The trials and tribulations of camping in a tent

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Dan Cartwright has over 12 years of experience in the caravan and motorhome industry. He is a judge for a number of prestigious leisure vehicle awards and regularly heads off in his motorhome with his family. Every week, Dan shares his insights with the community. Here’s what he has to say this week.

As the warmer weather starts to creep in, the great outdoors becomes so much more appealing – especially for those who want to try it for the first time in a tent. There are lots of festivals starting up and for many people, this will be their very first experience sleeping under the stars. Or rather, under a canvas, under the stars!

Rather than banging on about caravans and motorhomes, I’m taking a break from the regular schedule to give some pointers for those camping for the first time. I’m certain that all of these tips will make your experience as enjoyable as it can be.

You might have already guessed, but the following lessons have all been learned the hard way. I’ve made these mistakes myself as a novice, camping all around the country. So, here’s how you can avoid them altogether.

 

Understand the difference between inner and outer

Tents have a waterproof outer layer and in the sleeping area, an inner layer that’s not waterproof at all. The external fabric loses its function if it’s touched from the inside. This might sound elementary, but depending on the size of your tent and what’s inside it, it can be an easy mistake to make.

If you’re shopping for tents, my top tip for being on the safe (and dry) side is to take the number of people it suggests can sleep inside and divide it by two. This should provide ample space to camp without having yourself, bags, sleeping mats or clothes pushing against the insides.

When I was completing my very first Duke of Edinburgh expedition, nobody adhered to this rule, despite our teacher offering very strong advice. Consequently, every member of the group ended up carrying soaking wet clothes and equipment for the remainder of the trip. Of course, they weighed twice as much as usual and were useless from there on out. Happy days.

 

Never count on the British weather

Ensure you pack for the worst-case scenario in terms of kit, but remember how you leave your tent is just as vital to your experience. I was once in the Lake District across the Easter weekend and there was a huge snow flurry. 

I woke up feeling warm and toasty and decided to leave my things and head out for a walk. It eventually turned into a beautiful day – until I returned. The weight of the snow had pushed the inner and outer layers together and, as it melted, went pouring into my tent and all over my belongings.

Around five o’clock in the afternoon, temperatures dropped back down to freezing and with no other choice, I had to put on my waterproofs and sleep in them for the slightest bit of insulation. Had I simply thought clearly, packed everything away that I wasn’t bringing on the hike and cleared the snow from my tent, I’d have been warm and cosy again.

 

Be realistic about the size and shape of your tent

I’ve been to plenty of festivals and for newbies, there are certain things you learn pretty much immediately. For example, that picture you might have painted in your head of parking the car and walking a few metres to your area? No chance.

On my first Glastonbury experience, I had to carry an ex-girlfriend’s back-breakingly large tent about a mile and a half from the car park. She couldn’t do it, so I had to take my little tent and hers, which weighed as much as a small child, with no decent carry straps. She assumed we’d be camping right next to where we parked and, at that moment, a valuable lesson was learned.

I’ve seen lots of people make the same mistake. If you’re carrying things, think carefully about the size and weight they pack down to – you might want to consider something smaller. Hiking tents are a lot more practical for festivals or first-time campers than huge family-sized tents or pop-up ones.

Finally, make sure you practice putting up and taking down your tent before you go. Trying to set it up for the first time when you’re tired and the rain is pouring is not going to be fun. Trust me!

 

Bin liners and orange survival bags are your friends

This one probably sounds questionable if you’ve never been camping, but let me explain why it’s potentially life-saving. Orange survival bags are durable and heavy-duty – think rubble sacks. You could fit a human inside one, or simply your belongings, to keep dry.

No matter what happens with a rucksack, even if it says it’s waterproof, that will only be true when it’s fully zipped up. Having 100 per cent waterproof bags that you can throw items in, wrap them up and leave in your tent is a game-changer. This ensures your belongings stay dry, even if something happens to your canvas.

Of course, plastic bags aren’t good for the environment. I’d recommend investing in good quality ones and you’ll keep them forever. I’m still using the same survival sack that I bought when I was 13 years old.

 

Camping sounds… terrible?

If you’ve never been camping before, I promise you’ll have a fantastic time. It’s so much fun and you’ll learn a lot from the experience. If you do run into any of these problems, don’t be dismayed. There’s always a silver lining and, when it comes to camping, it’s that you’ll never have the same problem again because you’ve learned your lesson. Just like me!

Remember, in a tent, it’s very hard to get warm and dry if you’re cold and wet, so protect your equipment as much as you can.

Photo credit: Xue Guangjian

Safety tips for setting up your caravan or motorhome this year

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As spring enters full bloom, plenty of caravan and motorhome enthusiasts will be turning their attention to the arrival of the camping season. The days are getting longer, the weather warmer and suddenly the prospect of sun-soaked evenings and flame-cooked favourites is almost tangible.

If you’re planning to head away in your motorhome this year, there are certain things you should know beforehand. The idyllic camping experience begins with choosing the right pitch. But whether you’re a well-seasoned veteran or a caravan and motorhome newbie, you need to know how to set up your station effectively whilst complying with safety regulations.

Many leisure vehicles will have been dormant over the winter period, left on driveways or inside garages and, consequently, won’t be ready to use immediately when the warm weather does come around.

Luckily, the experts at Flogas have put together the relevant checks you need to make before setting up to ensure a full squad of happy campers.

Pitch perfect

Picking a great spot can often be integral to your enjoyment. Look for a space with quick access to the essentials, including water, electricity hookup and additional toilet facilities, if required.

It’s worth noting that depending on the size of your campsite, parking could be a challenge. So, make sure you leave enough room around your vehicle for slideouts and all-important seating areas for barbecues.

Cooking on gas

Caravan and motorhome holidaymakers know the experience of sitting around the campfire, basking in the afterglow of a fantastic day out. Investing in portable gas bottles is a great way to ensure you’re always prepared – just make sure to check your levels before setting up.

Do be aware that a regulator is needed for your gas supply and hoses must be marked suitable for use with LPG. They’re stamped with a production date and must be less than five years old, so make sure to take a look.

Electric dreams

Electricity hookups at your campsite will allow you to operate devices like kettles, toasters, televisions and hairdryers. As such, it’s important to make sure you’re parked close enough to one.

When connecting, ensure everything in your motorhome is turned off, including the hookup itself. Once everything is connected, simply turn the circuit breaker back on and relax.

Level up

Those new to the caravan and motorhome community may not know, but levelling your vehicle safely is one of the most important skills you can learn. Find firm ground and make sure to purchase strong, durable levelling ramps to hold your motorhome in place.

Photo credit: Kampus Production / Pexels

Tips for staying safe on a solo touring adventure

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Solo travel is on the rise and bookings for independent adventures have increased significantly since the end of the pandemic. However, there are some common obstacles that may put people off holidaying unaccompanied. The main concern, particularly for female travellers, is personal safety. 

If you’re planning a lone getaway in your caravan or motorhome this summer, here’s some advice from the travel experts at Panache Cruises to ensure your trip is as safe and enjoyable as possible. 

Whether you plan on exploring the UK or heading to the continent, sleeping in a caravan or pitching up in a tent – these tips will help you to make the most of your solo touring adventure. 

Inform friends and family of your location

Before setting off, be sure to tell at least a few people close to you where you’re going and keep them updated with any changes to your itinerary. If you’re heading off the grid, be sure to check in regularly when you manage to find a connection. 

Create an emergency plan

Do your research and note down local hospitals, police stations and other useful spots in your chosen destination. If you’re visiting a place where a foreign language is spoken, learn some basic phrases such as “I need help”, and memorise emergency services numbers. 

Stay safe

Safety should be a top priority when solo touring. Make sure to research the safety of your destination, avoid isolated areas and keep valuables hidden. Consider taking a self-defence class before embarking on your trip, and always trust your instincts. 

Be cautious with new acquaintances

While heading off alone in your caravan or motorhome, you’re likely to meet new people and form friendships along the way. Use caution when spending time with new acquaintances and avoid sharing personal information or going to isolated areas with them.

Learn about the local culture and laws

Before travelling to a new destination, research the area and familiarise yourself with local customs and laws. This can help you avoid potentially dangerous situations and stay safe while exploring in your leisure vehicle. 

Trust your instincts

If something seems off, trust your instincts and remove yourself from the situation. If you feel uncomfortable or threatened, seek help from a trusted authority figure, such as a police officer or campsite staff.

 

Photo credit: Manuel Meurisse/Unsplash

Is touring the best option for a holiday in Orlando?

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Dan Cartwright has over 12 years of experience in the caravan and motorhome industry. He is a judge for a number of prestigious leisure vehicle awards and regularly heads off in his motorhome with his family. Every week, Dan shares his insights with the community. Here’s what he has to say this week.

I’ve recently returned from a short holiday with my family to Orlando, Florida. I’m lucky enough to have relatives out there to stay with, but it’s one of those all-time holiday destinations that offers everything from wildlife and beaches to Disneyland and Universal Studios. On top of that, it’s sunny all year – take it from someone who’s brought his kids to a water park on Christmas Eve and spent the entire day reapplying sun cream!

Most families that can afford to visit Orlando want to do it all, but something people don’t always realise is how spaced out the main attractions are from one another. This can really limit your ability to cover everything in one trip if you don’t have a vehicle to get around in.

On my holiday, I was struck by the increasing cost of hiring a car. For a family-sized vehicle, I paid around $60 to $70 per day (£48 to £56), but this got me thinking – what about a caravan or motorhome trip for the perfect Florida vacation?

Well, I’ve done a fair amount of research on this and visited a few RV and caravan rental companies during my holidays. It’s a viable prospect from both a financial and comfort standpoint, so here’s what I found out. Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to stay with family in Orlando, so let’s talk about touring options.

 

Vehicles

There are gazillions of makes, models and brands of leisure vehicle out there, so I’m not bothered about looking at specific examples. Essentially, your standard family caravan is nine metres long – exactly the same length as an RV. So, expect a rig of this size. Pretty much everything I’ve seen comes with air conditioning, a gas supply and usually a generator, as lots of RV parks don’t have electric hookups available.

Caravans

In terms of which vehicle you choose, it depends on how comfortable you are towing and the size of your family. The only real benefit to picking a caravan is that they can sleep up to nine people. Renting a pickup truck in the States is relatively cheap compared to cars, but hooking up, manoeuvring, towing and filling up gas on a combined 15 to 20-metre rig is challenging and probably not suited to just a few days per destination.

Additionally, the cost of a hire car combined with the price of a caravan makes it more expensive. However, if you are a large family, it’s worth looking into. In terms of money, the typical rental is around $140 (£112) per night for a caravan, but you’ll be spending roughly $70 (£56) on a car or truck too, although the caravan can act as your accommodation.

RVs and motorhomes

Prices tend to start from around $130 (£104) for a small RV, then $150 to $200 (£120 to £160) depending on the size, spec and level of luxury in a coach-built motorhome. At the top end, you’d be likely to pay $200 to $250 (£160 to £200) per day for the quintessential American tour bus-style, fully-integrated motorhome.

You might choose to take out an additional insurance policy to reduce your excess, either with the rental company or through your own provider – which is a lot cheaper. These vehicles are mile-limited depending on the supplier and most offer the opportunity to purchase these in advance, at a cheaper rate. If you go over the set limit, it generally costs about 40 to 50 cents per mile.

Within roughly 12 miles of Orlando International Airport (MCO), there are at least seven RV and caravan rental companies. They will bring a caravan directly to a place of your choosing, whilst for RVs you can take a short taxi there or arrange to pick one up directly from the airport.

I’d recommend going to the rental company if you’re collecting an RV. This way, you can choose to swap vehicles if needed and the staff will have more time to give you a proper induction before you set off with it.

 

Is touring the way to go?

Once you’ve figured out the costs, touring Florida means you can head to the Atlantic coast one night and the Gulf coast the next. You can make a stop at the Kennedy Space Center, then head to Disneyland and leave your accommodation right in the car park, before getting a shuttle straight into the resort.

The roads very easily accommodate larger vehicles and, considering driving is almost a must within America to see different locations, the price of renting an RV is incredibly competitive compared to hiring a car and a hotel.

An RV will sleep up to six people, so depending on your family size, everyone could have their own bed. Parks are actually really nice, especially in tourist areas, but if you’re heading to more remote destinations make sure to do a bit of research to find out where things are and avoid getting lost. Caravans and RVs are popular among Orlando natives – they’re actually remarkably versatile vehicles for that climate.

So, if you’re thinking about that next big family holiday to Orlando, I strongly recommend that you consider an RV rental for a fantastic experience.

Photo credit: Caroline Cagnin / Pexels

Trespass for Trees this April

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Trespass to land is widely understood to mean the illegal entry of another person’s property. We live on a beautiful and largely rural island but, of course, almost all of the land in the UK is owned by someone.

Well, it might surprise you to know how easy it could be to land yourself in a legal battle for trespassing. According to the Right to Roam campaign, 92 per cent of the countryside and 97 per cent of rivers in Britain are off-limits to the public.

What does this mean exactly? For the caravan and motorhome, camping and wider adventure holiday communities, it means that wandering off a footpath, swimming in a river, exploring and educating yourself about the Great British outdoors could make you a trespasser in all but one-tenth of the UK.

Right to Roam runs plenty of events and campaigns to draw attention to the problem and keep access high up on the political agenda. Here’s what it has in store for April.

 

What is Trespass for Trees?

For this year’s Earth Day (Saturday 22nd April), Right to Roam is collaborating with Trash Free Trails to combat the cutting down of trees by developers, councils, landowners and contractors.

The CaravanTimes community has an innate love for all things nature, but our trees have very little protection. On private property, they’re even more vulnerable, as landowners can chop them down without anybody watching. If a tree falls in a forest and nobody is around to hear it…

Even when people stand in opposition, it’s sometimes not enough. Fortunately, those fighting against tree felling can apply for a Tree Preservation Order. In effect, any cutting would need to wait for written consent from the local authority before it can take place. This can be applied to individual trees, collections and even whole woodlands, depending on the circumstances.

Most importantly, anyone can apply to protect trees. So, Right to Roam is calling on nature lovers to identify and protect a tree of their choosing that resides in the 97 per cent of British countryside we’re generally prohibited from being in.

To find a group near you, head to the Right to Roam website, or simply enlist your friends and family to help out for a great cause. Additionally, you can identify trees near you by using the Woodland Trust Ancient Tree Inventory, which will show you whether each one is on public or private land.

Finally, in the spirit of Trash Free Trails, bring a litter picker with you on your next caravan or motorhome adventure. Let’s make it our mission to leave the world more beautiful than we found it.

Photo credit: veeterzy / Pexels

Caravans become a hot ticket item for millennials

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An increasing number of Brits are seeking more affordable ways to travel amidst the cost of living crisis. Many are investing in leisure vehicles as their interest in cheap and sustainable holidaying options grows. It’s no surprise then that caravanning holidays are the top choice this summer. 

One of the largest demographics demonstrating the growing demand for caravans and touring holidays is millennials (those born between 1981 and 1995, also referred to as Generation Y)

Research by The Insurance Emporium has revealed an 85 per cent increase in millennial policyholders since 2019. 

This demographic now accounts for 23 per cent of all touring policyholders, a surge that is being driven by an increase in caravan ownership for people under 40 years of age since the pandemic. In fact, the number of first-time caravan buyers has risen 20 per cent, with millennials accounting for a quarter of sales. 

However, it’s not just investments in new leisure vehicles that are piquing the interest of young touring enthusiasts. 

Gen Y are known for their concern for the environment and sustainability, which has led many to prefer planning trips around the UK or within driving distance to reduce their carbon footprint. 

Recently, there has also been a boom in second-hand caravans and motorhomes and the van conversion market, which also reflects buyers’ interest in sustainable and affordable alternatives to purchasing new vehicles. This may explain why searches for “caravan interior ideas” are up 60 per cent on last year, with millennials accounting for 52 per cent of those.

Beyond the cost of living crisis and people’s shifting attitudes towards travel, there are other factors that may be driving younger generations’ interest in caravans. 

Francis Martin, CEO of The Insurance Emporium commented: “We know that millennials are a very family-orientated generation, therefore caravans provide the perfect opportunity for a family getaway. From weekends away to the coast to family-friendly festivals, caravan travel provides a new adventure each time. There’s also the multi-generational element that caravans can bring together several generations of the same family in one place.”

Sahara success, Space Camp and a Vanny Adams update

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Dan Cartwright has over 12 years of experience in the caravan and motorhome industry. He is a judge for a number of prestigious leisure vehicle awards and regularly heads off in his motorhome with his family. Every week, Dan shares his insights with the community. Here’s what he has to say this week.

This week at CaravanTimes has been extremely busy, so I thought I’d give our readers an update on a few of the things going on at the moment. Undoubtedly, many of you will have already been following along closely. 

Read on to find out how the Sahara Challenge concluded, why CAMC aren’t really opening a lunar campsite and what we’ve been doing with sweet Vanny Adams.

 

The Sahara Challenge

Over the weekend, our talented crew of two completed the Sahara Challenge. They relaxed into a well-deserved evening off, before heading straight back into the office the next day to start editing footage.

A massive thank you to Rodrigo and Rob, who documented the whole adventure. I hope they had a great time out there, but I know it was certainly very hard work with plenty of sand in the equipment too.

I hope you’ll agree with me that the crew got some fantastic footage. Parts one and two of the journey are both available to watch below. 

The final video, in which the team travelled across Dores Gorge and Fez, will be coming out very shortly. Look out for some great behind-the-scenes content, including a Moroccan fixer crashing a Ranger on the dunes – we have evidence that it wasn’t our crew!

Part one:

Part two:

 

Goodbye to Space Camp

Whilst the prospect of Space Camp sounded incredibly alluring, we’ve since had to come clean – April Fools! Social media blew up following the announcement last weekend, featuring CAMC director general Nick Lomas in a space suit, broadcasting from the lunar surface at the Club’s most daring project to date. If you missed the video, take a look below.

A second video followed on Sunday, revealing it was in fact a clever way of promoting CAMC’s involvement in the Sahara Challenge, as well as its international site work. The Club is doing a fantastic job of inspiring people to take their leisure vehicles further afield – but maybe not to the Moon.

View the April Fools video below.

An update on Vanny Adams

After announcing CarvanTimes’ newest addition in my last column, I wanted to update everyone on exactly what we’ve done so far with sweet VA.

We’re still waiting for a few parts to arrive for the engine service. Because it’s been changed, we aren’t sure exactly what type of engine it currently has. So, we’ve had to remove, identify, order and replace individual parts to get a clearer understanding.

Don’t fear, though. We’re committed to using Vanny Adams as intended. So, to identify further faults, we’ve been using it daily for the school runs – about five to ten miles of travel each day.

Since we started driving Vanny Adams, we’ve completely blown the coolant. It looks to be just a disconnected pipe which luckily we identified before we lost it all and the engine seized. Now, we’re starting to look at the brakes too. On rough ground, we had one tyre blowout, but otherwise, VA is shaping up nicely.

It’s been such a busy week, but time flies when you love what you do. Please send in any suggestions for Vanny Adams, including accessories you’d like to see tested and reviewed. 

Photo credit: Chris Larson / Pexels

How to maximise space in your caravan or motorhome

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Everyone is feeling the cost of living crisis, so it won’t come as a surprise to many that an increasing number of Brits are looking to travel less and save more. A study by Which? found that the price of flights has risen by 51 per cent on average, with air travel to popular destinations like Italy and Greece having risen by up to 71 per cent.

On the other hand, UK staycations are becoming a highly popular choice for Brits, with the number of us considering a touring holiday having increased by 20 per cent over the last two years.

CaravanTimes readers will certainly understand that these holidays involve compromise and often that means space can be hard to come by – the average caravan sold in the UK varies between 2.2 to 2.3 metres in width.

Luckily, the experts at Pure Leisure have put together their top tips to make the most of the area your caravan or motorhome has. Here are some space-saving hacks you can use in your leisure vehicle.

 

Collapsing and stacking

Plenty of kitchen gadgets, boxes and water bottles are available in collapsible forms, making them easier to put away when they’re not in use. This means they simply take up less space.

Additionally, those collapsible storage boxes can be stacked on top of each other to save even more precious floor area. Put things like canned foods, clothes and toys inside before slotting everything away into your shelving area.

 

Make sensible furniture decisions

Your leisure vehicle is your own space to do with as you please, but when looking to purchase tables and seating, aim to buy designs that fold away when not in use. This goes for beds too, as many now can be packed up and converted into a sofa, freeing up precious room.

 

Download your books

In the modern world, we might be addicted to our phone screens, but new tech isn’t all bad! The rise of digital e-reader devices means you can save plenty of shelf area in your leisure vehicle that would previously have been taken up by books.

Another way to maximise space in your caravan or motorhome is by purchasing a digital photo frame, freeing up plenty of room. These tablets cycle through all of your pictures, storing all of your memories in one place.

 

Hooks and boards

Adhesive hooks are a game-changer. Cheap and cheerful, they provide a brilliant way to hang clothes, towels, and cooking utensils, keeping your leisure vehicle clutter-free.

Instead of having a coat stand, consider purchasing a peg board to hang hats and coats in the porch area of your caravan. You can find them in lots of colours and sizes to match your decor and some peg boards even come with shelves to store larger items.

 

Space-saving beds

Choosing an ottoman bed provides lots of storage underneath your mattress – space that would often go completely unused. It’s perfect for shoes, clothes and bedding, meaning you can hide almost any clutter from sight!

Moreover, bedside pockets will eliminate the need for a table to put nighttime essentials like water bottles and glasses. These nifty pouches simply attach to the side of your mattress for easy access.

Photo credit: PNW Production / Pexels

Plan ahead to avoid delays on the road this Easter weekend

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Planning an Easter touring adventure in your caravan or motorhome? If you’re hitting the road this weekend, the experts at Select Car Leasing have some advice to help you maximise time spent enjoying your holiday rather than sitting in traffic. 

Most schools broke up on the 31st of March this year, marking the beginning of the big Easter getaway. It’s one of the busiest times of the year for the UK’s road network, and the RAC estimates that around 21 million journeys will occur over the bank holiday weekend. 

To avoid peak traffic hours and congestion, many drivers will be considering setting off in the evening – often waiting for children to fall asleep before putting them in the car. 

However, a slew of overnight roadworks has been planned over the Easter period, with some beginning as early as 8 pm and coinciding with the closure of the entire motorway. For this reason, Brits are being told to plan their travel routes carefully. 

Locations such as the M1 near Sheffield, the M3 in Surrey and an emergency barrier repair site on the M25 near London Heathrow will be potential areas for a detour nightmare. 

Graham Conway, managing director at Select Car Leasing, commented: “Over Easter, roadworks have the potential to shut all lanes of major motorways, necessitating what’s often a nightmarish – and wholly unexpected – detour. 

“Be wise to the risk, particularly if you’re travelling with young children and pets, and check the Traffic England list of planned roadwork long before you set off.”

For a full breakdown of expected roadworks taking place over the Easter holidays, head to the Traffic England website. 

 

CAMC announces Space Camp

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The Caravan and Motorhome Club (CAMC) is pioneering the lunar tourism industry by building the Moon’s very first campsite. In the southeast corner of the Sea of Tranquility, construction of its most ambitious project to date is now underway. 

With state-of-the-art launch and habitation facilities, Club members can expect the same high-quality experience they’d get on Earth, whilst looking down at the rest of the planet.

Getting to Space Camp

CAMC is not expecting you to load up the motorhome and simply drive to the Sea of Tranquility. Instead, several launch sites are currently in development, including a vertical system at Altnaharra, Sutherland and a horizontal facility at Treamble Valley, Cornwall.

Expect to see future launch sites confirmed across Scotland, Wales and the south of England.

What does Space Camp involve?

Adventurers will arrive on the lunar surface in their own choice of outfit, before opting for an accompanied walk or direct transportation to the site itself. Once there, guests will be able to make the most of CAMC’s habitation, developed in conjunction with Bailey of Bristol, as well as unrivalled convenience and high-spec recreational domes.

Preparations are well underway and Space Camp is set to launch by 2024. Take a look at the video below for more information and to keep up with all the latest developments, head to the Caravan and Motorhome Club website.

How to soundproof your leisure vehicle on a budget

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Caravans and motorhomes have become increasingly popular holiday options for plenty of Brits and campervans are no exception. Roughly 4,000 are sold each year in the UK and #vanlife has received more than 14.1 billion views on social media platform TikTok.

Not only are people buying campervans, but many are opting to self-convert their own,which costs, on average, between £1,000 and £5,000 for a small-sized campervan. If you’re planning to undertake your own conversion, an important factor to consider is soundproofing.

Luckily, the experts at London Soundproofing have offered up their best advice when it comes to soundproofing your van on a budget.

1. Insulate your walls and floors

Use sound-absorbing materials such as mass-loaded vinyl or acoustic foam to line the walls of your campervan. This will help to reduce sound vibrations and prevent unwanted outside noises from penetrating your vehicle, like other cars or heavy rain hitting the roof.

2. Seal any gaps

Make sure there aren’t any gaps around doors, windows and any other openings that could let noise enter the van. If you do identify any, seal them up with weatherstripping or silicone sealant. This will also help to prevent rust buildup and protect your vehicle against the elements.

3. Check your tyres

Tyres that are worn down or not designed for low noise levels will add to the noise pollution inside your vehicle. So, consider replacing them with quieter models.

4. Install curtains

Hanging curtains will help to absorb sound and the heavier they are, the more efficient they’ll be. Put them up around doors and windows to prevent noise from entering and escaping. Similarly, this will also insulate your van by trapping heat on those colder days.

5. Use noise-cancelling tech

A simple one, but investing in a high-quality pair of noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs is an effective way to reduce noise levels while sleeping or relaxing.

Of course, soundproofing your campervan to 100 per cent efficiency is not a likely scenario. However, taking some of the steps mentioned above can significantly reduce noise levels and make your touring experience much more peaceful and enjoyable.

Photo credit: Liam Gant / Pexels

Sahara Challenge update and introducing sweet ‘Vanny Adams’

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Dan Cartwright has over 12 years of experience in the caravan and motorhome industry. He is a judge for a number of prestigious leisure vehicle awards and regularly heads off in his motorhome with his family. Every week, Dan shares his insights with the community. Here’s what he has to say this week.

For all of the readers following the Sahara Challenge, I just wanted to give a quick update. Things are going well and, at the time of writing this, the crew is currently on a ferry heading back from Africa to Europe. The weather has been great and they were successful with wild camping in the desert.

Apparently, the caravans and motorhomes have been performing much better than the vehicles, although I suspect they’ve only been let down by the squishy bits in control of them!

Internet connections have been slightly turbulent, so we’re a bit behind on footage compared to where we wanted to be. 

The first leg video is out now and you can watch it below. It looks like the adventure has been a blast, but there are still challenges to come. Stay posted for regular updates.

Introducing ‘Vanny Adams’

Vanny Adams is CaravanTimes’ new, full-time test vehicle. As you might have noticed, it’s a Volkswagen T25. Manufactured in 1982, its 1.6L engine has since been replaced by a 1.9L at some stage before us owning it. It’s also got what I believe to be an Autohome roof from the same year, making it a semi-high-top with a luggage rack on the rear.

This is in no way a resto classic. It’s a modified vehicle and we have no intention to revert it back to its original form. The striking green paint is RAPTOR, which for those who didn’t know, is a military-grade paint used to protect the bodywork from the harshest conditions. Additionally, the chassis has been repaired, waxed and oiled.

Why do we have it?

Well, we’re often asked to review parts and accessories. Unfortunately, some of them require fitting, which we don’t always want to do to our personal leisure vehicles and certainly not to press fleet caravans and motorhomes.

This means we’re often unable to test vital gear. Sweet Vanny Adams, on the other hand, is primed and ready for long-term accessory testing.

We decided on a classic – and it really is a classic – so that we’re not inadvertently favouring any of the modern manufacturers. We don’t want to be in a position where we’re giving undue exposure to any business or its vehicles.

So, we’ll be providing regular updates on what it’s like living with a classic leisure vehicle, using it regularly – if not every day – to accelerate mileage and accessory tests. As we’re not taking it for restoration, we’ve got the freedom to play around with the interior and exterior, installing whatever we want for however long we fancy.

The journey of sweet Vanny Adams so far

Since we bought it, we’ve done some body and paint work to be noticed. I think we’ve done a good job in that regard and if you do see us out and about, come and say hello.

Next, we’re going to make sure the engine won’t let us down. It seems to be ok, with no major leaks and good compressions. The first stage will be a full belt, fluids and filters. Depending on time, we might replace fuel lines or any rubbery bits that may have corroded – it doesn’t look like they’re leaking, but better to be safe than sorry.

The old dog-leg first gear is a bit of a nightmare, so we’ll take a look at both end-gear linkages. It has to travel 3m, which means we’ll be replacing them at the engine and selector side to protect the vehicle and hopefully make it a bit more enjoyable to use.

In total, the parts required for all of this have come to about £160. There’ll be a fair amount of labour involved, which would be expensive at a garage, but we’ll do it ourselves. Hopefully, by this time next week, we’ll have much more confidence in the engine to survive long journeys. Currently, though, it’s doing around 10 miles a day on the school run.

Luckily, we’ve acquired two new testers for the team – Phoenix Esmerelda Cartwright and Wolfric Richard George Cartwright. Yes, they might be seven and five-year-old children, but I consider them to be accelerator testers who will poke, chew, bite and drag anything to destruction!

We don’t know where this will end up going. Some members of the team think it would be nice to upgrade Vanny Adams, whilst others want to keep it semi-original and focus more on the interior. One slightly crazy individual even suggested ripping the entire engine out and replacing it with batteries.

So, stay tuned for updates on classic campervans, maintenance and accessories. Please leave any comments about what you’d like to see us try or test, as well as any other ideas you have for sweet Vanny Adams.