Contents

PLUS Win a new caravan p26 caravan

“Calling all newvan fans: we’ve digested all you need to know about the class of 2013” Sneak peeks, p85

Bailey’s radical new Unicorn is one of the stars of 2013

Caravan Chat 10 Letters Your shout, our say, your tips, our pick of new gear 14 Diary and basics Claudia’s top five events; Niall’s caravan basics 17 Caravan Bore Does your built-in radio/CD player sound tinny? There’s a reason for that 18 Talking tourers Where to see 2013 models, and a Hertfordshire dealership re-opens 20 Stacie’s super savers Giveaways and deals 22 Get involved! Write for your favourite mag

Claudia’s top

Caravan Travel 28 The month in travel Two top sites invest in great new facilities 30 Great Escape: Shropshire Niall Hampton retraces the route of a favourite family holiday 38 Weekender Claudia Dowell revels in Arundel’s grand historic buildings and charms 42 Weekender Clare Kelly discovers that the Suffolk coast is ideal for a first touring holiday 46 Top 10 sites for… great beaches 48 Owner Satisfaction Survey Have your say and be in with a chance to win a new iPad! 50 Reader travels Dramatic castles and wildlife sanctuaries meet in Northumberland 54 Reader travels Oxford is not for adults only; there’s plenty to entertain young children 57 Good Sites Guide 5 sites in the Eden Valley

We stay on the sites We tow the vans We live the dream!

Ni

Showroom 68 Tourer live-in test We try out Adria’s fixed-bunk Altea 542 DK 74 Dealer special The six-berth Marquis Majestic 506 76 Dealer special Glossop’s special two-berth 80 Tourer review The new, tiny Going Cockpit 85 2013 van preview Our peek at new vans 101 First drives Mitsubishi Outlander; Kia C’eed 103 Towcar test The latest Subaru Outback vs VW Passat Alltrack in a battle of 4x4 estates 109 Running reports News about our fleet work on our 1986 Sprite Alpine C NEW!

Caravan Genius 115 Doug’ll fix it Technical Q&A 118 Project van We start work on our 1986 Sprite Alpine C 122 Trade secrets Which fridge? 127 Caravan College We test your knowledge 130 Buyer’s Guide Prices for new vans 138 Used van buyer Coachman VIP 2006-2010 140 Subscribe Save 15% when you subscribe and get two tickets to the NCC show, FREE! 142 Second-hand shoot-out Four-berths with end-washrooms and side dinettes for £12,000 147 Talking towcars Your questions answered 149 Used car buyer BMW 5-Series 2003-2010 159 Buying and selling Used gear for sale 168 Caravan scrapbook Vans from yesteryear

5most-read stories on practicalcaravan.com

1 Win a caravan It’s your last chance to win a fabulous Elddis caravan courtesy of LeisureWorld

2 MBE for Whale MD The top man at Belfast-based Whale gets recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours

3 Video review Jenko gives his verdict on the compact Going Cockpit S caravan http://bit.ly/goingcockpit

4 2013 tourers Photographs, videos and all the info on the latest caravan models hot off the production line

5 Blog Motty watches Nissan’s towcar advice video. But does he rate it? http://bit.ly/nissantowcar www.practicalcaravan.com | SEPTEMBER 2012 | 7