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after visiting the nec we were disapionted that none of the uk manufacturers have plans to produce wider caravans next season after the legislation change in may this year,with a wider shell more varied floorplans could be avaliaibe(have a look on german caravan manufacturers web sites),without going to a longer body,if the uk manufacturers want to compete in the european market surley this is the way forward,

I personally think it will be like our car and motorcycle industry we will do nothing untill the domestic market is flooded with well built cheaper more reliable vans then it will be to late,

just a thought

tony

I don't want a wider caravan. Our roads are not really suitable.

Happy with what I have got.

Our manufacturers don't compete in the European market that much because we like differently designed vans here in the UK.

I am with Tony, I think the uk producers are missing an oppertuinity, but thats nothing unusual I think another problem for them is the manufacturing standard, or lack of it.

 Stew

i dont think wider caravans would clog up roads as the new width is 8 ft as for our roads not bieng suitable what width is a bus ,lorry,pick up truck ,a large box van ,we dont close roads because of these,

the new legal linit is the same as a standard motorhome ive seen plenty of these on country roads i personaly cant see a problem

tony

Don't want wider 'vans ... I would prefer narrower if anything.  Our 7ft 4 'van just fits down our drive ... if things keep going the way they are we will have little or no choice of van when we come to change.

Also do I want to tow an 8ft wide 'van?  NO!

i`m not saying every caravan should be 8ft wide but it would be nice to see somthing different,rather than the same design recycled every year or so.

 i imagine when twin axles came out there were those who said the same to big for british roads,dangerous etc it`s down to personal choice .but variety is the spice of life

tony

I would love to see what they could do with the layout of an 8 ft wide van. Our Adria is 7'6" wide and appears to be so much more spacious compared to our previous van at 7'0 wide. It makes little difference when towing. Would I notice if it was a little wider again?

In all honesty though I don't think there will ever be a huge demand for wider caravans in this country for many varied and valid reasons as some people have already posted. It is all down to personal choice. The problem is for some of us we don't feel that we have much to choose from.

The interesting thing is that in spite of the new regulations, Bailey brought out the thinner Olympus.  As I've written in another thread, I wonder if that is any indication that the new proposed replacement of the Ranger (which presumably will be less expensive to buy than the Olympus), will also be a thinner van?  At a time when the regulations are allowing wider units, Bailey may be going in the opposite direction.  I suppose we will have to wait until next February to find out.

Quote: Originally posted by vwalan on 02/11/2010

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i live and work driving trucks around cornwall .be it delivery ,s or dustbin trucks . even tankers for the waste . i really cant see it a problem .i think some just need to have a driving course . even the narrowist trucks are 7.6 most are 8ft and you just have to get on and do it. .cheers alan.

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Alan

Don't think it is a problem with towing the extra width. Some of us have to find somewhere to put the extra inches in storage.