By Emma Dodd

Bikes can be a great way to get around locally on your caravan holiday, but it can be tricky to know which rack is the best for attaching cycles to your leisure vehicle.

Luckily, Cycling Weekly knows a thing or two about bike racks and has put together a handy guide for caravan and motorhome owners.

The first thing the publication says to note is the nose-weight limit of your vehicle, as you do not want to place undue pressure on the tow-ball of your car.

If you find it is too high, you can put heavier items behind the rear axle to reduce the nose-weight.

It’s also important to know the rules surrounding bike racks for different countries if you’re planning on taking them abroad.

A-frame mounting is a good aerodynamic option for single-axle and twin-axle campervans and the Fiamma Carry Bike XL can carry two bikes with a maximum load of 35kg.

The Enduro BC260 A-frame Bike Rack is good if you’re carrying e-bikes, which tend to be heavy, as it can accommodate up to 60kg in weight, but you must take the 10kg of the rack itself into the equation.

Rear wall mounting bike racks are only really a good idea on motorhomes and the Thule Elite G2 Bicycle Carrier can hold two bikes up to a total weight of 60kg. Purchase additional parts to increase the bike carrying capacity to four.

Opt for the Fiamma Carry Bike UL if you’re looking for a lightweight option capable of carrying two bikes or being upgraded to three with a maximum load of 55kg.

Tow car mounting should be considered if an A frame mount would exceed your nose-weight limit. The Saris Bones EX 3-Bike Rack fits most cars and can cope with a total carry weight of 48kg.

If you have light bikes then the Fabbri BICI OK 3 Bike Rack is good for loads up to 45kg, as long as the wheelbase is less than 1100mm.

Do you take bikes with you on your caravan or motorhome holidays? What set up do you use?

By Emma Dodd

There’s something about an epic road trip that really captures the imagination and when you’ve got your own caravan or motorhome, you really can enjoy the freedom of the open road.

Touted as Scotland’s answer to Route 66, the North Coast 500 represents a great opportunity to tap into that spirit of adventure during a time when our wings feel a little clipped by the coronavirus.

Starting and finishing at Inverness Castle, the 516-mile route takes in some of the most stunning scenery and iconic sights in Scotland from the Black Isle to Torridon and Ullapool to Dingwall.

To give this stunning destination the time and attention it deserves it’s recommended you plan at least five days to discover the route and seven to do so in a leisurely fashion.

What’s great about the North Coast 500 or NC500, as it’s known to its friends, is you can adapt it to suit your personal interests.

You can plan your trip to take in as many historical sites as possible along the way or base your itinerary on the delicious food and drink served up throughout the region.

Alternatively, you could indulge in some rounds of gold along the route or get the adrenaline pumping with adventure activities like canyoning and white water rafting.

Among the highlights to include while taking in the NC500 are the ruins of Ardvreck Castle, picturesquely sitting on the shores of Loch Assynt; Sutherland’s sweeping stretch of Balnakeil Beach; and Stac Pollaidh mountain in Wester Ross.

Picking up delicious local ingredients to cook up in your caravan should be a scrumptious part of the NC500 experience.

Stop by the Applecross Smokehouse on the banks of Loch Torridon for some freshly smoked salmon or select a pudding from Cockburn’s Haggis in Dingwall, which has been making the national dish since 1955.

Of course, once your motorhome is parked up for the night you may wish to enjoy some of the beer and spirits made along the route.

The official North Coast 500 IPA is produced by the Black Isle Brewery, while there’s no shortage of whisky options, including Toulvaddie, Balblair and Wolfburn distilleries to sample.

By Emma Dodd

Back in 2011 our anonymous reviewer got their hands on a second-hand Hymer 530FB dating from 2006. This made the well-built vehicle great value for money in their eyes. Today, it’s the subject of our CaravanTimes Classic Gold throwback.

The reviewer’s initial thoughts expressed the overall feeling that the caravan was comfortable and great attention to detail had been paid to the fittings. Most importantly, the fixed bed boasted a good quality mattress offering a sound night’s sleep.

It’s not just after dark where comfort was found either, with the seats coming up trumps too. The reviewer noted the backs of the seats came up higher than in their previous van, giving more support and therefore a better experience.

The positives kept rolling too. “It is probably the detailed finish in this van that makes it special for us. Power points everywhere, excellent lighting in all parts of the van, well thought out storage and well organised space. It’s great; we are very pleased with it,” they enthused.

Just one element of the Hymer 530FB stopped the reviewer from giving the caravan five stars out of five for space and practicality – the bathroom. It came up a little on the small side, but they got round that by pitching up mainly at sites with facilities they could use instead.

Are you a fan of the Hymer 530FB? Did you get one when they were first released or secondhand like our reviewer? Get in touch to let us know your thoughts on this Classic Gold caravan.

By Emma Dodd

Caravans and motorhomes are rising sharply in price, as a large proportion of the population plans to take a staycation in a leisure vehicle this year.

A survey conducted by MBH Corporation found that 20 per cent of Brits are still planning on taking a caravan holiday this year, pushing up demand.

Nearly half of those who said they’d be taking this type of trip said it was as a result of the coronavirus crisis and the impact it was having on foreign travel.

While it’s clear that many people are avoiding overseas trips due to the risks associated with passing through airports and the potential for countries to be put on quarantine lists, other types of accommodation are also less appealing.

Some 29 per cent of those surveyed said they didn’t want to stay in a hotel or bed and breakfast during the pandemic.

Caravan holidays are therefore seen as some of the safest ways to get away, as families can remain self-contained within their bubble and use their own facilities.

Peter Vaughan, editor of Which Motorhome Magazine, said: “It’s a combination of people not wanting to holiday abroad, get on a plane or a cruise and looking for a safe and enjoyable holiday at home.

“Pricing earlier this year was strong as dealers could not get hold of quality used stock and that was even before coronavirus. A number of factors combined then which saw stock dry up and that has got worse now.”

Robinsons Caravans in Chesterfield reported an increased interest in caravans from a younger demographic from usual, as well as more first-time buyers in general.

It saw sales of new and used caravans increase by nine per cent in June and then by 14 per cent in July.

With uncertainty about when the pandemic might end and things return to normal, many people see investing in a caravan or motorhome as a long-term solution.

By Emma Dodd

The Western Isles Council has welcomed a move by the CalMac ferry company to display a warning about travelling to the archipelago without a booking.

Its website warns caravan, motorhome and campervan owners to make sure they have a reservation at an official site before setting off from home.

The council had found its own attempts to ask people to stay away unless they’ve secured a pitch in advance throughout the pandemic were largely ignored.

Since lockdown has been eased, there has been a significant increase in the number of people travelling to the islands and wild camping has been widespread.

Cllr Uisdean Robertson, chair of the council’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee, spoke about the local communities’ concerns with overcrowding during the pandemic.

He told the Stornoway Gazette: “Any restriction on the numbers of campervans and motorhomes to the Western Isles during these unprecedented times, that can be brought about, represents a responsible approach which does not impact adversely on the local environment and public health, while still in the local economic interest.”

With overseas travel still proving difficult and popular European destinations being subject to quarantine, many places in the UK are dealing with record numbers of visitors.

While wild camping is legal in Scotland, a large influx of holidaymakers all arriving at the same time and staying without proper facilities represents a strain on the local infrastructure.

It’s also worrying for islanders trying to keep the coronavirus out of their communities.

In many parts of the UK, caravan parks have seen so much demand they’re booked up until October, as people try to make the most of a shorter holiday season.

By Emma Dodd

A touring park in Leicestershire has been named among the best staycation sites by VisitEngland in its annual awards.

Eye Kettleby Lakes has taken the bronze award in the category of England’s best Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the year.

It was pipped to the gold and silver spots by Derbyshire’s Landal Darwin Forest and Swallowtail Hill in Sussex, which offer lodges and glamping facilities respectively.

Eye Kettleby Lakes sits on the edge of Melton Mowbray and is a family-run site with added touches of luxury like hot tubs.

A spokesperson for the park said: “Our tranquil luxury park is the perfect destination for guests looking for a peaceful location with beautiful long walks, wildlife and scenery.”

These elements have become all the more sought after in the wake of lockdown, with outdoor activities at the top of most people’s staycation wish lists.

Usually, visitors would benefit from an on-site bar and tearoom, but current coronavirus restrictions mean the kitchen remains closed.

Those keen to taste local delicacies can still buy pork pies and Stilton cheese in the nearby market town.

The highlight of any visit to Eye Kettleby Lakes for those who like to fish will be the nine coarse fishing lakes. Anglers can try to catch fish up to 30lbs in weight in the two specimen carp lakes.

Caravanners can choose from 61 pitches in the northern area of the site, complete with luxurious log cabin style amenity blocks, or 69 pitches on the southern side with stone bathrooms and views of the surrounding countryside.

Eye Kettleby Lakes is a dog-friendly site and even has a warm water dog shower for any pooches that get muddy during their outdoor adventures.

Nigel Huddleston, tourism minister, said: “I would like to congratulate all the winners and businesses around England who are doing an outstanding job in showcasing the best in tourism. I encourage everyone to get out, enjoy summer safely, and experience everything England has to offer.”

By Emma Dodd

Rewind to 2011 and our reviewer Alan Wright and his partner are touring around with their Ace Supreme Twinstar. This caravan had been on the market since 2005, but it was still going strong, offering plenty of space for the two of them on their travels.

Mr Wright had bought the caravan new and was impressed with the way it towed. He liked the Ace Supreme Twinstar so much that he had thought about replacing like with like, but the Swift Group stopped making this model some years ago.

As well as the comfy fixed bed and well laid out seating area, our reviewer was impressed with the size of the fridge freezer. Being able to stock up well before a trip helps to make things go smoothly along the way.

Unfortunately, the economics of taking the caravan abroad did not work out for Mr Wright and his partner. They found it cheaper to fly after breakdown cover for Europe and all the other expenses were taken into consideration.

So, the caravan only got one trip away to the sun, but it did not squash the enthusiasm of the reviewer. He rated in four out of five in every category, ranging from equipment and comfort, through space and practicality right up to quality and reliability.

And for the final word, we return to Mr Wright. He said: “We now tow with a Kia Sedona 2.9 diesel and it returns about 30 mpg with the van on, so not bad.”

Have you ever toured in an Ace Supreme Twinstar? Do you wish that Swift Group would start making them again? Get in touch to let us know.

By Emma Dodd

Police in Cheshire are among some of the forces in the country to use a new tool to identify stolen caravans and motorhomes.

The VIN CHIP anti-theft identification system lets officers scan touring caravans and motorhomes at distances of up to 15 metres away.

It can even identify vans that have been reported stolen when they’re travelling up to 60mph and allow officers to access information on who the registered owner is.

Since the system is now being rolled out, caravan and motorhome owners are being encouraged to have a VIN CHIP fitted and their vehicle logged with the Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS).

Inspector Anton Sullivan, of the Roads and Crime Unit, said: “Due to supply and demand, the number of caravan and motorhome theft incidents tend to rise in the summer months.

“This year the demand for them is even greater than normal, with travel restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic making staycations, mobile homes and caravan holidays more popular than ever.”

He added that this means there couldn’t have been a better time to add the VIN CHIP scanning system to their toolkit when monitoring the roads.

Modern caravans are all fitted with a chip featuring the vehicle identification number (VIN) when they’re manufactured, but older models can have one added to take advantage of the technology.

Installing a GPS vehicle tracker and keeping the subscription paid is another way the force recommends protecting your caravan or motorhome against theft.

They often come with an alarm, which could give you early notice of someone trying to steal your vehicle and therefore increase your chances of getting it back.

Many insurers require owners to fit hitch locks, wheel clamps and immobilisers while the vehicle is in storage, over the winter for example.

Put these into use on your holiday too, as they offer an extra level of security to prevent anyone from driving away with your caravan or motorhome, and consequently ruining your trip.

By Emma Dodd

With more people participating in caravan holidays than ever, it’s important to know how to keep yourself and your belongings safe.

The Camping and Caravanning Club has highlighted that around 1,200 caravans were stolen last year, but there are ways to prevent yours from having the same fate.

To help first-timers and old-timers stay safe, security experts from Yale have put together a checklist of things to remember throughout your trip.

Choose your pitch carefully, preferably within view of the main path or car park, as these areas are often well lit and someone is more likely to notice if something suspicious is going on.

Only bring valuables you really need with you and keep them out of sight. Putting them inside your sleeping bag at night is a good security measure.

Alternatively, you may want to invest in a compact safe to be housed in your caravan, where keys, cash and bank cards can be stowed safely.

Get to know your fellow caravanners, as this adds an extra layer of vigilance over your belongings. Your neighbours may be able to alert staff if they see someone new around your caravan.

Use a heavy duty padlock or chain to secure items like gas barbecues or stoves overnight. These things are valuable too.

Bikes are another thing you’re likely to leave lying around your pitch, as you and the kids jump on and off them throughout the day.

Just like you would at home, you should lock them up properly, otherwise you risk losing them. Bikes are good for opportunistic thieves who can wheel them away quickly and confidently.

Nottinghamshire Police has some extra tips for caravan safety too. Chief among them is not leaving your caravan registration and identification documents inside your van.

The force also reminds caravan owners to close their roof lights when leaving their van, as well as their windows and doors.

It says: “You know how valuable your own home is to you and how important it is to keep it secure. Imagine how you’d feel if someone broke in.

“But what about your caravan? On holiday or touring, you rely on it as your home. How would you feel if somebody broke in or stole it?”

By Emma Dodd

When you first head out in your caravan, it’s easy to think that everything is already there, but there’s a number of accessories that will make your life easier.

For example, an awning will give you shade when the sun is shining and protection from the elements when taking off muddy boots and other outdoor equipment.

Some caravans come with a fitted awning, but not all of them, so it’s worth investing in one if it doesn’t come as standard.

Couple your awning up with a windbreak to define the boundary of your pitch, protect your barbecue from going out and keep the breeze off while you’re relaxing.

While there will be places to sit in your caravan, you’ll definitely want to take advantage of the great outdoors, so foldable chairs and tables are a must.

Don’t trip over on your way back to the caravan at night by adding lights to the outside. You could opt for a single bright bulb or an array of pretty fairy lights.

Having a barbecue is one of the best things about staying in a caravan and you can decide to purchase one that plugs into the front of your caravan to be powered off the gas cylinder.

One of the things that is easy to overlook when setting up your caravan is a step, so make sure yours comes with one, or pick a step up before you get to the caravan site.

Pack a basic toolkit to fix any small problems that may arise during your trip. This should contain a screwdriver, rubber-handed mallet and a wrench.

Wheel chocks are another accessory not to leave without, as these seemingly-simple pieces of plastic can make all the difference to your caravan holiday. After all, who wants to spend their whole trip at a bit of an angle?!

A washing line always comes in handy for drying a few clothes or swimming costumes when you get back from the beach.

You wouldn’t want to hang them up inside your van, so stringing them up outside is a good alternative.

By Emma Dodd

When it comes to coastlines in England, they don’t come much more impressive than Dorset’s. The Jurassic Coast doesn’t just have the coolest name around, but is also home to the ancient stone arch of Durdle Door and the unique geology of Lulworth Cove.

The county is full of potential for outdoor activities, making it a great place to enjoy a caravan holiday. Fossil hunting is fun for all the family and you’ll find everything from bivalves to ammonites at beaches like Lyme Regis and Chapman’s Pool.

Of course, the clear waters of the sea offer plenty of swimming opportunities, but you may wish to explore deeper. Dorset’s incredible maritime history means there’s many shipwrecks to discover and first-time diving courses take advantage of the clarity of the water. You can even bring back your dinner with scallop foraging expeditions.

If you’re happier on dry land, then attaching a couple of bikes to the back of your caravan for your Dorset trip opens up all sorts of possibilities. Ride Route 2 from Christchurch to Lyme Regis, soaking up the natural beauty of the landscape along the way. Or pick rolling hills and awe-inspiring coastline along Route 26 between Dorchester and Weymouth.

Transport yourself to an exotic destination with a visit to Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens. This Victorian walled garden located in a woodland valley takes advantage of a unique microclimate that allows species of plants from all over the world to thrive. Do not miss the golden pheasants in the sunken gardens.

Be sure to try some Dorset Blue Vinney during your stay, as this white crumbly cheese with a distinctive flavour has Protected Geographical Status within the county. Team it up with a Dorset Knob, the savoury biscuit that is baked three times and comes in traditional tins.

Where are you planning on taking your caravan this summer? Staycations are all the rage and having a caravan gives you increased flexibility.