On Practical Caravan TV this week, we review the Sterling Elite 560. With its black A-frame and sharp decals, it’s a striking-looking van, and it is packed with kit, too, including a wealth of Al-Ko goodies, heavy duty corner steadies, a gas barbecue point and an external 230V socket.

The 560 brings a new layout to the Elite range, with a central washroom and a rear island bed. That washroom gives you good space around the loo, a smart vanity unit and a circular shower cubicle. However, the rear island bed is just 6ft long, so won’t be suitable for everyone. There’s also a stylish and good-sized kitchen with a tower fridge, a microwave, a separate oven and grill, an Omnivent and an underslung sink. Check it out for yourself in this week’s show.

This episode will be broadcast five times across the week, as follows:

  • 8pm on Monday 16 May;
  • 5pm on Wednesday 18 May;
  • 7pm on Friday 20, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 May 2016.

Practical Caravan TV is on Showcase, which you’ll find on Sky 212 and Freeview 254 (for the latter you’ll need a smart TV). Don’t have these channels? Don’t worry! You can also watch every show live online.

Then, Practical Caravan’s Škoda Yeti Outdoor long-term test car is put through its paces. In the capable hands of our Tow Car Editor David Motton and hitched to a Swift caravan, this 2.0-litre turbodiesel-powered 110PS model with a manual gearbox proved to be a very stable tow car. Despite its rugged looks, this is actually a two-wheel-drive crossover, and its kerbweight of 1452kg means it won’t be a match for every tourer, but if the numbers work for you, it’s a grippy tug and we had no nervous moments on test. However, performance is best described as steady, so tune in to see if you think this is something you can live with on tour.

Next, we’ve a second caravan with the fashionable central washroom and rear island bed layout, and this time it’s a twin-axle. Our Group Editor Alastair Clements returns to review the Swift Conqueror 650 and being a longer van, there are more metres to help make the most of this on-trend layout. It’s also another well-specced offering and space isn’t in short supply either, the lounge in particular being generously proportioned. The chic kitchen with illuminated splashbacks has all you could need as well as tonnes of storage, but that extra length is really felt in the roomy washroom which has three cabinets, plus a shower, a loo and a sink. However, that rear in-line island bed is just 6ft long, so bear this in mind if considering this van. Check it out on Practical Caravan TV, on Freeview 254, Sky 212 and live online.

Make sure you come back after the break, because you won’t want to miss our Lunar Conquest EK review. This dinky dealer special, from Highbridge Caravan Centre in Somerset, is well worth a look, as it might be a fairly basic, entry-level van, but it wears smart alloys and fancy graphics, and has Truma’s handy DuoControl plus a remotely controlled awning light and a remote control alarm. Step inside and you’ll find a well-appointed, high-spec end kitchen, and a bright lounge with upholstery taken from the upper echelons of the Lunar line-up. These 6ft 1in-long sofas can serve as single beds, or convert the lounge into a 6ft 1in x 6ft double bed. And while the corner washroom might be tiny, Lunar has packed a lot in. If you’re a touring couple and want to downsize but still enjoy a little luxury, this could be the van for you – see it for yourself only on Practical Caravan TV!

Watch this week’s show and you can also join us at the adults only Walnut Lakes Caravan Park near Boston, Lincolnshire. Find out why it is a great place to pitch if you love angling and getting away from it all. This small site has limited facilities, but that could make it the perfect place for a peaceful, back-to-basics getaway.

So don’t forget to tune in to Practical Caravan TV at the times listed above, on Sky 212, Freeview 254 (if you have a smart TV) and live online – we hope you enjoy watching!