I see what you mean about the Monty 6, but to be honest without the side porch its well within the 5m, the porch takes it the 30cm over. Presumably site managers don't generally go and measure the tent unless its obviously too big. Perhaps they might be willing to turn a blind eye if they know the Monty is a foot over if the 6m gap will be maintained, which could be the case if the next unit is less than 5m, alternatively the tent could be pitched at the end of the row to avoid contravening the fire regs. I can see this sort of thing makes the job of siting tents more complicated especially whn busy which perhaps accounts for why it might not officially be allowed.
When booking you are required to give them the size of the tent, do you say 5m or 5.3m? Perhaps some site managers use more discretion with accepting larger tents than others.
I always state the real size of my tents, as I am terrified if I tell a white lie I will turn up at a site only to be told "Go away, your tent is too big!"
Fair enough! I would be the same. I suppose you could always offer not to extend the porch (am I correct in thinking that's possible?) if it caused a problem and then discuss with the site assistants on arrival.
The other thing that occurs to me is that the OP was talking about peak periods, I wonder if in practice that means the 6 week school holiday period, or perhaps it means different things to different sites. Th c&cc site I was at Whitsun had loads of empty pitches.
It would be interesting to know if any Montys have been rejected by c&cc sites. I am booked to vist 6 c&cc sites in the summer hols so I shall keep an eye out for how rigidly this rule is enforced!
We're C&CC members and I don't think I've ever told them the size of my tent (tents actually!)? It's not something they ask is it so I don't know how they can be expected to tell me its not worth me joining because my tent is too big for some sites (I imagine the Certificated sites are less of an issue?)!!
We only joined the C&CC very recently - perhaps January and there have been two articles in their monthly magazine about the size of pitches and tents since then - one in the form of a response on their letter page and one in the tent section so I do think it's a little unfair to say they haven't communicated.
Spread dome tents take up much more space on a pitch than the more reguarly shaped tunnel or frame equivalents whilst providing no more usable space. As I someone said above - what are site owners supposed to do?
I have only stayed on the one C&CC site and that was the Barnard Castle one. I booked online and indicated in the box that my tent was over 5 m wide and it accepted my booking no problem. At no stage was I told to contact the site direct, or that there would be a problem with my tent width. Have those who have been told their tent is too big tried booking online? Surely if you state your tent is wider then 5m and your booking is accepted, then that means they can accomodate your tent?
I have just checked both the Eskdale and the Keswich C&CC sites and have stated on their online booking system that my tent is over 5M in width, both sites show availability during July and August for a tent that size with or without EHU. Quite frankly I would book online and go...............how can they turn you away if you have stated the size of tent and been accepted?
It's stange isn't it? In the C&CC book's instructions on how to book it says:
"Please be aware that bookings for units over 9m long or 5m wide can only be made with the site direct"
but Breezy is correct: when you book online there is an option for >5m and it appears that it will allow you to make the booking. I would feel a bit worried about making my booking this way if my unit was more than marginally oversized.
That is precisely why I make my bookings direct with the site even though I know my unit of both tents is well within the pitch size.That way I know it is recorded by the site managers just in case.My sister has exactly the same outfit as I , and when she booked online to the same site,the manager phoned her to clarify the size and was told that he would measure it upon arrival,which he did!! I had meanwhile booked direct to the same site for the same period and did not have my unit measured,although when he came by we were just pitching our main tent and had not pitched the day tent until later,lo and behold when he passed by the next day he challenged me and said my unit had grown over night -well I blamed it on the rain ha ha!! But fortunately it did not become an issue because the details had been logged with his wife and that is why I think there was a lack of communication between the pair of them.As for the Montys and other tents similar to them I doubt there would be a problem cos I have seen them pitched where ever I have been but I feel that if there is the slightest doubt in your mind be sure by phoning them direct and that way you will be covered and not just by the tent!!
Out of interest, do you pitch the day tent infront of the pathfinder so that the "gap" is maintained? Have you ever had a c&cc site refuse the day tent or give special instructions about where to pitch it?
Yes I do put the daytent in front of the main tent,thereby keeping the width okay.The Pathfinder is a little over 3m width,daytent is 3mx3m total length doesn't exceed 8m because I pitch so it is an extension of the Pathfinder very useful when it rains!!
I always tell them I have a daytent,have never been refused a pitch yet.If the weather is nice I can roll up the doors on both tents and it looks like a Monty then-well almost!! I would not want to pitch the daytent to either side of the Pathfinder because it would not suit my purpose-I like to sprawl out lengthways if you see what I mean.I suppose I could tell them my unit length is 7.5m if I butt up to the main tent but I like to be sure,Haven't had a problem yet,but I have only been on CC&C sites so far.I will be using a non club site in August so will be interesting to see what develops there!!