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STAMP OUT SHABBY 'VANS ON SITE!

When I reach a campsite, it doesn't matter how well I polish my motorhome before I leave, it's always filthy when I arrive. Usually it's diesel soot, but often it's grease, fuel spills on the road and sometimes tar (in summer). Now I always carry a bottle of traffic film remover – it's what the professionals use to valet cars, and it works well on anything. Used neat, it makes short work of greasy, oily, patches. When diluted, you can use it on the bodywork. And as a very weak solution it removes most interior stains. You don't need much and it comes in a travel-friendly one-litre size for around £3. I won't leave home without it.
Nick Raworth
Ipswich, Suffolk

PUT A CORK IN IT!

While holidaying in France, the tap at the base of our waste-tank's hose snapped off completely. So, we used a cork from one of our wine bottles until we got home – mind you, we had to drink an extra bottle of wine so we could use the cork. Not bad for a couple of young pensioners, eh?
Jean Cameron,
Boldon Colliery, Tyne and Wear

ON THE TILES

Before putting a wheel-clamp on your motorhome, place an old carpet tile between the clamp and the wheel. It takes no time at all and will save the wheel trim from scratches and dents.
Andrew Clayton
Wigan, Lancs

BOLT-ON GOODY

Security is always a concern for motorcaravanners and I know that some people fit chains to hold the front doors closed, or fasten a seatbelt through the grab handles so that the door cannot be opened.
My own method is highly visible and easy to operate: it is a bolt which I slide across every time I close the door. In situations where I feel additional security might be necessary, I lock the bolt itself.
If you fit your own bolt, fix it with self-tapping screws. For added strength we asked our garage to fit Rivnuts into the doorframe – they are pop rivets with a thread through the middle. Once fitted, the bolt is screwed into the Rivnuts. On the living area door we use a simple, domestic door security chain. Our final security measure is an extra door lock, bought from Safeway. It is similar to the domestic door security bolt, but key operated. Safeway stocks a variety of different bolts and different key assemblies to suit all types of door.
Austin Joynson
(via email)

BE DARING

Have a look in your shed for that old beaded seat cover you used to have in your Cortina. Although the seat cover itself may not be the most stylish cab accessory, it will make a first class mat to drop on patches of soft ground if you are on a muddy site. It will stop a lot of mud and muck being trampled onto your carpets.
Rob Saw
Ruislip

HAVEN'T THE FOGGIEST

Fed up having to wait for the mirror in your van to demist before you can shave? Cover the mirror in shaving foam, wipe it off and then polish it before you have a shower, you'll have a clear mirror all the way through.
Justin Anthony-Wright
Leicester

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