All the technology in the world, beaten by wet grass.

[olley]

Anyone see any Yanks get stuck?

No trouble in general, I drove on, reversed off, turned around and drove back on again. Wife wanted to face the main field not the fence.

Ian

 

[Autowbars]

Reluctantly took two grandsons for the weekend to Blue Dolphin site at Filey, looked a cheap 3 nights, until I saw the site, luckily I booked a EURO pitch, hard standing. FRi, Sat staff busy putting some folk on pitches, helping others off.
Tractors going all day.
As this is a well established site the drainage should be better, it was like a mud bath.
And after a cheap pitch cost the rest was a RIP OFF

 

[Techno]

Getting mine on Wednesday

As Andy, @Techno, mentioned, we managed to move off at Chester by lifting the van with the E&P jacks and lay grass protection mats about 4 foot long which gives us enough room to get a bit of momentum going.
Had no problems just driving off the field at Peterborough though as it was downhill. We were parked near the top by the marquee.

 

[Bacchus]

That's the Syncro version, had one for about 8 years. Amazing camper with automatic front/rear lockup and diff locks both ends, big knobbly tyres went wherever I wanted to.

I had a syncron day van for two or three years, plain old viscous coupling but really effective. Loved it, tremendous fun, a huge shame that VW decided that "there was no future in four wheel drive recreational vehicles" )c:

 

[manda3000gt]

Anyone see any Yanks get stuck?

We had a quick dash across a 10' grass strip bounced up onto a concrete plinth next to the Funster marquee and watched the spinning slithering Eurovans over the weekend (helping push half a dozen off on their way)

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[eddie]

P

No trouble in general, I drove on, reversed off, turned around and drove back on again. Wife wanted to face the main field not the fence.

Ian

Perhaps it's the drivers that get stuck?

Jim got off no bother as well lol

 

[Minxy]

We got off without a problem ... we had ramps under the front wheels and cut down bread baskets under the rear ones so we didn't 'sink' even though the brad baskets bits did bend a bit ... we just trundled off nice and steady without an issues.

 

[jongood]

I had a syncron day van for two or three years, plain old viscous coupling but really effective. Loved it, tremendous fun, a huge shame that VW decided that "there was no future in four wheel drive recreational vehicles" )c:

Yes very short sighted decision by VW.
Seemed to be quite a lot of 4x4 sprinter chassied vehicles in Morocco this year.

 

[laird of Dunstan]

I used to do offroading in a 4by4 ,its mostly down to the tyres, if you have the correct tyres then it's a lot less likely to get stuck ,I wonder if they do a set of all roads for a MH ? ,hard core tyres such as Grizzles would be too noisy

 

[olley]

I had M&S fitted to my rears a couple of years back, a big chunky tread pattern and looking at the imprints they left in the grass/mud they aught to make a difference, although the RV behind me and the one to my right had no trouble getting on or off. Only the front wheel drive Euro to my left had any problems, he had to be pushed on to his spot as its slightly uphill where we were, but he got off ok.

Ian

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[GJH]

Had a nice bit of "what goes around comes around" today. Some of my trays got damaged helping somebody on Monday but I thought "No matter, I'll just cut out the broken bits" as I had plenty.

Just sorting them out and noticed our neighbour over the road was having a garage clear out and had 3 large bread trays. "Are you throwing those out?" says I. "Yes" he says. "I'll buy them off you" says I. "No you won't" he says "You'll have them for nothing, I'd rather they were some good to somebody instead of just being chucked out".

So, a few minutes with the jig saw and, because they are large enough to make two each, I have another half a dozen pieces in my stock

Great to have good neighbours

 

[sillybug]

@GJH we were near the RV's and the gate out to the Harvester, I came to the FUN field to see you, Carol and Eddie told me where you were and on the way I bumped into @sillybug in their Flair and I didn't get any further, next time

Martin

thanks martin great to meet you at last . Flair sailed off no tracters needed lol

 

[funflair]

thanks martin great to meet you at last . Flair sailed off no tracters needed lol

Likewise, of course it did

See you again hopefully.

Martin

 

[Peter Sansom]

GJH has the answer.

However, although 'wet' grass can be a problem, it strikes me April is very early in the year for the ground to be sufficiently hard (especially after such a wet winter) for heavy motorhomes to negotiate easily.

Mid-April seems to be asking for trouble unless the weather has been unseasonably dry for a month or so beforehand.

What do you classify as a heavy motor home, over the 3.5T or does that include under as well? After about 18 months we're still picking things up...slowly. Never had any probs when we had the caravan (with a mover) and the X-Trail!

 

[John745]

This was our first time staying at Peterborough in our Fiat based Rapido, we got off OK in spite the poor traction characteristics of this base vehicle. We did however have a couple ask us if this field was the one used each year by MHF. They were most critical of the MCC field they were in being like Flanders, to which I suggested they join MHF so they would not have that problem again. HA HA

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[funflair]

What do you classify as a heavy motor home, over the 3.5T or does that include under as well? After about 18 months we're still picking things up...slowly. Never had any probs when we had the caravan (with a mover) and the X-Trail!

There were no motorhomes at Peterborough heavier than the America RV's that we were parked close to, I didn't see any getting towed off, but they are RWD

Martin

 

[tonyidle]

Strangely enough rear wheel drive Mercedes cars with all the toys imagineable easily get stuck in snow, mud or wet grass condition.

Mine is a nightmare and slips sideways easing on wet grass or soft ground

Peter

Fiats are all RWD if one engages Reverse. Never understood the logic of those who believe RWD is better than FWD.

 

[OldWomble]

We were in the middle of the Fun area and got off with no probs. Just put it in reverse and backed off. 4.5t Hymer on a fiat chassis. No blocks or trays !!! Thanks all for a good weekend.

 

[funflair]

Bit wet in MCC.

Martin

 

[olley]

Fiats are all RWD if one engages Reverse. Never understood the logic of those who believe RWD is better than FWD.

Mine goes just over 9 tons, that's 6 tons on the rear axle and 3 on the front axle, now which axle would you have as the drive axle?

Ian

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[PeteH]

Anyone see any Yanks get stuck?

Yes once, Big Style!, back in 07 or 08, we where at Hinkley Football Club, and this triple slide 12M Fleetwood jobby, (16 t?) came and decided HE would park on the grass at the back!. We (marshals) advised that the site he had chosen was to say the least "Soft". Said personage was convinced that "HIS" rig would cope, (`cos he had a 360 Cummings!!) so we said OK Pal, on your way. 3 days of on and off rain later.:- After 2 hours of variously digging throwing planks, and even larger baulks of timber plus much jacking up, and the efforts of an Employee called out with a 7 tonner. He conceded defeat and a Local farmer with a 4WD Dual rear tyred (nice green) Tractor came and virtually dragged him onto the hard standing, where WE had all been all weekend!.

There`s one in every box!.

I have to admit though, I have had more issues with the Rapido in this regard that I ever did with my R-V. I think it has to do with an overall greater tyre "footprint" a combination of tyre width (x2 on the driving wheels) and the Larger dia, which effectively lowers the pressure on the ground?.

I may find out this coming week as we are on grass near Nottingham for 4 Days.

Peterborough Ground conditions in certain parts ARE Notorious though. My pal was dragged off with a Car & Caravan in the 90`s.

Pete

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

the same for trains -but in thier case its wet leaves that cause the wheels to slip

 

[mikebeaches]

What do you classify as a heavy motor home, over the 3.5T or does that include under as well? After about 18 months we're still picking things up...slowly. Never had any probs when we had the caravan (with a mover) and the X-Trail!

In answer to your question, I was thinking of a standard 3.5t van, or heavier.

It's good that lots of Funsters were able to drive off unaided from the show. And I realise that ground and grass conditions can vary hugely from place to place, depending on sub-structure and drainage. I also admit to not being familiar with the Peterborough show ground.

However, I am VERY wary of pitching on grass early in the year. And reasonably cautious during late spring and summer if it's been particularly wet for a number of days.

Having said that, I've been pleasantly surprised once or twice by using care I've managed to get off relatively wet or sticky grass. A couple of points - I don't touch the accelerator if possible, just let the clutch in VERY gently while the engine is on tickover until some momentum has been achieved; and also make sure the front wheels are pointing straight. Sometimes - depending on circumstances - also rock the van back and forth slightly, before moving off.

I've owned a few 4x4 Landrovers in the past, and realise what a different kettle of fish a front-wheel drive MH is when it comes to traction in tricky situations.

 

[Gorse Hill]

Fiats are all RWD if one engages Reverse. Never understood the logic of those who believe RWD is better than FWD.

True, had a merc estate with all the bollocks, traction control, EPS, and loads of other useless s**t, couldn't get up a small incline near us when it snowed, got the Audi now with the same B/S supposedly Quatro, same problem.
My old Seat FWD, flew up the hill, to get the wife who was stuck, even making allowances for the wife driving still don't get the logic of RWD being much better than FWD in my experience

 

[tonyidle]

We were in the middle of the Fun area and got off with no probs. Just put it in reverse and backed off. 4.5t Hymer on a fiat chassis. No blocks or trays !!! Thanks all for a good weekend.

Me too - just drove off (carefully!) FWD Fiat with Smart on trailer. Thanks from me too - brilliant.

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[tonyidle]

Mine goes just over 9 tons, that's 6 tons on the rear axle and 3 on the front axle, now which axle would you have as the drive axle?

Ian

Ah well - that's the point really isn't it? Which has most weight on it. My Hymer has, over or just behind the front axle: the engine/gearbox; three batteries; 2 x 11kg gas 'bottles'; me & wife; 140 litres of water; the fuel tank. At the rear, just behind the rear axle; the kitchen; bathroom; (normally empty) 100 litres grey waste. Probably not much in it really. Choosing a van with as short an overhang as possible is I suspect the biggest influence.

Having said all that 3 tonnes on the front would probably help the tyres grip if yours was FWD .

 

[Time4T]

Had wrangler at's on my cherokee, in the worst winter in fife for 20 years, (I think it was 2000) I was pulling people out of 5/6 feet drifts no bother.
Fitted road tyres on it & it was like being on marbles when it next snowed.

Got mud & snow tyres on my rear drive twin wheel van, no probs in a muddy field, not tried snow yet, it seems to be avoiding us so far!

It's the tyres that make most of the difference!

Phill

 

[nicholsong]

Do these showgrounds have drainage pipes under the top surface, like sportsfields?

If not why not?

It could be made a condition of their licence to operate, like the requirements for fire regulations and emergency exits.

Not being able to move a vehicle in an emergency situation is a hazard which requires to be dealt with just as much as emergency exits.

Geoff

 

[Time4T]

Do these showgrounds have drainage pipes under the top surface, like sportsfields?

If not why not?

It could be made a condition of their licence to operate, like the requirements for fire regulations and emergency exits.

Not being able to move a vehicle in an emergency situation is a hazard which requires to be dealt with just as much as emergency exits.

Geoff

I think the reason for the lack of underground drainage, is the damage that heavy vehicles would cause it.

Some of the problems drivers have is caused by the electricery taking away from the drivers skill!

Phill