Yes, we have a retail outlet in Heanor, Derbyshire. You can order on line and collect, or simply visit the store..
How are things shipped?
Goods that are under 3 KG in Weight are normally shipped via Royal Mail, the shipping cost shown is calculated using Royal Mail 1st class packet rate, larger items or combined purchases are shipped via APC overnight
What is the law about towing?See this document from the DVLA for information about towing and the law, this information is also available from the National Trailer and Towing Association (NTTA)
I am buying a horse trailer. How can I find out my car’s towing capacity?
Every vehicle manufacturer has to give a maximum towing limit. This can be found in the vehicle handbook and also on the chassis plate, usually found under the bonnet. The information can be presented in a variety of ways. The clearest is when the plate gives the towing limits for both braked and unbraked trailers. Sometimes the car’s Gross Train Weight (GTW) is given. This is the combination of the car’s Maximum Permitted weight (MPW) sometimes called Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and the trailers Gross Trailer Weight (GTW). To get the towing limit simply deduct the MPW from the GTW. It is an offence to exceed the car’s towing limit.
What unbraked trailer can I tow?
You can tow a maximum of 750 Kg with an unbraked trailer but you cannot exceed half the kerb weight of the towing vehicle. You can tow a trailer with a Gross Weight higher than your car’s towing limit as long as you only load it up to that limit. It is illegal to exceed the car’s towing limit.
Many tent specifications state the hydrostatic head – what is this and should I insist on a minimum figure?Hydrostatic head is the measure of resistance that the tent fabric has to a column of water penetrating it. In other words, its waterproofness. When choosing a tent there are two considerations, the waterproofness of the flysheet and the groundsheet. The flysheet is exposed to the rain and the wind, but tests have shown that even in the worst conditions, a hydrostatic head of 800mm is sufficient to prevent rain being forced through the fabric. However, the level of waterproofness of a tent will fall as it is used, hence the lowest level I would recommend you purchase is 1,500mm for a flysheet. A groundsheet needs to be able to withstand much higher levels of water pressure as when you walk across a groundsheet or kneel on it, especially on wet ground the pressure can be equivalent to a water column of 3,000mm or more. Hence for a family tent, I would suggest 5,000mm is the minimum you should be looking for. In the manufacture of lightweight tents the waterproof coatings on groundsheets can be enhanced with additional finishes, such as a silicone treatment, or are reduced to decrease the weight of the tent.
What about camping with children?
What could be more fun
than a camping trip with your children? While it
seems like a fantastic idea, it can also be an overwhelming task
without the proper planning. However, even if you have never gone
camping before, a few precautions can make your
vacation one that your children will remember their entire lives.
First of all, location is everything. When
camping with children, you
want to choose a location that has easy access for vehicles, and can
be easily found by others. Your location should ideally have access
to clean water that you can use to cook with and to prevent
dehydration. This can save you a lot of weight in your pack, which
will already be laden with other necessities.
Consider the essentials for your family while in the wild. Pack
extra clothing and a jacket for your children in case of changes in
weather. Make sure everyone has enough food, a sleeping bag, water,
a first aid kit, and a tent. You may even want to think about buying
one or two tents large enough to hold your entire family for the
night. Review the "rules" for your trip with your children,
emphasizing fire safety, the danger of wild animals, and basic first
aid.
While hiking and campfires are crucial elements of your trip,
children may not be as prepared for these tasks as adults. Keep your
hikes short and your routes simple to avoid losing anyone in the
woods. Remember that younger children may not have the stamina to
carry a large pack, or walk long distances, and plan accordingly.
While many of your children's items can be stored in an adult's
pack, you don't want to end up with one person carrying too much
weight. Before starting a bonfire, make sure that your fire pit is
well constructed and that there is water nearby, just in case.
Once you've planned your trip, include some fun activities for your
family to enjoy. Pack a couple of board games for a great family
activity if the weather does not cooperate. Or pack some peanut
butter play dough, which is edible as well as fun to play with.
Simply mix 1 cup of peanut butter, ½ cup non-fat dry milk, and a
teaspoon of honey, and enjoy. Let your children create their models
on wax paper mats to avoid a sticky mess, and you could even join
in, too!
Scavenger hunts can be another great family activity. Make lists of
what each team needs to find based on what is around you. If there
are other campers around your campsite you can be more inventive
than if you are alone in the woods, but either way kids will get a
kick out of this race. Have an adult accompany each group of
children to see who can find all the items on their list first.
Don't forget about your campfire as a source of fun! S'mores, hot
dogs on skewers, or stone soup can all be cooked over a campfire,
and are exciting to prepare. Even cooking is more fun outdoors!
Be safe and enjoy your camping trip with your children. This is how
lasting childhood memories are made!