It's official...we are crazy for campervans

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  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,428 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #272

    grass verge or not, there has to be a 3m spacing between any part of your outfit and the next.

    Yes if you only have slim pitches just for MH then it would work, but that is taking out pitches that could be used for caravans, or even part of the car park, hardly inclusive is it?

    At present any unit can use a pitch so any can potentially make money from anyone wanting to book and use it. Your system, though of course  beneficial and cheaper no doubt to you  would not.

    Again your vacuum cleaner analogy fails, ok we should sell vacuum cleaners mmm but we only have storage space for (eg) microwaves. To sell vacuum cleaners we'll have to stop selling microwaves and they make more money and more people want them?

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,428 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #273

    no, but it is far easier than arguing your pointundecided

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #274

    grass verge or not, there has to be a 3m spacing between any part of your outfit and the next.

    About 200 posts back I made the suggestion as to how three mini-pitches could be made out of one large one. This included getting agreement to site motor caravans (and therefore all the other marketing-speak names that abound) without awnings or trailer cars at a closer spacing than that used at present.  This was to be based on the concept that three such units was much the same fire load as one full fat caravan with awning and tow car. There would still be the current spacing between the groups of three.

    May the Blue Skies be with you!

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,428 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #275

    indeed you did, but like I said you would then lose one pitch that could be used for either MH or caravan, just in case these new camapervans didn't turn up?

    Also apart from a very few poster on here who seem more mindful of saving money than anything else IHMO, would there be a demand for these slim line pitches? Would MH really want to be so packed in when at present they have more space than a caravan?

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited October 2018 #276

    grass verge or not, there has to be a 3m spacing between any part of your outfit and the next.

    In a situation of tow car, caravan, awning 3m is required between tow car and neighouring awning for example, but 6 m minimum, between inhabited units. 

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited October 2018 #277

    that's funny, I thought MH and caravans currently used the same sized pitches?

    of course, if caravanners want to pack their pitch with stuff like cars, awnings etc, that's up to them

     

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,428 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #278

    yes indeed I forgot, oh well have to stick with the current pitches thensmile

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,428 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #279

    of course if motorhomes want to pack their pitches with stuff like cars, awning etc, that's up to themsmile

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited October 2018 #280

    but then they'd have the same space as a caravan....

    perhaps you might explain your previous post a bit more?undecided

    the one about pitch size, that is...

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited October 2018 #281

    They do stock a vacuum cleaner but not cheap ones.

    Nothing to do with verges but all to do with fire gaps. 6 normal spaces might take up 72m. Narrow ones would permit perhaps 8 spaces instead that could only be of use to a solo motorhome/camper. No difference in per person charge and so the only saving would be on pitch fee and even that would be a minimal amount. 

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited October 2018 #282

    I thought MH and caravans currently used the same sized pitches?

    Who said otherwise? Not me

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited October 2018 #283

    I didn't say it was.....just look back about three posts...

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,428 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #284

    it's pretty straightforward BB, it mentioned space. 

    Unlike your post which sort of implied that only caravaners have cars and awnings?

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #285

    Just reread my post and no I didn’t mention the comparison word I believe I made a statement.  

    PS a lot of sites over there have more than 1 high season price per year.  I do read the Acsi newsletters I receive.

    PPS I’m trustng that the club will know when to make the changes to different types of pitches/facilities/costs so from my point of view this is bit of a dead conversation.  Yes the poster did raise some questions but not the same old it’s better..............

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited October 2018 #286

    The whole issue is one of combustibility, is it not? From thence the 6m gap is derived. Campervans are metal boxes and therefore any fire would tend to be contained. Caravans and most Motorhomes are composites and more flammable. Last summer I spent a fair few nights on Aires snuggled up to other motorhomes. The prospect of a premature cremation did not unduly concern me. Part of the fire risk is alleviated by the ability to quickly move a motorhome whilst it would take significantly longer to move a caravan. Cars, containing various flammable fluids, can park next to caravans but again can move quickly in extremis. ISTM that the 6m rule would appear to be primarily calculated on the ability of moving other units that may be at risk in a speedy manner.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #287

    In my view CY another example of the outdated thinking of how to cater for the greater mobility of motorhome and campervans. As an aside, for whatever reason, I see more camper vans especially the smaller variety on C&CC sites.

    peedee 

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,428 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #288

    indeed petrol tends to confine it self very well I've noticed,

    oh what was that stuff on top of the metal called? Does that burn well? What about all that plastic. I think once a car or campervan is on fire it burns very well and the question is not one of containment it is heat generated

    Remember that pic posted on here about a fire on club site? The fire was contained but units next to it at 6m were quite damaged, at that was at 6m.

    Moving a motor home is easy if of course the driver/owner is there and awake,  but I do believe that even motorhomers do go out for the day without their MH. How would you move it then? Push it, well better hope they have left their handbrake off and in neutral?

    It is probably easier to move an unattended caravan than a MH

    I am amazed that people will risk fire safety just to get a few pounds off their pitch feesundecided

  • MichaelT
    MichaelT Forum Participant Posts: 1,874
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    edited October 2018 #289

    Also take into account these guidelines were made in the 1960's I believe when everything was highly inflammable in a caravan such as furnishings, bed linen, Awnings not to mention the gas mantle lighting and the fact many were made of plywood.  Nowadays furnishings, awnings etc. are fire retardant by law (furnishings anyway), we have electric lighting, flame failure devices on gas appliances, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms so the risk is much less now.

    Like many we stay on Aires, pub car parks and do not feel at any greater risk than having a 6m gap so like PD says above and many have said earlier this is outdated thinking and should be looked at in the context of camper vans/MH's.  Perhaps a 2/3m gap, no awnings/canopies allowed out, no BBQ's etc.  At least look into it and give it a go instead of this blinkered thinking and the jealousy some people have that a MH/camper vanner is getting something different or better than them at their detriment.  After all look at all the space Glamping Pods take and not sure they have 6m gaps but is that special treatment for one part of the membership or inclusiveness to cater for all tastes?

  • MichaelT
    MichaelT Forum Participant Posts: 1,874
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    edited October 2018 #290

    Remember that pic posted on here about a fire on club site? The fire was contained but units next to it at 6m were quite damaged, at that was at 6m.

     

    I have been a member for nearly 20 years now and I think this has been the only incident I have seen. 

    When out and about I often see Ambulances with blue lights, sometimes police cars but rarely a fire engine, so in general we are all safer nowadays with fire retardant furnishings, alarms etc.

    There was a bad fire in a house yesterday where tragically some people were killed, it is very rare and yes they still occur and even with a 26m space there could still be incidents especially if parked near trees, hedges etc. but it is a very rare occurrence so you have to look at the actual risk not stick by some outdated guidelines thought up by someone 60 years ago.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #291

    I am amazed that people will risk fire safety just to get a few pounds off their pitch

    I take my kife in my hands every time I go out.

    peedee

     

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,428 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #292

    guidelines were actually produced  by various fire services and the copy I have is dated 2014.

    I think the fact that it has only happened on a club site once in 20 years therefore lets risk it is totally irresponsible? Where would you draw the line? two in 20 years? 10? It can and does happen, hence the safty guidelines, I am really hoping the next fire will not be when you are next to it?

    But it is not all bad news Michael, if you don't rate fire safety that high or think the risk is reasonable then you do not have to use a club site?

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited October 2018 #293

    I think you will find that it was more like 6yrs ago or not long before that the guidelines were up dated hence the reasoning,behind the larger gaps which has reduced the amount of awning pitches on some sites,and there have been several fires on cc sites plus numerous others on other companies sites

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,428 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #294

    indeed we all do, and I have heard that sooo many times on various H&S meetings, mainly from people who think H&S does not matter or can't get their own way on something that the law prohibitsundecided

    It's not really a valid argument, risk your life all you want and how you want, but you shouldn't risk other people's lives

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #295

    If there was still thought to be a risk of fire spread with camper vans parked closer than current Club Rules define, then it would be simple to erect fire resitant barriers between the mini-pitches. These could be cheaply built using breeze blocks, and would be a great way of defining the limits of each mini-pitch.

    If they were painted white, the occupants of these vehicles would see much the same as when parked close to another vehicle - after all, they are not wanting to enjoy the view but to pay a cheap price, and probably have the blinds closed anyway. Using this idea, more than three mini-pitches at a time could be lined up, saving even more space.

    Some nice planting of hedge and tree around the outside would help other site users to be less offended by looking at what would resemble a byre!

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited October 2018 #296

    I was involved in a very safety orientated industry,and H&S was top of the agender all the time hence it it is now, for the type of work involved,at the last review the safest to work in,but there was always those who thought they knew better,and normally caused the "accident"

  • MichaelT
    MichaelT Forum Participant Posts: 1,874
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    edited October 2018 #297

    It is not to get a few pounds off!!! It is about the choice of pitch, like many would like a HS pitch others don't, some want EHU others do not, some want showers/toilet blocks others do not, its about choice and catering for the modern world we live in.  And if we are all going to have camper vans in the next 20 years we need to cater for them alongside caravans, glamping pods, holiday cottages etc.

    Again it seems to me those people who would not or could not use these types of pitches are the most vociferous against it, as I said before it seems jealousy thinking someone was getting something they are not or do not want but hey instead of saying OK if that's what you want get on with it you all seem to be throwing your toys out of the pram.  

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #298

    That's a very interesting post, Michael. HS or grass pitches cost the same  (at the moment), use or non use of showers/toilets cost the same (at the moment). So are you saying you'd be prepared to pay the same price for one of these quick turn around pitches (minus a deduction of, say £3 for non EHU)?

    Your second paragraph, as so often with this subject, is simply patronising and insulting and talk of "jealousy" is a bit rich given some poster's repeated requests for metered electricity because they feel they are subsidising those who use more (ie getting something they're not).

    As for your final sentence, it seems a tried and trusted method of attempting to disparage anyone taking an alternative view which is sad given that discussions such as this should be capable of being held in an adult way.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited October 2018 #299

    I do not think it is anything to do with "jealousy?" ,it it more to do with the ethos of this club or any other site operator who is "inclusive" in their outlook,and as the only real thing that some do not want is EHU,and the "inclusive" pitch charge came about as on the majority of companies sites as a cost effective way of encompassing govenment legislation,without having to make large finacial commitment for alternative methods,that apart from a few has not caused any "problems" 

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,428 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #300

    +1

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,428 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #301

    If people do not want the things that the club site supplies then there are lots of other sites that do?

    campervans are provided for now as well as in the future.

     All we are doing is responding to your posts, but just because we do not agree with you we are accused of throwing our toys out?