Anyone enjoy the superb weather this weekend?

Anyone enjoy the superb weather this weekend?

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Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

247 months

Monday 22nd April 2013
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We did, as can be seen in this glorious picture my Mrs took as I was hooking up


Vladimir

6,917 posts

165 months

Monday 22nd April 2013
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Rented? I noticed you've had/used loads of motorhomes!

We spent the day on the beach after both (me, wife then our four year old) surfing. It was a great day!

A month in Spain and France coming up in our California (paid for tickets last week - YIKES!) - CANNOT WAIT!!

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

247 months

Monday 22nd April 2013
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Vladimir said:
Rented? I noticed you've had/used loads of motorhomes!
I am very lucky to write reviews of motorhomes and caravans as a 'hobby' away from PH and as such I'm often in manufacturer demo vehicles. This Autosleeper being the latest.

Next is a Bessacar overcab, then a Swift fixed bed caravan.

Vladimir

6,917 posts

165 months

Monday 22nd April 2013
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Garlick said:
I am very lucky to write reviews of motorhomes and caravans as a 'hobby' away from PH and as such I'm often in manufacturer demo vehicles. This Autosleeper being the latest.

Next is a Bessacar overcab, then a Swift fixed bed caravan.
Cool! Any stand out motorhomes? Ever tested a Cali (a bit small for most motorhome enthusiasts!)?

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

247 months

Monday 22nd April 2013
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I have indeed, in fact I've had three. One specced to the nines Cali, one more moderately specced version and the California Beach which comes without kitchen, cupboards or heater.

I really like them, ingenious packaging (dining table and outdoor chairs being an example). The only thing it lacks, for me, is somewhere to spend a penny during the night.


Vladimir

6,917 posts

165 months

Monday 22nd April 2013
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They are a bit sparse compared to some (only a hob, top loading fridge) but its handy being able to park them almost anywhere and not worry too much on narrow lanes!

Ours is a 4motion 180 with most options ticked; we love it!

mike325112

1,070 posts

191 months

Tuesday 23rd April 2013
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Garlick said:
Vladimir said:
Rented? I noticed you've had/used loads of motorhomes!
I am very lucky to write reviews of motorhomes and caravans as a 'hobby' away from PH and as such I'm often in manufacturer demo vehicles. This Autosleeper being the latest.

Next is a Bessacar overcab, then a Swift fixed bed caravan.
Who do you review them for? (Just being nosey like!)




Edited by mike325112 on Tuesday 23 April 13:23

Vladimir

6,917 posts

165 months

Tuesday 23rd April 2013
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mike325112 said:
Who do you review them for? (Just being nosey like?)
I think Garlick is a fairly major part of PH some probably an on-line equivalent? I'd be keen to hear too; always like reading well written reviews of stuff.

Irish

3,991 posts

246 months

Tuesday 23rd April 2013
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As an aside does anyone motorhome with toddlers. Is it best to wait for 2 plus?

Want to get back to camping / motorhoming but have twins on the way - may have to put the brakes on for a couple of years.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

247 months

Tuesday 23rd April 2013
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mike325112 said:
Who do you review them for? (Just being nosey like!)
Haymarket has two mags that I feature in from time to time (usually as part of the 'our vans' section) Practical Motorhome and Practical Caravan.

I doubt there is a market for impractical caravans or motorhomes however...

Vladimir

6,917 posts

165 months

Tuesday 23rd April 2013
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Irish said:
As an aside does anyone motorhome with toddlers. Is it best to wait for 2 plus?

Want to get back to camping / motorhoming but have twins on the way - may have to put the brakes on for a couple of years.
We started ours aged 1 and 3. It takes a bit of working out to get it all set up properly but it's WELL worth the effort. The kids LOVE it! Your first night WILL be hell though! Our kids were very excited just before we got the camper...



And remained excited once we got it:



And that's in a fairly small camper - a "proper" motorhome will have a lot more space.

Garlick - indeed. I also wonder if there might be an Impractical Photography and also Boat Owner publication too?!

Edited by Vladimir on Tuesday 23 April 14:02

mike325112

1,070 posts

191 months

Wednesday 24th April 2013
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Garlick said:
Haymarket has two mags that I feature in from time to time (usually as part of the 'our vans' section) Practical Motorhome and Practical Caravan.

I doubt there is a market for impractical caravans or motorhomes however...
Ah right, I didn't know Haymarket did such things, although why would'nt they I suppose....

Can we have some articles on teaching some of the slower drivers of the caravan fraternity how to drive correctly and not hole everyone up. It gives the rest of us a bad name.

Garlick

Original Poster:

40,601 posts

247 months

Wednesday 24th April 2013
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I quite agree. Towing speeds these days don't have to hinder others, and most of the motorhomes I drive have at least 130pd engines and will happily cruise at 80...

MarshPhantom

9,658 posts

144 months

Wednesday 24th April 2013
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We got down to Purbeck this weekend, booked Friday and Monday off a while back and the weather was brilliant. I almost got sunburn.

Currently thinking about the next big trip, possibly a return to Amsterdam.

hornetrider

63,161 posts

212 months

Wednesday 24th April 2013
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Irish said:
As an aside does anyone motorhome with toddlers. Is it best to wait for 2 plus?

Want to get back to camping / motorhoming but have twins on the way - may have to put the brakes on for a couple of years.
I'll let you know soon... we've just bought our first van with a 9 month old!

We have fixed nearside bunks up front with a small dinette which has a curtain to divide it from the rest of the van, central kitchen/bathroom and main dinette/bed at the rear for us.

Plan to carpet the front area next to bunks and use it as a play area with a child gate. She'll sleep in the bottom bunk with a bed guard. Hopefully it'll be ok!!

Really looking forward to getting into it, first weekend away is May BH.

Vladimir

6,917 posts

165 months

Thursday 25th April 2013
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Hornet; watcha got? It is tricky at first but you soon adapt. Kids really do love it!

hornetrider

63,161 posts

212 months

Thursday 25th April 2013
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We bought a Burstner Belcanto 525TK. Being a german 'van the door is on the 'wrong side' and the main dinette and windows are at the rear, rather than the front which has no window.

I think this may present logistical problems when pitching on sites though... I think I may have to spin it round 180 degrees and put the hitch towards the rear of the site, so that the window points out and the door is on the correct side. It was a compromise I was happy to make because in terms of layout (and build quality) it's definitely the van for us.

Bill

54,249 posts

262 months

Thursday 25th April 2013
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We first went away in our (incomplete) self built T4 when no. 1 son was 7 months old, and then did loads of trips until he was 2 when we too had twins. Unfortunately I only built it for 4... Just got a rear garage overcab effort and went away over Easter with them aged 5 and 3.

As has been said they absolutely love it.

bananaman1

449 posts

204 months

Thursday 25th April 2013
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Off on our first week long motorhoming break this saturday...should be a real test of our marriage I reckon lol.look out wales here we come :-)

mike325112

1,070 posts

191 months

Thursday 25th April 2013
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bananaman1 said:
Off on our first week long motorhoming break this saturday...should be a real test of our marriage I reckon lol.look out wales here we come :-)
Just nod, agree and don't argue with the wife! It will be worthwhile once the first beer is cracked once you've set up on the first night...