Newbie from Chesterfield (1 Viewer)

ORV1

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Jan 10, 2014
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Hi Everyone,
I'm Ian from Chesterfield and we are looking for our first motorhome. The ones we have been looking at have quite a large garage with them as we need the space for when we go to cycle events all over the uk,but we are also going to be going abroad with it for quite a few years to come. the question that keeps coming to mind is how difficult are they to get around in small towns and small places? What about parking when you want to nip to the shops,as they are quite big. for safety reasons are you always better to camp on a registered site rather than in a car park or lay-by?

Thank you.:Smile:
 

womblevra

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Dec 10, 2012
109
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Desborough, UK
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Generally UK councils are against camping/sleeping in your motorhome in car parks and laybys.There are places for "wild camping" but you have to research wild camping online to find them. France is much more motorhome friendly with most towns and villages provide specific places for motorhomes and you can stay overnight most have water and toilet emptying facilities,some are free some have a small charge.
As for getting around we did mountain gorges in a 28ft motorhome with no real problems.
And never had problems parking in supermarkets whilst shopping
Registered sites vary in price from a cheap small site(C/L or C/S) to very expensive for all singing and dancing Holiday Parks :Smile:
But jump in the water is lovely
 
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Easyliving

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Dec 4, 2012
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Hi Ian

You will get loads of different opinions on here about what sort of van to get - Brit or European, RHD or LHD, which layout etc. Its all part of the fun of finding the van that suits you best.

Our van is 7.5 metres long and I have never had any major problems driving through towns, down country lanes etc. As always with these things you just have to be sensible, oh, and don't rely on your sat nav too much!

We have motorhomed in France quite a bit and used mostly aires - parking places specially for motorhomes. Take a look at All the Aires France by Vicarious Books. There are still plenty of free (or very cheap) aires about and we always felt totally safe.

In the UK motorhomes have less choice alas. If you look through a few forums / read motorhome magazines you will read about the anti-motorhome stance taken by many local councils when it comes to parking. All is not lost however because there are plenty of reasonably priced campsites about, especially if you join one of the main clubs. If you just away for the weekend you could do worse than choose a Britstops location to park up overnight for free.

Just parking up to do some shopping is no problem so long as you use a bit of common. If you try to squeeze into a busy supermarket car park you might come unstuck but we just shop when there are some empty spaces not right near the store. I ask at 'customer services' if its okay to take up two spaces while we do some shopping and have never had a problem.

Good luck

Paul

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ORV1

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Thank you for that information,it's put our minds at rest. Much appreciated.:thumb: Just need to find the right one now, there is so much choice.
 

Roryboys Dad

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Mar 19, 2012
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Have you thought of hiring one for a short time and seeing how you get on with driving and parking a MH?

We hired for about three years to determine what size and style of MH suited us before buying our first MH.

There are hirers within 20 miles or so of Chesterfield and it may be better to try first before parting with your money on a vehicle you find doesn't really suit you and your requirements.

:france::france::france:

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plumbomb

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Oct 18, 2012
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Welcome Ian, i also live ChesVeges. This is our first year with a MH caravaned for 20+ years. our van is just over 7m long weve never had any problems driving it even down small lanes,parking up takes a little thought mainly space & security. our only regret is we should have got one years ago. Also this site has been invaluable someone is always ready to help with advice. Peterborough MH show is well worth a visit, it was our show we went to even though we had our MH it was also our first rally with motorhome fun .We have never seen so many MHs in one place, :thumb:

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Allanm

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Jun 30, 2013
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:welcomefunster: We have a 7.2 metre van and have been through some tight roads and corners, but none that we didn't eventually get round. Just take your time, you are on holiday after all!
Never had a problem in supermarket car parks either, there is generally somewhere to park but if there isn't, try another one.

How is Chesterfield? I spent 3 years there in the mid 70's at the art college.

Allan
 

plumbomb

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:welcomefunster: We have a 7.2 metre van and have been through some tight roads and corners, but none that we didn't eventually get round. Just take your time, you are on holiday after all!
Never had a problem in supermarket car parks either, there is generally somewhere to park but if there isn't, try another one.

How is Chesterfield? I spent 3 years there in the mid 70's at the art college.

Allan

Exactly the same they still wear tank tops & loons:ROFLMAO:

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RandallC

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Aug 4, 2012
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:welcomefunster:

Bit of common sense required. If it looks a bit dodgy think about another route. Our MH is 81/2m, had a couple of interesting moments in country lanes and middle of Stafford when we took the wrong turning heading for tesco and did a several point turn in a side street.

Good Luck
 

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