Message Forums

We are in the process of building our own unique design of motorhome and would like some ideas on if our larger size will be able to be accommodated in most parks and grounds.

The unit is based on a DAF LF truck with a 20 foot long box type body on the back.  The major concern is that the box will open up at the sides, making the back part some 21 feet wide.  I've no doubt we'll be able to get into the sites, but it's the greater width when set out that may be a  problem.  Has anyone had experience of an oversize unit like this?

We also are building the unit for mainly rough stays, i.e. on unprepared sites.  We are thinking of putting notices in farming magazines and similar publications to find good sites which are otherwise of no income producing status for the land owner.  Apart from the obvious farmers, can anyone give us leads to other land owners or groups that we could approach for permission to park up for a couple of weeks while exploring the area.  We have thought of small airports, lake and river authorities and some others, but we'd like to cover the best possible range of possibilities.

Part of our design incorporates a small motorcycle to get around, plus an inflatable boat and small outboard so we can explore on land and water when parked.  Being nudists, we're looking for either nudist friendly places or those that really don't care one way or the other.

All suggestions appreciated.

Many thanks

Martin and Ann

NW London

With a van that size you would do well to have a look at this thread http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/chatter/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=4&TopicID=27296&SearchPagePosition=1&search=pitch+sizes&searchMode=phrase&searchIn=Thread&forum=4&searchSort=dateDESC&ReturnPage=Search

Many sites won't allow very large campervans though as the shear weight of them can be more than their grass/hardstanding can take.

We can't recommend any sites as we try to where possible use small out of the way places and most of them would not accept units over 23 ft long or 7-8 ft wide.

Thanks for you input.  As naturists, we will be avoiding most established sites in preference for a corner of a field somewhere in a raw condition-our van will be built to do this.  We do expect to have limitations on our adventures due to size or weight criteria, but hope these will not prove disasterous to our touring around UK and abroad.  When we eventually get going, we'll have to see what we can find and report our progress to others who may wish to follow.

Best wishes,

Martin and Ann

NW London

Have a look at www.sbmcc.co.uk They have a few members trogging about with DAFs. Watch out for body rot; that's what seems to kill DAFs

One of them comes back to the UK every October, works like **** and then come February, gets into the van and disappears to Spain.

I would be surprised if any Caravan Club or Camping & CC clubs would let you on their sites. It depends on how you convert it. If it still looks like a box van then No but if it is like some I have seen then "No worries"

.  We are thinking of putting notices in farming magazines and similar publications to find good sites which are otherwise of no income producing status for the land owner.  If any Farmer was silly enough to take you up on that and the Planning people found out he would be in for a shoeing. If you had a DEFRA certificate (btw - only granted to Clubs and Organisations) then you could be allowed a 28 day exception from Planning Rules and Regs