practical caravan magazine

[martin Straker]

Having just read the June 2005 Practical caravan magazine I noted several points of interest.

On the big test they recomend Avondale Dart 556/6 in their test against a Fleetwood, however on reading various post on this and other site re split panels on Avondale caravans do I assume that the problem is sorted or is this comercial gain.

Secondly the mag is promoting caravanning and goes on to tell about all the good points in our hobby but with no mention of some of the bad dealers and complacent caravan manufacturers when things go wrong.

Surely if the editorial staff of this magazine read some of the forum postings some mention of problems that occur should be mentioned

 

[Surfer]

Basically they are too scared to publish anything adverse as it may affect their good interests. Never mind the interests of the thousands of caravanners that read their magazine. It is no longer a magazine but rather a glorified advertising brochure promoting all and sundry whether good or bad.

 

[GrahamF.]

Bit unfair Ian, as a new reader (8 months) and new to caravanning I have to say that I have found a great deal of useful information and contacts from within. Yes, it's a commercial publication and of course has to be mindful of advertising revenue otherwise it could not exist, but I have also found lots of critical editorial to. Lets be honest all magazines carry a great deal of advertising and if this does not appeal and you are unhappy with the content....... you don't buy, circulation drops, end of magazine. I've no idea of PC's circulation figures but my guess is it's pretty healthy so they must be doing something right!.

Graham

 

[milliesdad]

I enjoy the read and look forward to it dropping on the mat every month but couple of things puzzle me. Why do i get the June issue before the end of April? Why not just call them isuue 1, 2 etc?

I eagerly awaited the May issue with the telly tests in - we rarely use hookups so I wnated to know what TVs drew what current etc. What a disappointment - the only info is size and weight. Not even if they are 12v or not. It doesn't take much to set up an ammeter to measure actual consumption (as oppose to the manufacturers stated power) which, as a caravanner, I would have thought would be the first consideration. Doesn't matter how good the picture is if you can only watch it for ten minutes!

It does make you wonder if they really tested them or made the reccomendations for other reasons.

 

[coljac]

Practical caravan magazine is comercial and so must keep an eye on its advertisers.However the Cravan Club magazine is owned by its members so you would expect its editorial staff would be firring on all guns in the interest of its owners [ie its members and readers],This is not the case ,its reviews of caravavans are so wishy washy ,you would think the makers had written the reviews for them .The latest load of tosh they have written and i quote[The standard of quality on all UK caravans is improving]un quote Try telling that one to the guys who regularly pen their critisisms of leaking and poorly screwed together UK caravans on this forum . Iwould sugest that any CCmembers who think like i do that the editorial staff at the CC should sharpen their penils,, then write to them as i intend to and try to put some fire in their bellies ,,but dont expect any of the letters to be published .I bet the current crop of guys who are complaining about leaking Lunars could write a few good reviews Coljac

 

[WatsonJohnG]

The Caravan Club report on caravans says something along the lines of if Vanmaster can achieve high standards why can't the rest.

Who writes this stuff ???

Vanmaster had a couple of dozen hand built in the survey whereas Bailey had 800+

It seems unrealistic to expect mass produced vans at half the price to be as good as bespoke ones otherwise there would be no need for the top end of the market.

We have had several new vans over the years in the middle price range and have been fortunate in having few problems .Our present van is "ACE"

 

[Award1]

Since starting caravanning in 1996 with a 1990 Award Daystar, I graduated to an Abbey Oxford GT(1992, Abbey Vogue GTS 416 (1996) to a 1st new van Bailey Ranger 500/5 (2003) and recently changed to a new Bailey Provence. The quality has improved between the Abbeys and the newer vans, particularly the Vogue which was awfully flimsy. Never been keen on Lunars even though they are just built down the road, a little bit too light weight for me.

 

[metz]

Hi Folks, I would like to say that I buy and enjoy the PC Mag most months, also receive the CC Mag, what you have to remember when reading is that the majority of articles are written by journalists, its fairly obvious that most of them are whilst trying hard,are relativly inexperienced,so you only get their opinion of a particular site, van or accessory,by the way I hope the picture of the Guy jacking up the van in the June issue was only an illustration,if you try lifting in that position you would be asking for trouble.I hope no one takes offence at what I've said here,but as someone who works in the trade and been activly cararavanning for many many years, SOME of the things written in all the caravan mags sometimes leave alot to be desired!!!

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Hi Folks, I would like to say that I buy and enjoy the PC Mag most months, also receive the CC Mag, what you have to remember when reading is that the majority of articles are written by journalists, its fairly obvious that most of them are whilst trying hard,are relativly inexperienced,so you only get their opinion of a particular site, van or accessory,by the way I hope the picture of the Guy jacking up the van in the June issue was only an illustration,if you try lifting in that position you would be asking for trouble.I hope no one takes offence at what I've said here,but as someone who works in the trade and been activly cararavanning for many many years, SOME of the things written in all the caravan mags sometimes leave alot to be desired!!!

Agree with what you say G.Metcalf they are often more interested in making a "clever" point in the style(?) of Mr Clarkson.

I bought a very well presented workshop manual recently in which it tells you to switch to "car" for towing when with the new habitation relay everything on 12V except charging switches off when the fridge circuit is switched on via the 12S. As I see it "car" is only of any use when the ignition is off and your van battery is flat.

Another point that CC reviewers always pick on is central instruments and their dislike thereof.I personally prefer them and when I wrote to this effect pointing out that it was necessary to remove blinkers in order to use the layout it did not go down well !!!

 

[coljac]

Hi Folks, I would like to say that I buy and enjoy the PC Mag most months, also receive the CC Mag, what you have to remember when reading is that the majority of articles are written by journalists, its fairly obvious that most of them are whilst trying hard,are relativly inexperienced,so you only get their opinion of a particular site, van or accessory,by the way I hope the picture of the Guy jacking up the van in the June issue was only an illustration,if you try lifting in that position you would be asking for trouble.I hope no one takes offence at what I've said here,but as someone who works in the trade and been activly cararavanning for many many years, SOME of the things written in all the caravan mags sometimes leave alot to be desired!!!

No one could take offence at what you have stated because it is true most of the journelist who write articles in caravan magazines are or so they say caravanners,,its the editors who water down any ,,[even the mildest critisism]to make sure the advertsers are not upset.

That is why forums like this are so valuable in speaking out and informing us ..Coljac