Advice on longer m/homes please. (1 Viewer)

Jul 24, 2009
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We're contemplating changing the Frankia for a longer van (8 + metres). We would appreciate any comments regarding the practicality of using a van of this length, especially relating to pitch sizes and access. Bearing in mind that we never wild camp so does it become difficult finding sites which will accomodate larger vans?
 

pappajohn

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shouldnt be a problem.
Width and height will be the same...only a bit more in length

Some site struggle with 34ft+ RV's (but i think its the fact its an RV thats the issue...not the length) but 26ft isnt unusual.

My RV is 33ft but the wheelbase is only around 24ft so should fit on any hardstanding pitch with the arse hanging over the grass.
 
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Vlad The Impaler

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My Autotrail is 24 ft and it's not a tag axle,everywhere we camp we see bigger vans. As far as ease of use goes,it fits everywhere I take it ,we even use it to go shopping every couple of weeks.
It's just a matter of confidence when your out and about look around at all the delivery vans,busses,lorries,tankers etc.They manage to get to every outpost so why shouldn't you?




Vlad

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OP
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TheTwoOfUs
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It's not driving it, our Frankia is 6.5m plus the trailer at 5m makes it 11.5m overall. I was thinking more about pitch length. I have been looking in the ACSI book and there seem to be quite a few sites who need prior notification for vans over 8m and some of over only 7m, plus there are some that won't take them at all.
 

old-mo

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My two penneth.... :Cool:

We are 8-60mtrs...... and all I can say is or recomend is go for a tag axle...

Brilliant stabilty,, less being blown around in windy conditions.... and usually a better payload.. :thumb:

On this trip which is in excess of 2,000 miles we were only turned away from one site. out of the nine we have been to.. and that is because they were full.. :RollEyes::winky:::bigsmile:

PS... we also tow a twin wheeled car trailer... :thumb:
 

pappajohn

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It's not driving it, our Frankia is 6.5m plus the trailer at 5m makes it 11.5m overall. I was thinking more about pitch length. I have been looking in the ACSI book and there seem to be quite a few sites who need prior notification for vans over 8m and some of over only 7m, plus there are some that won't take them at all.

i would think the sites who need notification are more concerned with grass verge damage.

Obviously the longer the van the wider the swing needed to reverse on or off a narrowish pitch and excessive length may mean having to pull onto the opposite verge in full steering lock chewing up the grass.

Another factor could be site entry.
I seem to remember Roger (wildman) had this issue when he first opened the Lazy Buzzard CL.
Narrow lane and narrow entrance caused problems until he widened the gates

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Vlad The Impaler

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You've answered your own question really,most sites have a standard sized pitch ,most have a few pitches that accommodate larger vans,and some can accommodate the largest vans.
Depends on the site,the only way to find out is contact them.Turn up a in a large van and it's more of a lottery.




Vlad
 
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Jaws

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Our van is 24 ft long .. It is a single axle but I have fitted air bags.
It is stable, we have had NO problems getting on any site.. ever.

Travelling in Europe we have saved a fortune in toll charges as many tolls are higher for tags or twin wheelers.
 
Feb 24, 2013
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not long enough
Our MH is exactly 8m long and I have noticed we seem to exactly fill most Caravan Club pitches, so you are right to query

However with such a long over hang that you will inevitably have this can / could be used to fit on some shorter pitches (w/o hedges / banks etc

That same over hang saves us in many car park situations, we regularly use the Waitrose car park in Ponteland on our way to Scotland and use all the over hang out over the river and fit wholly in a proper bay, much to amazement of the locals

Therefore I say go long but stick with twin axle, however I reckon over 8m you really need tandem

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Forestboy

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We've had 3 vans in the UK

A 36ft a 29 ft and current 25ft (7.7m). Have to say the first 2 were a pain regularly had issues and refusal onto sites because of the length especially in Europe. Trips had to be planned and sites checked beforehand which really doesn't suit our type of travelling. Personally I think 25ft is the max size for carefree travel and we would never buy a van bigger than that again. Having a sub 8m van has transformed our motorhoming experience for the better.
Good luck whatever you choose :thumb:
 

cmcardle75

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Our MH is exactly 8m long and I have noticed we seem to exactly fill most Caravan Club pitches, so you are right to query

However with such a long over hang that you will inevitably have this can / could be used to fit on some shorter pitches (w/o hedges / banks etc

That same over hang saves us in many car park situations, we regularly use the Waitrose car park in Ponteland on our way to Scotland and use all the over hang out over the river and fit wholly in a proper bay, much to amazement of the locals

Therefore I say go long but stick with twin axle, however I reckon over 8m you really need tandem

The problem there is that they are often front wheel drive. With two rear axles, you've only got 35% or so of the weight on the driven wheels, which just isn't enough for muddy fields. You also pay additional tolls in countries that go by axle count.

Personally, I'd prefer a rear wheel drive dual rear wheel (4 wheels on a single axle). Then you get 70% drive weight so you'll be pulling cars out of muddy campsites, rather than waiting for the tractor yourself. The wheel arch intrusion is also over a more limited length, which can help with internal layout, too.
 

funflair

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We are 8.5 metres long on twin rear wheeled single axle manoeuvreability is good BUT it is quite a long van on some aires and pitches on the continent. Currently on site in Spain and OK used the aire at St Jean de Luz and the bays are very short but again we got in and out OK likewise the aire at Cleres near Rouen just sticks into the roadway a bit. We would not go any bigger but would be reluctant to go smaller and loose living space.

Martin

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Techno

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I'm happy with my 24'3" but if I ever have a windfall there is a much longer Rapido I have in mind. :thumb:

Merc V6 twin wheeled pusher too
 
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Feb 24, 2013
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The problem there is that they are often front wheel drive. With two rear axles, you've only got 35% or so of the weight on the driven wheels, which just isn't enough for muddy fields. You also pay additional tolls in countries that go by axle count.

Personally, I'd prefer a rear wheel drive dual rear wheel (4 wheels on a single axle). Then you get 70% drive weight so you'll be pulling cars out of muddy campsites, rather than waiting for the tractor yourself. The wheel arch intrusion is also over a more limited length, which can help with internal layout, too.

My non technical axle description has caused confusion, you have just described in your preference exactly what we have, and I agree

I bought a Mercedes based MH for our first, love them, especially the auto gearbox, now have a Hymer Mercedes single rear axle with 4 wheels, all driven

This also gives a longer rear overhang, sometimes helps with parking
 

Easyliving

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Hi

As always with these things you just have to be sensible, maybe not like this chap....


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi2apc1i4is"]Stuck Motorhome - YouTube[/ame]

Paul

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hdvrod

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In agree with forestboy,our MH is just over 24ft and in lots of sites in Europe you would be hard pushed to fit in to some of the pitches with anything much bigger.It can be done if you plan ahead and research the sites you want to stay at,but as far I'm concerned its just hassle I can do without.
 
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Had our RV three and a half years , 29ft long, have put 20,000 miles on the clock, travelled throughout Scotland Wales, ROI and Spain and Portugal
It goes wherever we want , wouldn't want anything smaller :thumb:
 

edgy

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Loved the post on you tube about the van stuck on way to tan hill. I did exactly the same as he did which was to obviously follow his sat nav. Very scary snowing and dark but i did not get my van stuck. :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:. Obviously proves do not get a van too big:ROFLMAO:

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Dogeared

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My thanks to everybody, we are moving from an 18ft hi top to a 24ft eldiss autoquest next month and we're beginning to wonder how we would cope with the length. Can't wait.::bigsmile:::bigsmile:::bigsmile:
 

oldmanriver

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bought our first motorhome june 2013 8.5m tag axle never been turned away from any site and with the trailer about 12m in total
 

PeterCarole29

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After watching you tube on the stuck tag axle go to the american amphibius camper .:ROFLMAO:

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Rapide561

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Hi

I'm in a Kontiki tag axle. No really issues other than....

1) Some sites overseas have very small pitches. We have therefore pitched on the coach park at a large campsite in Florence, used the volley ball court on another and had to leave other sites without pitching. We have never failed to find a pitch - Google earth is your friend.

2) Camping and Caravanning Club - no bother at all - not always possible to book on line, but always have with a site. Never an issue.

3) Caravan Club - I cancelled my membership. "Oh it won't fit here" etc

4) Channel tunnel - same price for a big un as a little un

5) Extra length may bring extra height and weight and put you in a higher toll class overseas.

Aside from that, we love it and I would be very reluctant to downsize.

Russell
 
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TheTwoOfUs
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Thanks for all your replies. We're still prevaricating over this as we love our Frankia but thought it might be less hassle to put a smaller bike in a garage rather than taking the GoldWing in the trailer and towing that. As I said previously the unit is quite long at 11m but at least I can uncouple it on site and thereby fit on most pitches. Another bonus if we swapped is that I get to have another bike. :winky:
 

hdvrod

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Would imagine it would have to be a pretty small bike if you wanted to carry it inside the MH !,my trailer is ground loading and folds in half when I am on a site,so is no trouble at all.

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TheTwoOfUs
Jul 24, 2009
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The ones we have been looking at have a garage payload of 300kg and would take something like a F800 BeeEm. We've had scooters in the past but felt like peas on a drum perched up there. I must say here that we've never had a problem with our set up but thinking back I can recall one or two sites where we wouldn't have got on with an 8m motorhome both here and abroad.
 

Inthezone

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Hi We have a Autotrail Comanche, I have no issues with the length getting in or out of pitches, some of the C&CC sites say that they dont take vans over 8 metre and at 8.7 metre I havnt had any problems, its also got a tag axle but the overhang at the back isnt as much as some other vans, all I do is take my time pitching and if I need to shuffle around a bit I do.
all in all I find the size does not hurt us in any way. I hope my opinion helps

Regards:thumb:
 

Forestboy

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The ones we have been looking at have a garage payload of 300kg and would take something like a F800 BeeEm. We've had scooters in the past but felt like peas on a drum perched up there. I must say here that we've never had a problem with our set up but thinking back I can recall one or two sites where we wouldn't have got on with an 8m motorhome both here and abroad.

That's why we like ours the 650 Kawasaki Versys fits easily in the garage not into 50cc scoots :winky:

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hdvrod

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The ones we have been looking at have a garage payload of 300kg and would take something like a F800 BeeEm. We've had scooters in the past but felt like peas on a drum perched up there. I must say here that we've never had a problem with our set up but thinking back I can recall one or two sites where we wouldn't have got on with an 8m motorhome both here and abroad.
Was just thinking that the physical effort of getting a medium sized bike,in and out of the garage would be quite difficult,(the BM is over 200kg)I had a twin axle trailer with double folding ramp,that I used for towing my Harley Davidson v rod,and it was a real struggle getting it on and off,which is why I now have this trailer with air suspension which loads and unloads at ground level,have now changed to lighter Harley,as I'm not getting any younger.
 

Forestboy

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I'll have to make a video of the process of loading as people are always asking how its done and is it difficult. The whole process takes 5 minutes tops from start to finish that includes popping off the mirrors and screen which I've adapted. At 6ft 2in and 14 stone I suppose its easier for me than someone smaller and lighter.

Had several trailers but I found them a pain in the butt to be honest. Trailer is ok if you cant load it onboard but for us being totally self contained is the best option and we've had them all, racks, trailers, hydraulic frames, etc etc.

Oh forgot to add the Versys is 200kg as well.
 

PJGWiltshire

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We have a swift Kontiki 8.7m. Never had a problem at the major CC club sites although they do have a few that cannot take us and this is noted when using the on line booking system. We use CLs in the main throughout the UK and again when booking I always ask and very seldom have we encountered problems. Abroad is a different matter. The airies are in the norm OK but many French sites in high summer just do not like us big ones. So like everything else just plan ahead

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