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Subject Topic: Why 8 foot wide
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20/2/2018 at 12:03pm
 Location: Sussex
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Hi all

I am trying to figure out why manufacturers are starting to increase the width from 7’6” to 8’ wide on caravans?
I can’t foresee that much of an issue in the UK for touring, but have these manufacturers tried getting fuel in places like France and Italy,
with an 8.00 mtr long t/a caravan , particularly when towing with a big car / suv?
We tow a lot in France and as others will know, when getting fuel at some of the services on the autoroutes, there are very low white walls with curves to negotiate . I already find it really tight on sone of them with barely a couple of inches to spare . I have also seen people clip these walls with vans at 7’6” wide.and on one occasion had to disconnect the van to manually with help pull it round,
as he did not have manoeuvring room to reverse out!
The problem being caused that you cannot use the HGV fuelling lanes presumably because of the the high speed pumps and nozzle size.

If they are going to continue making 8 foot wide vans, the clubs should
be making the major fuel stations aware of this problem, perhaps having a long vehicle lane for caravans, trailers, boats and motorhomes only?


20/2/2018 at 12:44pm
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Completely agree re fuel stations in France, there is even one now that we completely avoid because of the low walled chicane that you have to go through.

Like your suggestion about the long lane, and make sure it faces the exit of the forecourt. Not that I can ever see it happening.

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20/2/2018 at 2:04pm
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Country lanes and lots of uk sites aren't ready for 8ft wide caravans


20/2/2018 at 2:09pm
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We have a 8' wide caravan and have never encountered any issues with filling up the vehicle with fuel. After all the difference is probably a bit less than 6 inches.


20/2/2018 at 2:32pm
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It's a choice if you want an 8ft/2.5mtre wide caravan. Most large caravans UK or foreign built are 2.3mtres or less wide & will continue to be so I’m sure. Caravan design is customer driven. Presumably there is little demand for 2.5mtre wide touring caravans which is why not many are available?

8ft wide tourers towed by cars have not been legal on UK roads for that many yrs anyway & there appears to be no rush by UK makes to introduce in any numbers. They have always been legal in Europe but most European caravans still stick with narrower width for reasons mentioned so I think op can sleep at night knowing that an 8ft caravan will not be forced on him...

The larger your caravan the more you have to forward plan campsites & fuel stops. French supermkt fuel pumps often have tight access so larger ‘van owners might be safer paying the extra to fill at motorway services that mostly do have good access rather than risk whacking the back end of their pride & joy.

Post last edited on 20/02/2018 14:45:58


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20/2/2018 at 5:19pm
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I was told that this had been on the cards for some time regarding caravan manufacturers but was rejected because drivers in the UK needed a HGV licence to tow an 8 foot wide trailer.
I don't actually know the law on this and never investigated it any further due to the fact that I haven't any interest in owning one but worth checking out for those that do.


20/2/2018 at 6:12pm
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Provided body length of caravan is under 7mtres caravan can still be towed by car on B or B+E licence as required. Even a longer caravan that must be towed by vehicle in excess of 3.5t gvw would probably come below 8.25t combined Mam so could still be towed with B+E. The extra width of a max width 2.55mtres caravan makes no difference.

Max width for towing by vehicle under 3.5t gvw was increased from 2.3 to 2.55mtres about 8yrs ago but max body length is still 7mtres. As pointed out. Very few under 7mtre body tourers wider than 2.3mtres available from either UK or foreign makes. If they were ever going to be popular there would be more but sensibly I guess most touring caravanners will be sticking with 2.3mtre wide ‘vans.

Post last edited on 20/02/2018 18:18:13


20/2/2018 at 6:42pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 20/2/2018
Provided body length of caravan is under 7mtres caravan can still be towed by car on B or B+E licence as required. Even a longer caravan that must be towed by vehicle in excess of 3.5t gvw would probably come below 8.25t combined Mam so could still be towed with B+E. The extra width of a max width 2.55mtres caravan makes no difference.

Max width for towing by vehicle under 3.5t gvw was increased from 2.3 to 2.55mtres about 8yrs ago but max body length is still 7mtres. As pointed out. Very few under 7mtre body tourers wider than 2.3mtres available from either UK or foreign makes. If they were ever going to be popular there would be more but sensibly I guess most touring caravanners will be sticking with 2.3mtre wide ‘vans.

Post last edited on 20/02/2018 18:18:13



Eldidis have been selling 8’ Wide Bucaneer’s for several years now, personally I wouldn’t touch one with a barge pole but that hasn’t got anything to do with width, our van is 2.4m wide and we don’t have any problems. Manufacturers will make 8ft wide caravans if they think there is a market for them low walls at French fuel stations won’t be a consideration


20/2/2018 at 6:59pm
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Hi iank01
Point noted , but I was referring mainly to service areas and petrol stations mainly on the autoroutes and motorwaysi Europe, particularly France and Italy.
They often have very tight chicanes as you enter or exit the Fuel station and parking areas (the worst ones being where you have to go through the car parking to reach the fuel station) .
The low rounded walls are often on tight curves, easy enough in a car or indeed a shorter car /single axle combination. However a large caravan (mine is 8,01 metres) attached to a large SUV leaves manoeuvring through those kerbs with barely a couple inches to spare.
In addition a lot of small garages cause a similar issue.
If they are going to Increase the offering now on 8 foot wide caravans, the garages and fuel stops will have to make entry and exit access easier for larger caravans and motorhomes. It’s alright following the HGV parking area in French autoroutes only to find they only lead round to HGV fuel filling area, so we have no choice to try and negotiate the car parking areas to exit.
Then there is the added irritation of thoughtless car drivers, who park in the caravan only bays during summer on the Autoroutes , don’t get me started on that one LOL!


20/2/2018 at 7:08pm
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I can see a small demand for bigger vans from people wanting them on seasonal pitches, such as the Bailey Retreat.


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20/2/2018 at 7:09pm
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Why should anybody have to alter their architecture for a tiny minority of wide caravans? If anybody wants a 2.5mtre caravan they can buy one. Those that do seem to manage ok. If you don’t think you can manage with a 2.5mtre wide ‘van then in common with most other caravanners you will stick with 2.3mtres or less.


20/2/2018 at 7:29pm
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we will stick to 6ft 8 inch,


21/2/2018 at 7:59am
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I would like the idea of a more spacious interior layout and the possibility of fixed twin wider single berths that a 8ft wide caravan could offer, but being as the majority of or sites we visit ar CLs with a traditional farm gate entrance to get through, some at quite a sharp angle off the narrow lane, l would prefare to stick to our standard width caravan and not be left to the stress of negociating this at the end of a long journey.

Julia

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21/2/2018 at 8:13am
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Quote: Originally posted by Dave11 on 20/2/2018
Hi iank01
Point noted , but I was referring mainly to service areas and petrol stations mainly on the autoroutes and motorwaysi Europe, particularly France and Italy.
They often have very tight chicanes as you enter or exit the Fuel station and parking areas (the worst ones being where you have to go through the car parking to reach the fuel station) .
The low rounded walls are often on tight curves, easy enough in a car or indeed a shorter car /single axle combination. However a large caravan (mine is 8,01 metres) attached to a large SUV leaves manoeuvring through those kerbs with barely a couple inches to spare.
In addition a lot of small garages cause a similar issue.
If they are going to Increase the offering now on 8 foot wide caravans, the garages and fuel stops will have to make entry and exit access easier for larger caravans and motorhomes. It’s alright following the HGV parking area in French autoroutes only to find they only lead round to HGV fuel filling area, so we have no choice to try and negotiate the car parking areas to exit.
Then there is the added irritation of thoughtless car drivers, who park in the caravan only bays during summer on the Autoroutes , don’t get me started on that one LOL!




As said never had a problem in France or Spain if we had to fill up with fuel or use a service area. Not been to Italy so cannot comment. If you have a concern just use Google earth.       
Both Elddis and Swift now build the 2.5m (8') wide caravans so obviously there is a demand. Just wish the body length could be allowed to be 8m instead of 7m.


21/2/2018 at 8:32am
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I've had a 8ft van for 7 years,I've had no problems at all,it makes a big difference inside the van,a lot more room, there must be a lot more 8ft wide vans on the continent than been said on here because Hobby make 100 vans per day

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21/2/2018 at 8:45am
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Of the 59 models that Hobby offer 32 are of 2.3mtre width. As the smaller caravans are sold in greater numbers than the larger models one could conclude that the majority of Hobby output of 100 ‘vans a day is in fact 2.3mtres wide not 2.5.



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