Awning and non awning pitch bookings
Hello everyone, we've been caravaning for just over year and mainly use Caravan club and CL sites as, we know we get a quality place to stay. We always book an awning pitch if possible, we have a great big dirty, but lovable Old English Sheepdog who needs
to washed down and dried.
We have just had a lovely New Years break in the van, but we were unable to book an awning pitch. Luckily we had a relative going with us and could use their awning. I walked round the site and 80% of the awning pitches did not have and awning up. If the
prices were altered to make non awning cheaper then this may not happen and caravaners who need the extra space of an awning could get one. On speaking to the wardens they told me they were trying to get the message across that all pitches are the same size
so, you don't get any extra space on an awning pitch, just the distance between. They believe that awning pitches are booked as many caravaners believe they get extra space. There was a family there with 3 young kids and they said the same an awning makes
all the difference to them, they also couldn't book an awning pitch.
I really would pay extra to have an awning, I am sure others who have the need for extra space would do as well. Lets make others aware and don't book awning pitches unless you are going to use it. What does anyone else think?
Comments
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Agreed, with the caveat that it needs to be only a small price differential - say -50p to +50p so a £1 differential per night.
I too have previously not been able to book an awning pitch and seen awning pitches used without awnings.
(....and I know plans / weather can change and people may chose not to put an awning up who intended to - but that was not the case for some of the pitches).
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This is an old chestnut and has been discussed here many times previously.
There seems to be much confusion about exactly what the difference is. But whether it means more space on the ptich or, as the OP suggests, more space between pitches then I shall continue to book awning pitches where I can even though I am a motorhomer.
If I had to pay a little more I would (indeed for some years I always thought I was).0 -
It is clear that non-awning pitches are perceived as having greater value, so I’m surprised that the Club has not chosen to capitalise on that. Even if the pitch is the same size, the separations will be greater.
..non awning pitches on most sites are definately smaller than awning pitches on hardstandings anyway, except on some sites where the hardstands were a "bit tight"and had to be made non awning to give the required spacing,eg Sandringham,
I notice in the Jan mag that White Water Park are having 60 grass pitches converted to 52 Hardstands
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On speaking to the wardens they told me they were trying to get the message across that all pitches are the same size so, you don't get any extra space on an awning pitch, just the distance between.
So if a non awning pitch is the same size as an awning pitch why can you not put an awning up. If you can't erect an awning because of the distance between the pitches then how can the non awning pitch be the same size as the awning pitch, as there is not room for the awning
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Well, I've learned something at least! I had no idea that there were such things as 'awning' or 'non-awning' pitches. Surely it should all depend on the relative sizes of your 'van plus your awning? My assumption was that if you could sensibly put up
your awning within your allocated pitch, AND maintain the specified clarance distances it was OK. Obviously not on Club sites!0 -
On speaking to the wardens they told me they were trying to get the message across that all pitches are the same size so, you don't get any extra space on an awning pitch, just the distance between.
So if a non awning pitch is the same size as a non awning pitch why can you not put an awning up. If you can't erect an awning because of the distance between the pitches then how can the non awning pitch be the same size as the awning pitch, as there is not room for the awning
It is because of the 3m required spacing between the awning and the car / unit on the next pitch. If this cannot be maintained the pitch would have to be non awning, whatever its size.
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First I read of folk considering stopping touring because the CC have increased membership by £2, some so disgusted they will use other sites than CC, now I see the suggestion of increasing the costs as an answer to problems. It really takes the biscuit
what
a hoot.0 -
First I read of folk considering stopping touring because the CC have increased membership by £2, some so disgusted they will use other sites than CC, now I see the suggestion of increasing the costs as an answer to problems. It really takes the biscuit
what
a hoot.Could it be what it boils down to is the pricing structure and customer choice is a mess?
peedee
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Hello everyone, we've been caravaning for just over year and mainly use Caravan club and CL sites as, we know we get a quality place to stay. We always book an awning pitch if possible, we have a great big dirty, but lovable Old English Sheepdog who needs
to washed down and dried.We have just had a lovely New Years break in the van, but we were unable to book an awning pitch. Luckily we had a relative going with us and could use their awning. I walked round the site and 80% of the awning pitches did not have and awning up. If the
prices were altered to make non awning cheaper then this may not happen and caravaners who need the extra space of an awning could get one. On speaking to the wardens they told me they were trying to get the message across that all pitches are the same size
so, you don't get any extra space on an awning pitch, just the distance between. They believe that awning pitches are booked as many caravaners believe they get extra space. There was a family there with 3 young kids and they said the same an awning makes
all the difference to them, they also couldn't book an awning pitch.I really would pay extra to have an awning, I am sure others who have the need for extra space would do as well. Lets make others aware and don't book awning pitches unless you are going to use it. What does anyone else think?
I disagree with the warden in general. Not to say that he is wrong about his particular site but the size of non-awning pitches ca be narrower on some sites.
I would not book a non-awning pitch ffor two reasons. Firstly the reason of their often being smaller. Another reason is that there are often fewer non-awning pitches which would limit my pitch location on some sites and caravan orientation which is a factor
that I consider in hot weather..In the summer I particularly prefer an awning pitch in hot weather. It gives me the option of sitting on either side of the van if I return to the site on a hot and sunny afternoon. I prefer the shade.
I use some AS sites where there can be a price differential for a pitch with awning. I always choose an awning pitch.
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First I read of folk considering stopping touring because the CC have increased membership by £2, some so disgusted they will use other sites than CC, now I see the suggestion of increasing the costs as an answer to problems. It really takes the biscuit
what
a hoot.Could it be what it boils down to is the pricing structure and customer choice is a mess?
peedee
PD, I see it as posters cherry picking what inflames them & what they'd change to suit them personally. No big picture ideas at all.
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Ther OP assessment is somewhat flawed in that the utilisation of awning pitches at this time of year IS going to see a higher incidence of people NOT erecting an awning. From November through to March, I'm not going to be putting up an awning.
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PD, I see it as posters cherry picking what inflames them & what they'd change to suit them personally. No big picture ideas at all.
I agree members will post in or create a subject which interests them the most, but the same complaints consistently keep coming up and they are not all originated by the same people. In addition to old school posts they do attract new posters. Collectively,
that has to add up to more than just an isolated moan and a little picture.peedee
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My first preference is for a pitch with awning on the assumption that I’ll have more space but, if the majority of pitches are non-awning, I’ll choose non-awning to have a greater choice. Cost doesn’t enter the equation because they’re both the same price.
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Graydjames said:
I shall continue to book awning pitches where I can even though I am a motorhomer. If I had to pay a little more I would (indeed for some years I always thought I was).
Wow - is it just me or is that an unbelievably selfish attitude?!
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The grass strip does not form part of your pitch, so the gravel bit can most certainly be the same size. Agreed the area is not as roomy but you were talking about pitch size.
Agree Steve - you are correct.
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Non awning pitches are not closer together as the gap between units is fixed although you might get the odd awning pitch with a larger gap due to the site layout. Non awning pitches are generally smaller as the seperation from the next pitch is insufficfient
to fit an awning in.Part of the reason why awning pitches are full of people without awnings is probably down to the fact most sites have only a few non awninmg pitches which book up fairly quickly. You then end up with everybody wanting a pitch getting an awning one.
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If I want to go to a particular site and the only pitches vacant are awning pitches, I'll book an awning pitch regardless of whether or not we intend to put the awning up.
No problem with that
But what some are saying is when there are both available and they know they are not going to use an awning, they will book an awning pitch regardless and selfishly block those pitches to people who do want to put up an awning.
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Graydjames said:
I shall continue to book awning pitches where I can even though I am a motorhomer. If I had to pay a little more I would (indeed for some years I always thought I was).
Wow - is it just me or is that an unbelievably selfish attitude?!
Just you IMO
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As with the Sunday depatures thread, I see this one could degenerate to a ongoing discussion about morals
I guess it just comes down to the way you were brought up, your own moral compass and empathy for fellow members.
Some people will always feel comforatble acting in a way that could disadvante others and other people won't out of a sense of communal fairness.
Can't really see this any other way.
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