Anyone else encountered Motorhome hostility?

Mick Kennedy

Mick Kennedy

LIFE MEMBER
Joined
Mar 25, 2020
Posts
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69,618
MH
SWIFT KONTIKI 649
Exp
SINCE 1980
I wonder if many others have encountered unbidden hostility simply because you drive a motorhome?

I have been driving these lovely vans since 1980 (a Bedford CF, various VW combie's, a Winnebago and now a Kontiki 649) and I've never had a problem. But my eldest son recently bought his first motorhome and has had some very negative experiences - from people flicking the V's at him to being cut up, or just getting nasty looks.

OK, I've had people a bit miffed if they get stuck behind us on a long country road, but nothing major; yet my lad, a good ''advanced'' driver is seeing some hostility. Maybe it's because he's young and people are resentful? I don't know.

Without opening a ''nasty'' thread of horrible stories, I'd be interested to know of others' experience in this regard.

Happy New Year, one and all!

Mick
 
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Mick Kennedy said:
I wonder if many others have encountered unbidden hostility simply because you drive a motorhome?

I have been driving these lovely vans since 1980 (a Bedford CF, various VW combie's, a Winnebago and now a Kontiki 649) and I've never had a problem. But my eldest son recently bought his first motorhome and has had some very negative experiences - from people flicking the V's at him to being cut up, or just getting nasty looks.

OK, I've had people a bit miffed if they get stuck behind us on a long country road, but nothing major; yet my lad, a good ''advanced'' driver is seeing some hostility. Maybe it's because he's young and people are resentful? I don't know.

Without opening a ''nasty'' thread of horrible stories, I'd be interested to know of others' experience in this regard.

Happy New Year, one and all!

Mick
Click to expand...
Sorry about your son’s experience - but not in ours
 
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The only complaint we have had was from a guy at a beach CP on a Greek island which we use regularly. He has a rental cottage about 100m back from the CP and complained that we were ruining his business.

We are wll-known there and friendly with lots of locals and the taverna owner who I have known for 20 years. We related the complaint and was told that the guy was awkward and not popular. We understand the 'words were had'. Complaints stopped.
 
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Mick Kennedy said:
I wonder if many others have encountered unbidden hostility simply because you drive a motorhome?

I have been driving these lovely vans since 1980 (a Bedford CF, various VW combie's, a Winnebago and now a Kontiki 649) and I've never had a problem. But my eldest son recently bought his first motorhome and has had some very negative experiences - from people flicking the V's at him to being cut up, or just getting nasty looks.

OK, I've had people a bit miffed if they get stuck behind us on a long country road, but nothing major; yet my lad, a good ''advanced'' driver is seeing some hostility. Maybe it's because he's young and people are resentful? I don't know.

Without opening a ''nasty'' thread of horrible stories, I'd be interested to know of others' experience in this regard.

Happy New Year, one and all!

Mick
Click to expand...
Not had any issues really throughout the UK and Europe over many years , I do allow people to pass when I can and will usually pull over to allow oncoming vehicles to pass in narrow roads, (quite a few of which don't even raise a hand) I am careful where I park and I try not to obscure or interfere with other peoples enjoyment. Having said that if someone does, for some reason take unjustified issue, with my use of my motorhome, which I hope my behaviour prevents my answer would be DILLIGAF.

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Clewie68 said:
Personally I blame the government. They pay way too many mindless out of work people to stay at home. Two mindless people have a child, (also paid for) then the are three. This has been going on for decades. Now there are entire towns of mindless skanks with no idea of the true value of money.

Rant over. I think I've got my moaning today. Again. 😆🤭

No problems though with people giving me grief about the campervan as I don't own one yet. I pick it up in March. Can't wait. What a day that will be. 🥳🥳🥳🥳
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Oh dear, have you thought about pushing your bed to the other side of room, obviously a bit trickier when you get your van.
Mike.
 
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Most people are fantastic but there is always the odd plonker. Define odd in the most appropriate way.

In Ireland we were parked up in a lovely out of the way spot when we had a tap on the hab door. I thought it might be The Gardai wanting us to move on but it was the man from the tourist information checking we were okay and didn't need anything before he went off duty. We took him to the pub.

Only place in Ireland the was not welcoming was south of Dublin probably because of undesirables.
 
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Never had a problem, quite the opposite actually as have come across so many people who want to talk about their desire to own a MH. I’m no slouch in the MH but I do keep an eye on speed of cars behind and quite happy to let them know when they can overtake/ or slow down to aid that. After many years of travelling down to Cornwall by car I’m acutely aware how annoying it can be stuck behind caravans and MHs who appear blind to the carnage they’re causing behind them.
 
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I think.like many here,ai had previously driven larger vehicles a( in my case up to 7.5 ton), although not on a regular basis.

Those early experiences had taught me the pull over when you can, and when we first joined Fun, I recollect it being frequently posted in the advice to newbies to motorhomes including me. Don't remember seeing it for years though. Maybe driving a motorhome with courtesy should be part of what we point new people at in the same way as we often refer them to the buyers guide prepared by Jim?
 
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No real issues except plonkers cutting across us on Motorways when they must feel they have overtake us and then dive for the slip road off, when it happens now I give them a Blast on my foghorn/trucker horns and it’s great to watch them leap out of their seats 🤣🤣🤣🤣
 
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It's always a bit annoying when you pull over to let cars past and they then merely travel at the same speed you were doing. I bet gus-lopez solves any aggression issue with a quick press of the'50 cal' button on his dash.

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I get the "Bloody Emmetts" stare every time I'm in Cornwall.
(Despite the family being in the same Cornish village since at least the 1100's)

The locals would love to declare independence and put in a visa requirement to cross the Tamar
(with the English visa costing more than and other country).

It would however send the Principality back to pre-Victorian levels of poverty.
But the typical Cornish person seems unable to think the process through.
 
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I find a lot of people underestimate the power and speed of a modern motorhome.
I get occasional attempts to cut me up, who then get surprised when I put my foot down.

My 0 to 85mph acceleration is faster than many cars.
They are not expecting to have to have to hit 100mph to pass a motorhome.
(That said, I normally set my max speed at 65mph, which is just fast enough to pass the lorries)
 
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Brains said:
I get the "Bloody Emmetts" stare every time I'm in Cornwall.
(Despite the family being in the same Cornish village since at least the 1100's)

The locals would love to declare independence and put in a visa requirement to cross the Tamar
(with the English visa costing more than and other country).

It would however send the Principality back to pre-Victorian levels of poverty.
But the typical Cornish person seems unable to think the process through.
Click to expand...

Really, that's odd, I live in Cornwall and have done for 40 years and I have taken my MH down many small Cornish lanes and met locals coming the other way and had no issue.....and my registration is not a local one, so they do not know I am local!

If you scratch below the surface, you will find much of Cornwall is in poverty and has been for decades.
 
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Mick Kennedy said:
I wonder if many others have encountered unbidden hostility simply because you drive a motorhome?

I have been driving these lovely vans since 1980 (a Bedford CF, various VW combie's, a Winnebago and now a Kontiki 649) and I've never had a problem. But my eldest son recently bought his first motorhome and has had some very negative experiences - from people flicking the V's at him to being cut up, or just getting nasty looks.

OK, I've had people a bit miffed if they get stuck behind us on a long country road, but nothing major; yet my lad, a good ''advanced'' driver is seeing some hostility. Maybe it's because he's young and people are resentful? I don't know.

Without opening a ''nasty'' thread of horrible stories, I'd be interested to know of others' experience in this regard.

Happy New Year, one and all!

Mick
Click to expand...
The only hostile looks 👀 I get are from the wife 🙃
 
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A lot of locals around here are anti motorhome especially in terms of parking most are in favour of the councils new parking restrictions. Does it make sense probably not.......are a lot of people against anyone not seen as part of the group they see themselves as quite often.

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Otter Spotter said:
No real issues except plonkers cutting across us on Motorways when they must feel they have overtake us and then dive for the slip road off, when it happens now I give them a Blast on my foghorn/trucker horns and it’s great to watch them leap out of their seats 🤣🤣🤣🤣
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One of my favourite things I used to love while driving HGV's was the horn. I became the self-appointed punisher of queue jumpers on the M25.

It's usually a white van who tries to push into the queue but can't find a space and becomes and static vehicle in lane one. Very dangerous.

I'd get close and POW!. Give him a nice big dose of lorry horn. It would often be returned which was lovely as I knew my message had been received 😆.

It's a shame Q from the James Bond movies doesn't make trucks🤭.
 
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Clewie68 said:
One of my favourite things I used to love while driving HGV's was the horn. I became the self-appointed punisher of queue jumpers on the M25.

It's usually a white van who tries to push into the queue but can't find a space and becomes and static vehicle in lane one. Very dangerous.

I'd get close and POW!. Give him a nice big dose of lorry horn. It would often be returned which was lovely as I knew my message had been received 😆.

It's a shame Q from the James Bond movies doesn't make trucks🤭.
Click to expand...
You want one them forward lifting dumster trucks. Scoop up the queue jumper and dump them in the back.
Mike.
 
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Clewie68 said:
One of my favourite things I used to love while driving HGV's was the horn. I became the self-appointed punisher of queue jumpers on the M25.

It's usually a white van who tries to push into the queue but can't find a space and becomes and static vehicle in lane one. Very dangerous.

I'd get close and POW!. Give him a nice big dose of lorry horn. It would often be returned which was lovely as I knew my message had been received 😆.

It's a shame Q from the James Bond movies doesn't make trucks🤭.
Click to expand...
Google 'Turkish Air horns'

A number of companies will send you a set of serious *uck off air horns.
(Technically illegal in the UK/EU)

You need to wire them into a seperate switch so that the regular horn still works in the old way.

The noise a decent set of air horns makes can be impressive (as well as having a setting to play Yankee doodle dandy!)
 
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Yes, my OH gets more waves than me. He says (obviously joking) it's because women shouldn't be driving motorhomes, so male drivers don't acknowledge me. However, once, I did actually get a wave from a Hymer AND a PVC in the same week, it's never happened since 🤣

But no, no hostility towards us at all.
 
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Brains said:
I get the "Bloody Emmetts" stare every time I'm in Cornwall.
(Despite the family being in the same Cornish village since at least the 1100's)

The locals would love to declare independence and put in a visa requirement to cross the Tamar
(with the English visa costing more than and other country).

It would however send the Principality back to pre-Victorian levels of poverty.
But the typical Cornish person seems unable to think the process through.
Click to expand...
Carried out a poll have you?
 
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Themselves said:
Someone failed to wave at me once. Mind you, I omitted to wave at him so all is even.
Click to expand...
That could make new game, "chicken waving", who can leave their wave to the absolute last possible moment, the winner being whoever gets their wave in before the oncoming van can reciprocate. No points for one finger salutes at parallel passing moment.
Mike

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