Bristol Caravans and Motorhomes

A grey and white campervan is parked on a grassy track in a clearing, surrounded by bare trees under a blue sky. To the right of the van, a small campfire burns with a pot hanging over it from a tripod, and two wooden logs are on the ground nearby. The campervan has a rugged front bumper and off-road tires.

The Difference Between a Leisure Battery and a Car Battery?

If you’ve recently bought a caravan, campervan, or motorhome, you’re probably starting to hear a lot about ‘leisure batteries’. But what exactly are they and how are they different from the standard car battery under your bonnet? In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences, why it matters for your vehicle and how to choose the right battery for your needs. Leisure Batteries Explained A leisure battery is specifically designed to power the 12V appliances in your leisure vehicle – things like: Unlike your car battery, a leisure battery is built for deep cycling, meaning it can be discharged […]

What Is a Motor Mover and How Does It Work?

If you’ve ever struggled to manoeuvre your caravan or motorhome into a tight pitch, a narrow driveway, or a crowded storage space, you’re definitely not alone. Whether it’s battling with awkward angles, trying to avoid curbs and fences, or simply feeling the pressure of getting it right first time, moving a large vehicle without assistance can be frustrating and even a little intimidating. It’s one of the most common challenges caravan and motorhome owners face, especially when touring solo or parking in unpredictable spaces. That’s where a motor mover can make all the difference. With the touch of a button, […]

Close-up of a large white motorhome in a snowy parking area, with more campervans and snow-capped mountains visible in the background.

Winter is Coming! Join Our FREE Winterisation Event

If you’re a caravan, campervan, or motorhome owner, you probably already know that winter prep is essential but what exactly should you be doing? And when? At Bristol Caravans, we have got you covered with our FREE Winterisation Event, designed to give you all the tools, knowledge, and confidence you need to protect your leisure vehicle this winter. 🗓️ Date: TBC🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM📍 Location: Bristol Caravans, Hortham Lane, Almondsbury, Bristol, BS32 4JW📞 Booking Required: Call us on 01454 612 893 to reserve your space🔗 Contact Us Here Who Should Come? Everyone is welcome!Whether you’re a first-time […]

The Best Rear View Camera Setup for Your Motorhome

If you’ve ever tried reversing your motorhome into a narrow pitch or changing lanes on a busy dual carriageway, you’ll know just how tricky it can be without clear visibility behind you. Large vehicles like motorhomes have significant blind spots, especially at the rear, and standard mirrors don’t always cut it. That’s why more and more motorhome owners are investing in rear view camera systems. Not just for reversing but for everyday peace of mind while driving. In this guide, we’ll explain exactly what you need to know to choose the right rear view camera setup for your motorhome, based […]

Ford Transit Wet Cam Belt Issues and The Fix

If you own a motorhome built on a Ford Transit platform, there’s an engine design issue you should know about. It’s called the wet cambelt, also known as a wet timing belt.Some modern Transit engines route the cambelt through the engine oil in the sump. This makes the belt vulnerable to oil contamination. In motorhomes, especially diesel ones where DPF (diesel particulate filter) regeneration can fail, this can cause serious belt damage. Over time, the rubber in the belt breaks down. Fibres can shed into the oil system, leading to problems from clogged oil filters to total engine failure. If […]

How Much Solar Power Do I Need for My Motorhome?

A Complete Guide for Off-Grid Freedom: Solar power has become one of the most popular upgrades for motorhome owners and it’s not hard to see why. The idea of parking anywhere, powering your fridge, lights, and devices without relying on hook-ups or noisy generators is incredibly appealing. But one of the first (and most important) questions that comes up is: “How much solar power do I need to run everything in my motorhome?” Whether you’re travelling part-time or living full-time on the road, the answer depends on a few key factors, most importantly, your energy usage and how much sunlight […]

Motorhome Wi-Fi for UK Campsites

Why is Best Motorhome Wi-Fi System important? Well staying connected while touring the UK in a motorhome, campervan or caravan is more important than ever. Motorhome Wi-Fi has become the generic “go to” term, but in reality we are talking about a system that has its own sim card, where you stream mobile data to access the internet. Whether you’re streaming TV, working remotely, navigating with GPS, or simply keeping in touch, a solid internet connection can make life on the road a lot easier. But not all campsites offer reliable Wi-Fi and relying on your phone’s hotspot isn’t always […]

How Can I Tell If My Motorhome Is Damp?

Damp is one of the most common and dreaded problems motorhome owners face. Left untreated, it can lead to structural damage, costly repairs, and even health issues. The key to avoiding serious damp problems is early detection but how can you tell if your motorhome has damp before it becomes a major issue? In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the signs of dampness, the tools you can use to detect it, common problem areas, and how to deal with it early to avoid long-term consequences. Whether you’re a seasoned motorhome owner or just starting out, knowing how […]

Nick Langley

Excellent service as usual from Oakleigh and his team. I had an annoying and difficult to track down electrical problem with my motorhome PSU, but the team persevered and resolved the issue. Thank you

Clive Sandrey

Friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The job was done in a timely manner and ALL the staff were accommodating. I would confidently take my camper van there for any repairs or additions

Alison & Dave Harvey Rich

Oakleigh- a massive thank you to you and your amazing team for fixing our rear view camera! Beyond delighted that I will be able to see behind me when driving on our campervan travels. Amazing 😀😀☀️☀️👍👍

Pam Savage

From the very first initial contact Bristol caravans were professional courteous and efficient. We had air suspension.hydraulic levelling jacks.tow bar and a rear view camera fitted – nothing was too much trouble and the quality of work is excellent. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them and special thanks to Tracey and Eliot and the team for pulling out the stops to get us ready in time for our trip.

How Much Does It Cost to Fit a Motorhome Towbar (2026)?

If you’re planning to tow a car, trailer, or bike rack behind your motorhome, a professionally fitted towbar is essential, not just for safety, but also to ensure legal compliance and peace of mind. But how much does it actually cost to fit a motorhome towbar in 2025? 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. We are a one-stop-shop, from Engine and Habitation services, to fitted accessories like motorhome levelling systems and rear air suspension. Before we […]

Stephen Hurst

Great service very friendly and professional. Fitted our leveling system in no time would definitely recommend to others in the area

Paul Hollis

We had an appointment to assess our motorhome for a levelling system. Unfortunately due to a large underslung gas tank our vehicle was not suitable. However the people at Bristol Caravans spent quite a while to make sure and explained why. From the receptionist to the technicians and manager everyone was professional and courteous. It was good to have such an honest opinion from people who were clearly knowledgeable about levelling products.

Jackie Banks

We had an appointment to assess our motorhome for a levelling system. Unfortunately due to a large underslung gas tank our vehicle was not suitable. However the people at Bristol Caravans spent quite a while to make sure and explained why. From the receptionist to the technicians and manager everyone was professional and courteous. It was good to have such an honest opinion from people who were clearly knowledgeable about levelling products.

Trevor Giles

Had a leisure battery problem one morning and asked them to check it for me. They were efficient and professional, quickly giving me a detailed report. Thanks to the team.

Chris Pare

We had a problem with our Thetford 3 way fridge.Bristol Caravans & Motorhomes managed to fit us into their busy workshop at short notice as we were due to Head off to France next week.The fault was diagnosed & fixed within 24hrs.Thank you Oakleigh & the team.Chris & Marion

Tracey Woodman

Being novice campervan owners, we thought about having a solar panel fitted, but had absolutely no idea what was available or suitable. We googled Adria approved workshops in our area and Bristol Caravans were top of the search, and only a few miles from home. We popped in and spoke with Tracey on reception who booked us in for a survey with Oakleigh. Oakleigh sat down with us and set out in simple terms what could be achieved. We booked in for the work. When we collected the van, Oakleigh went through the control panel details with us. We also […]