Home//MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine/March 2024/In This Issue
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024WelcomeMMM's technical team has raised an issue that anyone who carries a cycle on their motorhome or campervan, or plans to, should be aware of. Many motorhomes come pre-prepared to accept a cycle rack on their rear panels. However, these pre-prepared frames have a maximum weight limit – this limit is the weight of the bike rack plus the weight of the bike/bikes you may load onto it. It's not unusual for this weight limit to be 50kg, which is fine for a couple of standard bicycles but the weight of new electric cycles can be typically double that of a standard cycle. This could mean two new electric folding bikes will weigh close to the maximum weight limit before accounting for the weight of the cycle rack itself. Even…1 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Back issues up for grabsI have been a keen reader of MMM with a complete set of monthly magazines from December 1994 to current copies (approximately 360 magazines) and 160 earlier magazines from July 1973 to December 1994 on the same topic. I would be happy to pass over this “library” if MMM, or others wanted to use it. Graham ED Thanks Graham, we've already got a full set here at MMM Towers. However, if anyone out there is interested, drop us an email and we'll put you in contact with Graham.…1 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024A ferry taleLETTERS For many years we have enjoyed exploring the west coast and islands of Scotland during October, after the mosquitoes and crowds had gone. Our last tour had been in 2018, after which there was a four-year hiatus due to family illness and then that Covid thing, so we were determined to get away in 2023. Family business prevented our departure until the last week in October, but still it felt good to set off from home in Morpeth, Northumberland, for Culzean Castle as our first stop. From there we moved on to Lochranza on the Isle of Arran. As the CalMac ferries had now adopted the winter schedule, the ferry from Lochranza took us to Tarbert, where we spent two nights before reaching our second island, little Gigha. Due…4 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Our monthMONKEYING AROUND “A ring-tailed lemur poked its head out of its shelter as if checking the weather” Helen Werin Travel Writer Chester's sprung surprises on us at every step, especially at the zoo. Well, I didn't know there was such an animal as a giant otter, did you? In my ignorance I thought they were little creatures. After all, the last otter I saw was about the size of a small cat and following us up the River Aulne alongside our campsite in Châteaulin, Brittany. In Chester Zoo the endangered otters are giant – OK, about three feet tall. I thought at first I was seeing a seal, then it stood upright and clambered up the cascade, an amazing sight. It was a bitterly cold day and the volunteers in…2 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024SHOW NEWSDay visitor tickets now on sale Day visitor tickets for all of Warners 2024 events will be available to book from 1 February. If you're on the hunt for a new or used vehicle, or fancy an accessory shopping spree, the exhibition areas provide a superb opportunity for comparing multiple products, models and retailers in one place. Many also offer a free advice centre with a fantastic selection of live speakers covering a huge variety of topics. All shows offer free parking, a free showguide and, subject to availability, a free goody bag. Booking in advance saves £3 or £4 per person, depending on the event. To find your nearest event or to book, head to warners-shows.co.uk Podcast to feature shows and ticket giveaways Future broadcasts of the popular podcast,…1 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024North Wales is a no-brainerHarry has never seen a castle. Our daughter's Antipodean boyfriend has no preconceptions whatsoever about what to expect for his first visit to the UK. He does, however, have a firm idea of what he wants to see and experience: history, hundreds of years of it. At the top of his list are castles, followed by quaint villages of twisting streets lined with ancient churches and wizened cottages. So, rather like the fairy godmother from the picture books these images evoke, I'm going to grant Harry his wishes – and we're off to Wales. Why Wales? Because it has more castles per square mile than any other country in Europe. Oh, and it has the dramatic mountains, picturesque towns and villages and spectacular coast that I am certain will also…10 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Get away for… THE WEEKEND!Weekend Break | TRAVEL In December 2018, we had spent one night at Bellingham Camping and Caravanning Club site on our way to Kielder Water and found it so peaceful that we wished wed booked to stay longer. So, a few years later, we had no hesitation in signing up for a weekend meet there with other WildAx owners. It was a spring equinox event: a Star Camp with two nights led by an astronomer. During the day we would have a chance to explore the characterful village, set on the verdant banks of the River North Tyne. From Scotland we climbed through the Cheviots on the A68 then followed the recommended route in the pre-arrival guide we'd received with our booking, crossing wide, empty moorland via a B-road. The…9 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024My travels…“We set off for the Isle of Mull early in April in our Swift Escape, and there were a lot of tourers around even then. As with anywhere out of the way a little, where campsites may be limited, research and planning are key. Before you travel, you need to book the ferry through CalMac. The quickest crossing is Oban to Craignure (45 minutes), but others are available. Most guides advise you to book your first campsite as well. There are about seven on the island, of varying sizes. However, one is Fidden Farm on the toe of the Ross of Mull, which doesn't take bookings. You turn up, and there's always space. It's one vast field with no electric hook-up, but all other services. Wild camping in a motorised…3 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Starting lineWATCH the video! motorhome.ma/review299 Chances are that you're not very familiar with the Italian brand, Giottiline, but equally likely is that you'll be hearing a lot more about this marque now that Brownhills has become its latest dealer. It's by no means a new manufacturer, having been founded two decades ago, but its focus has changed considerably from the eye-catching, but slightly oddball luxury models that were its first toe in the water. Giottiline has been part of the Rapido Group since 2016. Two years ago the French parent invested in extending and updating the production line at Colle di Val D'Elsa in Tuscany, where the low-profile models for Itineo are also built. It may not be well-established here but Giottiline has a range of 19 models and about 100…11 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Our motorhomeTESTED2017 Auto-Sleeper Kingham 2017 AUTO-SLEEPER KINGHAM Just under four years, 22,000 miles and nearly 400 nights later, we still love our Auto-Sleeper Kingham. There are a few things that niggle, but overall it meets our needs very nicely. We are an ‘economically inactive’ couple who both worked in the outdoors and still enjoy being outside and active; mainly hiking, cycling, kayaking. We had it all planned out we would both finish work in March 2020 and head off to Europe for one long trip before Brexit travel restrictions kicked in. However, Covid had other ideas and, two days later, we were in the first lockdown and the best we could do was tea and cake under the awning in front of the house. Since then, we have undertaken some smaller…10 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024My projectWe sold our small Lunar Vacanza campervan because we needed more space and it only had a 10-litre carry-type water container, with no cupboard space available for anything larger. Our new high-top Leisuredrive VW campervan has a full-height cupboard where the Dometic sink is. Just inside the tailgate, half of this cupboard houses the removable 27-litre container; we prefer this to the underfloor concealed type. Alongside this there is enough room in the cupboard for a robust, wheeled, folding water carrier. The problem we had was that we couldn't find one. Water is heavy and one litre weighs 1kg. We spend quite a lot of time at temporary sites usually run by the Camping and Caravanning Club as well as others along the Thames, plus by canals and coastal sites.…5 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Vintage ‘vansTHIS MONTH Martin Watts says you need to think carefully before taking on a ‘project’ When Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, his famous line, “water, water everywhere, Nor any drop to drink” was most certainly not aimed at owners of older motorhomes, and yet it is quite fitting, given that water leaks are one of the biggest enemies for owners of the older coachbuilt examples. 1 keep an eye on prices of older models and peruse a plethora of classified adverts. If there is one thing that stood out last year, it was the huge number of classic coach built motorhomes being sold as projects. Many appeared quite tidy and appealing externally, and it was only when looking at internal photos that I realised what…4 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Sporty new Vantage Motion R announcedThis month Vantage Motorhomes has announced a collaboration with vehicle design specialist, Motion R Design, to offer a bespoke campervan based on the Ford Transit Custom. The collaboration combines Vantage's established campervan knowhow with an exterior styling package and cab upgrades from Motion R that, it is hoped, will appeal to a new type of customer. The Motion R campervan is based on the existing Luna model but with a wide range of upgrades, including a full carbon fibre exterior enhancement kit, forged monoblock alloy wheels, diffuser, rear spoiler and much more. In the cab, it has full or half Nappa leather upholstery, a carbon fibre and perforated leather steering wheel, and additional Motion R carbon fibre details. In addition to the styling enhancements, the Motion R gains the following…3 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024New VW Transporter announcedThis month The first official details – and camouflaged images – of Volkswagen's new Transporter have finally been announced and the longawaited replacement for the T6.1 could be preordered in Germany from 14 December last year. Described as “better in every way”, the newgeneration van has a higher load capacity, higher payload and higher maximum trailer weight than its forebear. For the first time, it will be available with turbo-diesel, plug-in hybrid and fully electric powertrains. This new-generation van, which is closely related to the latest Ford Transit Custom, also offers a significantly expanded standard spec compared with its predecessors – including a digital cockpit, central display and the latest assist systems. Although the load area is expected to be identical to the Ford, VW says the new Transporter is…1 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Bailey Alora 69-4TTHE Alora was one of the stars of last October's NEC show. Its a significant addition to Bailey's line-up, fitting between the Endeavour campervans and larger Adamo coachbuilts with a trio of layouts that are all 6.99m long but, more crucially, just 2.12m wide. There are island and transverse double bed layouts (the latter a class winner in the 2024 Motorhome Awards), but here it's the single bed model that's under scrutiny. The Alora range follows on from the Endeavour and Adamo in adopting a Ford Transit chassis, here with the 130hp engine and manual gearbox as standard (the automatic transmission is a £2,000 option in combination with an upgrade to 155hp). In typical Bailey fashion, you don't have to budget for other extras or packs as the £75,499 price…4 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Camping with caninesIT'S estimated that more than half of motorhome owners also have at least one dog and it's not hard to see why the two go so well together if you've ever tried to take your canine on a hotel holiday. You wouldn't want to leave your best friend in kennels, either, so, here's everything you need to know about travelling with dogs in your motorhome. THE ACCESSORIES When packing your motorhome for touring you'll need to think about your dog's needs as well as your own, but some of these essential items can be left permanently in the ‘van. As with crockery, etc, it's good to have a second set of gear, rather than robbing your household kit. • Leads, harnesses, extending leads • Hook to secure a lead to…9 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024your lettersHave your say by emailing or writing to us at: mmm@warnersgroup.co.uk Join the debate twitter.com/MMM_Magazine Join the community facebook.com/motorhomemags Your Letters, MMM, Warners Group Publications, West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH Frustrated by Fiat Fiat has pushed me and my wife to the limit. Having discovered some other people's experiences of dealing with Fiat aftercare, I realise that we are not the only folk who have had a bad experience with Fiat. We waited for 18 months (since October 2021) to receive our pre-ordered new Adria Sonic motorhome at the beginning of May (2023). We covered just over 5,000 miles before the ZF nine-speed automatic gearbox failed in the fourth week of August, in Belgium, leaving us stranded. Two Fiat-approved garages failed to help us, and Fiat arranged to repatriate…14 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Weighing up the batteriesThe extensive article on e-bikes (January, p114) will be very helpful to readers contemplating taking this step. My wife and I did so last year after considerable research. Perhaps the most important consideration was bike weight. Most e-bikes are very heavy and may weigh up to 28kg, which is a major impediment to their being lifted onto a bike rack. We eventually settled on a make that employs the Fazua battery/motor system, a system that is being adopted more and more by e-bike manufacturers. The battery and motor are an integral unit mounted as part of the bike frame, which can be removed for charging. Our bikes weigh 15kg and 12kg without the battery, making them lighter than our previous hybrid non-e-bikes. We charge them in the motorhome garage, having…1 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Roam againWith reference to the letter in the December issue, Show me the way to go Roam (p10). I have a suggestion. I found an O2 SIM-only deal, with a data allowance, that gives 50% of the allowance free across Europe. It is the only company that does this. Michael Tillett In answers to the December issue's letter requesting advice on mobile roaming in the EU, there are two SIM-only options for roaming free in the EU that I can recommend, though I expect there are others. The first is 1pMobile, which provides free roaming in the EU. The basic cost for calls, texts and data are 1p/minute, 1p/txt and 1p/MB and these are the same in the EU. This provider uses the EE network. iD Mobile uses the 3 network…1 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Motor muse monthlyIf, after reading a few paragraphs of this month's offering, you're starting to think that the subject is a bit of a rant about the current trends in motorhome interior design and furnishings, you'd be wrong. This was just something that crawled out of my cranial crevice as I got started on the intended target, which is UK campsite fees, as compared to fees in the rest of Europe. Along with some comparisons about the quality of motorhoming life in Britain, when compared to travelling abroad. These topics have featured quite a lot in the letters section of MMM recently, so I thought I'd do a quick precis of the unrest. Just in case you have been travelling in exotic faraway places such as Azerbaijan or Yorkshire. However, that's for…4 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Scenic ScotlandScotland | TRAVEL The inspiration behind this trip began with a single photo – a panoramic landscape with three hikers on a broad track that had quite obviously been shot somewhere in the Cairngorms National Park. The walkers were on a plateau and, to their left was a loch, while the path they were treading seemed to be heading off into infinity. The caption below said it was of Loch Brandy in Glen Clova. Immediately, I knew I had to go there. But how? The problem was it would soon be July and I hadn't had any plans to be in Scotland at that time, not to mention already having another trip to Scotland coming up in mid-August. Frustratingly, I thought there just wouldn't be any time to fit it…11 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Go wild in the… FOREST OF DEANTHE JOURNEY From home, near Hayle in Cornwall, we took the A30, M5 and M48 to reach Chepstow, where our exploration began in October 475 miles THE COSTS Sarah and I have been to the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, once before, primarily to see the amazing bluebells in spring. On that trip we visited some of the popular tourist attractions, including Symonds Yat Rock and Tintern Abbey, so this time, on an autumnal visit, we decided to choose some different places based on two of our passions: mine for wildlife and Sarah's for steam trains. If there was a target species for this trip it was the rare and elusive hawfinch, a beautiful and quite large finch with a huge beak capable of breaking cherry stones, and we were lucky…7 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Our motorhome2018 SWIFT VOGUE 695 Callum the stag peered cautiously around the corner of the motorhome, his nose twitching in the air. Behind him the clouds wrapped gently around the mountaintops and a light rain began to fall. It was July 2023. We had met Callum a year earlier when we visited Wester Ross for the first time in our VW camper. Apparently, Callum had been injured a few years ago, so he no longer runs with a herd. Instead, he opts to hang around a car park on the single-track A832 awaiting tourists and, hopefully, a nice selection of apples. Callum hadn't changed in a year, we hadn't changed much, but our ‘van had. WHY WE MOTORHOME We've always loved the outdoors, hiking, walking and getting away from it all.…13 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024WIN £50Crossword When you have solved the crossword the coloured squares highlight a motorhome-related anagram ACROSS 5 Inflammation of the intestine (9)8 Make hazy (4)9 Training (8)10 Become a member again (6)11 Mythical monster (6)13 (The) rich and fashionable (3,3)15 Miasma (6)16 Breakfast favourite (5,3)18 Make angry (4)19 Wacky baccy (either spelling) (9) DOWN 1 Gargantuan (8)2/14 Held in limbo (4,2,3,3) 3/15 Exuberant energy (3,3,6)4 Deep breath (4)6 North American soft fruit (9)7 Mystifying (9)12 Partisan (anag) (8)14 See 215 See 317 Hard Dutch cheese (4) Sudoku When you have solved the sudoku you will have three figures in the coloured squares, reading from the top to the bottom Enter the numbers for sudoku and the anagram for the crossword on the online form (see below). The closing date for both…1 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024BuyingadviceFinding and buying the right motorhome or campervan for you is easier by following these steps. 1 RESEARCH IS KEY Browse the internet, watch video reviews – check out our YouTube channel at youtube.com/motorhomecampervan for the latest detailed tests – and peruse the information in this magazine. Then visit a motorhome and campervan show where you can compare many models in one place outandaboutlive.co.uk/shows 2 START A LIST List all the essential features you need and then the nice to haves. Items that can be retrofitted should be in the second category and shouldn't be deal-breakers. 3 WHAT LAYOUT? While budget and size are important, the layout is the most significant aspect to consider when choosing the right Van. Do you need a fixed bed, for example, or twin lounges?…3 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Classic cornerOf the myriad of base vehicles offered by Auto-Sleepers since 1961, some were only used in relatively small numbers, the Freight-Rover and American Chevrolet being two. It converted many Volkswagens during the ‘classic’ era, never using the familiar bay window T2, but offering several conversions on the VW T25 in the 80s. One Auto-Sleeper conversion that enjoyed a limited production run was also based on a VW – the LT van. It was an attractive model with a high top and distinctive rear louvre windows. MMM reader, Andrew Harcourt, recently contacted the office to say he has owned three WW LT28 Auto-Sleepers over the years and kindly enclosed a photo featuring his ‘van and one he spotted in France, parked in the same rest area. These models do not come…1 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024H 1409 MODEL COMPLETES THE KOSMO RANGE FROM LAIKAWith the launch of this single-bed A-class motorhome, Laika says it has completed the jigsaw puzzle of the revamped Kosmo range. Following the launch of the L 319, L 409 and H 1319 models at the Caravan Salon in Diisseldorf last August and the Kosmo L 412 DS at the Salon VDL in Paris, Laika unveiled another derivative at the CMT show in Stuttgart in January. The Kosmo H 1409 takes the layout of the L 409 low-profile and introduces an A-class version. Externally, the design of the honeycomb grille shows that this is part of the new generation of Laika motorhomes and, like the entire 2024-season Kosmo range, the newcomer is the result of a collaboration with GFG Style, a company founded by legendary automotive designers, Giorgetto and Fabrizio…1 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Auto-Sleeper BroadwayFBWHO IS AUTO-SLEEPERS? The picturesque Cotswold village of Willersey seems like an unlikely home for a motorhome manufacturer but Auto-Sleepers has been there for over 60 years. What started out as a family business under the Trevelyans, following the conversion of a Morris van for their own use, is now a company producing up to 700 vehicles a year as part of the Trigano Group. Its range includes the pop-top Air on Ford Transit Custom (marking a return to this sector), eight Fiat Ducatobased campervans, plus nine Fiat coachbuilts (two on Al-Ko chassis) and five Mercedes coachbuilts. The latest addition to the range is the M-Star, the company's first Mercedes Sprinterbased campervan. WHILE the French bed layout has quietly slipped out of many manufacturers’ model ranges, it lives on in…4 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024CJL Leisure Grande Adventure 600-4IN the past, we've been hugely impressed by CJL Leisure's conversions of the T6.1 Transporter, especially the newest addition to the line-up, the long-wheelbase Adventure Coast, but this Grande Adventure moves the company into a new league, not just as it's a larger (Crafter-based) camper but because of its sheer sophistication. Making its debut at last October's NEC show, the 600-4 model walked off not only with the title of Coolest Campervan, but it also grabbed the overall Campervan of the Year award from under the noses of more established competition. If any panel van conversion has an immediate wow factor, this is it. The show model looked very special, with eye-catching, lime-green contour line decals contrasting with the dark grey body. Inside, it's even more impressive but it's only…4 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024IH 710 IFLNOT so long ago the extra-long Fiat/Peugeot vans were considered to be about as big as most campervan buyers would want, at 6.36m long. Now, though, there are an increasing number of long-wheelbase MAN, Mercedes Sprinter and VW Crafter conversions of around 7m in length. And then along comes IH with something even bigger – a 7.27m-long Iveco Daily which can be ordered with a five-tonne maximum gross weight and a 3.5-tonne towing capacity! Not only is this a bigger panel van, but it can also be specified with a potent 210hp engine and twin rear wheels (all Dailys are also rear-wheel drive). Of course, it's as long as many a coachbuilt motorhome but the 710 IFL is still a lot slimmer, making it easier to pilot through towns and…4 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Rolling Homes DarwinTHE Volkswagen Crafter (and its sister van, the MAN TGE) is becoming increasingly popular as the basis for larger, more upmarket campervans – well, we did tip it as a class-leading base vehicle right from the off. Here, though, is something quite unlike the mostly fixed bed layouts we've seen so far and it comes from highly respected converter, Rolling Homes, which is best known for its Transporter T6.1 campervans. It is one of the select few brands approved under VW's Motorhome Qualification Scheme, as well as having NCC (National Caravan Council) approval. There's no permanent bed in the Darwin but, rather than going for a classic rear lounge, Rolling Homes is trying something different. No, it's not a front lounge, either, with a sofa facing the sliding door as…3 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024New-found freedomTop Pitch I was interested to read Barry Norris’ article on e-bikes (January, p114). After looking through the article, I noticed that two of the photos Barry had used were taken in the area around Benicassim, Costa del Azahar, Spain. We have been going to Benicàssim for 18 years and know the area well. In fact, we were able to explore the area further now we had e-bikes. I am in my late seventies so our e-bikes are a great asset for us. The area behind Benicàssim is mountainous and a few miles away is the Desert de les Palmes Natural Park, which contrary to its name might suggest, is rich in flora, fauna and fascinating geological formations. It is a protected park and covers an area of 3,200 hectares.…2 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Throwing nothing away!Here we sit on a site and, like always, the longer we stay, the more stuff spreads. I have a little shelf, now on my left as the driver's seat has been swivelled to face the lounge, which is very handy. On the shelf sits my phone on its charging pad, alongside an evergrowing bunch of keys and a pen, or two, or three! And a bargain of the century – an illuminating LED thing that takes three penlight cells. Oh, and a handful or so of peanuts. The problem is that this little shelf is hinged along its back edge and my mints are inside under the shelf. That means everything has to be taken off apart from the peanuts I missed to get at the mints, but hey-ho.…1 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024your favourite photosSHARE YOUR PHOTOS If you have a picture of a motorhome adventure that makesyou smile, please share it. Email it and a caption to mmm@warnersgroup.co.uk…1 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Wild rovers“At low tide you can wander on towards the rather stunning White Park Bay, a spectacular sandy beach between two headlands” Over the past few years, we have loved exploring far and wide in our campervan, from Shetland to San Sebastián, Milan to Mizen Head. With just a few weeks to go until our next big foreign adventure, we thought it was time we revisited our local patch, the beautiful Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland. We moved from Cambridge to Portrush, Northern Ireland, in 2016, and spent that first year enthusiastically exploring our local area. Everything was new and exciting, and was only a mere 15 miles from home yet still felt like a true adventure. Over time, however, familiarity can lead us to think that our local area is…8 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Motorhome Nomad‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the motorhouse, not a creature was stirring, except for a mouse… Yup, I found a mouse in the motorhome on Christmas Day. Merry Christmouse to me! Actually, it was even worse. I found evidence of a mouse (lots of droppings and it chewed through the lid of a tub of Bisto (other brands are available), a completely sealed packet of tea bags (Yorkshire, if you're interested) and the edge of a window blind (for reasons that aren't immediately apparent) but there was no sign of the actual mouse himself. I have no idea if it is a boy or girl mouse. When I find it, I'll ask for its pronouns, but I refuse to call a mouse ‘they’ so for now it's…3 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024How to… DO THE NC500 IN AMOTORHOMEThe North Coast 500 (NC500) has become one of the most popular road trips in the UK, with visitors coming from far and wide to witness for themselves the beauty that Scotland has to behold. Often referred to as Scotland's ‘Route 66’, this road trip has also been named in the top three in Europe and continues to draw visitors in for a staycation or campervan road trip and, here, we are going to take you on a tour of this adventure of a lifetime. This 516-mile circular route was launched as the NC500 in 2015 and has been growing in popularity ever since. It starts and ends in Inverness, the unofficial capital of the Scottish Highlands, and hugs the coastline around the north of Scotland. It can be driven…6 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Your campsite reviewsNORTHERN IRELAND Tollymore Forest Park, Co Down When most people travel to Northern Ireland they'll often only have time to explore the more famous north coast. This means missing out on the magnificent mountains and quieter beaches of the southeast coast. The Mourne Mountains hug the coastline, sweeping into the sea at Newcastle, whilst Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland's highest mountain, dominates the town. As a keen walker I'm a regular visitor to the Mournes, and occasionally base myself in Tollymore Forest Park. From here, it's a short drive to the numerous start points into the hills. The forest park sits at the foot of the mountains and is only a five-minute drive from Newcastle should supplies be needed. The town itself has an attractive seafront, and you can also walk…11 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Special KWATCH the video! motorhome.ma/review300 This doesn't look like your average campervan, does it? Standing super-tall, like any 4x4 Sprinter, the K-Peak emphasises its goanywhere nature with chunky BFGoodrich All-Terrain tyres on black steel rims. In Tenorite Grey metallic with distinctive Yucon graphics, it looks like it means business – even more so with the LED headlamps and over-windscreen light bars shining the way ahead. But who is Yucon and what is a K-Peak? Well, the former is the campervan brand from Frankia, founded in 2020 and now being imported to Britain by SMC Motorhomes of Newark, which is already the sole UK dealer for the parent company (best known for its luxurious A-classes). The new-thisseason K-Peak, meanwhile, takes its title from Keele Peak in the Yukon territory of Canada; the…10 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Tech help!TECH HELP EDITOR Base vehicle expert Q Why do I get cold feet driving my motorhome? I have a 2022 motorhome based on the 180hp Fiat Ducato with a nine-speed automatic gearbox. This is a lovely machine to drive; however, it has a problem that I hope you can offer advice on. The issue concerns the front cab area where there is a distinct lack of heat to the passenger and driver's feet. The passenger side fares slightly better in that the heater fan outlet is higher up under the console on that side, whereas the driver has no outlet. The heating is fine in the mid area and in the windscreen application; indeed, we can be cooked on either of the settings while our feet and legs feel they…24 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024ACCESSORIESWALKING AKU SLOPE ORIGINAL GTX BOOTS These Italian walking boots boast a classic some might say retro design that reflects the company's four decades on the European market. In an era when hiking shoes and boots seem to be getting ever more flashy, there's an understated simplicity about them that is reassuring and really appeals. That said, if you do want something fancier, there are some colourful versions available, too. The uppers are made from a combination of suede and AKU's own Air 8000 fabric, which provides increased breathability. A fully waterproof Gore-Tex membrane will ensure your feet stay dry. The Slope's exclusively designed Vibram sole has lugs facing all directions, designed to give maximum grip on all terrains. These £200 boots are available from size eight to 13. We…3 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024My view…” My husband had waited for 80 years for his great day and, now, Van packed, we were heading down to Ivybridge from Surrey for our sons ‘surprise party’ for him. We were going to camp at Modbury near Ivybridge and pop in to see our son on the birthday, with some lame excuse, which I had not vet worked out. Then the mobile started ringing and ringing and ringing, but was just out of reach. What was the matter? A voice, blurred by static, said, “The party's cancelled”. Our son and his partner had Covid. They sounded too ill to even peer at through the window. Rather bewildered by this sudden change in plan and with me having no Plan B, we continued hurtling along the motorway at a…3 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Auto-Trail Excel 690TWHO IS AUTO – TRAIL? Based in Grimsby, and part of the French-owned Trigano Group, Auto-Trail built its first motorhome in 1982. Many of its early vehicles were based on Mercedes-Benz chassis, but other base vehicles followed, including VWs, Talbots, Peugeots, Fords and Fiats, although the company has tended to focus on the luxury end of the coachbuilt motorhome market. Today, Auto-Trail offers everything from a 5.4m campervan to a tag-axle A-class. Its van conversions include pop-top models but nothing smaller than a MWB Fiat Ducato. The current Auto-Trail coachbuilt range encompasses the entry-level Expedition, the F-Line and new Excel (both on Ford), then Fiat-based Imala, Frontier and the Grande Frontier A-class. THE name isn't new (it was previously used by Auto-Trail from 2009 to 2011) but this Excel 690T…6 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Elddis Encore 295SURPRISINGLY, this classic style of very British two-berth motorhome no longer figures in the Swift range and can only be found from Auto-Trail in its more entry-level F-Line range. True, there are rivals from Bailey and Auto-Sleepers but the former's Autograph has been beset by chassis delivery issues and the latter is over three quarters of a metre shorter than this Elddis. At 7.41m, this is indeed a large Van for a model with just two travel seats and no fixed bed. It will come as no surprise that this newest member of the Encore range has a rear lounge – those big windows on three sides give the game away. However, you actually enter the 295 just behind the cab, where there's a sideboard and tall wardrobe opposite the…4 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Knights Custom Mountain TourerWHAT a pretty campervan! It would be hard to have any other reaction to this stunning VW T6.1 LWB from Knights Custom Conversions. We shouldn't be surprised, because this Lincolnshire-based converter has built up an enviable reputation for building topquality campers with more than a dash of style. Here, it's the Mountain Tourer conversion with a retro-inspired blue and white duo-tone exterior and stunning chrome/white wheels. Inside, it's equally impressive, with Powder Blue Nappa leather covering both the upgraded cab chairs (featuring much more embracing side bolsters) and the rear RIB Neptune single seats. Floor-level mood lighting, concertina window blinds and Corian kitchen worktops complete the premium feel. But this isn't just another VW camper with some added bling. Knights says that this rear kitchen layout has become its best-seller…4 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Swift Voyager 494ONE of our readers recently opined that the October NEC show was boring, due to the similarity of designs offered by most of the major manufacturers. It's certainly true that, if you're after an island bed motorhome of around 7.5m in length, you won't be short of choice. But this new ‘van from Swift has two things that you'll struggle to find in rival ranges – an overcab bed and a sub-£70k price tag. The appeal of the latter is undeniable, especially as it's an on-the-road figure that doesn't require you to add myriad options or packs. You can specify Ford's six-speed automatic gearbox for an extra £1,795 but everything else is standard. Yes, everything including the cab's metallic paint, the alloy wheels, front fog lamps, the 100W solar panel…6 min
MMM - The Motorhomers' Magazine|March 2024Hillside LeisureBASED in Derby, this campervan converter has grown considerably in stature since its birth in 2004. Twenty years on, it remains a family business, run by the Cross brothers, but it's now one of the UK's foremost firms when it comes to T6.1 campers. Not only that but it puts safety to the fore, with the credentials to prove it – not just European Whole Vehicle Type Approval but National Caravan Council approval and as one of the select few members of Volkswagen's Motorhome Qualification Scheme. It uses top-quality fittings, such as German SCA pop-tops, where others sometimes cut costs with lesser kit. You can always expect to see a variety of Vans converted and ready to go at its factory site (open Monday to Saturday), as well as a…4 min
