Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2021 i Practical Caravan

It’s been a busy few months here at Practical Caravan HQ – we’re just about to launch the second iteration of our popular Van Live! virtual show (p39), and we’ve created our biggest ever reader survey (you’ll find it at www.practicalcaravan.com/readersurvey). And that’s not all – the world has certainly changed a lot over the past year, but some things still remain the same, and great campsites are one of them. We’re currently putting the finishing touches to our iconic 116-page Top 100 Sites Guide, which you’ll find free with the next issue of Practical Caravan – don’t miss your copy! With a bit of luck, we’ll all be back on the road very soon, and our Top 100 Sites Guide will help you to find the ideal campsite for…

THE HANDSOME TOWN of Clifden, also widely known as the Capital of Connemara, nestling between the majestic Twelve Bens mountains and the wild Atlantic Ocean, is steeped in fascinating history. Back in 1907, inventor Guglielmo Marconi sent the first transatlantic radio messages from his base near Clifden, to Nova Scotia, Canada, while in 1919, British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Brown made the first transatlantic flight, leaving Newfoundland and landing south of the town. Both feats were achieved at Derrigimlagh blanket bog, now one of Europe’s most prized wetlands and a place of pilgrimage for visitors paying homage to the pioneers’ impressive achievements. A signposted, looped 5km walk, with seven stopping points and interpretation panels, tells the fascinating story along the trail of former landmarks, such as Marconi’s Condenser House…

Who are you? I’m Kay Hutson, wife of Practical Caravan contributor Nigel Hutson. We are keen caravanners, and I’ve been touring with Nigel for the past 22 years. Why are you a local authority on Hope Valley? To me, Hope Valley, in the heart of Derbyshire’s Peak District, is home. I lived on the family farm there until I was 21, and my four siblings still live in the valley. What do you love about it? I love the scenery; the rugged crags and hills are very familiar to me. There’s so much to see and do within a small area, from wandering around the ancient streets of the villages to full-on walking and cycling. Hope Valley has it all – provided you don’t want towns! What’s your favourite place…

BAILEY The focus for Bailey this season has been on updating its Pursuit and Pegasus Grande ranges, both of which remained pretty much unchanged last year. Phoenix has become Phoenix+, with new standard features that include 14-inch alloys and smart overhead lockers with a textured contrasting stripe. New grey and purple Chesham soft furnishings include a similar piping detail to that included in the brand’s budget Discovery models, introduced last season. For 2021, the range consists of just six models – last season’s 760 layout has been dropped, leaving the 650 as the sole family caravan in the line-up. This year, the 8ft-wide Pegasus Grande has become the Pegasus Grande Special Edition (SE), with the new Series 10 Dometic two-way opening fridge on most of the six models in the…

HALL 4 sponsored by HAIBIRE VAN LIVE! THE PRACTICAL CARAVAN & MOTORHOME VIRTUAL SHOW 22-28 Feb 2021 Advertisement feature HERE’S WHY YOU NEED AN EBIKE! YOU KNOW THE benefits of an electric bike by now: a little extra help on the hills, a little time saved on the commute… But for Haibike, it’s really all about upgrading adventure. And two guys who know all about that are Luke and Sam from MTBVanLife. What is MTBVanLife? MTBVanLife is simply two friends with one aim: to travel with mountain bikes in a purpose-built camper. With both of them rocking the Haibike AllMtn 6 electric mountain bike, who better for us to talk to about amplifying an adventure with an eMTB? Here’s what the guys had to say: “eMTBs enable us to go…

Cooking in the confines of your caravan can be a joy and a challenge — fortunately, at Van Live! we’ve got some fantastic inspiration and advice from Mark and Sophie at Vanlife Eats (vanlifeeats.com). You’ll be able to read their 10 top tips on caravan cooking in Hall 6, and watch a brilliant video for even more inspiration. For now, though, here’s a tasty recipe that you can cook up on your next tour! Hearty vegetarian curry with chickpeas, aubergines and halloumi Ingredients (serves 1) ● 1 tbsp olive oil ● 0.5 yellow onion ● 1 tsp fresh ginger, chopped ● 2 garlic cloves, chopped ● 1 tsp garam masala ● 1 tsp light brown sugar ● Salt & pepper ● 1 bay leaf ● 1.5 tbsp tomato purée ●…

Brighter future for the used van market Despite another lockdown, the demand for caravans doesn’t seem to be abating. I was at a dealership on the eve of the latest lockdown, and the sales manager was very positive about business, both pre-Christmas and into the new year. In fact, he told me, dealers in New Zealand who had been buying UK used models for around £6000 were now after tourers up to £15,000 because demand in NZ was growing so much. The predicted staycation boom could also bolster the market. But dealers must be prepared to put in the extra work involved in keeping customers happy! practical.caravan@futurenet.com ANDY JENKINSON is a caravan expert and historian – he loves pre-owned and classic tourers! ANDY’S PICKS OF THE MONTH 1 Light as…

Is this the year of the hybrid tow car? Many motoring commentators think 2021 will be the year of the electric car. For caravanners, I wonder whether it is going to be the year of the hybrid. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), in particular, are making great strides. An increasing number of these vehicles are capable of healthy mileages on electric power alone, but still deliver frugal economy figures when the engine kicks in. And although recharging the batteries often is the way to achieve the best fuel efficiency, you never have to worry about running out of power or struggling with faulty chargers. As the season gets under way, I think we’ll see more hybrids towing than ever. MOTTY motty@practicalcaravan.com Tow car editor DAVID MOTTON is a former PC editor, and…

Caravanning with our canine friends If you take your pet with you on tour, you’ll know that there’s lots to think about - from transporting them safely to making sure they’re secure and happy on site, there’s plenty that you need to consider if they (and you) are to enjoy your trip. This issue, we’ve brought you a comprehensive guide to taking your dog on holiday with you - whether you want information on carrying them safely in the tow car, or guidance on great gadgets for pet owners, it’s all here (p94). Here’s to your next happy tour with your pet! practical.caravan@futurenet.com OUR TECH EXPERTS include (left to right) John Sootheran, Sammy Faircloth and Nigel Hutson TOP TIPS! HOW TO... LOVE YOUR LOO! Emptying the toilet cassette is one…

Nigel Hutson is a lifelong caravanner who toured as a child before buying his first caravan at the age of 22. He also served in the police for 30 years IN A RECENT conversation that I had with Alde, mention was made of the “air cushion”. Now, I hold up my hands and make two admissions here. First, I’d never heard of the air cushion before, and second, I must admit that I rarely look at handbooks unless I need something! There, I’ve said it. The conversation with Alde proceeded along the lines of “Although it’s highly unlikely, there is a possibility of damage being caused to the boiler which then becomes an expensive repair.” I emphasise that it is highly unlikely damage will be caused, but just one such…

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…

AI In-line island beds, which stretch from the back forwards, rather than to the side, have tended to be reserved for motorhomes, as these vehicles are usually narrower than caravans so can’t usually house a transverse bed. In-line beds tend to make caravans longer, too. But sometimes that can be a good thing, particularly if you are mainly looking to use your van as a seasonal pitch. Such beds can be better than transverse beds, because access to both sides of the bed is easy. Pros A bedroom with an in-line island bed will feel much more like home Cons The caravan can be quite a length to tow, so you’ll need to make sure that you’re happy with that A Front lounge should not feel squeezed because of what…

A caravan layout with a lounge at either end and no fixed bed was a very common thing until about a decade ago. Although it has tapered off since, as more and more people opted for a fixed bed, you can see it present in a few models. It does have its advantages, particularly in rainy Britain. There’s room for all occupants to spread out, without the adults and children treading on each other’s toes, if the weather means staying in is the only option. Pros There’s plenty of room for everyone, and adults and kids can do their own thing Cons You usually have to put together at least one bed every night A You should be able to leave the front settees as single beds if you want…

WHAT SIZE VAN AM I ALLOWED TO TOW? Q I own a Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer 1.2 petrol. We are thinking about getting back into caravanning again, but with my current vehicle, I’m not sure what size caravan I would be able to tow. Could you please help? Harry Easton David Motton replies... The exact weight of your car will vary, depending on the trim level and any optional extras, but the Towsafe database (www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/helpandadvice/towingmatch) gives a kerbweight of 1372kg. Including 75kg for the driver, you could reasonably work from a weight of 1447kg for matching purposes. As you probably know, both of the major caravanning clubs recommend towing a caravan weighing no more than 85% of the car’s kerbweight. Your Citroën has an 85% match figure of 1230kg, which…

THE INTERNET CLAIMED that the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales — also known as Snowdon’s Arm — “enjoys a unique microclimate, benefiting from the Gulf Stream bringing warmer sea temperatures and weather”. The weather forecasters, however, seemed to have other ideas. They were predicting that while the 40mph winds would have dropped by the time we arrived, the heavy rain would not. But when we read that about a quarter of this 30-mile-long peninsula is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty — and one of only five such designations in Wales — we were sold, nonetheless. It was settled: this was where we would be spending our (pre-lockdown) fifth wedding anniversary. Welcoming pub We made the journey westwards to Llwyn Ffynnon, our selected campsite, situated about three miles north of…

When to go We visited in July, when the weather was agreeably warm and sunny. But Ireland is one of the wettest countries in Europe, so it’s advisable to take waterproofs and stout footwear at any time of year. Way to go We used the Irish Ferries Holyhead-Dublin crossing (www.irishferries.com). Further information ■ Ireland tourism › www.ireland.com ■Discover Connemara › www.loveconnemara.com › Visitor Information Centre, Market Street, Clifden ■ Connemara National Park › connemaranationalpark.ie ■ Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden › www.kylemoreabbey.com ■ Errislannan Manor Riding Centre › errislannanmanor.com Our outfit Vauxhall Astra 2.0 Sports Tourer and Glossop Caravans 2017 Special Edition Coachman Festival 450…

THE A59 BEGINS in the centre of Liverpool and heads north to the A59/M57/M58 interchange (which is known as Switch Island), passing the famous Aintree racecourse. It bypasses Ormskirk and continues north to Preston, near Rufford Old Hall (L40 1SG), a stunning Tudor property with Victorian and Edwardian gardens, owned by the National Trust. After Preston, it passes Brockholes Wetland and Woodland Nature Reserve (PR5 0AG) and follows the beautiful Ribble Valley – where you have a choice of campsites – past Whalley and its abbey, to Clitheroe, bypassing the attractive market town to the east. Pendle Hill, renowned for its association with witch trials in the 17th century, lies to the east of the road, which then heads north-east through Gisburn and on to Skipton and its castle, which…

Erwin Hymer looks to a brighter future The Erwin Hymer Group (EHG) says the pandemic has slowed its integration with its new owner Thor Industries, and delayed the roll-out of Airstream caravans in Europe. But in a statement markin the end of its first full year as part of the US firm, EHG, which owns Elddis, Compass Buccaneer and Xplore in the UK, says it is looking toward a much more positive future once the pandemic is over. It says it has been buoyed by a 10.8% increase in the sale of recreational vehicles across Europe, although much of that rise in deman was led by stronger interest in campervans. Caravan Guard raises record sum for charity Insurers Caravan Guard and Leisure Days raised £20,358 last year for Heart Research…

VAN LIVE! THE PRACTICAL CARAVAN & MOTORHOME VIRTUAL SHOW 22-28 Feb 2021 Back of Beyond Touring Park Dorset This adults-only site is a haven for guests and wildlife alike. Leave your daily stress behind with walks in its 18 acres of woods or around the two fishing lakes. Last year, owners Martin and Victoria Bowrey were clearing streams, improving showerblocks, building 19 hardstandings, and creating an external pop-up bar and a communal barbecue and seating area. New measures have been employed to create a safe environment for guests. › 234a Ringwood Road, East Moors Lane, St Leonards BH24 2SB › backofbeyondtouringpark.co.uk Ballyness Caravan Park Northern Ireland Visits to two top attractions, the Giant’s Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, are well served with a base at this award-winning park at…

Looking forward to summertime While nature’s superbugs contrive to keep human activity at bay, there are signs, perhaps more hopeful than actual, that come summer, we will be able to take up some much-missed ‘normal’ activities. Plans for the Wimbledon tournament are going ahead for June (although with the 2020 event cancelled, tickets for 2021 are as rare as hen’s teeth), Royal Ascot dates have been pencilled in and Goodwood has announced dates for its two auto festivals. Being able to take up our hobby again will come as a huge relief. For now, we must simply enjoy what we can in our immediate surroundings. Stay safe, and be hopeful. claudia.dowell@futurenet.com Features editor CLAUDIA DOWELL is our touring expert - she’s been caravanning for years and loves to explore both…

Way to go Towing to the Llyn Peninsula is best via the A497 from Porthmadog. We used the A5 to Llangollen, the A494 to Bala and the A4210 to Trawsfynydd before reaching Porthmadog via the A470. When to go The main tourist season is from Easter to the end of October. During the winter, many attractions close or have reduced opening hours. Food and drink The Whitehall in Pwllheli (whitehall.cymru) is excellent. Pwllheli also has an Asda supermarket for self-catering. The tearoom at Plas yn Rhiw has lovely coffee and cake! Find out more ■ Pwllheli and the Llyn Peninsula › www.pwllheli.org.uk ■ Glasfryn Activity Centre › www.glasfryn.co.uk ■ Nant Gwrtheyrn › www.nantgwrtheyrn.org ■ Plas yn Rhiw › www.nationaltrust.org.uk/plas-yn-rhiw Our outfit We tow our 2002 Avondale Dart 515-4 caravan with our…

Caravan design goes eco-friendly A few years ago, you might have been forgiven for saying that when it comes to innovative space-saving design, campervan manufacturers have stolen a march on caravan designers. So it is good to note the tide has turned, now we see the likes of Camperlands come up with its second design for caravans in almost as many years. Together with camper manufacturer Wheelhome, which launched its lightweight Dashaway van at the same time, the emphasis seems to be on producing caravans for lighter, more eco-friendly cars. That has to be a good thing. peter.baber@futurenet.com Reviews editor PETER BABER is a hugely experienced caravanner who enjoys touring whenever he can HOW WE TEST VANS Our review types explained In-depth test In our most detailed test, we spend…

Welcome to VAN LIVE! Practical Caravan The past year really has been extraordinarily eventful for the leisure vehicle industry: dealerships and campsites have been forced to temporarily close their doors, and we’ve all had to stay at home during the various lockdowns. It was with this situation in mind that we launched our first Van Live! Practical Caravan & Motorhome Virtual Show, back in October – our online event brought you all of the latest news and round-ups from across the caravanning world, to keep you right up to date with everything that was going on, after other physical shows had been cancelled. Join us online Such was the huge success of that event, we’ve decided to do it again – the Van Live! Practical Caravan & Motorhome Virtual Show…

VAN LIVE! THE PRACTICAL CARAVAN & MOTORHOME VIRTUAL SHOW 22–28 Feb 2021 Advertisement feature SHIELDING YOUR CARAVAN It’s essential to make sure you are protected against the risks that come with owning such a valuable vehicle, no matter whether your caravan is new or has had multiple owners. This is especially true for first-time owners; you’re sure to be extra keen to protect your pride and joy. But with a wealth of insurance providers, how do you begin to choose one? It’s not compulsory to have caravan insurance in the UK – but theft, floods, high winds and more are all disasters that could happen. So it’s best to get insured with a policy that will cover you for all of these eventualities. Of course, it’s tempting just to go for…

OWNER SATISFACTION SURVEY 2021 Our Owner Satisfaction Awards 2021, organised by Practical Caravan with The Camping and Caravanning Club, let you have your say about any caravan you’ve bought in the past three years, how it’s fared in its time with you, and your experience of the buying process. Owing to the lockdowns, we’re extending the survey deadline until August, but meantime, we’ve pulled together some facts and figures on what you’ve told us so far! 63% bought a brand new caravan 88% of respondents own a caravan with a motor mover YOU BOUGHT VANS FROM… HOW MUCH YOU PAID FOR YOUR VAN… LENGTH OF CARAVAN YOU BOUGHT… Still time to have your say at practicalcaravan.com/vote You could win a 7-night stay at a C&CC site of your choice! Most…

The VW Tiguan makes a very good tow car. Perhaps it’s a little pricey, but sometimes you get what you pay for. Stability is the cornerstone of the best tow cars, and the Tiguan is very stable indeed. It fills the driver with confidence at 60mph, with only the slightest tugging at the back when you’re overtaking an HGV. The Tiguan is also clearly at home towing in all sorts of conditions. On lumpy country roads, the combination of firmly controlled suspension and the punchy diesel engine makes for assured progress. Without the weight of a caravan behind it, the VW continues to impress. It’s comfortable and quiet at speed, although the big alloy wheels do pick up some road noise. On B-roads, the Tiguan handles better than most rivals…

Barbour Classic Tartan dog travel harness For aspirational dogs Price £32.95 Web johnlewis.com Mountain Paws karabiner dog lead For outdoor dogs Price From £16.99 Web mountainpaws.com Ruff and Tumble Drying Coat For dogs that like to play in water Price From £26 Web ruffandtumbledogcoats.com Ruff and Tumble sofa throw For dogs that are into interior design Price From £74.95 Web ruffandtumbledogcoats.com Lick mat for doggie treats For dogs that need entertaining Price £7.99 Web www.dogstrustgifts.com Fiamma Carry Dog folding kennel For dogs that like their own space Price £57 Web everythingfiamma.co.uk Animology Stink Bomb deodorising dog spray For ‘aromatic’ dogs Price £5.79 Web yourdogsclub.co.uk Bottom Sniffer non-alcoholic, non-carbonated dog beer For CAMRA dogs Price From £2.99 Web woofandbrew.com Stake and tie-out cable For dogs that might wander off Price Cable…

❯ Kerbweight As 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-up Cable connection to the mains electrical supply at a campsite. Provides power to mains sockets and appliances ❯ Maximum towing limit The 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.…

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 > caravanengineers.co.uk > For the very latest reviews and brilliant buying guides, visit the Practical Caravan website - you’ll find us at www.practicalcaravan.com…

It seems that the general trend with fixed single beds is to sling the van’s washroom right at the back behind them. But there are still a couple of models out there with fixed single beds and the washroom in front of them. The advantage of this set-up is that the washroom acts as a kind of partition, sealing you off from the hubbub that might be going on elsewhere in the caravan. It also allows easy washroom access for all occupants overnight. Pros Bedroom is shut off from the rest of the caravan, so ideal for seasonal touring Cons The centre of the caravan can feel a little cramped A Front lounge might not be large enough for single beds, but it should be roomy B Large windows in…

OCTOBER 2005 Welsh breaks Big mountains, big caravans and big prizes all featured in this month’s issue, which showcased a Snowdonia getaway, a test of family six-berths - and the chance to win a £19,279 car! Fixed for families Our Big Caravan Test looked at fixed-bunk, entry-level vans that were good for families. We picked out a few of the forthcoming 2006 models, some of which went on to become big hits: they included the Elddis Avanté and the Bailey Pageant Bretagne Going tow to tow Our comprehensive tow car test gave the Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI Estate the thumbs-up when it came to performance, although we felt that it didn’t quite match up when it came to practicality - nevertheless, our overall verdict of four out of five…