Why book a awning pitch ?
Why do some members book a awning pitch when they have no intention of putting a awing up ?
Comments
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That pretty much sums it up. Also, there is no obligation to erect an awning on an awning pitch. Some people may fully intend to use their awning when they book but circumstances at the time of arrival (weather, perhaps) dictate otherwise so I'm not sure how you know those people have no intention of using an awning.
Here’s another angle. If all non-awning pitches are booked but numerous awning pitches remain, should I book an awning pitch or abandon my plans to visit that site? Hmm, what would you do, Phil?
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Why not?
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Why not indeed?
And how do you know they have "no intention" of putting up their awning? We always booked an awning pitch, only ever used a porch awning as a sort of buffer zone to clean the dogs, take off boots etc. But if the weather is set fair there was no need to do that. When we booked we fully intended to though.
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It’s all about the space. Club Site pitches are often so close, and I hate listening to someone else’s TV, so try and get as much space as possible. 😁
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When I am thinking of booking a site my usual first port of call is the Site Plan. I then make a judgement whether to book an awning pitch or a non awning pitch. As Goldie mentions on some sites there are very few non awning pitches so when one gets to a site one likes the best choice. I do sometimes book a non-awning pitch but there are usually reasons for doing that, usually because I stand a better chance of getting a hardstanding. Perhaps rather than thinking of them as awning pitches they should be thought of as standard pitches?
David
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I'm a caravanner and always book a 'standard pitch with awning'. For trips of seven nights or less, I don't normally erect an awning but, for me, I want space to put my chairs and a table out and have room to park my car without encroaching on the grass strip.
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As above there are numerous reasons, we sometimes put our awning up the day after we arrive and take our awning down a night or two before leaving so if you see an awning pitch with no awning (assuming there is a caravan there
) that could be why. More space and perhaps to have the car next to the caravan where the awning would have been, which we like anyway.But the main reason is that you can.
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Pretty much the same as everyone else, because we can. We will always book and awning pitch if one available even if we have no intention of putting up an awning, it just gives you more space to sit out or put the car at the door side. As there is no price difference, there is no incentive to not do so.
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In the grand scheme of things across the network there are very few non awning pitches out there in comparison with awning ones. Some NA pitches are in what some consider prime position too, not always in pokey corners. I'm more than happy to book an awning pitch though and then ask to change to a NA pitch on arrival if a good one suits us better. We've done this several times when sites and pitches are not fully booked out.
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That is true, about eight years ago I think, it did so happen as you describe but still they are today very much in the minority. To be honest, I'd rather have them where they are necessary than reduce the overall numbers of pitches available to us on some sites. We have some favourite ones on some sites we would always choose if available.
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Deployment of awnings is often weather dependant and whilst intending to use one, a decision may be made that it is not worth the bother upon arrival. Quite a number of factors in play here. The thing to remember when booking is to scroll down if there appears to be no vacancies as the non-awning ones are further down the page.
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I know of one pitch that was reclassified as NA from awning far more recently than 8 yrs. 4 yrs ago when we bought this caravan we used a particular pitch on our maiden outing but when we returned to that site a year or so later, that pitch was then 'only' NA
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Yes, very occasionally it has happened, I think some sites have rejigged pitching now and again to minimise the impact but I do recall that big event about eight years ago when all sites across the whole network had to address the firebreak 'regulations'. It caused much discussion amongst members at the time. One week, close to Easter if I recall right, a few pitches that had been white pegs suddenly became blue. I'm sure someone out there can put a precise date on this event.
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It's something I've never thought about before, out of preference I try and book a awning pitch manly for storage and my dog sleep's in the awning. .but I've been looking for a site not only for my family but a friend's family too who require a awning pitch due to having a child with limited mobility . I couldn't understand why awning pitch were fully booked for one night ie available for Friday and Sunday but fully booked for Saturday couldn't understand why anyone would want to put a awning up for one night now I understand why thanks for your reply"s . When I looked at none awning pitch there was all dates available.
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Phil - depending on the site, you and your friend could book anyway (you have to do it separately). Your friend could request a disabled pitch which are normally HS awning pitches and would in all likelihood be available for the Saturday. You could book for the Friday and Sunday and keep checking as very often the pitch type you want becomes available due to cancellations. Not perfect obviously but a possible solution?
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We always if not been before ,check the site plan, on some sites non awning pitches used to be awning pitches ,before the spacing was made for the latest min between outfits,but normally awning pitches give more space ,and at this time there is no price differance
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On most sites, there are no specially designated disabled pitches, so it is fine just to ring a couple of days before arrival on the site.
What happens is that on the day of arrival the warden will look at which pitches will become available and select the one which they think is nearest to the disabled facilities.
Often there will have been several such requests, so that number of pitches will be "reserved".....generally marked with a cone or a little wheelchair sign.......and whichever member arrives first will get first choice of the reserved pitches.
Note that you do not have to take the "reserved" pitch if there is another vacant one you would rather have, just let the warden know promptly.
Some sites do have "disabled pitches" permanently marked, but be aware that most do not and that when sites are busy you may end up quite far from the facilities, especially over a weekend.
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There are lots of Small private sites out there that have great disabled facilities, such as a separate wet room type bathroom, and a few nice CLs as well. Take a look at Cliff Farm at Sinnington, near Pickering for a nice example. There’s a heading mentioning Small private sites on the UK Touring section.
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Yes, pretty much reckon that's where the problem was and is. I remember at the time of the 'big event' when the reappraisal of the fire breaks took place folk were suggesting it was due to the fact that caravans, tow cars and awnings were getting so much bigger. I guess different ways of meeting the 'needs' became apparent as a result of either trial and error or just plain old better plans! Still, NA pitches across the network are relatively few in number.
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Even though we don't particularly need the space, now we have a MH, we always book an awning pitch if available. It gives us the option of using the wind out awning if we want. If on a non awning pitch it's use depends on maintaining spacing. The only place I have opted for a non awning pitch is Warwick Racecourse, as they are all hardstanding, whilst the awning variety are grass.
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IIRC a wind-out canopy can be used on a non-awning pitch subject to the gaps being maintained. MH's, of course, are just one unit whilst caravans are two.
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