Fifth Wheel access UK
Hello, all you lovely members.
My wife and I have sold our house and plan to takes months or years out of the property market.We've looked at static caravans, caravans, motor homes and fifth wheel.
Because I still work full time "from home" (haven't retired yet. :-) ) and this will be our residence, we need something larger but still with independent transport. As such, we're focussing on fifth wheel. We've also looked at larger motorhomes towing a small car.
The plan is to book ahead and stay in each location from 1 to 3 weeks, before moving elsewhere.
Our main concern thus far is how may sites accept fifth wheel vans - we get the impression that available sites are limited.
Can you guys please comment ?
Thanks in advance, Peter
Comments
-
There's no problem with having a 5th wheeler - a few wardens have them.
Any issue might be with the size of the unit. Each site's webpage will show the max length of a unit acceptable on that site. The size might be governed by pitch sizes, access to the site or manoeuvring space on site. Side slide out extensions might also mean you'd encroach into the required fire gap between units. Size is likely to be the only constraint and could limit your choice of sites.
0 -
Certainly not a cheap option if using CAMC sites £1200 ish a month, through the summer holidays, plus other peaks, of which there are many. You also mention working from home, if that involves internet you would have to be sure the site has good 4G, as the site WiFi is unlikely to be good / reliable enough. If you are content in not moving about as much, you could look to getting a seasonal pitch, which work out much better value.
0 -
Best to ring the sites ahead of booking, they may be able to help with specific info. regarding larger pitches and access. Slide outs shouldn’t be a problem on end of a run of pitches but staff will know best. I recall a thread many years ago on CT about working on/from site but I think that restriction is thankfully long gone. I think it was more to do with sign written adverts on vehicles but you will see them regularly these days.
0 -
Thank you guys for those helpful tips.
I had already determined to book ahead in each case, so checking that they'll accept the size (once I know which rig I settle on) is a sensible suggestion. I'm also aware of the possibility of patchy 4G reception, so I'll have to bear that in mind.
I was more concerned that there may be a general antipathy towards large rigs of that kind - I'm relieved to find that's not necessarily the case.
Regards, Peter
0 -
As far as 4G is concerned you might want to think about getting a roof mounted booster fitted which should improve the signal strength.
Size wise, if a site accepts your length to should be fine although not a bad idea to look at sites on Google Earth as your turning circle will need more space if towing with a pick-up.
I have seen a few posts on social media where people in smaller units complain they are overshadowed but they say the same thing about large motorhomes! Not sure I would worry about that?
David
0 -
Having parked next to a fair few over the years I can only say they are big beasts. 😊
Like others the main problem I would see is the access to some sites, having said that we were next to one at Old Hartley site. That unit had the bottom right hand pitch which is very roomy(also great views) Another we saw at the Middlesbrough site White Water Park, looked out of place surrounded by normal sized outfits but it did fit on the pitch with his slide outs in position. I didn't see his pickup so maybe he parked it in the car park 🤔 Peterbrough site Ferry Meadows was another one where we saw a huge outfit towed by an HGV cab, they were on an end of line pitch up against trees so no over shadowing other vans.
We have come across a few abroad, had a long chat with a couple of owners who were travelling together, they said checking your routes is vital due to narrow streets in towns and booking ahead by phone, so the site really understand how big you are.
0 -
Afternoon
Some good pointers above, especially DD's post regarding CCRV. I'm a happy customer, had mine for 4 years now
They sell many trailers that can be towed with a european truck ie ranger or navarra. Just for info a 30ft trailer is far more manoeuvrable than a twin axle caravan.There used to be a website called "the big pitch guide" that advised on sites for big outfits, not sure if it's still about. There are a few forums to gain advice, the "RV owners club" is pretty good. UKcampsite is pretty good as well but some info. is out of date.
Some site staff get a bit sniffy when it comes to something out of the ordinary but with some planning it's easily doable to do most of this country. You're always welcome here in north Devon, we have several trailers and RV's on over the season.
JK
1 -
I realise you header mentions UK but FWIW here are a few 'lateral thoughts'....
Agree with Brue, but could broaden them even further and take this opportunity to tour Europe. Despite Schengen visiting rules, it would be easy to hop between UK and mainland Europe and still be full time.
roads are far better, much less traffic, sites are a mile away from typical UK fare, and much cheaper for most of the year. fuel, gas, food, wine and most else is cheaper.
you won't need to book sites either other than the peak mid July to end August. Perhaps be here with family at this time?
many folk long term in large vans, say 7.5 to 8m (Carthago, Neismann, Concorde etc) which are easily accommodated everywhere in Europe but, although nowhere near full timers, we manage perfectly well taking 30 odd weeks away from home each year (with 20-24 in Europe) in a 6.4M A class with electric bikes.
With such a great deal of time spent outside, the requirement for a huge van diminishes. As the weather gets colder, move further south.
We can tour easily into town centres, use Aires and full fat sites with pools etc and can get around wherever we wish.
starting the 'process' with the premise you need a huge van will bring other compromises. Remember, a Navarro (or similar) isn't the easiest thing to park in town..
you have a terrific opportunity here, enjoy whatever you decide.
0 -
It maybe that if the OP lives in an LV year round he'll be glad to jet off to a luxury hotel abroad for his holidays, BB.
3 -
Evening
With respect BB, 30 weeks away in your van a year isn't fulltiming. Having no property to fall back on brings a different world of things to get organised with. We've been doing it for 13 years
. I get your point about 8m vans as well but if we're looking at prices, a fifth wheel trailer (new) and a decent pickup can be had for an awful lot less than the European vans you mention, with acres of space making it feel like a small apartment, so much so that the huge chunk of change left over would probably pay for two years site fees in this country at least. A navarra isn't a huge vehicle by todays standards and is as easy to park as any 4x4. Some people like having a vehicle to get around in and not rely on a bicycle. We have electric bikes too but if I had the choice give me a car anyday.Nice idea of going over there though, we do miss it greatly.
JK
3 -
Well, the OP has plenty of advice. I'm sure he'll take it all on board and enjoy his new experience. I wish them good fortune.
0 -
Thank you Guys.
All very helpful (and promising) - food for thought.
Regards, Peter
1 -
Saw your post from 18 months ago - did you get your 5th? if you did, we hope you are enjoying it, but if not, why not? We bought a very old 5thwheeler in 1999 [actually converted from a show display vehicle, & so old we called her Geri - short for Geriatric?] she was our introduction to 5thwheelers, & we loved it. Even in 1999 we really had no trouble with finding sites, & had no problems with any 'anti' larger vehicles brigades. In 2007 we upgraded to an American Jayco, [with slide outs - Geri had had no such luxury] & we loved that just as much [we always checked out sites accessibility beforehand, but our biggest problem was that we had marine waste tanks, & trying to ask beforehand whether there was a 'flat' manhole to empty your 18 gallon 4 wheeled 'blackwater] tank , second only to accessing through 5 barred gates on farm sites [which we used a lot as well.] 3rd issue was to ensure that Wifi was available in area. We sold the 5th last year, but are seriously thinking of getting another, as having gone back to a caravan, we really miss the space. In the 5th, there was actually space to spread out, somewhere to put your clothes & 'stuff' & generally not have feelings of claustrophobia! So I really hope you got your 5th, & are enjoying it.
0
