Concerns about motorhome overhang when using Ferry or Tunnel?

[BigVtwin]

Afternoon all.

Soon (next 3 days) to be the very proud new owner of a AT Serrano (yep can't wait ).

Anyway, the overhang is much longer than my previous van and was wondering (as we are due to use both Tunnel and Ferry on our trip in next 2 weeks), does anybody with a large bottomed van scrape on any of the ramps for either Ferry or Tunnel?

You know what it's like, the old grey matter starts going into overdrive.....

 

[DPM111R]

We had an Autotrail Tracker RB (7.6m) that had a very long overhang and never had an issue on the ferries. The only time I scraped the bottom was after following the on-board satnav directions down a stupidly narrow and ultimately steep back lane to a larger road - I never used that satnav again.
Good luck on your travels

 

[G-RMPS]

My Hymer suffered on one of the Scottish ferries.

Buckled the rear cross-brace (or whatever it is called). Replacement cost £1200, I think, and took months.

 

[Dobby 2]

I have an Autotrail Tracker RB 7.6 meters and always take a towball bikerack when going abroad which makes it app 8.6 metres. This is a long overhang and I have experienced some drag on the cycle rack when going on board Britanny Ferries, even at crawling pace. Never any significant damage though.

 

[Bleau’s]

Been both ways on the tunnel recently with A 9 metre tag axle and no problems at all

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[Brize]

We had a long overhang on a previous Hymer A Class. Never a problem with Eurotunnel or ferries to/from the UK because they have good adjustable ramps to cope with tides.

However, our experience of Italian ferries (and probably Greek the same) was not that there was a problem getting onto the ferry, but the ramps going up and down between the levels were fixed and steep. Saw a lot of tail dragging, some damage (particularly to caravans), but a towbar always helps. Also, if you are intending to do any hopping between Scottish islands be warned - the fixed concrete ramps can be difficult depending on the tides - better to reverse on if tide is low, somehow it helps.

Hope this helps.
Regards,

 

[varaizian]

We had an Autotrail Tracker RB (7.6m) that had a very long overhang and never had an issue on the ferries. The only time I scraped the bottom was after following the on-board satnav directions down a stupidly narrow and ultimately steep back lane to a larger road - I never used that satnav again.
Good luck on your travels

Oh we have all done it! Visions of a cart track over a mountain pass are coming back to me as I type.

 

[Lazyboy]

I think I would be more concerned with side swiping something with that overhang when turning out of gateways and the like

Swing clearance will be more of a problem than grounding. Having to turn sharply in conjested areas needs caution. Sometimes when entering through some gates etc it can be easier to reverse in.

 

[Northernraider]

A complete and utter waste of time.

In most instances they exacerbate the issue and in the few instances where they might offer any benefit they buckle and distort.

They're expected to carry a point load in excess of 1 tonne and they simply wouldn’t be up to it.

From the website:


Far from avoiding grounding experiences, they increase the frequency of such groundings (they must do because they’re lower than any other part of the vehicle and will now ground out when before there would have been enough clearance!



There are no shock absorbers (dampers) featured in the design. They will transmit the grounding shock directly to the chassis of the vehicle.

Only two benefits are presented on the website, neither of which have any foundation.

Ian

Exactly what I was gonna say. The skid wheels are useless after the first knock they take. Then they're no longer round and they just get destroyed. The ones on my frankia were completely destroyed within 5 months

 

[Brize]

BigV - having seen the pictures now, the Serrano does indeed look long and low at the back, without the usual nose-down posture.

Just try it out for a while and see how it goes, but as Smiffy has said earlier, consider air suspension if you detect a problem. You will only need it on the rear.

We had VB rear air suspension on an earlier Hymer A Class that had a long overhang. It worked OK but the travel up and down controlled on a remote was not that great. With hindsight at the time I wish I had fitted the Goldschmitt system, developed for trucks, which gives considerably more up and down travel.

These systems are not cheap, but they do provide flexibility, peace of mind, and provide you with the confidence to go anywhere. I mention all this just in case it becomes a consideration later.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

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[knokinonabit]

We had an AT tag axle Comanche and never had tunnel or ferry problems. Luckily we had a towbar fitted because the only time it grounded was entering and exiting the C&CC site at Culzean Castle.
Had to be aware of the rear overhang when exiting tight spaces though. Including my own drive. Don’t ask