Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2023 i Practical Motorhome

We’ve been running our annual Owner Satisfaction Awards for a few years now, and each time the results come in, they make really fascinating reading. I think what’s most compelling about them is that they represent the voice of you, the motorhome owner: they reflect the true experience of buying and owning a motorhome – both good and bad. For this year’s awards – held once again in conjunction with The Camping and Caravanning Club – thousands of you had your say. We reckon that makes this year’s awards the most comprehensive ever: you can trust our results to tell you what you need to know when it comes to buying your next ’van, whether that’s what to look out for, which dealer to visit, or which brand to choose.…

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.…

Our expert panel Editor-in-chief sarah@practicalmotorhome.com Deputy editor paul.critcher@futurenet.com Reviews editor peter.baber@futurenet.com Contributor askjack@practicalmotorhome.com Contributor practical.motorhome@futurenet.com Contributor practical.motorhome@futurenet.com WILL THE EXTENDED ULEZ AFFECT OUR MOTORHOME JOURNEYS? Q I have just been reading online Q news about London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s plans to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to the whole of Greater London. We often travel to the Continent in our elderly campervan, usually using the M25 to get to the Channel Tunnel. In future, will we have to pay a fee for doing so? Michael Gordon A Peter Baber replies… No, you won’t. There is actually only a small section of the M25 that goes through Greater London – a brief stretch south of J29 near North Ockendon, in Essex – and it is exempt from the ULEZ.…

◼ Constable’s Colliers Royal Pavilion, Brighton Ongoing Enjoy the majestic art of John Constable in the equally majestic Royal Pavilion (1)! A fitting place for visitors to see the great artist’s superb painting, ‘Colliers unloading on Hove Beach, looking towards Shoreham, Brighton’, which was only rediscovered in 2017. Adult tickets cost £17, children, £10.50. brightonmuseums.org.uk/visit/royal-pavilion-garden Stay at… Brighton CAMC site caravanclub.co.uk ◼ Artificial Sunshine The Argory, County Armagh Ongoing The permanent exhibition at this grand early 19th-century mansion is a splendid neon light installation, designed by Northern Irish artist Kevin Killen and inspired by the glow of the acetylene gas flame that used to light The Argory. Adult tickets cost £6.50, children, £3.25. nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/the-argory Stay at… Clare Glen Caravan Park getactiveabc.com/facility/clare-glen-caravan-park ◼ Landscape Room Newton House, Dinefwr, Wales Ongoing The…

● Who are you? Peter Baber, Practical Motorhome Reviews Editor and keen motorcaravanner. ● Where are you a local authority? Kirklees, a district within West Yorkshire which has Huddersfield as its main town. ● Why are you a local authority? I used to live and work there, before moving over the border to Calderdale. ● What do you love about it? The area is a great mixture of Victorian mill town architecture and stunning walking country. One moment, you can be admiring impressive buildings in Huddersfield, such as the town hall or the imposing St George’s Square outside the railway station – now complete with a statue of local boy Harold Wilson. The next, you could be enjoying a walk in the beautiful Colne or Holme valleys. ● What’s your…

Camplify set to expand Peer-to-peer motorhome hire company Camplify, which operates in the UK and Spain as well as its native Australia, is looking to expand further into Europe after it acquired German site PaulCamper. The move will see Camplify move into the Netherlands and Austria, as well as Germany itself. Two gongs for Caravan Guard Specialist insurer Caravan Guard won two awards at this year’s Insurance Choice Awards, voted on by over 60,000 consumers. The Halifax firm was named customer service champion and best ’van insurance provider.…

It’s pretty hard to fault Peter Roberts Caravans & Motorhomes, based in Huddersfield. This firm’s near-perfect score of 97.5% sets the bar very high for new-model dealerships. Two other dealers score over 90%. Choose Leisure, in Kent, scores 93.3% in second place, and Todds Motorhomes, in Preston, scores 93.1% in third. Three more dealers score highly enough for a Gold Award, making six in total. Tyne Valley Motorhomes, in Newcastle, scores 84.2%, Dolphin Motorhomes, with branches in Hampshire and Dorset, scores 84.1%, and Knowepark Caravans & Motorhomes, based in Livingston, scores 82.8%. There are 10 dealerships earning a Silver Award, across a broad spread of regions. But as much as these companies deserve a pat on the back for their achievements, they have some way to go before they can…

Weighty matters When buying a pre-owned ’van, it’s crucial that you check the MTPLM and stick to the payload. It’s the driver’s responsibility to know the weight of their motorhome and simply stating “I don’t know the weight” is no defence. Legally, you have to know the weight of your ’van and can be prosecuted if it is significantly overladen. The only way to get a really accurate weight figure is to put your motorhome on a set of scales. Trucks are commonly weighed on a weighbridge at scrap metal merchants, agricultural firms and at public weighbridges. Search online for your local public weighbridge and make sure that you visit one.…

A brace of Driving coachbuilts (Wentworth and Gleneagle) transferred from the previous X44 Peugeot Boxer to the (then) all-new, cutting-edge X250 for the 2007 model year. Autocruise converted them in Mexborough, Yorkshire. The company was owned by industry legend Gordon Bentley and family. When he retired, it was sold, first to a consortium and eventually to the Swift Group. Vehicle production continued at the Mexborough premises for a while, then transferred to the larger Swift factory in Cottingham. So in the seven-year production run, the company had two homes and three owners. Although they are undeniably great to drive down the blacktop (the author regrets selling the one that he owned), each model in the Driving range is actually named after a famous golf course, on which a rather different…

Book ahead Pre-book your activities online to make the most of potential discounts – many locations will offer visitors a few pounds off if you book your tickets in advance. Buy a CampingCard The ACSI card – which provides savings on low-season stays at campsites during the quieter months – doesn’t just offer you discounts in Continental Europe, it can also be used at some sites in the UK. You can visit the website to find out more, at www.campingcard.co.uk/united-kingdom. Check your phone tariff Don’t be stung by mobile costs if you are touring abroad – Brexit means that phone companies have been free to reintroduce a charge on roaming in the EU, so you could quickly rack up a substantial bill, particularly if you’re streaming video or sending photos.…

1 Silverdale Holiday Park, Cumbria Holgates’ flagship campsite is a superb park in the heart of Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s only two miles from the coast and an hour’s drive from the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the Forest of Bowland. On site, there’s a pool complex, sauna and steam room, gym, bar, café and restaurant, bowling alley and soft play area. There are also a number of dog-walks. ◼ Middlebarrow Plain, Cove Road LA5 0SH holgates.co.uk/silverdale Tel 01524 701 508 2 Riverside Caravan & Camping Park, Devon Just a short walk from South Molton, this spacious site has 10 acres of woodland trails. The River Mole runs through the park and it’s in a great location for exploring Exmoor National Park and the…

How to use the guide We’ve organised our listings by layout, 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! Note that TA in a model name denotes a twin-axle. how to buy… Choosing the number of berths You may feel that this one is easy – you simply have to go for a motorhome that has the same number of sleeping berths as occupants, right? That’s one way of doing it – but taking a look at the bigger picture is a better method, and likely to cause you less frustration in future. If you’re travelling as a couple, opting for a four-berth can be…

DECEMBER 2020 A castle in the sand was the subject of this month’s cover, in an issue that saw the launch of our Van Live digital show. We also tested the new Bailey Adamo You’re bound to come across some wildlife on your touring adventures, but where to go for the best opportunities to spot the local residents? Deputy editor Paul Critcher picked out some natural beauties MISSED AN ISSUE? Want to buy a past issue of Practical Motorhome magazine? Simply call 0330 333 1113, visit www.magazinesdirect.com/single-issue or email help@magazinesdirect.com…

In a round-up of the highs and lows of the world of travel in 2022 published by the Financial Times in December, one of its writers let rip at the whole idea of “vanlife”. Campervans, she said, will only take you somewhere they can go, “and that is not somewhere I want to stay”. Yes, a minimum-facility five-’van site might not soothe the wanderlust of some travel writers (particularly those with endless funds and time). But I would put the time I had in some aires in France last summer way above anything I have experienced in the kind of villa holiday I suspect many FT readers will tend to prefer even more after reading such a comment. Really, if you think you can see the world from the edge…

Buying a motorhome is a big commitment. Even a used model typically costs tens of thousands, while prices for new vehicles can nudge over the £100,000 mark. So if you are spending that sort of money, you want to be sure you spend wisely. That’s where our annual Owner Satisfaction Survey comes in. For a warts-and-all picture of what a motorhome is like to buy and own, you’ve come to the right place. Once again, our in-depth survey draws on the collected wisdom of thousands of PM readers and members of our scheme partner, The Camping and Caravanning Club. For this year’s survey, some 5081 motorcaravanners completed the questionnaire, a notable increase on 2022’s 2668. We’re extremely pleased to have so many responses. Thank you to everyone who filled out…

Impressively, that’s just what Peter Roberts Caravans & Motorhomes has managed to achieve this year. The West Yorkshire dealer’s score of 98.9% is the highest awarded to any motorhome manufacturer or dealer in any of the categories for this year, exceeding the standard needed for a Gold Award by a country mile. Last year’s award-winner, Meridian Motorhomes of West Sussex, follows up 2022’s success with second place this time around and an excellent score of 97.2%. Third place goes to Three Counties Motorhomes in Dorset, scoring 95.8%. Five other dealers pick up a Gold Award, including regular high-flyers Todds Motorhomes, in Preston, and Choose Leisure in Kent. No fewer than 10 dealers earn a Silver Award, so that wherever you may be in the country, you shouldn’t need to travel…

CIM AUTOHOME 1972-1978 Bluebird Caravans, in Poole, Dorset, was taken over in the 1960s by CI (Caravans International), of Newmarket, West Suffolk, led by the charismatic Sam Alper. To avoid confusion with CI’s trailer caravan marques, the old Bluebird factory was renamed CIM (Caravans International Motorised). In 1972, CIM unveiled Autohome, the first UK overcab coachbuilt to achieve pan-European market penetration. Danish automotive designer Carl Olsen had developed a one-piece moulded GRP roof with increased headroom in the section on the cab. Thus, the (British) overcab – originally called the ‘cab-over’ – motorcaravan was born. CIM had another game-changing trick up its sleeve. To broaden its appeal and gain maximum market penetration at home and abroad, the same body was fitted to three different base vehicles – Commer’s PB (later…

1 Pembrokeshire Coast Path, Wales There’s so much excellent walking to be enjoyed in Wales, but for its glorious light and beautiful route, we’re highlighting this wonderful National Trail, covering 186 miles of fine coastal scenery. The path offers great variety, too, from the rugged Angle Village to Freshwater West trail, to the beautiful beaches to be found around Tenby on the route’s Skrinkle Haven to Amroth section. Delightful spots on the path include views towards Skomer Island, the Strumble Head Lighthouse and the Blue Lagoon, a flooded slate quarry now much favoured by high-divers. ◼ Just off the A477 and less than six miles from Tenby (easily accessible by train, too), The Buttles Caravan Park is perfectly positioned for exploring the area. Open all year, the site is pet-friendly…

Secure your gear If you’re planning to take sports or other activity equipment with you while you’re on tour, make sure you have somewhere safe to store it when you’re pitched up onsite. A freestanding awning is ideal during rainy weather, and means you won’t need to stash muddy kit in your lockers, but do make sure you lock any valuable items away if you’re planning to leave the site, or during the night. Sarah Wakely Keep track Smart watches have come down a lot in price and can help you keep track of your activity when you’re out and about. It’s amazing how quickly the steps mount up when you are wandering to and from the campsite washrooms, too! Peter Byrne On the buses Public transport is your friend…

www.practicalmotorhome.com/forsale On the look-out for a new motorhome? If so, we can help! Just like our inspiring travel stories, expert reviews and useful advice, we think that our online classifieds are the best in the business. You can read our review of your chosen ’van, watch the video then find it online, making www.practicalmotorhome.com the one-stop shop for all your touring needs. We already know that 50% of you access our website via mobile device, so our classifieds have been designed to be fully responsive – they should work just as well on your tablet or smartphone as they do on your home computer. We’ve worked hard to make these classifieds as easy to use as possible, with filters to help you narrow your search by location, price, brand, year,…

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/practicalmotorhome Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/pmotorhome for the latest news and events Follow us on Instagram practicalmotorhomeuk for beautiful pics, videos and inspiration Email us your letters and photographs to talk@practicalmotorhome.com Write to us at 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, Paddington, London W2 6JR letter of the month Hats off to Nigel Stevens for his really incredible project (Rimor Rebuild pt 1, issue 267). Who would dare to tear down their entire ’van – and would your co-pilot even allow it? I have owned a 1996 Hymer S700 since 2009 and have spent 13 years contemplating cutting the side off the two-seater sofa because it is too short. Last year, I was in a Portuguese Aldi looking for red wine, and they had a chop saw…

The Nightstop Scheme is run by us in conjunction with the Motor Caravanners’ Club (MCC), and the sites are certificated locations (CLs); you don’t have to join any club to use them. You’ll need to ring the relevant site to confirm whether there’s space for you before you visit: you’ll find information at www.practicalmotorhome.com/nightstops. For further information about the MCC, visit www.themotorcaravannersclub.co.uk. 1 Airman Hotel SG17 5JF 2 The Black Horse Pub HP16 9AX 3 The Seven Wives PE27 5RF 4 The Penrhiwgaled Arms SA44 6LN 5 Railway Hotel SA32 7LQ 6 Mousehole Camping TR19 6XB 7 Blenkinsopp Castle Inn CA8 7JS 8 The Thelbridge Cross Inn EX17 4SQ 9 The Ship Inn YO15 1EW 10 The Crown Inn GL7 5QH 11 Elton Farm GL14 1JU 12 The Gloucester Old…

It was curious to see both Scotland and Wales in the Top 10 Most Underrated Destinations, as voted for by travel industry executives. The World Travel Market (WTM) 2022 Industry Report reveals that one in 10 respondents (10%) said Scotland was the most underrated destination in the world, while 8% said Wales. WTM exhibition director Juliette Losardo said: “Tourists from elsewhere in the UK are discovering so much in the way of history and things to see and do almost on their doorstep in these great countries, while overseas visitors are starting to discover there is much more to the UK if they are prepared to travel further afield and stay a little longer.” Of course, motorcaravanners have been enjoying the pleasures of both countries for decades, a fact reflected…

BEST VAN CONVERTER (DIRECT SALES) This is a tricky award to win. To be in with a chance, the converter needs to score highly for its conversions and its customer service as a dealer, for both new and pre-owned vehicles. To finish first, a converter must meet the minimum sample size across all four of our categories. Congratulations to Bilbo’s in Surrey, with a repeat of last year’s victory. Bilbo’s scored extremely well across the board, with a score of 92.8%. That clears the score needed for a Gold Award by some distance. Other van converters perform well in some of the categories, but can’t match Bilbo’s consistency. For new conversions, Murvi and Wellhouse Leisure are equal top, with scores of 93.5%. Wellhouse is out on its own for pre-owned…

For new motorhomes, that figure is 31.4%. As many as 6.1% of new owners have taken their motorhome back to the dealership for a warranty repair five times or more, while for pre-owned vehicles, the figure is 0.9%. This suggests first owners are troubleshooting vehicles that subsequent owners can then enjoy with most of the niggles already sorted out. It could also be that pre-owned motorhome buyers are more forgiving of the odd minor flaw. CONCLUSION Perhaps the most significant change this year has been the big jump in survey responses. Going from 2668 completed surveys to 5081 is a huge difference. Almost doubling the sample size means many more manufacturers and dealers are included in the main results and can enjoy the recognition they deserve. As such, there’s a…

I’m writing this in late 2022, but you’ll be reading it in early 2023, so… Happy New Year! I wonder how many of you will make this the year that you take the plunge and invest in a motorhome. A pre-owned one. That way, if you do decide the touring lifestyle isn’t for you right now, you won’t lose out so much if you then sell up and move on. If you’ve been doing your research and looking for some time for the motorhome that will best suit your needs, I really hope your patience is soon rewarded. Do keep doing that research, though. Visit shows, talk to owners, read Practical Motorhome, cultivate local dealerships. It will all help in the longer term. Hiring a motorhome is a great alternative…

Sarn Helen, Wales 229.9 miles (in total) Wales has such a rich seam of fascinating history, it seems rather a shame to single out just one area to explore. So a ride that encompasses both tales of yore and recent events seems only fitting – you can take in short parts of this trail for an excellent cycle. Based on an old Roman route, Sarn Helen crosses Wales from north to south and traverses some of the country’s most beautiful natural areas. Along the way, it covers everything from ancient stone circles and castles, to slate mines and steel mills. GPS download bit.ly/SarnHelenRide Stay at ◼ Elan Oaks www.elanoaks.co.uk ◼ South Wales Touring Park (adults only) southwalescaravansite.co.uk ◼ Tan-Y-Bryn Glamping and Touring Park tanybrynglamping.co.uk Bannockburn, Scotland 9.1 miles North Third…

You might have seen portable power stations online, and wondered if they could be a useful addition to your motorhome. After all, you have leisure batteries: if they don’t offer enough power, you could simply get more battery capacity, or better charging systems – solar, for example. But a recent enquiry from a motorhome owner in the music industry has made me reconsider the question of power stations. This customer has a vehicle fitted with two leisure batteries and occasionally, needs to run a small, onsite recording studio, for short periods of up to half an hour. Initially, we looked at an inverter in his ’van, powered from the leisure battery set-up, but the biggest problem was the power requirements of 600-1000W. That would require a large inverter, probably a…

Heating in leisure vehicles has progressed hugely since the days of gas fires lit by matches. Motorhomes now have various systems, with externally flued gas and the option of being operated electrically, too. In 1995, I remember thinking it was the ‘bee’s knees’ when our new ’van came with the gas and electric Carver Fanmaster. Posh or what? The Carver 4000A Fanmaster we are looking at here is a development of the original. Many are still in use, offering reliable and efficient service. We cannot stress highly enough the importance of having your motorhome professionally serviced every year, as safety items can and do fail. But what we will consider here is cleaning the externals of the heater (I’m sure you’ve turned on the heating at some point to be…