Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2025 i Practical Caravan

Regular readers of PC will know about our annual Owner Satisfaction Awards, in which you – our experienced tourer owners – tell us what it’s like to have lived with your caravan since you bought it. The time has now come for us to open our survey for 2026, and as always, we can’t do it without you. If you’ve bought a caravan (new or used) since 2022, we’d love to hear from you. Simply visit our online survey at www.practicalcaravan.com/oss and tell us all about your tourer and your dealer, and you could be in with a chance of winning one of three £100 Towsure vouchers, plus an annual magazine subscription. While you’re there, don’t forget to cast your vote for your favourite campsite, for our Top 100 Sites…

Here’s our pick of your photos taken over the Easter break - with shots from Scotland, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and the Rep of Ireland WIN ME! Star photo Our winning entry receives one of these beautifully illustrated maps from Awesome Maps – check out the amazing range at www.awesome-maps.com STAR PHOTO TAG US #PRACTICAL CARAVAN OR EMAIL LETTERS@PRACTICALCARAVAN.COM NEXT MONTH’S THEME… FRIENDS & FAMILY! Send us your best touring shots from 2025 for a chance to win an Awesome Map…

Q CAN WE USE AN AIR FRYER IN OUR VAN? We cook with an air fryer a lot at home, and we have a compact one. I would like to take it away in the van for use when we are on site – but are there likely to be any issues with that? Deborah Drew Sarah Wakely replies… The good news is, you can use an air fryer in your caravan – so long as it has the appropriate wattage, and you have access to some mains power. Your touring lifestyle will have an impact here. Are you likely to be on electric hook-up most of the time? If not, you’ll need a separate power source, such as an inverter or a portable powerstation. Either way, it’s important to…

3-6 July 2025 Formula 1 British Grand Prix Enjoy the roar of the engines, the thrill of the grid and the unique atmosphere of the crowd as British motorsport’s premier event takes off at Silverstone. Cheer on fan favourites such as Norris, Russell and Hamilton. Tickets are available for qualifying and race day, with general admission from £50 and Grandstand seats from £319. > silverstone.co.uk/events/formula-1-british-grand-prix/tickets Stay at Cartmel Fields Campsite > silverstone.co.uk/events/british-grand-prix-motogp/where-to-stay/cartmel…

AT THE SEASIDE… Split into two sandy bays by a headland dominated by a 12th-century castle, the North Yorkshire town of Scarborough is said to be the UK’s first seaside resort, attracting visitors to its spa waters since the 17th century. This most traditional of resorts has two cliff railways on South Bay Beach, allowing you to journey down to the shore in style (centraltramway.co.uk). At the northern tip of North Bay Beach, you’ll find SEA LIFE Scarborough (visitsealife.com/scarborough), or head for the skies at the towering Skytrail network of rope bridges (snbr.org.uk/skytrail). Fans of vintage vehicles should head out of town to the Scarborough Fair Collection & Vintage Transport Museum (scarboroughfaircollection.com), or you could stay central for seaside attractions such as the Big Wheel and the Terror Tower (terrortower.co.uk)…

AT THE SEASIDE… Dorset’s largest town is a magnet for holidaymakers looking to enjoy seven miles of sandy beach. Start with a wander along the main strip and check out the pier, where you can take on some indoor climbing or tackle the 250m pier-to-shore zip wire (rockreef.co.uk/pierzip). Nearby, you’ll also find the Oceanarium (oceanarium.co.uk), home to its otter family and shark reef. Head east along the beach to Sandbanks, with its sugar sand and prime real estate, and stop for a bite at Rick Stein’s Sandbanks (rickstein.com) before taking the ferry across to Knoll Beach and the Studland and Godlingston Heath National Nature Reserve (nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/studland-bay/godlingston-heath-walk). Journey out of town to beautiful Poole Harbour, where you can enjoy a gentle cruise (tickets.picniq.co.uk) around the harbour and Brownsea Island, famous as…

Walking along the clifftops, the thought occurred that there are few sights more evocative than the chalk cliffs and stacks of Old Harry Rocks – the creamy white cliffs bordered by light green downland and patches of sand below, with miles of shimmering sea stretching away in the distance. It is the epitome of the celebrated Jurassic coastline. There was no great mystery as to why we had chosen to visit the Dorset coast. Quite simply, it is a stunning part of the UK, with many wonderful places to see, including Lulworth Cove and Studland Bay. It has nature reserves, history and heritage, animal attractions, and miles and miles of glorious golden beaches. We were booked to stay at Downshay Farm, near Swanage, but the terrible drive south, plagued by…

Forecourts get busy in good weather The sunny spring has certainly encouraged folk to visit dealers’ forecourts. One of my dealer contacts recently told me they were keeping very busy and were having to tell customers their van would take a little longer to get ready for collection. On my forecourt visits, I saw plenty of first-time buyers, along with customers replacing their existing tourer for a good used model. One dealer commented that their pre-owned stock was now getting pretty low! practical.caravan@futurenet.com ANDY’S PICKS OF THE MONTH 1 Join the club 2016 Lunar Clubman CK A superb two-berth, this luxury tourer was up at just £10,975, offering excellent value. It has Alde heating and a comprehensive spec, including ATC. The large front lounge is comfortable, while the rear washroom is…

Caravanning for all One of the things I love most about caravanning is how it means different things to different people – this is no one-size-fits-all holiday. Head to a big caravan park this summer if that’s your thing. Enjoy the bar, the pool, the on-site entertainment. Or book a pitch at an adults-only site for some peace and quiet, sit in the shade and read a good book. Perhaps you’re more of a back-to-basics caravanner who enjoys the rural simplicity of a farm campsite. The same goes for tow cars, too – there’s plenty of choice out there. Whichever type of holiday – or tow car – you prefer, the important thing is that you get out there and enjoy caravanning. motty@practicalcaravan.com TOW CAR DIRECTORY Here are the latest…

ARE YOU CARAVANNING for the first time this summer? You’ve just made a great decision that you won’t regret. There is so much to enjoy! Before you park your home-from-home on a pitch for the first time, though, there are a few things you’ll want to know. You need to get the hang of towing, then the holiday fun can really start. Meet your perfect match You may have heard other caravanners talking about the 85% ‘rule’. It’s more of a guideline than a strict rule, but it’s worth following if you want your first experience of towing to be a happy and safe one. The gist is this: your caravan should weigh no more than 85% of the kerbweight of your tow car. So, if your car weighs 1600kg,…

CARAVANNERS, like all lovers of the great outdoors, are keen to live cleaner and greener, to protect the environment for our children… and yours. One way to do this, and make free electricity for a decade or more, is to install a solar panel on your tourer. Although there is an initial investment of natural resources (in the manufacturing) and money (in the purchasing), once installed, a modern solar array will silently produce free power, day after day, year after year. They will require barely any maintenance, too, bar a regular clean to keep their performance at optimal levels. How they work Basically, modern photovoltaic (PV) solar panels convert sunlight into usable electrical energy to charge your leisure battery, which in turn can power 12V appliances. The system is typically…

Choosing a layout People’s needs differ, and your van 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 in Birmingham or Glasgow, where dealerships and manufacturers show 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 that you had not 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…

Starflower AA Lantern With cool, warm and yellow lighting modes and a dimmer, this trad-style lamp has an integrated handle for carrying or hanging and runs on AA batteries. Price £9.99 Web easycamp.com Lowa Ranger GTX The Ranger GTX is a lightweight trekking boot with dual-layer cushioning, Gore-Tex weather protection, and a secure X-Lacing fit – offering comfort, durability, with no break-in time required. Price £265 Web lowa.co.uk Primus Primetech Stove Set 1.3L This fuel-efficient stove system features windscreen, precise flame control, and stable remote-canister design. Includes two nesting pots, Piezo igniter, pot gripper, storage bag, and heat reflector. Price £171 Web trekitt.co.uk Matador Blackout Sleep Mask + Earplugs This sleep mask features breathable insulation and a cooling bamboo liner, hook-and-loop closure, integrated storage, and a pair of Mack’s earplugs.…

Return to a classic Back in the post-war years of the 1950s, your average Brit would look forward to their week’s break at the seaside. Popular resorts such as Blackpool, Scarborough, Skegness and Margate flourished as the Hi-de-Hi generation flocked to coastal hotspots, where holiday parks such as Pontins and Butlin’s played host to knobbly knees, beauty and talent competitions. It was all change in the 60s and 70s, when the guaranteed sunshine and cheap prices of the Spanish costas lured us overseas. But the UK holiday is a tough old bird and didn’t let a bit of competition ruffle its feathers. Today, despite the wealth of holiday choices, the UK seaside continues to attract visitors, none more so than caravanners in search of a traditional break. This issue we…

AT THE SEASIDE… Within easy reach of the capital (trains from central London take an hour and 40 minutes), Margate’s golden sands have been luring visitors to the seaside since the 18th century. Traditional attractions include the Main Sands, where you can swim and build sandcastles between trips to the amusement arcades that line the beach. Find family fun at Dreamland Margate (dreamland.co.uk), with plenty of fairground rides and a retro Roller Disco. For something novel, enjoy a beach sauna (seascrubsauna.co.uk) before braving a cold-water immersion. Sea swimmers can head east to Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, thought to be the UK’s largest sea pool. And why not hire bikes (margatebikesandhire.co.uk) and try the Viking Coastal Trail, running for 32 miles between Margate and Ramsgate? Buoy and Oyster (buoyandoyster.com) has great…

AT THE SEASIDE… Where better to start a journey through Blackpool than the glorious Tower Ballroom (theblackpooltower.com)? It’s an absolute must for Strictly fans, where you can take a turn on the dancefloor and enjoy afternoon tea. Other classic attractions include seasonal illuminations on the Promenade and the adrenaline-pumping Pleasure Beach (blackpoolpleasurebeach.com). Be sure to take a ride on one of the trams, and visit Blackpool Beach itself. The famous Golden Mile is home to no fewer than three piers, including the Grade II listed North Pier and the Central Pier, with its 108ft Ferris wheel. Animal-lovers shouldn’t miss taking a turn around wonderful Blackpool Zoo (blackpoolzoo.org.uk) or entering the fascinating ocean realm at SEA LIFE Blackpool (visitsealife.com/blackpool). Finally, why not wax lyrical about meeting Harry Styles and other luminaries…

AT THE SEASIDE… Home to the original Butlin’s, good old Skeggy is absolutely synonymous with the British seaside experience. You can buy a day pass at the Butlin’s resort (butlins.com/resorts/skegness) near Ingoldmells beach and take advantage of the funfair and Splash Waterworld. Head north and you’ll come to Fantasy Island (fantasyislandresort.co.uk), packed with fantastic rides such as The Volcano and the Firebowl. Head south for Skegness’s main strip, home to family favourites such as the Pier (skegnesspier.co.uk), with its amusement park and climbing wall, and Skegness Pleasure Beach (pleasurebeachskegness.co.uk), where the traditional rides overlook the sands. You can also have fun taking memorable photos in the Upside Down House (upsidedownhouse.co.uk). If all that’s not enough for thrill seekers, swim with sharks at Skegness Aquarium (skegness-aquarium.uk)! Stay at ■ Tagg’s Caravan…

• Who are you? Monica Sadler, touring enthusiast and festival lover, along with husband Nigel. • Where are you a local authority? Hertford, in Hertfordshire, which is only about an hour north of London. • Why are you a local authority? We originally stumbled across Hertford by sheer chance, while we were cycling from a campsite in neighbouring Welwyn. We fell in love with it so much that we moved here within six months and love everything it has to offer. • What do you love about it? Mainly that you’re never far away from nature within a short walk of the beautiful, characterful town centre. Hertford Castle has lovely grounds to amble around. The town has four rivers running through it, making for great walks, excellent birdwatching and water…

Summer is looking up! The past few months have been tricky for some dealers, so it’s good to see a bit of positive news this month. Grantham Caravans in Lincolnshire has opened a new workshop – it’s part of a raft of developments at the site, which should make for an even better buying experience. Then there’s the news that Blackmore Vale Leisure is the first dealership in England to retail Barefoot Caravans. We are big fans of these little monocoque tourers, which come with a high level of specification. Other caravanners clearly like Barefoot too, because the company’s stand at the NEC is always packed. peter.baber@futurenet.com HOW WE TEST VANS Our review types explained In-depth test In our most detailed test, we spend at least one day (usually more)…

TECH SPEC Price £50,220 What Car? Target Price £47,689 Retained value after three years N/A Kerbweight 1753kg 85% of kerbweight 1490kg Gross vehicle weight 2220kg Max towing limit 2200kg Gross train weight 4420kg Towball limit 100kg Price of towball £1095 Boot size 652-1650 litres Payload 467kg Test conditions Dry Engine size 1984cc Power (hp/rpm) 265/5250-6500 Torque (lb ft) 295/1650-4350 Official combined economy 33.2mpg Towing economy 22.9mpg CO2 emissions 193g/km First year car tax £3300 Second year car tax £620 Insurance group 32 Euro NCAP rating What’s new? We’ve tested the Tiguan before, but the diesel version we drove lacked four-wheel drive. Buyers wanting a Tiguan that sends power to all four wheels need a petrol model with either 204hp or 265hp. Now we’ve had the opportunity to drive the more powerful…

TECH SPEC What will it tow? Kerbweight 2453kg Towing limit 3500kg Noseweight limit 140kg 85% match 2085kg Running costs Insurance group 50 Annual VED £620 for first five years of vehicle’s life, then rate drops to £195 Average economy 25.9mpg Interim/full service £219 Servicing price supplied by Servicing Stop, 0844 324 5262, servicingstop.co.uk Trouble spots The Mercedes G-Class has been recalled on more occasions than the brand (or the car’s owners) might find ideal. More than 10,000 examples were recalled because the emergency call system didn’t meet requirements, then a faulty differential control module forced a recall of 904 cars. After that, 15,652 models were recalled because of faulty seatbelt buckles. You can see the full list of recalls at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk. TALK ABOUT a change of image. The original Mercedes…

◆ Kerbweight As defined by EU Directive 95/48/EC (which still applies), 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 van’s weight, with all factory-fitted equipment, when it leaves…

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

AT THE SEASIDE… Head to the eastern side of this island off England’s south coast, to the resorts of Shanklin and Sandown, for family fun and wide beaches. Start at Shanklin Esplanade, where colourful beach huts line Small Hope Beach, a super spot for building sandcastles and swimming. Further south, you’ll find Pirates Cove and Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf (shanklinseafront.co.uk/attractions/jurassic-bay-adventure-golf), and be sure to visit Shanklin Chine (shanklinchine.co.uk), a leafy gorge full of attractions. Feeling fit? Walk three miles to Sandown along the Isle of Wight Coastal Path, or take bikes to explore the Sunshine Trail (visitisleofwight.co.uk/dbimgs/Map_Sunshine_Trail(1).pdf), a 12-mile circular route following the island’s old railway lines. Sandown Pier (sandownpier.co.uk) is packed with family entertainment, including fairground |rides, indoor golf and ten-pin bowling. Stay at ■ Landguard Holiday Park >…

AT THE SEASIDE… The university town of Aberystwyth is popular with holidaymakers looking for a quieter getaway with loads of character. While the beach is on the pebbly side, the colourful houses along the prom more than make up for it. On the North Beach, you’ll find plenty of amusements on the Victorian Pier and entertainment at the Aberystwyth Bandstand. The South Beach is popular with surfers, while sandwiched between the two on the headland are the remains of the 13th-century Aberystwyth Castle (visitmidwales.co.uk). Head into town to see the National Library of Wales (library.wales), and at Constitution Hill, take a leisurely ride on the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway (aberystwythcliffrailway.co.uk), where you can also see the Camera Obscura, with its 14-inch lens taking in splendid panoramic views of Cardigan Bay. Stay…

AT THE SEASIDE… Looking out over the Bristol Channel, there’s a wide expanse of sandy beach at this North Somerset resort, which curves around the coastline in an attractive sweep. At the western edge, there’s a small harbour (mineheadharbour.co.uk), where you can take coastal cruises (teddieboycharters.co.uk/coastal-cruises), or why not enjoy a splendid vintage steam train ride with West Somerset Railway (west-somerset-railway.co.uk), located near the seafront? Nearby is the large Butlin’s holiday camp (butlins.com/resorts/minehead), with onsite attractions such as the Skypark, Splash Waterworld and Go-karting. Minehead also marks the starting point of the South West Coast Path (southwestcoastpath.org.uk), a 630-mile route looping around England’s south-western peninsula, set to be even more popular following the release of The Salt Path, starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, a film based on Raynor Winn’s…

Durham Caravans fully reopens DURHAM CARAVANS HAS fully reopened following the suspected arson attack in April, while police have issued a CCTV image of a man (above) they want to question in connection with the incident. The fire at the dealership, on the Belmont Industrial Estate outside Durham, broke out at 8.15pm on 4 April. It caused significant damage to several caravans and to the main showroom, resulting in the dealership having to limit its opening hours for over a month. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Detective Constable Rogowski at alistair.rogowski@durham.police.uk. GRANTHAM OPENS NEW WORKSHOP Grantham Caravans has opened a new workshop at its site on the outskirts of the Lincolnshire town. The new facility comprises 10 vehicle bays plus two bodywork/spray slots. It is part of…

When you’re looking for a caravan cleaner, it makes sense to go for a product specifically formulated for use on leisure vehicles, providing an effective method for removing dirt, green algae and the dreaded black streaks that can build up on our homes-on-wheels. No matter which cleaner you choose, always follow the instructions. We would also advise initially testing the product on a small section before you apply it for the first time. And be sure to check that the cleaner can be used safely on all of the surfaces you want to clean. In this guide, you’ll see our picks for some of the top cleaners on the market, featuring options from major brands such as Autoglym, Fenwick’s and more. AUTOGLYM CARAVAN & MOTORHOME CLEANER Price £13.78 (one litre)…

The sun is shining as I type this, and it feels as though summer is almost here – what a great time to be using a solar panel! There’s nothing to dislike about solar: with the right unit, you can keep your leisure battery charged year-round, and it means you’ll be able to go off-grid more easily, too. But if you’re stumped about how to get started with solar, then turn to p72, where you’ll find a guide to everything you need to know. Also this issue, we have the latest updates from former editor Nigel Donnelly on his project caravan (p82), a round-up of tools to take on tour (p76), and a potted history of towbars (p85). practical.caravan@futurenet.com OUR TECH EXPERTS include (left to right) John Sootheran, Nigel Donnelly…