Ten meter long RV.

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RichardRed

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Can I please ask. Thinking of buying a meter long American style RV.
Could I have problems finding sites to park on in the UK?
Is there a list of large RV friendly UK motorhome sites please?
 
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The issue isn't just the length. It's that American RVs are wide! Apparently they are typically 100 inches across, which is 2.5m. Most European motorhomes top out at 2.35m. And even that is more work than 2.05m panel van conversions. You'll be the same width as an HGV. You will face limitations on where you can get to and where you can park in the UK.

The other issue is weight. I assume you have a C1 licence?
 
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Hello and welcome.

A friend of mine had one many years ago and managed to travel around OK in it, just takes some forward planning.

Of course there will be fewer places to choose from - but it's entirely possible.

There was the two of them, three kids and two dogs so it wasn't any harder than trying to find a hotel to accommodate them all, and was a fair bit cheaper.

He sold it when they stopped travelling together though as it stopped making sense after that.
 
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The longer the RV/motorhome is the more restrictions you will come across, at 10 metres you will come across sites that you actually can’t get on but then you will also come across a “it’s too big” attitude even if you will actually fit the pitch albeit with a bit of overhang, on the road any extra width could be more of a restriction than the length, quite a few sites have a small number of RV/oversize pitches so these require a bit more advanced booking than a smaller van.
 
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You’ll be fine most places… I’m only 9.35m long, but we can get pretty much anywhere a more standard 7.5m C class can get.

The issue is usually not the size, it’s the attitude to the size from others. A bit of judicious licence around your ‘actual size’ helps to not deter people!
 
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Welcome to the forum. I have had 3 US RV's, over 14 years. An Itasca Sunrise 9.6m, a fifth wheel Holiday Rambler trailer towed with a Dodge Ram 13.5m and a Coachmen Concorde 9.4m.

I have travelled in them in the UK, and Europe. Some sites don't want to know, but there are plenty of sites that will accommodate them. I live on the Isle of Man and have been on sites over here too.

I have been an many CAMC sites without any issues. If you are a confident, and careful driver, you will be alright. The comfort and size is wonderful, the running costs not so.

We enjoyed every mile we drove in them, but, as I am getting older, we decided to downsize, and have gone from one extreme to another, and bought a Devon Aztec XL, panel van. We are equally satisfied with this purchase, but did so enjoy the RV's.

You will get all the American RV information on the RVOC (recreational vehicle owners club) web site. Full of valuable information and help.

Enjoy!

Craig

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stevewagner said:
Just think anywhere a bus can go, you can go.
Click to expand...

Not necessarily, buses rarely try to get onto grass campsites or have long rear overhang and often the steering lock is better.
It all depends on the RV. 🤔

PS. Unless they have changed it, a long RV could never get onto the one of the main open all year Camping and Caravan sites at Chertsey on the outskirts of London for instance.
 
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Guigsy said:
The issue isn't just the length. It's that American RVs are wide! Apparently they are typically 100 inches across, which is 2.5m. Most European motorhomes top out at 2.35m. And even that is more work than 2.05m panel van conversions. You'll be the same width as an HGV. You will face limitations on where you can get to and where you can park in the UK.

The other issue is weight. I assume you have a C1 licence?
Click to expand...

A 10m RV is likely to be over 7.5t, if so would need a 'C' Licence.
 
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We are at Bonterra Park at the moment, some big ones here, always draws an audience when a big one arrives or departs as the pitches are big enough, it’s getting on them that’s the issue.

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Guigsy said:
The issue isn't just the length. It's that American RVs are wide! Apparently they are typically 100 inches across, which is 2.5m. Most European motorhomes top out at 2.35m. And even that is more work than 2.05m panel van conversions. You'll be the same width as an HGV. You will face limitations on where you can get to and where you can park in the UK.

The other issue is weight. I assume you have a C1 licence?
Click to expand...
Hi Guigsy,
I have a full HGV licence. So if there are size limitations on various sites. I wonder if there is a list of large RV friendly UK sites?
 
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simsy56 said:
Welcome to the forum. I have had 3 US RV's, over 14 years. An Itasca Sunrise 9.6m, a fifth wheel Holiday Rambler trailer towed with a Dodge Ram 13.5m and a Coachmen Concorde 9.4m.

I have travelled in them in the UK, and Europe. Some sites don't want to know, but there are plenty of sites that will accommodate them. I live on the Isle of Man and have been on sites over here too.

I have been an many CAMC sites without any issues. If you are a confident, and careful driver, you will be alright. The comfort and size is wonderful, the running costs not so.

We enjoyed every mile we drove in them, but, as I am getting older, we decided to downsize, and have gone from one extreme to another, and bought a Devon Aztec XL, panel van. We are equally satisfied with this purchase, but did so enjoy the RV's.

You will get all the American RV information on the RVOC (recreational vehicle owners club) web site. Full of valuable information and help.

Enjoy!

Craig
Click to expand...
Hi Craig,
Great information, thank you for your kind reply. I am learning that there maybe a list of UK and Europe RV friendly sites somewhere. I feel that would make a difference.
Agreed on the running costs. However it’s for leisure so don’t mind so much. Glad I would not be commuting though. 😂

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Hi ,
Personally if your a very confident driver and driven stuff like this size before then your be fine, as for campsites etc pre planning use Google earth ,
Will give you good idea of accesses etc .
You’re not going to get into supermarkets very easily so good planning will necessary .
But think of the extra comfort a RV will give you.
If your not on a budget money wise then you can choose more expensive sites that suits your size of RV .
GOOD LUCK
 
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As you are an HGV driver, you will have no problem. You will love the experience.

As I said, join the RVOC forum, well worth the money.

Craig
 
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If a beer wagon or bin lorry can access somewhere then generally speaking so will an RV. Ours is 9.7Metres and under 7.5 Tonne and NO slide outs. Be careful as many RV are plated well under their real weight but if you have HGV and not just C1 driving licence then this is irrelevant for you.

Being almost 10Metres long we haven't had a problem getting close to where we want to be. We are sensible though and for instance when exploring Cornwall we parked up at Truro (CMC site) and used a Towcar to access the coast.
MANY websites will say NO to anything over 8Metres but in reality that doesn't mean they don't want your business. They often have a few pitches that can accommodate an RV as the rear overhangs tend to be massive. An email or phone call usually gets the answer you need to know but I do stress the wheel base length to some as they don't get that we can fit the same pitch as euro vans IF there is somewhere to overhang the rear. They do t routinely say yes on websites just in case five large vehicles all turn up on the same day and they only have four pitches - hope you get what I mean.

RVOC.co.uk used to also be run by Jim (the master of Fun) but is now looked after by a couple on the south coast who repair RVs for a living but I don't think it will upset anyone here to recommend that site. This site is far, far more busy than RVOC but there is more specialist knowledge there for the RV and Fifth wheeler community. There is a now ageing Big Pitch Guide that an old RV owner compiled over many years but just posting where you want to visit will usually get a few replies and suggestions.

You can very roughly partition RV into three sizes. 16" wheels, 19.5" wheels (like ours) and the 22" diesel pushers (engine at rear and entry via front corner like a bus/coach).

Happy to answer any questions. We chose an RV as we just love the space inside when parked up and we happen to travel everywhere with two cats that appreciate the space too.



Screenshot_20240624-200859.webpIMG_20240625_140127448_AE.webpIMG_20240627_102326485_HDR_AE.webp
 
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Used to have a 12mtr diesel pusher , Just need to do a bit extra pre-planning of stopping points , bit less choice in UK , but Europe far more options , with slide out and spec level , well worth the effort JMHE . RVOC Forum will be a good source of reliable info .
 
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