This week’s Practical Motorhome TV show gets underway with the sharp-looking, Fiat Ducato-based Swift Bolero Black Edition 612 EK. EK stands for ‘end kitchen’, which in this two-berth ’van includes a snazzy illuminated splashback, a fridge, a microwave and a three-burner gas hob – everything two on tour could need. Rooflights, the side windows and the windscreen flood the front parallel lounge with light, and it’s super-quick to transform this area into a double bed, pleated cassette blinds and blackout blinds ensuring you get a good night’s sleep. And the compact corner washroom has a shower compartment, a vanity unit, a loo and a radiator for the Alde wet central heating. The Swift Bolero Black Edition 612 EK starts at £57,070 OTR and has a 3500kg MTPLM.
Like the sound of that Swift? Then don’t miss the latest episode of our show. Tune in to Practical Motorhome TV on Showcase, which you’ll find on Sky 212 and Freeview 254 (for the latter you’ll need a smart TV), or watch live online, at 8.30pm on Monday 9 May, at 5.30pm on Wednesday 11 May, and at 7.30pm on Friday 13, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 May 2016.
Then, join us on site at Run Cottage Touring Park near Woodbridge in Suffolk, which was the Eastern England regional winner in Practical Motorhome’s Top 100 Sites Guide 2016. Open all year, it has 45 touring pitches spread across five acres, meaning it never feels crowded. You’re only a 1.5-mile walk from the nearest beach, or just enjoy the tranquil surroundings of this award-winning park.
Are you in the market for a classy, VW campervan conversion? Then don’t miss our TV show when we review the T6-based CMC Reimo TrioStyle, in plush X-Line trim. Finished in a fetching deep purple, the interior is colour co-ordinated and features the classic campervan layout with an offside kitchen, where you’ll find a compressor fridge, two gas burners and a sink. Tune in to see how to convert the seating into a double bed, to check out the smart, leather-upholstered cabin and to see the raft of clever storage options. Remember, Practical Motorhome TV is on Freeview 254 (if you have a smart TV), Sky 212 and online.
After the break, our Editor Niall Hampton reviews the new-for-2016 Rapido 665f. This French, fixed-bed, low-profile coachbuilt offers Alde heating, fixed twin single beds and an end washroom. The lounge is in the typical Continental style with a half dinette, a jump seat and swivelling cab seats, and it’s a beautifully finished space. There’s a V-shaped kitchen that’s compact but smart and well-equipped, with three-gas burners, an oven, a grill and wine bottle storage. Those fixed single beds are just under 2m in length, and have a window and a reading light each, and that end washroom is stylish and very well executed. Costing £51,000 OTR, watch our latest show to see this impressive ’van for yourself.
Do so and you’ll also get more expert advice from our technical guru Diamond Dave. This week the subject is refillable gas systems. Dave takes us through the different types of systems and different types of gas, before talking installation, adaptors, underslung tanks and more.
With five opportunities to watch across the week, make sure you don’t miss the latest episode of Practical Motorhome TV, only on Freeview 254 (if you have a smart TV), Sky 212 and live online. Check it out!
This fixed-bed, low-profile Rapido coachbuilt has Alde heating, fixed twin single beds and an end washroom