Mine could be a big one......

[chrisinplymouth]

We are considering an autotrail arapaho .....however some friends have said if you buy a van over 8m a lot of campsites won't take you because of the length. What's your experience?

Kind regards

Chris

 

[Mikey RV]

Our tag axle is 9 mtrs long and not had a problem yet. There are bound to be some sites you won't get on, the same as there are some sites that a 7 mtr motorhome won't get on. Go for it enjoy the space.

 

[funflair]

8.5 metres, no problems, some tight spots on Aires but if you are confident driving a bigger vehicle you will get it most places.

Don't use many camp sites but the ones we have we have never had a problem. To be honest the height at about 3.3 metres can be more of a worry than the length at times.

 

[Southampton]

We also have a tag axle just under 9M and never had a problem with a site. Have been given pitches that we couldn't get on because they were to small, but always been given an alternative that was suitable.

 

[trekkin]

Go for it, get the front through the back just follows, you may have some restrictions on sites, but as said whatever length you have may cause restriction,

Depends how truthful you are, but some sites do charge more for large Motorhomes, (unity is 25' ) and 8m does seem to be a figure I have seen, but then I have never had anyone come out and measure me so under 8m it is!

Adrian

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[scotjimland]

Having toured extensively from Scotland to Morocco in a 36 ft RV + trailer we found we needed to research and plan accordingly.. the spontaneity that we enjoyed with a smaller van was all but lost.. just turning up and 'hoping for the best' as a strategy was soon abandoned.

8mt shouldn't be an issue but it stands to reason, the bigger a van the more sites that you just can't physically get on.. not so much in the UK but certainly in Spain where pitches and access can be very tight for large outfits.. some are impossible for all but camper vans..

Some caravan club sites have a 28ft rule.. some ask that you call before arriving to ensure they have a big enough pitch available.. (you can book a pitch, but not a specific pitch).

so to sum up.. be mindful you are bigger than many, and that not all sites can physically cater for big outfits, not all sites welcome big motorhomes and a phone call can prevent disappointment..

 

[chrisinplymouth]

Thanks all.....helpful

Chris

 

[Brian and Jo]

Load of poppycock chris,go for it we used to own an autotrail chieftain which is the same externally as an Arapaho.we have also 4 American rv,s which were much bigger and as Jim says never had a problem.gofor it and enjoy
brian and jo

 

[Allanm]

You might technically have problems with the length on some aires in France, but we were recently on an aire with a restriction of 6.5 metres. We are nearly 7.5 metres and next to us was a Fleurette Wincester 84LMS at almost 8.5 metres. We all fitted....just.
Go for it.
Allan

 

[chrisinplymouth]

Thanks...

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jaws]

Only had our 9mtr van since April but have done all over Europe ( Germany, Austria, Poland, Croatia etc etc ) and a fair bit of the UK, and not had a problem in one single place !

 

[MrsBB]

Only problem we found was not the size but fact it has twin wheels at back. Refused entry at campsite in carcassone ...... Quite a few french sites don't allow twin axles ! Length wise fitted it in many a tight spot on aires with space for rear overhang.

 

[Tea Bag]

Hi.
If there is a particular site you need to be on and in the guide says "Limit x",i have in the past phoned or e-mailed with the sizes/dates and have been told it would be OK on more than one occasion. When c/van T/A pulling,one site in Germany (ACSI) when i rang about the length said we will put you on two connected pitches and find a place for your motor,this was NOT in the high season though.
It costs nothing and you don't have the worry about where you are going to lay your head,as for Aires,when it says 10 units and there are 15.......... what does a few feet matter. Of course,if it is tiny...but then you would not go in,simple.

 

[chrisinplymouth]

Most helpful site on the net this!

Chris

 

[Gaston aires]

Same van as funflair. At 8.5 mtrs only ever had one problem in pink granite coast area Brittany, more with approach roads than site.
Phil

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jim]

If you had a wheel at each corner you might have a problem. But you don't and you won't. On small pitches It's all about overhang and invariably this means even if the actual pitch is tiny you very often can still fit. We've had plenty of >8m motorhomes (one of those was an Arapaho) and never really had a problem.