Applecross bealach defeats big van

[JamesT@Dundee]

Scroll down to find the photo by ALI PARMENTER

Your pictures of Scotland 30 July - 6 August

A selection of your pictures of Scotland sent in between 30 July and 6 August.

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This is why there are very large signs warning against taking large vehicles over the Bealach ....

I wonder how they managed the next bend....

 

[jongood]

Seeing the warning signs a sensible person might have unhooked the car first and had a recce!

 

[PP Bear]

 

[Geistguy]

As he is going down the pass and as there is a large car park at the top, why didn't he unhook it there

 

[phillipsheila]

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[Aerialmark]

Must have had a common sense bypass !

 

[Brains]

Anyone done it in a van under 7m ?
is it OK ?

 

[The Wino]

We did it we are 6m long. Came back the longer route! It was ok but I wouldn't fancy it if there was a lot of traffic.

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

I have done it a few times now with a 7.6 mtr van without any problem but it is easier on the road from Applecross rather than to the village as the hairpins are then downhill

 

[knickam]

Anyone done it in a van under 7m ?
is it OK ?

Have not done it my self in a MH but here is a video of someone in a 7.5m one



If you were to do it I would try to do it really early in the morning when hopefully the traffic will be less.

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[pappajohn]

American truck based RVs have a ridiculously small lock to lock range.
No wonder thru got wedged.

 

[Boris7]

Done it in an 8m MH but we have a 3m overhand behind the rear axle so relitively short wheel base, therefore good turning circle.

That thing looks like a handful on anything short of a dual carriageway

 

[gpat]

I've done it on a push bike... A few times

 

[knickam]

I've done it on a push bike... A few times

I might manage the down hill bits

 

[Silver-Fox]

Have not done it my self in a MH but here is a video of someone in a 7.5m one



If you were to do it I would try to do it really early in the morning when hopefully the traffic will be less.

I didn’t see anything on the film that would worry me driving that road.

Apart from those coming the other way

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[Jaws]

I didn’t see anything on the film that would worry me driving that road.

Apart from those coming the other way

I was waiting for the big bang..... from an over revving lump !

 

[Northernraider]

Ive done it in an 8.5 metre burstner Argos and again in an 8.4 metre frankia with zero problems. Done it literally dozens of times with smaller vans . Not sure id attempt it while towing a car though ....fitaglaikithoor

 

[Geistguy]

Done it both ways in a 7.4 mtr van with no worries, if you are a bit nervous best to leave it after 6 PM or before 10 am.

 

[tacr2man]

The companion video to the one posted shows the ascent , meets a 12ton truck coming the other way

 

[gerry mcg]

IMO, It is pretty antisocial and inconsiderate to take a MH larger than a PVC over the Bealach.
It would be fine if the road is clear but the problem is traffic coming the other direction. It is single track, and if you meet other traffic) (and you will) one needs to be able to manoeuvre and reverse if possible. What happens if you meet another unsuitable vehicle or incompetent driver on the road?
The road is specifically signed as unsuitable for MH, so why try!! Give all of us a bad name

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[bobnick]

Don't see any issues. Looking forward to doing it in our 7.960.
Hardknott Pass is a challenge.

 

[Northernraider]

IMO, It is pretty antisocial and inconsiderate to take a MH larger than a PVC over the Bealach.
It would be fine if the road is clear but the problem is traffic coming the other direction. It is single track, and if you meet other traffic) (and you will) one needs to be able to manoeuvre and reverse if possible. What happens if you meet another unsuitable vehicle or incompetent driver on the road?
The road is specifically signed as unsuitable for MH, so why try!! Give all of us a bad name

Never seen any sign saying unsuitable for motorhome. Its unsuitable for bad drivers. I can manage just fine


Also fed up hearing this " giving us all a bad name " nonsense

Does a car parking on double yellow lines give all car drivers a bad name?

Course not ....so why is it different for motorhomes?

 

[Otter Spotter]

Never seen any sign saying unsuitable for motorhome. Its unsuitable for bad drivers. I can manage just fine


Also fed up hearing this " giving us all a bad name " nonsense

Does a car parking on double yellow lines give all car drivers a bad name?

Course not ....so why is it different for motorhomes?

It’s at the Loch Kishorn end and the sign starts by saying unsuitable for L drivers, caravans and Motorhomes and there are a few other types that should avoid it.

 

[Northernraider]

It’s at the Loch Kishorn end and the sign starts by saying unsuitable for L drivers, caravans and Motorhomes and there are a few other types that should avoid it.

Its never mentioned motorhomes.

 

[ManTheVan]

Anyone done it in a van under 7m ?
is it OK ?

The bealach is no problem in a van under 7m as long as the driver has experience of negotiating hairpin bends, perhaps in a car, and is prepared to be confident. If not, I suggest they go the long way around, which is just as beautiful.

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[gerry mcg]

Its never mentioned motorhomes.

I'm not sure of the date of that photo. (edit - they are from 2011)
I'm certain there are signs specifically saying unsuitable for motorhomes now - (I was up there earlier this year)
Perhaps due to the number of people trying it on the NC500.

In my opinion, it is unsuitable for MH.
it even says so on the NC 500 website FAQ

Motorhomes & Campervans - North Coast 500

Touring the NC500 by motorhome or campervan is becoming increasingly popular, read our top tips for motorhomes.

www.northcoast500.com

"If your motorhome is more than a standard VW T5 conversion (ie about 16-18ft in length), please take the alternative motorhome routes available. If you cannot accurately reverse your vehicle several hundred yards on a narrow single track road – you cannot safely drive over single track roads. Please do not attempt to drive the Bealach Na Ba (take the A832) or B869 Drumbeg Road (take the A894)."

Just because it can be done doesn't mean it is sensible or should be done. I know plenty of vans go over it, but IMO,they shouldn't really.

As has been said many times about clothing... Just cause they make it in your size, doesn't mean that you should wear it....

And I've seen people juggling chainsaws, but that doesn't mean I should do it

 

[bobnick]

If you know a given size van will comfortably drive the pass and you are fully confident of your capabilities and you WANT to drive it then why not for the views, the experience, the senc(s)e of achievement and for the sheer joy of it.
I certainly will.

I had heard all sorts of terror stories of riding a motor bike over the Hardknott Pass. So i did it several times both way, never put a foot down unless i had to stop to let traffic through.

 

[Northernraider]

I'm not sure of the date of that photo. (edit - they are from 2011)
I'm certain there are signs specifically saying unsuitable for motorhomes now - (I was up there earlier this year)
Perhaps due to the number of people trying it on the NC500.

In my opinion, it is unsuitable for MH.
it even says so on the NC 500 website FAQ

Motorhomes & Campervans - North Coast 500

Touring the NC500 by motorhome or campervan is becoming increasingly popular, read our top tips for motorhomes.

www.northcoast500.com

"If your motorhome is more than a standard VW T5 conversion (ie about 16-18ft in length), please take the alternative motorhome routes available. If you cannot accurately reverse your vehicle several hundred yards on a narrow single track road – you cannot safely drive over single track roads. Please do not attempt to drive the Bealach Na Ba (take the A832) or B869 Drumbeg Road (take the A894)."

Just because it can be done doesn't mean it is sensible or should be done. I know plenty of vans go over it, but IMO,they shouldn't really.

As has been said many times about clothing... Just cause they make it in your size, doesn't mean that you should wear it....

And I've seen people juggling chainsaws, but that doesn't mean I should do it

But i can "accurately reverse my vehicle several hundred yards on a narrow single track road" and if others can too then its one of the most beautiful roads in Scotland to drive.

They aren't forbidden from driving it ...they are just advising if you cant drive for toffee then its best to avoid it . Which is good advice .

 

[Otter Spotter]

Its never mentioned motorhomes.

It doesn’t mention rowing boats either but you wouldn’t want to try in one , ’ very large vehicles‘ covers a multitude of vehicle types. The road requires common sense and some skill, not just to get up or down but to be able to deal with oncoming vehicles.

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Did corney fell hardnott then wrynose pass in a transit van years ago when working at Sellafield Station. Maybe not that order cant remember . I can remember the clutch burning though.

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