Anyone else encountered Motorhome hostility?

[Mick Kennedy]

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

 

[jerryz]

No Hostility from the Public in UK but plenty of hostility from Clowncils , CarParks etc in UK ,,, No hostility in Europe though except in Nijmegen

 

[stuartholmes]

I've been driving campervans since 1980s & the most hostility I can remember is failing to acknowledge when I pull in to let someone overtake. Not that this is at all common now that I have 3 litres, and it's more than made up for by the white van people who treat me with the consideration I've always given them when driving a car.

So another 'not me' to the original question, & sorry that anyone experienced otherwise.

But this is about driving, parking anywhere remotely near a nice seaside cafe can be a different matter..

 

[Vanman]

I had to make an emergency stop at a motorway services a couple of days ago - gut rot. As I was heading for the toilet a woman parked next to us jumped out and shouted that I would have to move as her husband would be unable to get in his drivers door; I quickly explained why that was not happening and they'd gone when I got back. It was quite a big car and I was no nearer the dividing line than they were

 

[Nanniemate]

No.
But I was once insulted when asked if I sold ice creams; my PVC was parked in a very quiet beach car park.
The guy then started laughing and then went on to admire the van so I made him a cup of tea

My answer to that is no but do hot dogs,
I don't care what people say about, or call my van
I call it loads of things some not very complementary.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Verteuil Man]

No hostility, but you can see a move forward of cars that stop at junctions coming onto the road you are travelling on in a 'shall I, shan't i' twitch.
And you also get the irritated plonker behind you who got out of bed late and is in a rush. But on the whole no.

 

[VXman]

Jealousy of other's apparent success is one of the characteristics of the British way of life.
In America, I've seen Ferrari's parked in busy streets and the passers-by just admire it.
In the UK they would be smashing it up within 5 minutes.

I doubt your average Brit is jealous of someone with a motorhome. Most of my mates reckon I'm just a cheapskate who won't pay for a proper hotel on holiday.

 

[Basildog]

I doubt your average Brit is jealous of someone with a motorhome. Most of my mates reckon I'm just a cheapskate who won't pay for a proper hotel on holiday.

Yes it’s always puzzled me why so many Caravan / Motorhome owners instantly want to believe that others are jealous, the majority of people I have worked with cannot understand why anyone sane would want to leave a perfectly good house and live in a tin box

 

[Nanniemate]

Yes it’s always puzzled me why so many Caravan / Motorhome owners instantly want to believe that others are jealous, the majority of people I have worked with cannot understand why anyone sane would want to leave a perfectly good house and live in a tin box

I have a friend who likes cruising which is my idea of hell or 'butlins on a boat' told where your going, what to do and when, and even how to dress on some
Someone being jealous of how she spends her leisure time never crosses her mind.

 

[Minxy]

Once in Northern Ireland, due to catching an early ferry back to the UK we were parked up for the night in Belfast on a street in front of a house (long driveway so not causing an issue with being too close). Around 11.30 pm we were already in bed and got a loud knocking on the door, I answered and a chap, a little bit merry, demanded to know what we were doing parking there. I explained and he was as right as pie, he even asked us in for a drink.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Minxy]

Could I suggest that you go out with him and observe his driving style etc as it may simply be that he's not as aware of the effect of how he drives his MH on others. It's obviously not the same as a car, eg a larger vehicle so not as easy for others to pass etc so letting traffic behind pass is a courtesy that those driving a car aren't usually aware of the need for.

 

[Otter Spotter]

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.

Reading your last para, can you explain why a certain portion of the Cornish population want independence then? How would they manage ?

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Reading your last para, can you explain why a certain portion of the Cornish population want independence then? How would they manage ?

it's not written anywhere an aspiration has to make any sense, as history can amply show, just saying .
Mike.

 

[The Wino]

Reading your last para, can you explain why a certain portion of the Cornish population want independence then? How would they manage ?

Perhaps that proportion of the population don't think about the practicality just like the idea of nice sounding slogans. There are a lot around here who are dead against tourism and holiday homes despite it being the largest by far source of income.

 

[stuartholmes]

Once in Northern Ireland, due to catching an early ferry back to the UK we were parked up for the night in Belfast on a street in front of a house (long driveway so not causing an issue with being too close). Around 11.30 pm we were already in bed and got a loud knocking on the door, I answered and a chap, a little bit merry, demanded to know what we were doing parking there. I explained and he was as right as pie, he even asked us in for a drink.

So did you accept the invitation & can you recommend that street??

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[meanders]

So did you accept the invitation & can you recommend that street??

Perhaps chaser fancies it as an oversea's impromptu meet?

 

[The Old Man]

On the road no.

Just once when parked up Freedom Camping when an agitated gentleman who lived near by was at the Hab door.

A few 'cool' moments then, his words, 'Oh OK you're not a traveller!'

Then walked off.

Oh an a lady in a Service Area when I wouldn't let her little darling use my loo!

 

[Otter Spotter]

Perhaps that proportion of the population don't think about the practicality just like the idea of nice sounding slogans. There are a lot around here who are dead against tourism and holiday homes despite it being the largest by far source of income.

Tourism and 2nd homes can cause jealousy but those people don’t realise that it’s the post industrial era (reduction in jobs) that reduced the population freeing up property no local wanted at first, that in turn provided cheap do upable properties ripe for improvement which could only be afforded by Grockles, locals wouldn’t or couldn’t touch them. I do feel sorry for the locals though who have to endure the crowds in summer and crap infrastructure

 

[The Wino]

Tourism and 2nd homes can cause jealousy but those people don’t realise that it’s the post industrial era (reduction in jobs) that reduced the population freeing up property no local wanted at first, that in turn provided cheap do upable properties ripe for improvement which could only be afforded by Grockles, locals wouldn’t or couldn’t touch them. I do feel sorry for the locals though who have to endure the crowds in summer and crap infrastructure

There are pros and cons to the previous industries that used to employ people around here quite often low wages or good wages but dangerous and tourism safe jobs but still low wages. The thing is if you go 30 miles or so north houses are a lot cheaper because they lost the industry but weren't pretty enough to make tourism take off now very few opportunities for youngsters higher crime drug related issues.
Should those people be anti motorhomes and holiday lets or not. It's understandable if they feel a bit left out

 

[Whippet93]

WELL. , since you asked YES I’ve been annoyed a at a MoHo that has been parking in a narrow street in our village , unfortunately I don’t have a picture of the twat , with parked cars at one side which is normal there is little space for cars /vans trucks to get by , the pavement is only 3 foot wide so this twat parks on the pavement leaving only 18” to allow pedestrians to past , no thought for anyone but himself, when I see it I think no wonder people resent MoHo’s

BUT. I personally have never felt hostility anymore that driving my car

Picture of street below
View attachment 995739

I presume the cars are parked before the motorhome , as otherwise it could be the cars causing an issue, but nonetheless it should be reported to council or police if you can't get passed with a wheelchair or pram, as obstructing the pavement is an offence.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Puddleduck]

I have a friend who likes cruising which is my idea of hell or 'butlins on a boat' told where your going, what to do and when, and even how to dress on some
Someone being jealous of how she spends her leisure time never crosses her mind.

Choose your cruise company with care. They are not all the same!

My brother-in-law loves Butlins on a Boat. I hate it but love the country house ambience and unobtrusive luxury of our preferred cruise line which b-i-l finds boring. But I am a classical music concert girl rather than a rock chick!!

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

I've never had any negative vibes about the van, I think it's just the general standard of driving these days is aggressive/entitled and generally poor. Glad to be retired and not driving a lorry 9 hours a day as driving has lost a lot of it's pleasure for me

 

[dunnah01]

I find enough motorhome hostility in some posts on here to worry about the noobs out there

 

[CAB96]

it's not written anywhere an aspiration has to make any sense, as history can amply show, just saying .
Mike.

Careful now!

 

[RM_Marine]

Nope all good here for the last 4 yrs and I've found everyone to be really nice and even asked if I was OK or needed a hand

As some have said, have even found that farmers have even reversed up lanes to help me and I'm very considerate if I find myself on a long trip and traffic starts to gather behind me, I just find a place to pull over and let them pass like tractors do for everyone else

I'm in no rush with my house on wheels where I can stop and have a coffee and watch tv, I try not to be inconsiderate to others in the hope that others help when I'm in need

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[gus-lopez]

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

or they then slow as the phone has rung & you , who are on cruise control, are now going to run in to them.

 

[Ejaydee]

Reading your last para, can you explain why a certain portion of the Cornish population want independence then? How would they manage ?

Because it is very much a tiny minority, mainly Mebyon Kernow, Liberal and Lib Dem politicians and supporters from what I have read and know. I only personally know four people in Cornwall who want and actively push for independence, and they were/are all local councillors, but there will probably be many more I am not aware of. How would they (in their minds) manage? Well I can only guess they would want the UK Government to cough up as much as possible (e.g. the Barnett Formula principle) for them to hold sway.

As this is a political issue, I will leave it here as I do not want to go to Coventry (or anywhere else in this weather).

 

[jennywren]

Jealousy of other's apparent success is one of the characteristics of the British way of life.
In America, I've seen Ferrari's parked in busy streets and the passers-by just admire it.
In the UK they would be smashing it up within 5 minutes.

...not sure this is true, I've seen plenty of 'sporty' and 'posh' cars parked up in the UK (and elsewhere), often being looked at and admired, seen nobody attempting to 'smash it up' as you suggest. Heresay can often create the wrong impression. I'm not saying it cannot happen, just that it can happen anywhere. I like to think there are a lot more decent folk around than bad, wherever you live, and the UK is no exception.

 

[steve69]

...not sure this is true, I've seen plenty of 'sporty' and 'posh' cars parked up in the UK (and elsewhere), often being looked at and admired, seen nobody attempting to 'smash it up' as you suggest. Heresay can often create the wrong impression. I'm not saying it cannot happen, just that it can happen anywhere. I like to think there are a lot more decent folk around than bad, wherever you live, and the UK is no exception.

OK, slight exaggeration. But I know of many instances in the UK where nice new cars have been "keyed" as they call it. A nice long scratch down the side of the vehicle. Mine was one. And parked on my drive FGS. Doesn't happen in any other country I know.

 

[seasideBill]

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.

As the proverb says….’familiarity breeds contempt’.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[seasideBill]

OK, slight exaggeration. But I know of many instances in the UK where nice new cars have been "keyed" as they call it. A nice long scratch down the side of the vehicle. Mine was one. And parked on my drive FGS. Doesn't happen in any other country I know.

Family member sold his BMW Z4 because he was fed up with strangers often shouting “w4nker’ at him at lights etc. His only crime was being a young bloke in a nice car. Wish I could have afforded a car like that at his age rather than a Vauxhall Viva!