Will motorhome fit on my drive?

chewplop
chewplop Forum Participant Posts: 5
edited August 2018 in Motorhomes #1

Hi. I am thinking of buying a motorhome for the 1st time. Very anxious thou that might buy one and not actually be able to get it onto my drive!!!!

 

I was looking at Lunar Telstar which is about 

Width7'9" (2.36 M)

Length19'9" (6.02 M)

Height 9'1" (2.77 M)

 

Drive entrance is 12 ft wide so in theory I guess I should be able to squeeze it in but what about turning circle of road directly outside of property? Will there be enough room to swing it round? I measured road out front of house to be about 16ft wide.

Is there a computer algorithm somewhere which i can input dimensions into to give me some reassurance?

Scared stiff of manovering a motorhome and worse still finding i can't park it!!!!! Starting to think my dream of owning/driving a motorhome might be beyond my limited driving ability :-(

 

Maria

Comments

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2018 #2

    There is a suitable program if you know somebody working in highway design - Autotrack

    As an ex highway engineer 16' is usually a bit more at 58m. Also you often have a footway width to assist. 

     

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 2018 #3

    Ask dealer for a test drive and give it a go.  A vehicle is more manoeuverable in reverse, so if stumped try backing it in.

    Perhaps you have a friend or neighbour who is an HGV driver who could assist?

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,860 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2018 #4

    Maria

    I had the simalar concerns when thinking about buying our Bailey Motorhome but this time getting it into our back garden. White Arches offered to bring it down to MK and reverse it into the garden which they did successfully, no choice but to sign the paperwork thensmile

    At least your motorhome is reasonably compact which must go in its favour in terms of getting onto your parking area.

    David

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited August 2018 #5

    The width of the road is quite a bit less than the length of the MH so you are going to be “cutting the corner” as you reverse into your drive. So it depends what you have at the end of your drive - hedges, wall, pillars or does it just open out onto a pavement.

    If you are spending a lot of money the dealer may well be prepared to bring it to your house and try parking it which was a great suggestion above.

    I towed a caravan for 30 years and the first time I collected our brand new motorhome I reversed it onto our drive and scraped the wall so take care and make sure you are confident before buying.

  • chewplop
    chewplop Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited August 2018 #6

    Just out side the  drive there is a 4ft wide pavement before you get to the 16ft wide road. on other side I guess there is a grass bank which i guess is a couple of feet wide.

     

    Drive consists of gate posts ether side attached to cotswold stone walls.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2018 #7

    I mentioned 'Autotrack' computer program earlier. As a highway design engineer before retirement I used the (expensive) program a lot to model many vehicles. Even using it to put in the particular specs for abnormal load vehicles and to model other vehicles. There are companies that will carry out such an analysis for £200 or less. Not only would that permit you to see if it would work it will enable you to see if any amendments might make it work.

    The difficulty for many is reversing in with a long vehicle and so any analysis needs to be done both forwards and in reverse.  

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited August 2018 #8

    Never mind impractical Computer apps or other algorithm aids. . The only way you are going to find out if you personally can park your chosen Motor home in your drive is to try and do it.  

    Ask to test drive the motor home and give it a try.  If at any stage you are uncertain, stop, and accept that your ideal of keeping a motorhome on your drive is a non starter. --But--If you can park it successfully and safely, then you can buy with confidence. 

    cool

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited August 2018 #9

    Drive consists of gate posts ether side attached to cotswold stone walls.

    We chopped a tree down & dug up some bushes to widen our entrance sufficiently.  Could a builder move the gate posts a bit........?

    The other thing to consider  is your neighbours if you have any....

    One of ours consistently parks cars in the road opposite our drive and we have fallen out over it on occasions as it has caused accidents as we try to get off our drive.  You may want/need plenty of spare room if any vehicle is likely to be parked nearby....

  • chewplop
    chewplop Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited August 2018 #10

    I have decided I will not be beaten. If push comes to shove I assume I could place it is storage nearby :-)

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2018 #11

    Only you know that smile

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited August 2018 #12

    agree, only you know the answer.

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited August 2018 #13

    Sorry to be negative but secure storage can be hard to come by and more expensive than you may think. Suggest you check that out first.

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited August 2018 #14

    If your motorhome will be in your front garden, you may be breaching a covenant on your deeds - best have a check!

    Using a storage facility approved by your insurer might be the answer. Your insurance premium might be reduced to offset the storage fees, and your 'van will be more secure when not in use; moreover, burglars will not able to tell when your away from home!!

    Try this link CaSSOA

  • chewplop
    chewplop Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited August 2018 #15

    Spoke to a lovely lady today who runs a gold rated storage centre nearby. Not too expensive so think at least for the first 6 months whilst i get used to driving it I will play it safe and store. 

    Got to be cheaper than any acciident repair bills!!!