Left hand drive in the uk

[Bfb1150gs]

We're still looking for our first motorhome and have fome a really nice one that we think we could go full time in. But its left hand drive... Whats everyone think of driving a lhd. Motorhome in the uk

 

[bigtwin]

We're still looking for our first motorhome and have fome a really nice one that we think we could go full time in. But its left hand drive... Whats everyone think of driving a lhd. Motorhome in the uk

Not much different from driving a RHD on the continent.

Ian

 

[funflair]

I like LHD at home, maybe it's just because I have got used to it over the last 12+ years but I feel it allows me to get closer to the left side of the road without hitting anything (fingers crossed) only issue would be some junctions where visibility from the right could be impeded but road positioning can usually overcome that, then it's just overtaking if you plan to do much of that (I don't).

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Driven around Devon and Cornwall lanes in my left hand drive van and it’s fine.

 

[WESTY66]

My last two vans have been LHD, I’d be reluctant to have a RHD, when I get my “looking at other mohos” head on, if it’s RHD I just skip past, unless it’s owt special or a bargain

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[Shrimp]

Ours is a lefty and Manic loves it, wouldn’t go back to RHD.
If you have a competent passenger they can give info on awkward junctions.

 

[Barryh]

I got a LHD last year as most of our driving is done in Europe. I don’t know why, but I found it more comfortable to drive a RHD abroad than a LHD here.

 

[bellabee]

We have LHD. My OH says similar to funflair . Most of our mileage is abroad, but he finds road positioning at home much easier than in a RHD because he is can tell how close he is to the edge of the road.
He certainly wouldn't want to go back to RHD.

 

[PlacidoD]

My recent acquisition is LHD. I spent over 10 years touring Europe by motorcycle and wanted to replicate that with a MoHo. Hence my choice. My thoughts after some UK touring:
a. Van width is relevant - A wide A Class would be more of a problem. I am a skinny 2.17 metres.
b. Height of the van means it is less of a problem than I anticipated. I would hate to be in a low slung LHD sports car!
c.I fitted a four camera truck system giving me a reversing camera, side views and a 4th cam giving me the view of a RHD driver. Total cost just over £400 fitted. It is not perfect (In particular the forward facing cam gives too wide angle a view) but it tells me when it is safe to pull out and take an eyeball view of whether the road is clear when stuck behind a slow moving HGV/tractor or whatever.
d. In day to day UK use I do not feel at all stressed driving it.
e. I do wonder whether it makes it any less attractive to steal? (Age is probably more relevant here)
f. In reality much of my UK driving is on dual carriageways where the handicap is negligible. By way of example Bolton to Newhaven is dual carriageway/motorway all the way save for about 15 miles. But in Europe I plan to be on single carriageway D roads and the like much of the time.

Chris

 

[JockandRita]

I like LHD at home, maybe it's just because I have got used to it over the last 12+ years but I feel it allows me to get closer to the left side of the road without hitting anything (fingers crossed) only issue would be some junctions where visibility from the right could be impeded but road positioning can usually overcome that, then it's just overtaking if you plan to do much of that (I don't).

We have LHD. My OH says similar to funflair . Most of our mileage is abroad, but he finds road positioning at home much easier than in a RHD because he is can tell how close he is to the edge of the road.
He certainly wouldn't want to go back to RHD.

Bfb1150gs. Ditto to the above comments, having driven LHD for 20 x years now.
It just takes a bit of adjusting here on the UK roads, and as Martin has highlighted, be mindful of your approach at junctions when turning left............especially when travelling solo.
Also, I hope your travel partner has a strong constitution, ie, especially when approached by oncoming Artics and Coaches, viewed from the "suicide seat". Mine still winces, and tries to move left away from them.

If the model you are looking at has a cab door on the left, that does make life convenient for you as the driver, rather than having to exit from the Hab door into the flow of traffic.

Good luck.

Jock.

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[EuroTrotters]

I prefer LHD, seems natural for a right handed person.

Only issue sometimes is trying to see at some junctions. It not as bad as driving a RHD panel van.

I rarely need or have the power to overtake in the UK on single lanes. But then ,I don’t drive it here much.

 

[Bfb1150gs]

Thank you for all the replies... Just gotta wait for my money to come through then we can pull the trigger on something.

 

[Oldrat]

Check the price of insuring it before you pull the trigger.

 

[Bfb1150gs]

Check the price of insuring it before you pull the trigger.

I have already.... 20 quid a month more than a rhd

 

[Oldrat]

I have already.... 20 quid a month more than a rhd

Phew, thats a result

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[Odd-no-more]

These days you can put a camera on the right side of the windscreen to give a view of that side

 

[JockandRita]

I have already.... 20 quid a month more than a rhd

That's an extra £240 a year over RHD.
I have never knowingly paid an extra premium for LHD.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Bfb1150gs]

It was a newer van than we were checking the insurance on previously so i expected it to be more.... Previous quotes were around the 500 mark for a 1997 12grand van.. This was 2003 13 grand van and came in at 700

 

[Baggydave]

That's an extra £240 a year over RHD.
I have never knowingly paid an extra premium for LHD.

Cheers,

Jock.

Much prefer lhd & don’t find any problems except turning left at junctions when I’m on my own. To help I’ve fitted small round convex mirrors to the corner of passenger wing mirror.

Really feel at home in Europe too. Means we can park the same way as other eu vans on aires etc. door is on the correct side

 

[JockandRita]

Much prefer lhd & don’t find any problems except turning left at junctions when I’m on my own. To help I’ve fitted small round convex mirrors to the corner of passenger wing mirror.

Really feel at home in Europe too. Means we can park the same way as other eu vans on aires etc. door is on the correct side

Agreed.

This is the view from my LHD seat, though not always the same backdrop.

Both the convexed and proximity mirrors along with the Fresnel Lens, are absolute god sends, especially here in the UK, and should be compulsory in my view.


Cheers,

Jock.

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[Lenny HB]

I've just changed to RHD, not through choice but would have been another year wait for LHD.
Really don't like it, been driving LHD for 10 years I find it easier in the UK than RHD. Also don't like the way the peddles are offset and closer together and the controls on the centre dash are biased towards LHD.

 

[Lenny HB]

Check the price of insuring it before you pull the trigger.

No different last two vans were LHD.

 

[wfdTamar]

Lennys point about the pedals is the thing I have most noticed. I have a LHD Ducato based Hymer in the UK and a RHD Ducato based Hymer at home in Tasmania. In the RHD the accelerator pedal is tight - too close to the wheel arch. Also the steering wheel is offset to the centre a bit.

As for driving on the LHD I also have a 10" 4 camera system (2 rear, 1 above the windscreen looking down, 1 right side looking forward). The only times I find LHD a bother in the UK is going around a left bend with hedges, your vision forward around the bend is reduced.

 

[AJM2]

We're still looking for our first motorhome and have fome a really nice one that we think we could go full time in. But its left hand drive... Whats everyone think of driving a lhd. Motorhome in the uk

Never regretted having a RHD. Our travels in Europe are usually on roads where that is not an issue. Our travels in the UK are generally on roads were LHD could be. Obviously I’d manage, just happy with RHD

 

[stewartwebr]

We are on our third Morelo LHD and have no problems whatsoever. On the odd occasion at an obscure junction I may have an issue with visibility but luckily the window directly behind the passengers seat allows me to see what I need to see if I’m at the wrong angle. I also find being at the kerb side gives me a better view of those pesky branches that stick out and can cause so much damage. In relation to insurance I don’t think it makes much difference.
The only very slight confusion is when we move from U.K. to main land Europe. We have a LHD Motorhome with a RHD drive car in the back. So depending where we are we need to remember which one is the “wrong” one but never an issue.
If you are looking at LHD it opens your options, have you thought about buying in Europe?

Www.mobile.de

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[nicholsong]

Agreed.

This is the view from my LHD seat, though not always the same backdrop.


View attachment 924135

Both the convexed and proximity mirrors along with the Fresnel Lens, are absolute god sends, especially here in the UK, and should be compulsory in my view.


Cheers,

Jock.

I have been driving RHD in Europe for 13 years(because I owned it before moving) and find it no trouble, but that is because I have the parabolic mirrors mounted on top of the main mirrors, as in JockandRita's photo.

I also agree with him that they should be compulsory - the mirror requirements for commercial trucks are much more stringent than foe private vehicles.

 

[Bfb1150gs]

Thank you for all the replies its been very informative... I just realised as I'm sitting here in the forklift in work.... That its LHD and i drive it 8 hrs a dayso why am i worried

 

[dunnah01]

I prefer RHD because I do more driving on the continent

 

[JockandRita]

Thank you for all the replies its been very informative... I just realised as I'm sitting here in the forklift in work.... That its LHD and i drive it 8 hrs a dayso why am i worried

Aye, but there's probably not a lot of traffic about, nor occasions of congestion.

I prefer RHD because I do more driving on the continent

I prefer LHD because I do more driving on the continent.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Northernraider]

I've had countless lhd over the years from small sports cars to vw campers , even a stretched limo. All my previous motorhomes however were rhd and as I spend 6+ months a year in Europe I made a point of buying lhd when I bought the last motorhome. It is certainly beneficial in Europe especially if your a solo traveller and can't say I've noticed any difference while in the UK.

I've never at anytime though paid more for insurance because its been lhd

The insurance premiums you quoted seem a little steep but then it will depend on your age and driving history.

I'd suggest you shop around for quotes and make sure you try motorhome specific companies too. There's a few of those that will mirror whatever no claims you have on your car insurance.