Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2016 i Practical Caravan

David Thompson Stop sliding duvets I’ve come up with a solution for people who have fixed single beds in their caravans, to prevent the duvet from sliding off at night. Simply fasten two ‘Clingon’ clamps (www.clingons.co.uk) to the duvet, about 3ft apart, then from one attach a bungee cord and take it down under the bed slats (on the wall side) along the bed for 3ft, then back up to the other clamp and attach under slight tension. It works: I tried this for the whole of last season and the duvet never came off once! TIP OF THE MONTH David Thompson wins 4Milenco Stacka corner feet…

17-19 June Falmouth Classics The port of Falmouth hosts an array of traditional boats as they race along the Cornish coast. At the same time, the town’s streets are filled with sounds of the International Sea Shanty Festival. Stay at Trewen Farm Campsite Web www.campingfalmouth.co.uk 3-5 June Boating spectacular If boats are your thing, don’t miss Beale Park Boat & Outdoor Show. The UK’s best wooden boat-builders, as well as more modern craft, gather by the River Thames for you to have a gander. Stay at Swiss Farm Touring and Camping Web www.swissfarmcamping.co.uk 10-12 June Shopping on water Great Haywood Floating Market is a unique retail experience. Browse the traders moored along a stretch of the Trent and Mersey Canal, between Haywood Lock and the Staffordshire and Worcs Canal. Stay…

BLUE-SKY THINKING IS all the rage. So, with the azure firmament of summer within reach, let’s push those boundaries, board the helicopter, take a step back, embrace the elephant in the room and contemplate the caravan of the future. Here are a few characteristics that I think are indispensable: 1 Articulated To make negotiating those windy country lanes easier. 2 Open-topped To make the most of the sunshine and really embrace the outdoor lifestyle. Is there any sensible reason why most vans have a solid roof? “Sleek, aerodynamic efficiency,” I hear you cry. Oh, give me a break! I want the wind in my hair and the feel of the sun on my back. 3 Even lower weight To enable the smallest and most economical of cars to tow it.…

The cost (added extras such as paying more than £1.50 for awnings), no showers, no loos, no electric hook-up, the existence of a clubhouse (shudder), proximity to busy roads and tricky access. CrazyguIder I do not trust sites that charge extra for lots of things. We look at prices but the choice is usually between the two clubs because we know what we are getting. Raywood A clubhouse or entertainment centre. A nice pub half a mile away is a different matter! Mel Extras stuck on the bill, noise, dirt and grumpy staff. Emmerson If we visit and don’t like it we don’t go back. CraIgyoung We rarely go back anywhere; we like change. Price is a consideration. It’s easier to get a picture in advance. Gabsgrandad…

Way to go Brittany Ferries services to the north Brittany coast are plentiful. We caught the boat from Portsmouth to St Malo, to save on mileage, but there are also ‘economy’ rates available on the Portsmouth–Le Havre route. For details, see www.brittany-ferries.co.uk Food and drink MarIe Thé CuIsIne This charming little restaurant was a great bolt-hole, with friendly service, great food and drink and charming décor. The tea list is comprehensive, and the accompanying cakes are delightfully inventive. Address 3 Gouin de Beauchesne, 35400 Saint-Malo Tel 00 33 (0)2 99 40 97 19 Le SaInt MIchel This small, unassuming restaurant doesn’t shout about its tasty fare as much as some of the other establishments on the island. Seating is limited, so get there early to beat the crowds seeking good…

‘Take a trip to the peninsula and you can easily explore the whole of the département’ CARAVANNERS Bryn and Janice Sadler CARAVAN 2006 Avondale Dart 380-2 TOW CAR 2006 Seat Ibiza TDI WE LOVE The fact that the Cotentin peninsula is so compact — nowhere on it is too far to visit! DOABLE – THAT’S THE Cotentin peninsula; and in a country as large as France, that’s a remarkable thing. French départements are often too big to explore: you find yourself constantly crossing the border into another, sometimes without even realising. But Manche – département number 50, and part of the Basse-Normandie region – is different. Take a trip to the Cotentin peninsula – or La presqu’île du Cotentin, as the French call it – and you can explore it…

ANYONE WHO HAS spent time exploring France’s interior will at some point have come across an ancient cluster of buildings with a sign declaring them to be one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (the most beautiful villages of France). There are 153 of them, and they’ve all met certain criteria to earn their designation, bestowed by an association that was set up in 1982. To the casual visitor it might seem that the requirements are simply for a village to possess a defensive location on a rocky outcrop, with medieval architecture surrounded by ramparts and stunning countryside. But there’s a little more to it than that. Far from wanting these villages to remain as museum pieces, the association is keen that the communities’ future is maintained with integrity.…

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 St David’s Lleithyr Meadow On the stunning Pembrokeshire coast, this is a fantastic base for outdoor activities. You may even see seals, puffins and thousands of nesting seabirds. Price £18.80 2 adults, 5 June–14 July 2016 Freshwater East Minutes from a beautiful beach and in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, this site offers a selection of grass or hardstanding tiered pitching areas. Price £25.90 2 adults, 21 July–3 Sept 2016 Pembrey Country Park A sheltered site on the edge of a 520-acre park, with a seven-mile Blue Flag beach just…

The Vauxhall Astra has been named European Car of the Year for 2016. In a close competition, the Astra won with 304 points compared to the 294 points of the runner-up, the Volvo XC90. The final podium spot was taken by the Mazda MX-5 with 202 points. The European Car of the Year is voted for by a panel of 58 leading motoring journalists from 22 countries. Each jury member has 25 points to allocate across a shortlist of cars, with no single car scoring more than 10 points. Other finalists were the Audi A4 (189 points), the BMW 7 Series (143 points), the Jaguar XE (163 points) and the Škoda Superb (147 points). Had the votes from UK journalists been the only ones to count, the Astra would have…

Terracan 2.9 CRTD This is a very capable tow car. The masses of torque mean fewer gear changes on inclines. Fuel efficiency is good for a car this size. Unbeatable value compared to a Shogun, Land Cruiser or Discovery. Spare wheel is underneath, so no problems hitching up. Matthew Fern Terracan 2.9 CRTD auto This has proved to be the best tow car I have ever had. It tows our large twin-axle without effort, will cruise all day at the legal limit and doesn’t slow going up motorway gradients. Being auto is fantastic and pulling away on steep gradients is no bother. It is very heavy and the van has little influence over it. It averages 30mpg solo and 25mpg towing. Don’t let its looks put you off. Nick Hewitt…

Families on tour need a flexible and practical space that caters for the needs of all ages, and this clever floorplan does just that. You’ll find a pair of bunks on the rear nearside wall, and a handy double dinette that the kids can use as a play area. Up front, the adults get a large lounge where they can relax when the youngsters have gone to bed. Pros A versatile floorplan that’s ideal for those with a larger family. Plenty of dining and sleeping space. Cons The side washroom is likely to be narrow, and kitchen worktop space could be compromised by the inclusion of the rear bunk beds. A Check storage space in the lounge and elsewhere is adequate B The side dinette is ideal for impromptu dining…

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 into a bed…

Hobby Much like Tabbert, Hobby has long been one of the brands of choice for people who prefer to stick their caravans on seasonal pitches, rather than towing them to various campsites. And after more than 40 years in the business, it’s fair to say that these big German vans have got their standards of build quality well and truly nailed — they really are beautifully engineered and fitted out. Unlike many of its rivals, however, Hobby has had a strong UK presence for a long time. The brand has its own UK importer — Hobby UK, based in Ambergate, Derbyshire — and has established a surprisingly comprehensive dealer network. Impressively, too, most models in the range (and there are a lot of them) are available to buy over here,…

WHAT IS IT about France that gives it such a hold over British holidaymakers? It would be easy to suggest that it’s because it’s so near – and the fact that you can hop across for a couple of days is certainly part of the appeal – but it’s much more than just that. France has a unique draw, blending magical landscapes with unique culture, and each region has its own distinctive character – to the extent that no two visits are ever quite the same. This month we’ve tried to bring you a little bit of everything, from sun, sea and sand to some stunning villages, but in particular we’ve been concentrating on places that are ideal for a short break... in areas that won’t break the bank for…

Practical Caravan’s LIndsey Dobson lived in Canterbury for nearly 20 years, so is perfectly placed to pick out some of the highlights of this historic and beautiful Kentish cathedral city 1 Stay here Canterbury Camping & Caravanning Club Site is an ideal base for exploring Kent. It’s a couple of miles outside the city, with a bus stop at the entrance. 2 Eat here There is an abundance of traditional taverns, cafés and tearooms, but Café Des Amis is a real gem. This vibrant little restaurant is tucked away behind the Westgate towers and offers authentic Mexican food, Latin music and a fantastic atmosphere. Don’t miss the Fudge Kitchen outside the cathedral, too! 3 Walk here Away from the bustle of the city there are walking and cycling routes…

‘Graham was keen to find a more modern interpretation of his 1930s Winchester tourer’ GRAHAM AND JUNE Perry were among the founders of the Period and Classic Caravan Club back in the early 1980s. This group is dedicated to preserving the tourers of yesteryear and, as the club grew, Graham would go on to own several great classics. Among these was a 1930s Winchester that was found in a rather poor state, restored over several years and matched to a classic tow car. Graham and his brother Alan soon became regulars on the local classic car and caravan scene. Although originally from Birmingham, Graham has since moved to west Wales and we caught up with him as he took a break from running his clay-pigeon shooting business. Back to the…

WHEN TO GO Normandy’s climate is similar to the UK’s, so the weather in July and August is very often beautiful. FOOD AND DRINK Le Cap A seafood meal is a must in Barneville-Carteret! We were fortunate enough to get a table at Le Cap. We sat on the terrasse and chose the lunchtime set meal. It was delicious and very good value. Address 6, Rue du Port, 50270 Barneville-Carteret Tel 0033 (0)2 33 53 85 89 FIND OUT MORE… La Cité de la Mer Web www.citedelamer.com Channel Islands day trips Search engines such as www.channelislandferry.com will give you an idea of available routes. Le Sentier des Douaniers This fantastic long-distance footpath is called the GR223; you can get more information about it from the town hall in Jobourg, which…

Birthday deals galore BECAUSE OUR PASTIME exploded in popularity during the 1960s, we’ve now hit peak anniversary season. A raft of manufacturers and dealers recently passed the half-century mark, and many others are likely to be drawing up plans for their golden jubilee artwork. But it’s not all about self-congratulation: buyers benefit, too, with leading brands – and the companies that sell them – extending goodwill to loyal customers. In June, Yorkshire Caravans of Bawtry celebrates 85 years in business, staking a claim to being the UK’s oldest independent retailer of caravans and accessories. Filling-station owner Percy Smith founded the company in 1931, after a caravan that he was storing on the premises generated significant interest from motorists. Percy sourced some caravans for himself and, eight decades on, his company…

THE 21st-CENTURY WAY TO CONTROL HEATING LAST MONTH, WE waxed lyrical about Swift’s groundbreaking Command system, which allows you to control your caravan’s heating – and most of its core electrical functions – remotely via a smartphone app. However, you don’t have to buy a Swift to be able to gain remote control of your tourer. Both of the UK’s main heating suppliers, Alde and Truma, have launched smartphone apps that will operate your heater while you’re away from your van, and here we look at the iNet system for Truma’s Combi unit. If your caravan has an ‘iNet ready’ logo on its Truma Combi control panel – the one with the LCD screen and rotary controller – then you can add remote-control capability to your heating system. To do…

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 in the nearside…

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 should be sure…

STACIE PARDOE enjoys touring with her young family and loves to put all of the latest gadgets to the test Easy Camp sleeping bags PrIce £24.99 Web www.easycamp.com These fun, affordable new sleeping bags will brighten up your youngsters’ next tour. For little ones, there’s the 160cm Image range, with three fun designs to choose from: Aquarium, Jelly Bean and Patchwork. For cool teens, the 190cm Pattern range features tribal prints or there’s the innovative Image Coat, a sleeping bag that doubles as an overcoat and is decorated with hilarious ‘crime scene’ or X-ray images. Optimate 5 Voltmatic PrIce £71.99 Web www.milenco.com Caravan batteries can deteriorate when not used or stored when not fully charged. Milenco has teamed up with Tecmate to offer this smart charger, designed to boost performance…

Outdoor show hits Stratford CAMPEREX WILL BRING its series of outdoor shows to Stratford-upon-Avon this June, and we have 10 pairs of day tickets up for grabs. Formally known as The Motorhome Show, the recently rebranded event has been revised and expanded for 2016: it now features caravans, awnings and tents, as well as motorhomes and campervans. Taking place from 17-19 June at Stratford Racecourse, the show is a great bet if you’re looking for a new or used van. Many of the latest models will be available to browse, and local dealers will be on hand for advice. When you’ve exhausted looking at the vans, you’ll find accessories, food and drink workshops, live music, a cinema and fairground rides to enjoy. Adult day tickets are £7 in advance or…

Fancy some ideas on places to go and things to do during the May half-term holidays? Here’s some touring news that should help inspire caravanners of any age on their next trip! Want adventure? Tour no further KEEPING THE CHILDREN occupied during the school holidays can be tricky, so for a little help during the upcoming May half-term, you can always make a trip to one of the Caravan Club’s 66 family-friendly Tourer Explorer sites. Youngsters will find plenty of fun activities to keep them entertained during their stay. They can get their hands on a free activity booklet, join in with treasure trails, earn gifts and rewards, and take part in competitions. Packs featuring a bag, a kite, toys and more are also available from the Tourer Explorer site…

The great outdoors The beaches are rich hunting grounds for anyone who likes shell collecting and rockpooling. Play a different game on each beach you visit, or simply swim and relax. Open-door policy There are plenty of attractions that are free to visit, such as Château Guildo, the ramparts surrounding Saint Malo, the tower at Mont-Dol or the spectacular Courtil des Senteurs in Quevert, a beautiful and deliciously pungent park best visited between May and June. Walk through time Take advantage of the France-wide policy of free entrance to state museums on the first Sunday of every month. This includes both the Musée Histoires St Malo, in the château, and the Tour Solidor in Saint-Servan (left). Cook crêpes Get a taste of the Breton life by cooking your own galettes…

Much to cheer at spring NEC Show Strong weekend sales capped a great NEC show for UK manufacturers in February, with Lunar in particular reporting bumper business. Sales were up by 20%, with the Quasar range accounting for half of this volume. Hull-based Coachman also reported that orders taken at the show contributed to a 30% upturn in sales over the same period in 2015. Executive chairman Jim Hibbs said that the firm’s focus on lower weights, and a price freeze until after the show, contributed to Coachman’s success. Practical Caravan TV has arrived! The television show that’s all about buying and enjoying your caravan returned to our screens at the start of April with a brand new series — and with a new name: the Caravan Channel…

First drive Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi 182bhp Price From £29,400 Kerbweight 1662kg 85% match 1413kg Towing limit 2200kg Towball limit 100kg IF A CARAVANNER thinks of a Kia, the chances are it’s the hefty Sorento. Its smaller sibling, the Sportage, is more popular with the wider public. There’s now a fourth-generation Sportage, aimed at rivalling the Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5 and Nissan Qashqai. Get past the new Sportage’s wide-mouthed expression – it looks better in the metal – and the Kia is a big improvement over the previous model. The fit and finish have taken a step forward, despite hard plastics low on the dash. It’s more practical than before, too. An extra 30mm between the front and rear axles allows more rear legroom. A six-foot adult can now sit…

How much? £1250-£5500 You can gather almost all you need to know from the following ad: “2004 Terracan, one lady owner, full history, recent cambelt, 92,000 miles, looks and drives good, long MoT, £1999.” And that was from a dealer. There are even more attractive deals for not much more; there was even a 48,000-mile one-owner car being offered for under £3000, and an 82,000-mile Limited with good history for the same money. If you want one of the newest you may need to pay as much as £4500; higher prices are being asked but the cars they’re attached to don’t look any better. What will it tow? Kerbweight ......................... 2265kg 85% match........................... 1925kg Towing limit....................... 2800kg Towball limit............................112kg (Figures for 2006 Terracan 2.9 CRTD Limited) How much is a…

WARNING! Use great care wIth craft knIves; always keep your hands and fIngers behInd the cuttIng edge DO YOU HAVE problems when storing long-stemmed glasses in your caravan? Real wine glasses are much more satisfying to use than plastic, so it is worth finding a safe and simple method of securing them in your crockery cupboard on the move. What you’ll need All you require to carry out this quick and easy kitchen improvement is a short offcut of 20mm-25mm aluminium or plastic angle, a small oblong piece of vinyl flooring (soft, thick vinyl is ideal), some impact/contact adhesive and three small fixing screws. Set out the glasses, upside down in a tightly spaced row, with perhaps 5mm between each glass and with 15mm to 20mm at either end. Slide…

Accounting for around 10% of caravans supplied to the British volume tourer market, the parallel-lounge, end-washroom floorplan is popular with those who go to rallies. There’s room to socialise, and the end washroom will compensate for a lack of site facilities. This floorplan also appeals to those who are happy to make up the lounge bed. The seats are usually long enough to work as single beds, too. Pros Tidy layout within a small footprint. Spacious washroom with dressing area. Cons Making up the double bed, and breaking it down, can be a chore. The kitchen can be squeezed for space. A Choose a U-shaped lounge over a centre chest for more space B It should be possible to use the lounge sofas as single beds C The full-width washroom…

Airstream This iconic brand of American tourers can trace its lineage back to 1931, when Wally Byam began building high-quality, aerodynamic trailers for adventurers striking out to see more of their nation. The first of these distinctive caravans to reach Europe arrived for a tour in 1956. After that they came in dribs and drabs as private imports, until Airstream Europe was founded in 2004 by a group of ambitious Brits keen to bring a slice of Stateside style to UK roads. Two years later it launched its Euro-friendly vans and today it boasts a four-model range, with sites in Cumbria and Gloucestershire. With prices starting at a shade under £55k you could never accuse an Airstream of being cheap, but they hold their value and, amazingly, more than 60%…

Trigano Trigano is one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of caravans, motorhomes and trailer tents; it encompasses such names as Caravelair and Sterckeman, as well as the eponymous brand itself. The company was founded in 1935 as a textile manufacturer, and soon branched out into supplying the tent industry with a range of materials. Within 10 years, Raymond Trigano and his sons had established a burgeoning company specialising in camping gear, and the firm launched its first range of caravans in 1971. Today the Trigano factory in Peñiscola, Spain, manufactures caravans and motorhomes for the likes of Benimar and CI. The company has also recently opened a new factory in Sablésur-Sarthe, France. Several companies have established businesses importing Trigano pop-top caravans in the UK: these include Burcroft Camping in Billing, Northamptonshire.…