Habitation Matters
How I started to fix the plumbing in my 1998 Bailey caravan
Nigel Donnelly turns his attention to the caravan plumbing in his 1998 Bailey caravan
Habitation Matters
Habitation Matters
Working on the plumbing and the A-frame of my 1998 Bailey caravan
Nigel now turns his attention to Penny's plumbing and the A-frame, as he continues to improve his 1998 Bailey caravan.
Habitation Matters
How to tackle common caravan faults
Knowing what you can safely fix yourself means you don’t always have to schlep to a dealer and is the key to trouble-free touring
Habitation Matters
Investing in the infastructure: how I’ll keep the power on in my 1998 Bailey caravan
A minor 12V project shone a light on some substandard low-voltage wiring, so Nigel Donnelly sets about keeping the power on next season
General Advice
I reinstated the towing electrics in my 1998 caravan – this is what I did
Nigel Donnelly sets about more repairs, explaining the process of reinstating the towing electrics and the all-important gas check.
Awards
Best caravan cleaner 2024
We've picked out the best caravan cleaning products to help you rid your tourer of grime, black streaks and algae.
Habitation Matters
How to change a water filter in your caravan
Keep your van water supply flowing with a functioning filter, says Tony Brown
Habitation Matters
How to clean a Carver 4000A Fanmaster and replace the switch controls
Prolong your heating system’s life with some basic maintenance, says Nigel Hutson
Advice
How to invert an Alde control screen
If the bright white background on your Alde control panel is keeping you awake at night, there’s a simple solution, says Nigel Hutson
Fixtures & Fittings
How to fit an Al-Ko side-lift jack
If you’re going to install a jack, make it the right one for the task, says Nigel Hutson
Habitation Matters
Repairing a Whale Watermaster pump
The submersible pump is essential to your caravan water supply, but if it fails, Sam Coles can show you how to replace it
Advice
Spotlight on… caravan window care
Sammy Faircloth has some practical tips about keeping your acrylic windows scratch-free
Advice
Fitting a 12V power distribution point
Overwhelmed by the number of caravan accessories you're running? This simple power hub could be the answer, says Nigel Hutson
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 the Alde's control panel, says Nigel Hutson
Advice
Ultimate Off-Grid Guide to Caravanning
Leave your electric cable at home to enjoy a whole new touring experience! John Sootheran shows you how
Habitation Matters
DIY Mechanic: Water Pressure Switches
Your caravan's water supply is essential, so you need to know how to find and fix basic problems. Nigel Hutson guides you through
Advice
DIY Mechanic: Fridges and Toilet Flushes
These two essentials prompt many queries from new caravaners. Nigel Hutson explains all about power for your fridge and water supplies for your flush
Advice
Caravan Servicing – what to expect
What should you expect from a full caravan service? John Sootheran finds out
Advice
Caravan Servicing – DIY tasks
In addition to your caravan's annual service, there are plenty of tasks to tackle yourself and keep your tourer in tip-top condition throughout the...
Advice
TV in your caravan: the ultimate guide
If you watch television on tour in your caravan, you need to know how to get a perfect picture, wherever you pitch. Here's the...
Advice
Caravan Genius: Leisure Batteries
The leisure battery is a caravanner's best friend, and of course, you should choose your friends wisely and treat them well. Our guide gives...
Advice
How to fit a BCA wireless charger
It's easy to install this neat charging pad, says Nigel Hutson, and then you can say goodbye to all those dangling cables and wires
Habitation Matters
Caravan Water Systems (Caravan Genius)
Caravan water systems bring domestic ease to our lives on site. John Southern explains how they work and how to maintain them
Habitation Matters
Spotlight on… winter lay-up
Preparing your van for storage involves a few key tasks, says Sammy Faircloth
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
Skills School: what you need to know about gas
Gas is a brilliant fuel for caravanners, and here, John Sootheran outlines its many pros... and a few cons
Habitation Matters
Caravan Salvage & Spares
Old caravans never die - they just get recycled! John Sootheran discovers a thriving industry 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!
Habitation Matters
How to care for your caravan’s 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.
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.