Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2016 i Practical Caravan

 Where are we? The Lawns Centre, Cottingham, East Yorkshire ‘We’re confident that you’ll find your perfect touring partner within our shortlist’ What’s going on? The Caravan Extravaganza, known universally as ‘The Lawns’, takes place every September in the grounds of the University of Hull. There are no Adrias or Baileys – after all, this is a Hull & East Riding of Yorkshire Caravan Manufacturers’ Association event – but it’s the first place to see the majority of the new-season ranges together in one place, making it the ideal location for us to finish the judging for our annual Tourer of the Year Awards (see p67) Which outfit? Here, we’re overlooking the latest Swift and Sterling ranges, with the 2017 Coachman offering just visible in the distance…

Taken great pics on your travels? let us see them! EMAIL letters@practicalcaravan.com  or HASHTAG us on social media #practicalcaravan We are new to caravanning this year, having picked up a 1994 Lunar Premiere in April to take our young family away in. We are already addicted, and have been out nine times so far this season! Here is the caravan next to the dunes at Bamburgh, on the final day of our latest trip, where it also made a handy changing room. Chris Higham and family This was our view for the week when we stayed at Slapton Sands Camping & Caravanning Club Site in July this year in our Mk1 Bailey Pegasus – and the weather was scorchio! Barbara and David Drake (not forgetting Wiggins and…

Our holiday began with Brittany Ferries, sailing from Portsmouth to Santander. The tour would take us from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, via the Pyrenees mountains. En route we would visit glitzy Biarritz, get divine inspiration at Lourdes – and find another kind of spiritual comfort in the duty-free capital of Europe, Andorra – before finally arriving on Spain’s Costa Brava. Not only that, but we would also experience some real-life drama – breaking down in the mountains and a narrow escape with a pickpocket at a Spanish market. Throw a bit of nostalgia into the mix, when we visited Calella, a resort my wife had not seen for more than 50 years, and we had the makings of a great adventure. Let the exploits begin It was a beautiful…

CARAVANNERS Nigel and Kay Hutson CARAVAN 2015 Lunar Clubman SE TOW CAR Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE WE LOVE Exploring the Derbyshire countryside: there are many beautiful villages to visit and heritage trails to walk EVERY NOW AND again, things just come together. Let me explain. Kay and I often struggle to think of gifts for my parents, because they don’t really want ‘things’ any more, so thoughts turn to days out and trips away. Kay’s Christmas gift to me was a flight in a Tiger Moth biplane, but this had been postponed several times because of the weather. By coincidence, the latest rescheduling of the flight was the day before my parents were due to spend a day touring the south Derbyshire/Staffordshire countryside in a vintage car, and because…

GETTING AROUND... Things to do 1 Parys Mountain 2 Menai Bridge 3 Beaumaris Castle 4 Lligwy Bay 5 Plas Newydd 6 Plas Cadnant 7 South Stack Lighthouse 8 Llanfairpwllgwyngyll 9 Anglesey Sea Zoo 10 Beaumaris Places to stay 1 Tyddyn Isaf Camping & Caravan Park 2 Kingsbridge Caravan & Camping Park 3 Pen-y-Llyn 4 White Lodge Caravan Park 5 Bodowyr Caravan and Camping Park 6 Rhyd y Galen Caravan and Camping Park 7 Mornest Caravan Park 8 Nant Newydd TOP EVENTS... A All the fun… 24 October Don’t miss the Menai Bridge Fair, which takes over Water Street, Wood Street and Telford Road with funfair rides, stalls and entertainment. You’ll want to check out transport links before you go, because the town’s car parks will be taken over by the…

Winner Black Horse Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) THE UK CAR market is buoyant, due to flexible finance that makes new cars cheaper to own. And now PCP is coming to the tourer market, courtesy of Black Horse. The premise is simple: buyers pay a deposit and a monthly amount for a new van. They don’t own it, but basically cover the cost of the depreciation until the end of the contract, at which time they can pay a lump sum to buy it, get a fresh PCP deal on a new van, or walk away. Making tourers more affordable, so within reach of more people, is good for the market and good for consumers. Highly commended Coachman coat-drying area Coachman has a reputation for thoughtful design, and one detail in…

Winner Knaus StarClass 560 Price £25,695 Berths 4 Payload 160kg MTPLM 1600kg THIS YEAR’S WINNER isn’t an obvious choice for the Specialist category, which in the past has tended to focus on lightweight, innovative and unconventional tourers. The Knaus is certainly no flyweight, and its classic fixed-nearside-bed floorplan is as old as the hills. But that’s entirely the point: the StarClass 560 is a caravan designed specifically to appeal to traditionalists, as part of a whole new range that has been created by German leisure-vehicle behemoth Knaus for the British market alone. Parent firm Knaus Tabbert is hardly a small company, but Knaus UK remains a fledgling firm with high ambitions: to help the German marque become only the second Continental brand – after Adria – to gain a genuine…

Winner Elddis Avanté 586 Price £18,495 Berths 6 Payload 173kg MTPLM 1500kg AMONG A CLUTCH of new models in the Avanté range for 2017, one stood head and shoulders above the others as an ideal van for larger families. The 586 won out over its twin-axle sister 866 despite the bunk beds on the latter being longer, mainly because we are not sure that bigger children would thank you for making them sleep together on the double that’s made up from the dinette. The 586, in contrast, has a quartet of single bunks – one permanent set in the rear, and the other made up from the side dinette. That means that, even if you are a family of more than five, all four children can still sleep in splendid…

2016 Lunar Delta RI Berths 4 MTPLM 1710kg Price new £26,199 Price now £22,950 We said ‘At first glance, Lunar’s range-topping line doesn’t appear to have been fundamentally altered for 2016, but in the Delta RI it has pioneered a brilliant new floorplan. And it’s no gimmick, either. This layout really works, giving a serious caravanning couple the ultimate in luxury as it combines two of the season’s hottest properties: the transverse double bed, and the centre washroom. The result is both a bigger washroom and a better master bedroom. The Delta squeezes in an attractive lounge, too, kept bright during the day by the huge Skyview rooflight, and at night by some innovative lighting ideas. The Delta is even lightweight enough for touring, rather than being restricted to seasonal…

What’s new? The Santa Fe was updated last year with a cleaner and more powerful diesel engine, high-tech safety features and refreshed styling to bring it in line with Hyundai’s more recent designs. As before, the big SUV is available in five- and seven-seat versions. We’re testing the range-topping Premium SE Auto with seven seats. It’s well-equipped, but so it should be with a price-tag of £39,000 – Hyundai’s origins as a budget brand have well and truly been left behind. What are we looking for? Can the Santa Fe justify its price? It has a lot of standard kit, but is it enough to stand comparison with the Land Rover Discovery Sport? Most importantly, how well does the Santa Fe tow a big van? Towing ability The Santa Fe…

Caravans up to £3000 1997 Swift Challenger 520 4-berth, warm-air heating, hot & cold water, 240V & 12V, complete with awning. Good condition, no damp or pets, £1800 ono. Mr Tuplin, Lincoln. (01522 729 041) 2002 Swift Sandymere 2-berth, excellent condition, with 1 full-length Bradcot awning, 1 half-length Bradcot awning, both as new, plus all extras required included, £2800. Mr Leyland, St Helens. (01744 600 942) 1994 Avondale £1100, excellent condition, everything works except electric heating, gas heating okay, scratch damage to right side. Gas, water pump, awning, battery included, ready to use. Mr Brooker, Erith, Kent. (01322 330 698 or 0778 593 6105) Awnings Porch Riversway Maroon, £50. SunnCamp Ultima 390 Maroon, £150. Buyer collects. Mr Howard, W Yorks. (01943 608 512) Bradcot Portico XL Plus 398 x 240cm,…

We are pretty new to caravanning. Until four years ago we had a narrowboat; Hey Jude was our pride and joy, our island away from commuting and work. Then my wife Rowena and I retired in our mid-50s and became dog-walkers. Our world could not be more removed from our corporate life. We were and remain very happy, having been married for 30 years. It was my sister who badgered us into caravanning. “That’s for old people,” we would say. “But you are old!” she responded. Nothing could be further from the truth, we thought. We felt 18. We kept our weight in check, were pretty fit. But then we met other caravan owners and finally attended the NEC show... and our life changed. Hey Jude was sold, we bought…

Pokito folding cup Price £15 Web www.pokito.net This issue seems to be a space-saving special, because as well as a folding bucket, we also have a folding cup! The British-made Pokito is an expensive but environmentally friendly alternative to the disposable café cup, plus it’s insulated and sealable, should you want to save some of your drink for later – though we found that it will leak if left on its side. The cup is designed to ‘scrunch’ small to slip into a pocket or bag, and to stack (ideal for your caravan cupboard). When needed, it can be popped out to two different sizes, 350 and 475ml. We found it stable and without any unpleasant taste or smell, but the bottom half was reluctant to fold neatly on…

Home Farm – luxury (above). Keith Woodward Site essentials If you want a full-facility park in a tranquil setting, this could be your ideal site. Situated on the east coast of Anglesey, well away from any roads, the secluded site is landscaped on different levels to help provide more privacy. It is close to several sandy beaches and stunning coastal walks, so there is plenty of opportunity to get some fresh air and enjoy the beauty of Anglesey. Facilities include tourist information and a small shop in reception, Wi-Fi, award-winning toilet blocks, a launderette, a washing-up area, 16A electric hook-up, outdoor and indoor play areas including TV and pool tables, a ball-games area, a tennis court and an exercise area for dogs. The touring fields have a variety of pitch…

Winner Sprite Freedom 6 Price £14,795 Berths 6 Payload 173kg MTPLM 1360kg FAMILY CARAVANS HAVE been relatively hard to find in recent seasons, so the fact that our budget winner is a lightweight, large family caravan is a source of deep joy for our judging panel. The Freedom 6 has an appealing family layout: there are fixed bunks in the nearside rear corner, facing a side washroom. The centre kitchen sits at the foot of the bunks, with a dinette facing it, while a comfortable lounge occupies the front of the van. By day, two lounges means that families won’t get under each other’s feet, while the fixed bunks mean that little ones can be put to bed earlier than older kids and parents. Having an 18ft family van that…

Winner Sprite Major 4 EB Price £16,585 Berths 4 Payload 201kg MTPLM 1433kg CARAVANS WITH CENTRAL washrooms and rear fixed beds are all the rage this year. The Major 4 EB is Sprite’s version of such a layout, and the budget-conscious will be very pleased to hear that the manufacturer brings the idea off at a price that is several thousand pounds cheaper than many of its rivals, but doesn’t show any obvious signs of cost-cutting. Yes, those really are posi-locks on all of the locker doors! As its name implies, this is a four-berth, but it would work so well as a place for just the two of you. The ledge by the door, for example, comes complete with the appropriate sockets to make it the perfect spot for…

Winner Coachman Laser 675 Price £27,195 Berths 4 Payload 160kg MTPLM 1800kg IF A VAN is to work as a seasonal tourer, it needs to offer a little bit more of a sense of space and comfort than even your typical larger caravan. You certainly get that feeling as soon as you step into the Laser 675. The roomy, light-filled front lounge is somewhere that could very easily become a bolthole you will get used to relaxing in for long periods, and not just a place to while away a solitary weekend. With tunes from the Pioneer radio/CD/MP3 player coming through the speakers just above, you’re likely to be spoiled for background music, too. The kitchen worktop is so large it wouldn’t look too out of place in your average…

THERE’S A GENERAL rule that when you’re away on tour, you simply cannot have too much light. Granted, today’s caravans tend to be well specified with lamps – internally and externally – ensuring that there are few dark spots inside or in an adjoining awning. But older models are less well blessed. So much so that it’s not uncommon to find that standing at the sink or cooker casts a shadow over the very area you’re trying to see. And even in the most modern vans there are still dark cupboards or corners that, ideally, could do with a little extra illumination. Well, fortunately modern LED technology has advanced so much that it’s no longer necessary to drag out the drill and reels of wire. Small, battery-powered pocket lamps are…

‘A Ford S-Max is more fun to drive, but the VW Touran is a very comfortable and refined car’ What’s new? THE LATEST TOURAN may not appear that different from its predecessor, but VW has taken a real step forward with this car: it’s roomier, more practical, better to drive and more economical. In fact, the Touran is such a good people-carrier that What Car? named it ‘Best MPV’ at this year’s Car of the Year Awards. What are we looking for? It represents practical family transport – but just how well does the Touran tow a caravan? Towing ability With a kerbweight of 1571kg, the Touran is relatively light for a car that has space for seven (cars with a manual ’box rather than the DSG auto fitted to…

Camping Ur-Onea A well-maintained site in a valley surrounded by the Pyrenees and just a 10-minute walk from the beach. The site has a bar, restaurant, takeaway, small shop, free internet, heated pool and reasonable-sized grass pitches. Address Rue de la Chapelle, 64210 Bidart Tel 0033 (0)5 59 26 53 61 Web www.uronea.com Open 11 April-18 September Charges Pitch+2+hook-up €22-€44 Camping Le Moulin du Monge This small, 55-pitch campsite is the back garden of a large house, just a five-minute drive from Lourdes town centre. The toilet blocks, though basic, are kept clean. On site is a small shop, bar, heated pool and a sauna, and the pitches are mostly grass. Address 28 Avenue Jean Moulin, 65100 Lourdes Tel 0033 (0)5 62 94 28 15 Web www.camping-lourdes.com/fr Open…

Winner Dorema Futura 330 Air All Season Price £799 Dimensions 330cm x 250cm Weight 19kg DUTCH MAKER DOREMA’S first air awnings range, the Magnum, was something of a test bed, with some customers questioning the rather limited headroom in its otherwise ergonomic curved shape. So its successor, the Futura, made with WM27 acrylic, is a great step forward – and not just in terms of improved headroom from its conventionally shaped roof. There’s plenty of flexibility, too: both side panels are interchangeable so you can have the side doors either at the front or the back by the caravan itself. The front panels can also be removed (leaving no trip hazard) so you get to choose where the opening in the front is, too. They can be replaced by mosquito…

Winner Compass Camino 660 Price £26,794 Berths 4 MTPLM 1800kg Payload 159kg NOTHING SAYS LUXURY like a twin-axle destined for a couple: instantly we are talking masses of living space, a decent-sized, well-appointed kitchen and, most likely, a fixed bed. The Camino 660 delivers on all counts and, what’s more, it does it with style and good cheer. Just look at those pale blue sidewalls, with lockers, windows, doors and skirting all framed in white – it brings to mind Wedgewood’s blue Jasperware – and that sweep of graphics. The uplifting colour scheme is taken inside, too. The standard Anastasia cream and mushroom upholstery is lifted by blue accents. Woodwork is in Salinas Ash and kitchen cabinets and worktop are picked out in cream. And that worktop is huge –…

Winner Bailey Pegasus Ancona Price £18,179 Berths 5 Payload 179kg MTPLM 1475kg IN RETAINING ITS position at the head of this category, the Ancona manages a feat not achieved in the TotY awards for several years. And the reasons why are simple: for a family of four, it works quite brilliantly – well enough, in fact, that it’s able to remain at the top of the pile without even the round of annual changes that its rivals have enjoyed ahead of the 2017 season. The Pegasus in its fourth generation may not win many beauty contests, but its looks are much improved and the Alu-Tech construction gives a practical interior space lit during the day by Bailey’s signature full-height front window – which gives fantastic views whether you’re sitting in…

DOREMA’S FUTURA RANGE isn’t the first all-season air awning the Dutch company has produced. It first did so a couple of years ago with the Magnum range. But the intervening years have given it time to listen to customers on issues such as headroom and come up with this new range made from Ten Cate, a polyester-coated WM27 acrylic material. We tested the middle-of-the-range 330, measuring 330cm across (60cm narrower than the similar Magnum model), with a 250cm depth. Other options in the range include the 220 and 440. The 330 is held up by four air chambers that have been designed with a bend in the middle to give you 190cm of headroom at the front. You don’t inflate the chambers directly. Instead, you inflate a series of pods…

WHEN THE ŠKODA Yeti was launched into the fledgling small SUV market back in 2009, it immediately proved that it was possible to be both square and quite cool at the same time. The boxy profile promised spaciousness and practicality, while the raised ground clearance, black plastic addenda and funky headlights gave it a ‘let’s give it a go’ fun factor. Even back in the previous decade, jokes about Škodas were utterly irrelevant: the company had long prospered under the wing of Volkswagen, and its cars were well-built, spacious and reliable. The Yeti instantly added ‘fun’ to that list. Prices for the earliest two-wheel-drive 1.2-litre petrol cars start from around the £5500 mark, but those looking at the Yeti as a tow car will need to go up towards the…

FAMILY TOURERS WITH four berths and upwards have been selling well, according to dealers, with first-time caravanning families tending to focus on the £8000 mark as an upper limit for their first tourer purchase. With that in mind we headed off to long-established dealer Robsons of Wolsingham in Co Durham. The company has a super tourer display area and sells a wide range of models, as well as a selection of motorhomes. It didn’t take us long to find a couple of examples with price-tags of well under £8k. Our first was a 2011 Caravelair Ambience – a brand that’s been around in the UK on and off since 1964 – with an asking price of £7495. The other was a Swift-based dealer special – the Archway from 2003 –…

FACTFILE 2009 Swift Conqueror 530 Price £10,995 Berths 4 MiRO 1388kg Payload 242kg MTPLM 1630kg Internal length 5.51m Width 2.29m Seen at Barnsdale Leisure, Mayfield Farm, Doncaster Road, East Hardwick, Pontefract WF8 3EQ Tel 01977 621 918 Web www. barnsdaleleisure.co.uk FINGERTIP CONTROL Two mains sockets and heating controls are handily positioned in the kitchen at the back of the dresser STYLE, COMFORT AND VERSATILITY The 530’s lounge is spacious, with sofas long enough that they can be made into two single beds or a large double A PLACE FOR AND EVERYTHING The kitchen is a good size with excellent storage, ample worktop and all the kit you might need EQUIPPED FOR COOKS As well as the dual-fuel hob, the galley has a separate oven and grill, plus a microwave…