TELEVISION

CARAVAN GENIUS

If you watch TV in your caravan, you need to know how to get a perfect picture, wherever you pitch. Here’s the lowdown on aerials, dishes and streaming

TV HAS BEEN a bit of a saviour for many of us in the lockdowns, especially with streaming services delivering so much new content. 

Although there are plenty of caravanners who believe touring is a time to escape the TV, an equal number just love evenings in their comfortable caravan with their favourite shows.

I have a foot in both camps. We take a TV on tour about half the time, usually to watch a DVD – perfect after a day outdoors.

These days, there are lots of ways to watch TV in your tourer. Here’s what you need to know…

TVs AND KIT 

Choosing your TV 

Caravanners who always head to sites with hook-up don’t need to purchase a specialist 12V touring telly, because a standard 240V domestic model will do the job – and probably be cheaper.

If this is you, and you want a TV for touring, you could try Richer Sounds; John Lewis also offers free extended warranties.

If you head off-grid, or can’t always rely on having hook-up, a specialist 12V TV is the way to go. These used to be pretty basic affairs, but in the era of the flat screen, you can buy a stylish, feature-packed set, measuring 16in to 32in, from Avtex or Cello, among others.

JOHN SOOTHERAN is Practical Caravan’s Consulting Editor and an experienced caravanner 

One of the key features in modern caravan TVs is a digital processor that decodes satellite signals, like the better domestic sets. One example is the Avtex 9 Series Pro, which has powerful multituner technology built in.

This means you can watch, for example, one Freeview channel while you record another, or watch Sky or a DVD and record Freeview. Astonishing tech for a caravan. Such TVs can also stream internet signals, or acquire TV signals through a traditional TV aerial.

A 12V TV is designed to run on a voltage at, or very close to, 12V DC. In a van using battery power, the voltage can fluctuate (as widely as 10-15V), which if not regulated, could damage your TV. The more expensive 12V TVs are designed to cope with these fluctuations, although some owners of cheaper TVs report their flat-screens working perfectly for years in their van.