I will shortly be getting a new motorhome and would like some advice about etiquette and how the system works on sites. Do you get allocated a spot, if not how do you choose where to go? which way round do you park? Some motorhomes I've seen seem to be so close together that there must be so little privacy. But conversely I don't want to appear unsociable. Do I need a sign if I go out for the day or would the managers tell newcomers which spots are taken. Some sites I've seen have caravans etc parked seemingly haphazardly, others very regimented. I have a dog so would want to be near any dogwalking area - is it reasonable to ask for this?
Sorry these will seem to me to be completely ridiculous questions after my first couple of times but I've read criticisms about inconsiderate campers and don't want to get things wrong. Any other tips for first time site users would be fantastic.
Thanks
You usually get shown your pitch, but not always. If you have a preference for a position, ask when you book - they may be able to accommodate your request. Some campsites have a diagram of how to pitch, but if you have EHU it will often be 2 or four on a pole, and the pole marks the boundry between pitches. You normally park at a right angle to the hedge / fence / road because pitches tend to be deeper than they are wide. You can park nose or tail either way - my van has rather limited window space opposite the side door, so I park with the door facing the best view, unless it is very windy, then I might park with the door on the opposite side to the wind so I don't get a cold blast everytime anyones goes in or out. Obviously if you have an awning you need to park where there is space for this to go up. If you have been allocated a numbered pitch you should be able to come and go - but if you chose one, you would be wise to have a sign to say that pitch is taken. Remember to get some chocks so you can level the van up.
------------- Best regards
Geoff
strictlyneedtoknow@hotmail.co.uk http://goldenyearsirenfm.blogspot.com/
Best thing to do is ask any at reception when booking in if there have any hard and fast rules you must stick to. Some sites allocate you a pitch, some even escort you to your pitch. If your on a site that allows you to choose your own pitch always park up at reception and take a walk round the site. Doing this usually gives you a better idea of where to pitch. At the end of the day if your not sure, of anything just ask someone on the site near you and I'm sure they will be more than happy to help.
Good avice from Tiggarsmum. If you go to a site that you think you might go back to, it is worth noting the numbers of any pitches that you really like. I was at one recently and all the pitches had a very boring view, despite the site itself being quite attractive. However, six were at one end with views of a lake - beautiful, and I have the numbers.
------------- Best regards
Geoff
strictlyneedtoknow@hotmail.co.uk http://goldenyearsirenfm.blogspot.com/
It's nice to know there are people out there who have such consideration for other campers - and respect social etiquettes. Welcome to UKCS and I hope you and your dog enjoy many years of camping bliss.
Indeed Zenobia, and Happy camping Jayenne! A little considerate thought goes a long way. One other thing we always do is when moving off is, move off approx 10 feet and then just re-check the pitch, just in case a plastic bag or dogs toy etc have gone under the van. Hopefully the only sign youve been there is tyre marks!
So many park owners take a huge amount of time keeping their pitches well managed and tidy, just for us. Theres nothing worse than seeing a 'post-party' pitch with barbecued scorching and tinnies left lying around, occassionally with a bag of rubbish theyve 'forgotten' to carry all of 10 yards to a bin.
A particularly inconsiderate thing that more and more people seem to do these days is to start their engines ( often very noisy diesels ) and leave them running for ages while they hitch up their caravans, discuss where they are going next, say farewell to 'friends' etc. etc. Motorhomers are just as guilty, but do not need to hitch up their 'vans.
It took us a few trips before sussing out how to pick a good pitch or what way to park up to get the best views. Tiggarsmum got it spot on. You get a better feel of the place on foot but a chat at reception helps enormously. They know the park better than anyone and what are the best pitches so do don't be afraid to ask them for advice.
On most of the sites I've visited when motor homes have gone shopping or out for the day they leave their steps or something so others know the pitch is in use.
Just a word of advice. Don't park too near the dog walk Ok it would be convient but not a pretty sight when sitting at breakfast to have to watch the dogs on site doing their "business" I've never been on a site that's so big the dog walk hasn't been more than a couple of mins walk away.
Hope you have many many happy holidys
------------- Beauty is in the eyes of the beer holder
Quote: Originally posted by Nimrodphil on 29/6/2008
A particularly inconsiderate thing that more and more people seem to do these days is to start their engines ( often very noisy diesels ) and leave them running for ages while they hitch up their caravans, discuss where they are going next, say farewell to 'friends' etc. etc. Motorhomers are just as guilty, but do not need to hitch up their 'vans.
Phil.
Hi I can't say that is something I have ever noticed at all either when we had a caravan or now with a motorhome.
The one thing I notice is folk chatting esp this time of year outside at 7am or earlier whilst others are still in bed, and you really notice that inside a caravan or motorhome.
Recently at Burton Constable caravan site we were treated to a lengthy conversation between a static caravan owner and one of the site workers mowing the grass at just after 8am and the driver of the mower left it running the whole time. Having just got away for a chill out after a busy period at work we were not impressed.
------------- 'A motorhome is for life, not just for Summer'
I am always careful with my campervan to shut doors quietly.
Our van is tiny so we position it any way we like. If we use the rear awning it can make the van stick out quite far and if this looks like it may spoil the view for others we park side on.
Sometimes we have been allocated a pitch that we do not like eg overlooking the loo block or bins, near the play area or on a route to loos and water, reducing privacy. We always ask if it is possible to change, most sites are fine about this and will agree if they can.
The loos are a nightmare if you are unlucky enough to be near them, folk banging doors early etc etc esp if on a site that has year round residentials living and working from tourers etc one of our fav caravan sites that we loved has unfortunately decided since having new owners that they don't want motorhomes on the grass, they have put in one (yes one only) motorhome pitch right by the road and right next to the loos, if that is booked you have no chance now of going there with a MH...........can't begin to think why they have done this, it is OK having lovely grass with no one to see it ? and it is very quiet on there in the week these days.
------------- 'A motorhome is for life, not just for Summer'
Common sense and consideration for others are to me the most obvious things, the site will have its own rules.
We had a bit of a problem at the weekend where you could pitch where you wanted as long as you were 6 metres away from others, we did this only to have a small two man tent then pitch between us leaving less than 6 feet either side and then were inconsiderate to both us and our previous neighbour who was in a wheelchair.
You can guarantee if your going get hassle the bloke will look like the missing link/swamp thing with kids to match
We have all had bad experiances from time to time, it's just one of those things, we hit a bad site in Suffolk last year, they will only get my money once
They've all forgot to tell you to WAVE & HAVE FUN nowt else matters
1) One person goes in to pay while the other stays with the van in case it needs moving up and saves more people in the reception/office.
2) I leave OH filling up the van with water whilst I walk round looking for campervan friendly pitches eg nice and flat. This is easier than getting onto the pitch then remembering you need water lol (we haven't done that too often) Most CC sites leave you to choose your own pitch.
3) When going out by all means leave the hook up on the pitch but either flick the button (CC sites) or preferably remove it as people don't always understand.
4) Things don't have to cost a fortune and buy as you need rather than what everyone says you need.