NC500 in a 8.8m motorhome

[marky7seven]

Hello, I'm hopefully going to pull a trigger on a motorhome in the next few weeks. I have another thread here where I talk about it in more detail.

The main use of the motorhome will be going abroad, so 8.8m should be prefect as we get a big garage for electric bikes, and the space inside for 2 adults, 2 kids and 2 dogs, without feeling cramped.

But I have one nagging feeling about the length, is this going to stop me doing trips around Scotland and Cumbria?
The lowest we could go, with want we have seen is 7.4 Busterner, but that 1.4 meters does seem to make a big difference to the garage and seating area.

Thank you
Mark

 

[Guigsy]

Most of the NC500 is fine. Some of the roads are narrow, but there's good forward view and plenty of passing spots.

There's an optional loop (near Lochinvar?) that's labelled as not suitable for larger vehicles. It's winding, though dense forest and it's much more likely you'll end up reversing. I did it in a PVC without issues, but I'd be less willing in my A-class.

The pass over to Applecross, I don't think it's that bad. It's steep and has a few hairpins, but it's got good passing spots and good visibility so you can see you need to duck in to a passing place well in advance. I guess the issue might become the size of your rear overhang on the technical bits? Not sure.

 

[marky7seven]

Can get navigation system that will help you avoid this, I know newer motorhome you can put in the dimesions of the vehicle.

 

[Andacami]

8.8m feels a bit big. This might be of interest: https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/tips-for-motorhome-trip-on-nc500.295090/

 

[ChrisL]

They do coach tours I believe, so if they can get around you should be able to as well, maybe a good idea to travel in the same direction as the coaches though.

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[marky7seven]

They do coach tours I believe, so if they can get around you should be able to as well, maybe a good idea to travel in the same direction as the coaches though.

I have read its best to travel west if your a larger vehicle.

 

[marky7seven]

8.8m feels a bit big. This might be of interest: https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/tips-for-motorhome-trip-on-nc500.295090/

Thank you

 

[Guigsy]

Can get navigation system that will help you avoid this, I know newer motorhome you can put in the dimesions of the vehicle.

I'd be interested if there's a satnav that claims to change its routing based on vehicle length. It seems unlikely.

 

[Lenny HB]

The main use of the motorhome will be going abroad, so 8.8m should be prefect as we get a big garage for electric bikes,

It doesn't have to be that bigger van to have a large garage, our 7.5m Hymer has a very large garage and we are downsizing to a 6.7m Carthago which has a similar size garage.

One thing to be aware of when it comes to getting bikes in the garage is it is best to avoid island beds, twin singles give the biggest garage space. Often with island beds the garage doesn't have enough headroom to stand the bikes upright so that often limits you to getting two in.

With the amount of stuff you intend to carry have you checked the max weight the garage can take? A lot of Brit vans have very low limits of 150 kg where as most German vans it's often 350 to 450 kg but then rear axle loading comes into the equation.

 

[arthur49]

Personally I would not attempt the Bealach na Ba (Pass of the Cattle to/from Applecross) in an 8.8m motorhome due to risk of grounding on hairpins.
Loads of Youtube vids of NC500 in a moho so you can see for yourself others' experiences/opinions. Here's one:

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[marky7seven]

It doesn't have to be that bigger van to have a large garage, our 7.5m Hymer has a very large garage and we are downsizing to a 6.7m Carthago which has a similar size garage.

One thing to be aware of when it comes to getting bikes in the garage is it is best to avoid island beds, twin singles give the biggest garage space. Often with island beds the garage doesn't have enough headroom to stand the bikes upright so that often limits you to getting two in.

With the amount of stuff you intend to carry have you checked the max weight the garage can take? A lot of Brit vans have very low limits of 150 kg where as most German vans it's often 350 to 450 kg but then rear axle loading comes into the equation.

Thank you, its between a Carthago and Burstner at the moment.

 

[marky7seven]

I'd be interested if there's a satnav that claims to change its routing based on vehicle length. It seems unlikely.

Not 100%, just going one what a sales person has said.

 

[Lenny HB]

Thank you, its between a Carthago and Burstner at the moment.

The Carthago will not have as much bling as the Burstner but much better build quality, one reason we are changing from a Hymer to Carthago.
You do need to what payloads Carthago E Line have a bit of a rep for low payload on a 4500 kg van. Easy to uprate at a cost, air suspension, new rims & tyres.

 

[bigtwin]

We have done it in our 8.4m tag axle but see qualification below.

Can get navigation system that will help you avoid this, I know newer motorhome you can put in the dimesions of the vehicle.

Sat navs that allow input of vehicle dimensions will only prevent plotting a route with:

• bridges that are lower than your vehicle
• narrow gaps that are narrower than your vehicle
• weight limits that are lower than your vehicles limits

They will not take any account of your length and they cannot decide whether a vehicle will fit in a passing place nor will they be able to determine your ability to negotiate road undulations or hairpin bend. These are the key difficulties that you will encounter on parts of the NC500.

I have read its best to travel west if your a larger vehicle.

Wherever did you hear that as it’s complete nonsense. What many recommend, however, is that travelling east to west ‘saves the best till last’. That isn’t a view that I share.

Personally I would not attempt the Bealach na Ba (Pass of the Cattle to/from Applecross) in an 8.8m motorhome due to risk of grounding on hairpins.

This is good advice; having crossed that pass on my motorbike and being familiar with my own vehicle’s dimensions, and propensity for grounding out, I chose not to attempt that piece of road in our MH.

Ian

 

[ChrisL]

Wherever did you hear that as it’s complete nonsense. What many recommend, however, is that travelling east to west ‘saves the best till last’. That isn’t a view that I share.

For what it's worth the coach tour I looked at travelled anti clockwise, starting in Edinburgh travelling North and then around to the west coast and down and across ending up back in Edinburgh.

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[bigtwin]

For what it's worth the coach tour I looked at travelled anti clockwise, starting in Edinburgh travelling North and then around to the west coast and down and across ending up back in Edinburgh.

The masses do appear to favour that general direction of travel.

Ian

 

[David and Sally]

Did it on a motorbike. Bloody motorhomes, coaches, dawdlers, Mrs McMiggins, Herr Foreigner, Pierre Wrondsideoftheroad, and peeing down in the rain

Would I do it again? Defo yes. Fabulous trip.

 

[Reevsie]

I have done it twice including apple cross is a 8.5m Kontiki. Take your time and it is okay. As long as you are confident in your driving abilities then it should be okay.

 

[poppycamper]

I have done it twice including apple cross is a 8.5m Kontiki. Take your time and it is okay. As long as you are confident in your driving abilities then it should be okay.

Absolutely.... BUT make sure you can reverse... because you "Will" meet those who cant/won't reverse and you end up staring at each other in a stand off until you capitulate and reverse...

 

[marky7seven]

I have done it twice including apple cross is a 8.5m Kontiki. Take your time and it is okay. As long as you are confident in your driving abilities then it should be okay.

Thank you, I’m a reasonable confident driving, I’ve driven all over Europe, will take a bit of getting used too. I’ve driven a long wheel base sprinter to the south of France. And we wouldn’t do Scotland as our first trip.

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[bigtwin]

Absolutely.... BUT make sure you can reverse... because you "Will" meet those who cant/won't reverse and you end up staring at each other in a stand off until you capitulate and reverse...

Indeed, and up around a hairpin bend as well. The reverse gear on my old Dethleffs was ridiculously high and there is no way that I could have reversed back up around the hairpin without wrecking the clutch (and never mind the almost guaranteed ground out on my 2.5m overhang!).

Ian

 

[poppycamper]

Thank you, I’m a reasonable confident driving, I’ve driven all over Europe, will take a bit of getting used too. I’ve driven a long wheel base sprinter to the south of France. And we wouldn’t do Scotland as our first trip.

Apologies... I did not mean to in anyway doubt your driving ability, However just be prepared for possible standoffs with those who "think" they can drive and can't even reverse a car, never mind a (normally but not always) hired motorhome..
Go for it.... you will love it

 

[Silver-Fox]

The rule of thumb I use is if there is a bus route or pub along a route then you should be ok.

You rarely see a mini bus being used and lorries normally deliver the beer

 

[The general]

Would I do it again? Defo yes.

The more times the better , first time I did it got to the top and I could just about open the drivers door the wind was gale force , what an experience !

 

[Googlebot]

I would be happy in a vehicle of that size, we didn’t go by Applecross as it advised not to on the road signs, other than that, it was fine.

We are quite short at 6.7m, but didn’t struggle at all.

As for which Motorhome to go for, you will be limited where you can park with anything over 8m. If you just use sites, then crack on and enjoy the room. We found however, we like being places we couldn’t get a big vehicle.

There are 4 of us and 2 big dogs in ours, it is tight but perfectly fine and we can still park some places. It’s all a compromise.

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[poppycamper]

Applecross is indeed a lovely spot, with a nice pub...
BUT do poeple realise you can still visit it without going over the "Pass of The Cattle" and go around the coast road...
Yes I know most only go to Applecross because they want to go over the fabulous.
Bealach na Bà pass.
Note to Silver-Fox ... that's the way the beer bus goes..

 

[Gizmouk]

We get everything from pushbikes to coaches touring Scotland, including the NC500.
It's nothing to do with the size of the vehicle, and everying to do with the confidence and experience of the driver.

 

[VXman]

Thank you, its between a Carthago and Burstner at the moment.

Personally after nearly 3 years of a brand new Burstner I'd give the Carthago a try.

 

[cyberyacht]

Absolutely.... BUT make sure you can reverse... because you "Will" meet those who cant/won't reverse and you end up staring at each other in a stand off until you capitulate and reverse...

Haven't you got three days food and water on board and able to withstand a moderate siege.

 

[Apacheman]

It’s generally the narrowness of roads due to not cutting hedges back that catches you out especially around Devon and Cornwall. Throughout the entire NC 500 you’ll see 40’ articulated logging lorry’s up and down, even at Applecross, so everything is doable with care.