The distinctive-looking, Mercedes-Benz-based Auto-Sleeper Stanton opens this week’s TV show. Measuring less than 6m long, this coachbuilt ’van is an end-kitchen two-berth. That kitchen has a separate oven and grill, a dual-fuel hob, a sink with a mixer tap, a fridge with separate freezer, plus a microwave sensibly mounted at chest height. Light floods the parallel lounge, which features the popular, new-for-2016, ‘Catalan’ upholstery, and which is easy to convert into a double bed. The fantastic Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cab is sure to please, as are the Euro 6-compliant 163bhp engine and automatic gearbox. Tune in to see more of this ’van, including its innovative washroom, and to discover why it could be a great choice for year-round touring.

This episode will be broadcast on Practical Motorhome TV at these times, on these days:

  • 8.30pm on Monday 2 May (bank holiday Monday);
  • 5.30pm on Wednesday 4 May;
  • 7.30pm on Friday 6, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 May 2016.
        

Check us out on Showcase, which is on Sky 212 and Freeview 254 (for the latter you’ll need a smart TV), or you can watch live online.

Then we visit Somerset to see what the award-winning Bath Chew Valley Caravan Park has to offer. This adult-only, dog-friendly site is a finalist in our Top 100 Sites Guide 2016 and it’s not hard to see why. Peaceful, quiet, set in carefully landscaped grounds and with super-smart, individual washrooms, it’s a great place to get away from it all. And if you want to head out and leave the ’van on site, there’s even a car you can hire. Find out more on Practical Motorhome TV.

Next, our Editor Niall Hampton returns with another ’van review. The Swift Kon-tiki 669 Black Edition is an 8.5m-long, tag-axle four-berth based on the Fiat Ducato. Notable features outside include two awning lights and a Fiamma awning, plus external storage, and get behind the leather-trimmed steering wheel to take in the neat details in the cab, including the dash-mounted tablet holder. And you’ll want to take your tablet on tour as you can use it to control functions using an app and Swift’s Command system. Layout wise, there’s a bright and spacious parallel lounge, a chic and excellently-specced nearside kitchen, a great washroom and a rear bedroom with a generous island bed.

Then we’ve more technical insight from our expert Diamond Dave. This week he’s tackling the subject of auxiliary air suspension systems – what they are, why they are of benefit and how they work. It’s great advice for anyone considering fitting such a system to their motorhome.

The final review in this week’s TV show sees us check out Bilbo’s Celex, a long-wheelbase, T6 VW Transporter-based campervan with a side-opening roof. The well-built side kitchen has a Waeco compressor fridge, a grill, a pair of gas burners and a sink, and there’s plenty of storage. The bed is easy to make and the ’van is warmed by a Webasto heater – tune in to see why our Editor thinks this is a stand-out campervan.

And with that, we come to the end of our show. With five chances to watch, we hope you’re able to tune in to Practical Motorhome TV on Freeview 254 (if you have a smart TV), Sky 212 or live online – and we’ll be back next week with more.