Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2025 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: All the Aires France; All the Aires Spain and Portugal; Road Trip Europe – Best of Belgium; 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. Note, list of prize books may change depending on stock. All are from Vicarious Books, www.vicarious-shop.com, 0131 208 3333.…

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: Welcome desk 25 = average More than 45 = well done HALF & HALF Starring Nicola Walker and Bradley Walsh, which ITV drama series about an abducted daughter was written and filmed before, but aired after the Madeleine McCann disappearance in 2007?…

BRILLIANT MOTORHOMING ON A BUDGET 1 Use the local currency If you’re touring abroad and you have an opportunity to choose between paying in your own currency or the local money when making a card payment, it’s a good idea to go local. You’ll usually get a better rate this way, and those little wins can all add up. Many people tend to opt for payment in their own currency when they are offered the choice, because it feels more familiar to them, but you will rarely be getting the best deal if you do so. 2 BRING YOUR OWN BEER We all enjoy dining out when we’re on tour, but if you drink alcohol, the price of booze can really ramp up a restaurant bill. So why not look…

Duration Four nights When November 2024 Why? Taking advantage of the last of the better weather before winter with countryside and riverbank walks, and relaxing outdoors We often choose the campsites we stay at based on things to see and do locally, or perhaps a particular place or event we’re interested in, but sometimes it’s actually as much about the campsite itself, local walks, recharging our batteries and simply relaxing in the great outdoors. This was very much the case when we spent a superb few days at Uphill Marina & Touring Park, near Weston-super-Mare in Somerset. Wrapped up against the chilly morning air, we breakfasted al fresco, watching egrets and kingfishers on the lake, then shedding some of our layers as we walked on the beach in the weak…

Crockery is one of the most essential motorhome accessories to get right. You need durable dishes that you can rely on not to break when you are out on the road or pitched up. One of the most popular types of tableware among motorcaravanners is melamine, which is virtually unbreakable and chip-resistant, two major plus points when you’re away on tour. Unlike household bowls and plates, good motorhome crockery will also weigh a lot less, which is especially significant when you have a low payload and every kilogram matters. Another consideration, less crucial but still important, is the question of aesthetics. We all know presentation makes a huge difference to the overall enjoyment of any meal, and getting this right can significantly enhance your dining experience. When you’re choosing crockery,…

Warranties and workshops at SouthWest Somerset-based SouthWest Motorhomes has announced its own three-year warranty for pre-owned vehicles, which staffer Colin Jubb describes as “the best I’ve ever come across during my 30-plus years in the industry”. Backed by specialist provider AutoProtect, SouthWest’s version, Customer Protect, includes all mechanical and electrical elements, body integrity (including water ingress up to 10 years) and general wear and tear on vehicles up to six years/60,000 miles. It offers European cover, too, enabling you to have problems fixed locally if you get into difficulty while touring abroad. SouthWest is also offering a five-year warranty on all new motorhomes it sells. All this is part of general upgrades at the dealership, including plans to add two more workshops at its premises near Ilminster (just off the…

FIND YOUR PRACTICAL MOTORHOME SUBSCRIPTION AT www.magazinesdirect.com/PRM/DJ23P SUBSCRIBE TO PRACTICAL MOTORHOME CHOOSE YOUR PACKAGE PRINT MAGAZINE, PLUS DIGITAL ACCESS ▪ £20.55 every 6 months! ▪ Digital access to 130+ issues when you subscribe to print!** DIGITAL MAGAZINE ONLY ▪ £16.44 every 6 months! Terms and conditions Offer closes 8 October 2025. Please allow up to 6 weeks for the delivery of your first subscription issue (up to 8 weeks overseas); the full subscription rate includes postage and packaging. *Savings are based on the cover price. Payment is non-refundable after the 14-day cancellation period. **Access to the digital library will end with your subscription. For full terms and conditions, visit www.magazinesdirect.com/terms. For enquiries and overseas rates please call: +44 (0) 330 333 1113. Lines are open Monday-Friday 8:30am-7pm, Saturday 10am-3pm UK…

Not everyone wants the hassle of parking a large vehicle on holiday, and having a tow car can be a useful way of exploring without worry. There are several methods of transporting a car safely, but which will work for you depends on your available storage space, the type of vehicle you want to tow and your driving licence. There are pros and cons to all of the different methods of towing, so it’s worth going through these in detail to see which will be best for you. If you don’t like the thought of any method of towing with your ’van, you could always drive a car to your destination, or better still, simply hire one there. Really, there are no rules! But let’s assume you do want to…

great for… Buying British SWIFT VOYAGER 475 (p105) Price £71,995 Sleeps 5 Belts 5 Base vehicle Ford Transit Engine 2.0-litre, 130bhp Length 7.54m MTPLM 3500kg Payload 430kg Water (fresh/waste) 110/85 litres Leisure battery 80Ah Gas 2 x 6kg The number of different overcabs produced each season has steadily declined. So full credit to Swift for its new Ford Transit-based range. The Voyager includes four overcabs, of which this is the smallest. They all have an MTPLM under 3500kg, so anyone can drive them. Being an overcab means the vehicle might be more likely to be buffeted by wind. But at least you have an extra permanent bedspace – or a great place to store things. How to use the guide We’ve organised our listings by layout, generally the most crucial aspect…

There comes a time in every motorcaravanner’s life when packing your vehicle for a weekend away becomes a chore, making you wonder why you do it. This happened to me with my previous five-berth coachbuilt. It was huge, with a vast garage that could be (safely) crammed full of all sorts of kit to cover every possible eventuality. Years of visiting motorhome shows and filling it with the latest gadgets and ‘must-have’ devices meant that despite sticking to the payload, it was simply bulging at the seams. The trouble was that after a couple of years of carting everything including the kitchen sink (and a spare one, just in case), I had begun to question why I needed so much stuff. Keeping up with the packing and unpacking, and maintenance…

Unlike Oscar Wilde’s advice when asked about marriage (“Don’t.”), mine couldn’t be clearer when it comes to whether to take the plunge and buy yourself a campervan. Do. I can’t really begin to explain the many joys of owning a campervan, even though that was the brief for this article. But here goes, anyway… Early days I blame my parents. One early memory is of a green VW campervan. Later on came a Toyota Hiace conversion from Danbury, which was so basic by today’s standards (lots of plywood rear seating, with a two-burner hob and an inset washing-up bowl inside the tailgate). However, it did have a radio – and my Dad put in an additional speaker for those of us sitting in the back (three brothers, one golden retriever).…

what3words ///engage.label.wasp Why tour here? A favourite with holidaymakers since the late 19th century, the coastal town of Weston-super-Mare continues to delight visitors. It’s particularly popular with families, who come to enjoy those sandy beaches, the Grand Pier and easy access to excellent walking along the South West Coast Path and in the Mendip Hills. Uphill Marina & Touring Park is a truly idyllic place to stay when touring the area. Spacious pitches set around a delightful saltwater lake, all within a Site of Special Scientific Interest – wonderful! Don’t miss… Find the best views of the area from the watchtower and 11th-century church on the hill overlooking the site. And keep an eye out for celebrities – comedians Paul Merton and Suki Webster stayed here while filming for their…

PICK OF THE MONTH Vonhaus Outdoor Pizza Oven This smart portable oven makes great quality pizzas in minutes and is fuelled by wood pellets. It also features foldable legs and a removable chimney. Price £119.99 vonhaus.com/vh_en Luci Colour Solar String Lights The Luci light comprises 20 LEDs emitting six vibrant colours across an 18ft cord, offering up to 15 hours of light. It recharges via solar or USB outlet (which can also charge devices). Price £39.95 amazon.co.uk FlatPak Toiletry Bottles three-pack of ultralight, compact, waterproof toiletry bottles with a 3oz capacity, a large fill opening and a snap loop. The bottles hold liquids, gels and pastes, and are designed to be easy to pack and super-strong. Price £39.95 wildbounds.com Forclaz compression bag Reduce your packing bulk with this water-resistant, 20-litre…

Duration Three nights When Summer 2024 Why? To explore two of the finest historic towns found en route to the Atlantic coast There are many reasons why exploring a large European country such as France can be done far better in a motorhome than with any other mode of transport. My top one is probably the ease with which you can stop off in towns that are certainly worth a detour on your way to your chosen destination. On my way to the French Atlantic beaches last summer, I paused at two such towns, both of which I had visited before, and had been determined to come back to. Niort, the first of these towns, is twinned with Wellingborough - but it’s not surprising there should be a strong connection…

Bailey Adamo 75-4I → Price £75,499 → Berths 4 → Belts 4 → Base vehicle Ford Transit → Engine 2.0-litre, 160bhp → Length 7.49m → Width 2.38m → Height 2.85m → MTPLM 3500kg → Payload 358kg → Expenses None → Previous reports Issues 280, 287, 288, 289 Last summer, I got my first chance to take our test Bailey Adamo 75-4I for a spin since joining the PM team. But why the delay? Well, despite great encouragement from my colleagues – and the fact I’d driven lots of smaller motorhomes – I admit I found the prospect of manoeuvring a 7.5-metre motorhome around the narrow lanes of Wales a little bit daunting. A pleasure to drive But no sooner had I left our vehicle storage site in Reading, than I…

→ Price £6299 → Web vmoto.co.uk → Weight 155kg Electric motorbikes are a niche market at the moment. Just 3.4% of powered two-wheelers sold in Britain during 2024 were electric – but Vmoto claims a bigger slice of this modest pie than anyone else. The Stash is the brand’s range-topping model. Its main role is commuting, but it also makes sense for motorhome owners looking for a green and fun way to make short trips on tour. The first thing you notice about the Stash is the way it looks. Styled by British designer Adrian Morton, this is an eye-catching machine, whether you choose the blue/black or grey/black colour scheme. Some small electric bikes are like three-quarter-scale models of proper bikes – but the Stash really does look like the…

For Practical Motorhome readers of a certain age, 59 Old Wareham Road, Poole, will be a familiar address, because it has been home to several innovative and popular motorcaravan manufacturers. It was the site of the Autohomes manufacturing facility, up until the company got into difficulties in the early 1990s. The Autohomes name and manufacturing rights were purchased by Elddis and production transferred to its premises at Delves Lane, Consett, Co Durham. After Elddis had completed those Autohomes in-build at the time of the collapse, the new owners made a controversial marketing decision. Instead of continuing with the popular Autohomes models that would have broadened the Elddis offer, it was decided to ditch them and launch a new line-up in direct competition to their own Autoquest. It is the subject…

Our recent project ’van work has been either technical, expensive – or both. Now, with the temperatures outdoors remaining too low for anything requiring much time spent outside, a simple interior make-over was definitely the order of the day. Furniture updates in motorhomes are tricky. Painting cabinets often ends up looking a bit heavy-handed and in the more confined space, strong colours can be overpowering. That’s why neutral wood tones tend to be the standard choice in ’vans of all eras. One thing that can be done, though, thanks to the marvels of modern materials, is updating the worktops. Vinyl wraps are a far cry from the plastic-looking offerings you’d see 30 years ago. They now come in deep, wide rolls, suitable for seamless, continuous worktop runs. Special hardwearing vinyls,…

how to buy… Choosing a layout Before you get close to buying your dreamed-for van, you need to have a good think about what you are likely to use the vehicle for: is it just for touring, or for day-to-day use as well? If the latter, you may need a shorter vehicle with more travel seats in the back. And you need to think about who is likely to use it. If children are coming with you, for example, are they still growing? You had better make sure the beds are going to be big enough then. And teenagers might not be so keen on the idea of sharing a double with their younger sibling. Motorhome layouts can also be subject to the whims of fashion. This year, for example,…

It’s hard to imagine the motorhome market without its thriving campervan sector, but it wasn’t always so, says Andrew Jenkinson Back in the early 1900s, the idea of a motorised caravan was first mooted, along with some bizarre designs. Using the principle of coachbuilt bodies, by 1919, the Eccles Motorised Transport Company had begun to produce these on a commercial scale. By the end of the 1920s, however, the car-pulled caravan took the lead and the motorhome rather faded away. Only a few examples were built and after WWII, the idea seemed finished. But fast-forward to the early 1950s and the birth of the commercial pressed steel van – especially the VW Microbus – gave a kickstart to the campervan market. Then in 1952, German caravan maker Westfalia spotted the…

To the uninitiated, the vehicle that your campervan is converted from might seem to be of only very limited importance. That’s not perhaps totally surprising: when you first start investigating which vehicle you want to buy, you probably want to know more about things such as whether the beds are the right size for you, whether any washroom is workable, and how much storage you have. But once you start investigating you will soon realise that the base vehicle is enormously important. After all, the whole point about campervanning is being on the move for a fair part of the time. A good (or not so good) base vehicle can make a huge difference between that movement being a pleasant experience or just a chore. A good base vehicle can…

Duration Seven days When May 2024 Why? To soak up some sun and enjoy the glorious scenery of the island Bom, bom, bom… duh, duh, duh, duuuh… I guess it’s a generational thing, but every time someone mentions Jersey, I can’t help but hear the opening bars of the Bergerac theme tune. Such was the huge popularity of the 1980s detective series and its strong association with the Channel Islands. Bergerac was a showcase for the archipelago, which lies just off the Normandy coast and is made up of the islands of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm, along with a number of smaller islands. The self-governing bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey are not part of the UK, but are Crown Dependencies, and although they are largely influenced by Britain,…

Don’t risk getting a fine Experts at Ripe Motorhome Insurance (ripeinsurance.co.uk) are encouraging motorhomers to be aware of three easily overlooked rules that could result in fines of up to £2500 and points on their licence. Here they are: 1 Know your towing laws If you’re planning to tow your car with your ’van, you need to follow a lower speed limit of 50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways. Never use the outside lane on the motorway when towing. Invest in proper towing gear and always check your motorhome’s towing capacity before doing so. If the vehicle you tow is wider than your motorhome, ensure you have towing mirrors or you could risk a fine of up to £1000 and up to three points. 2…

Festivals to celebrate the new season Armagh St Patrick’s Festival 9-17 March 2025 Armagh, in Northern Ireland, is the perfect place to mark St Patrick’s Day. Special events across the city include the Vigil Walk, between the two St Patrick’s Cathedrals, an Irish whiskey masterclass (over-18s only), a leprechaun fun run and the legendary St Patrick’s Day Parade. Events are priced individually; see the website for details. visitarmagh.com/festivals/st-patrick Stay at Clare Glen Caravan Park getactiveabc.com/facility/clare-glen-caravan-park Glasgow International Comedy Festival 12-30 March 2025 Prepare for plenty of laughs at this ever-popular festival of comedy, held at venues across the city. Highlights of the event include The Horne Section’s Hit Show, Here Comes the Guillotine Live, with Frankie Boyle, and Russell Kane Hyperactive. Shows priced individually; see website for details. glasgowcomedyfestival.com Stay…

Elddis Avalon supersedes Encore Erwin Hymer Group UK has replaced Encore, the most upmarket range in its Elddis brand, with Avalon, a four-strong Fiat-based line-up with a new bonding system, produced in-house, that is designed to prevent water ingress. For 2025, Accordo and Autoquest coachbuilts will also be available on a Fiat Ducato, rather than the Peugeot Boxer, for £1300 to £1400 more. The launch of the Avalon in Elddis’s 60th birthday year comes as the firm also reports the start of a turnaround in performance, with a narrowing of full-year losses. The new models have Elddis’s ZIP system, a multipart wall joint in a marine-grade anodised aluminium alloy that includes magnesium and silicon. It is fitted to the underside, securing the floor and wall in place. EHG UK says…

Autocruise (Swift) Select 144 → Price £47,545 → Berths 4 → Belts 4 → Base vehicle Fiat Ducato → Engine 2.3-litre, 130bhp → Length 6.0m → Width 2.26m → Height 2.72m → MTPLM 3500kg → Expenses None → Previous reports None The 2017 model year was an interesting one for Swift. Before then, it offered a range of panel van conversions under the Autocruise name, including the Rhythm, the Forte and – my favourite - the rear-lounge, side-kitchen Accent. However, for that season Swift came up with a new concept for its panel van range – also under the Autocruise moniker, but with a stripped-back style that took things right back to basics. The Select line-up of the 122, the 144 (with the same layout as the Accent) and the…

It’s important to stay active A debate that crops up frequently on various forums is whether a motorhome should be run periodically while in storage. Some say it’s good to circulate the oil in the engine and gearbox from time to time, while others say no, leave it alone. My belief is that the best way forward is to use the motorhome as often as you can. Bear in mind that the base vehicle, whether it be Fiat, Ford, Mercedes or any other brand, was designed to be a delivery van and expected to do anywhere up to 100,000 miles a year. For obvious reasons, many of us – and I include myself in this – simply can’t use our motorhome as often as we’d like to. Work, family and…

Owing to their restrictions on interior space, and the kind of touring they tend to be used for – attending music festivals, or activities such as surfing and other watersports – campervans have layouts that are unique to them. We’re not just talking about campers with raising-roofs here, but many fixed-roof vehicles, too. Here are the most common layouts you’ll see on the forecourts. Rear bench, side kitchen Otherwise known as the Classic or VW style, this is the layout that you will find in pretty much all traditional campervans, in particular those that date back to the 1960s. In this floorplan, you get a bench slung across the back of the vehicle, sometimes providing two travel seats, sometimes fitted with three. Often, this bench can also slide forward on…

We woke up one sunny morning on Inch Beach, on the west coast of Ireland, slid back the curtains and marvelled at the sun shimmering on the waves, just metres away from our campervan. No hotel room could have offered us this view, nor the feeling of being at one with the environment. We were smitten. My wife and I had always wanted a camper and that moment cemented our full commitment to campervan ownership forever. Volkswagen T5 Our entry point into the campervan market, some 15 years ago, was the ubiquitous small camper – the VW T5. A lot has changed in the past 15 years, but back then, there were very few small firms converting vans. We found one such company in its infancy and they sourced a…

European adventurers In 2019, Keira and Richard Reid realised a long-held ambition to sell up, quit their jobs (marketing and forestry, respectively), buy themselves a motorhome and go touring in Europe. At the time, they were living in south-west Scotland with their children – Piper, aged three, and Jack, aged one – and dog Charlie. “We knew we wanted to move out of the area,” says Keira. “And we thought, if we are going to be moving, why not do the trip now and then decide where we want to move to when we return?” And that’s exactly what the family did. They bought a seven-berth Rimor Seal 9 and ended up spending five months working their way north to Norway and then all the way south to Gibraltar. The…

PLUS DIGITAL ACCESS TO 130+ ISSUES** FIND YOUR PRACTICAL MOTORHOME SUBSCRIPTION AT www.magazinesdirect.com/PRM/DJ23P SUBSCRIBE TO PRACTICAL MOTORHOME TODAY CHOOSE YOUR PACKAGE PLUS DIGITAL ACCESS TO 130+ ISSUES** PRINT MAGAZINE, PLUS DIGITAL ACCESS ▪ £20.55 every 6 months! ▪ Digital access to 130+ issues when you subscribe to print!** DIGITAL MAGAZINE ONLY ▪ £16.44 every 6 months! Terms and conditions Offer closes 8 October 2025. Please allow up to 6 weeks for the delivery of your first subscription issue (up to 8 weeks overseas); the full subscription rate includes postage and packaging. *Savings are based on the cover price. Payment is non-refundable after the 14-day cancellation period. **Access to the digital library will end with your subscription. For full terms and conditions, visit www.magazinesdirect.com/terms. For enquiries and overseas rates please call: +44 (0)…