Habitation Matters
Spotlight on… winter lay-up
Preparing your van for storage involves a few key tasks, says Sammy Faircloth
Habitation Matters
Advice
How to make a portable 12V battery power supply
Need extra electricity to run a pump or emergency lighting? Construct this simple unit, says Sam Coles, and you'll have 12V wherever you go
Habitation Matters
Caravan Salvage & Spares
Old caravans never die - they just get recycled! John Sootheran discovers a thriving indusry that's great for the planet, and your wallet
Advice
How to store stemmed glassware safely
Tony Brown explains how a simple DIY job can upgrade your storage
Habitation Matters
Caravan Genius: the low-down on lighting
Good lighting makes all the difference to an interior, but which type is best for your van? Sammy Faircloth looks at options for upgrading
Habitation Matters
How to revamp your van’s interior
Anna Lyon and family love everything about their Eriba - except for the furnishing fabrics, which they didn't choose. Time for a change!
Buying Guides
Best caravan cleaners – best caravan cleaning products
Our pick of the best caravan cleaning products
Habitation Matters
How to care for your curtains and blinds
Curtains and blinds are decorative and stylish, but also essential for privacy and insulation, so good maintenance is important, says Sammy Faircloth.
Habitation Matters
How to fit a CBE fridge fan kit
Installing a fridge fan can boost your fridge’s cooling power, which is especially useful in hot weather. Nigel Hutson shows you how.
Fixtures & Fittings
How to fit a grab handle
Getting in and out of your caravan is much easier with a grab handle, says Tony Brown.
Fixtures & Fittings
How to fit 3.5mm Aux stereo sockets
Bluetooth has made auxiliary jack sockets less of an essential but they offer an additional option for audio and are very simple to fit,...
Fixtures & Fittings
How to make a bumper protection plate
Hitching and unhitching can cause the odd scratch to your car, but this simple DIY project will protect your bumper, says Tony Brown.
Fixtures & Fittings
How to make a magnetic door catch
If you are tired of poor-quality door and locker catchers that wear out all too quickly, it's simple to make your own, says Sam...
Electrics
How to make a 13-pin extension socket
If you find it difficult to access the towball electrics on your car, this handy extension lead should help, says Tony Brown.
Fixtures & Fittings
How to fit an Al-Ko side-lift jack
Changing a wheel is much easier if you install a heavy-duty jack, says Nigel Hutson.
Electrics
How to make a reverse polarity lead
Reverse polarity won't be a problem with this handy adaptor that you can make yourself, says Nigel Hutson.
Habitation Matters
How to repair a Birkholz window
Windows in some older caravans can be difficult to repair or replace, says Sam Coles, but this simple DIY project should extend their operating...
Electrics
Spotlight on Hook-ups
Everybody uses a range of electrical appliances and devices while on tour. Sammy Faircloth shows you how to power up safely and monitor your...
Fixtures & Fittings
How to make a breakaway cable attachment
Tony Brown offers essential advice on breakaway cables and why they're essential, in our series of everyday fixes for your caravan.
Fixtures & Fittings
How to install LED lighting
Brighten up the caravan kitchen with new LED lighting. LED strips are simple to fit and make meal preparation much easier, says Nigel Hutson.
Fixtures & Fittings
How to make a table storage compartment
In our series of everyday DIY fixes for your caravan, Tony Brown finds a solution for storing free-standing tables.
Fixtures & Fittings
How to fit an external TV antenna socket
This simple project allows you to watch TV in comfort in cold weather, says Nigel Hutson
Electrics
Spotlight on Leisure Batteries
All the essential information you need to know about buying and maintaining a leisure battery
Fixtures & Fittings
Add battery back-up to Alde’s control panel
Fit this simple battery back-up unit and you can forget about resetting the clock on Alde's control panel, says Nigel Hutson
Fixtures & Fittings
Fire safety upgrades
Never underestimate the importance of fire safety in your caravan; here are some tips from Tony Brown to help you stay safe in your...
Fixtures & Fittings
Spotlight on: Caravan antennas
Watching TV while you are staying in your caravan can be a simple pleasure or a source of stress, but you can minimise any...
Electrics
How to upgrade from 7-pin to 13-pin electrics
Modern cars use 13-pin towing electrics, so why not uprate your caravan's electrics? Follow Nigel Hutson's step-by-step guide and get the job done
Electrics
How to upgrade to LED awning lights
LED awning lights don't just look good, they save energy, too, so if you're looking to upgrade a defunct halogen lamp, here's our step-by-step...
Showers & Toilets
How to replace a Thetford toilet cassette seal
Sick of your caravan's toilet cassette disgracing itself on your way to the disposal point? Follow our step-by-step guide and it'll soon seal as...
Electrics
How to upgrade to a digital TV antenna
Get digital TV in your caravan! Follow our step-by-step guide to upgrade your TV's antenna so you can enjoy watching more channels in more...
Electrics
How to fit a USB socket in your caravan
Love gadgets but hate running out of battery? Follow our step-by-step guide to fitting a USB socket in your caravan, to keep your devices...
Fixtures & Fittings
How to fit solar panels to your caravan
Enjoy off-grid touring for longer on your caravan holidays! Nigel Hutson explains how to install a solar panel to your van – it's easier...
Habitation Matters
How to clean a Carver Cascade GE water heater’s burner
Our resident DIY caravan mechanic Nigel Hutson explains how to keep your caravan water heater going strong for longer – with a little routine...
Electrics
How to fit an Alde load monitor and outside temperature sensor
DIY mechanic Nigel Hutson shows how to fit an Alde load monitor and outside temperature sensor in your caravan to avoid tripping campsite electrics
Water Systems
How to replace a tap micoswitch in your caravan
Practical Caravan's DIY mechanic Nigel Hutson explains how to replace your caravan tap's microswitch the easy way when it decides to stop working
Fixtures & Fittings
How to repair Seitz pleated blinds and flyscreens
This simple repair to Seitz pleated caravan blinds will keep them working smoothly for many years to come, says Practical Caravan's DIY expert Nigel...
Water Systems
Guide to caravan water pipes and pumps
Our expert John Wickersham explains how caravan water pipes and pumps work – and gives his troubleshooting guide on how to fix them when...
Electrics
Expert advice on caravan lights
A history of caravan interior lighting and how to update your tourer's lights – Practical Caravan's technical expert John Wickersham is here to help
Water Systems
Waste-water wisdom
Practical Caravan's expert John Wickersham explains how the correct pipework can help your water drain away more quickly – and keep nasty niffs at...
Showers & Toilets
How to use and fix caravan toilets
Nobody wants the caravan toilet to break down on holiday, so follow John Wickersham's top toilet hints and tips to keep your loo working...
Fixtures & Fittings
12 steps to saintly caravanning
Practical Caravan's Bryony Symes has a dozen resolutions you can take on to assure yourself safer touring in 2014
Water Systems
Keeping your caravan water system safe
HAVING WORKED IN caravan and motorhome manufacturing businesses for 33 years, I know how much attention is paid by both manufacturers and their suppliers...