Oakleigh Wood, Author at Bristol Caravans and Motorhomes

How to Get Your Motorhome Off-Grid for Longer

If you want to get your motorhome off-grid for longer, you need three things working together: a lithium leisure battery that lets you use far more of its power, solar panels to top it up while you’re parked, and a DC-to-DC charger that refills it properly while you drive. Fitted as one matched system, this can turn one nervous night away from hook-up into a long weekend or more. I’m Oakleigh, Director at Bristol Caravans. We’ve been looking after caravans, motorhomes and campervans since 2012, and we’ve been fitting lithium systems since 2021. In this guide I’ll explain, in plain […]

The Cold Truth: My Caravan Fridge Isn’t Working While Driving

Written by Oakleigh Wood There is nothing quite like the excitement of arriving at your campsite, pitching your caravan, motorhome or campervan, and looking forward to a cold drink or a freshly prepared meal. But for many owners of modern caravans, particularly those built from 2020 onwards, that arrival ritual can come with an unpleasant surprise: a warm fridge, melted ice blocks, spoiled food or, heaven forbid, warm beer! If you have noticed that your Thetford 3-way fridge works perfectly on gas and 230V mains electric hook-up, but completely fails to keep your food cold while you are towing, you […]

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Why Fitting an Awning Isn’t Always Straightforward

Written by Oakleigh Wood Adding an awning to your motorhome, campervan or caravan can be a fantastic way to enjoy more outdoor space, have somewhere to sit in the shade and benefit from extra shelter when the British weather does what it does best. But there’s one part of the process that can quickly become much more complicated than expected: fitting the awning. Choosing the right brackets and working out exactly how – and where – your awning can be mounted is where a seemingly straightforward upgrade can turn into a headache. “Surely I just need an awning that fits?” […]

Graham George

Since January this year Bristol Caravans have rebuilt our semi automatic gearbox, fitted an Amplo self levelling system, rear view camera and done our habitation and cab services on our motorhome.All the above works have been completed to a very high standard .I would highly recommend Bristol Caravans. The whole team are professional, courteous and keep you well informed throughout the whole process.

Jackie Baker

Absolutely tip-top staff when we arrived to have the Ma-Ve levelling system installed we were offered a cup of tea straight away Tracey and Elliot were professional on-time and considerate to our needs and gave a full handover when we arrived thanks to the team and the engineer who installed also had and an excellent handover when we picked up we shall be using them again.

Paul Hibbert

We stored our van here for quite a few years and found all the staff to be extremely helpful and knowledgable. We had to have repairs done to our van on a number of times and issues and it was always done quickly and to an excellent standard. The storage yard itself has excellent security features and we never felt at all worried about leaving the van there. The site also has two separate CL’s that are in a lovely spot, being quiet and having good views of the woods and fields around. Thank you to Oakleigh and the team. […]

Lee Hearst

We met Tracey at the caravan and motorhome show in Feb 2024. We wanted to add a MA-VE leg stability kit to our motorhome and after speaking to many vendors, Tracey was the one that came across most genuine, helpful and not pushy. We also liked that they were a family run business. We took them up on their special offer and booked in for our installation.Eliot was in contact throughout to make sure we were aware of the installation process.We had to postpone our installation multiple times due to family circumstances and Eliot was more then understanding and showed […]

Philip Harper

This company is excellent to deal with. The office staff and workshop staff are very professional. They kept us informed throughout the work they were carrying out for us. We highly recommend Bristol Caravans for their professional expertise.

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Motorhome Self Levelling System

Campervan Upgrades Motorhome Levelling Systems Motorhome Upgrades

Personal review of five Motorhome Self Levelling Systems on the market in the UK in 2025.

Michael Joy

Following investigations by other Garages who found no fault with my Air suspension on my Auto Sleeper Motor Home, I found Bristol Caravans on line so asked them to investigate as I still had a problem. They diagnosed the fault & quoted for the repair. I had them carry out the removal & replacement of my Air Suspension & in my opinion the work carried out was Excellent. They appeared very efficient & new exactly what they were doing. The work carried out was of a high standard & I am very pleased with the final outcome.

Peter Busby – Amplo

Amplo Levellers were fitted over a couple of days. Communication was superb, the reception from all the team first class, and a thoroughly professional job achieved. Well done! Highly recommended.

Rikkyb Bax

Great team, great experiance.

Motorhome Damp Repair

Motorhome Damp Repair, full process

Motorhome Damp Repairs Motorhome Maintenance Motorhome Repairs

The video highlights the window rubber seal failure, how the water ingress tracked into the vehicle and the full motorhome damp repair. What caused the water ingress The water ingress was caused by window seal failure, the rubber seal had hardened over time (age related), as the seal hardened it lost its ability to be squishy, which means the water flowed past the rubber to reach the internal wooden structure of the coach built body. How you can identify damp in your motorhome? The best way to find water ingress or damp in your motorhome or caravan is a damp […]

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Motorhome Self-Levelling Systems – My Ultimate Guide

Campervan Upgrades Motorhome Levelling Systems Motorhome Upgrades

Motorhome Self-Leveling Systems, which brands, top tips and FAQs

Motorhome Leveling System

Best Motorhome Self-Levelling Systems (UK)

Motorhome Levelling Systems Motorhome Upgrades

When researching the best motorhome self-levelling system, there are a number of factors to consider and rank in order of preference. Before we jump into the detail, please can I introduce myself, I’m Oakleigh and I started Bristol Caravans to deliver great customer experiences, don’t take my word for it, please read our reviews. If you are looking to buy a motorhome, campervan or caravan self-levelling system, here is a link our main levelling page, which links to all the systems we sell. Here are our top suggestions to consider: Price: How much to install a motorhome levelling system? At […]

Motorhome Winter Health Check

Campervan Maintenance Motorhome Maintenance

51% of vehicles are likely to suffer an electrical breakdown during the winter. Our Motorhome Winter Health Check, will give you a fighting chance when the weather takes a turn.

12v Off Grid Air Con

12v Air Con for Motorhomes

The Ultimate Air Conditioning Solution for Caravans, Motohomes & Campervans: Indel B Plein-Aircon 12v. As more people across the UK embrace the freedom of campervan travel, comfort on the road has become a top priority – especially for the mature traveller seeking convenience without compromising on quality. If you’re a campervan owner looking to keep cool while touring the countryside or enjoying a seaside getaway, the Indel B Plein-Aircon 12v roof-mounted air conditioning unit is the perfect upgrade to your vehicle. 12v Aircon for Caravans, Motorhomes & Campervans up to Six Metres The Indel B Plein-Aircon is a sleek, 12v […]

Motorhome levelling system

Motorhome Levelling Systems – Hydraulic vs 12V: Which Is Best?

Motorhome Levelling Systems Motorhome Upgrades

When choosing a motorhome levelling system, one of the key decisions is between hydraulic and 12V. Both are for the purpose of lifting and levelling vehicles, comparative in their function, but come with differing benefits and considerations. In this blog we will be discussing which Motorhome levelling system is best, hydraulic or 12V. Motorhome Levelling Systems – Hydraulic: Advantages: Hydraulic systems are known for their power and speed, capable of lifting heavier motorhomes rapidly while also offering enhanced stability, particularly on uneven surfaces.Drawbacks: These systems are usually heavier and more expensive. Installation is more complex, often taking longer. Hydraulic systems […]

caravan levelling system required!

Why Buy a Caravan Levelling System?

Caravan Levelling Caravan Upgrades

A caravan levelling system is a great upgrade and can enhance your travel experience. When it comes to enjoying the perfect caravan holiday, it’s the little details that make a big difference. Whether you’re a seasoned caravanner or you are new to the lifestyle, you can add levelling at any time of ownership. Here’s why a levelling system should be on your must-have list. Fast and Easy Set-Up: Unlock More Places to Stay Imagine arriving at a stunning new campsite, only to find that the ground is uneven. Without a levelling system, you might spend precious time trying to get […]

Smart Alternator Fiat Ducato

Can 12V Accessories Damage Motorhome Smart Alternators?

Campervan Maintenance Campervan Repairs Campervan Upgrades Motorhome Maintenance Motorhome Repairs Motorhome Upgrades

Motorhome Issue: Smart Alternator This article is positioned as an overview of “smart alternators, motorhomes and accessories”, describing basic principles.It is meant for discussion, if you have any comments or suggestions please contact the author direct at:oakleigh@bristolcaravans.com Issue Can incorrect accessory fitting damage the engine battery or engine battery charging? Background EU legislation was introduced to help reduce vehicle emissions. “Smart alternators” are part of the EU emissions initiative.Smart alternators were introduced to the UK car market around 2015, some motorhome brands were slower to implement. We recommend that you check. Do not assume your motorhome or campervan has a […]

Lawrence Emm

Five star service at its best! I don’t often leave feedback but the help, support, guidance and the quality of work undertaken by Bristol Caravan and Motorhomes on our new-to-us motorhome has been outstanding these last few weeks. We are in season 2 of our new adventure and had been disappointed elsewhere with the quality of service provided to us. Tracey, Nick and Oakleigh in particular have been patient and attentive to our concerns and needs. They resolved our concerns and problems – a huge relief. I cannot thank and praise each of them enough. Thank you all for a […]