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

 

[A S R]

Been doing the west coast for 6 years in this. Just use common sense and Google maps to have a look before committing yourself. Turning round is the biggest issue if you come to a problem.

 

[Guigsy]

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.

Agreed. I found most of the NC500 pretty easy compared to Cornwall. Mostly because it's wide open glens with good forward visibility and well marked passing spots. Whereas Cornwall is high walls and hedges and the passing spots are muddy ditches.

 

[poppycamper]

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.

Agreed, however I am pretty sure any Articulated logging lorrys at Applecross would have went round the coast road and not over "The Pass". !

 

[Woollyoak]

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

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[Woollyoak]

We had a Burstner Elegance, it was too long for many campsites, here and Europe, and the Thetford Inus toilet system was great but not rolled out to other vans so we swapped it in for a 7.8m Hymer…

 

[Chris Stephens]

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.

I know the Lochinver area well from walking holidays. I certainly wouldn't try the back road between Lochinver and Drumrunie in any sort of MH. The section between Inverkirkaig and Inverpolly Fish Farm is especially nadgery. The B869 north from Lochinver to Unapool is very scenic and passable with care but an 8.8m MH would be a challenge. Good luck!

 

[tonysuvla]

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.

We did the Applecross bit in fog in our then 6 m PVC. I would be happy doing it again in our 6m coach built but I’d blanch at doing it in an 8.8m monster or even a 7.4m!

 

[Guigsy]

I know the Lochinver area well from walking holidays. I certainly wouldn't try the back road between Lochinver and Drumrunie in any sort of MH. The section between Inverkirkaig and Inverpolly Fish Farm is especially nadgery. The B869 north from Lochinver to Unapool is very scenic and passable with care but an 8.8m MH would be a challenge. Good luck!

We did that loop in a PVC in October a couple of years back and it wasn't too bad. But we did get stuck for half an hour while a queue of vehicles had to reverse back because a large motorhome was trying to go the other way. Now I've got a 2.3m wide coachbuild, I think I'd give it a miss unless it was really quiet.

 

[Clive Beeza]

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

Did the NC500 in a 8.75 M/home nice and steady and no issues at all
a friend did the NC in a larger Concorde and no problems, be patient and courteous

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[bigtwin]

Been doing the west coast for 6 years in this. Just use common sense and Google maps to have a look before committing yourself. Turning round is the biggest issue if you come to a problem.View attachment 843933

Did the NC500 in a 8.75 M/home nice and steady and no issues at all
a friend did the NC in a larger Concorde and no problems, be patient and courteous

Did you guys go over the Applecross Pass or was discretion the better part of valor?

Ian

 

[A S R]

I’m sure Motorhomes are banned from going up there I think. I’m pretty sure there’s new signage been put up recently

 

[bigtwin]

I’m sure Motorhomes are banned from going up there I think. I’m pretty sure there’s new signage been put up recently View attachment 843995

Not banned, just advised.

Ian

 

[Silver-Fox]

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

Rule of thumb, biggest has right of way.

Simple as

 

[Mike Hawkins]

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.

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

I seem to remember the last time we took our 6.5m motorhome over the pass to Applecross I was required to ignore a notice banning motorhomes going over the pass. I know! I know! But it was out of season.

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[poppycamper]

I seem to remember the last time we took our 6.5m motorhome over the pass to Applecross I was required to ignore a notice banning motorhomes going over the pass. I know! I know! But it was out of season.

Not banning.... advising not to use..

 

[bigtwin]

I seem to remember the last time we took our 6.5m motorhome over the pass to Applecross I was required to ignore a notice banning motorhomes going over the pass. I know! I know! But it was out of season.

You’re such a rebel!

But they’re not banned; just advised to avoid the route.

Ian

 

[Gunn1707]

We did the Applecross bit in fog in our then 6 m PVC. I would be happy doing it again in our 6m coach built but I’d blanch at doing it in an 8.8m monster or even a 7.4m!

We tackled it in our 7.5m Autotrail Imala but it did scrape the bottom on some of the corners even tho we took a big swing at them.
I’d definitely not recommend it in anything bigger??

 

[marky7seven]

Thank you all. We have deposit on a 8.1 A class yesterday, the 8.8 just seemed over whelming.

 

[CazPaul]

Thank you all. We have deposit on a 8.1 A class yesterday, the 8.8 just seemed over whelming.

Lovely, which marque did you choose.

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[bigtwin]

Thank you all. We have deposit on a 8.1 A class yesterday, the 8.8 just seemed over whelming.

Don't be bashful, which one have you gone for?

Ian

 

[marky7seven]

We have deposited on a Carthago Chic C-Line XL 5.5 LE 2016, we have viewed so many over the last 3 months.