Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2022 i Practical Motorhome

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 Spain and Portugal; All the Aires France (North and South); All the Aires Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands; Go Motorhoming and Campervanning; Sea View Camping Wales; Road Trip Europe – The Great War and More; and Road Trip Europe – Go Dutch. All are from Vicarious Books, www.vicarious-shop.com, 0131 208 3333.…

Duration Five nights When Autumn 2021 Why? Taking advantage of unseasonably warm weather to enjoy a historic city and fine sea views It was a difficult decision. Should we spend what we guessed would be the last warm and sunny trip of the year exploring a city – so much more enjoyable when you can stroll around the sights and streets in sunshine without being bogged down by coats and umbrellas – or walking on the coast, relaxing on the beach and enjoying great views? As I often do when faced with such choices, I turned to my map. Discovering that York is just over an hour from the white cliffs of the East Yorkshire coast (Kent, it seems, doesn’t have a monopoly on white cliffs!) we realised that we…

OUR EUROPEAN ODYSSEY pt 8 We sat in nervous silence waiting to hear the sound that would signal the start of the next stage in our journey. As the minutes ticked by, the fear that something was wrong mounted, and a flurry of different scenarios tumbled through my mind, each of them ending with a gruff-looking official signalling that there was a problem. I glanced at Kim, whose worried expression mirrored how I was feeling. Just as we seriously began to doubt if we would get the all-essential stamps in our passports, four heavy thumps followed in quick succession, at which point, our documents were thrust back through the window and we were waved on our way. We edged forward slowly, half expecting to be called back because of some…

MOTORHOMES ADRIA Stand 6.36, Hall 6 Stand 7.30/7.35, Hall 7 The main attraction on the Adria stand will be the new Supersonic A-classes (1). Based on the Mercedes Sprinter, there are currently four models available in this luxurious range. But look out, too, for the new Twin Supreme 600 SBX, which made its debut at the Caravan Salon. This 6m-long van conversion with an electrical bed and flexible living space is aimed very much at outdoor sports fans. AUTO CAMPERS Stand 11.110, Hall 11 The Berkshire-based van converter returns this year with three models from its Ford-based range: the Hi-Line Leisure Van, with a sliding bed, the Hi-Line Day Van, with up to seven travel seats, and the pop-top MRV, with a suspended bed. AUTO-SLEEPERS Stand 8.25, Hall 8 Auto-Sleepers…

Stop the small furry squatters Dead mice are an unpleasantly common sight in the bottom of Ducato air filter housings. We recently had a Hymer in for a replacement rear-view camera system, which had stopped working. On pulling out the old wiring, I found a section in the back of the kitchen area which had been chewed through in several places. Another regular customer’s Hymer has had all of the plastic coating gnawed away from the handbrake cables underneath. So what can be done to deter these little pests? Well for starters, consider carefully where you will store your motorhome when not using it. Try to avoid farms, because they are rife with the furry devils, mostly owing to the fact that there is an abundance of food present for…

The Carver Cascade gas-powered water heater was a revelation when introduced in the 1980s. It was efficient and neat, mounted under a seat or bunk. Rather than having unsightly ‘on demand’ wall-mounted heaters, which generally only supplied hot water to the sink beneath which they were installed, the Carver Cascade could supply hot water to leisure vehicle kitchen sinks, washroom handbasins and – practically unheard of before – even showers! Incorporating electricity Several years later, the GE was launched, which incorporated an electric element as well as the gas heating. This was in response to the growing number of campsites with electric hook-ups. Carver was eventually bought out by Truma and production of the Cascade GE ceased. Although it has been out of production for a number of years now,…

How to use 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. Simple! This month, we’re looking at van conversions (aka campervans). how to buy… Setting a budget Begin by setting a realistic budget: not just the initial cost, but ongoing maintenance (both the base vehicle and the interior will need regular servicing), fuel consumption and insurance. The price of a new motorhome can look prohibitive, but offset this against what you would spend on a holiday, and how you would use your motorhome, how often, and the freedom it gives you to explore new territories. Remember…

Ilfracombe, North Devon Coordinates 51.2052° N, 4.1268° W Why tour here? A North Devon delight, Ilfracombe’s exquisite combination of beach, harbour and town makes for a superb seaside experience. Famed for its hand-carved Tunnels beaches, the town’s impressive topography is exemplified by the surrounding craggy cliffs, including the impressive Hillsborough Hill, a beautiful nature reserve that is also the site of an important Iron Age fort. Read our suggestions for how to spend a packed 48 hours in Ilfracombe on p50. Don’t miss… The four Tunnels beaches can be busy at times, but are undoubtedly the town’s USP. And for sunset views, head west of the harbour to Capstone Hill. practicalmotorhomeuk…

Swiss Luxx low-wattage toaster Don’t have a grill in your motorhome? Never fear, this handy toaster uses just 750W of energy and is compact in size. Price £26.69 Web bigwhitebox.co.uk Fiamma Omni Stop Holder Simple but effective, this self-adhesive holder attaches to the inside of your kitchen locker, to stop your plates sliding around in transit. Price £9 Web primaleisure.com Sling storage net Bits and bobs ending up all over the place when you’re on tour? Hang this storage pouch in your awning or ’van and keep everything in its place! Price £11.99 Web decathlon.co.uk Bike storage tent Avoid a soggy seat with this nifty store for two bikes. The sturdy, waterproof tent features ventilation panels and a sewn-in groundsheet. Price £74.95 Web caveinnovations.com Aladdin Bistro Thermavac food flask Enjoy…

Duration One week When June 2022 Why? Excellent walking for enthusiastic hikers (and their dog!) in a gorgeous region The Quantocks, an area measuring about 12 miles by three, covering about 38 square miles, run from the coast through the Somerset hills to Taunton. Offering plenty of walking opportunities and pretty villages to explore, the region abounds with history – and a fair few literary connections, we discovered. We were spending a week here, starting at Home Farm Holiday Centre in Williton on the Somerset coast – a large campsite with three dog-walking fields, an indoor pool (which we didn’t use as the weather was so good), an on-site bar and beer garden (which we did use as the weather was so good!) and sea views. It also boasts a…

Hymer makes a concept reality Perhaps the most talked-about event at the show was the launch of the Hymer Venture S (1), the new Mercedes-based motorhome that includes an inflatable pop-up roof, which is reached by a proper staircase, and a rear sundeck. First launched as a concept in 2019, Hymer says the ’van has now become a commercial reality with relatively few changes. But you will need a large wallet to get hold of one of these limited-edition ’vans. Starting price is £197,540, and there are no clear plans as yet for when any right-hand-drive versions will be made available. Hobby to the Max Hobby launched the first model in its new Maxia range (2) at Caravan Salon. The vehicle is the first product of its collaboration with Volkswagen.…

JP WHITE CARAVETTE 1956-1967 As with last month’s inductee, the JP White Caravette began life as a DIY exercise. In 1955, Sidmouth-based builder Jack White and his carpenter/cabinetmaker Pat Mitchell converted a VW Kombi for Jack and his family to undertake a trip to Germany. To save on purchase tax, the conversion had to be examined by the local main agent – Lisburn Garage in Torquay – and HM Customs and Excise. Lisburn Garage was so impressed, they ordered some for stock, thus the JP White Caravette was born in 1956. The base vehicle was the Type 2 split-windscreen Kombi (window) van. Oak cabinetwork was beautifully crafted, and all of the work surfaces were Formica laminate. Standard specification included a water tank, Osokool food cooler, and electric and gas lighting,…

Categories include… ■ Best Motorhome Under £60,000 ■ Best Motorhome Under £80,000 ■ Best Motorhome Over £80,000 ■ Best 2-Berth Motorhome ■ Best 4-Berth Motorhome ■ Best Motorhome under 6m ■ Best Motorhome under 7m ■ Best A-class Motorhome ■ Best Low-profile Motorhome ■ Best Motorhome for Full-Time Living ■ Best Motorhome for Couples ■ Best Motorhome for Families ■ Best Motorhome for Innovation ■ Best Van Conversion (over £60k) ■ Best Van Conversion (under £60k) Accessories ■ Best Motorhome Cover ■ Best Motorhome Awning ■ Best Motorhome Bike Rack ■ Best Motorhome Cleaner ■ Best Motorhome Sat-Nav ■ Best Motorhome Gadget This is the second year running that we’ve held our new-look Practical Motorhome Awards – they’re all about helping you discover the very best products, as well as…

Solar panels are a useful addition to help keep your battery topped up. The good news is, fitting one is pretty straightforward. In our case, we chose the Truma 65 Wp SolarSet kit. First, you need to decide where to mount the panel, bearing in mind that you have to drill a hole in the roof to pass a fairly thick cable. That cable ends up connected to the battery via the control unit. Then, tools required for the job are: ■ Cleaning gear (bucket, sponge, cloths) ■ White spirit ■ Cleaning spray (included in the kit) ■ Drill with 2mm to 12mm bits ■ T25 Torx bit ■ 24mm and 27mm open-ended spanners ■ Electrical crimps (optional) ■ Screwdrivers, wirecutters/trimmers ■ Stanley type knife Preparing the roof area First,…

The chances are that if you own a recently manufactured British motorhome or caravan, the windows are likely to have been made by Dutch company Polyplastic. There will, of course, be some exceptions, but most come from the Rotterdam factory. A subsidiary of Polyplastic is a company that you’re less likely to have heard of, Delta Glass, which manufactures all of the acrylic sheeting for those Polyplastic windows, and many more of the products that they make. So how did it all get started? It actually began with a plane. Back in 1952, two friends, Wim Veeneman and Henk Kersten, were fascinated by the canopy of the Spitfire fighter plane. They loved the way that it was formed from just one piece and was completely integral to the design of…

letter of the month I’ve been reading a lot about the use of motorhome trackers these days. After leaving the police force in North Wales, I set up my own security business and have done this for the past 35 years. I recently contacted a company that sells trackers about one of its products, only to discover that it cannot track a motorhome if it is inside a shipping container. As shipping containers are one of the most commonly used methods for transporting stolen vehicles, I would have thought that this really should be one of the prime means of detection for any tracking system. I could only find only one company (Tracker, www.tracker.co.uk) that can do this – it uses a device called Locate. To my mind, this sort…

Fright nights! What’s on for Halloween? ■ Shocktober Fest West Sussex 1 to 31 October With its many horror haunts and attractions, Shocktober Fest at Tulley’s Farm, near Turner’s Hill, is just the place to get the blood curdling! From the Circus of Horrors to the Haunted Hayride (1) and, new for this year, the Electrick Circus, you are guaranteed a scare. Not recommended for under-15s. W shocktoberfest.co.uk Stay at… Long Acres Caravan & Camping Park W longacrescamping.co.uk ■ Warwick Castle Warwickshire 22 to 31 October Enjoy spooky tales and ghoulish characters as you delve into 1100 years of history. Family-friendly frights at the Dead Centre Stage add to games, sing-a-longs and entertainment. Go to spooky school to learn to cast spells, but watch for the Witches of Warwick practising…

We all got hooked on surfing, or perhaps I should say trying to surf, during years of holidays in Polzeath, on Cornwall’s gorgeous north coast. But as we hadn’t taken a holiday abroad for what seemed like ages, this year we fancied searching for some spots to surf on France’s fabulous Atlantic coastline. Would it be better than Cornwall, or in my case, any easier to surf there? Unlike me, my teenagers have picked up the basics quite well, although I would probably still describe all of us as novices. We like to be active on holiday, and we have developed our surfing skills sufficiently to justify investing in our own surfboards. We now have all the kit, although in my case, I still have no idea how to stand…

GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED w goodwood.com/motorsport/festival-of-speed This celebration of speed takes place every June at Goodwood House near Chichester, against the stunning backdrop of the South Downs National Park. Over four days, the festival offers a host of amazing attractions, including the latest F1 cars, meet-and-greets with motorsports legends and immersive experiences in tech and motoring. Settle in to watch supercars tear up the Hill, Goodwood Park’s very own circuit. There are also various spectacular ‘action areas’ scattered across the whole site, exhibiting everything from rally cars to air displays. Stay at Rowan Park Club Campsite w caravanclub.co.uk JAGUAR FACTORY TOUR w jaguar.co.uk Jaguars have long been considered one of the world’s top luxury sports cars, and feature in stylish cinema hits, from the James Bond films to The Italian…

New launches at the NEC show New ’vans from Swift, Bailey, Bürstner and WildAx, among others, are being launched at the first Motorhome and Caravan Show to be held at the NEC for three years this month. Swift’s offering includes its Voyager range, the company’s first outing on a Ford base vehicle, with four models based on the Escape. As we went to press, Swift was also planning two further launches at the show, the Ascari coachbuilt and the Carrera van conversion. Bailey is adding two new models to it Continental-inspired Adamo range. Both four-berths, they include the 60-4, which, at just under 6m, will be the shortest in the range and has a drop-down bed. The other model is the 75-4T, with fixed single beds. New from WildAx is…

The 60G is the most popular van conversion in Pilote Group’s new budget range. We were impressed with the first low-profile we saw in the line-up (the 75Q, which we awarded 4.5 stars in our review in issue 261). But does the transition to a cheaper product work when it comes to van conversions? We took a look at Pilote’s 2023 press launch earlier this year. The fresh blue decals that were a feature on the low-profile continue on the outside here, too. The cab is the standard Sevel variety, with drinks holders in the centre. But you do get comfortable captain’s seats with smart upholstery that matches the dinette. It comes with two more travel seats. There’s a useful display in the centre of the dash, which in looks,…

The return of the Dormobile Dormobile, the name that inspired a whole industry, is back in production. Operating as Dormobile Ltd in Lyndhurst, Hampshire, the firm is making new vehicles, restoring classics, doing partial conversion work, and offering Dormobile parts (often made from original design drawings), including for VW, Bedford and Land Rover conversions. Early models, appropriately called Renaissance, are based on Peugeot Boxers. There are also Ford Transit-based campers that resurrect the Freeway name. Under (re)development is the distinctive side-hinged Dormobile elevating-roof, although early models will have a rear-hinged roof from specialist Drivelodge. Other plans include a more standard day-van camper conversion. Managing director Paul Street says: “We see ourselves as custodians of this great British brand. It’s been a frenetic two years, as you can imagine, but we’ve…

Many campsites now offer a boosted TV signal for motorhomes and caravans. You simply plug one end of the coaxial cable into the socket on the site’s hook-up bollard and the other into… the back of the TV. That’s all very well in warmer weather, but in winter, when we perhaps watch a bit more TV, it means leaving a window open so the lead can be fed through, or missing later shows so you can unplug the lead and close the window. It also means that you might have coaxial cable trailing through the ’van before it reaches the TV. And many motorhomes, especially those with fixed beds, have more than one TV point and therefore might have more than one TV. Boosting the signal One of our favourite…

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