Sommaire pour April 2023 de Practical Caravan

Focus on… Ireland Leading ferry operator Irish Ferries shares its top ‘off the beaten track’ road trips in the Emerald Isle. History in the Ancient East In the Ancient East, you can explore Ireland’s collection of historic tombs, Celtic sites and monastic cities, and early medieval universities. Start at Powerscourt House (powerscourt.com), 35 minutes from Dublin, to learn about its 800-year history and enjoy the abundant wildlife at the foot of Ireland’s highest waterfall. Then take a 45-minute drive south, through the Wicklow Mountains into Glendalough. Continuing south, you’ll pass the Avoca Handweavers and Mill (avoca.com), Ireland’s oldest surviving mill, in just 30 minutes. Further afield is the fine city of Waterford (90 minutes’ drive). Call at Waterford Treasures and Viking Experience (water fordtreasures.com), the world’s first virtual reality experience,…

TRAVEL STEAM TRAINS MUCH AS WE LOVE TOURING, driving around the roads of the UK to explore its nooks and crannies can be frustrating. Sometimes the roads are narrow, twisty or otherwise difficult to navigate, and can mean that the driver doesn’t get to appreciate great scenery on our journey. Plus, of course, fuel and parking cost money! Thankfully, the country is blessed with many heritage and steam railways, often running through these areas of great beauty and over terrain that you wouldn’t want to tackle in your car. Base yourself at a campsite close to a historic railway station, give your vehicle a rest and let a steam engine transport you on a stress-free journey through some of the best of our British countryside. Mountain high One of the…

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES All Trails This is one of the best resources for finding great hiking, walking and cycle routes, from all comers of the globe. You can search for a specific area or explore categories, such as National Parks, to find routes ranked by intensity, length, time or elevation. Each has a map with points of interest, descriptions, and comments and pictures from other travellers. Basic Free to use Premium £29.99 per year Seek by iNaturalist Become an intrepid explorer in just a few taps with this wildlife identification app. Snap a picture of any intriguing bugs, birds, plants and fungi that you come across and Seek will identify them, even without an internet connection! You can dive into expert information on the species, then go back and view your…

New awning option for Bailey Discovery BAILEY’S SECOND-GENERATION Discovery will no longer feature the innovative L-shaped awning that was a unique cost-extra in previous models. But there is a new awning option - and a brand-new layout, too. The three-model range includes the two-berth D4-2, which still costs under £20,000 (but only just, at £19,999). Bailey has also worked hard to keep the MTPLM below 1000kg - again, only just, at 998kg. The new layout, the D4-4L, has a single side dinette with a bunk that folds down above it and a rear-comer washroom (see review on P46). It weighs in at 1082kg, while the new-look D4-4, with rearcorner bed and washroom behind, is 1248kg. Both are priced at £21,499 OTR. The L-shaped air awning has been discontinued because the…

FIRST LOOK SHOWROOM FIRST LOOK Price £39,899 Berths 4 MiRO 1671kg MTPLM 1830kg THIS YEAR, Erwin Hymer UK has given its luxury Compass Camino a new profile and made all models in the range 8ft wide. There are also new graphics, and a longer drawbar for added towing stability. The 650 is a twin-axle with a spec that includes the improved Aide 3030 Compact 24-hour programmable heating and water system. The L-shaped lounge has a 32m TV fitted as standard, and there’s a central washroom and a rear fixed island bed. It’s a layout that should especially appeal to touring couples who like to entertain guests. But priced at over £40,000 once you include the £750 delivery charge, does this big four-berth have what it takes? Pitch and set-up The new-look…

TOW CAR TEST Price £47,760 Kerbweight 1842kg Towing limit 1650kg *Includes wing mirrors What’s new? Hyundai updated the Santa Fe SUV in 2021, offering new looks, and hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains alongside the familiar diesel. The plug-in is the more powerful of the two new engine options, but the regular hybrid is more affordable to buy and has a higher towing limit. It’s available in both two- and four-wheel-drive guises. We’ve been testing the 4×4. In high-spec Ultimate trim, it costs £47,760. What are we looking for? The Santa Fe has been a popular choice for caravanners since 2001, but most examples sold over the past couple of decades have been diesel-powered. How does the hybrid perform, in everyday driving and as a tow car? Should it be caravanners’…

You’ll find the best travel, campsite and destination prices by booking in advance. Great offers can often be found at the Caravan & Motorhome Shows, because many regions and sites have stands at the NEC. Always let your insurance provider know that you are taking your car and caravan abroad. If you plan to tour for a month or more (as only leisure vehicle owners can!), check that your home insurance cover will remain valid for periods longer than 30 days. Photograph your important travel documents and store them on your phone as back-up. Keep breakdown documentation in the vehicle. If you take V5 registration documents with you, store them securely, too. When you are towing in Europe, be aware that some cities, such as Paris, Lyon and Grenoble, require…

Passports In general, your UK passport must have six months’ remaining validity and be less than 10 years old (even if it has six months left on it), but bear in mind that the rules do vary by country. To check the exact details for your trip, see www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. You can continue to travel to Ireland so long as your passport is valid. Global Health Insurance Card The free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaces the European Health Insurance Card (although if you have one, it is still valid while it remains in date). This will give you access to emergency state-provided healthcare during any temporary stay in EU countries, either at a reduced cost or for free. It doesn’t cover private healthcare costs, and cannot be used in Iceland,…

Ideally, you’ll need a dry day and two people to fit a full cover, as they are large, awkward and quite heavy. Try to avoid fitting the cover with any moisture or dirt on the caravan, or on the inner surface of the ‘jacket’. Fit the hitch cover securely, first, if you have one. Then remove the main cover from its bag and lay it, exterior down, in front of the caravan. Position it with the front end of the cover next to the van’s A-frame. You’ll need a couple of extendable poles to make fitting easier. These cost around £12 each and are available from online retailers, DIY stores, or the cover manufacturers themselves. Extend the pole so that when you reach up, it’s long enough to lift the…

Featuring models on UK sale for 2023! 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…

THE BIG SHOT NORMANDY ‘The morning mist will rise to reveal the abbey ahead of you, with the statue of St Michael glinting in the sunlight’ (p2g) Where are we? Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy Why tour here? Twinned with St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mont Saint-Michel Bay is probably the most popular tourist attraction in Normandy. This tidal island has been an important stronghold throughout history, before becoming home to a beautiful Romanesque abbey in the 11th century and today, a magnet for tourists from near or far. Don’t miss… The tide! Nobody wants to be marooned on a beautiful island with its very own abbey, do they? On second thoughts… Photograph Atlantide Phototravel/ Getty Images…

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 3×3 box must contain the numbers 1 to 9. No single digit can appear twice in any one row, column or 3×3 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: controlled 20 = Average More than 40 = Well done HALF & HALF What does R stand for in the name of the UK…

TRAVEL 48 HOURS IN… ‘The North Yorkshire spa town is famed for its green spaces and the benefits of the waters’ SANDWICHED BETWEEN the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors is the charming and historic town of Harrogate. The North Yorkshire spa town, famed for its beautiful green spaces and the benefits of its mineral waters, is brimming with vibrant, independent eateries, bars and shops. Easily walkable, it is awash with great history, culture and stunning architecture, making it a delight to explore. DAY 1 10am On parade Fuel up for the busy day ahead at Hoxton North, on the Royal Parade. Oozing with local atmosphere, this laid-back, London-inspired cafe serves fresh, simple breakfasts and delicious brunches inspired by the seasons. hoxtonnorth.com 12pm Take a tour An essential part…

FIRST LOOK SHOWROOM FIRST LOOK Price £21,499 Berths 4 MiRO 949kg MTPLM 1082kg BAILEY UNVEILED its budget Discovery range a couple of seasons ago, offering funky interiors, light weights and a truly innovative L-shaped air awning. That awning has gone, but the youthful design remains. Shortly before the range’s debut at the NEC show, we took a look at the new layout in its ranks, the D4-4L. With an end washroom and a side dinette, it comes in at £21,499. Pitch and set-up The exterior has been revamped, with silver side and back panels. The decals also run around the curved rear corners to the back. The white front panel now has decals spreading up both sides of the large central window. Bailey has extended the A-frame and left it unadorned,…

USED VANS SHOWROOM USED VAN BUYER SEASONED CARAVANNERS, when asked about high-quality tourers, often list Coachman among their top choices. The company was founded in 1986 by former ABI Caravans team George Kemp and Jim Hibbs. Starting with a small offering, the range grew over the years, but Coachman was always keen to keep production focused very much on quality, rather than quantity. Owned by Explorer Group - Elddis in the late 1990s - the firm later had a management buyout, becoming independent again by the early 2000s. These days, Coachman is owned by Kabe of Sweden. The Acadia, launched for the 2020 season, quickly became a firm favourite for its excellent spec and reasonable pricing. Model history The generous spec and quality finish gave this range plenty of appeal. The…

LAST YEAR, DIESELS made up just 5.1% of the new car market, but you don’t have to go back too far to find their share at much nearer half of all sales. Come 2030 and the ban on the sale of new cars powered by internal combustion engines, and we’ll be saying goodbye to diesel altogether. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time for caravanners to abandon diesel power. There are signs that demand for diesels on the used car market is stronger than among new car buyers, so secondhand prices remain firm. For towing, diesel is the one to beat, providing great fuel economy and pulling power. Diesels may be a dying breed, but they have never burned fuel more cleanly or achieved better mpg. Here are some of…

WE’VE ALL HEARD of solder, but few of us appreciate what it is and just how much we rely on it. Most of the electronic gizmos - phones, computers, TVs and the like - that we take for granted these days use solder to interconnect their internal components and hold them in position. Despite this, there are also few people who have much knowledge of basic soldering techniques and how to solder things together. That is a pity, because being able to solder offers the ability to repair myriad things, such as connectors, to join wires together and to complete many other DIY tasks. This article outlines the rudiments of what solder is and the skills needed for successful soldering. What is solder? Modern solders consist mainly of tin. Previously,…

Northern France can seem a bit too familiar if you live in England. It’s only a hop across the Channel, after all. Before last year, for example, I had visited the famous Normandy beaches more than once. I have been lucky enough to swim at Arromanches and Omaha Beach. I have also been more than once to see the historic Bayeux Tapestry. And I have explored the imposing Falaise Castle, one of William the Conqueror’s strongholds before he became William the Conqueror. But last year, I realised there are plenty of places in the north of our near neighbour that I have yet to become acquainted with. So with a week free in July, I hopped on the DFDS ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe, eager to discover more. Mont Saint-Michel…

SHOWROOM CARAVAN HANDOVER COLLECTING A NEW (to you) caravan should be something to look forward to, whether it’s your first foray or you’re a seasoned buyer. Caravans are more than just tin tents - they become memories. I often look at pictures of the caravans that we have owned over the years, and thoughts of fabulous holidays and short breaks come flooding back. Kay and I are in the fortunate position of having just purchased a new caravan. We collected it on a miserable wet day in December, so it was certainly leak tested during our drive home! Hopefully, by the time the day arrives when you are due to collect yours, you’ll have done your homework, especially in respect of dealerships. A good way to get an idea of…

USED TOW CAR SEEING THE WORD ‘crisis’ is never good. And when it’s preceded by ‘cost of living’, you know life is going to be affected, be that by the cost of cornflakes, electricity, or your next tow car. But you can still spot capable used tow cars, and better still, the one we focus on here has a Jaguar badge. Yes, the X-type Estate is far more than just a Ford Mondeo (with which it shares many oily bits) in a posh suit, it was also a car the late monarch used until well into her final year. Bargain price, royal cachet - what’s not to like? What’s it like inside? There’s no denying it, parts of the Jaguar X-type Estate’s interior have obviously been donated by Ford -…

KNOW-HOW // CONTINENTAL TRAVEL SPONSORED CONTENT CUT OUT AND KEEP GUIDE! For details of all sites, see www.campingcard.co.uk France FLOWER CAMPING DE L’ÎLE DES TROIS ROIS, UPPER NORMANDY With 150 touring and 150 year-round pitches, and located on the banks of the Seine, Flower Camping de l’Île des Trois Rois makes a fantastic base for your touring holiday in Normandy. It’s great at any time of year, featuring a heated swimming pool and heated washrooms for your comfort. Paris is an hour’s drive away, and Rouen just 30 minutes, so you will be able to explore some of France’s finest cities with ease. Address 1 Rue Gilles Nicolle, 27700 Les Andelys, France France CAMPSITE DU PORT DE PLAISANCE, PICARDY Easily accessible from France’s A1, and perfect for exploring the beautiful and…

UK STICKER Following Brexit, the rules covering which country stickers you must display have changed. The GB sticker is no longer valid, and the UK sticker is its replacement. The AA says these must be at least 80mm high, with a stroke width of 10mm. Price £3.99 Web halfords.com FIRE EXTINGUISHER You should always carry a fire extinguisher in your caravan (located close to hand in the event of an emergency). It’s worth checking that the expiry date on yours hasn’t passed; it will need replacing if it has. This 1kg Streetwize unit from Towsure comes with an installation bracket. Price £19.95 Web towsure.com HEADLIGHT DEFLECTORS It’s easy to forget to fit these, but you can be fined (and potentially cause other drivers problems) if you don’t use headlight beam…

CARAVAN COVERS come in many styles and sizes. Choosing your cover wisely is important - the best can add years of life (and looks) to your tourer, while others have the potential to damage it. Selecting a suitable material is vital, as any cover that traps moisture on the surface of the caravan for long periods may do more harm than good. Why buy a caravan cover? Most caravans spend at least half or the year just sitting dormant - on your drive or a seasonal pitch, in a farmyard or at a specialist storage facility. Wherever you keep it, your van will deteriorate most rapidly when it’s not in use. Moving parts can seize up, seals and sealant perish, finishes discolour and metal components corrode. This degeneration is partly…

WE TEND TO take the caravan cold-water system for granted. It is simple and straightforward, and in theory, it will never go wrong. Or perhaps it can? Our van had its annual service late in the year, but prior commitments meant that it was not watered ready for use until quite recently, in preparation for early-season trips (making up for lost time!). We fitted the new immersible pump and switched on, to find the flow at the cold tap was very slow. When the tap was turned off, there was also insufficient pressure to turn off the pump, which continued to run. In addition, the water-heater took an age to fill. We came to the conclusion that something was definitely wrong. Check the flow There was much scratching of heads…