MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine September 2022

Buying a new ’van has proved more challenging than it should have been over the last 24 months. On the bright side, there has been a bonus for everyone who already owns a ’van, as its value has risen, which means some people who bought a ’van three years ago may find it is worth more than they paid for it. Of course, it’s all relative as the only way to release this equity is to say goodbye to motorhoming… and who wants to do that? Now, thankfully, we’re getting the first indications of normality returning. It will take some time for the market to level off but, if you’re on the hunt for a new or newer ’van, then now is the time to get hunting. And to help…

Have your say by emailing or writing to us at: 📧 mmm@warnersgroup.co.uk Your Letters, MMM, Warners Group Publications, West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH Hunt for the red gas We have two empty Calor Gas 3.9kg propane cylinders in our ’van and have been trying to swap them for full cylinders for very many weeks. I’ve tried all the local stockists plus many others around the country as I travel for work. All the stockists say is ‘I keep ordering them but none ever arrive’ or ‘I’ve not had any for months’. I’ve also tried to swap one of my empty propane bottles for a 4.5kg butane cylinder, again without success. I contacted Calor Gas, which didn’t reply. Our ‘van cannot take anything larger than the 3.9/4.5kg cylinders. We normally…

So far this year, the Compass and Herald Motorhome Club has had a couple of successful rallies, one at Cheltenham and a holiday rally in Cumbria and the Lake District. Our most recent was the Cromer rally in Norfolk. Living in south Devon, we decided to stop over on our way to Cromer at the C&CC Club site in Oxford for a couple of nights, where site staff were very helpful and suggested a stroll to the weirs at Oxford’s Iffley Meadows. About a mile from the campsite, this stroll is just the job to stretch aching joints after a long journey, and we continued down on to the Thames Path, passing all the famous rowing clubs and boathouses towards Oxford. What a great find – the area was reminiscent…

The ‘plan your stay maps’ in the campsite review articles are very useful, but they could be much improved by making the circle unfilled. The very place you are trying to focus on is greyed out. Might it also be possible to include a “what3words” location for the site entrance of locations. I see a lot of places state ‘do not use sat-nav’, etc, so that could assist. Rupert Carey ED Thanks for the feedback – we’ve lightened the circle a little to help this. What do readers think of what3words? Get in touch and let us know and we’ll consider including it. We’ve reviewed what3words in a previous accessories page a few years ago and think it is incredibly useful, with many emergency services adopting it.…

It was great to read the review of the Murvi (Summer, p107), which tends to be in a league of its own. But there is a brand that never seems to get any coverage in MMM, which I would compare to the Murvi, for innovation and layout/minimalist style, etc, just cheaper. That is the Moto Trek. I see you quote the alternatives as IH 600 FL and Vantage Ore. But my Devon also has this highly desirable open lounge design. John Griffiths ED If you own a motorhome you think is wonderful, tell other MMM readers about it. Simply send us your owner’s report. If you want guidelines on how to write these, just email us at 📧 mmm@warnersgroup.co.uk and we’ll send you a document to help.…

We have just returned from a lovely trip to Orkney, partly inspired by Carol Kubicki’s recommendation of the Birsay outdoor centre campsite (an excellent suggestion). You might like to add to your useful lists of motorhome parking areas the following: In Kirkwall, near the harbour and opposite Tesco in the large free car park there are 13 large spaces marked for and dedicated to motorhomes. It is 250 metres from St Magnus Cathedral. You only have to pay if you park illegally or outside the marked lines – unlikely as each space is pretty big. Also, in Stromness, near the Co-op and on the harbour road (on the side of the road away from the harbour), there is a large free car park with plenty of space, enough for motorhomes,…