Keith Gooden
In today’s episode of the Motorhome Matt podcast…
Matt Sims
We are heading to the Newbury show to talk to the visitors.
Keith Gooden
In the news, the AA urges summer drivers to avoid a tyre tragedy.
Matt Sims
And we answer your questions on Crit’Air stickers, refillable bottles and using a hitch lock whilst travelling.
Keith Gooden
Welcome to the Motorhome Matt podcast. I’m Keith Gooden.
Matt Sims
And I’m Motorhome Matt.
Keith Gooden
Industry insights and expert advice for the world of motorhomes, caravans and campervans – all brought to you by www.thatleisureshop.com.
Matt Sims
Now, please do remember to follow on your favourite podcast app and click subscribe and the little bell on YouTube -brought to you by www.arobasecreative.co.uk.
In the news: preventing tyre-related incidents
Keith Gooden
Straight into the news then, Matt – analysis reveals that tyre-related incidents could kill or badly injure around 180 people this year. Now, this is something you should be doing- checking. Isn’t that right?
“Cracked and decayed tyre rubber and perished valve rubbers are often a factor in incidents,” say the AA, “Particularly with vehicles that get used in the summer only and stand idle over the winter.” Your expert advice has been sought.
Matt Sims
Yes, absolutely. I was asked to contribute to this piece. And this really does apply to motorhomes, campervans, caravans and camping trailers as well where they sit around all year. And of course, being stored for months, they’re stood still.
That can cause the tyre to have a wear point which can make it crack. It can cause a bulge in the sidewall, it can whiten the sidewall, which potentially means it’s been weakened. Also your wheel nuts – your wheel nuts can come loose. Someone may have interfered with it.
True story. I knew somebody driving out of a storage site for their motorhome. And they were driving out of the exit. And there was this awful knocking, and the wheel nuts on their front wheels had been loosened.
Who knows why. Something malicious had tried to take place, and they had to do them all up. So just check them. It takes seconds. Pressure as well. That’s a big one. In fact, I gave the AA my little tip where I said I suggest you make a pact with your tytres, a PACT, and they used it.
And PACT stands for pressure, age, condition and torque. So check your pressure, check the age of your tyre. Remember, we’ve talked before about the little pill. It’s an oblong shaped pill which has four numbers in it.
And typically it’s 0422 – that would be week of manufacture was week four in 2022. And the accepted practice is that at seven years old the tyres should be replaced – in fact, seven years old and five years of use.
So when you’re buying new tyres, check how old they are. They might have been sat on the shelf for a year. So always check the age. Look for that little pill. Condition – look at the tyre tread and so on. And as I say, bulges – check the condition of the sidewall and check your wheel nuts.
Keith Gooden
So it’s Matt Sims’ PACT – what does it stand for again?
Matt Sims
Pressure, age, condition, torque.
Keith Gooden
Fantastic.
Motorhoming with Merton and Webster
Keith Gooden
Paul Merton and Suki Webster – they are a couple – have been on Motorhoming with Merton and Webster on Channel Five, and I managed to meet up with them. And they told me that there’s a new series on the way. Paul Merton, thanks for letting me bother you for the Motorhome Matt podcast. See you on Channel Five.
Paul Merton
Paul Merton
Yes – with Suki Webster.
Suki Webster
Hello, how are you?
Keith Gooden
Have you still got the motorhome?
Paul Merton
Well, we don’t own one. But we have we have enjoyed the motorhome and we have talked about perhaps renting one one day, because the joys of motorhoming, as your listeners will know, is that you can just get into it and your holiday starts there. You don’t have to change currency. You don’t have to worry about your passport. You don’t have to worry about foreign language that you can’t speak.
Suki Webster
I do have to put him through security for gardens.
Paul Merton
I do have to go through security.
Keith Gooden
Does his fingerprint match every time?
Suki Webster
No – funnily enough, it doesn’t.
Paul Merton
No, and that’s just if I have to get out of the house, the security. So we did enjoy the motorhome. We might be doing another series with Channel Five, but it hasn’t been totally confirmed yet. But they’re nearly there with it. So that should be something that we’ll be doing later on this year.
Keith Gooden
So you’re not a dyed in the wool motorhomer, by all accounts, then?
Paul Merton
No, but I mean, we really enjoyed it. I mean, I think it’s just a case of… they are expensive, of course.
Suki Webster
We’re enthusiastic beginners, I would say. And we did a motorhome exhibition. And we said, “No, don’t call us experts, because we’re really not.” We’ve done two series. So we know something, but you’re out filming. So we haven’t done everything. We have changed a gas canister once – but with a bit of help.
Paul Merton
We do get a lot of help.
Suki Webster
Yeah. So you know, we’re enthusiastic converts. But we don’t own one yet. And we haven’t done it on our own yet.
Keith Gooden
Well, I was at the Newbury show just this last weekend and you’re right, the prices – they’ve gone up.
Paul Merton
Yes, yes, it is very expensive. And I suppose you have to look upon it as a long term investment. But that’s why I think the people who do buy the motorhomes and who love the motorhomes do go out in them as many weeks of the year as they can to get to get the value out of it. Because you do of course save money on hotels and flights and all that sort of stuff. But you do need to use it a lot, which I suppose is what people do.
Keith Gooden
And the great thing as well about the TV show is that Suki, you were doing the driving as well. And with so many motorhomers, ‘the wife’ doesn’t want to go behind the wheel. That was just great to see.
Suki Webster
Do you know what was great? A couple of women contacted me on Instagram and said, “I hadn’t driven until I watched you do it. And then I thought, well, if she’s doing it, I’ll have a go.” And they said it’s transformed their holidays.
Paul Merton
Yeah, exactly. Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. It looks more daunting than it actually is, you know, because once you get used to the size of the thing, which doesn’t take long… I mean essentially, if you’re going down a country lane and a vehicle is coming toward you that’s not a motorhome, they will back up because they can see the size of you. So you know, people should feel encouraged to do it.
Keith Gooden
Thanks very much for speaking to me today and good luck with your motorhoming in the future.
Paul Merton
Thank you very much.
Keith Gooden
So there you go, Matt – Paul Merton and Suki Webster. They do admit that they’re not dyed in the wool motorhomers. They’re thinking of buying one, but they do have a crew to change all the bottles for them.
Matt Sims
They cheat, don’t they?
Keith Gooden
It’s television. Everybody cheats.
Matt Sims
They probably don’t do anything on the motorhome other than drive it!
Keith Gooden
But I’ll tell you what, and I did mention it in the interview – it’s great to actually see that Suki drives the motorhome, because we’ve talked to so many people where women say to us at shows on the Q&A that they don’t like to drive. So women driving motorhomes – it’s a thing for some reason, isn’t it?
Matt Sims
I don’t know why. There is absolutely no reason at all. I’d say to people, if you can drive a car, you can drive a motorhome. It’s actually easier in many ways because you’re up higher. You’ve got a fantastic view.
You’re not in a rush. You’re on holiday. And I suppose the size scares people, but it really is not a factor. You can get used to driving one. They are easy to drive really quickly so yeah, go for it. Don’t be put off.
Live from the Southern Motorhome and Campervan Show 2024
Keith Gooden
Welcome to the Motorhome Matt podcast. I’m Keith Gooden.
Matt Sims
And I’m Motorhome Matt.
Keith Gooden
And it’s brought to you with www.thatleisureshop.com.
Matt Sims
We’re here live this weekend at the Southern Motorhome and Campervan Show in Newbury. It’s a bit of a different feel to this episode.
Keith Gooden
A fantastic feel to the episode. We’re here on the Saturday. Business has been going for about an hour since the gates opened. Crowds are beginning to build up, and what a great feeling and a great atmosphere, Matt.
Matt Sims
And the best bit is the sun’s out. This doesn’t always happen, believe me. Yesterday was so hot and today, the weather forecast looks good, slight bit of cloud today which is going to keep us cooler, hopefully, and a breeze which is great if you’re selling flags.
Keith Gooden
Fantastic. So what are we looking at today at the show? What are we looking for and what are the trends then, Matt?
Matt Sims
Well, great question. So I think shows this year are going to be different. The high streets have changed. We’re seeing a change in the profile of exhibitors selling accessories, and also the vans and motorhomes that dealers are bringing to the shows.
And I’m just interested to see what the consumers think. Are people here for the first time? Are people here who have been coming to the shows for years and years? What is actually happening under the skin, under the hood, as it were, of the shows themselves?
Keith Gooden
Yeah, I’ve spoken to a couple of people already who said they’re looking for bits and pieces but are open to buying maybe something a little bit more expensive, such as chairs for instance, but not stretching as far as a new van.
Matt Sims
Well, sales yesterday were really good. Many of the dealers were making sales. Somerset Motorhome Centre had eight sold at the back of their stand last night and P and P on the entrance apparently did six yesterday.
I mean, these are big numbers when you think they’re bringing 20 motorhomes to the stand. They’re selling nearly half their stock. So it’s encouraging. But we want to actually ask you, what do you think of the shows?
And what have you come here to buy? What have you left with maybe owning that you didn’t have this morning? And so we’re going to get some voices on the podcast and see what people actually think.
Why do people attend motorhome shows?
Keith Gooden
Let’s find out then, shall we?
Matt Sims
Let’s do it.
Keith Gooden
We’ve been walking around the show. We’ve bumped into Moira from Somerset. Now, Moira, your story is quite an interesting one. Because you very sadly lost your husband and you’ve got a motorhome and you want to sell it.
Moira
That’s right, because it’s a couple’s motorhome, really. Perfect for couples and maybe with one small child. But for me, I want to go off with my friends or my sister. And it’s a bit too big and the layout for the bed isn’t quite right for me now. So I want to buy another smaller motorhome perhaps next year.
Keith Gooden
That was my next question. Are you getting out of the pastime? Or are you just looking to change?
Moira
No, I love motorhoming and I’ve always loved it and it’s always been my ambition to have my own motorhome. So I’m still looking for one. So we could maybe come back to you one day or maybe hire one from you. But I’ve heard from my sister and other people that your reputation is very good and you’ve got great customer service. So we’re hoping that you’re going to treat us nicely!
Keith Gooden
There you go, Matt!
Matt Sims
We’ll certainly try. You did hire from us before, didn’t you?
Moira
My sister did and she was very pleased with how it went.
Matt Sims
Well, the team will always do our best to look after you, certainly. And of course we can help you sell it as well, which we’ve been talking about. One of the great things about coming to a show is you can see other motorhomes and get an idea their value, and of course start to plan your next motorhome. Is that what’s brought you to the show this weekend?
Moira
I want to have a look around, yes, to see what’s on offer and see what layout I want, really. And that’s another thing that I could do with you, is take out a motorhome on hire that’s a bit smaller with the nearly perfect layout and see how I get on with it. So that’s another thing to consider as well.
And you were also talking about the owner’s club where you can own that motorhome, but hire it out still. But I think I do need to go down the route of selling it at the moment. Looking at your brochure that we picked up in your shop, it’s so inspiring, your pride in your business and your customer service and everything.
And the way you give advice to families in particular is so good. And you don’t often come across the honesty that you have as well because you put both sides of the story, what you can do for us and what you can do on your own and how they compare, which is very interesting.
Matt Sims
That’s great feedback. Thank you so much. That’s lovely. A lot of work has gone into that brochure. That’s for sure. So what are you hoping to try and see this afternoon, Moira?
Moira
Well, we’re looking at smaller VW sized camper vans really, or maybe slightly bigger. But I need to be able to get in and out of my garden on my own. At the moment, I have to have my sister to help me. And that’s not always ideal.
I want something that I can be independent in, you know. And also, maybe I want to get a little dog in the future. So it’s something that I can just go off for the weekend in and have a nice day at the seaside or wherever I want to go to, so that’d be ideal.
Matt Sims
Brilliant. Well, you’re an inspiration yourself. Have a lovely afternoon, won’t you? Enjoy your walk around.
Moira
I’m 68 and still wanting to live life and have some adventures. So that’s a good thing, isn’t it?
Matt Sims
I remember years ago, I met a lady called Rose and her husband passed away. He didn’t like motorhoming. So when he passed away, she came in and bought one, a tiny one, and a little dog.
And at the age of 84 she came into the showroom one day and had been travelling for three years – never been home. And she said, “I rang my insurance company said, ‘Would you insure me if I go to Afghanistan?’ And they said no.”
So she went anyway. She said what a beautiful place it was. She’s still motorhoming now. She’s 86 and still going with Ted the little Border Terrier. And yeah, lots of adventures. So yeah, go for it!
Moira
Okay, thank you very much! Lovely to meet you.
Keith Gooden
And you too, Moira.
Matt Sims
We’re at the Southern Motorhome and Campervan show here in Newbury, and I’ve bumped into a man who I took a photo of at the NEC in Birmingham with one of our orange bags round the wrong way! It went on your chest! Jeremy, how are you?
Jeremy
I’m promoting you!
Matt Sims
Thank you. Very funny photo! Now, since I met you you’re on Ramipril, which is a drug I’m on. Something’s wrong with your heart – what happened?
Jeremy
Oh, I just had a blackout and headbutted the tarmac off of my bike. And they took me in and found out that I have an enlarged heart. You yourself, yours were blocked up. Mine are all clear, but obviously I wasn’t pumping enough!
Matt Sims
And you’ve got the Ramapril cough?
Jeremy
Not really, no. They said I’d have side effects and stuff like that, but…
Keith Gooden
Farting?
Jeremy
Oh yes, very much so. More so than ever, I think. I don’t mind that side effect.
Matt Sims
So Hazel, you always knew he had a large heart – is that right?
Hazel
I did. That’s what all his friends say. We always knew we had a big heart!
Jeremy
My mates complain that I made another pothole in the road that had to be filled in.
Matt Sims
With your head?
Jeremy
Yes, unfortunately. I smashed my helmet completely. I’m glad I was wearing that.
Matt Sims
Yeah, absolutely. So what’s brought you to the show this weekend?
Jeremy
We came up with Hazel’s sister, because she’s looking to get a motorhome. They’ve got a caravan at the moment. And obviously, we’re looking for bits and bobs and stuff like that. And she just looked at another motorhome.
Hazel
You get excited when you come to these shows!
Matt Sims
What have you got at the moment?
Hazel
Bailey.
Matt Sims
Okay, and what have you looked at that’s taken your eye?
Jeremy
A Rimor and another Bailey, the Alora. We’ve got the Autograph at the moment, which suits us at the moment. I think like anything, everything could be done slightly different, but you’ll never find the perfect van.
Matt Sims
I think you can find the perfect van eventually. But when people say, “Oh, this is our forever van,” I never believe them. I’ve heard it so many times. What’s the highlight for you, Hazel, coming to the show?
Hazel
Well, I love looking around all the different vans and the stores. I just love it all, relaly. I just like the vibe of campers altogether.
Keith Gooden
You’ve clearly got the itch, the mood for change if you’re looking at a new van.
Jeremy
I suppose I’m happy with what we’ve got. But you won’t drive it because it’s… being a lorry drivers, it’s no problem. It’s 7.9. The other one was 7.1, which is 80 centimetres difference. But you find it’s so much bigger, but it’s no problem.
So I think something slightly smaller, because there’s only the two of us. So it’s getting what we want inside in a slightly smaller van, but not too small. There’s been a big chat that I need rooms to move.
Hazel
There’s always a compromise, isn’t there? It’s like buying a house. There’s always a compromise. So it’s just working out what the compromise is for you.
Matt Sims
Which compromise are you prepared to make?
Hazel
That’s why I’m having a look!
Keith Gooden
What’s your compromise, then?
Hazel
Well, at the moment, a lot of the smaller vans seem to have the wardrobe under the bed, and I’ve decided I’m too old to get on my hands and knees to see what’s in the wardrobe.
Keith Gooden
We’ve got a couple of guests with us. You might recognise them from YouTube the channel is…
Malish
Malish
Bonjour Motorhome!
Matt Sims
Don’t do your French accent, Keith.
Malish
You sound like a native!
Matt Sims
Why Bonjour Motorhome?
Malish
Because we love France. We want to ultimately live in France. We love the motorhoming lifestyle there where you can just drive from aire to aire. We hope it’ll be like that in the UK one day. You never know…
Keith Gooden
What’s on the YouTube channel? Tell us about it.
Malish
Well, we’ve just been blogging our journeym really. We got a motorhome a couple of years ago, an old Auto Trail 2007 Tracker, and we’ve renovated it, we’ve refurbished it and done lots of things to it. And we just lovethe van life, don’t we? We do it as often as we can.
Keith Gooden
Zoe, you’re part of the team, aren’t you? You are disabled, you’re blind. Tell us about motorhoming for somebody with a disability such as yours. Is it something that you can overcome easily? Or are there difficulties that you need to tell us about?
Zoe
Most places are really good. Most sites are very accessible. And the majority of people are just accommodating as well. So it’s not really an issue.
Matt Sims
So your advice to somebody else who can’t see very well would be…
Zoe
Go for it. Definitely. Just do it.
Malish
Do it. Yeah, life’s too short.
Keith Gooden
What sort of van have you got?
Malish
We’ve got an Auto Trail Tracker from 2007. So it was a doer upper when we got it. But that’s part of the attraction, really. We wanted to make it our own.
Zoe
And we do How to Guides.
Malish
Yeah, if you look at our channel on YouTube, we give a van tour of all the alterations and renovations we’ve done.
Zoe
And we were watching your podcast about checking your weight, your gross weight. We did one about that as well. Yeah, it’s really good to compare.
Matt Sims
What was your gross weight?
Malish
We were pushing it, weren’t we? We were one of those people who were about to get a fine not knowing it. So that’s why we did a video on that as well, because we had to up plate.
Matt Sims
It’s surprisingly common. Most people are pushing it, or indeed, the legal weight is behind them, as in they’ve gone over it! So what’s brought you to the show this weekend? Why are you here?
Zoe
To meet you!
Matt Sims
Oh, bless you. You did it! You can go now.
Zoe
That was one of the things!
Matt Sims
Thank you. That’s really kind of you. It’s lovely to meet you both.
Zoe
It’s really good to meet you.
Malish
We’re big fans of your podcast. It’s very informative. We’ll be popping into That Leisure Shop to mooch around, because it’s near where my parents live. But that’s not the only reason, obviously! It’s a great shop.
Keith Gooden
We are just strolling, Matt, aren’t we? We’re just having a promenade.
Matt Sims
Arm in arm. If only you could see us!
Keith Gooden
Down one of the walkways, people are enjoying their Cornish pasties, they’re looking at motorhomes and buying their gadgets and bits and pieces. Answer me a few stupid questions, would you, Matt? First of all, do people bring their motorhomes and camp here?
Matt Sims
Yeah, they do. At this show you can camp. That’s the case of most of the Warners shows. At this one you camp for the weekend. I think this one was £85, which is not a lot of money for three or four nights’ camping. And it gives you access to the show and all the facilities and entertainment in the evening as well.
Keith Gooden
Entertainment in the evening, car keys in a fishbowl, that sort of thing?
Matt Sims
No! That’s your special weekend. No, there’s live music. So it’s a different theme at every camping event – 1960s, rock and roll. I mean, people come dressed in fancy dress, getting their hair done. It’s quite a spectacle, the queue for the entertainment in the evening.
In fact, some people only come for the entertainment and meet up with friends here. They don’t really come into the trade show. Whereas others like me for many years only came to the trade shows. I never really discovered the entertainment as a punter, but it’s fantastic value for money.
Keith Gooden
I’m looking now at some of the parked up motorhomes, people who’ve come in for the whole weekend and the fashion of the Glastonbury flag is certainly the fashion for the motorhomes. You can spot your your motorhome when you’re coming back to it. I can see one which has a Union Jack with a smiley face. Clearly late ’80s fans, “ACID!” as we like to say. There’s an English flag over there. Ukrainian flags.
Matt Sims
“It’s five o’clock somewhere.” That’s a great new flag I’ve seen recently.
Keith Gooden
So they’re all parked up. Do you get power when you park up?
Matt Sims
Electric hook up is available on some of the pitches, yes. When you arrive, the marshalling team will guide you to your pitch. The team do a fantastic job. Many of them are volunteering, getting you parked up reasonably spaced apart as well.
People often worry that they’re meters apart and not safe. That’s not the case at all. If you need electric hookup, it is available for extra costs. If you’ve got mobility issues and special requirements and you need to be on tarmac that’s a possibility too.
You just book that at the time of booking. You request it. I saw a great post on Facebook last night talking about the flags. Somebody just bought a motorhome and came to this show for the first time, and spend an hour last night in the dark trying to find their van.
Keith Gooden
That’s the reason for having the flags!
Matt Sims
That’s why you have a flagpole! And of course, there are flag sellers at the show, so you can buy yourself a nice tall collapsible flagpole, and a flag of your choice.
Keith Gooden
The great thing is that you can come along to the show, stroll around, maybe buy a few bits and pieces, go back to your own motorhome and then go out for a bit of a… I think it’s a ’60s weekend, isn’t it?
Matt Sims
This weekend is a ’60s weekend.
Keith Gooden
We’re not talking about the average age of the punters. We’re on about the music!
Matt Sims
The music is from the ’60s this weekend. And people have been saying it’s fantastic. We’ll be going along and having a little jig on the dance for later, shall we, Keith?
Keith Gooden
Why not? My joke there about the average age is a bit unfair, actually. Lots of families here and lots of younger people taking a look around – and lots of people looking at motorhomes.
Matt Sims
For the first time, as well, having spoken to lots of people at the show. I’ve certainly seen a shift in the demographic toward a younger age group. And the pandemi did this industry a favour really, because a motorhome was the only type of holiday we could go on. And so we saw huge booms in sales where motorhomes were selling in seconds. It’s all changed now of course, but it has a brought much younger demographic into the market.
Keith Gooden
But they’ve gone back, haven’t they, after the pandemic? And they might have hired a motorhome or had a holiday in a caravan. They then used the airline tickets that got cancelled and you got vouchers for and it now seems, two or three years down the line, that the people who went motorhoming are coming back looking at motorhoming again and looking at buying because they did enjoy it so much.
Matt Sims
Yeah, that’s right. And also people are discovering motorhoming for the first time, even today. You know, it’s been kind of in the limelight over the last few years – more than ever. And it’s really exciting to see, as you say, families looking.
Over here there’s a family with young children wandering around. Of course, it’s Saturday, so we’re going to see more and more families today and tomorrow on Sunday. So yeah, it’s exciting to see a fresh audience coming into the market.
Keith Gooden
So the message is, if you’re coming to the show, don’t just be a day visitor. You can bring the motorhome, you can park up, you can make a weekend of it. And you’ve got the day visitors as well. And of course if you’re an armchair motorhomer, always been thinking about it but never really taken the plunge, never even hired, it’s a good place to get a taster, isn’t it?
Matt Sims
Oh, definitely. The thing about these outdoor shows is there’s a wide choice of motorhomes to look at but secondhand ones as well. So the indoor show, so the big show at the NEC is all brand new models, new models for that year.
Unregistered vehicles here and lots of pre-loved, so the choice is vast. And there are motorhomes here for just under £15,000 pounds. Yes, they’re 10 years old, but there’s something for everyone and for every budget. So a great place to start is one of the outdoor shows, without doubt.
Keith Gooden
It’s the Motorhome Matt podcast. I’m Keith Gooden.
Matt Sims
And I’m Motorhome Matt.
Keith Gooden
And the show we’re at is…
Matt Sims
The Southern Motorhome and Campervan Show here in Newbury.
Keith Gooden
Fantastic. We’ve talked to a lot of people, Matt. There’s a fantastic atmosphere. The teensy weensy is bit of rain at about 11:20 in the morning, but that’s cleared away and it’s a perfect day for it, isn’t it? Not too sunny. Not too cloudy. Just perfect.
Matt Sims
It’s the weather that can make or break an outdoor show. It’s very true. Yesterday was possibly too hot, at risk of complaining after all the rain we’ve had, but it really was hot yesterday. And of course as a trader, it meant that people did go back to their motorhomes and just chill out next to the van for the afternoon with a cold something. But today the weather I’d say is perfect show weather – hazy sunshine, a nice breeze. Not too hot. Yeah, lots to see and do and the aisles are very busy.
Keith Gooden
And what a show and what lovely people have been at the show. We’ve just spoken to a few of them and the stories, the lives they’re leading – and at the centre of it, the motorhome.
Matt Sims
Absolutely. It’s all about people’s stories. You know, we’ve all got them. And I love them. And the thing about these shows is there’s a real sense of community. It’s a coming together of a bunch of people with a shared passion, the motorhome, the campervan, who are from all different types of walks of life. And that’s been evident today. And we just come together on a level playing field, and it’s such a safe, friendly environment. And that’s been certainly the feedback we’ve had, hasn’t it?
Keith Gooden
Absolutely. 100% You can hear that rattling going past. That’s somebody who’s obviously got a long shopping list. They’ve got a trolley to bring their stuff home in.
Matt Sims
They bought themselves a wagon! I see lots of those for sale here. Very useful accessory at any show.
Keith Gooden
One thing I’ve noticed is there’s lots of dogs.
Matt Sims
Loads of dogs. This is a dog friendly show. I mean, dogs have become a very popular pet, is that fair to say? The pandemics saw a huge boom, didn’t it, of people having dogs as a pet at home. And a motorhome is a great way of going on holiday with your dog.
We take Reg everywhere with us. In fact, he sees the van on the drive and can’t get out the front door quick enough. He wants to get straight in it because he knows he’s off on an adventure somewhere.
Keith Gooden
Well you don’t have to book the doggy into daycare or even longer care, do you? And nobody’s moaning at hotels and resorts when you’re turning up with your dog because you’ve got your motorhome and you can please yourself.
Matt Sims
Yeah, absolutely. Reg absolutely loves it, and he’s a brilliant show dog. He’s on our stand at That Leisure Shop at every show. He’s a little Border Terrier and he’s an idiot, but we love him.
Audience Q&A
Keith Gooden
It’s the Motorhome Matt podcast. I’m Keith Gooden.
Matt Sims
And I’m Motorhome Matt.
Keith Gooden
It’s brought to you by www.thatleisureshop.com. It’s time for our question and answers section in this week’s podcast. Gary Catlin’s in Lowestoft. He says, “Just watched your video – top three tips for motorhome travel in France. Very good by the way, but I have a couple of questions. I have my Crit’Air sticker for France, yellow two.”
“Where do I stick it on my self-built campervan? When approaching different towns in France, how do I know if they accept Crit’Air two? Are there signs to say what Crit’Air the town or city is? And lastly, I have a refillable LPG gas bottle in a looking metal locker with dropout vents and a French connector.” Ah, the French connection.
“Will I be able to fill the bottle away from the van? And will I be able to tell if the garage will or won’t allow this? Many thanks, mate. Gary and Val.” So first of all, his Crit’Air sticker for France, yellow two. Where does he stick it?
Matt Sims
Bottom right corner of your windscreen.
Keith Gooden
That was easy, wasn’t it?
Matt Sims
Next! I think I made a mistake on this. There’s a video where I say, “Stick it on your rear bumper.” So many people have corrected me. And I was thinking about the UK sticker when I said it. I was wrong. It goes in the bottom right corner of your windscreen.
Keith Gooden
“When approaching different towns in France, how do I know if they accept Crit’Air two? Are there signs to say which Crit’Air the town or city is?”
Matt Sims
Well, it’s about your vehicle, actually, Gary. It’s about the fact that you need a Crit’Air sticker to go in there. So the Crit’Air two is unique to your vehicle. That’s telling the authorities that you are a Crit’Air two. And my suggestion would be checking the website for the Crit’Air conditions to go in or out of any city and whether a Crit’Air two is permissible in that city.
Keith Gooden
When I was in France not so long ago, I was looking out for Crit’Air signs, and I didn’t see any at all. But I did refer to the website before I travelled, because there are differences between, say Rouen or Paris or wherever.
Matt Sims
Absolutely.
Keith Gooden
And the third and last question that Gary was asking – he’s got a refillable LPG gas bottle in a locking metal container with his drop out vents and a French connection. “Will I be able to fill the bottle away from the van and will I be able to tell if the garage will or won’t allow this?”
Matt Sims
That’s a great question, because this is an issue in Belgium. It’s illegal to do this in Belgium, where you take the bottle out of the van and fill it up on the floor. The general advice is it’s far safer to have a refillable point that’s fixed to the van, and that’s piped to the bottle. So you leave the bottle in the cupboard.
But I realise you haven’t got that. And not everybody does. It may be that you can take the bottle out and refill it without any problem at all. In my experience, the reason that garage might say non and stop you doing it is because the VAT rating on cooking gas is different to the VAT rating on gas used for propulsion.
So often gas is used to drive the engine. That’s a different VAT rating to the gas used for cooking, which is what you’re using it for. And that would probably be the reason the garage would stop you doing it. There’s going to be no indication when you drive into the garage as to whether you can do it. You could go in and ask or just try your luck. See what happens.
Keith Gooden
Parler with them at the garage. At a lot of French garages they’ll come out and they want to assist you and pump the fuel and stuff like that. So it’s quite easy to catch up with somebody. Whether they understand you or not is something else entirely. So thanks Gary, from Lowestoft, as they say across there. They are the closest to Europe, aren’t they? It’s the most easterly point the UK.
Matt Sims
Next stop France.
Keith Gooden
No, Holland. How are the clogs? David Smith’s in Weymouth. He says, “Hi, Matt. I have a solo trip to make next month with my caravan and I’ve been looking at hitch locks that can be used while the vehicle’s in motion – that is, ones that do not restrict the operation of the Al-Ko stabiliser.
On the Fullstop Security website on the Saracen Gullwing FHL 555 it states, ‘In the UK it is against the law to tow with a hitch lock attached.’ But the UK page of the Al-Ko website doesn’t mention this.”
Matt Sims
David went on to say, “As you are so well connected and this is a subject of interest to all caravanners. I wonder if you can clarify this, please. I love the podcast and have listened to them all. I have recently started a mobile caravan and motorhome service business and the information you have provided has helped me understand the industry and give better advice to my customers. Many thanks.”
Keith Gooden
The invoice is on the way, David. So what’s your expert advice?
Matt Sims
Well, I was intrigued by this, because I’ve always recommended travelling with a hitch lock fitted to your hitch. Provided it doesn’t impede the movement of the hitch, what’s the issue? It’s going to stop someone nicking the caravan when you pull over for a pee or a cup of coffee in the services.
So we went back to Fullstop and asked them about this Saracen hitch lock, because I am not aware that there is any law that says you can’t do this. Fullstop came back and said, “While we cannot find the law which states you can not have a hitch lock attached, the reason for us advising against using a hitch lock while towing is down to the emergency services.”
Keith Gooden
“In the event of an accident, if you have a hitch lock attached to your hitch and they need to detach the caravan, this slows them down massively as they either need to find the keys or cut the lock off. Due to this they advise do not use a hitch lock while travelling.”
So it comes down to the old thing, doesn’t it, Matt? Is it pub talk? Or is it the law? We have looked at the gov.uk website here at the Motorhome Matt podcast, and we found nothing on that website which says that you can’t travel with a hitch lock.
Matt Sims
There’s not even a mention of a hitch lock. So it’s not law. I’m afraid that is incorrect. There is no law to be broken. This is all over the internet, that it’s illegal to use a hitch lock whilst travelling. It’s not.
The advice is not to do it so the emergency services can get your caravan off quickly. My advice would be if you want to do it, you can, but put the keys to the hitch lock on the ignition key so if you’re knocked out in an accident, the fire service are going to go for the ignition key.
And there they will find the key for the hitch lock. I would say that would be the most obvious place to put it, and they will be able to find it quickly. And if they need to detach the caravan in a hurry, they can.
Ask Matt
Keith Gooden
There you go. Well, thanks very much David in Weymouth. If somebody wants to ask a question, what should they do, Matt?
Matt Sims
Please do. We’d love it if you did, because I have no doubt if you’ve got that question, so have thousands of others. Go to mhmp.info/askmatt. You can record the question by clicking the orange button. Tell us where you are in the country or in the world. And you can submit the question there on a form as well if you’d rather not record your own voice.
Keith Gooden
And we’d love it if you left a review, wouldn’t we?
Matt Sims
We would – mhmp.info/review.
Keith Gooden
And subscribe on YouTube.
Matt Sims
Please do. Loads of our viewers on YouTube are not subscribed, so please do because it really helps populate the podcast. And our YouTube channel is sponsored by www.arobasecreative.co.uk!
