Is Camping-Car Park as good as it sounds?

Notts Archer said:
I’m thinking of using the Camping-Car Park app when I go touring in a couple of weeks and know there are funsters out there that use it, but is it as good and reliable as it sounds?
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Watch out for inadequate electricity power terminals on each parking space : 6 amps does not even boil your kettle ! I contacted Camping-Car Park before this Covid shutdown nonsense including signs on some of their sites warning us to only use the electricity points to charge up our batteries and tech stuff ! Not interested . Seems upto individual site owners to install adequate 10 or 12 amp supply , who clearly only want to invest the minimum ! Just take our money , and undertake a massive advertising campaign - as right now ( see Camping-Car Magazine in France ) . Try France Passion . Free after annual joining fee of about 30 euros .
 
simon bocock said:
Watch out for inadequate electricity power terminals on each parking space : 6 amps does not even boil your kettle ! I contacted Camping-Car Park before this Covid shutdown nonsense including signs on some of their sites warning us to only use the electricity points to charge up our batteries and tech stuff ! Not interested . Seems upto individual site owners to install adequate 10 or 12 amp supply , who clearly only want to invest the minimum ! Just take our money , and undertake a massive advertising campaign - as right now ( see Camping-Car Magazine in France ) . Try France Passion . Free after annual joining fee of about 30 euros .
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I don't see the problem 5 or 6 amp is pretty standard in France more than enough to charge your batteries and run the fridge which is what the supply is intended for.

I'm not a fan of CCP but on this one I'll stand up for them.
 
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Lenny HB said:
I don't see the problem 5 or 6 amp is pretty standard in France more than enough to charge your batteries and run the fridge which is what the supply is intended for.

I'm not a fan of CCP but on this one I'll stand up for them.
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Even the great majority of Municipals have higher ampage in France - have done for years - afraid I don’t agree that 5 or 6 amp is acceptable , or even standard : you might as well stay on one of the thousands of mainly free Aires , and then auto charge up on the road when you leave . Have had a campervan in France and Spain for over 30 years . CCP seem to be taking over lots of Municipals where the local Mairie can’t bother to put in any effort to run their seasonal sites . Which is a shame .

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I view an aire as an overnight stop. If it has electricity at all that’s a bonus. If it has 6 amp that’s fine by me. I think the loss of town organised Aires to CCP is a shame but I can see why they are doing it. I was at an aire recently which offered an hours free ehu. It was set when you pushed the button on the pole. One hour free was what was offered. Didn’t stop people just resetting the button every hour! I have used CCP a few times and found they offer a reasonable service for a reasonable price. Each site is different and they advertise what services they offer.
 
We have a low wattage kettle, about 800 watts from memory, never had a problem using it on a CCP aire. When we where driving down through France in March, to Spain, we had the oil filled rad on low all night to keep the van warm, with no outage. If you manage it right 6 amps is ok.
James
 
simon bocock said:
Watch out for inadequate electricity power terminals on each parking space : 6 amps does not even boil your kettle ! I contacted Camping-Car Park before this Covid shutdown nonsense including signs on some of their sites warning us to only use the electricity points to charge up our batteries and tech stuff ! Not interested . Seems upto individual site owners to install adequate 10 or 12 amp supply , who clearly only want to invest the minimum ! Just take our money , and undertake a massive advertising campaign - as right now ( see Camping-Car Magazine in France ) . Try France Passion . Free after annual joining fee of about 30 euros .
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We’ve never had any problems with boiling kettle (or running Nespresso machine) on CCPs. Not that I’m treating very seriously the views of someone who refers to “this Covid shutdown nonsense”!
 
simon bocock said:
Even the great majority of Municipals have higher ampage in France - have done for years - afraid I don’t agree that 5 or 6 amp is acceptable , or even standard : you might as well stay on one of the thousands of mainly free Aires , and then auto charge up on the road when you leave . Have had a campervan in France and Spain for over 30 years . CCP seem to be taking over lots of Municipals where the local Mairie can’t bother to put in any effort to run their seasonal sites . Which is a shame .
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I think you are being totally unreasonable why should they change their standards to suit you.

Before we had a Motorhome for 14 years we have spent 30 years camping & Caravanning in France so we'll aware of what sites offer 5 or 6 amps has always been the norm and in Italy 3 amps is not unusual.

As I said its only intended to charge your batteries and run the fridge why do you need any more. Most foreign vans only have gas heating (all 3 Hymers we have had, heating is gas only), electric kettles are not commonly used on the continent.

If you don't like their facilities you don't have to use them.
We only use them occasionally as we think there are expensive for what they offer but that's out choice.

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Notts Archer said:
I’m thinking of using the Camping-Car Park app when I go touring in a couple of weeks and know there are funsters out there that use it, but is it as good and reliable as it sounds?
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Park4free or Brit stop is pretty good.
 
marpool said:
We have a low wattage kettle, about 800 watts from memory, never had a problem using it on a CCP aire. When we where driving down through France in March, to Spain, we had the oil filled rad on low all night to keep the van warm, with no outage. If you manage it right 6 amps is ok.
James
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That’s very sensible , James , fair enough . It’s just that CCP charge enough for an overnight stay . They have the clout to require individual site owners to initially put in higher ampage electricity when joining their network - but shy away from this - easier to just take the money .

For example , Rieux-Volvestre ( 31 - Haute - Garonne ) a nice CCP site which appears to be an ex Municipal , has superb shower block but only 6 amp electricity supply to individual parking spaces very close by . Lazy . No signage to warn visitors either . CCP could charge even more if 10 - 16 amps supplied !
 
Lenny HB said:
I think you are being totally unreasonable why should they change their standards to suit you.

Before we had a Motorhome for 14 years we have spent 30 years camping & Caravanning in France so we'll aware of what sites offer 5 or 6 amps has always been the norm and in Italy 3 amps is not unusual.

As I said its only intended to charge your batteries and run the fridge why do you need any more. Most foreign vans only have gas heating (all 3 Hymers we have had, heating is gas only), electric kettles are not commonly used on the continent.

If you don't like their facilities you don't have to use them.
We only use them occasionally as we think there are expensive for what they offer but that's out choice.
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Mr. Lenny HB : I don’t think we are going to agree on any of this electrical stuff - but each to his own ! My own much modified Dethleffs LHD is totally all weather self contained and has no need for any CCP or Municipal sites when I go to my property in Spain ( indefinite free parking overlooking the marina as well - how this reminds me of the U.K. ! ) .

Just wanted to share with others some of my low ampage experiences with CCP in case this helps . Happy 6 amping !
 
simon bocock said:
Even the great majority of Municipals have higher ampage in France - have done for years - afraid I don’t agree that 5 or 6 amp is acceptable , or even standard : you might as well stay on one of the thousands of mainly free Aires , and then auto charge up on the road when you leave . Have had a campervan in France and Spain for over 30 years . CCP seem to be taking over lots of Municipals where the local Mairie can’t bother to put in any effort to run their seasonal sites . Which is a shame .
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Sorry but in my experience, 40+ years visiting France, 6 amps is fairly standard. If I can charge what needs charging and run the fridge I’m happy.

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simon bocock said:
Even the great majority of Municipals have higher ampage in France - have done for years - afraid I don’t agree that 5 or 6 amp is acceptable , or even standard : you might as well stay on one of the thousands of mainly free Aires , and then auto charge up on the road when you leave . Have had a campervan in France and Spain for over 30 years . CCP seem to be taking over lots of Municipals where the local Mairie can’t bother to put in any effort to run their seasonal sites . Which is a shame .
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What would you prefer, CCP takeover or closure? I don’t know about you, but if I was a local I’m not ashamed to admit I wouldn’t want my rates subsidizing occasional overnight campers. Trouble is there is a large proportion of motor homers who seem to think the provision of free or very cost Aires is some sort of god given right.
 
emjaiuk said:
Sorry but in my experience, 40+ years visiting France, 6 amps is fairly standard. If I can charge what needs charging and run the fridge I’m happy.
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That’s fine . Good for you . Just sharing my experiences for anyone caught out on some - not all - CCP sites in France .
 
If you really want more power than 6A then you can do something about it. I have a Multiplus 3000 inverter/charger and nearly 600Ah of lithium batteries. I have the Multiplus set to 5A maximum input from the hookup post, and it never exceeds that. I can run a low wattage kettle and a microwave at the same time with no problems, if I want to.
 
We ran elec1 on the Truma overnight 900w, no problem, switched over in the morning to boost, just gas.It takes about ten minutes to heat an already nearly hot tank. Then we could use our low wattage kettle for tea making duties. With care you can also run an induction hob on 1000w. We would use again,we spent a couple of hours one night visiting Aires listed on our Aguri, but all shut down,we were grateful for the empty field we eventually found, no services, but the B2B had the leisure batteries full, and the folding solar panel took care of the business the next day.
Mike.
 
autorouter said:
If you really want more power than 6A then you can do something about it. I have a Multiplus 3000 inverter/charger and nearly 600Ah of lithium batteries. I have the Multiplus set to 5A maximum input from the hookup post, and it never exceeds that. I can run a low wattage kettle and a microwave at the same time with no problems, if I want to.
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That’s very interesting , thanks . I have a 150 watt inverter just for phones , shavers , and similar . BUT , when I go on sites , I do expect more than a 6 amp electricity supply : thus my caveats about some - not all - CCP locations . Some of the Municipals in France are brilliant , and some still cheap as chips ( as you probably know ) , AND mostly
provide 10 - 16 amp electricity supply . Although over the last few years many have iincreased their prices considerably . C’est la vie !

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emjaiuk said:
What would you prefer, CCP takeover or closure? I don’t know about you, but if I was a local I’m not ashamed to admit I wouldn’t want my rates subsidizing occasional overnight campers. Trouble is there is a large proportion of motor homers who seem to think the provision of free or very cost Aires is some sort of god given right.
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CCP take over , obviously . Local Rates in France are a small fraction of our U.K. robbing Council Tax , so this is not strictly relevant : it is more a question of paying locals to manage and keep clean the various Municipal sites , which clearly can be problematical , and ultimately leads to closure ( St-Valery-en-Caux right up on the cliffs overlooking the town and harbour . Wonderful location ). I always spend money locally and do not expect something for nothing . This expenditure will be missed . Most CCP visitors are in large self contained vans with all mod cons and don’t seem to get out much . The Municipals seemed to cater for the less showy traveller , but out and about and inquisitive once installed , and happy to spend locally . I think that this trade will be missed once Municipals close , to the disadvantage of the local community .
 
Solwaybuggier said:
We’ve never had any problems with boiling kettle (or running Nespresso machine) on CCPs. Not that I’m treating very seriously the views of someone who refers to “this Covid shutdown nonsense”!
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You might perhaps take a different view if you had been flying to and from Spain during this Covid period : sudden rule changes on a whim , expensive PCR tests that are never checked ( well , 5% according to the Press ) , vaccination certification not always checked out and back ,
exemptions for anyone however remotely connected to Government , obligatory email contact addresses / payments that don’t even work from abroad 48 hours being the enforced period before departure , meaning you could be stranded in a foreign airport , etc., etc.,

Campervan also not allowed to cross the Channel at this time : Brexit Frogs at work - still ! Thus my remarks about Covid - which I am happy to repeat for your delectation and enjoyment … and for anyone else who may be interested .
 
Stoosal said:
Lucky you being able to fly to and from Spain......I was doing what I was asked to do and stayed at home! Covid wasnt a nonsense to me or many of my colleagues who worked through it.
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Luck was not involved . I broke no Covid rules . I had no
priveleges other than free time , and a responsibility to try to checkout a property abroad not visited for over nine months .

We all had to stay at home , as you say , me included and my family . We observed this restriction religiously . However , once our genius Government most graciously allowed us “ out “ , subject to conditions , I tested the waters for “ foreign travel “ . Thus my experiences of trying to leave - and return - to the U.K.

I think I would rather have been employed ( as you have described ) , and avoided much of the ( post ) Covid inspired nonsense I have had to deal with !





Merely exercised my rights as a U.K. citizen
 
LesW said:
A strange turn of phrase.. whether you agree with it or not, it was an attempt to save lives.
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I can see where he's coming from. I take great precautions due to being 'Clinically Extremely Vulnerable', and was for example wearing an FFP2 mask going round Aldi today, even though nobody else was. But you must admit much of the Covid response was nonsensical. Waiting for weeks to implement testing, allowing people in from hotspots without testing, tests being lost or not arriving, ignoring ventilation requirements while handwashing like crazy, the list is endless. And that's before we get to Eat Out To Help Out, Barnard Castle and Partygate.
 
autorouter said:
I can see where he's coming from. I take great precautions due to being 'Clinically Extremely Vulnerable', and was for example wearing an FFP2 mask going round Aldi today, even though nobody else was. But you must admit much of the Covid response was nonsensical. Waiting for weeks to implement testing, allowing people in from hotspots without testing, tests being lost or not arriving, ignoring ventilation requirements while handwashing like crazy, the list is endless. And that's before we get to Eat Out To Help Out, Barnard Castle and Partygate.
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Oh , the irony of a “ Clinically Extremely Vulnerable “ guy still obliged to wear an FFP2 mask going shopping , but still seeing the nonsense of much of the Government’s confused and confusing Covid rules ! Precisely my point , nothing more , nothing less . Nice to have one “ Funster Friend “ !

As for Eat Out To Help Out , Cummings’ Great Absolution at Barnard Castle , Wine O’Clock Fridays at No. 10 , Billions ( really ? ) wasted on Test & Trace , we have not even touched the sides of Government incompetence . PLUS the huge range of “ Exemptions “ they gave themselves to swan around this country and abroad : just seeing the list at Barcelona Airport was mind blowing , 48 hours before returning to the U.K. I should have put down “ Boris’s dog handler “ - the Checkin man said “ put down anything “ and then stamped my documents OK ! ! Absolutely true !

I doff my cap to you Mr. Autorouter . ( I too was in Aldi today , our reliable wine merchant amongst other essentials … )
 
simon bocock said:
That’s very interesting , thanks . I have a 150 watt inverter just for phones , shavers , and similar . BUT , when I go on sites , I do expect more than a 6 amp electricity supply : thus my caveats about some - not all - CCP locations . Some of the Municipals in France are brilliant , and some still cheap as chips ( as you probably know ) , AND mostly
provide 10 - 16 amp electricity supply . Although over the last few years many have iincreased their prices considerably . C’est la vie !
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In over 30 years of mootorhoming in France mostly staying on municipal sites I have never seen a 16 amp supply. Usually it was taken that 6 amps would be sufficient as that was the norm. If they had a 10 amp supply this had to be requested and quite reasonably had to be paid for. I can remember often being advised by the campsite manager that 6 amp would be quite sufficient - which it was. I did blow the fuse on the 3 amp supply when trying to use the hairdryer though.:rolleyes:
Sue
 
Suenliam said:
In over 30 years of mootorhoming in France mostly staying on municipal sites I have never seen a 16 amp supply. Usually it was taken that 6 amps would be sufficient as that was the norm. If they had a 10 amp supply this had to be requested and quite reasonably had to be paid for. I can remember often being advised by the campsite manager that 6 amp would be quite sufficient - which it was. I did blow the fuse on the 3 amp supply when trying to use the hairdryer though.:rolleyes:
Sue
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Likewise over 30 years of campervan experiences in France ( and Spain ) mostly on Municipals if in season , otherwise Aires , official and unofficial . We can’t have visited the same sites ! I always enquire what the ampage is before confirming a booking . Always happy to pay what is required . Very very occasionally the ampage is insufficient , especially years ago , and you know where you are with your electrical kit . Nowadays most Municipals ( if not given up to CCP ) which are still operating successfully have upgraded their site electrics to at least 10 amps or more . Spain can however be extremely variable , even on the same site . As my van is completely self contained and all weather proof , no problem , just use the Municipals for a feet up day or two .
 
simon bocock said:
Watch out for inadequate electricity power terminals on each parking space : 6 amps does not even boil your kettle ! I contacted Camping-Car Park before this Covid shutdown nonsense including signs on some of their sites warning us to only use the electricity points to charge up our batteries and tech stuff ! Not interested . Seems upto individual site owners to install adequate 10 or 12 amp supply , who clearly only want to invest the minimum ! Just take our money , and undertake a massive advertising campaign - as right now ( see Camping-Car Magazine in France ) . Try France Passion . Free after annual joining fee of about 30 euros .
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Doesn’t boil your kettle ? - I use a 800 watt kettle which draws 3 amps it works no problem .
I can use my 600 watt microwave to make my porridge in the morning
I can run my Truma Hab aircon which only requires 2.8 amps along with my tall fridge and battery charger .

on 6 amps at CCP sites

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