Twin Axle Campsites

Daveboy1
Daveboy1 Forum Participant Posts: 7
edited April 2018 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

Just been going through the Camping Card ACSI book planning possible stops suggested / recommended to us for our journey down through France to  Spain in two weeks’ time only to find that very few allow twin axial caravans! Any guidance from people who have done it with a twin and there advice will be greatly appreciated.

We did similar journey 20 years ago, and just pulling up at a camping municipal when we had enough for the day and always got in. The only site which was a bit iffy was in Chartres where there were a lot of white vans with twin axials who seemed to be fairly permeant, it was only for one night so stuck with it.

Thanks

David

Comments

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2018 #2

    I'm surprised the to hear what you say - I thought it was just a few municipal sites which didn't like to accept twins. But I read of some very cautious people with twins who phone ahead to every site to ask, and some more confident folk who just turn up, say a cheerful Bonjour,  and smile. Which are you? 

  • Longtimecaravanner
    Longtimecaravanner Forum Participant Posts: 642
    edited April 2018 #3

    We caravanned in France in May and June for four years with our twin axle and were never turned away. A couple of sites did say that they wouldn't have taken us in peak season but at that time of year we could spread over two pitches without a problem.

    Three years ago we changed back to a single axle and one of the reasons was the constant concern that we might come up against a site who wouldn't take us.

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,675 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2018 #4

    Although I don't have a twin axle, one of the difficulties, I can imagine, is the size of pitches. 

    My experience is that some sites in Germany and more so in Italy have some quite small pitches.  In 2016, we booked a site in Italy and we specifies a large pitch. It was a superior pitch with its own little toilet block in the corner of the pitch, our own water and waste etc, but the pitch itself was quite small and on a slope.  We managed, but had we not booked, there would have been nothing at the site at all for us.  A larger van would not have got on the pitch.  France is easier but Germany hs its difficulties.

    While this does not apply to all sites, I'm sure, it certainly applies to some - as I have experienced, so personally I wouldn't risk turning up on spec.  I don't know about Spain.  If I had a double axle/ large caravan, personally I would book beforehand or at least ring up before you movecfrom your current site to make sure they can accommodate you by giving them the length of the van and add on a bit for good measure!!

    David

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2018 #5

    As a twin axle owner, and as we often go to Germany, our experience has been quite different.

    Sites in Germany are very relaxed about taking twin axle vans, and we have rarely had a problem with pitch size.  As we tour low season, if the pitches are a little short we have been told just to overlap on the pitch behind or beside.

    While pitches in France are also generally a good size, we have started to encounter sites that will not take a twin axle, nothing to do with the size of the caravan,  or try to  charge 3 times as much.  However, it is usually not too difficult to go elsewhere as there are so many sites in France.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2018 #6

    I take it you are looking at the ACSI sites that say "twin axles accepted" or similar?   This is a relatively recent addition to the info in the ACSI book, so I would not assume that those without the symbol will not accept a twin axle.  

    If their pitches are large, I would e mail or phone and ask them what their policy is, but do check that they will not charge you extra.

  • Daveboy1
    Daveboy1 Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited April 2018 #7

    Thank you all for your replies and input.

    I would prefer to pre book but not knowing how far we might get in a day is the unknown at the moment, as we are staying off AutoRoute’s. I think will see what progress we are making and then call around midday.

    On the CC app there is no mention of whether twins allowed or not.

     

     

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
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    edited April 2018 #8

    When booking our hols sur le continent I always advise the length of the Caravan but not that it is a twin axle until or unles they ask. 

  • Guy53
    Guy53 Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited April 2018 #9

    Hi all,

     

    Hereby a reply (with grammatical mistakes, I'm sure) from a guy from Belgium, actually travelling 3 months in the UK.

    The campings avoid (officially) accepting twin axial caravans, because many "gens de voyage" travel with this kind of caravans. They don't want this kind of "customers" on their campside.

     

    If you show up, and they can see you, the camping usually will accept you. Do a little effort, en speak some French, Spanish, ... and many doors will go open for you. 

    If you want to travel, you will need to speak some basic foreign languages. For travelling inside Europe French, Spanish and German will be sufficient.

     

    Have nice holidays.

    Guy

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