We kick off our latest TV show with a caravan test. This time, Practical Caravan’s Group Editor Alastair Clements is braving the snow to review the Swift Challenger SE 630, a twin-axle, six-berth tourer that will set you back a little over £23,000 – to our minds, that’s a lot of van for the money. Step inside and you might be surprised by the L-shaped lounge, but it works well, plus there is a well equipped kitchen, ideal when catering for larger families, and a generous, full width end washroom. There’s also an impressive master suite with a fixed, 6ft 4in long double bed – tune in to find out more.

You can catch our shows on The Caravan Channel, which is on Sky 192 and Freesat 402 – look for Showcase. You can also watch live online. This episode will be broadcast 10 times across a two-week period, just scroll to the bottom of the page for the dates and times. 

In this show, Alastair also reviews the three-berth Bailey Unicorn Madrid, which has fantastic interior space – as well as a grand total of 11 overhead lockers. There’s lots to like in the kitchen, too, including a separate oven and grill, a tower fridge/freezer, a dual fuel hob, a microwave and even a cocktail cabinet, while the full height, opening front window allows light to flood into the lounge, which converts into a large 6ft 6in by 6ft 2in double bed. Watch our show for the full story.

Then it’s time for part three of our Tow Car Editor David Motton’s towing masterclass – and under the spotlight this time is just that, the art of driving with a caravan on tow. It’s essential viewing for anyone new to caravanning, but also handy if you’re looking to refresh your skills. Motty reminds us of the need for planning and patience, increased stopping distances, potential turbulence, the requirement for extra anticipation and more.

After the break, Nigel Donnelly is extolling the joys of budget caravanning, his priorities being touring to the right places, with the right people. Hence a trip to Connemara in County Galway, on the west coast of Ireland, a place to wind back the pace of everyday life and drink in the fabulous views that are all around you. If you’re searching for memorable caravan holidays on a shoestring, this could be just what you’ve been looking for.

In this episode, we also bring you more jargon busting with caravan expert John Wickersham. Drop-out holes, inverters, hose clips and much more are explained in our TV show on The Caravan Channel, which you’ll find on Freesat 402, Sky 192 and online, via the Information TV website.

Finally, Motty returns, this time testing a Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer with a 138bhp, 2.0-litre diesel engine, to assess what tow car potential it has. How does it compare with its petrol powered sibling which was crowned the best petrol tow car at our 2014 Tow Car of the Year Awards? The diesel engine’s 258lb ft torque and the car’s healthy kerbweight and towing limit mean it has much potential on paper, and indeed it proved to be a grippy and composed tow car while towing a Bailey Unicorn Cadiz during our test – watch the full review only on The Caravan Channel.

All are shows are joint productions, brought to you by the Practical Caravan team and our colleagues at Information TV. To watch, tune in to The Caravan Channel, which you can find on Sky 192 and Freesat 402 – look out for Showcase. Alternatively, you can watch online.

You’re able to see this show from Monday 16 February until Sunday 1 March 2015, at these times, on these days:

  • Monday at 8pm
  • Wednesday at 5pm
  • Thursday at 5.30am
  • Saturday at 10.30am
  • Sunday at 10.30am