Motorhome Matt

Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show 2023 Highlights: Part 1

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 their reactions.
We also talk a few of our usual topics: toilets, electric vans, mental well-being and the outdoors and retiring into a motorhome! Plus, we spotted what could have been the most expensive VW conversion at the show, which had snapped up a Best Design award.
The NCC also ran their AWS Awards and Bristol Caravans, last week's interviewee, won Best Fixed Workshop out of 550 entries! We caught up with Oakleigh once again to congratulate him on their achievement.
The podcast team had a great week chatting with the show's visitors, exhibitors and speakers. Thank you to all those that stopped by our stand or stopped us in the aisles to chat.
And a huge thank you to Oakleigh Wood from Bristol Caravans; Harrison Ward aka Fell Foodie; Gary Hughes from CampervanCo; Sven Mahn from Arwinger; Siobhan Daniels aka Shuvon Shuvoff; Andy Beer from Premier Motorhomes and Kenny Green from Eco Wagon for joining us on the podcast.
Full video interviews featured in this episode will be available to view at youtube.com/motorhomematt, so be sure to head over and hit subscribe to be notified of new releases.
🔶 ASK MATT YOUR QUESTIONS Have you got a question about motorhomes, travel or the leisure industry? Ask Matt and hear the answer to your questions on an upcoming podcast. www.motorhomematt.co.uk/askmatt
📹 WATCH THE PODCAST Watch and subscribe on YouTube @MotorhomeMatt
LISTEN🔸SUBSCRIBE🔸REVIEW🔸SHARE Help grow our community by leaving a review and sharing on your favourite app.
The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.
Thanks for listening!

Habitation Checks: What are they and why do you need one?

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 having a habitation check, as well as the myths and mysteries around them.
Matt also visits NCC Approved Workshop Scheme local business, Bristol Caravans, to talk damp meters, Kane meters, Electrical checks and more. We ask what "great" looks like when it comes to a habitation check, and why you shouldn't settle for less with your pride and joy.
Bristol Caravans, based in North Bristol, has been shortlisted for an NCC award and are a business setting a fantastic example of an in-depth and reliable habitation check. Thank you to Oakleigh for joining us in this episode.
Find out more about Bristol Caravans here → https://bristolcaravans.com/
🔶 ASK MATT YOUR QUESTIONS Have you got a question about motorhomes, travel or the leisure industry? Ask Matt and hear the answer to your questions on an upcoming podcast. www.motorhomematt.co.uk/askmatt
📹 WATCH THE PODCAST Watch and subscribe on YouTube @MotorhomeMatt
LISTEN🔸SUBSCRIBE🔸REVIEW🔸SHARE Help grow our community by leaving a review and sharing on your favourite app.
The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.
Thanks for listening!

Motorhome Show Guide 2023 and the benefits of attending

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 exhibiting the Motorhome Matt podcast in hall 4 and our team from www.thatleisureshop.com are on three stands, representing Maypole, Crespo and Seago.
That Leisure Shop has a stand at each Warners Show, selling a range of outdoor furniture and accessories. Matt is also speaking at the shows in Harrogate, Ardingly and Shepton Mallet on a range of topics including preparing for a European motorhome adventure, Wi-Fi on the move, and the real cost of motorhome ownership.
21-26 Feb - Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show, NEC Birmingham https://ccmshow.co.uk/ - USE CODE MATT
17-19 Mar - The Yorkshire Motorhome and Campervan Show, Harrogate21-23 Apr - The National Motorhome and Campervan Show, Peterborough5-7 May - Campervan Campout, Ardingly19-21 May - The Southern Motorhome and Campervan Show, Newbury21-23 Jul - Norfolk Motorhome and Campervan Show, Norwich18-20 Aug - The Western Motorhome and Campervan Show, Malvern8-10 Sep - The South West Motorhome and Campervan Show, Shepton Mallet 22-24 Sep - The Motorhome and Campervan Show Season Finale, Lincolnhttps://www.showgoer.co.uk USE CODE MOTORHOMEMATT
17-22 Oct - The Motorhome & Caravan Show, NEC Birmingham https://mcshow.co.uk/
🔶 ASK MATT YOUR QUESTIONS Have you got a question about motorhomes, travel or the leisure industry? Ask Matt and hear the answer to your questions on an upcoming podcast. www.motorhomematt.co.uk/askmatt
📹 WATCH THE PODCAST Watch and subscribe on YouTube @MotorhomeMatt
LISTEN🔸SUBSCRIBE🔸REVIEW🔸SHARE Help grow our community by leaving a review and sharing on your favourite app.
The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.
Thanks for listening!

Trespass: What you need to know about motorhome ”wild camping”

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, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 was passed which made trespass a criminal offence and brought in tougher punishments for offenders.
So, when does travelling in a motorhome become trespassing? What do all these changes mean for motorhomers and caravanners? What are the rules on parking up overnight? Matt and Keith take a deep dive into the impact of these recent changes and what you need to know about parking up overnight in the UK.
Special thanks to those who participated in the discussion on our social media, and to Wandering Bird, Life Beyond Bricks and Donald Donaldson from CAMpRA for their contributions.
🔶 ASK MATT YOUR QUESTIONS Have you got a question about motorhomes, travel or the leisure industry? Ask Matt and hear the answer to your questions on an upcoming podcast. www.motorhomematt.co.uk/askmatt
📹 WATCH THE PODCAST Watch and subscribe on YouTube @MotorhomeMatt
LISTEN🔸SUBSCRIBE🔸REVIEW🔸SHARE Help grow our community by leaving a review and sharing on your favourite app.
The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.
Thanks for listening!

Travelling with pets in the UK and EU

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 getting your pet accustomed to life on the road, keeping them safe, the planning you need to do, as well as the all-important rule changes in place since we left the EU. But not just for dogs - cats, birds and even ferrets too.
Plus, we speak to Margaret, owner of Dogrobes, about her experience of travelling Europe with her dog, Missy, and her amazing range of dog dressing gowns.
Dogrobes is THE perfect accessory for muddy dogs to keep help your motorhome or caravan clean, find out more at www.thatleisureshop.com/product-brand/dogrobes and use code REGGIE15 at checkout to get 15% off.
🔶 ASK MATT YOUR QUESTIONS Have you got a question about motorhomes, travel or the leisure industry? Ask Matt and hear the answer to your questions on an upcoming podcast. www.motorhomematt.co.uk/askmatt
📹 WATCH THE PODCAST Watch and subscribe on YouTube @MotorhomeMatt
LISTEN🔸SUBSCRIBE🔸REVIEW🔸SHARE Help grow our community by leaving a review and sharing on your favourite app.
The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.
Thanks for listening!

Industry news from the Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Show 2023

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 holds for it.
Matt's highlight was speaking at the Meet the Expert theatre to a packed audience on preparing for a European motorhome adventure. Get your free downloadable checklist here → www.thatleisureshop.com/europe
Jordan's highlight was getting a gigantic s'more from Andrew Dickens, the star chef of the show.
The show was a great kickoff to 2023 for those needing inspiration for trips both in the UK and abroad. As always, it was lovely to meet so many of our listeners in person! The Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday show is due to return in January 2024 at Manchester Central.
🔶 ASK MATT YOUR QUESTIONS Have you got a question about motorhomes, travel or the leisure industry? Ask Matt and hear the answer to your questions on an upcoming podcast. www.motorhomematt.co.uk/askmatt
📹 WATCH THE PODCAST Watch and subscribe on YouTube @MotorhomeMatt
LISTEN🔸SUBSCRIBE🔸REVIEW🔸SHARE Help grow our community by leaving a review and sharing on your favourite app.
The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.
Thanks for listening!

How to sleep better in a motorhome

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 makers and bedding creators Duvalay, who even featured successfully on Dragons’ Den! Matt also speaks with the brand-new start-up company, Straight2Sleep who have launched an innovative adaptation to a French bed.
🔶 ASK MATT YOUR QUESTIONS Have you got a question about motorhomes, travel or the leisure industry? Ask Matt and hear the answer to your questions on an upcoming podcast. www.motorhomematt.co.uk/askmatt
📹 WATCH THE PODCAST Watch and subscribe on YouTube @MotorhomeMatt
LISTEN🔸SUBSCRIBE🔸REVIEW🔸SHARE Help grow our community by leaving a review and sharing on your favourite app.
The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.
Thanks for listening!

Fire safety in your motorhome

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 for each item to ensure your vehicle's and your safety.
Matt also talks with Andrew Robinson about an innovative fire extinguisher tool called Fire Safety Stick. What makes this product so effective and is it worth having one in your vehicle, or even your home?
🔶 ASK MATT YOUR QUESTIONS Have you got a question about motorhomes, travel or the leisure industry? Ask Matt and hear the answer to your questions on an upcoming podcast. www.motorhomematt.co.uk/askmatt
📹 WATCH THE PODCAST Watch and subscribe on YouTube @MotorhomeMatt
LISTEN🔸SUBSCRIBE🔸REVIEW🔸SHARE Help grow our community by leaving a review and sharing on your favourite app.
The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.
Thanks for listening!

Wheelchair accessible and adapted motorhomes

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 mobility. So, if you're looking for an adapted motorhome, where do you start? Who can you go to for more information?
In this episode, Matt and Keith speak to Kate Birch from Coachbuilt GB, one of the country's leading specialists in motorhome adaptations. We discover some of the incredible and life-changing alterations they make to motorhomes so that owners facing mobility issues can continue or begin to enjoy life on the road. Kate also details the rules on VAT deduction and the help available for buyers.
🔶 ASK MATT YOUR QUESTIONS Have you got a question about motorhomes, travel or the leisure industry? Ask Matt and hear the answer to your questions on an upcoming podcast. www.motorhomematt.co.uk/askmatt
📹 WATCH THE PODCAST Watch and subscribe on YouTube @MotorhomeMatt
LISTEN🔸SUBSCRIBE🔸REVIEW🔸SHARE Help grow our community by leaving a review and sharing on your favourite app.
The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.
Thanks for listening!

2022 Year in review

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 tourism boom post-recession as there has been in the past?  
2023 is set to be a very exciting year ahead for the podcast so if you have a question or a topic you'd like us to cover, get your suggestions in now! Head to www.motorhomematt.co.uk/askmatt.
All that's left for us to do is wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! A massive and heartfelt thank you from the whole team for listening to and supporting the podcast, we wouldn't be here without you all. Here's to 2023.
🔶 ASK MATT YOUR QUESTIONS Have you got a question about motorhomes, travel or the leisure industry? Ask Matt and hear the answer to your questions on an upcoming podcast. www.motorhomematt.co.uk/askmatt
📹 WATCH THE PODCAST Watch and subscribe on YouTube @MotorhomeMatt
LISTEN🔸SUBSCRIBE🔸REVIEW🔸SHARE Help grow our community by leaving a review and sharing on your favourite app.
The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.
Thanks for listening!

Professionally cleaning your motorhome

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 campervan. Find out how to remove black streaks, how to bring a shine back to your headlights and how to put life back into your bumpers.
We also speak with Lisa, Director of Paintseal Direct, about how they protect your vehicle and ensure the paint and interior stand the test of time.
🔶 ASK MATT YOUR QUESTIONS Have you got a question about motorhomes, travel or the leisure industry? Ask Matt and hear the answer to your questions on an upcoming podcast. www.motorhomematt.co.uk/askmatt
📹 WATCH THE PODCAST Watch and subscribe on YouTube @MotorhomeMatt
LISTEN🔸SUBSCRIBE🔸REVIEW🔸SHARE Help grow our community by leaving a review and sharing on your favourite app.
The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.
Thanks for listening!

Electric motorhomes and smart motorways with The AA

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 lane hogs’ to teach safer and more efficient use of motorways.
Edmund and Matt also discuss the future of electric vehicles and the impact this will have on alternative fuel-powered motorhomes, especially with the looming 2030 deadline that requires all new vehicles to be a minimum of hybrid-powered. Does Edmund think this deadline is possible for everyone?
He also shares his own firsthand experience as an EV driver, the challenges of the electric charging network and the impact this will have on motorhome, campervan and caravan owners.
An insightful interview with an influential personality in the automotive industry, we would like to thank Edmund for joining us to discuss these critical topics impacting our industry.
🔶 ASK MATT YOUR QUESTIONS Have you got a question about motorhomes, travel or the leisure industry? Ask Matt and hear the answer to your questions on an upcoming podcast. www.motorhomematt.co.uk/askmatt
📹 WATCH THE PODCAST Watch and subscribe on YouTube @MotorhomeMatt
LISTEN🔸SUBSCRIBE🔸REVIEW🔸SHARE Help grow our community by leaving a review and sharing on your favourite app.
The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists, ready for the adventure. Get £10 off your first order over £100 with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.
Thanks for listening!