Practical Motorhome

So, we were on tour and my wife gave me explicit instructions about the operation of the campsite shower facilities. First, choose the shower cubicle (only two worked, so that wasn’t difficult). Second, open the valve in the chosen cubicle. Third, pr

Price £79.95 Web www.fit2gotpms.com/michelin-tpmsTake the worry out of your tyre maintenance with the Michelin TPMS, a wireless retrofit tyre pressure monitoring system that will allow you to keep an eye on your motorhome’s tyre pressures while on th

Having just bought our first motorhome, we have been looking at televisions for it. The ’van-specific TVs are pretty expensive and I was wondering, would there be any problems with using a household TV? I have a spare TV at home, a 24” with a power r

It’s been a busy few weeks, with trips to Ireland, France and Kent, but luckily, for the most part the weather was kind. In fact Ireland was hot! What these trips show is how diverse touring can be. Ireland’s south-east coast stunned staff writer Bry

“I love it more than all the world and Margate,” is an expression used by a friend of mine, who adopted it from a TV comedy from way back. It has always rather tickled me. Why Margate? ‘Cool’, ‘hipster’, ‘the new Brighton’ and ‘Shoreditch-on-Sea’ are

Switching off the motorhome engine, we hear nothing save for the pocket-sized Susasca River burbling away quietly, far below. Tufts of mist thread around the eye-level mountain heads while lichen-layered rocks, wet with drizzle, litter the lower slop

1 Castlerigg Stone Circle 2 Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories 3 Holker Hall & Gardens 4 The World of Beatrix Potter 5 Muncaster Castle 6 Ullswater 7 Allan Bank 8 Hawkshead Brewery 9 Carlisle 10 The Rum Story 1 Skelwith Fol

Latitude is just packed with events and entertainment for the whole family, with a separate section dedicated to children. Here you’ll find everything from crafts and reading nooks that’ll spark the kids’ imaginations, to outdoor performances, wildli

An imaginatively conceived idea that combines spectacular Italian scenery with internationally renowned musicians. Even the journey to the concerts is an experience not to be missed at this high-altitude music event. The festival celebrates its 25th

“So how is the UK market going?” is a question many European journalists ask when we meet at new launches. And in reply, I have to say that, for the first time in a few years, I have noticed a bit more caution among those I speak to in the industry.

Price From £64,630 Sleeps 6 Belts 6 Base vehicle Fiat Ducato Maxi Engine 2.3 130bhp Euro 6 Length/width/height 7.54/2.35/3.10m (24’9”/7’9”/10’2”) MTPLM 4250kg Payload 740kg Water (fresh/waste) 135/85 litres Leisure battery 92Ah Gas Exterior-

Price From £48,000 Sleeps 4 Belts 5 Base vehicle Ford Transit Custom Tourneo Titanium Engine 2.0-litre 128bhp Euro 6 Length/width/height 4.97/2.08/2.07m (16’3”/6’8”/6’8”) MTPLM 3200kg Payload 650kg Water (fresh/waste) 40/40 litres Leisure ba

Bürstner’s main focus for 2020 is its Lyseo entry-level range on a Mercedes Sprinter base – the Lyseo M Harmony Line. But a few more upmarket tweaks to the Fiat-based double-floor Lyseo TD Harmony Line means there is now space for the German company

Carthago’s Liner-For-Two was the cover star of our previous issue – a luxury special – and for good reason. The German brand (which celebrates its 40th birthday in 2019) produces some of the Continent’s most prestigious vehicles. Last year’s model la

The UK market is becoming increasingly important to Dethleffs, as it now ranks in third position behind the home German market and France. It seems that models such as the Alpa, the overcab initially produced to a design by an existing Dethleffs cust

For the 2020 season, Sunlight is introducing a new two-model compact low-profile range and two sub-7m vans in its conventional low-profile and A-class ranges. But the company hasn’t missed an opportunity to celebrate its 15th anniversary, with a spec

German brand Frankia has always had a good eye for the UK market, and for 2020 it has increased the number of UK-friendly rear-lounge layouts in its Platin range, specifically designed for off-grid motorcaravanning. But it’s not all about layouts: fo

The main development for German manufacturer Westfalia for the 2020 season is a new van conversion based on the Mercedes Sprinter. Part of the Rapido Group, Westfalia is of course the name behind many OEM campervans, such as the Marco Polo from Merce

Motorhomes that cost more than £100,000: usually, we only see them at exhibitions, or very briefly – and in the company of manufacturer’s representatives – at launches. It’s very unusual that we get to drive them or live in them for any significant p

It seems incredible that, by the time you read this, two-thirds of a year will have gone by since the misty autumn morning when I travelled to Geoff Cox in Derbyshire to pick up our new long-term ’van. Since then, we have taken our Adria Coral 670 DC

There are plenty of very important bits that go to make up a motorhome – gas storage, cookers, heaters, beds and even toilets – but the most important bits are actually black and round. Yes that’s right: the tyres really are the single most important

With the summer holidays upon us, we all just want to jump into our ’vans and head for far-flung places. However, before we do, there are important checks to carry out, to be prepared for the journey ahead. I like checklists to keep things organised.

Lithium batteries are gradually coming down in price as more and more names appear on the market. But what are they? Why are they so expensive? And what advantages do they offer? What do we need to look out for when replacing a trusty lead-acid batte

When we bought it, the Advance 66-2 was (and still is) the shortest and cheapest Bailey ’van; but we think it is one of their best. February 2018’s Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show at the NEC saw the unveiling of the refreshed and upgraded second-

Meet a firm that’s celebrating its 40th anniversary as a specialist motorhome dealer this year – and it’s been in the hands of the same family for all that time. Brian Pike founded the dealership back in 1979, although eldest son Steve has been at th

There’s a simple reason why Richard Baldwin became an Auto-Trail franchisee. The founder and owner liked the product so much, he bought one, long before he became a motorhome dealer. There’s a lot to be said for consistency, too. Resolutely pro-Briti

Want to know more about the Tracker LB? Read the current Auto-Trail brochure. Seriously, this is that new. And it’s proof that 2020 is almost upon us. This is looking for its first proper owner, having done minimal service as a demonstrator. Actually

Apache may be the range below the flagship Frontier, but they’re almost as well equipped. The 634 was only available as a Hi-Line for the 2016 season, which means it is a full overcab, with slide-out double in the pod. Alternatively, at the back, pul

Auto-Sleepers is based in Worcestershire, near the village of Broadway – which is why you will sometimes see their motorhomes referred to as Broadway Babes. Although the firm may lack the glamour of New York’s Broadway, it shines brightly in its own

Did you pass your driving test before 1 January 1997? ✔ You can drive a motorhome up to 7500kg on your B+C1 licence. When you reach 70, you must submit a medical form to renew your licence to continue driving a ’van over 3500kg, and do this every th

On the lookout 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. Now you can read our review of your chosen ’van, watc