Practical Caravan

SKILLS SCHOOL STORAGE 23 45 1 You can pack an enormous amount of kit and luggage into your vehicle, but it has to be done safely 2 Use a gauge to check the noseweight 3 External lockers are particularly useful for wet, sandy gear such as bodyboards 4 There could be a huge storage area underneath the bed 5 Think about how your pet will travel when choosing a tow car Balancing act Many island-bed layouts have a huge dinghies) can be securely stored in them Loading your caravan has to be done with storage space under the double bed at without being traipsed through the van. weight distribution very much in mind. the back of the caravan. You should load There are some simple rules to apply: bulky, but not heavy, items in here, as We like to use those blue Ikea bags for carrying our clothes when we head off in excessive weight in this position is likely the caravan. They are capacious, cheap, Heavier contents should be stored to cause a pendulum snaking effect. lightweight and strong, and last forever. on the floor of the caravan, to maintain Things such as duvets and sleeping bags We each take one and they will handily a low and stable centre of gravity. are ideal for being stored under the bed. squash into underseat storage spaces. This also negates the risk of weighty While it is not crucial, try to keep your Tow car choice items falling out of the overhead lockers load roughly even on each side of the and potentially causing damage. caravan, bearing in mind that there’ll be For families who are going to need lots of The heaviest items should be placed a heavy battery on one side. storage space, an estate car or MPV people close to, or right over, the axle in carrier is likely to be the best the middle of the tourer. By doing ‘For families who are going to need lots bet for towing the caravan, this, you should eliminate any of storage space, an estate car or MPV although today’s saloon cars see-sawing effect when towing. people carrier is likely to be the best and hatchback SUVs often have huge boots. But bear Caravans should be slightly in mind that if you overfill nose-heavy on the road, as this delivers the most stable and bet for towing your caravan’ the boot in a hatchback of controllable tow. Usually, the any type, you might not be weight of items in the front locker able to conceal the contents (gas bottles and so on) will deliver this. Underseat storage space is often very of your car from prying eyes. The noseweight is ideally 5-7% of your useful in tourers, but always pack your Pets caravan’s laden weight, and is measured most-used belongings where they are with a noseweight gauge. Otherwise, at a going to be easy to access. If you can’t travel with your pet on the push, you can use bathroom scales on External lockers are particularly useful back seat, you could lose valuable hatch the ground under the tow hitch, with space. You’ll need to plan for this when a piece of wood located in between. on beach holidays, because wet and you choose your tow car. sandy gear (bodyboards and deflated www.practicalcaravan.com | SUMMER SPECIAL 2022 | 101

PACKING 6 Roof boxes add to the amount your tow car can hold AND 7 Options for carrying bikes include roof-mounted racks STORAGE GUIDE 67 EXTRA STORAGE Roof boxes Another important point to remember Roof rails I’m a big roof box fan, because they free is that your roof box might make your tow up a lot of space inside the car, making car too tall to fit under car park barriers Roof rails are available for almost every longer journeys more comfortable. – especially if you drive a tall SUV. car on the market. They allow you to safely Roof boxes come in various shapes I keep a note of all of my caravan and carry a huge range of items; everything and sizes, in both hardshell and vehicle dimensions, taped to my driver’s from bicycles to boxes and even skis. waterproof fabric styles. side sun visor for quick reference. It’s vital that roof rails and any other I have a Thule Motion 800 roof box, accessories are securely fitted to the car, which has proved very handy on our Bike racks which is why I recommend choosing caravan breaks in France. Not only can we Bicycle carriers come in three main designs: custom-designed systems rather than store lots of stuff safely inside it while on tow car-roof mounted, rear window mounted universal or generic ones. the road, but it’s also great for securely and towball mounted (although of course, I had a rather scary incident with a pair storing our wet and sandy beachwear and the latter can’t be used when towing). of universal roof bars and a canoe, on a seaside accessories once at our destination, Roof mounted is in many ways the easiest trip to Northumberland a few years back – allowing us to keep the tow car as dry and to use, because the bicycles don’t get in the not something that I’d want to repeat! clean as possible. way if you need to access the vehicle’s boot These days I use Thule products, which in There is one drawback with hardshell or hatch. It can be a stretch to place and my opinion are brilliantly designed and roof boxes, however – what do you do with retrieve bikes from the roof, however. solidly made. They cost a little more than them on site (if you remove them)? More Some tourers have bike fixings fitted many other types, but they last for years and importantly, where do you store them at permanently on the back. However, experts have never let me down. I have talked to about this say these Thule and Halfords sell roof should be used with caution, because rails that are aerodynamically ‘I’m a big roof box fan, because they free having extra weight on the back of the designed to reduce wind noise up a lot of space inside the car, making van can lead to snaking. and minimise fuel journeys more comfortable. Roof boxes Internal storage consumption. Some have to be bolted to the car, while come in various shapes and sizes’ In addition to its external storage others have built-in fixing and options, HandiWorld also produces locking mechanisms. a couple of very good items for use Obviously the more sophisticated home? Mine is around six feet long and inside the tow car or caravan. I particularly systems will cost more, but you’re paying three feet wide, and because I don’t have like the Car Boot Organiser, a cleverly for ease of use and convenience. a garage, I keep it hanging on a rail on the designed folding polyester storage system HandiWorld has a smart alternative to side of the garden shed (it won’t fit inside). that’s as at home in underseat or underbed roof rails, the HandiRack. These easy-fit Big is good, but remember you have storage as it is in the boot of your car. inflatable straps simply fit around the roof to store it for most of the year. This is Likewise, the Car Back Seat Organiser of the car and are then inflated with the where a tough fabric bag such as the is super useful for long towing trips, when supplied double-action pump. HandiHoldall comes into its own, as you need to keep all of the children’s stuff They are ideal for transporting bags, they can be folded up and stowed when close at hand in the back of the car. PC canoes, surfboards and so on, and can you get home. be fitted or removed in a minute or two. HandiHoldalls are available in three Useful websites Strong and durable, they can carry up to sizes – 175, 330 and 400 litres – and are Halfords halfords.com 80kg loads, yet deflate and fold up into a made from a hardwearing 600D polyester, Thule thule.com small drawstring bag when not in use. with waterproof PVC backing. HandiWorld handiworld.com Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Caravan, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Individuals ! carrying out the instructions do so at their own risk and must exercise their independent judgement in determining the appropriateness of the advice to their circumstances. Individuals should take appropriate safety precautions and be aware of the risk of electrocution when dealing with electrical products. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Future nor its employees or agents shall have any liability in connection with the use of this information. You should check that any van warranty will not be affected before proceeding with DIY projects. 102 | SUMMER SPECIAL 2022 | www.practicalcaravan.com

SKILLS SCHOOL TOWING Braking: the rules Braking hard might cause a skid, but anti-lock braking systems have moved the boundaries, says Ian Shaw HISTORIANS DOCUMENTING In 1978, Bosch was the first firm to go into series production of ABS for realise the wheels have locked, the development of the passenger passenger cars. Almost 70% of all new vehicles are now fitted with it but all it does is ‘cadence’ brake. vehicle in the 20th century have myriad technologies to record. goes straight on as the front ABS know-how A high-pressure pump forces tyres basically become skis. the brakes rhythmically off, But what will stand out as the ABS will only work if while you keep forcing them greatest aid to motorists? The Taught to police drivers and you keep the brake pedal on, as you should – never lift electric starter motor, automatic racers alike, ‘cadence’ braking pressed down hard off until the danger is passed, transmission, perhaps even – where the pedal is pumped full steering is retained, and satellite navigation? My vote rhythmically on and off – will ABS doesn’t stop you anything, from a damaged wheel is none of these – it’s ABS. alleviate the problem, for two shorter; instead, it allows to a child’s life, has been saved. reasons. First, as the brakes are avoidance steering Anti-lock braking dates released, the wheels roll again, Modern systems pump the back to World War II, when allowing grip to steer. Pressing In deep, soft snow, brakes off several times per Dunlop first developed a system the pedal once more provides a locked wheel stops second, assessing the grip for RAF bombers, and this braking until the wheels lock you shorter than ABS available and regulating the mechanical cadence-braking and the process is repeated. braking force to individual unit was later adapted for use You could switch ABS wheels, while all the driver in the 1966 Jensen FF. Secondly, between locked off in 1980s vehicles, but has to do is press the pulsing and rolling is the optimum not any more pedal hard down. This was the first production braking effect. road car fitted with permanent ABS changes program in However, poor education four-wheel drive and anti-lock Now that’s fine at 15mph on off-road or winter driving around the time of ABS being brakes, all some 14 years before a skid pan, but at 60mph, when modes – always use them introduced saw some drivers the Audi Quattro! something blows off the top of lift off, thinking the system a skip lorry and bounces down Check your ABS warning took over automatically. However, it was not until the middle lane towards you, light comes on at start-up the late 1970s that electronics it’s a different story. The ABS is and then goes out after Later HBA (hydraulic brake allowed the term ‘ABS’ to enter already helping, before you even a couple of seconds assist) systems do increase the the motoring vocabulary. pedal force to full, but they still need driver input, too. Stopping distance First, let’s dispel a popular myth. ABS relies solely on rotational ABS is not designed to reduce speed sensors for each wheel. your stopping distance – although These tell it when one or more in 99% of cases it will do so. wheels are decelerating more It is actually designed to allow than the others while braking, you to steer your vehicle under compared against complex maximum braking. algorithms for deceleration. Every new driver’s first winter They also assess imbalance is accompanied by at least one between driven and undriven instance of braking hard and axles, or wheels on the same locking the front wheels, trying axle, and this is used for traction to steer and finding the vehicle and stability systems – more about them next month. ‘ABS is not designed to reduce your stopping distance – it is actually designed to allow you to steer your vehicle under maximum braking’ www.practicalcaravan.com | SUMMER SPECIAL 2022 | 103

Get all the power you need Even if you use a hook-up, you need a fair idea of how much power you require, to make sure you never run out. Here’s how 1 Doubling up your EVERY ITEM IN your caravan that battery capacity is lights up, heats, cools, pumps, moves or makes a noise relies on electricity the easiest and to function. Even the gas-powered cheapest way to devices require a spark before they ensure your van can spring into life. never runs out of power on tour, but Run out of power and you’re left you’ll need space with little more than a comfortable bed and lounge on wheels. You in your locker might be unable to flush the toilet. More importantly, the tonic for your gin will start to warm up! 1 toasters and especially microwaves The best way is to think of on inverters) or cools (air-con Most people underestimate the it as a large bathtub of water. unit). This is like pulling out amount of power devices use and The water is the fixed energy the bath plug. You can set up when you’re looking for additional stored in your leisure battery. all the solar panels you like, but charging sources, information on When you plug into the mains, it’s they will never keep pace with the internet is of variable quality. like topping up the bath with a the gurgling vortex of water that watering can. A solar panel is more is a microwave on an inverter! And when it comes to product like chucking in a mug of water reviews, especially on YouTube, every few minutes at intervals Electricity behaves very much you need to be a little careful. (or a thimbleful in winter). like water, in that it always wants Many are either paid for by the More solar panels means more to flow to the ground. So 12V manufacturer, or are a review mugs (or thimbles!). always tries to find its way to earth in exchange for free goods. Your tow car’s alternator should and we can exploit this by sending of course also charge your leisure it through various electrical items, With so many first-timers now battery while you’re on the road, such as heaters and motors, while joining the caravan market, there but this can be a slow process. it heads on its way. are plenty of questions about Now let’s look at the items power demand. But no matter that will drain water out of your The voltage is the ‘speed of the what your experience level – and tub. LED lights and phone chargers water’ in the electric system, while even if you always use electric will take eggcup-sized chunks the current is the ‘width of the hook-up – it’s a good idea to focus out of the bath water. Running pipes’ at a set point in the system. on working out how much your a TV is more like scooping out van needs and get an idea of which a mug of water. High current is like a stream of devices are heavy consumers. So which big drains do you electrons down a drainpipe, while need to be aware of? That would low current is like sipping water So how do you know which be anything that heats (for through a straw. It would take days products to buy, and how do you example, hairdryers, kettles, to sip a whole bathtub dry (for work out the power you need? example, with LED lights), while a drainpipe-sized hole (aka an A sense of scale Before we get into the maths, it helps to understand how a caravan’s electrical system works, to get an idea of the scale of capacity versus consumption. *Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Caravan, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. ! Individuals carrying out the instructions do so at their own risk and must exercise their independent judgement in determining the appropriateness of the advice to their circumstances. Individuals should take appropriate safety precautions and be aware of the risk of electrocution when dealing with electrical products. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Future nor its employees or agents shall have any liability in connection with the use of this information. Check that any van warranty will not be affected before proceeding with DIY projects. 104 | SUMMER SPECIAL 2022 | www.practicalcaravan.com

SKILLS SCHOOL POWER SUPPLIES inverter and microwave) would The level of discharge is not running. Some of the newest 2 High-quality empty the tub in minutes. directly proportional to the current professional models can take batteries can Clearly, you will need to balance drain (this is according as much as 300W! be sourced with the water you add to the bathtub to Peukert’s Law, which contains So catching up on your emails certainty via the with the amount you take out. a great deal more maths!), so in the lounge, while the kids NCC’s Approved Which brings us neatly out of the larger currents will produce a stream a film in the back on the Battery scheme bathroom and back into the real far higher drain than you think. bed, can put a serious dent in 3 Investing in world. It’s maths time… For example, you’d expect a your battery capacity. And as a multimeter is 15A drain to last 100Ah/15A = 6.66 modern laptops need a mains worthwhile if you hours, but in reality it will be less charger, they also need an inverter want to test your Power into your caravan battery longevity. Here, the 13.72V The first thing to do with any than five hours because of this (pure sine wave to avoid upsetting reading means the caravan is some fact-gathering. non-linear drain of the current. the electronics), which adds mains charger is on What power is your van’s charger Battery temperature also plays to the problem. offering (in amps, A) and what a part, which is why some makers All consumption in your vehicle 4 This is the problem capacity (in amp hours, Ah) is place their battery points in the same is subject to the following formula: with solar power in your leisure battery? locker, or near the heating system. Power (watts, W) = Current winter – this 100W We’ll ignore the solar panel The colder the batteries, the less (amps, A) x Voltage (volts, V). panel is recording for this calculation because capacity they have. This is also So a laptop drawing 4A will just 0.15W, barely they don’t work at night and why your batteries can fail to start consume 4A x 12V = 48W per hour. enough to charge they will give variable output in your phone, let alone daylight. It’s best to view them the leisure battery as a handy extra trickle charger for the summer, rather than something to rely on all year. The same goes for wind turbines – it’s not always windy. This is why the UK National Grid uses a mix of energy sources: renewables are great, but you always need the back-up of coal, gas or nuclear to ensure power 2 3 remains constant and your fridge the car in winter. Those people Equally, a 3000W kettle will draw stays cold. Your caravan is like a miniature National running an electric car through a 3000W/230V = 13A. But that’s at Grid on wheels – there are many British winter know all too well mains voltage; use an inverter times when you can only rely on how much the cold reduces the (which converts DC to AC) and it battery and mains power. vehicle’s range! will draw 3000W/12V = 250A. You’d Battery capacity is need a massive inverter expressed in Ah. So a and your leisure battery 100Ah battery can supply ‘All devices have a power rating; add would only last 100A for one hour, 50A minutes! Not wise. for two hours, or 1A for up the rating for each item, and you’ll All of your devices 100 hours. However, get the total power you consume’ have a power rating, because draining your and if you add up the battery fully (lead acid, rating for each, you’ll AGM or gel type) damages it, get the total power you consume. Power out of your caravan most manufacturers suggest Once you know the total amount However, because you don’t run that you don’t drain it beyond of power that you have going into water pumps non-stop and the 50% of its capacity. This is your caravan, it’s a fairly easy task fridge and LEDs are not always on, referred to as the depth of to work out the drains on it. you need to work out a few averages discharge (DoD). Every single electrical item for these. Perhaps using the water Lithium iron phosphate will have a power rating in pump for an hour a day and the (LiFePO4) batteries are said watts (W) stamped on its lights for five hours. to offer much deeper levels of underside or given somewhere Fridge manufacturers state the discharge, with many makers in its operating manual (if you’ve average consumption for their suggesting they can go to 80% DoD lost this, check online). without damage. However, for our Most people underestimate calculations, we’ll stick to 50%. how much power they use and are So a 100Ah battery has only surprised when the battery goes 50Ah actual usable capacity. flat. But that doesn’t have to But it’s not quite that simple happen, if you know roughly how and the real-world capacity is much power is going in and out. lower. For starters, most battery Some electrical items consume capacity is quoted using the far more power than you might 20-hour rating and a 5A drain, expect. A modern laptop with to give a capacity rating a high-power processor can of 20 x 5 = 100Ah. use as much as 150W when it’s 4 www.practicalcaravan.com | SUMMER SPECIAL 2022 | 105

fridges in the owner’s manual, and devices are – their performance and for most of the equipment will decrease with age. fitted in your caravan, such as The easiest way to test how long the heating, lighting and water your leisure battery will last off an pump, you should be able to electric hook-up is to test it. So find this number in the before you go anywhere in a newly manual or online. acquired van, it makes good sense In addition, for any 230V to test the electrical system. mains-powered device that you You’ll need a multimeter have added to your van, you can 6 (about a tenner or so online), set easily work out how much it If you’re a fan of spreadsheets, to read volts on the 20V scale. consumes, using a power meter. Fully charge your leisure battery, These plug into a three-pin you’ll relish writing all that down then measure its start voltage. It socket, then you plug your device and calculating a figure, but there must be at least 12.9V before you into them for an instant read-out are lots of handy guides online begin. Now switch on all the items of the consumption. They cost to help you do this, or you could you’d typically use in a day. So if around £20 online and will give simply stress test your system you’d use LED lights for five hours you an accurate figure for what – more about that later. in the evening, time them to be on your item is consuming, never Other than using a MIG welder for that amount of time per day. plugged into an inverter, the If available, use the TV for a few highest current-drain item you hours. Charge your phone. Use the can put in a caravan is our old water pump. Perhaps use the friend the microwave. These work heater for a few hours. With all well on a mains hook-up, but are of your normal kit in use and the a daft thing to use on an inverter. lights on for a set period per day, Not only do you have a step-up see how long it takes for the transformer and a magnetron leisure battery to drain down to (often running at about 3000V!), 12.4V (lead-acid) or 12V (lithium). but there’s also the motor for the Do not discharge the battery 5 turntable, the fan, an internal light beyond these points or you’ll risk and a powered display panel. damaging it. As soon as you’re at This is why an 800W-rated these voltages, plug it back into a 5 Your control panel mind what its label or the owner’s microwave typically consumes mains hook-up to fully recharge. might provide manual might indicate. I was surprised to find that our 1500W on full power, with the This test gives you a reasonable enough information start-up spike current often idea about how long your battery for you to stress test modern laptop consumed 75W at idle – editing a video or streaming exceeding 3000W. That’s a current bank will last, but it is subject to your caravan, but a a film would see it using far more. of 250A. Remember our bathtub a bit of variation – on colder multimeter is better Equally, I expected our days, for example, you’ll coffee machine only tend to run the heating 6 Anything that to consume power ‘If you’re a fan of spreadsheets, you’ll for a little longer. plugs into an inverter at start-up while it Nevertheless, a heated the element, but relish writing all that down and stress test will give you will consume more it actually used 1300W calculating your power consumption’ a rough idea of how power than if it is for the whole of the long your battery will time it was on. In last off hook-up. plugged directly into future, I’ll switch it off full of electrical water? Well, 250A Ideally, you want to aim for at the 12V circuit, owing is like pulling the plugs on two least three days of independence, to conversion losses. as soon as it has made coffee. Tot up all these items in W or A drains and running a jetwash! just to cover you if you are delayed If you can run your device on 12V, it’s always best to do so and you will get your total power waiting for a ferry, or you decide to requirement. For example, if you head off for a last-minute weekend Stress test your caravan run a 20W LED light for five Although a calculated value will away, staying off-grid. give you an idea of how long the hours, you’ll need 20 x 5 = 100W battery will last, it won’t allow for But I always use a hook-up! of power. And this will remove 100/12= 8.33A from the leisure electrical losses, so the real-world “Ah,” you’re thinking, “none of this battery every five hours. value will always be a bit out. This affects me because I always use a If you also operate a 1500W is because no electrical system is mains hook-up onsite.” Well, yes 100% efficient. and no. Even plugged into a mains coffee machine for five minutes Converting electricity from 230V hook-up, a caravan’s battery might a day, that removes 1500W/12 = 125A per hour. Divide this by 60 AC mains voltage to 12V DC voltage be unable to recharge fast enough minutes and you consume just involves a power loss (some energy to keep up with the drain. over 2A per minute, so your wasted as heat in the transformer), This could happen if you use while no motor, pump, light or heavy-drain items that take power five-minute run time takes heater is 100% efficient. Things such from the battery (that pesky 5 x 2A = 10A out of your leisure battery (quite a bit as inverters are typically only about inverter and microwave again!). more owing to Peukert’s Law, 80-90% efficient, while cable lengths Even if you don’t have one also increase the losses. The other single power-hungry device but this gives you a rough factor is how old your components hooked into the 12V supply, idea of the scale). 106 | SUMMER SPECIAL 2022 | www.practicalcaravan.com

SKILLS SCHOOL POWER SUPPLIES they’re also far lighter, which can All-in-one powerbanks 7 Kitchen be a real benefit if your payload There are some YouTubers that appliances can be is marginal or you have limited really love all-in-one inverter among the most room in your battery locker. systems, and you’ll find that power hungry in there are lots of glowing reviews your caravan At present, lithium batteries are for these products online quite pricey – branded units will (sometimes, although not 8 As shown on the cost you around £800 – but they always of course, because label, this Truma are definitely the future and the they’ve been supplied for free!). Combi 6 uses prices should decrease as they 9-67W (the latter are more widely adopted. However, while these can be when set to the useful devices if you want to work highest fan speed Not all charging systems support remotely from your caravan or and warming up) lithium batteries, so check if your you need to have extra power 7 system is suitable before you buy. some distance away from your outfit, they’re an expensive multiple systems could cause a Then there’s solar panels. way to buy a small battery massive drain – for example, if These are a costly way to add and a modest inverter in a your family all have separate a trickle charger, although they sleek-looking box. Price up an devices in use simultaneously, seem cheap per panel. A 150W inverter, a basic mains charger, such as their laptops, as well solar panel costs around £150, as the lighting, TVs and more. plus the cost of wiring and 8 regulator, while a 150W mains Generally, this situation is less battery charger costs as little as a small battery and 12V and USB 9 LiFePO4 batteries likely to happen if you have a £20 online. But solar panels are sockets online, and you’ll soon are lighter than larger battery, but it can crop well worth having in summer and see that you’re paying an awful lot conventional leisure up with a small leisure battery can be very helpful if you regularly for that sleek housing. batteries, offer more (80Ah or smaller). visit European campsites. usable capacity and Although they might look the are the best option Some older charging systems Fit as many as your roof part, they usually don’t offer if your budget can are very basic and don’t always space/payload allows, to take a huge amount in the way of stretch to them recharge the batteries in the into account their variable output. real-world capacity for your best way for their longevity. Just bear in mind that they only heavy-drain items. And those Equally, older leisure batteries work at full capacity over the that do are ones you generally become less efficient with the summer, and the angle of the wouldn’t want to lug very far! PC passage of time. winter sun in the UK can reduce their output by as much as 90% 9 Even if you do get a hook-up, per hour. Throw in shorter daylight they’re not always that powerful. hours and you can see why they’re I’ve stayed on French campsites not the best solution for extra that only offered 6A hook-ups, power in winter. barely enough to keep the battery topped up. Using an What if you need more power electric kettle would have tripped than your solar panels can provide the campsite’s RCD and killed and there are no hook-ups available power to my van. where you want to stay? I need more power! Well, you could run the car to So you’ve calculated your power charge the leisure battery (not needs and/or stress tested your ideal), or use a generator. These caravan, and you find that you are rather controversial and many will need more. sites don’t allow them because they are noisy, but at other venues The best way to obtain more (festivals, motorsport events and power – if you have space and so on), they are the most practical enough payload – is to add a way of getting consistent high second leisure battery (ideally power to your battery. an identical one of the same age, brand and capacity). If your van The best generators to go lasts for two days without a hook- for are the suitcase-style models, up, doubling your battery bank because these are pretty quiet in should make it last for four days. operation – although they are still not silent. Alternatively, you could opt for a LiFePO4 battery, as these can No generators offer an earth be discharged to a deeper level point unless you add a ground without damage (in effect, giving spike to them, and they might them a higher usable capacity) and not always work that well with mains RCDs, so it’s important to make sure that any electrical item plugged into them is in good working order and is always fully unplugged from the generator’s electrical system (not just switched off ) when not in use. www.practicalcaravan.com | SUMMER SPECIAL 2022 | 107

WEEKEND WORKSHOP How to make a versatile drinks stand Weary of wobbly wine glasses? Sam Coles has a simple solution! HOW MANY TIMES have you and glasses, so you will need to ‘Follow the steps Tool list been relaxing on an idyllic site, measure up your own glassware outlined in this looking out to sea as the sun and crockery before you make article and you Jigsaw with a fine-tooth blade sets and sampling a cheeky red, your version of the stand. will have a safe 17mm spanner for M10 nuts contemplating the meaning of repository for 5.5mm spanner for M3 nuts life – only to find that putting For a neat and durable finish, your wine and Pair of compasses down your glass proves a tad I painted the plywood elements beer glasses, Drill set hazardous, because of the of my drinks stand in a cheery and tea mugs’ Drill brace (or electric) unevenness of the terrain? blue exterior gloss paint. If you Sandpaper (medium grade prefer, exterior varnish would be for smoothing cut edges) Now there’s a simple way to equally suitable. I also covered solve the problem of unstable the upper surfaces with sticky Parts list tables! Follow the steps outlined back plastic, which I think adds in this article and you will have a a pleasing finishing touch. PC 1 x M10 stainless threaded safe repository for wine and beer rod 500mm long glasses, and tea mugs, along with provision for holding a variety 3 x M10 stainless full nuts of savoury nibbles, or a plate 4 x M10 stainless mudguard of your favourite biscuits. washers 30mm diameter 8 x M3 x 25 stainless screws Safe platforms 24 x M3 stainless nuts The design of this stand centres 32 x M3 stainless washers on a stainless-steel threaded rod, 1 x M10 brass blind hole which supports two bespoke hand-grip nut platforms, one above the other. 9mm plywood 6mm plywood The upper level is designed to accommodate wine/beer/spirit NOTE For this project, I chose glasses and the lower one, to use stainless-steel elements nibbles and biscuits. throughout, as the drinks stand will be placed outdoors, with a The central rod has a sharp high probability of getting wet. point at one end, which enables it to be pushed into the ground Zinc-plated mild steel can be to a depth consistent with being substituted, which will halve the stable. By default, unevenness cost of the stand, although the of terrain, and inclines, will have risk of rusting does mean that no effect on its deployment. it might not last as long. The whole thing is also easily I have a grindstone, so I was dismantled in minutes and able to put a point on the central ideally suited for stowing in supporting rod. Without a stone, any nook or cranny for travel. it would be fruitless to try to file the end on A2-grade stainless Anybody with rudimentary steel. However, in that case, it woodworking skills should should be easy enough to push have no problem with the the blunt end into the ground. construction. The dimensions chosen are for my own mugs Attractive and functional stand in wine and nibbles mode! Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Caravan, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Individuals ! carrying out the instructions do so at their own risk and must exercise their independent judgement in determining the appropriateness of the advice to their circumstances. Individuals should take appropriate safety precautions and be aware of the risk of electrocution when dealing with electrical products. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Future nor its employees or agents shall have any liability in connection with the use of this information. You should check that any van warranty will not be affected before proceeding with DIY projects. 108 | SUMMER SPECIAL 2022 | www.practicalcaravan.com

SKILLS SCHOOL DIY DRINKS STAND STEP BY STEP... 1 23 15cm Use a pencil and a piece of string to draw The next stage is to cut out the two Offer up the tea mugs that are going to two 15cm-radius circles on 9mm plywood 15cm-radius discs, using a jigsaw be used as templates and mark centres 4 5 6 Glass centre Mug centre On the adjacent quadrant, offer up the Clearly marked centres for Now use a pair of compasses glasses to be used and mark centres both the glasses and the mugs to mark up the cutting areas 7 8 9 Mug base 10mm radius + 10mm Mug base Radius to suit hole radius + 10mm size of glass Mug 8x base 20mm 3mm radius Mug base radius holes Next, cut out two discs from the Cutting dimensions marked up Upper tray after apertures have 6mm plywood and mark as shown for the upper plywood disc been cut. Drill holes as shown 12 10 11 75mm 10mm holes Drill two holes in the second 6mm plywood discs (now painted) mounted To use in tea and biscuits mode, mount 9mm plywood disc as shown below the mug apertures using M3 screws the lower tray through the second hole www.practicalcaravan.com | SUMMER SPECIAL 2022 | 109

BuyerQQ’s guidmtFhoe2eda0let2aul2tsre!einstg...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................NEW-CARAVAN PRICES, ESSENTIAL BUYING INFORMATION & MORE mtohPodelreetmdalvresadaieaevnewlecutelahrfloiaienlbrcscgetbkwuftuorioyterher WILL YOU NEED TO CHANGE YOUR CAR? First and foremost – and especially if you are new to towing a caravan – you should follow the 85% guideline. This states that when fully laden, the caravan should not weigh more than 85% of the tow car’s kerbweight – so you’ll need to find out the latter figure before you can start to consider which caravan you might want to buy. If you find a caravan that complies with the 85% guideline with your existing vehicle, then all you will need to do is have a towbar fitted (if it doesn’t have one already). That way, you save yourself all the hassle and expense of having to buy a bigger car and in particular of ending up with a car that, when you are not towing, you might think is too big for you. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO USE THE VAN FOR? This is much more than just a question of deciding how many people are going to be sleeping in it, and going from there. For example, it might surprise you to know that some caravanners don’t view going somewhere in their caravan as going on a holiday at all: they just use it to get away to a local destination, for perhaps one or two nights at a time, or as a convenient base for pursuing their outdoor hobbies, such as hillwalking or fishing. Choose your favourite layout – the letters above each are referenced in our guide FIXED BEDS AB CDE F GH AA BB CC DD EE FF GG HH AB AC AD AE AF AG AH AI KEY Washroom Bunk bed OPTIONS Seats/beds Fixed bed Table/cupboard (I) (U) Kitchen L-SHAPED U-SHAPED OPTION OPTION 110 | SUMMER SPECIAL 2022 | www.practicalcaravan.com

If that’s you, then you might only need a very basic SKILLS SCHOOL BUYER’S GUIDE ....................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................... caravan, with minimal washing and cooking facilities, and possibly not even a fixed bed. WILL YOU BE DOING MUCH COOKING? As a rule, caravan kitchens are likely to be larger However, if you’re planning to use your caravan for what most people would probably think you use it for Q than those you find in a motorhome, and they are – as a comfortable domestic-style basecamp for a family holiday – then you possibly do need a larger tourer, and certainly better suited to accommodate families. But perhaps one with a fixed bed. dealers still tell us that they sometimes take a caravan WHERE WILL YOU BE TRAVELLING? in part-exchange and find the oven has never been used and its fittings are still in their original packaging. Q For some, this might seem to be a relatively minor point, but if you think you are likely to be using That said, you will definitely need at least one mains your caravan abroad most of the time, it might make socket, for the kettle and/or the toaster in the morning. sense to go for a Continental model that still has the DO YOU REALLY NEED TO HAVE A door on the Continental side. VAN WITH A FANCY WASHROOM? The advantage of this is that you will be able to match Even if you don’t use the washroom very often, it more easily with infrastructure on European caravan parks, and it is much easier to get into the van if you Q can still serve as a useful place to hang wet coats to need to when you stop on the road. HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SLEEP? dry, or leave your awning if it hasn’t dried by the time you need to head home (if weight/loading restrictions allow). Q One popular layout, particularly for seasonal WHAT ABOUT THE AWNING? tourers, is an island bed in the rear (usually with the washroom behind it), with the kitchen in the middle Awnings can make all the difference to a caravan before you get to the front lounge. Q holiday, providing you with double the amount Such a floorplan is appealing because a couple can use it for touring mostly by themselves, yet still have of space or more to move about in. enough space to bring along guests (or grandchildren) They also offer you a bigger area for mealtimes, so for short periods of time. you can take your foldaway table outside and leave the This layout could be less successful, however, if you caravan’s front lounge seating up as a bed or an area for are likely to be touring extensively as a family. Parents watching TV. The awning also offers (relatively secure) probably still want a double bed of their own, but older storage for bikes and barbecues. children and teenagers might not like just having the DO YOU NEED ANY EXTRAS? front lounge to call their own. A motor mover can be a godsend to help shift your Q caravan onto the pitch if you might struggle by just using brute force, or your own reversing skills. A self-levelling system removes a great deal of hassle when trying to level your van, and means you don’t have to use up valuable storage space with levelling blocks. NON-FIXED BEDS L NP Q LL JK R JJ KK BUNK BEDS U VX Y TT UU VV XX ST Z SS YY ZZ www.practicalcaravan.com | SUMMER SPECIAL 2022 | 111

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UYER’S GUIDENew to caravanning? These tourers are perfect for you TA Twin-axle Practical Caravan top pick ......................................................................... ..... ..... Price Berths Layout HoonwatsyhaoeusmepianorstdooeebnnlaadybloOtltyouoUruubirRssuekeyrT.,yglIOooefuiaPynvrogiBcnufaUgoarraYritevsIamoNpnmloGaosenbttTnlhvyiIiinoPnogugnStsbsolyiitguehgs,aeeysroy.auonuciramnvpanact......................................................................... MiRO Payload MTPLM Internal length Shipping length Exterior width Height Awning kg kg kg m m mm cm ... ... Bailey www.baileyofbristol.co.uk Tel 0117 966 5967 Delivery charge £565 . . Discovery Still just three models for 2022, Bailey’s stripped-down budget range can have a unique L-shaped awning that’s the same price whichever model you go . . D4-2 for. .. .. D4-3 £18,999 2 K 884 111 995 3.87 5.62 2.23 2.61 1004 . . D4-4 £19,899 3 KK 946 136 1082 4.35 6.11 2.23 2.61 1056 .... .... Phoenix+ Phoenix stays as Phoenix+ for another season, with a wider choice of models than Discovery and perhaps a more conventional look.£20,4994AA105914712065.47.14 2.23 2.61 1156 . . Phoenix+ 420 .. .. Phoenix+ 440 £20,899 2 K 1029 117 1146 4.02 5.56 2.21 2.62 857 . . Phoenix+ 640 995 £22,499 4 AA 1197 150 1347 5.35 6.88 2.21 2.62 1035 5.84 7.37 2.21 2.62 1035 . . Phoenix+ 642 £22,999 4 AI 1257 155 1411 1035 1035 .. .. Phoenix+ 644 £22,999 4 G 1255 155 1410 5.84 7.37 2.21 2.62 . . Phoenix+ 650 £22,999 4 B 1240 155 1395 5.84 7.37 2.21 2.62 ... ... Swift www.swiftgroup.co.uk Tel 01482 847 332 Delivery charge Set by dealer 1409 5.84 .. .. Sprite Compact Sprite has been extended for 2022, with the launch of the Sprite Compact, a caravan that is only just over 2m wide, but doesn’t have a sunroof. £22,999 5 ZZ 1244 165 7.37 2.21 2.62 . . Sprite Compact ... ... Sprite The popular mainstream Sprite range stays with seven models for 2022, but all seven models are now over £20,000.£19,495 2 J 980 114 1094 3.66 5.37 2.03 2.59 795 . . Alpine 2 .. .. Alpine 4 £20,995 2 K 1097 121 1218 4.34 6.05 2.25 2.59 859 2.25 2.59 899 . . Major 4 SB £21,195 4 GG 1139 145 1284 4.74 6.45 2.25 2.59 1008 2.25 2.59 1008 .. .. Major 4 EB £23,595 4 B 1286 156 1442 5.83 7.54 2.25 2.59 1008 2.25 2.59 1052 .. .. Major 6 TD £23,595 4 AI 1320 156 1476 5.83 7.54 2.25 2.59 1052 . . Quattro EW TA . . Quattro FB TA £23,595 6 S 1352 176 1528 5.83 7.54 180 1610 6.27 7.98 £25,395 6 AA 1430 180 1630 6.27 7.98 .... .... Sprite Super Sprite Supers are designed to offer Sprite value in eight feet of width - for any size of family, and as single or twin axles.£25,3956F1450 . . Major 4 SB £24,995 4 B 1385 156 1541 5.83 7.54 2.46 2.59 1012 . . Quattro FB TA 6.27 7.98 2.46 2.59 1056 .. .. Quattro DB TA £27,995 6 F 1524 180 1704 2.59 1056 £27,995 6 Y 1520 180 1700 6.27 7.98 2.46 ... ... Xplore www.elddis.co.uk/xplore Tel 01207 699 000 Delivery charge £645 . . Xplore The new 585 model, with an L-shaped kids’ lounge in the back that includes a single fold-out bunk, replaces the 586 from last season. .. .. Xplore 304 . . Xplore 422 £15,799 4 R 886 157 1043 3.8 5.54 2.18 2.65 820 4.2 5.88 2.18 2.65 860 . . Xplore 554 £16,899 2 J 959 140 1099 1015 ........................................................ ........................................................ Xplore 585 1015 £18,999 4 B 1149 176 1325 5.75 7.38 2.18 2.65 £19,599 5 KK 1225 175 1400 5.78 7.36 2.18 2.65 112 | SUMMER SPECIAL 2022 | www.practicalcaravan.com

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Mid-marketMore competition here means more choice for you TA Twin-axle PracticalCaravan toppick ................... ................... ................... ................................. ................................. ................................. Price Berths Layout MiRO Payload MTPLM Internal length Shipping length Exterior width Height kg kg kg m m mm Adria www.adria.co.uk Tel 01787 888 980 Delivery charge Included Altea With its focus elsewhere for the 2022 season, Adria’s cheapest range stays as four models, although they are now all over £20,000. 492DK Aire £22,845 2 K 1254 166 1420 4.88 6.96 2.3 2.58 612DL Tyne £24,215 4 G 1489 161 1650 6.14 8.25 2.3 2.58 622DK Avon £24,535 6 SS 1469 181 1650 6.19 8.29 2.3 2.58 622 DP Dart £24,325 4 AI 1454 196 1650 6.19 8.29 2.3 2.58 Bailey www.baileyofbristol.co.uk Tel 0117 966 5967 Delivery charge £565 Pegasus Grande SE The Ancona, a single axle five-berth, is the only addition to Bailey’s unusual sub-£30,000 eight-foot-wide range this season. Rimini £26,899 4 G 1401 155 1556 5.9 7.38 2.45 2.61 Brindisi £26,899 4 B 1384 155 1539 5.9 7.38 2.45 2.61 Ancona £27,999 5 KK 1435 165 1600 5.9 7.38 2.45 2.61 Bologna TA £29,499 4 B 1496 150 1656 6.33 7.86 2.45 2.61 Messina TA 160 1698 6.33 7.86 2.45 2.61 £29,499 4 AI 1538 180 1724 6.33 7.86 2.45 2.61 Turin TA £29,499 6 F 1544 Palermo TA £29,499 6 Y 1535 180 1715 6.33 7.86 2.45 2.61 Coachman www.coachman.co.uk Tel 01482 839 737 Delivery charge £595 Acadia No new models in the Acadia range this season, but a lot of renaming as the old eight-foot-wide Xcel models are rechristened Xtra. 460 £26,280 2 K 1236 124 1360 4.63 6.26 2.26 2.65 520 £28,010 3 R 1314 141 1455 5.3 6.93 2.26 2.65 545 £28,450 4 AI 1430 155 1585 5.76 7.39 2.26 2.65 565 £28,450 4 G 1420 155 1575 5.71 7.34 2.26 2.65 575 £28,450 4 B 1400 155 1555 5.76 7.39 2.26 2.65 630 Xtra TA £32,980 5 Z 1615 170 1785 6.27 7.9 2.44 2.65 660 Xtra TA 1785 6.27 675 Xtra TA £32,980 5 F 1615 170 1800 6.27 7.9 2.44 2.65 £32,980 4 B 1640 160 7.9 2.44 2.65 Compass www.elddis.co.uk/compass Tel 01207 699 000 Delivery charge £645 Casita Last year’s six-berth 586 model has been discarded for 2022, in favour of the new five-berth 585 with an L-shaped kids’ lounge at the back. 454 £21,699 2 H 1182 128 1310 5.18 6.9 2.26 2.65 550 £22,599 4 AI 1259 153 1412 5.78 7.4 2.26 2.65 554 £22,599 4 B 1260 153 1413 5.75 7.37 2.26 2.65 585 £22,999 5 KK 1322 163 1485 5.78 7.45 2.26 2.65 840 TA £26,499 6 F 1545 179 1724 6.39 8.05 2.45 2.64 860 TA £26,499 6 AG 1526 159 1685 6.39 8.05 2.45 2.64 868 TA £26,499 6 N/A 1545 179 1724 6.39 8.05 2.45 2.64 Capiro Compass’s middle range stays largely unchanged this season. 520 £24,399 2 K 1219 126 1345 4.98 6.68 2.26 2.65 1463 5.78 7.4 2.26 2.65 550 £25,599 4 AI 1310 153 1470 5.75 7.37 2.26 2.65 1467 5.6 7.2 2.26 2.65 554 £25,599 4 B 1317 153 574 £25,599 4 AH 1316 151 Elddis www.elddis.co.uk Tel 01207 699 000 Delivery charge £645 Avanté As with the Compass Casita range, last season’s 586 six-berth has gone. In its place comes the new five-berth 585. 454 £21,699 2 H 1182 128 1310 5.18 6.9 2.26 2.65 2.65 550 £22,599 4 AI 1259 153 1412 5.78 7.4 2.26 2.65 2.65 554 £22,599 4 B 1260 153 1413 5.75 7.37 2.26 2.64 2.64 585 £22,999 5 KK 1322 163 1485 5.78 7.45 2.26 2.64 840 TA £26,499 6 F 1545 179 1724 6.39 8.05 2.45 860 TA £26,499 6 AG 1526 159 1685 6.39 8.05 2.45 868 TA £26,499 6 N/A 1545 179 1724 6.39 8.05 2.45 Affinity The dark wood furniture continues, but otherwise Elddis’s mid-market range is unchanged. 520 £24,399 2 K 1219 126 1345 4.98 6.68 2.26 2.65 7.4 2.26 2.65 550 £25,599 4 AI 1310 153 1463 5.78 7.37 2.26 2.65 7.2 2.26 2.65 554 £25,599 4 B 1317 153 1470 5.75 £25,599 AH 151 1467 5.6 ofwaellGtoBworiinintggisstfhyooordrauaagryec.fOaaBsmrpuUaativRclaydenoTttowoOrehipPmtauhvBetoemUaueltblYxftetIihrxrNaaettGdhinbabdTeteodyIdodPosriuSnisswgpaaailgcwleonaooeydendwamatyyopriecal57441316 www.practicalcaravan.com | SUMMER SPECIAL 2022 | 113

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UYER’S GUIDE Price Berths Layout MiRO Payload MTPLM Internal length Shipping length Exterior width Height Awning ......................................................................... kg kg kg m mm m cm ......................................................................... .... .... Swift www.swiftgroup.co.uk Tel 01482 847 332 Delivery charge Set by dealer . . Challenger There are still five conventional-width Challenger models in the 2022 Swift line-up. Spotlights with USBs. a solar panel and a radio are all now standard. .. .. 480 .. .. 530 £26,295 2 K 1267 127 1394 4.95 6.66 2.23 2.61 932 . . 560 £27,995 4 R 1330 151 1481 5.29 7 2.23 2.61 966 .. .. 580 £29,495 4 AI 1394 156 1550 5.83 7.54 2.23 2.61 1020 . . 650 TA £29,495 4 B 1367 156 1523 5.83 7.54 2.23 2.61 1020 160 1709 6.27 7.98 2.23 2.61 1052 ... ... Challenger X A new island-bed single-axle model, the 860, brings the number of options to four in the eight-foot-wide Challenger range. £30,995 4 AI 1549 . . 860 .. .. 880 £31,695 4 AI 1504 156 1660 5.83 7.54 2.45 2.61 1020 .. .. 835 TA 1020 £31,695 4 B 1460 156 1616 5.83 7.54 2.45 2.61 1052 160 1781 6.27 7.98 2.45 2.59 1052 . . 850 TA £33,795 4 AG 1621 ................. ................. Tourers for the discerning buyer TA Twin-axle Practical Caravan top pick£33,7954AI163916017996.277.982.452.59 .... .... Price Berths Layout MiRO Payload MTPLM Internal length Shipping length Exterior width Height Awning kg kg kg m m m m cm .... .... Adria www.adria.co.uk Tel 01787 888 980 Delivery charge Included .. .. Adora Thoroughly updated with the addition of the Tiber last season, Adria’s middle range continues as four models this season. . . 623 DT Isonzo . . 612 DL Seine £29,705 4 B 1716 184 1900 6.24 8.28 2.45 2.61 1072 2.61 1072 .. .. 623 DP Tiber £29,495 4 G 1587 163 1750 6.14 8.19 2.3 2.61 1077 2.61 1077 . . 623 DT Sava TA £30,125 4 AI 1610 190 1800 6.19 8.24 2.46 .... .... Bailey www.baileyofbristol.co.uk Tel 0117 966 5967 Delivery charge £565 . . Unicorn Fifth-generation Unicorns have an even bigger central front window and higher payloads. The seven models in the range are still all standard width. £31,180 6 ZZ 1676 224 1900 6.19 8.24 2.46 . . Seville .. .. Madrid £28,199 2 K 1289 113 1415 5.21 6.47 2.27 2.67 944 . . Vigo £29,199 4 R 1348 152 1500 5.67 6.88 2.27 2.67 1003 .. .. Cadiz £29,199 4 B 1430 155 1600 6.07 7.34 2.27 2.67 1023 . . Cabrera £29,199 4 G 1423 177 1600 6.07 7.34 2.27 2.67 1023 . . Cartagena TA .. .. Pamplona TA £29,199 4 AI 1439 161 1600 6.07 7.34 2.27 2.67 1023 £32,299 4 1725 6.38 7.82 2.27 2.67 1076 £32,299 4 B 1566 159 1755 6.38 7.82 2.27 2.67 1076 ... ... Coachman www.coachman.co.uk Tel 01482 839 737 Delivery charge £595 160 . . VIP An eight-foot-wide model enters the VIP range again as the 540 Xtra. With an L-shaped lounge and dressing table, it replaces the standard-width 545. AI 1596 .. .. 460 £30,640 2 K 1319 125 1444 4.75 6.38 2.31 2.65 913 . . 520 £32,570 3 R 1402 142 1544 5.42 7.05 2.31 2.65 975 .. .. 540 Xtra . . 565 £33,980 4 D 1544 156 1700 5.8 7.43 2.44 2.65 1024 .. .. 575 £33,140 4 G 1497 155 1652 5.74 7.37 2.31 2.65 1020 £33,140 4 B 1486 156 1642 5.8 7.43 2.31 2.65 1024 ... ... Compass www.elddis.co.uk/compass Tel 01207 699 000 Delivery charge £645 .. .. Camino Compass’s top range stays as four models with only minor improvements, such as a wireless mobile phone charger. . . 550 .. .. 554 £28,399 4 AI 1373 153 1526 5.7 7.32 2.3 2.65 1015 2.65 1015 . . 650 TA £28,399 4 B 1397 153 1550 5.7 7.32 2.3 2.64 1080 .. .. 660 TA 2.64 1080 £32,099 4 AG 1641 159 1800 6.34 7.96 2.3 £31,799 4 AH 1641 159 1800 6.34 7.96 2.3 ... ... Elddis www.elddis.co.uk Tel 01207 699 000 Delivery charge £645 .. .. Crusader Elddis’s most upmarket range has an extra model, the Storm, but is otherwise the same as Compass’s Camino range. . . Aurora . . Mistral £28,399 4 AI 1373 153 1526 5.7 7.32 2.3 2.65 1015 2.65 1015 .. .. Storm TA £28,399 4 B 1397 153 1550 5.7 7.32 2.3 2.64 1080 . . Borealis TA 2.64 1080 .. .. Zephyr TA £31,799 4 B 1585 159 1744 6.34 7.96 2.3 2.64 1080 £32,099 4 AI 1641 159 1800 6.34 7.96 2.3 928 ... ... Swift www.swiftgroup.co.uk Tel 01482 847 332 Delivery charge Set by dealer£31,7994AG 164115918006.347.96 2.3 1030 .. .. Conqueror Conqueror makes a return after a season’s absence with four standard width-models, this time with an onboard water tank included. 1030 . . 480 1030 . . 560 £31,495 2 K 1351 126 1477 4.98 6.59 2.28 2.59 .. .. 565 ........... ........... 580 £34,795 4 AI 1558 156 1714 5.93 7.54 2.28 2.61 £34,795 4 G 1545 156 1701 5.93 7.54 2.28 2.61 £34,795 4 B 1530 156 1686 5.93 7.54 2.28 2.61 114 | SUMMER SPECIAL 2022 | www.practicalcaravan.com

Luxur y IUNSFEOFULEveryone’s getting in on this top-notch market SKILLS SCHOOL................................TA Twin-axle PracticalCaravan toppick ....................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................B....................................................................................................................................... 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....................................................................................................................................... ............................................................. ............................................................. ............................................................. .... ....Price Berths Layout ................... ................... ................... MiRO Payload MTPLM Internal length Shipping length Exterior width Height Awning ................... ................... ................... kg kg kg m m m m cm ................................. ................................. ................................. ... ...Adria www.adria.co.uk Tel 01787 888 980 Delivery charge Included .. ..Alpina Adria’s top-notch, eight-foot-wide range stays as two models for 2022, but has been totally revamped with a new facade, and new headrests inside. . .623 UC Mississippi ... ...623 UL Colorado£37,5104B169515518506.198.3 2.46 2.6 1083 £39,085 4 G 1790 210 2000 6.19 8.26 2.46 2.6 1078 ... ...Airstream www.lowdhams.com Tel 0115 966 3838 Delivery charge TBC .. ..Tourer These classic silver caravans are imported from the USA by Lowdhams. They are a hefty price, but have huge kudos on the road. . .International 534 .. ..International 604 TA£85,0004N/A163519018305.326.812.292.85 N/A .. ..International 684 TA£91,0003N/A187023021006.037.602.292.85 N/A . .International 25 IB TA£98,5004N/A213526524006.918.252.292.85 N/A £98,500 4 N/A TBC TBC 2750 TBC TBC TBC TBC N/A ... ...Bambi A more lightweight range, designed for those who aren’t yet ready to trade up their towcar. So far only one model is available in the UK. .. ..16RB £68,500... ...Basecamp A more modern take on the Airstream look, with a wraparound window in the front and a slightly squarer profile.4N/ATBCTBC1590TBC4.872.442.82N/A .. ..16 £59,000 4 N/A TBC TBC 1590 TBC 4.87 2.13 2.66 N/A . .20 2.13 2.66 N/A £65,000.... ....Bailey www.baileyofbristol.co.uk Tel 0117 966 5967 Delivery charge £5654N/ATBCTBC1954TBC6.09 . .Alicanto Grande The Faro, with its unusual central washroom, is the latest model to have been introduced to this luxury eight foot-wide family. .. ..Sintra . .Estoril4 7.38 2.45 2.61 1031 .. ..Porto TA 7.38 2.45 2.61 1031 . .Faro TA 7.86 2.45 2.61 1083 £33,499 B 1441 155 1596 6.11 7.86 2.45 2.61 1083 £33,499 4 G 1469 155 1624 6.11 £34,999 4 AI 1619 160 1779 6.33 .... ....Buccaneer www.elddis.co.uk/buccaneer Tel 01207 699 000 Delivery charge £645£34,99941790 . .Buccaneer Erwin Hymer UK’s top-notch brand stays as five models for 2022, but with a new front and rear profile, and a redesigned washroom inside. AG 1630 160 6.33 .. ..Aruba TA £38,399 6 F 1804 179 1983 6.39 8.19 2.45 2.64 1090 . .Commodore TA .. ..Cruiser TA £38,399 4 AG 1811 159 1970 6.39 8.19 2.45 2.64 1090 .. ..Barracuda TA£38,3994B17661591925 6.39 8.19 2.45 2.64 1090 . .Bermuda TA £38,699 4 AI 1831 159 1990 6.39 8.19 2.45 2.64 1090 £38,699... ...Coachman www.coachman.co.uk Tel 01482 839 737 Delivery charge £545415919906.398.161090 . .Laser Last year’s 575 Xcel is now the 575 Xtra, to avoid confusion with real Xcels, while two new models have been added to the range - the 545 and 620. AG 1831 2.45 2.64 .. ..545 Xtra .. ..575 Xtra4 1734 2.44 1024 £36,280 AI 1579 155 5.8 7.43 2.65 £36,280 4 B 1579 155 1734 5.8 7.43 2.44 2.65 1024 . .620 Xtra TA £38,300.. ..650 TA3R1706150 1856 6.27 7.90 2.44 2.65 1062 . .665 TA £37,690 4 AI 1658 160 1818 6.27 7.9 2.31 2.65 1062 7.9 .. ..675 TA 1062 £37,690 4 AH 1668 160 1828 6.27 2.31 2.65 ... ...Laser Xcel The Xcel term is now reserved only for those caravans that have true Xcel spec, including a twin-axle eight feet of width, and self-levelling.£37,6904B166316018236.277.92.312.651062 .. ..845 TA £42,680 4 AI 1750 160 1910 6.27 7.9 2.44 2.65 1062 . .850 TA .. ..875 TA 6.27 2.65 £42,680 4 AG 1750 160 1910 7.9 2.44 1062 £42,680 4 B 1725 160 1885 6.27 7.9 2.44 2.65 1062 .. ..Lusso Coachman’s’ ultimate luxury caravan, launched last season, is now the Lusso II because it has now been joined by the shorter Lusso I. . .Lusso I £43,560thtoawt RyinoegmumwemiirllrbsoaoelrmrssowOeannhUoedefRentAdhTyqetoOoumuaPfraaionrcBeltalUosbsrY–upiyInuaNirnnttGlhgeoesyfTscotIoyhuPosertSufdoirrefdsaiteltecaamlerrasvtshaunrcohwass ......................................................................Lusso II TA4B164515518005.807.442.442.651062 2.65 1062 £47,290 4 B 1800 160 1960 6.27 7.9 2.44 www.practicalcaravan.com | SUMMER SPECIAL 2022 | 115













Join us as we take a look Mad men Future PLC 121-141 Westbourne Terrace, London W2 6JR back at vintage issues of Practical Caravan We love the look of these old Editorial 80s ads – all golden sunlight DECEMBER 1984 and sharp clothing, like a Tel 020 7042 4000 Website www.practicalcaravan.com scene from Top Gun. 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