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  2.55 metres is actually just over 8ft 4 ins the same as most HGVs. I can see a lot more rural roads having a width restriction put on them. Why on earth do some people always want bigger and bigger especially when many sites are down narrow country lanes. 

        Pete.

Its interesting people mention narrow lanes. You get these in Europe where this width of caravan has been sold for years and doesn't seem to caue a problem. Its also unlikely that suddenly everyone will want a wider van. Personally I would have difficulty storing one in my back garden without a lot of changes. It will be interesting to see how quickly the UK manufacturers react and build wider vans if they do at all! I understand that the new Bailey Olympus is not even built to the current legal max width.

David

David -

You are correct regarding the Olympus and I think meny people are in a similar position regarding storing at home.

I don't know the European market in any detail, I do know there are builds to UK spec. and that there are different preferences regarding cookers etc. but have Hobbey and others only built a few options for the UK market to the narrower spec. or do they sell a variety of widths in the wider European market?

If manufacturers have had extra production costs (like lhd\rhd cars) we might see more competition for the uk companies and a lot more caravans with the door on the "wrong" side on our roads and on site. Exchange rate will play it's part though.

Tony

Tony

As an observer of European caravans over the years although never an owner I am not sure we will see a sudden flood of European caravans here. I could well understand someone with a seasonal/permanent pitch wanting one of the larger vans like Hobby as it would provide a lot more room and far easier to move to another site, unlike a static. Many European manufacturers over the years have tried to break into the UK market with mixed success. Some, like Hobby, don't even build their vans with the UK side door which perhaps illustrates either their disinterest in the UK market or perhaps they understand that whatever width is allowed the market for their vans is always going to be relatively small. I do think there is less of a difference now in the 'style' compared to a few years ago. As they say watch this space!

David

Quote: Some, like Hobby, don't even build their vans with the UK side door which perhaps illustrates either their disinterest in the UK market or perhaps they understand that whatever width is allowed the market for their vans is always going to be relatively small.

All this talk of narrow country lanes... How many of you actually live in the country? 

Most narrow lanes round here carry a variety of wide vehicles, school buses, milk tankers, agri feed lorries, huge 4x4 tractors etc.

A more pertinent question is should there be a driving test for townies with Caravans? 

In parrallel with Directive 1997/27/EC there is Directive 2007/36/EC entitled the Highways Harmonisation Directive. This specifies the EU standard Highway for each Member State in order to ensure harmonisation of highway dimensions for the better functioning and movement of vehicular traffic. The Directive requires Member States to set out its programme for bringing into service or use additional lands, parts of residential gardens and agricultural fields for the purposes of widening existing highways which fall short of the EU standard highway and which will satisfy the requirements relating to highway dimensions set out in the first annex to the Directive. The Directive does not apply to private roads.

The consultation exercise explains the need for all highways in the EU to be of a standard width to accommodate all potential highway users so that they can pass without obstruction or the need for passing places.  This will be accomplished by way of amending the Highways Act 1980 giving Highway Authorities and Member Governments compulsory purchase powers for the purposes of widening highways so as to once and for all remove all of those narrow lanes in Devon and other places.

Phil
The intention is to have legislation in place by early 2010 removing the maximum 2.3 metre width imposed on trailers towed by cars and goods vehicles with a maximum GVW not exceeding 3500 kg and instead permitting trailers with a maximum width of 2.55 metres to be towed

Quote: Originally posted by huw warrington on 10/2/2010

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All this talk of narrow country lanes... How many of you actually live in the country? 

Most narrow lanes round here carry a variety of wide vehicles, school buses, milk tankers, agri feed lorries, huge 4x4 tractors etc.

A more pertinent question is should there be a driving test for townies with Caravans? 

   _______________________________________________________                                                                                                              Undoubtedly yes, after spending over 20 minutes with my outfit touching the hedge in a passing place in a lane near Modbury a couple of years ago, whilst a couple with a 2.3m van argued with me that they couldn't get past despite the fact that a milk tanker and trailer had just passed me at the same spot and they had at least a foot between their van and the bank on their nearside. Heaven knows how they would have coped had I been on the 20 ton ploughing engine and plough that I used to pilot around the Dorset countryside.               

         Pete.

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Quote: Originally posted by huw warrington on 10/2/2010

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All this talk of narrow country lanes... How many of you actually live in the country? 

Most narrow lanes round here carry a variety of wide vehicles, school buses, milk tankers, agri feed lorries, huge 4x4 tractors etc.

A more pertinent question is should there be a driving test for townies with Caravans? 

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Well I do and yes a number of  wide vehicles have to use narrow roads. Many of the drivers have passed a test specific to the vehicle. Most caravan users have probably not and I do think that many casual caravan users are probably not up to managing their "outfit" in restricted situations.

What will Bill & Betty from Birmingham on their anual hols in their 8 ft wide twin axle van do when they meet farmer Giles towing his 7 tonne trailer of silage on a single track road do??

I suspect that with the existing caravan width they would find this situation rather demanding of their skills. Wider vans I think = wider vans test.