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Subject Topic: Parking Post Reply Post New Topic
Personpnefan
19/7/2018 at 10:08am
 Location: Preston
 Outfit: None View pnefan's Profile View Profile   Reply to pnefan Reply   Quote pnefan Quote  
Joined: 25/2/2013

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Due to old age but thankfully not poverty we have decided to buy a small motorhome. We have been looking at van conversions between 5.5 mtrs and 6 mtrs with a high top. We don't intend to use the vehicle as our main year round transport. We will however be using it to get about whilst on our travels. We are checking out using a drive away awning to store items such as chairs etc during the day whilst we are out. We are quite happy to park on the outskirts of towns and catch a bus.
Can any one give advice please on the merits of each with regards to parking in street parking bays, supermarket car parks, park and ride and open car parks etc. Thanks in advance any advice would be welcome as we are complete newbies to the world of motorhoming.


PersonCapt Lightning
19/7/2018 at 5:43pm
 Location: Turriff Aberdeenshi
 Outfit: Romahome R30 Dimens View Capt Lightning's Profile View Profile   Reply to Capt Lightning Reply   Quote Capt Lightning Quote  
Joined: 17/8/2006

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Welcome to the wonderful world of

Unlike continental Europe, much of the UK is not motorhome friendly.   Some of this has been brought about by people abusing parking facilities etc, but some is just down to not wanting our custom in towns. Be prepared to be met by height barriers and other parking restrictions in many places.

If you're pensioners, then hopefully you will (like us) have bus passes and be ale to use them to get from outside some camp sites and into town.

Leaving things in awnings is mostly OK, but I wouldn't leave anything of value.

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Two drifters off to see the world.

I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.


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Personkenles
19/7/2018 at 6:31pm
 Location: Gloucestershie
 Outfit:  Fiat Ducato campervan View kenles's Profile View Profile   Reply to kenles Reply   Quote kenles Quote  
Joined: 25/2/2007

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We have just got back from Southport are van is longer at 6'4 meters we use supermarket parking bays keep the wheels in the bay if you can find a bay at the back where there is over hang so you can get less over the front


Personpnefan
19/7/2018 at 10:13pm
 Location: Preston
 Outfit: None View pnefan's Profile View Profile   Reply to pnefan Reply   Quote pnefan Quote  
Joined: 25/2/2013

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Thanks for your replies. From your comments Kenles am I right in presuming a van measuring approx 5.5mts should fit in a normal parking bay without having too much overhang? Normally whilst away we havent needed to go in carparks with overhead barriers or high rise car parks so Im not anticipating having to do so with a motorhome. Im coming to the conclusion it may be simpler to go for a smaller van below 6mtrs in length as we only intend to use for a few days at a time.


Personfranbee
20/7/2018 at 7:34am
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Leisuredrive VW T6 campervan View franbee's Profile View Profile   Reply to franbee Reply   Quote franbee Quote  
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Our VW short wheel base fits into normal parking spaces, though sometimes it can be difficult to open the front doors. However it is possible to exit via the side slidy door.


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PersonCapt Lightning
20/7/2018 at 7:59am
 Location: Turriff Aberdeenshi
 Outfit: Romahome R30 Dimens View Capt Lightning's Profile View Profile   Reply to Capt Lightning Reply   Quote Capt Lightning Quote  
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My Romahome R30 is based on a Citroen Relay and is only 5 mtrs. long. It fits neatly into most car parking spaces.

Fortunately in this end of the world, outside the major cities, there's plenty of free parking and few restrictions.

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Two drifters off to see the world.

I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.


PersonWhatamess
20/7/2018 at 8:44am
 Location: North Wales
 Outfit: Bessacarr E540 View Whatamess's Profile View Profile   Reply to Whatamess Reply   Quote Whatamess Quote  
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If you go onto the web page for whatever local authority you’ll be visiting, most of them have parking information which tells you which car parks have barriers etc. MMM magazine also produce a booklet from time to time with parking information for motorhomes.

Our motorhome is 7 metres so we do struggle even in some large supermarket car parks where we actually use 4 spaces so try to get right in a corner somewhere out of the way.

Nora


PersonFiona W
20/7/2018 at 3:44pm
 Location: Ayrshire
 Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs View Fiona W's Profile View Profile   Reply to Fiona W Reply   Quote Fiona W Quote  
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Another reason to keep shorter than 6.0m is ferry fares. If you fancy going over to any of the Scottish islands, the fare is determined by the length of the vehicle and over 6.0m takes you into the next price bracket.
We're about 5.7 and it's overhead gantries we have to watch out for, they're in the most unexpected places. That'll apply whatever you get unless you buy a car conversion.

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2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.


Personharribo52
20/7/2018 at 7:46pm
 Location: Glouc
 Outfit: Alaska and Eldorado . Romahome Duo View harribo52's Profile View Profile   Reply to harribo52 Reply   Quote harribo52 Quote  
Joined: 09/4/2017

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When you get your van and out and about, be sure to check car park signage as some councils are now banning campervans - M/homes from parking.
People have been given a parking fine even though they have paid for a ticket.

Watch out for height barriers, we might be having nice weather but you don't want an open top van.

Awning or utility tent is a good idea. Put all the clutter in it and it also reserves your pitch if you drive out for the day.

I have a Romahome Duo (Berlingo based) and it just fits, with a bit to spare in most parking bays.

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PersonRainbowsend
21/7/2018 at 4:03pm
 Location: Staffs Cheshire bord
 Outfit: None Entered View Rainbowsend's Profile View Profile   Reply to Rainbowsend Reply   Quote Rainbowsend Quote  
Joined: 02/7/2004

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We had a 6 metre motorhome and it wouldn't fit properly in a parking bay. Width filled the bay so couldn't get out if vehicle alongside parked central in its bay. Di try and park with back overhang over land at the back but was told by a warden that you can't park with it overhanging onto any footway (however wide it is). Supermarkets who are not managed by a private company are usually fine.

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Jean

Sometimes a little rain must fall before you reach a rainbow.

The work will wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won't wait while you finish the work.


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PersonWanderer
22/7/2018 at 6:44am
 Location: Norfolk
 Outfit: VW Nexa camper View Wanderer's Profile View Profile   Reply to Wanderer Reply   Quote Wanderer Quote  
Joined: 08/5/2002

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We have had both 5.5m and 6m van conversions and my preference would be something like the AS Symbol at 5.5m as it was easier to manoeuvre in tight carparks. We now have a VW Camper with rising roof as our only vehicle and are loving it for both everyday use and long away periods.



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