Scratches caused by overhanging bushes

The Real Slim Adie
The Real Slim Adie Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited April 2017 in Caravans #1

Hi all,

We arrived at a site on Good Friday and when entering the site, we were directed to our pitch as normal. There was a path that took us to our pitch row with a slight bend in the middle. When travelling through this path, we had the right hand side of the van scratched, in multiple places, from front to rear, including windows. We have tried scratch remover and they are too deep to remove so ultimately, it will mean 2x Side window replacements and side panel repair (professional repair or even replacement).

So, my question is this - Given the points below, does the Site Owner have any liability here?

1. The path is too narrow to allow for a bend / turn for larger caravans (We have the 2017 Elddis Rambler 22/6, new new 8" Wide caravan). 

2. The bushes are extremely thick and should be cut back further to allow for larger caravans

3. Our neighbour on site also had the exact same happen to them the day before when they arrived - Another site visitor said that they are aware of the path as they come frequently but as they have a smaller caravan, they get through with no issues. They also say that the site have never done anything about it

3. On inspection of our van by the Warden, there was an attitude of "Sods law mate" and that was that - Leads me to believe it's a common occurrence 

4. There is no other way to get to our row - We could have gone in via the EXIT however we were following the ENTRANCE map and directions

5. We are still here on site and no-one has been to cut them back, we are warning other arrivals if they have a large van

Thanks in advance for any replies

Comments

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,198 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #2

    Are you at a club site? If so I'd take the matter up immediately with East Grimstead. Regardless I'd make sure I had photographic evidence with the date shown and actual measurements of the gap at ground level and at height. You may be able to do nothing or claim nothing but you will need evidence which is best gathered asap.

  • Heethers
    Heethers Forum Participant Posts: 641
    500 Comments
    edited April 2017 #3

    Would great if we new where the site was and the name, would give it a wide birth

  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2017 #4

    If you attempt to drive through a gap that isn't wide enough for your vehicle surely it is your own responsibility?

    However, I would still make a noise and try and get some recompense for any damagesmile

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #5

    As I drive a Land Rover I carry branch loppers at all times.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,198 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #6

    Agreed but if on a caravan site it ought to be fit for purpose!  Be good to know which site.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,152 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #7

    I think the clue might be in the statement that it's an 8ft wide caravan - at least, I think that's what the OP means.

    I'd suggest not bringing that van to the lanes of Cornwall.

     

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,068 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #8

    Doesn't sound like a Club Site, if OP was directed to pitch? If van is 8ft wide, that is one heck of a monster to get through most normal gates and on site routes, and you appear to have been left with quite a bit of damage.

    Golden rule when traversing narrow places, negotiating unknown routes when driving or towing is to take a look at any potential hazards on foot first, and get someone to watch you through the hazard if a co pilot is available. You will certainly need to give cyclists and horse riders a very wide berth!

    Was it not apparent as you approached that it was going to be a tight squeeze? I know we have had to back off a couple of times with our MH, but one of us was out watching both sides, making sure all ok.

    That said, I hope things get sorted, and it isn't too costly for you.

  • lagerorwine
    lagerorwine Forum Participant Posts: 310
    edited April 2017 #9

    Hedge looks like its been trimmed recently and presumably whoever did it thought it was ok, so I would measure the tarmac road width and width at window height and take it from there. However, if I had a 2017 van, anything that looked tight would have been investigated before venturing through, and if it looked possible, progress would have been very slow!

  • ClubMember1333A783BB
    ClubMember1333A783BB Forum Participant Posts: 41
    edited April 2017 #10

    Difficult to tell from picture but these bushes don't look too high. The scratches on your van are fairly high up the window, are you 100% certain that these are the offending bushes?

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #11

    A tip for the future. Get a length of plastic drain pipe that you will use for waste water on a "super" pitch. Cut it to two feet longer than the width of your 'van. Then if in doubt, get it out, and compare it to the gap.

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited April 2017 #12

    I have, on occasions, had to unhitch the caravan temporarily and use the motor mover in order to get the caravan on its own around a particularly tight corner. Worth doing in case of doubt.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Club Member Posts: 11,357 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #13

    the new Bailey Approach MHs are 2.49m wide.....8' 2" in old money.frown

    soon be back to a man with a red flag walking in front....wink

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