had were a couple of gas lights, and the advent of 12V lights was miraculous! Not only were halogen bulbs power-hungry, however - they also became very hot, which at times could make sitting below one uncomfortable. Improved lighting Over the years, we’ve upgraded the lighting in our son James’s 1999 Abbey caravan, swapping halogen…

★ Star letter ★ My husband and I have beencaravanning for years and love it.We try to visit as many new sitesas possible, investigating differentareas and meeting people fromdifferent places. Unfortunately, what we havenoticed lately are washing lines infront of vans, so they are the firstthings you see when entering thesite! If people have to use awashing line, surely it couldbe positioned at the back of thecaravan, as they are so unsightly? We recently visited a new site to us, and there they were - I’m surprised the owners don’t pass comment, as they look dreadful. Please put washing lines wherethey can’t be seen by the restof the visitors! Not what I wantto see all around me - after all, I too am on holiday. Sandra Iris MILENCO The contributor…

Sarah Wakely Editor sarah@practicalcaravan.com Paul Critcher Deputy editor  paul.critcher@futurenet.com Peter Baber Reviews editor >peter.baber@futurenet.com Claudia Dowell Features/ Travel editor claudia.dowell@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 HOW SHOULD WE PACK HEAVY GEAR? Q I have recently purchased a 1999 Bailey two-person caravan for myself and my son. I am towing with a Ford Focus, and on our first trip, I found that it towed well, with no snaking. I was keeping up with traffic and could maintain 60mph where practical, but I was having to work at it. Being on a pension, changing to a more powerful car isn’t an option at present. Our heavy items are an awning (26kg), two Duvalay memory foam mattress toppers (excellent!), a couple of good memory foam pillows (also excellent)…

THE GREAT OUTDOORS WALK ON ›› The Camino de Santiago pilgrims’ route, which begins in France and tracks across northern Spain before ending at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, is undoubtedly a special trail packed full of wonderful views and pretty towns and villages, but the coastal walks of southern and south-west England are as beautiful, and far more accessible, too. What’s there and why visit? The South West Coast Path is the UK’s longest national trail, stretching 630 miles around the south-west peninsula, from the picturesque fishing villages of the south coast, around Land’s End to the surfing beaches of the north (www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/walk-coast-path). Alternatively, the South Downs Way weaves its way across Hampshire and Sussex for 100 miles, affording wonderful views of the countryside and coast below (www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/south-downs-way).…

Features editor Claudia Dowell has been a keen caravanner for years and loves to explore Bath and Bristol lie just 13 miles apart on the River Avon, although it will take you around 50 minutes to drive between the two. The spa city of Bath is set in a hollow at the southern end of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, while Bristol developed as a port at the confluence of the rivers Avon and Frome, eight miles inland from the Bristol Channel. Extreme tides in the Bristol Channel allowed the navigation of large ships into its harbour. Both cities have water very much at their heart, for quite different reasons. When editor Sarah suggested a (pre-lockdown) tour to see which had the most to offer, I jumped at…

Sponsored by THE A5 SPANS 252 miles (406km), linking London and the port of Holyhead in Anglesey, north-west Wales. Its history dates back to 1800, and the need to improve links between London and Dublin. Renowned civil engineer Thomas Telford was appointed to oversee the development of the route between England and Wales, combining existing and new roads. The opening of the Menai Suspension Bridge in 1826 heralded its completion. The route begins at Marble Arch, central London, and runs north-west on the Edgware Road through Kilburn and Cricklewood. It continues as the A5183 through Elstree, Radlett, St Albans, Redbourn and Dunstable, passing the edge of the Chilterns. North of Dunstable, the A5 regains its identity at M1 junction 11A, rejoining the old Roman road and passing through Hockliffe before…

THIS HAS BEEN an eventful year in so many ways – from stormy weather to political turmoil and (of course) Covid-19, 2020 is a year that most of us will never forget. It’s taken its toll on the caravan industry, too, as many manufacturers completely halted production during the lockdown, campsites were forced to close, and keen caravanners had to resign themselves to far too many months of being unable to get out on the road. Many caravan and motorhome shows were also postponed or cancelled, which meant that it’s been more difficult for caravanners to see new models and products, and catch up on the latest industry trends and news, campsite information and more. Read all about it But this is where Van Live! Caravan and Motorhome Virtual Show…

Caravan sales are booming! The renewed interest in buying tourers has just about hit fever pitch – dealers I’ve been talking to are now becoming quite desperate for stock! To make matters worse, new models from the 2020 season have all but disappeared from the forecourts, too. Now in normal times, that would simply have been excellent news, and in many ways, it still is. But deliveries from the manufacturers are slow at the moment. If dealers look after newbies with good customer service, these folk will keep coming back to trade up – but if not, they’ll go elsewhere. Caravans are definitely the buzz at the moment! practical.caravan@futurenet.com ANDY JENKINSON is a caravan expert and historian– he loves pre-owned and classic tourers! IN THE USED VANS SECTION… Used van…

Don’t forget your towing mirrors! Driver aids in modern cars are becomingever more complex. Technology thatseemed like science fiction a few yearsago is common, and features that wereonce the preserve of luxury cars nowappear in humble family runabouts. But some of the most important safety devices are the most straightforward. Think of the seatbelt – since thethree-point belt was introduced by Volvoin 1959, it’s estimated to have saved morethan a million lives worldwide. For caravanners, towing mirrors area vital safety feature. I do wonder whysome drivers buy cars with a host of aids,but choose to tow without this key kit… motty@practicalcaravan.com Tow car editor DAVID MOTTON is a former PC editor,and has towed with more than 500 cars over the years TOW CAR DIRECTORY Here’s a list of the full…

1 Trimming and soldering the wires to the LED ribbon 2 Fluorescent in kitchen needed an upgrade 3 Start by removing the fluorescent striplight 4 The original caravan wiring 5 Measuring for LED ribbon 6 Cut ribbon on scissor icon 7 Heat-shrink on non-wired end of LED ribbon 8 Trimming silicone from end of LED ribbon 9 Double light switch, but it matched original fittings 10 Marking and drilling holes for switch unit 11 Connecting the new wiring to the old 12 The LED lighting strips attached to the locker 13 Wiring and fitting the new double switch unit 14 Kitchen area now looks noticeably brighter!…

> KerbweightAs 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-upCable connection to the mains electrical supply at a campsite. Provides power to mains sockets and appliances > Maximum towing limitThe 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 replaces the old terms…

This is a classic van layout, and although it has now largely been superseded by floorplans with fixed beds, it’s still kept on by some manufacturers It’s not hard to see why You get two separate lounges, so adults and kids can have their own areas And the heavy part of the caravan - the kitchen - is nicely kept over the axle, to make towing easier Pros Relaxing space for all, with room in the middle to house a large kitchen and washroom Cons Nobody gets a fixed bed, and the rear lounge can sometimes feel boxed in A Wraparound seating can sometimes be an option in the front lounge B There should be plenty of room in the centre for the kitchen B Even if there is a…

Caravan and Motorhome Club > 01342 326 944 > thecaravanclub.co.uk Camping and Caravanning Club > 024 7647 5448 > thefriendlyclub.co.uk CRiS > 020 3282 1000 > www.cris.co.uk Approved Workshop Scheme > www.approvedworkshops.co.uk NCC (National Caravan Council) > www.thencc.org.uk Caravan Storage Site Owners’ Association (CaSSOA) > 0843 216 5802 > www.cassoa.co.uk Towsafe > www.towsafe.co.uk DVLA > 0300 790 6801 > www.dft.gov.uk/dvla Mobile Caravan Engineers Association (MCEA) > 01249 651 036 > www.mobilecaravanengineers.co.uk > For the very latest reviews and brilliant buying guides, visit the Practical Caravan website – you’ll find us at www.practicalcaravan.com…

AUGUST 1982 Tow business! Perhaps not our most exciting cover, but this issue from the early 1980s was a solid performer offering core advice on that most vital area of equipment - towing! Pull together Towbars, brackets and coupling sockets were just some of the terms being explained in this useful piece on all things towing. As well as plenty of top tips and advice, a much requested list of stockists and prices was also included Flat out Sand and saltmarsh were the siren calls for writer Bob Musker, who took a trip to Norfolk in our regular Focus on Britain item. Thatched churches, traditional windmills and rural bridges all added to the scenic ambience… Blue velvet Opulent blue carpeting on the sides of the lockers and a super cocktail…