Motorhome Matt

It's part 2 of our highlights from The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2023. This time we talk about documenting travels with the Roaming Radfords; the family behind Fiamma with their co-director, Charles; shark bites and "wild camping" with Sarah Roberts and ask Excel Marine why there are so many boats at a motorhome and caravan show! Matt shows off his new favourite gadget, a fantastic produ...

The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2023 returned once again to the NEC in Birmingham with its huge range of accessories and leisure vehicles on display. Being the second February show after the pandemic, and after considerable growth in the industry, all eyes were on attendance and sales numbers. So, what did exhibitors and visitors think? Matt chats to a few members of the show to gauge thei...

This week we're answering two important questions: what is a habitation check and do you need one? Essential to keep your manufacturer's warranty valid, a habitation check is an inspection of the "living area" in your motorhome, caravan or campervan to ensure everything is working correctly and safely. So do you need one regularly? Can you DIY it? Matt and Keith unpack the crucial benefits of havi...

This week we are talking shows! With a quick overview of a few of the big events that you can visit in 2023 and the unique benefits of visiting shows. The first NCC show of the year takes place at the NEC in Birmingham this month, followed by a plethora of outdoor shows organised by Warners, famous for publishing Practical Motorhome magazine. At the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show, we are exhi...

What do you need to know about motorhome wild camping? Well, number one is that it doesn't exist. It is a phrase commonly misused, but a more accurate term is wild parking, off-grid or parking up. True wild camping, in a tent, has been in the news recently as the High Court declared on 13 January 2023 that the public does not have the right to wild camp on Dartmoor. Last year, the Police, Crime, S...

We never want to leave a member of the family behind on our adventures, even those that have four legs and a tail! But what do you need to know about travelling with a pet in the UK and EU? What costs are involved and what has changed since Brexit? Matt speaks to Vet and TV personality Dr James Greenwood to get expert tips on making your pet relaxed and stress-free. We unpack everything from getti...

Last week was the Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Show 2023 in Manchester at a brand-new venue! Listen in for our whistle-stop tour of the show, speaking to exhibitors, show organisers and speakers on the way. We have to say, the aisles were busy with incredibly strong visitor numbers. We spoke with the show director, Rob Debenham, to get insight into the planning of the show and what the future ho...

Good sleep! You always know exactly how important it is when you don't have it, but it's even more crucial when you're out adventuring and exploring all day. So, how can you ensure you get the best possible night's sleep in a motorhome or campervan? In this episode, Matt runs through his top five considerations for getting better sleep on the road. Matt talks to specialised motorhome mattress make...

What are the best ways to keep your motorhome, caravan or campervan fire safe? This week, Matt and Keith discuss the importance of fire safety and fire prevention in a leisure vehicle and explain the best industry practices. There are a number of essential accessories that you must properly fit prior to travelling and, as well as knowing what to buy, one crucial aspect is knowing the best location...

What constitutes an adapted motorhome and why are they so hard to find? An adapted motorhome is one that has been altered or built to be accessible for a wheelchair user or someone with limited mobility and unfortunately, they can be expensive, complicated and fraught with red tape. It is both a specialist area and each individual customer likely has specific needs in order to have the greatest mo...

So that was 2022 and a whole year of Motorhome Matt! This week, Matt and Keith take a moment to reflect on year one of podcasting together. Take a stroll back over some of the highs... and some of the lows. Matt unpacks the fluctuations in the industry this year, including in his own motorhome hire and leisure shop businesses, and makes some predictions for the year ahead. Will there be a British...

How do you professionally clean your motorhome? This week Matt and Keith discuss best practices for cleaning your leisure vehicle, covering everything from chemicals, to tools, to the things you definitely shouldn't do. Matt speaks to professional valeter and detailer, George Miles, owner of Miles Valeting Services and begins by asking why you shouldn’t use washing-up liquid on your motorhome or c...

This week, Matt speaks exclusively with the President of The AA, Edmund King OBE, who reveals worrying truths about SMART motorways. Edmund has long been critical of SMART motorways and he details a flaw in the technology that is putting motorists at risk. As a result, The AA is encouraging government ministers to rethink how SMART motorways function and to launch a campaign aimed at the ‘middle l...

Looking for Christmas gift inspiration for the loved one in your life with a passion for the outdoors, motorhomes, campervans or caravans? Matt and Keith have browsed the shelves at That Leisure Shop in search of top gift ideas for motorhome and caravan owners - from stocking fillers to big day-making gifts that will wow. Matt shares his top tools for camping chefs, accessories for road-trip adven...

Is it safe to fit a multifuel or wood-burning stove in your leisure vehicle? The Hobbit, a popular model from Salamander Stoves, is already fitted in many shepherd's huts, canal boats and bell tents, and now it is a popular choice for van conversions. Who wouldn't want to create a cosy home away from home in their van? However, fitting a stove in a moving vehicle is currently unregulated, with no...

How do you get good internet whilst on the road? It's a question we've been asked a lot, so Matt and Keith are here to take a deep dive into getting the best WiFi in your motorhome or caravan, including what you need, top products and how it's installed. We spoke to Adam from Motorhome WiFi at the Motorhome and Caravan Show 2022 to get the low-down on their high-tech products. We asked them about...

It's part two of our look at some of the exciting new products launched at The Motorhome and Caravan Show 2022! Firstly, Matt caught up with Truma, who launched a new range of solar panels, plus a control panel that we will undoubtedly see in new motorhomes and caravans in the future. Next, we spoke with Thule about an amazingly designed and thoroughly tested rooftop tent, The Approach - comfy eno...

Take a look back at The Motorhome and Caravan Show 2022 with us in this part 1 of 2 where Matt and Keith discuss some of the new products new released at the show - and Matt has a surprisingly different view of some of the highlights. We joined Craig from Outdoor Revolution in one of their new inflatable awnings. Paul, from Moving Intelligence, gave us an insight into their new top-of-the-range tr...

Andrew Ditton, one of the motorhome industry's best-known vloggers and journalists, was recently awarded the John Wickersham Award at the Caravan Writers Guild. Matt got to spend a little time with him at The Motorhome and Caravan Show 2022 to discuss his award-winning moving video, My Caravan, My Sanctuary, made during a difficult time in his family's life. Andrew shares what drives him to do wha...

The Motorhome and Caravan Show is over! Matt and the team spoke to hundreds of visitors throughout the week and what a pleasure it was to meet so many of our listeners. In this special end-of-show episode, we hear from some of those attendees about their experience of the show. Matt also caught up with a few industry friends to compare their views on the week, grabbing a moment with Inspiration Th...

The results are in: happy campers really do exist! The Outjoyment Report is a new study that shows camping and outdoor enjoyment are good for your mental health and well-being. Commissioned by The Camping and Caravanning Club, the report was done by academics at Liverpool John Moores University and Sheffield Hallam University and included a survey of nearly 11,000 campers and non-campers. It asses...

Live from our stand at the Motorhome and Caravan Show 2022, Matt and Keith are joined by both The Urban Motorhome and Wandering Bird! We discuss The Motorhome and Caravan Show, the highs and the lows of motorhoming and the future of the industry. Darran, known as The Urban Motorhome, has lived full-time in his vehicle for over 4 years. Kat travels in her motorhome across Europe, often with her dog...

It's the Motorhome and Caravan Show 2022 and we’ve made it to day 4 - just two more days left to explore! Matt and Keith took a moment at the end of Friday to reflect on the show so far. Our highlight is meeting so many of our listeners and discovering that you really do enjoy our ramblings. The low for Matt, on the other hand, was drinking toilet chemical. Honestly, he chose to drink it. We also...

It's day three of The Motorhome and Caravan Show 2022! Today, Matt and Keith have been joining the queues and speaking to a number of visitors, asking what they are most looking forward to, as they wait for the show to open. Inside the show, the team have had another day packed with interviews. John, from Maypole, gave us a whistlestop tour of their product range on display and available to buy. A...

Welcome to day two of The Motorhome and Caravan Show 2022! In this special mid-week episode we answer many of the questions we have been receiving from visitors. Parking, shuttle buses, food, mobility scooter hire and last-minute ticket information, Matt is here to give you the low down on everything you need to know before you make your journey to the NEC in Birmingham. Plus, we bump into backroo...