Things to consider about weight in relation to caravans and motorhomes

Posted by

There are many things to consider when purchasing a caravan or motorhome, or even just driving one for the first time, and weight is something that is often overlooked. We caught up with Dan Cartright, longtime contributor to CaravanTimes and judge of the 2021 Caravan Design Awards Buyers’ Guide to weigh in on the issue.

He said: “There are some issues to consider about weight and everyone needs to pay attention to this, especially if you’re new to the market.”

The total gross weight of your rig

The total weight of your rig includes all the passengers, luggage and water tank, in relation to the licence you have. If you obtained your licence before 1997, you can carry up to five tonnes or 500 kilos. Licences granted after 1997 are usually restricted to 3.5 tonnes.

This becomes particularly important if you’re planning on using your motorhome as a family, because there’s all sorts of extra weight to consider. This varies from additional passengers to a supermarket shop and whether or not to travel with your water tank full.

Chassis and chassis rating

Even if you’re not restricted by your licence, the capacity your chassis can hold will also have an impact on the weight you can tow. It’s illegal to carry a rig with a weight totalling above the chassis rating and police are known to stop and check for this, as it’s not safe.

Dan said: “Most manufacturers do offer a chassis upgrade for a small fee, or even sometimes for free, so if you do have a larger licence and are able to drive up to five tonnes, maybe consider upgrading your chassis.”

Being in the know

When buying a caravan or motorhome it’s up to you to work out the practicalities in terms of weight and how this will impact the kit you can take on a trip with you. Understanding this in advance will help to cut down on unexpected surprises further down the line.

Dan said: “All the information is published within the manufacturers’ guidelines, but the thing is that you’ve got to actually delve into it and consider the maths.”

Items to consider that will significantly increase your weight and shouldn’t be overlooked:

  • Additional passengers
  • Bikes
  • Luggage
  • Full water tank
  • Full waste tank
  • Full gas bottle

Dan recommends getting everyone to weigh their luggage and additional items if you’re close to the weight limit. Otherwise, you could get stopped on your way to your holiday and be told you can’t take some of your kit with you.

The final word from Dan is that “before you commit to buying, you need to understand weights and measures”.

 

 

Photo credit: Pexels/Nubia Navarro

Caravan and Motorhome Club acquires award-winning Cornwall site

Posted by

The Caravan and Motorhome Club has added another site to its extensive network across the UK, after acquiring Carnon Downs Caravan Park in Cornwall.

While the site has been affiliated to the Club since 2007, it’s only since its reopening earlier in April this year that it’s been officially owned by the caravanning organisation.

Now known as the Carnon Downs Caravan and Motorhome Club Site, it’s accepting bookings for those keen to explore England’s southwestern tip.

The site has the capacity to host 169 touring caravans and motorhomes, with facilities including a toilet block, electric hook up and a TV room.

As well as the villages of Carnon Downs, Devoran and Feock being close by, the cathedral city of Truro with all its attractions is just three miles away.

Keen cyclists can set off on two wheels right from the site, as it’s located on Route 3 of the National Cycle Network.

No trip to Cornwall is complete without a day at the seaside and Loe Beach is situated close to the site.

It’s a great location to indulge in sailing, kayaking and windsurfing, with a watersports centre to teach those new to these activities.

Nick Lomas, director general of the Caravan and Motorhome Club said: “We are delighted to have purchased the Carnon Downs campsite as it’s an excellent site that we know is hugely popular with our members.

“We would also like to thank Simon Vallance and family for all their hard work building and maintaining this fantastic campsite over the years and we look forward to continuing their success. We hope you will join us in celebrating this fabulous news as we reopen the network following lockdown, and we look forward to welcoming you on site soon.”

Nick’s News – The Ford Nugget, a caravan site hero and what3words

Posted by

Nick HardingNick’s News – Nick Harding is an expert in all things motorhomes, caravans and camping. Each week, Nick explores products, locations, holiday ideas and essential community information on our behalf – It’s a Hard-ing Life for Nick, but here is what he found this week.

My Motorhome Week

Good time to buy; great time to sell. That’s what Canterbury, Kent-based motorhome dealer Choose Leisure tells me. It’s a pointed reminder that although it’s perfect timing if you’re aiming to purchase a motorhome for “immediate use” – apart from the fact that stock is fairly scarce, nationally – it’s an even bigger opportunity if, for some reason, you need to sell.

As Choose Leisure’s general manager Dominic Price puts it: “We’re constantly on the hunt for stock but even more so now – newbies mean no part-exchanges! So, if you’d like us to broker your motorhome [sale], or you’d prefer to sell it for cash, now’s the time.”

Brokering is a particular proposition where you retain ownership of the vehicle whilst employing the services of a dealer to sell on your behalf. Choose Leisure, long experienced in this format, is promising:
• Peace of mind that you don’t have to deal with strangers at your home
• Professional marketing and preparation of your motorhome
• Safe, secure transaction

If you are looking to sell your current motorhome – ideally still fairly new, in good condition and with a proper service history for both the base vehicle and the conversion – dealers will bite your hand off to take it.

In the news

National walking – May the force be with you

If it’s May, it must be National Walking Month. A great opportunity to step out and with every step you take you’re taking part. Designed to coincide with better weather, surely, it doesn’t need me to tell you walking is a great way of maintaining good health, mental as well as physical.

There’s even an attempt to define what actually is a “short walk” – answer: around one mile or 15-20 minutes. I’ve just logged in at www.livingstreets.org.uk (there’s also lots of advice here on what you can do if you’re unable to walk as much as you’d like) and been told my proposed 15 short journeys each week will see me cover some 75 miles, burning off 7,500 calories and saving 17,100 grams of carbon dioxide (compared to if I were to drive). Let’s go!

Meet your heroAnne Wragg ready to welcome visitors

Anne Wragg – Bringing out the best of Burford

Wardens, holiday site managers, hosts… call ‘em what you will, but the staff on the front line running campsites across the UK deserve some kind of collective medal. Not just for helping us get back to a form of normality in recent weeks, but for their unstinting efforts overall to ensure we get the best breaks when we go away camping.

That invariably means going well beyond the boundaries of their job descriptions – helping out in real emergencies and offering aid to those with vehicle issues. This latter situation is often unfairly put on their shoulders, I might add, but plenty of newcomers feel they have nobody else to turn to when things aren’t working as they should be.

Just one example is Anne Wragg, who, with husband Martyn, heads up the team at the Caravan and Motorhome Club Site at Burford, in the Cotswolds. It really does make all the difference when you meet folk as cheery, positive and helpful as this. She’s in her second stint at Burford – you may also recognise her from the Club’s Cirencester site – and she has a wealth of experience to call on and, time allowing, stories to tell. Or, as she puts it: “I used to be a nurse. Nothing shocks me now.”

Motorhome for me?

Ford Nugget – re-beginnings of a classic?

Ford’s Nugget – built for the brand by campervan gargantuan Westfalia – is starting to take the UK market seriously. About time, too – did you know it’s been in production for around a quarter of a century now? Like Volkswagen’s California and Mercedes’ Marco Polo, it has the base vehicle manufacturer’s “stamp of approval” and is being sold through its own network of selected retailers, as opposed to mainstream motorhome dealerships.

It offers a bit more in many aspects – five travel seats as standard, two generous double beds – and a bit less in others, notably overall storage.
Not that it’s going to be a worry to the Cali, by far the most popular campervan in the UK. But it does provide something different and should attract even more folk to the sector. And, in the latest Custom guise, it’s the best-driving Transit to date.

Three good: Top-drawer conversion work, superior elevating roof and upper bed, five-person travel and twin sliding doors
Two bad: Very limited storage and a low payload
Perfect for… an alternative to a VW-based camper
Also consider: Autohaus Spartan GT, Wellhouse Misano and Westfalia Kelsey

Gadget envy

The power of three

Not so much a gadget, but slowly starting to be seen as something of an essential – especially for those who like to travel beyond certain horizons. That’s what3words. It’s a relatively simple concept – wherever you are in the world, you can be pinpointed because it has been designated three random words. Just download the app to your phone and you’re away. It even works when you’re offline.

It’s increasingly used by the UK emergency services, as a sure-fire guarantee they will get to the exact spot of any potential disaster. A friend had an unfortunate brush with a bus whilst out driving recently. He was in the middle of nowhere and in a location where GPS has failed to permeate, seemingly suggesting a location he knew to be at least 70 miles away. Luckily, his breakdown recovery service was able to pinpoint exactly where he was because he had the what3words app. A lesson for all of us everywhere perhaps?

Caravan manoeuvring simulator launches on mobile

Posted by

As more people take to the road in their caravans in the wake of the pandemic, it’s vital their skills are up to scratch.

Luckily, there’s a caravan manoeuvring simulator that allows them to practice before driving a caravan for real, and it’s just launched on mobile.

ReverseMyTrailer allows users to gain a 360-degree view and experience what it’s like trying to park a caravan and adjust it into a pitch.

It also offers advice and explains the whole process to those who are new to driving a caravan or just in need of a brush up on their skills.

Previously only available on desktop, ReverseMyTrailer can now be accessed as an app for use on iPhone, iPad and Android mobile devices.

Users can choose a leisure vehicle and scenario to practice, as well as opting for a bird’s eye view or wing mirror view to gain greater understanding.

ReverseMyTrailer has already proved popular with caravanners, as it’s been downloaded more than 1,000 times and the feedback has been positive.

Jim Bedigan, creator of ReverseMyTrailer, told CaravanTimes: “I’ve been very pleasantly surprised at the level of interest shown not just here in the UK, but in many other parts of the world – ReverseMyTrailer has gone global!

“The program has been downloaded in 47 countries so far. After the UK, the most popular destinations are currently Australia, Sweden and Canada.

“It seems people have been finding it useful too. I’ve had some very kind comments from users across Europe, saying it has helped them prepare for their B+E driving test. Comments like that make the whole project worthwhile.”

If you find tapping into your competitive spirit helps to motivate you to learn, then there’s even a leaderboard feature on the app, where you can pit yourself against other drivers.

While reversing is the main focus of the app, it encompasses several aspects of driving a caravan and Mr Bedigan intends to adapt it further to add more features.

 

 

 

 

Photo credit: Pexels/Kampus Production

A convincing case for a caravan holiday with your pooch

Posted by

Holidaying with your dog makes them happier and can reduce behavioural issues, according to a new study from Park Leisure.

The leisure company found that a dog’s heartbeat increases by an average 51 per cent while on holiday, indicating high levels of excitement.

You can make your pet even happier by taking them to the beach, as the research discovered dogs’ heartbeats rose by 74 per cent at the coast.

It’s not surprising the wide open space, splashing of the waves, and new and interesting scents got those tails wagging, as the beach is a happy place for lots of people too.

Nick Benger, a leading dog behaviourist starring on the Amazon Prime show The Pack, was involved in the research alongside Park Leisure.

He said: “For dogs, getting away and appreciating new scents and experiences can reduce stress and strengthen their relationship with their owners. It’s also extremely important that puppies – especially lockdown puppies – are exposed to different situations, people and dogs – holidaying with your pet is a great way to do that.

“As for older dogs, a change in environment is a great chance to improve their training in a neutral space without the baggage of past learning at home.”

Once the researchers had established a resting heart rate for the dogs with the help of a pulse monitor, they compared it to their heart rates in different situations during a break at a Park Leisure resort.

It turns out dogs aren’t too different to humans, with arriving at their holiday accommodation seeing an increase of 39 per cent and going for a country walk upping the dogs’ heart rates by 58 per cent.

Caravan holidays are an ideal way to take your pet with you, as self-contained leisure vehicles allow you to have a dedicated space for your dog.

Staycations started back up after the relaxing of coronavirus restrictions on April 12th, making it the perfect time to book a holiday for you and your pooch.

Family win Swift motorhome just in time for post-lockdown holidays

Posted by

A lucky family are the proud new owners of a Swift motorhome after winning a nationwide competition.

Catherine Lear, along with her partner and three boys, will soon be enjoying staycations in their Swift Edge 476 after beating thousands of other people to the prize.

The shiny brand new vehicle was presented to the family at Lowe & Rhodes Leisure on April 14th and the excitement was palpable, with thumbs up from the two youngest members of the family.

Ms Lear said: “The motorhome is simply amazing. This is just like winning the Lottery; we keep pinching ourselves! It’s wonderful to hear my family chatting about who will be sleeping where and what adventures we will go on – it’s all they talk about, which is wonderful.

“Thanks so much to Swift – the prize has opened a whole new world to us and given us all a real boost.”

As well as the state-of-the-art motorhome, which only hit the market last year, the prize package also included a living pack and 30 nights’ worth of camping.

This has been supplied by the Camping and Caravanning Club, which is a co-sponsor of the Win an Edge competition.

The Lears will be able to sample the Club’s hospitality to the full, as they have been gifted a year’s membership of the organisation.

All-in-all, the prize package is worth more than £50,000 and offers the incredible freedom that only comes with a self-contained motorhome.

Nick Page, commercial director at Swift, said: “We couldn’t be happier to present Catherine and her family with their new motorhome. The Edge range is ideal for family usage with hardwearing materials and ample storage, so it has found the perfect owners with the Lears.

“Especially after the challenging times everyone has experienced over the past year, it feels wonderful as a company to be able to bring a ray of sunshine into people’s lives and help facilitate years of family getaways to come. We look forward to hearing about their travels and offer our huge congratulations.”

Nick’s News – Certificated locations, popular floorplans and bamboo crockery

Posted by

Nick HardingNick’s News – Nick Harding is an expert in all things motorhomes, caravans and camping. Each week, Nick explores products, locations, holiday ideas and essential community information on our behalf – It’s a Hard-ing Life for Nick, but here is what he found this week.

My Caravan Week

April 12th in England and I was out like a shot! Off to the Cotswolds for the week. I must admit to having had some feelings of anxiety – and was fully expecting a rammed Burford Caravan and Motorhome Club Site. In fact, it was at most half-full for the first two days.

I also had two nights on a certificated location – a small site without additional infrastructure – Wolds End, a short walk into Chipping Campden. No such amenities here, of course, but again it was one occupant short of its full five-van capacity on both nights.

In the news

National Camping and Caravanning Week – a date to save?

May 31st to June 6th are dates worth noting, as it will be National Camping and Caravanning Week. This little sideline offered by the Camping and Caravanning Club is happening… well, everywhere really.

In truth, it’s a way of celebrating the caravanning lifestyle, and highlighting to others a bit of what it’s all about. But, if you’re new to the caravan or motorhome lifestyle, it’s well worth keeping an eye out for specific events near you. Indeed, this year there’s a specific event aimed at newcomers at the Club’s own site at Drayton Manor in Staffordshire.

Caravan crush

Swift Sprite Super Major 4SB – a very model of a modern British caravan

Caravanning-for-the-masses brand Sprite has a new layout for this season. Unsurprisingly, Swift has gone for a transverse island bed with full-width end washroom. Well, it is the floorplan everyone’s clamouring for at the moment. Everyone? I actually have a feeling it’s more coveted by couples than those who need a full four-berth.

It’s also in an extra-wide body, meaning it’s even roomier. Have you noticed, too, how Sprites are inching ever more upmarket? The Super Major includes as standard such luxuries as GRP-skinned wood-free bodywork, front sunroof, microwave oven, DAB radio, alloy wheels, AKS 3004 stabiliser and Al-Ko Secure wheel lock receiver, Ecocamel showerhead, and Duvalay mattress. I’m sure you get the picture.

Three good: Popular floorplan in extra-wide setting, spec per pound and general Sprite popularity
Two bad: Kitchen lacks a bit of kit and a sub-160kg payload
Perfect for… the layout of the day, but keenly priced
Consider also: Adria Adora Isonzo, Bailey Phoenix+ 644, Coachman Acadia 875 Xcel

Gadget envyNick's eclectic caravan crockery collection

Crockery – bamboo shoots but melamine still scores

How often do you change your crockery? For me, it’s almost every year, but that’s arguably more through accident than design. As a VW camper owner, I’ve got my de rigueur campervan mugs, bowls and plates, but keep their use to a bit of a minimum because I don’t want too much wear and tear.

Hence, it makes sense to grab a spare set, usually when I’m shopping for something else. I’ve also tried various specialist melamine crockery cleaners, but by far the most effective product here is a bleach solution, used as sparingly as I can get away with.

More recently, I’ve been sampling bamboo crockery, which majors on being more environmentally friendly. I must admit, though, I don’t always like the actual feel of the products. I do prefer camping gear in these situations as it weighs less, too. As ever, I’d be happy to hear your advice.

Looking ahead to National Camping and Caravanning Week 2021

Posted by

The date for this year’s National Camping and Caravanning Week (NCCW) has been announced and will be held from May 31st to June 6th.

Celebrated annually, the event is hosted by the Camping and Caravanning Club, which allocates specific themes to focus on.

For the 2021 edition, the themes are newcomers and freedom, which are particularly pertinent in a world that has been restricted so long and a market that is welcoming many newbies to camping and caravanning.

Michelle Jewell, of the Camping and Caravanning Club, said: “We’re confident this year is going to be a great one for the camping and caravanning industry, as people look to enjoy some much-needed time away from home in the fresh air.

“National Camping and Caravanning Week is all about celebrating everything to do with our great pastime, and because in the past year we have seen so many people enjoy camping for the first time – or rediscover it – we want to provide lots of helpful tips and inspiration for future camping adventures.”

Caravanners can use the event to gain expert knowledge from the Club’s technical team; get involved with competitions to win kit and accessories; or register for a camping experience at the Drayton Manor site in Staffordshire.

Aimed at families who are new to camping, the Drayton Manor opportunity will be a great introduction for those who have never stayed under canvas or in a caravan before.

The Camping and Caravanning Club was founded in 1901 and has grown to have more than half a million members.

Its calendar of events throughout the year helps to make staying in the great outdoors more accessible for everyone.

The Club has been running NCCW since the year 2000 and it has proved popular with caravanners.

Travelworld practices what it preaches, offering staff use of a motorhome

Posted by

A motorhome dealership is offering staff the use of a leisure vehicle for getaways this summer as it helps its customers staycation in the wake of the pandemic.

Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld has invested in a HYMER T-Class S 685 for employee use, responding to the lack of certainty around foreign holidays.

The dealership, which is based in Staffordshire, already has a Carado I447 that the 68 members of staff can take on adventures, but has introduced a second leisure vehicle to the scheme in light of anticipated demand.

Ross Edwards, managing director of Travelworld, said: “As perks go, I think the use of a top-class motorhome is pretty good.

“The Carado I447 has been available to staff for a number of years and has been very popular, so we thought we’d reward our employees for their hard work and dedication over the last 12 months by adding another vehicle for them to book.

Travelworld has been in the motorhome business for more than four decades and has continued to serve the leisure vehicle community despite not being able to open its showroom for the past 12 months.

Instead, staff have helped prospective buyers in Covid-safe ways, with January and February proving to be record-breaking sales months, as people look ahead to holidays as restrictions ease.

Mr Ross added: “Everyone needs a holiday and, with trips abroad looking doubtful at best, and the domestic holiday market seeing unprecedented demand, these motorhomes will give our staff the chance to explore Britain with their families in a safe and exciting way and at no cost.”

Travelworld staff that take their employer up on the generous offer of borrowing the HYMER T-Class S 685 will discover a face-to-face seating area, two rear single beds and an electric drop down double bed inside.

Caravan and Motorhome Club offers driving courses

Posted by

The Caravan and Motorhome Club is offering a selection of driving courses aimed at giving tourers peace of mind on the road.

Available at 14 locations across the UK, the Covid-secure courses encompass professional safety information and techniques for driving with a caravan or motorhome.

Running from now until October, the courses could be a good idea for anyone new to caravanning and unaware of what it entails.

They may also prove useful for caravanners that haven’t driven a leisure vehicle in a while and feel they would benefit from a refresher.

The selection of courses on offer include Practical Caravanning, Caravan Manoeuvring and Motorhome Manoeuvring, each of which take less than seven hours to complete.

Alternatively, there’s Practical Caravan Manoeuvring, which is aimed at newbies to caravanning and lasts ten hours split over two days.

Topics covered within the courses include manoeuvring; hitching and towing; safety checks; the laws around caravanning and motorhoming; and loading, along with its impact on towing.

Anyone keen to take one of The Club’s courses can sign up to participate at training centres in Askham Bryan, Darlington, Dumfries, Figheldean, Kettering, Llanelli, Llay, Macclesfield, Newark, Plumpton, West Bromwich, Winchester, Worcester or Stoke Climsland.

Prices start at £159 per person and include a copy of the Club’s Essential Guide to Touring, which retails at £16.

Those who complete one of the courses will also find it could have a positive impact on their insurance premium, with the Club offering a five per cent reduction on its own policies.

Harvey Alexander, director of marketing and membership services at the Caravan and Motorhome Club said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this excellent range of courses to new and seasoned tourers alike, as we know everyone is excited to get back out on the road.

“These Covid-secure courses provide great value for money and mean that people have the confidence to relax and enjoy their touring adventure with real peace of mind.”

 

 

Photo credit: Pexels/Kampus Production

Motorhome bookings to explore the North Coast 500 soar

Posted by

It’s no secret that staycations by motorhome are expected to be very popular post-lockdown, but one company has decided to delve deeper into the place most people want to explore in the coming months. GoBoony, a motorhome sharing platform inspired by Airbnb, conducted research into the destination the majority of its customers will be travelling to.

It discovered that 23 per cent of people departing on a motorhome holiday after April 26th are driving up to Scotland, with many of the motorhomes being bound for the North Coast 500 (NC500). This long-distance drive has often been described as Scotland’s answer to Route 66 and is a firm favourite with motorhome and caravan enthusiasts.

The satisfaction of a round trip

Starting in the city of Inverness, the NC500 crosses the country to Applecross, before heading up the west coast, taking in Gairloch, Ullapool and Lochinver. Venturing along the most northerly points of mainland Scotland, holidaymakers will enjoy the delights of Caithness and John o’ Groats, before returning south to Inverness.

Jake Stone, UK country manager at GoBoony, told CaravanTimes: “A round trip is very satisfying, which is why I believe the NC500 is one which has attracted a lot of attention from motorhome holidaymakers this summer. It is full of scenery – something we are all wanting a change of recently – spots of interest and adventure.

“The route gives holidaymakers so much variety. From beautiful towns, stunning coastlines and mountain backdrops to local, fresh produce, wildlife and history as rich and exciting as the landscape itself. On top of this, it is one that can be done within a reasonable amount of time too.”

GoBoony found that those making motorhome bookings with the express purpose of exploring the NC500 were scheduling ten days with their leisure vehicle. This is significantly longer than the average motorhome reservation, which is 7.1 days.

While advice from VisitScotland states that the 516-mile route can be completed in five to seven days, it’s nice to take it at a leisurely pace. Many of those hiring motorhomes may well also be factoring the journey to Inverness into the equation too.

Holidaymakers craving freedom

Caravan and motorhome sites across the UK are expected to be in high demand this summer, as lockdown measures are eased. This will make booking ahead essential, as individuals, couples and families look to escape their local areas after months of travel restrictions.

Mr Stone added: “People are craving more freedom, normality, and the open road – something a motorhome trip gives in abundance. Motorhomes are a fantastic holiday choice for those individuals and parties seeking a UK adventure without being amongst the hustle and bustle.

“Naturally socially-distanced by design, motorhomes are an inventive and fun way for Brits to travel and explore safely. Very few alternatives offer holidaymakers the same modern style, home comforts and appliances without being restricted to one location.”

 

 

Image reproduced with kind permission from GoBoony

Nick’s News – A return to touring, pop-up sites and motorhome accessories

Posted by

Nick HardingNick’s News – Nick Harding is an expert in all things motorhomes, caravans and camping. Each week, Nick explores products, locations, holiday ideas and essential community information on our behalf – It’s a Hard-ing Life for Nick, but here is what he found this week.

My motorhome week

I’m writing this just at the point that campsites in England are re-opening (April 12th). And I’m lucky enough to have booked pitches at the Caravan and Motorhome Club’s Site at Burford, as well as one of its Certificated Locations – Wold’s End – for a bit of touring in the Cotswolds.

Fortunately, I’m in a Bailey Adamo 69-4 motorhome, which I’m testing for the Caravan and Motorhome Club Magazine, so the ruling that sites can’t open their toilet block facilities isn’t going to be a particular issue.

It’s making me think though. I wonder if a possible future scenario is for campsites of a specific size – let’s say of 20 pitches or more, but that’s completely arbitrary – not to have any shared toilet and shower facilities at all. If it kept pitch prices down, there may be some merit for a network of sites offering minimal facilities that are also open to all-comers. I could see myself as a regular attendee. What do you think?

In the news

Popping up – Club sites

It seems the Caravan and Motorhome Club has beaten me to it as far as my comments above are concerned. Its announcement of two pop-up campsites – Beale Life Wildlife Park in Berkshire from July 26th to August 2nd, and Beaulieu Estate in the New Forest from July 2nd to 29th – are surely forerunners of what we can expect from many campsite operators as they attempt to meet the soaring demand from us staycationers.

Surely there will be more announcements along these lines. It’s also a reminder, if you need such a thing, that campsite pitches across the UK are booking up fast and supply is going to struggle to keep up with demand.

Hire an Auto-Trail here – or there

Manufacturer Auto-Trail has announced links with 27 companies offering its motorhomes for hire across the UK. It sounds like a great idea to me, because if you were thinking of buying a particular model it’s an ideal way to try it out before you take the plunge of purchasing.

It also means, if your heart was set on ordering a new Auto-Trail but have found stock simply isn’t going to be available in time – a situation that’s affected all manufacturers this year, for obvious Covid and Brexit reasons – you could still find yourself going away in an Auto-Trail for at least some sort of holiday.

Motorhome for me?

Sun Living V65SL – the cost of living?

Finding Adria’s Twin series van conversions a bit much? You can get back to basics with the same manufacturer’s Sun Living V models. Just as Auto-Trail has been blazing a, er, trail with its lower-priced Expeditions, so Adria has similar expectations for its Sun Living offerings.

Based on Fiat’s near-ubiquitous Ducato, the V65SL is the extra-long, 6.36m variant that offers not just a front lounge but also a rear twin-settee area – the latter could actually be left as a bedroom if required, with single beds or a double.

The only thing is, Adria can’t hammer down that price as much as we’d like. It starts at around £46,000, but there are a few options packs that will tempt you on towards the £50,000 hurdle – and I’d argue the £1,820 Pack 1’s cab air con, passenger air bag and cruise control make it an essential.

Three good: Adria build quality, rear seat/bed flexibility and smart pricing
Two bad: Price-creep options and sliding door is UK offside
Perfect for… full facilities in a van conversion, at a keener start price
Also consider: Auto-Trail Tribute Compact 680, Benivan 122, Roller Team Toleno L, Swift Select 184

Gadget envy

Multi-purpose shelters – the space savers?

As we emerge post-lockdown, we’re going to start wanting some items of kit previously never particularly thought of as essential, such as shelters, for example. They’re ideal for meeting other folk whilst still maintaining social distancing and keeping fresh air around you to a maximum. All this at the same time as offering some protection from the harsher elements.

Dometic’s £644 HUB is an inflatable activity shelter, which can stand alone or you can order an optional connection tunnel to link up to your campervan or SUV. Zip-in wall panels – featuring windows or mesh – and an annexe are also available at an extra cost if you want even more privacy or protection.

Another inflatable offering is the Outwell Air Shelter. Again, you simply pump it up for instant cover, with a choice of wall panels also optional. Prices start at around £350.

Meanwhile, Quest’s Screen House – available in two sizes and priced from around £250 – uses an integral extending frame system so it can be put up by one person in seconds. Its sides are mesh, but you can order additional panelling to complete your enclosure.