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45 Articles

I love all aspects of caravanning, but one of my least favourite chores has to be levelling. You've just arrived onsite and all you want to do is get the kettle on and relax – but first, you need to get your van's floor flat. Fortunately, help is at hand this issue, in the form of Consulting Editor John Sootheran's guide to caravan levelling (p84). It gives you everything you need to know about how to quickly and easily pitch up, safe in the knowledge that you'll never have to sleep on a sloping bed again! Also this issue: our Tow Car editor, David Motton, has been busy testing an electric tow car for the past few months. As the number of electric cars on our roads increases, it's something…

THE BIG SHOT ANGLESEY

Where are we? Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey Why tour here? It's a curious notion, that an object of defence and fortification can be thought of as a thing of beauty. But that's the case with the charming yet unfinished Beaumaris Castle, which was begun in the late 13th century, and built to form symmetrical concentric lines of fortification. Today, it stands proud of the landscape (but not too proud), overlooking the ‘fair marsh’ of Beaumaris town below. Read more about Janette Sykes’ experience touring Anglesey on p38. Don't miss… Climb the castle's towers and walk along its fortified walls for spectacular views across the Menai Strait. Photograph Paul Williams/ Alamy Stock Photo ‘The indisputable jewel in its crown is the fabulous 13th-century fortress, Beaumaris Castle’ (p38)…

THE BIG SHOT ANGLESEY

Star letter Jacking points Our dealer was keen to point out that our new caravan came with a spare wheel and a wheel brace. Great, now we were covered in the event of a tyre change. Wrong. He failed to point out that the van does not come with the means to jack it up – not just the absence of a jack, but also jacking points. I have since learned that the Al-Ko chassis has no jacking points fitted (although it does have two holes for them on each side). They sell a kit for this (at cost) as an aftermarket fit. This is an omission that, in my opinion, could be put right in one of three ways. First, the chassis manufacturer could fit jacking brackets. Second, if…

We asked you for your best walking scenes and you put your best feet forward! 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 WIN ME! TAG US #PRACTICAL CARAVAN OR EMAIL LETTERS@PRACTICALCARAVAN.COM NEXT MONTH'S THEME… BEST OF 2023! Send us your best touring shots taken in 2023 for a chance to win an Awesome Map…

Whether you're on tour or at home, relax with a cup of tea and some brain-teasers to ponder! 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: Problem 6 = average More than 12 = well done HALF & HALF Hyetometer and ombrometer are terms for instruments that measure what? Cross…

This month we love…

Vanolarm Keep your caravan safe with this self-installed alarm system, offering six levels of security, tracking technology and door sensors. Price £99.95 Web vanolarm.co.uk Carpuride Carplay This portable smart system simply connects to your phone, to provide upgraded infotainment in your tow car, with features including music and navigation. Price £269.99 Web amazon.co.uk Kelty Biggie Blanket Designed to offer lightweight insulation and superb comfort, this 208 x 203cm blanket has a soft shell outer with a brushed liner and comes with its own handy stuff sack for storage. Price £49.95 Web wildbounds.com Cookology Dishwasher Forget juggling with piles of washing-up in a small caravan sink! This cleverly designed, 860W, compact tabletop dishwasher has a 90-minute cycle and a low noise rating. Price £269.99 Web cookology.com PICK OF THE MONTH DOG-G8…

This month we love…

Sarah Wakely Editor sarah@practicalcaravan.com Paul Critcher Deputy editor paul.critcher@futurenet.com Peter Baber Reviews editor peter.baber@futurenet.com David Motton Tow car editor motty@practicalcaravan.com John Sootheran Consulting editor practical.caravan@futurenet.com Andrew Jenkinson Used-van contributor practical.caravan@futurenet.com Q CAN WE BOOST THE BATTERY RECHARGE? When the weather is poor, our 100A solar panel and 75/15mptt charger is not always effective at recharging the battery. Can we wire two 12V leisure batteries together to get extra power for off-grid winter tours? Mick Ashton John Sootheran replies… Caravan solar panels are not particularly effective on short, dark winter days, when the sun is low. But you can wire two (or more) 12V leisure batteries together in parallel to maximise your off-gridding power supply. This involves connecting the two positive terminals together and (separately) the two negative ones. In this…

Moving on! I always feel that the beginning of February marks the beginning of the new year proper, as we throw off any post-Christmas malaise that we might be feeling in January and start looking ahead. And there's plenty to enjoy in 2024, particularly for sporting fans, who undoubtedly will be anticipating the Euros in July, and the Olympics in July and August. Both events take place in continental Europe (respectively Germany and France), so if you are planning to travel to either country this year, be sure to plan ahead – visitors to la belle France can also take in the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes in July and August. To whet your appetite for overseas travel, check out the Lyon family's adventures in the…

10 February 2024 Lantern Walk, Worcester Take a stroll in a good cause on this 1.5-mile walk in aid of St Richard's Hospice, through the parkland of Croome Court, near the Malvern Hills. The route will be illuminated, and you'll be accompanied by the calming glow of lanterns. Singer Hannah Mac will be providing entertainment, and tickets for the event cost £15. strichards.org.uk/event/lantern-walk Stay at Blackmore Camping and Caravanning Club Site www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk 10-18 February 2024 South Downs Dark Skies Festival, West Sussex As we recently reported in Practical Caravan, North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks will be taking part in the Dark Skies Festival on 9-25 February 2024. On 10-18 February, they will be joined by the South Downs Dark Skies Festival, which will feature nocturnal wildlife walks…

To 28 February 2024 Snowdrop Day, Suffolk Discover more than 100 varieties of snowdrops at Fullers Mill Garden, in Bury St Edmunds, on Wednesdays and Fridays during February. This beautiful waterside and woodland garden, near the River Lark at West Stow in Suffolk, has an important collection of plants. Entry to the gardens is £7. perennial.org.uk Stay at Arthur's Retreat arthursretreat.uk 14 February 2024 Snowdrop planting, Minehead, Somerset Meet the gardeners at the National Trust's Dunster Castle and Watermill, near Minehead, as they plant even more snowdrops at the magnificent River Gardens on Valentine's Day. You can join in with the planting at a drop-in session (10am-12.30pm, 1.30-3pm). The event is included with Dunster Castle's £16 general entry free. nationaltrust.org.uk Stay at Minehead CAMC Campsite caravanclub.co.uk Practical Caravan The next issue…

Seeing the LIGHT

‘There are some absolutely wonderful views across this ancient landscape’ “It's all about the light,” said Richard Barnes, of Tehidy Holiday Park, the base for our stay in Cornwall. “It's a very blue light reflected off the sea and the beach. The countryside and the light draw in the artists and what appeals to them, appeals to the people.” Richard was explaining why Cornwall has such enduring appeal. It had certainly appealed to me. Temperatures there seemed to be averaging 5-10 degrees cooler than the hot summer the capital was experiencing at the time of our visit, and any thoughts of getting away from it all by air had been thwarted by reports of cancelled flights to an even hotter mainland Europe. The sensible thing to do, I reasoned to…

Seeing the LIGHT

Your trip planner Cornwall

Way to go From Surrey, we took the M3, A303 and A30. Tehidy Holiday Park is off the latter. When to go School holiday time is very busy. Although you should aim for a break in the spring or autumn if you prefer to have a less crowded stay, this part of the country is beautiful at any time of year. Where we stayed Tehidy Holiday Park (pictured below) Address Harris Mill, Illogan, Redruth TR16 4JQ tehidy.co.uk Open 31 March - 28 October Pitches 28 Charges From £24 Find out more Visit Cornwall visitcornwall.com Museum of Global Communications pkporthcurno.com The Minack Theatre minack.com Chysauster Ancient Village www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/chysauster-ancient-village/ Tate St Ives tate.org.uk/visit/tate-st-ives Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden tate.org.uk/visit/tate-st-ives/barbara-hepworth-museum-and-sculpture-garden Land's End landsend-landmark.co.uk St Michael's Mount stmichaelsmount.co.uk…

Your trip planner Cornwall

NORTHERN EXPOSURE

GETAWAY TRAVEL GETAWAY IN HINDSIGHT, I was actually quite glad we didn't get to see inside Alnwick Castle. It was to have been the second of three historic castles we planned to visit during our five-day break in England's beautiful north-east last summer. It had been tough enough narrowing the choice down to three, when there are more than 70 castles in this part of the country. Northumberland alone has more castles than any other UK county, some little more than ruins, others stunning palaces. The main reason for this was disputes between the English and the Scots, which raged for three centuries or so – and then of course, there were Viking and Roman marauders at various points in time. Bamburgh Castle In the end, the first one we chose…

NORTHERN EXPOSURE

When we visited August 2023, and despite the sunny weather, it wasn't too crowded. Perhaps because most people head south and leave the north a bit quieter? Why we went To avoid the more popular summer destinations, get a feel for an area we have never seen before, and delve into a little history, exploring a couple of the many castles here. Food and drink The Castle Inn castleinnbamburgh.co.uk The Market Tavern alnwickpub.co.uk Turnbull's Northumbrian Food turnbullsfood.co.uk The Three Horseshoes Hotel three-horse-shoes.co.uk CroBar 01833 638 970 Find out more Bamburgh Castle bamburghcastle.com Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve lindisfarne.org.uk England Coast Path englandcoastpath.co.uk Barter Books barterbooks.co.uk Bailiffgate Museum bailiffgatemuseum.co.uk Deepdale Nature Reserve durhamnature.co.uk/deepdale.html Barnard Castle english-heritage.org.uk/…

FOOD glorious FOOD

GETAWAY TRAVEL SOMERSET FOODIE TOUR ‘There's more to Somerset than cider and cheese. There's also beer… And wine!’ FIRST, I SHOULD declare a personal interest. I'm not Somerset born (Aberdeen, Scotland, actually). And I'm not quite Somerset bred (we came south when I was six and our village moved overnight into the then-new county of Avon when I was still at primary school, the victim of boundary changes). But I'm definitely here now, having made the cathedral city of Wells my home some four years ago. Food and drink research And what better place than Wells to start my food and drink research/tour? A small, particularly welcoming restaurant, Root (it even caters for well-behaved dogs), in the city is spearheading something of a dining revolution here, with its mantra of ‘veg-led,…

FOOD glorious FOOD

Where we stayed

Cheddar Mendip Heights Camping & Caravanning Club Site Address West Mendip Way, Townsend, Nr Priddy BA5 3BP www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk Open 15 March to 3 November Price £59 (two nights, hardstanding, hook-up) Petruth Paddocks Address Labourham Drove, Cheddar BS27 3FS petruthpaddocks.co.uk Open All year Price £15 (one night, grass, no hook-up) Old Oaks Touring Park Address Wick Farm, Glastonbury BA6 8JS theoldoaks.co.uk Open 1 March to 17 November Price £32 (one night, hardstanding, hook-up)…

When to go Any time, frankly. Our September visits coincided with harvest time, but so long as you check on opening hours for any of these specialist producers, you could plan to tour here whenever it suits you best. Cider and cheese Somerset is famed for its cider. It's almost impossible to say how many specialist cidermakers are within its boundaries – at least 30, I'd say – and possibly a similar number of cheesemakers. Joseph Harding (no relation), a cheesemaker often referred to as the ‘father of Cheddar’, is reported as saying that authentic Somerset Cheddar should have “a close texture, a full flavour reminiscent of hazelnuts, and a melt-in-the-mouth quality”. Find out more The Somerset Food Trail (somersetfood trail.org) lists many of the specialist producers that we visited.…

SEVEN SISTERS & BIRLING GAP Distance 5.5 miles // Difficulty Moderate There are few more iconic Sussex sights than the towering chalk cliffs of Seven Sisters. Start and end this scenic stroll in the sleepy village of East Dean, a short walk from Beachy Head. Take the footpath south over Went Hill towards Birling Gap, and then wind across the sweeping Sussex Downs to the sea. Follow the coastal path past Belle Tout Lighthouse, before circling inland back to East Dean. On arrival, settle in for a well-earned tipple at the Tiger Inn (beachyhead.org.uk/the-tiger-inn), a fine 16th-century pub, with oak beams, local ales and – should you be with non-caravanning friends – five comfortable bedrooms. Stay at Buckle Holiday Park buckleholidaypark.co.uk THE LIZARD PENINSULA, CORNWALL Daily distance 6-9 miles //…

Angling for ADVENTURE

IT WAS THE caravanner's worst nightmare. Just one week to go before a long-planned late summer holiday on Anglesey, and our normally ultra-reliable Škoda Octavia Scout developed a gearbox fault, which meant we couldn't tow our Coachman 450. Annoying and disappointing in equal measure, this left us in something of a quandary over what to do next. Time to hire a tow car Cancel the whole trip, or track down a hire company able to supply us with a suitable vehicle to take its place? My husband Colin – who really does love a challenge – insisted on the latter and immediately got on the case. Most local and regional hire companies said they didn't hire vehicles with a towbar, because it was an insurance risk. Only one said we…

Angling for ADVENTURE

Way to go Setting off from our home in the Derbyshire Peak District, we headed north on the A6 towards Stockport, turning left on to the A555 past Manchester Airport, then joining the M56 to North Wales. From the end of the motorway we took the A5117, A550 and A494 to join the A55 towards Bangor. Crossing the Britannia Bridge to Anglesey, we headed north on the A5025 towards Amlwch. We turned right after 3.4 miles at a layby, on to a minor road to access the site, 100 yards on the right. Our outfit Glossop Caravans Special Edition 2017 Coachman Festival 450 and hired Mitsubishi Barbarian. Food and drink Beau's Tea Rooms 01248 810 645 The Bulkeley Hotel bulkeleyhotel.co.uk Old Dairy Café nationaltrust.org.uk Find out more Visit Wales visitwales.com…

Where we stayed

Black Horse Campsite Address Y Bwth, Nr Pentraeth, Anglesey LL75 8YP 01248 450 076 www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk Open All year Pitches 5 Prices £20-£25 Conveniently situated, this rural CS has fine views, and is close to the coast. There's a wide variety of dog walks. Both grass and hardstanding pitches are available, with or without electric hook-up. Facilities are limited, so we appreciated having our own washroom to avoid queues. Free-range eggs on sale when available.…

‘Once a successful Roman settlement, the market town now bustles with history buffs and holidaymakers’ STEEPED IN HISTORY and surrounded by verdant rolling countryside, Dorchester is Dorset's county town. Once a successful Roman settlement, the market town now bustles with history buffs and holidaymakers. It's also the perfect base for exploring south Dorset and is just eight miles from the sandy stretches of Weymouth's coast. HOUR BY HOUR Day 1 10am Roman rooms Kick off a day of discovering Dorchester's history with a trip to the Roman Town House. This ancient site was once part of the Roman settlement of Durnovaria and is still home to mosaics, hypocausts and excavated rooms. Then, if you wander across the road, you'll pass Hangman's Cottage, a 13th-century house that was formerly home to…

NEW VAN NEW ADVENTURES

AFTER AN EMOTIONAL FAREWELL to our Eriba, we regrouped and prepared to welcome TinTin2 to our Lyon family voyage of discovery. A dream in the making for more than 20 years, it was highly appropriate that the arrival of our Airstream 534 coincided with our 25th wedding anniversary: something very silver indeed – lucky us! After a break from European travel, we were keen to cross the Channel again, opting this year to limit the mileage and number of campsites, but still meeting key family holiday criteria – Action, Adventure and Angling. We spent a few nights away navigating TinTin2 and familiarising ourselves with what seemed complicated processes initially, turning on taps and heating. Then we started our journey preparations in earnest. Travelling the first time with depleted cupboards and…

NEW VAN NEW ADVENTURES

Trip planner Netherlands & Germany

Way to go We booked our ferries with Stena Line, via the Caravan and Motorhome Club, on the Harwich to Hook of Holland crossing, using the daytime sailing, which was cheaper. When to go Travelling during the school holidays, we booked ferries and campsites in advance to avoid disappointment. The weather at this time of year should have been more predictable, particularly in the Mosel region – known for its warm and pleasant temperatures for growing grapes. Sadly, Holland saw an exceptionally high level of rainfall during August. Our outfit (pictured below) We towed our Airstream 534 (TinTin2) with our VW California (Snowy). Where we stayed Boerderijcamping Demmerik Demmeriksekade 25, 3645 AZ Vinkeveen www.boerderijcampingdemmerik.nl Aquacamping De Rakken (pictured bottom) Lynbaen 10, 8551 NW Woudsend, De Rakken derakken.nl Mosel Camping Rissbacherstrasse…

Trip planner Netherlands & Germany

this niche market is growing If you read the news coverage just before Christmas about Alex Batty, the boy who escaped from a commune in France, you might have been slightly bemused (as I was) at the way the national press described the vehicle he had been living in with his mother. For some it was a motorhome, for others, a touring caravan. It was actually neither, being a fifth-wheeler. But it goes to show how, even with the huge expansion of interest there has been in caravanning since the pandemic, ours is still a relatively niche market. Still, if a firm as big as LG is taking an interest (see right), who knows what the future holds? peter.baber@futurenet.com HOW WE TEST VANS Our review types explained In-depth test In…

LG gets into caravanning

Electronics multinational unveils new concept caravan A SOUTH KOREAN technology giant best known for its televisions has launched its first-ever concept caravan. The LG Bon Voyage from LG Labs is an upgraded version of the “customised living space” LG's experimental marketing platform has produced before, but the first to resemble a conventional caravan, coming in at 3.8m long, 2m wide and 2.2m high. Launched at CES, one of the world's biggest electronics shows, in Las Vegas, the LG Bon Voyage can be furnished according to a potential customer's wishes with a bed, a fridge, an electric stove, a water purifier and (not something high on the agenda of UK manufacturers) shoe care products. There are seemingly no plans to launch the vehicle on the commercial market yet. SWIFT OFFERS DISCOUNTS…

LG gets into caravanning

SWIFT SPRITE GRANDE QUATTRO EB

FIRST LOOK SHOWROOM Price £30,595 Berths 4 MiRO 1530kg MTPLM 1690kg IN 2019, WHEN Swift's 8ft-wide twin-axle range had the slightly tongue-twisting title of Sprite Super, the Hull firm brought out the first such model that was a four-berth, rather than a six-berth – the Quattro EB. Four years on, Sprite Super is now called Sprite Grande, and, after a pause of a year or so, the EB model has returned. Only this time, it has an inline island bed, rather than a transverse example. We headed to Grantham's to take a look at the new model. Pitch and set-up This is an 8ft-wide caravan, but it's towards the budget end of the market, so you don't get heavy-duty corner steadies or external locker doors. The old EB did have a…

SWIFT SPRITE GRANDE QUATTRO EB

BAILEY PEGASUS GRANDE GT75 ANCONA

FIRST LOOK SHOWROOM Price £29,899 Berths 5 MiRO 1414kg MTPLM 1579kg WHEN IT WAS first introduced as a late addition to the Pegasus Grande range, the Ancona provided a novel layout with an L-shaped lounge at the rear for the kids. All that has changed for the new GT75, where the Ancona once again makes a late addition. This time, it comes with a pair of bunks towards the back on the offside, opposite a second dinette that makes up a wide single bed, and a rear washroom. We thought the previous Ancona was a flexible solution, particularly for families with older children who might want their own space. So how does the replacement stack up? Pitch and set-up The Ancona remains a single-axle. But if you find the prospect of…

BAILEY PEGASUS GRANDE GT75 ANCONA

YES, IT SEEMS like only yesterday that the October Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show at the NEC was wrapping up after attracting a record number of visitors. Now its February sibling, the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show, is just around the corner, running at the NEC from 13 to 18 February 2024 and including its own fair share of debuts. You can find out more at www.ccmshow.co.uk. In the meantime, here is our round-up of brilliant brands you can expect to see. Caravans Whatever you're looking for – from family-friendly six-berth to innovative tourer for two – you'll find manufacturers big and small at the show Adria Stand 3060 No new launches from the Slovenian manufacturer, but you can expect to see a model from each of the company's four…

GENESIS ELECTRIFIED GV70 SPORT

OUR VANS, OUR MONTH SHOWROOM FINAL REP ORT Price £65,105 Kerbweight 2310kg 85% match Above max tow (1800kg) Towball limit 180kg WHEN THE GENESIS first arrived on test a few months ago, I wondered if it would convince me that electric vehicles really can make compelling tow cars. Well, the Electrified GV70 is about to return to Genesis. So along with giving it a final clean and making sure the battery is charged, I need to come off the fence. I'm certainly going to miss the GV70. For everything other than towing, I would take the Genesis over any other car that I've tested in the past 12 months. Ridiculously quick It has a pleasing dual personality. Thanks to the twin electric motors with just short of 500hp between them, it…

GENESIS ELECTRIFIED GV70 SPORT

Keep an eye out for a bargain buy! Layout is a key consideration when you're looking for a used van, but the market can be unpredictable. For example, the end-washroom two-berth floorplan has long been a favourite among buyers. But one dealer told me recently that he has very few in stock these days. Another dealer said he could do with more twin-axle six-berths, because he was now being asked for them on a regular basis. Juggling with stock levels is a constant part of dealers’ work. This is why it pays for buyers to keep a close eye on the forecourts, so you can take advantage of those brilliant bargains as they appear. practical.caravan@futurenet.com ANDY'S PICKS OF THE MONTH 1 Just adorable 2016 Adria Adora 612 DL Seine Always a…

COACHMAN VIP 545/4 (2017)

USED VANS SHOWROOM USED VAN BUYER BUY A USED Coachman and you're buying quality, style and brilliant design. It's no surprise that these upmarket tourers do well in reliability surveys and retain their pre-owned prices. Coachman began in 1986 and launched at the 1987 NEC show. They sold 40 units there, but caravanners quickly became aware of the quality of these tourers, so sales grew rapidly. This 2017 VIP 545 was also a special edition, badged Vogue, so it had some valuable extras. Model history Coachman's VIP range was first introduced in 1988 and over the years, various layouts were added to the line-up. The 545, with its rear island bed, central washroom and front lounge, has long been a favourite. The original layout had the central toilet room to one…

COACHMAN VIP 545/4 (2017)

BUY SMARTER PERSONAL SHOPPER

USED VANS SHOWROOM PERSONAL SHOPPER Choosing the right caravan is never an easy job. It's not just selecting the best layout, it's making sure the weight of your van is ideally no more than 85% of the kerbweight of your car. And of course, there is your budget to consider, too. But we are here to help. Here are three more scenarios from readers who contacted us with their requirements. If you'd like us to sort out your conundrum and help you track down the used caravan of your dreams, get in touch and our team will get to work! WANT OUR EXPERTS TO HELP YOU FIND THE PERFECT USED CARAVAN? Let us know by emailing letters@practicalcaravan.com and we'll do the legwork for you! Key facts Tow car kerbweight 1956kg Budget £9000…

BUY SMARTER PERSONAL SHOPPER

Quick checks before you hit the road The new touring season is almost upon us (although for some, it never really ends). Either way, this is the ideal time to check on your car and van. Your tourer may need some attention if it's been standing idle over the winter. Make sure the tyres have enough tread and are free from cuts and bulges. Check they are inflated to the correct pressure, too, because they may have lost some air over the past few months. Be sure you have enough gas, and that all habitation kit is in good condition. Check all the exterior lights are working. That way, you'll know the caravan is roadworthy before your first trip of 2024. motty@practicalcaravan.com Tow car editor DAVID MOTTON is a former…

TOW CARS QUICK TEST *Listed as mass in running order by Volvo QUICK TEST What's new? The second-generation XC60 has been around for a while, but Volvo has facelifted its five-seat SUV since we last towed with one. As well as subtle design changes, Volvo has fitted its Google-based infotainment system, with built-in Google apps. The T6 plug-in hybrid that we're driving has a bigger battery than before, for an all-electric range of up to 49 miles. What are we looking for? We want to find out if the updates have been effective and if the big Volvo is still one of the best five-seat premium SUVs. Towing ability Heft on its own doesn't make a good tow car, but it's not a bad place to start. With a kerbweight…

LONG WARRANTIES

TOW CAR ADVICE There's nothing more frustrating than a fault coming out of nowhere within days of a car's warranty expiring. Three years and 60,000 miles of cover is typical, although many car manufacturers offer more. Some stick with a three-year warranty but with no mileage limit, others up the time period as well as the miles. Five- and seven-year warranties from new are available from the likes of Hyundai and Kia, while Toyota offers up to 10 years, so long as you use a franchised dealer for your servicing. A long warranty won't compensate for a car that's unstable or sluggish while towing. All the vehicles listed here are worthy of recommendation in their own right, not just because they should protect against any unexpected repair bills. So if…

LONG WARRANTIES

PEUGEOT 508 SW (2018-)

USED TOW CAR Style. It's one of life's great unquantifiables. You simply can't measure style; all you can do is know if something has it or not. However, a car that places style ahead of everything else will only ever appeal to people who just have to look at it, not live with it on a daily basis. The Peugeot 508 SW definitely has style. It certainly stands out from the crowd, and exhibits a certain panache. But what's it like to drive, tow with, and live with? Interesting, as it turns out. What's it like inside? As with most Peugeots, the 508's dashboard is slightly unusual, and is called i-Cockpit. You sit facing a tiny steering wheel and view the digital instruments over the top of it, although this…

PEUGEOT 508 SW (2018-)

Caravanning on the level We've all been there – attempting to get the caravan level, only to have to endure a night spent trying to ignore the fact that one end is ever so slightly higher than the other. But don't worry, help is at hand from our Consulting editor, John Sootheran – he has everything you need to know to get your van level first time: turn to p84 to get started. Speaking of a bad night's sleep, is your Alde 3030 system keeping you awake? Working out how to set it for night-time running (to save money and dim the control panel) can be tricky, but we can help – see p94 to find out more! practical.caravan@futurenet.com OUR TECH EXPERTS include (left to right) John Sootheran, Sammy Faircloth…

CARAVANS STAND on their wheels and jockey wheel, with four wind-down legs to keep them steady. As such, so long as your touring pitch is reasonably flat, or at least not on a steep incline, you will be able to adjust your van to make it completely flat. This will allow the drainage system and the fridge to work properly, and you won't be climbing into bed, only to discover your feet rather disconcertingly higher than your head! Levelling a caravan is a basic skill, but many people seem to be confused by the procedure. Here, I'll explain how you go about it, in a simple step-by-step way. Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Caravan, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as…

Getting set for a successful touring season

SKILLS SCHOOL THE PENNY PROJECT LAST MONTH, we discussed the installation of Penny's new Renogy 500A Battery Monitor and the wiring upgrades needed to support it. With that work all done, it was time to find out what our new toy could tell us. Keeping track A battery monitor helps you to keep track of how a 12V leisure battery is performing. If your van is on a hook-up, the battery status is of no real consequence. Your 12V systems will all work and the charger will keep your battery fit and healthy. But we want to mix up our stops a bit more. Of course, we will stay on sites with hook-ups, but we want to be able to use Penny to stay on smaller sites and festival fields,…

Getting set for a successful touring season

Setting Alde 3030 to Night mode

WHEN WE BOUGHT our latest caravan, our ‘must-have’ list included Alde heating. I have absolutely nothing against any of the other great systems fitted in tourers, it's just that Alde is our preferred choice. One of the things we found most useful in our previous caravan's Alde 3020 system was the Night mode setting. This useful function allowed us to dim the display screen, have a lower heating setting and turn off the water heater overnight. It then reverted to our preferred ‘normal’ settings at the end of that time. I'm pleased to say that this function has been carried over to the latest 3030 system. Updated display Not only is the new 3030 more efficient (heating up faster than the 3020), it also has a slightly larger hot water…

Setting Alde 3030 to Night mode

Includes new 2024 models on UK sale! FIND THE PERFECT FLOORPLAN FOR YOUR NEEDS Please check model details with the manufacturer or dealer before travelling to view or buy There are a wide range of caravan layouts to choose from (pictured below), all with their own pros and cons. When you're trying to settle on the arrangement that will suit you, there are some points to think about that can help you decide. Here, we take a look at a few of the most popular floorplans out there, and what they can offer you. B TRANSVERSE ISLAND BED, REAR WASHROOM Island beds are a surprisingly recent addition to caravans, and were really introduced from the world of motorhomes. Caravans are usually a bit wider than motorhomes, though, so it is…

TECHNICAL TERMS EXPLAINED

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 caravan's weight, with all factory-fitted equipment, when it leaves the factory. MiRO replaces ‘ex-works…

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 in Birmingham or Glasgow, where dealers 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 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…

Caravan and Motorhome Club 01342 326 944 caravanclub.co.uk The 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 the Practical Caravan website - you'll find us at www.practicalcaravan.com…

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