NIALL HAMPTON TESTS the Hymer Exsis-t 588 on TV this week. It is a brand new range of compact, low profile motorhomes from the German manufacturer, bringing some elements from its high-end A-class models into this more affordable motorhome. With twin fixed single beds and a smart finish, there is a lot to like about this new motorhome – tune in to our TV show, The Motorhome Channel, to get the full story.
With summer upon us, Andy Harris keeps cool – well, to be specific, he looks at how best to keep your food and drink cool when on tour. He explains how absorption fridges work, assessing their pros and cons. This is the type of fridge fitted in many coachbuilt and A-class motorhomes. He goes on to explain compressor fridges, often installed in panel vans. He also looks at thermo-electric coolers. For Andy’s expert advice, tune in and watch our brand new TV show on The Motorhome Channel – in association with Motorhome Depot.
Andy’s not done there, he’s also keen to make sure that you, too, keep cool this summer with his feature on air-conditioning units. He shows us an efficient 10in, 12V fan as well as a turbo vent, before moving onto proper, portable air-conditioning units, and then considers the priciest option for keeping your motorhome cool: permanently installed air-con systems.
Andy also gets to grips with a 10-year old Hobby motorhome, a solid, high quality ‘van that was built to last. This four-berth Hobby 690 GES has a double and two singles, and in the kitchen there are three gas hobs and, unusually for this age of ‘van, there is an oven, too. The roomy, airy washroom has an ingeniously sited shower, while this motorhome also has a good size of garage – proof, were it needed, that second-hand ’vans can represent great value for money. Hobby was one of the top four brands of pre-owned motorhomes that readers were most satisfied with in our Practical Motorhome Owner Satisfaction Awards for 2014.
Practical Motorhome’s Emma Howcutt makes her TV debut, touring Snowdonia in a Bailey Approach Compact. She has pitched the ‘van at Beddgelert Caravan and Camping Site, which is well placed for those wishing to tackle Mount Snowdon in North Wales. If you don’t fancy walking up the mountain, you can even catch the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway up to the summit, from the campsite’s own railway station.
However, Emma is keen to explore on foot and tackles Mount Snowdon the energetic way. But you’ll be pleased to hear she also takes the pace down a few notches by taking a relaxed stroll round the pretty, Italianate village of Portmeirion.
Our TV programmes are joint productions from Practical Motorhome’s editorial team and Information TV. The shows are broadcast only on The Motorhome Channel, which you will find on Sky 192 and Freesat 402. Don’t have these channels? Fear not, you can watch live online as it is broadcast on The Motorhome Channel website.
This show will be aired a number of times across a two-week period – from Monday 21 July 2014 until Sunday 3 August 2014 – at these times and on these days:
• Monday at 8.30pm
• Wednesday at 5.30pm
• Thursday at 6am
• Saturday at 11am
• Sunday at 11am
We hope you will tune in and enjoy the show.
Have you missed any previous episodes of our TV shows? Head to the Practical Motorhome YouTube channel to catch up with our team’s ‘van reviews, top tips and short travel features, all shown in previous episodes.
Please tell your friends about The Motorhome Channel on TV!
