January 2023

Practical Motorhome

Britains fastest growing motorhome magazine

Practical Motorhome1 min read
Where In The World?
Coordinates 40.0673° N, 22.4053° E Why tour here? You can almost taste the ambrosia as you set foot on Mount Olympus, the legendary home of the Greek gods and the country’s highest peak at some 2917 metres. For tourists, the area’s natural beauty is
Practical Motorhome4 min read
Connect
I was sorry to hear about Christine and Bob Walton’s recent experience in France (Practical Motorhome issue 264). My wife Alison and I took our Swift Norden 599FB van conversion to France for the first time this summer and heeded the advice to avoid
Practical Motorhome1 min read
Hotshots
1 Spent a lovely few nights at Low House Farm, Ireby, Yorkshire Dales. That’s what I call a view! If you’re heading along the A65, don’t miss the Courtyard Dairy, just south of Austwick, for the cheesiest experience since the 1970s. Andy Shepheard 2
Practical Motorhome6 min read
Christmas Gift Guide
No arsenal of touring accessories is complete without a head torch. Whether it’s for fiddly repairs or a midnight trip to the toilet, you’ll find you’re always glad to have one. This torch from Guild ticks all the boxes, with three adjustable head st
Practical Motorhome2 min read
Nightstops
The Nightstop Scheme is run by us in conjunction with the Motor Caravanners’ Club (MCC), and the sites are certificated locations (CLs); you don’t have to join any club to use them. You’ll need to ring the relevant site to confirm whether there’s spa
Practical Motorhome3 min read
Ask The Experts
Sarah Wakely Editor-in-chief sarah@practicalmotorhome.com Paul Critcher Deputy editor paul.critcher@futurenet.com Peter Baber Reviews editor peter.baber@futurenet.com Gentleman Jack Contributor askjack@practicalmotorhome.com Nick Harding Contributor
Practical Motorhome1 min read
Touring
As autumn turns to winter, like many of you, my touring thoughts turn to next year. My prediction is that UK holidays will remain a priority for many and sites will have a busy year. That said, I’m pretty sure that despite the economic downturn, ther
Practical Motorhome3 min read
This Month
Christmas markets… eat, drink and shop! 24 November - 11 December 2022 The city is beautiful at any time of year, but the lights of the 150 or so pop-up craft chalets on Bath Street give it a truly festive atmosphere. Treat yourself to handmade jewel
Practical Motorhome11 min read
The Hidden Lakes
What makes it special? At 0.17km², Elterwater is one of the smallest lakes in the Lake District, but no less beautiful for it. The lake lies between the villages of Elterwater and Skelwith Bridge in the dramatic Great Langdale Valley. The River Bray,
Practical Motorhome6 min read
Third Time Lucky
For half-term in February 2020, our grandsons had chosen Bristol for a short camping break. When one of Thomas’s teachers asked, “Why Bristol?” He replied, “Why not?”, going on to say that Brunel’s SS Great Britain was moored there, and you can see w
Practical Motorhome7 min read
A WINTER’S tale
What to do when you want to go exploring in the dark days of November? For us, the default is to throw on an extra layer, waterproofs and a scarf, and just get out there for a spot of puddle jumping and mud splashing. You really can’t beat the fresh
Practical Motorhome7 min read
Breathtaking balkans
Arallying cry came from up ahead: “Come on, hurry up, we don’t want to miss it!” Harrison’s words floated back to us on the cool evening breeze as he disappeared from sight, engulfed by the yawning darkness that brought with it a sense of our complet
Practical Motorhome8 min read
Our Greek Odyssey
Think of Greece and instantly, the image of a blue-topped church overlooking a wide bay springs to mind, along with sun-kissed, golden, sandy beaches, great food, ouzo, and occasionally, Zorba’s dance! Well, yes, all of that does indeed exist and thi
Practical Motorhome3 min read
Local Authority RETFORD
● Who are you? Julie Thorpe, retired teacher, busy mum and grandma. ● Where are you a local authority? Retford, North Nottinghamshire, on the edge of Sherwood Forest, by the River Idle and the Chesterfield Canal. ● Why are you a local authority? I wa
Practical Motorhome4 min read
48 Hours In Durham
If you’re looking for castles, cathedrals and coastline, look no further – Durham has them all. This elegant cathedral city can be traced all the way back to the 12th century and is just brimming with fascinating legends and history. The lively local
Practical Motorhome1 min read
Tested
A major research report produced by Liverpool John Moores and Sheffield Hallam universities for The Camping and Caravanning Club* suggests that people who camp (which includes motorcaravanners) are significantly more likely to feel happy every day an
Practical Motorhome1 min read
Our Tests Explained
These are our most detailed tests – we spend at least one full day (usually more) inside each motorhome, to bring you our comprehensive verdict. The overall score is based on the opinion of multiple members of the team. Each issue we test new models
Practical Motorhome2 min read
New ’vans
Two new models from Bailey and two new ranges from Swift were among the many attractions drawing public interest at the Motorhome and Caravan Show at the NEC in October. A pair of new Adamo models takes the line-up in Bailey’s Continental-inspired ra
Practical Motorhome1 min read
In Breif
Hillside Leisure is to start installing VIN CHIP anti-theft technology in its van conversions. The Derby firm has become the first NCC-approved van converter to fit it as standard. VIN CHIP, which is run on behalf of the NCC, includes RFID chips hidd
Practical Motorhome14 min read
Meet The Winners!
Back for the second year in their current new form, the Practical Motorhome Awards feature the best motorhomes, campervans and accessories available on the market today. With 21 awards overall, we’ve included 15 motorhome and van conversion awards th
Practical Motorhome4 min read
Show Stormers
Swift Group included two additional new ranges in the line-up on its stand. As well as the Ford-based Voyager, which we revealed in issue 265, models from the new Carrera van conversion and Ascari low-profile ranges were on show. Both are based on a
Practical Motorhome3 min read
Itineo Cm660
Itineo is one of many manufacturers revamping ranges this year, while uncertain supply chains persist. So the compact A-classes formerly known as Nomads move to the Famili range – but as Famili Compacts. They are shorter than standard Famili ’vans, a
Practical Motorhome1 min read
Pre-owned
I’m writing this during October’s Motorhome and Caravan Show at Birmingham’s NEC (see also p72). Now this is an event – the largest of its kind in the UK, in fact – aimed squarely at buyers of new motorhomes. But there’s a knock-on effect: lots of pe
Practical Motorhome1 min read
Pre-owned Know-how
An eye-catching 1914 Ford Model T Motor Caravan – which has been called the “oldest known motor caravan” – was auctioned by Bonhams at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu on 10 September, selling for £63,250 including premium. This was more than do
Practical Motorhome2 min read
Forecourt
One of the UK’s largest single-site specialist motorhome dealerships is now employee-owned. This means that every member of the staff team at the Newark, Nottinghamshire, dealer will have a say in the way the company is run, and benefit from the prof
Practical Motorhome1 min read
PROFILE Auto-Sleeper Warwick XL
Looking for a proven top-seller? Here it is. The fact that the Warwick XL format remains virtually unchanged since its introduction in 2013 says it all. Along with the news that since then, this has been up there as one of the most popular Auto-Sleep
Practical Motorhome1 min read
Top Used Buys 2023
Money is tight for all of us right now, so it pays to shop even more savvily. Buying used can help you do just that, so we asked our expert Gentleman Jack, in collaboration with our team, to select his best buys from past decades. Using archive recor
Practical Motorhome2 min read
1980-1989
The fact that so many of these are still around is clear testament to how well they were built. The cabinetwork was assembled by time-served craftsmen and women, and featured hardwood-framed doors and lockers. The vehicle body is a classic ‘Sleepers’
Practical Motorhome2 min read
1990-1999
Although Hymer might win a prize for the most confusing model names – their B-Class models are actually A-class integral coachbuilts – they were definitely winners in this decade’s motorhome awards. The B-Class began in the late 1970s, grew in popula
Practical Motorhome2 min read
2010-2019
The previous decade’s winners were aimed to appeal to those buying their first brand new motorcaravan. However, over time, market drift occurred. This is when constant upgrades to the standard spec meant that they were no longer a VFM offering, but w
Practical Motorhome2 min read
2000-2009
No, we haven’t conflated three different manufacturers. Although Swift, Bessacarr and Ace were once independent companies, by this time they were all owned by the Swift Group, based in Cottingham. The marques differ only in soft furnishings, cupboard
Practical Motorhome4 min read
AUTO-SLEEPER INCA & SIGMA
Cotswold-based Auto-Sleepers are our oldest volume motorhome builders, and have established an enviable reputation among their many loyal purchasers. But when their GRP monocoque coachbuilts became too expensive to produce and changes to driving lice
Practical Motorhome1 min read
Next Month
We run the rule over the… 2015 – onwards Murvi Pimento on Ford Transit
Practical Motorhome1 min read
11 Practical Motorhome Hall of Fame
1982-1992 It is neither the first British demountable motorhome, nor the first on a micro base vehicle (that was the Mini-based Wildgoose), but it did become the most popular micro motorhome ever! In 1976, imports began of a tiny twin-cylinder 354cc
Practical Motorhome2 min read
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Practical Motorhome1 min read
Technical
The mods to KC continue. Having installed dual 110Ah leisure batteries when we bought her, I later added a 1500W PSW inverter to power the microwave and recharge my wife’s mobility scooter when off-grid. I’ve also added a 650W coffee machine, which i
Practical Motorhome2 min read
Workshop
I keep an eye on a few internet forums concerning motorcaravanning, mainly to monitor what the most common problems are at any given time, but I also often see a lot of misinformation being spread around. No doubt it’s always with the best intentions
Practical Motorhome9 min read
Renting Out Your Motorhome
Many motorhomes remain idle for some 95% of their lifetime, according to estimates by one hire firm, and it does seem wasteful to have a motorhome and then only use it sporadically. You still have to pay insurance and tax, and leaving it standing for
Practical Motorhome4 min read
Fit An Awning Light With Photocell
The 20-year-old awning light fitted to my parents’ elderly ’van still worked, but shone a rather dull yellow rather than its original white. We’d cleaned the opaque cover several times, but the plastic had discoloured with age. Not only that, but it
Practical Motorhome1 min read
It’s Easier Than Ever To Buy Your Dream Motorhome!
On the look-out for a new motorhome? If so, we can help! Just like our inspiring travel stories, expert reviews and useful advice, we think that our online classifieds are the best in the business. You can read our review of your chosen ’van, watch t
Practical Motorhome1 min read
Winterising
Also available as a FREE ebook see www.practicalmotorhome.com/know-how to download yours! ■
Practical Motorhome12 min read
Winterising Your Motorhome
Many people in the UK will only use their motorhome for three seasons, parking it up over the winter. You might think that not using your vehicle would be straightforward, but come the springtime, it can create problems if you don’t lay up correctly.
Practical Motorhome2 min read
How To Deal With Damp
Your motorhome is a great place for making wonderful memories, but it is also a major investment, so keeping an eye out for signs of damp is a key part of maximising its life. Moist air in a ’van can be caused by a number of factors, such as condensa
Practical Motorhome4 min read
Staying Safe Over Winter
Any security is better than none, of course, but an experienced thief can remove a budget lock in seconds, so it pays to buy wisely. Follow our guide to the top 10 security measures for your motorhome, and you will be making life as difficult as poss
Practical Motorhome5 min read
Stay Warm On Tour This Winter
Motorcaravanning during the winter is a unique experience, and with a little preparation, a hugely positive one. For starters, it really helps if you have a motorhome or campervan with the best insulation possible. Those hardy folk who decide to head
Practical Motorhome1 min read
Blast From The Past!
A brilliant Bailey was the subject of this month’s cover, which also drew readers’ attention to an article on the best motorhomes to be seen in 2014 Want to buy a past issue of Practical Motorhome magazine? Simply call 0330 333 1113, visit www.magazi
Practical Motorhome1 min read
Practical Motorhome
Editor in chief Sarah Wakely sarah@practicalmotorhome.com Deputy Editor Paul Critcher Art Editors Simon Mortimer, Jenny Owen Production Editor Gillian Gould Reviews Editor Peter Baber Content Editor Pete Byrne Staff writer Jo Davies Jack Bancroft, Ni

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