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Hi

We have an 2007 charisma 590 caravan at the moment but ar considering a part ex for a winnebego.  We were just wondering does anyone else have anything this size and how accomodating are camp sites with these?

We have been to look at some and really like them but is the size a problem on sites?

Any info please?

Hiya mate

Thats one BIG van there are some sites about that can fit you on, I know of 1 in East Yorkshire & 1 in North Wales but to be honest i think you will get turned away when you try to book, 28ft seems to be the norm

mick 

Ditto Silverwood.Thats a helluva van,bet its fabulous but you would be restricting yourselves to limited sites with one THAT big!

Why don't you ring around some of the sites you would like to visit and see what their reaction is?

I have a feeling they will say no,the other thing to consider is getting to the sites,access can be restricted sometimes,my friends got stuck in their large motorhome and ended up creating chaos (and burnt the clutch out!) !

Val

You may also have difficulty with your driving licence. If it is over 7.5T then be very careful. Also, with overall vehicle sizes and weights there are a lot of pitfalls. look at those people who bought things like Newmars. They have to take the mirrors and awning off to get it through a Ministry test

edit forr spelign

Hi

Thanks for the replys. I have a HGV license so I am used to driving similar lengths.  I have phoned a couple of sites we have been before with the caravan and there doesn't seem to be a problem getting on there but like I say thats only a couple.  Am just trying to find costs of insurance etc before making the deal.

Does anyone else have one of these? or similar lengths??

I don't see any real problems with a little forethought.

http://www.motorhomefacts.com/index.php

There have been loads of problems with the very large RVs. There was the test case recently (?) where the vehicle was too wide to be used on UK roads. The Courts found in favour of the seller who didn't say that there was a problem - Do your homework first!

I believe that it is a Newmar (spelling?) that you have to take off mirrors, Awnings etc and then it still may not go thru a test.

Hi used to have a 30ft winnie .first decide what sort of touring you want to do.ours was plated for approx 6.5 tons,but be careful ,because with all tanks full you could be over weight.

using commercial sites, some problems as caravan club has put length restrictions on some sites.

if you like attending rallies with any of the clubs you would need to ring the rally marshall to check on access.we were told not to attend some holiday meets as we would not get through the gate.and if very wet a nbormal 4x4 is not big enough to pull you out.due to the size of vehicle you would need another form of transport when you are on site.ie cycles ,motorcycle or tow car.

after 3 years we reverted back to car and van as we found the winne a bit restricting.

if you want any other points of view e mail me at Bandpgsmith at aol.com

hope this has been some help to you.

Hi a few years ago................my Husbands ex-Boss bought a Georgie Boy, he used it a few times and then sold it, he found it a problem getting to a lot of places in this country he told Hubby never again when he had been to Cornwall.

It might be worth you buyin the book that I am reading now by Keith Mash*ter called 'How Katie Pulled Boris' which is a true story about travels around Europe with a RV.

The beginning etc also tells how he bought it etc etc and problems encountered it is on Amazon now.

I hope that might help a little...........other thing to bear in mind is getting into car parks etc etc or would you tow a car.

Don't know if this will help (or work) it a link to CC Large Outfits page.

http://www.caravanclub.co.uk/Planning+your+trip/UK+Trips/Site+Search+and+Book/Club+Sites/LARGE+OUTFITS.htm?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fPlanning%2byour%2btrip%2fUK%2bTrips%2fSite%2bSearch%2band%2bBook%2fClub%2bSites%2fLARGE%2bOUTFITS.htm&NRNODEGUID=%7bEB753133-C34D-4647-8EB6-62D0D848CB16%7d&NRCACHEHINT=NoModifyGuest

Hi some interesting misconceptions, so to put the record straight.

Ours is only a little one at 31' but have had few problems at sites or C/L's You will find problems but from my experience, perhaps 50% or more of private sites will get you in. They want your money.  Your biggest problem maybe height not length, low branches around the site, we have found this especially abroad.

Its different with the clubs, the CC has bias against motorhomes let alone RV's, and the sizes CC sites can take, changes according to the whims of the wardens. As an example. I sat at Sheepcote Valley in March on a large RV pitch next to a 36' and 38' its now been downgraded to 33' no reason, just the wardens don't think anything bigger can get on. The fact they have in the past cuts no ice.

The width maximum width in the UK is100.4" but mirrors/safety equipment are not included in this measurement, most modern RV's are very close or over this, however to-date apart from initial registration this has been ignored by the DVLA. With one of the dealer organisations claiming that the DVLA have told them that this is not a problem as far as they are concerned, and an official notice to this effect is supposed to be forthcoming.

 American motorways are good but many of their minor roads are no better than ours, to say an RV is to big for the UK but ok in the states is not correct. If a 40' Artic or 45' coach can go down the road so can you.

Olley