Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2023 i Practical Motorhome

Email your pictures and their stories (40 words, plus name, address and contacts) to hotshots@practicalmotorhome.com. The best photo will win these guides: Road Trip Europe – Best of Belgium; All the Aires Spain and Portugal; All the Aires Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands; Go Motorhoming and Campervanning; Sea View Camping Scotland; Sea View Camping West Country; 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.…

Duration Eight nights When June 2023 Why? To hike the majestic landscapes found on these remote islands To paraphrase The Proclaimers: “I would drive 500 miles, And I would drive 500 more”. Yep, the Outer Hebrides are certainly a long way from most people in the UK, and from my base in south-east England I was looking at a round trip of some 1200 miles just to get to and from the ferry terminals on the mainland. Gulp! Fortunately, I had a cunning plan. We could combine a visit to relatives in Glasgow by car with a hiking adventure in the Hebrides, by using Swift Go’s motorhome rental service from the company’s Livingston depot. That meant we could also try out a different motorhome, a Swift Edge 476, which would…

Duration Four nights When April 2023 Why? Excellent walking in wonderful scenery, with plenty of historic interest After the long pause for winter, it was at last time to get on the road again. My housemate, Pearl, and I didn’t want to go too far on this trip, so we opted for the Brecon Beacons (now officially renamed Bannau Brycheiniog National Park), which are a comparatively easy journey from our home in North Wales. We searched for a campsite fulfilling our criteria of being a small place with all of the facilities we require, with easy access to public transport; we prefer to set up our motorhome and avoid driving during our stay, to save a bit of fuel and cash. We soon came up with an absolute gem of…

Despite the inconvenience of one of you having to clamber over the other to get out of bed at night, transverse-bed layouts remain very popular. That’s mainly because a sideways bed doesn’t need to take up so much of the vehicle’s length. Many manufacturers offer at least one transverse-bed model that is just 5.99m long – much easier to park. The trouble is, though, that 5.99m might be just a bit too short. Could you ideally do with a bit more room? Rapido is hoping you could. The new low-profile in its compact ‘C’ range, the C03, has a transverse bed, but the ’van is 6.19m long. We checked it out at the company’s season launch, to discover what use it makes of those extra 20cm. There’s not much difference…

Swift Edge 476 Length 7.32m Width 2.39m MTPLM 3500kg Payload 509kg With four adults travelling to the Outer Hebrides (see trip report on p26), I knew that we would need a substantial vehicle, and the Swift Edge 476 ticked a lot of boxes, with multiple accommodation options, a good kitchen and a reasonable washroom. This is a practical rather than a luxurious ’van, but given its many useful features, you can see why it’s a very popular choice, both with buyers and those looking to hire. On the road The driving position is high and comfortable, and the six-speed manual gearbox was easy to use, with a slick, clean shift, and a smooth drive both on and off motorway. At 7.32m long, it definitely felt large when we were parking…

A high-quality dash camera for your motorhome should give you peace of mind when you’re on the road, knowing that should the worst happen, you will have footage of the incident. Having a dash camera for your ’van will provide you with clear video recordings – and in some cases, photos and audio clips – while you drive, as well as of any accidents that might occur. Some of them can also warn you of any activity around your vehicle when it’s parked. It’s worth bearing in mind that not all models come with micro SD cards, so we’d recommend factoring in whether you’re happy with that extra cost on top of the price of the dash cam, if needed. Front-facing cams The models we’ve included in our guide are…

The term ‘entry-level’ is often applied to motorhome ranges in the same market sector as Swift’s Edge. Most of them will be too expensive for many first-time buyers, the majority of whom tend to kick off with a pre-owned model. In addition, many experienced motorhomers decide to forgo their elderly rolling palace for something that is more tightly focused, is likely to be under 3500kg and arrives with the latest in low-emission engines. For ease of reference, we’ll call these VFM (value for money) offerings. Swift’s previous VFM range was called Escape and it continues to be popular. However, ‘market drift’ has occurred, which means that every new model year has seen upgrades and additions resulting in it being more of a mid-market inhabitant, thus leaving space for another VFM…

We all like to think we’re good drivers, but there’s always room for improvement. And when it comes to driving and manoeuvring, there are a few simple steps we can all take to make sure every journey passes without issue. With a bit of forward planning and an attentive attitude to your driving, motorhome travel will be enjoyable and safe, for you and your passengers. 1 Prepare for a safe journey Safe driving starts long before you turn the key in the ignition. You should make sure your motorhome is ready to go before every trip. Check the condition of the tyres. There should be plenty of tread left (at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread all the way around the tyre) and no cuts or bulges.…

What3words ///defected.hillside.bravest Why tour here? Talk about getting away from it all! For truly pristine beaches, the purest air and the most exhilarating walks, Lewis, the northernmost island in the Outer Hebrides, has it all. Here at Traigh na Beirghe (Reef Beach) near Kneep, campervan and motorhome drivers can pitch right above the beach. Wake up to majestic views of the wide expanse of sand below, which is peppered with colourful shells and cradled by the machair and the rugged cliffs. Don’t miss… Sea eagles, porpoise, dolphins and the odd minke whale are just some of the species that visitors to this part of the world might spot. The hike from Reef Beach around the Bhaltos peninsula is one of many walking routes that showcase the remarkable coastline the islands…

‘This long stretch of shoreline has some of the best waves in the world for surfing’ Duration Eight nights When May 2023 Why? To explore the fine scenery and many attractions of this hugely popular part of the world Whichever time of the year you choose to visit Cornwall, you’ll always be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery. But in summer, it has a justified reputation for being busy, so we chose to tour in May, hoping that it would be quieter, with spring weather. We made two overnight stops en route, before finally arriving at the Caravan and Motorhome Club site at Treamble Valley, near Newquay. This pretty campsite, set in a wooded valley, is laid out in individual pitching zones, giving a pleasantly secluded feel. When we arrived,…

Ludlow is a thriving market town and an architectural gem, busy with events and festivals throughout the year. The town is surrounded by the beautiful countryside of south Shropshire and the Welsh Marches, making it an excellent base for walking, cycling and exploring. DAY 1 9am A hearty start Fuel up for the day at Aragon’s, a charming café in the heart of Ludlow. From Full English to fluffy pancakes, their menu is brimming with options that are all locally sourced. Enjoy a bite in the sunny garden or at tables facing the town square. W instagram.com/aragonsludlow 10am Market stalls Ludlow’s fine square has hosted markets since the 12th century. With up to five markets a week, the heart of the town is a hive of activity. Sample fine food…

Pilote’s Atlas is the company’s new venture with Ford, geared towards those of a slightly more adventurous bent and based on the new Trail Transit base vehicle. The chassis is not strictly speaking all-wheel-drive, but it has limited slip differential, which sends power to the wheel with most traction. That should make navigating bumpier roads easier, especially with a 170bhp engine. Pilote has brought out two models in the range, the transverse-bed A696G and now the A656D, a four-berth with a drop-down bed and a rear washroom – similar to the P626D on a Fiat. We checked it out at the manufacturer’s 2024 season launch. The vehicle certainly looks striking from the outside. Those red and black decals have been designed to reflect the boxy shape of the luton. And…

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Put simply, we all rely on nuts, bolts and screws to hold our world together. Without them, our lives really would fall apart. But despite the fact that we will encounter them in our everyday activities, too few of us have a clear understanding of their properties and complexities, and how to use them. Select the right fixings All too often, when you need them for a DIY task in your motorhome, the general approach seems to be just to dig around in the ‘odds and ends’ tin in your toolkit until you find something that looks suitable. Then it’s a case of ‘if it fits, use it’ – which can actually be quite dangerous. A prime example of this concerns your vehicle’s wheels, which are held in position with…

About the guide We’ve organised our listings by layout, which is 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, of which we had confirmed details as we went to press. All information was correct at the time of going to print. BUNK BEDS how to buy… Choosing your motorhome Most good showrooms are designed to help you take your time choosing. After an initial bit of chat to find out what you are really looking for, a good dealer should then allow you plenty of time to look for yourself undisturbed. And even if you have made your choice, many showrooms include a comfy area where…

letter of the month I have a 2018 Peugeot Boxer-based motorhome, which suddenly decided to change its sat nav and instrument panel language to Italian. I had recently been in France and changed the country setting for the built-in TomTom sat nav accordingly, by tapping the UK emblem in the top right corner of the screen, which then displayed a list of languages. Everything went well for several days, then all by themselves, the radio/sat nav and the instrument panel decided to speak and display Italian. The sat nav was easily returned to French maps, by tapping the country flag in the top right corner of the screen and selecting ‘France’, but the speech remained in Italian. Using the ‘Settings’ button on the unit to display the options – still…

SUDOKU To solve the puzzle, each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the numbers 1 to 9. No single digit can appear twice in any one row, column or 3x3 box WORDWISE You have 15 minutes to find as many words as possible using the letters in the grid. Each word must contain four or more letters, one of which must be the central square. No proper nouns, plurals or foreign words are allowed. There is one nine-letter word in the grid, for which the clue is: sweltered. 25 = average More than 45 = well done HALF & HALF Jon Batiste composed an original jazz score for which 2020 Disney-Pixar movie? Cross out a letter in each square to get a grid filled with words. The uncrossed-out letters…

Best foot forward ■ Scottish Borders Walking Festival 2-9 September 2023 This week-long festival offers four walks a day in and around the Kelso area. The trails are of varying levels of difficulty and there’s an excellent selection of social events, including Scottish dancing and wine tastings. W borderswalkingfestival.com Stay at… Kirkfield Caravan Park W kirkfieldcaravanpark.co.uk ■ Gower Walking Festival 2-10 September 2023 Celebrating 10 years of the Wales Coast Path, this event offers hikers the chance to walk the entire Gower section of the trail, from Penclawdd to Mumbles, in two days. You can expect wonderful views in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. W gowerwalkingfestival.uk Stay at… Three Cliffs Bay W threecliffsbay.com ■ High Weald Walking Festival 9-17 September 2023 Covering parts of Kent, Sussex and Surrey, this…

‘This is great dog-walking country. An Iron Age settlement and a Saxon cemetery have also been found on the hills here’ Duration Three nights When June 2023 Why? Discover excellent destinations right on your doorstep! Usually, weekend wanderings in our motorhome take us to areas two or three hours’ drive from home – far enough to feel ‘away’ without spending the entire weekend driving to and from our destination. Recently, though, I realised that this leaves us with a wide circle of potential touring spots and interesting places, all just an hour or so away. One of these is the National Herb Centre, in Warmington, which is just a bit too far for a relaxing afternoon out, but closer than we would normally consider for a weekend. Being keen on…

‘Our first day involved a 236-mile drive west to the Sossusvlei Dunes through the Spreetshoogte Pass’ Duration One month When November 2022 Why? Observing wonderful wildlife and glorious landscapes on the holiday of a lifetime Having taken part in a motorhome holiday across Argentina, followed by another to Japan, visiting southern Africa was now at the top of our bucket list. Although Sharon and I consider ourselves independent travellers, we knew very little about Namibia or Botswana, so decided to book an escorted trip with the Caravan & Motorhome Club that gave us the flexibility to drive ‘off piste’ during the day, with the comfort of knowing that we always had an end destination in place. Having fellow travellers to meet up with in the evenings, to share stories and…

Adria offers more van conversions Slovenian brand Adria is extending its van conversion offering, with three new models based on a MAN chassis. It is also introducing a new model in its Mercedes-based Supersonic A-class range and one new layout in each of the Mercedes-based low-profile Matrix and Coral ranges. The new MAN-based Twin Max range is available in two lengths, 6.0m or 6.8m, and three layouts. The 680SGX includes a drop-down bed at the rear that narrows as it rises to fit between the overhead lockers. The 680SLB has longitudinal beds that fold, while the shorter 600SPB has a folding cross-bed. The new model in the Supersonic range is the 780DL, 7.8m long with fixed single beds in the rear and facing settees in the lounge. The new models…

HERITAGE Pictured is the very first motorhome from our oldest volume converter, Auto-Sleepers. It was a DIY exercise on a Morris J2 completed by Calverley Trevelyan in 1960, specifically for a European family holiday. On their return it was sold to Henly’s of Bristol, who were so impressed they ordered five more. The rest is history! 47 YEARS AND COUNTING! There are many UK converters of VW’s ubiquitous Transporter, but only one with 47 years of experience of continuously doing just that. I refer, of course, to family-owned and managed Bilbo’s of South Godstone. Bilbo’s – named after the central character of JRR Tolkein’s The Hobbit – are direct-sales only, so that the chain of communication to those who are building your motorhome is commendably short. Pictured is a Celex,…

With our penchant for ever more electrical devices, power banks have become a popular part of motorhome kit. Yes, leisure batteries are increasingly effective (even off-grid for a few days), but the security of an independent power unit makes good sense. Inverters are one option, but an easy-to-use power station with an integrated inverter offers an attractive solution to the problem. Out of the box The first thing evident on unpacking the Bluetti EB3A is its compact size and smart finish. It comes with an AC and a solar charging cable; other accessories, such as vehicle and USB-A to USB-C cables, can be purchased separately. On top is a neat handle and there are vents at the side for cooling. All input and output sockets are on the front, with…

Top bargains at Erwin Hymer Centre Erwin Hymer Centre could well be the place to go to grab yourself a pre-owned German late summer/early autumn bargain. They’re being offered under the company’s Elevation X programme of pre-owned sales, all coming with a 10-point promise covering chassis and habitation preparation, presentation, and aftersales support that also includes a full background check and tailored finance packages. This is part of the dealership’s special event, ‘2024 Model Year Early Bird Ordering’, taking place at its premises on the outskirts of Stafford (just off junction 14 of the M6 motorway) from 31 August to 3 September. Sales director Nick Barker says: “We’re pulling out all the stops to make this event a must-visit for anyone looking for a motorhome or camper. Our friendly and…