Bristol Caravans and Motorhomes

Motorhome Levelling Systems: Why AL-KO Is a Popular Choice

Written by Oakleigh Wood You’ve arrived at your destination, found the perfect pitch and parked up for the night. There’s just one problem: your motorhome is sitting at an angle. The cupboards don’t quite close properly, the shower tray isn’t draining as it should and getting comfortable in bed takes a little more effort than expected. It’s not exactly the relaxing start to a trip you had in mind. For many motorhome owners, levelling is simply part of the routine. But if you tour regularly, repeatedly getting out the ramps, making adjustments and checking the level can become a bit […]

Does Your Underslung LPG Gas Tank Need to Be Replaced?

If your motorhome or campervan has an underslung LPG gas tank, do you know how old it is? It’s not something most owners think about. After all, if your gas appliances are working and everything seems fine, it’s easy to assume your LPG tank is in good condition. But there’s something important you should know: underslung LPG tanks have a limited service life and need regular inspection to make sure they remain safe. In many cases, the 10-year mark is an important point for inspection, testing or replacement, depending on the tank manufacturer’s guidance and the applicable requirements. Leaving it […]

Lynette Hawkins

We arranged a visit, to Bristol Caravans, due to electrical issues we were experiencing with our Fiat Ducato campervan. It had been ongoing for some months, but previous advice sought and mechanics were unfortunately unable to resolve matters.  From our initial phone call with Kas to Leo who greeted us, to Nick C the driver who chauffeured us back and fore to nearby outlets, and importantly Nick M, the mechanic, it was a positive and friendly experience. Nick M explained everything to us in plain language, to help us!, and after numerous tests, identified the issue, which he subsequently satisfactorily […]

The Benefits of an Amplo Motorhome Levelling System Written by Alice Ramsay An Amplo levelling system gets your motorhome or campervan perfectly level at the press of a button, safely, on ground that ramps can’t handle. That’s the short answer. The longer one comes from experience. At Bristol Caravans we’ve been fitting Amplo levelling systems since 2021, and we now install around 80 systems a year. By volume of installs, that makes us the number one Amplo installer in the UK. Most go onto Fiat Ducato-based vehicles, but we also fit to Ford Transit and Mercedes Sprinter, across every body […]

Why Choose a Workshop for Your Caravan or Motorhome Service?

Written by Oakleigh Wood When your caravan or motorhome is due for its annual service or habitation check, booking a mobile engineer to visit your home can seem like the easiest option. There’s no need to tow your vehicle anywhere, and you can get on with your day while the work is carried out. However, convenience is only one part of the picture. When it comes to maintaining your vehicle, identifying potential problems and keeping everything in good working order, having access to a properly equipped workshop can make a real difference. At Bristol Caravans, we believe regular maintenance should […]

Mark Cooper

From seeing Oakleigh on Motohome Matt talking about the different self levelling systems for motorhomes (and caravans, campers) I contacted Bristol Caravans.I spoke with Kas Press who was able to organise for me to come up with my new motorhome.Both my wife and I made the trip to Bristol Caravans, and were met by Kas. She was warm welcoming and very helpful. We then met with Nick Marshall and had a long discussions on what we thought we needed and/or wanted. Nick was so very knowledgeable and understood what we wanted. He talked through lots of different options and gave […]

Darron Gulliver

I am a new customer to Bristol Caravans and Motorhomes they are all very friendly and professional and solved the issue with my motor home very efficiently would definitely use again

Lithium Batteries: What Off-Grid Setup Do You Actually Need?

Written by Oakleigh Wood Want to spend longer off-grid in your motorhome without worrying about your battery running flat? A lithium leisure battery upgrade could be the answer, but choosing the right setup isn’t simply a case of buying the biggest battery available. Your ideal system depends on what you want to power, how often you use it and how long you typically spend away from a mains hook-up. Get the balance right and you’ll have the freedom to tour on your terms, without paying for capacity you don’t need. Here’s what to consider before choosing your setup. Start with […]

cambelt

Cam Belt Replacement: When Should You Change Yours?

Written by Oakleigh Wood If you own a campervan or motorhome, there’s a good chance it spends more time parked on the drive than it does on the road. Maybe you take it away for a few weekends, head off on a summer holiday and squeeze in the odd winter trip. If you’re only covering around 5,000 miles a year, it’s easy to assume that your engine isn’t working particularly hard and that servicing can wait a little longer. But there’s one important job where that way of thinking can catch you out: cam belt replacement. The trouble with a […]

Andrew White

Very good service very friendly staff very helpful explaining everything and what I needed also got 20% off which made me really happy. The engineer who fitted it was very helpful showed me exactly what to do and how to do it what I have seen underneath is very well done all well protected all tidy nothing hanging very happy with the job I would recommend anyone to go to them.

The Complete Guide To: Motorhome, Campervan & Caravan Levelling

You’ve arrived. The pitch looked fairly level when you pulled on, but now you’re parked up, it’s a different story. The shower tray isn’t draining properly. Water is sitting in the sink. You can feel the slope when you walk around inside. So out come the ramps. A little further forward. Check it. Back again. Try another ramp. Eventually, you get there, but you’ve spent the first part of your stay getting the vehicle level. Sound familiar? For regular tourers, there’s another option: an automatic levelling system. But choosing one isn’t simply a case of finding a system that fits […]

The Complete Guide To: Rear-Air Suspension

“Is that everything?” “Just a couple more things!” You know how it goes… You’ve packed the bags, filled the cupboards, loaded the garage and, despite promising yourself you’d pack light this time, it still seems like an awful lot of stuff. Then you remember you’ve not even strapped the bikes on yet. You get them on, stand back and take a look. Suddenly, the motorhome doesn’t quite look (or feel) like it normally does. The rear is sitting a little lower. There’s a fair bit of weight over the back axle, and you’re wondering how it’s going to feel once […]

Motorhome Levelling Systems: Why AMPLO Is a Popular Choice

Written by Oakleigh Wood You’ve finally arrived, found a great pitch and got the motorhome parked up. Then the little annoyances start… Water is sitting in the sink. A cupboard door that normally closes perfectly suddenly needs a little more persuasion. You’re constantly aware that the motorhome isn’t quite level, and you find yourself wishing you’d spent another ten minutes getting it right. It’s one of those things that can take the shine off an otherwise great trip. Of course you can reach for the levelling ramps. But if you’re touring regularly, there’s another option: an automatic levelling system. One […]

Motorhome Rear Sagging: Causes, Fixes & Upgrades

A motorhome’s rear suspension works hard. Heavy leisure loads, water tanks, bike racks, tow bars and extended rear overhangs can place significant demands on the rear axle and springs. If your motorhome is sitting low at the rear, feels unsettled under load or is regularly reaching the limits of its suspension travel, it could be time to look at the condition of the original suspension and whether rear-air suspension is the right upgrade. Why Does a Motorhome Rear Suspension Sag? Most motorhomes use a commercial-vehicle chassis with rear leaf springs. These are designed to carry a range of loads, but […]

Rear-Air Suspension: Can I Carry Extra Bikes or a Towbar Load?

If you own a motorhome and enjoy taking bikes or e-bikes away with you, adding extra equipment to the rear of your vehicle can create some important challenges. A towbar-mounted bike rack, several e-bikes, a scooter or another rear-mounted carrier can add significant weight behind the rear axle. This can cause the rear suspension to sag, reduce ground clearance and affect the way your motorhome handles on the road. So, can rear air suspension help you carry more bikes or a heavier towbar-mounted load? It can provide additional support for a rear-mounted load, but it does not increase your motorhome’s […]

12V

3 Common Motorhome 12V Electrical Problems

Having problems with the 12V electrics in your motorhome or caravan? Electrical issues can be frustrating, particularly when everything appears to work normally on mains electricity or gas. The good news is that many common 12V problems can be traced back to a small number of causes. In this guide, we’ll look at three of the most common motorhome and caravan 12V electrical problems, along with some simple checks that can help you identify what’s going wrong and when it’s time to get professional help. Problem 1: The Fridge Isn’t Working Properly on 12V One of the most common complaints is […]

Manual vs Compressor Rear Air Suspension

If you’re considering rear air suspension for your campervan or motorhome, you’ll generally come across two options: manual air suspension and compressor-based, fully adjustable air suspension. How each system works Both systems use airbags to provide additional support to the rear of the vehicle, helping to improve ride height, stability and handling. The main difference is how you control the air pressure. For many motorhome owners, the convenience and adjustability of a compressor system can make a noticeable difference, particularly when travelling with different loads. Manual system: Best for someone who sets their preferred pressure once and generally drives with a similar load. […]

Robert Paterson

Brilliant friendly service.I was looked after by Kas who explained all the options and answered all my questionsReally impressed with the company and highly recommend

Fiat Ducato motorhome in a field with a water tank in front of it

How Long Does a Motorhome Water Tank Last?

One of the most common questions new motorhome owners ask is, “How long does a motorhome water tank last?” The answer depends on several factors, including the size of your fresh water tank, how many people are travelling, and how carefully you use your water. In this guide, we’ll explain what affects your water supply, how long you can expect it to last, and share some simple tips to make it go further when you’re touring or camping off-grid. The Short Answer For most motorhomes, a full fresh water tank will last: These estimates assume sensible water usage for washing […]

Johnny Mcwill

They fitted the Amplo levelling system to my van in a day and a half.Super efficient, clean, helpful and extremely knowledgeable.I am in the process of booking in some other work when I will return for the systems first service next year.Think it is the best workshop I have ever been in – everyone works very hard.