Definition of Outfit Length in France/Spain

Lindyloo
Lindyloo Forum Participant Posts: 21
edited March 2020 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

I’ve been searching through the discussions with regard to the definition of ‘outfit length’ and it appears that the CAMC definition is just the shipping length of the caravan (I assumed it would be the overall length of the towing vehicle and caravan).  Does the CAMC definition correspond with what France/Spain sites would consider an ‘outfit’.  Our caravan is 7.92 metres (and a twin wheeler which I know can be restrictive). and the car 5 metres, so don’t want to get tripped up when booking sites.  Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2020 #2

    We've always found in those 2 countries that the length of the caravan to be the shipping length, that is from the top of the A frame to the tail. Don't include the car but the ferry company usually need this detail to determine which category to put you in.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,303 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2020 #3

    The length individual sites quote, may bear no relation to what they will accept. A municipal we wanted to stop in mentioned 6 metres. Looking at streetview there were clearly longer vehicles on the site, so I dropped them an email. The response came back that there wouldn't be a problem as long as our outfit wasn't double axle. The length limit just gives them a reason to limit access if they want to.

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2020 #4

    It was traditionally done to stop large caravans favoured by gypsies. Many of the gypsies find seasonal work such as fruit or vineyard pickers and often arrive in large groups. It was the reason why Twin Axle (TA) vans were banned by many sites when they started to become popular.

    A few of the municipal sites were and still are geared towards the older smaller caravans much favoured by an ever decreasing clientele, ie the older French couple, and their pitch size sometimes genuinely cannot accommodate larger outfits.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2020 #5

    In Spain, if the outfit, car and caravan are over 12 meters don't you have to display a long vehicle sign on the back of the caravan? The OP's outfit is nearly 13meters.

    peedee

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited March 2020 #6
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Lindyloo
    Lindyloo Forum Participant Posts: 21
    edited March 2020 #7

    Thanks very much for the useful info everyone.

  • KeithL
    KeithL Forum Participant Posts: 114
    edited March 2020 #8

    For sites it's the length of the caravan from a frame (towhitch) to the tail end of the van. If pre-booking any site make sure the length of caravan is accurately recorded by the site. We went to a site in Frejus, pre-booked by the club, some years ago and the length had not been accurately communicated. We were put on a pitch that was too small and ended up with the hitch overhanging half the access road. When I told reception the pitch was not acceptable due to it being too small they showed me the club booking and the van length communicated was over a metre too short!! Big conflab ensued and site manager eventually and very reluctantly changed us onto a larger pitch.  

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