Awning pitches .
Can anyone explain why people book awning pitches for small camper vans minus awnings / tow cars etc .
Have just returned from Chatsworth site , and over half of the awning pitches were being used by none awning users . Mainly by small camper vans / day vans .
That means some people who need an awning pitch - for an awning - cannot get one .
Comments
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It may be that there were no 'Non Awning' pitches available when they booked.
Personally I prefer grass pitches but have found only hard standing ones to be available on occasions. That being so, one then accepts it and books.
Surely the OP is not suggesting that you cannot do so, just because it is the wrong type of pitch?
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We always book an awning pitch. Then choose while away whether or not we use our awning. Plus they have more space between outfits, therefore a tiny bit more privacy.
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We always book an awning pitch for more room, but as they are the first you see when on web site its probably why most book, without knowing that you can scroll down to other types of pitches,as is noted when some complain about "sites always full?"
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Probably because they are perfectly entitled to do so. The club gives us that freedom of choice.
I echo all the other reasons given above.
Incidentally, unless you are talking about yourself, how do you know some people cannot get awning pitches, or are you speculating?
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There were lots of none awning pitches empty .
We have a disabled daughter and need the awning for the extra equipment . That's why we now caravan rather than motor home .
Have lost count of times we have not been able to book an awning pitch then got on site to find them them taken by people without awnings .
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Scout, have you considered phoning the site you want to stay on & explaining your needs & situation, asking the Wardens if they can help you & your family?. They may just be able to help or hold an awning pitch if one becomes available. It's surely worth a try. Good luck with your quest
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I guess there are many answers/reasons to your query “Can anyone explain why people book awning pitches for small camper vans minus awnings / tow cars etc “
So I would think it probably best as Rocky 2 buckets says to phone the wardens of the site you wish to stay at & not rely on the on line booking system. I am sure they will do their best to help.
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I echo what Rocky said, Scoutabout. Wardens are able to put disabled signs on pitches when they are needed. It's surely the way to go rather than trusting to luck and being disappointed.
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yes, we all 'think' we are getting more for our money...
a simple £2/3 differential would 'guide' (many of) those (like us) who don't have an awning towards a non-awning pitch.
with the price the same, why would anyone choose a (seemingly) 'lesser' pitch?
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BB at White house beach the non awning pitches are considered by some to be the best as they have sea view so paying less for more there!! At Trewetthet farm the economy pitches are overlooking the cliff so again paying less and maybe getting a better pitch/view.
Also its not about pitch size but the ability to maintain the 6 mile gap between units so pitch maybe same size or smaller its just the ability to mind the gap.
I would say if the OP has special needs due to disability and has blue card etc. they can specify this when booking and would be treated according to their needs I believe?
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the 6 mile gap between units
Lots of privacy there then, and no risk of fire spreading
Sorry MichaelT couldn't resist, predictive text? Btw agree with your comments about white water beach. Had a great family holiday there a few (actually over 10 now) years ago!
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They would need to book by phone, probably direct with the site, in the hope that there might be a free awning pitch. There is no facility on line to register special needs or request a "disabled pitch", which is something that would be good for the club to make available.
Also, please remember not all disabled people have or need a blue badge.
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yes, below Lowestoft, sorry that's the one. Get confused with white water park up here
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I virtually always book a none awning pitch when possible.
We use campsites as reasonably secure and convenient places to stay the nights and when required to leave the MH during the day. In fact the same as Stellplatze and Aires etc but with more facilities.
I always think that members with Range Rover sized vehicles piled to the gunnels, twin axle caravans, and enormous full sized awnings with outdoor carpets, fridges and heaters really need the space more than me.
At least I'm considerate
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On many sites the number of non-awning pitches is quite small. We could manage on a non-awning pitch size wise but always book an awning pitch to give us the maximum choice of pitches when we get to the site. Perhaps it's time for the Club to look at a price differential which might concentrate the mind?
David
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When ever I book an awning pitch , which is pretty much every site we visit I'm afraid the decision to erect an awning / sun canopy is mine alone ..........and no one else's.
There was a post earlier this week on CT ......titled Lighten up a Bit 👍
Need I say more .......😇
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Not possessing an awning I once booked a non awning pitch at Wyatts Covert - and the only one available was number 20, right in front of the Motorhome waste emptying point. Great view of the Motorhome owners doing their slopping out but not a pretty sight at breakfast time.
I learned my lesson - so next time we were the folk with a small Eriba some of you perhaps muttered about - small Caravan without an awning on an awning pitch.
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Firstly ,thank you all for your advice and comments . As I said earlier , we were motor home users but changed to a caravan when our adult daughters mobility issues changed . So I meant no disrespect to none caravan users
Secondly , Yes my daughter has a blue badge , makes no difference on site . I have phoned sites before and explained my reason for the need of an awning pitch. Kendal site last year , coned off a suitable pitch for us . When we arrived at the pitch an couple had removed the cone and parked their caravan ( no awning ) flatly refused to move even after I explained the situation . Wardens refused to do anything other than offer us a none awning pitch .
I think the club could do more to address this situation , as suggested a small increase in price for awning pitches may solve a lot of problems . I would happily pay extra .
But sadly some people's attitudes will not change .To those who think it acceptable as it is ...... remember in a few years you may be in a similar position to us , and I hope you don't receive as many negative remarks or as we have .
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Of the bookings we have made in the last couple of years we have generally found that the non awning pitches have booked up before the awning ones. In general most sites have only a few non awning pitches and they are generally the same as the awning pitches so people do book them.Basically the non awning ones were added to allow the updated separation rules when they came in.
There are a few sites though where some of the non awning pitches are clearly less attractive and people then go for the awning ones. Personally I think the club should charge less for the non awning ones to encourage people to book them but I do not know for sure if the modest discount would change peoples mind and get them to take the non awning ones.
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Since the "new" separation rules came in to operation, and the site staff were given "rigid" guidelines to measure all the pitches on their sites, numerous sites seem to have lost what were awning pitches to non awning (hard standing usually) although they are still big pitches, but are too close to the next pitch ie Sandringham and Seacroft are two that we have used before and since the latest fire gaps,and are in nice positions, so i think a price differential would have to be site by site depending on positioning, i know at Seacroft ,i would go for "new" non awning pitch as some have hedges on three sides and we could still use our "wind out" awning
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I think it is terrible that someone moved that cone and stopped you getting that pitch. In the past such cones have upset people thinking the wardens are reserving the pitches for friends (which people have seen) and I agree the club should do more for families like yourselves. To that end I noticed at Melrose a few weeks ago there was a plastic sign on top of the cones, which said reserved for disabled, (well done Melrose wardens btw) I think people will be more reticent to move such a cone and the club should bring this in across the network.
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I agree with Corners' comments above. I would add that the wardens in tbe example given should have shifted the ignorant people who moved the cone.
We have only booked two CAMC sites this year - one has all awning pitches, the other has a choice and we have chosen a non-awning pitch.
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I generally book an awning pitch but don't always put one up. Depends on how long I am staying and what the weather is like. As we book months in advance we make up our minds when we actually arrive. It's a faff putting away a soaking wet awning. Some years ago my van suffered minor damage when part way through our stay it turned very windy. We were out for the day and when we got back the poles had dug into the van scraping the paint.
As for someone moving signs on a pitch, I think that's totally out of order but you always get people who don't think rules or signs apply to them.
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Scoutabout have you emailed the club with your concerns I agree it's totally unacceptable to move a cone but the club could make signs saying reserved for a disabled person do not remove ,I would go on a non awning pitch if it was cheaper ,some of the sites I go not have them but I have changed to a non awning pitch when I have got to a site if it's in a better position for me I park as near to the toilet block as I can ,
ps I,m sorry to see all the negative comments you have had sometimes I despair of the folk on here ,can't say too much as I will get banned but I feel your pain xx
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We book awning get pitches for the space aspect, we only have a wind out canopy but should we want to deploy it we must be on an awning pitch.
With regard to your incident scout man I'm disgusted to read what happened. What ignorant people and I'm horrified by the wardens. If I was that warden Iwouldn't have allowed such behaviour. Surely the wardens would know which pitch number they'd allocated so when the usurper went to advise the pitch number I'd have started. Yes I do work with the public..............
Did you write or speak to HO regarding this incident? I'd be very interested in their response. I believe the DDA should cover something like this?? Surely there should be a policy on this? After all if you book a hotel room telling them you're disabled they couldn't give your room to someone who's not without breaking DDA.
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"ps I,m sorry to see all the negative comments you have had sometimes I despair of the folk on here ,can't say too much as I will get banned but I feel your pain xx"
The early posts were factual and, since Scoutabout explained his position, I've seen nothing but support and understanding.
Why do you feel the need to almost constantly make comments about other posters, GC?
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