What way to point your van. (2 Viewers)

[Blaydon]

Hi all. In Naples, we parked on a site(rare for us) and was told by the warden to turn round and face the other way. I think he used to run a Caravan Club site in a previous life.
In general, we park to get the view.
D

 

[Blaydon]

Simple… Best view, best sun on door side…

I’m confused. The sun moves so do you turn the van round in the afternoon

 

[gus-lopez]

I reverse in anywhere & everywhere. I-d never drive in & have to reverse out.
Fridge is on drivers side so if fridge is in the sun I go elsewhere

That would be me

Or me

 

[Carpmart]

I’m confused. The sun moves so do you turn the van round in the afternoon

Okay, my post was obviously challenging for some… to avoid confusion, face the door South…

 

[mohawkman]

It seems pretty random in some cases there's a temporary site near us on a school field and someone has chosen to park away from everyone else next to the fence nearest the main road a very odd choice!

Not an odd choice possibly they have a dog who is best kept away from other dogs. I can think of several members in our club who always like to be away from other vans for whatever reason.

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[Smokaijo]

When parking up, and you have a choice. Is there an optimum direction to point your van. Should the van point north for example. Also what do you use to decide, compass or phone app?

We point ours in the best direction for my Autolift which comes out the passenger side IF we are staying more than one night off grid.

On campsite we try to accommodate both lift & hook up points .

TBH never think of direction EXCEPT for windy days in which case into the wind nose first is best

 

[Blaydon]

Okay, my post was obviously challenging for some… to avoid confusion, face the door South…

Sorry. I was being silly.

 

[Carpmart]

Sorry. I was being silly.

Me too!!!

 

[Jerrywh]

Always North, true North though not magnetic north

Good thinking... but declination is less than 1% in the UK currently, good luck with being that precise...

I found the OPs question difficult, there seem to be so many factors .. but normally on a site you have only two choices, nose in or nose out.. so usually, I make a spur of the moment decison, and then reverse it later ...

 

[HKF]

The only time I ever consider pointing the motorhome in any direction would be in a very strong gale when I would face into the prevailing weather.

I might be tempted to face our back into the wind, since we have a high overcab with two pan windows!!

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[icantremember]

Tonks or busbuddy - excuse my ignorance but what is RIAT?

I might be tempted to face our back into the wind, since we have a high overcab with two pan windows!!

That might be my second choice but as the vehicle is designed to be stable traveling at motorway speeds of 70+ mph I rest my case.

 

[The Wino]

It's not good etiquette when parking up to have your Habitation door facing a neighbour's door, if can be avoided, same as walking across someone's pitch

I don't think I ever decided to park one way or the other based on that. The slope, sun , wind etc maybe but which way doors faced didn't come into it.

 

[HKF]

That might be my second choice but as the vehicle is designed to be stable traveling at motorway speeds of 70+ mph I rest my case.

I get that but on the motorway no one's in it. At night, my hubby's in there!!!

 

[stuartholmes]

There is some sort of saying about parking facing out in case you have to move quickly, it's often quoted on here but for the life of me can't remember the exact words.
I seem to remember Jim said it once.

'Always park facing out' (when visiting clients) is the advice I gave to student social workers when I used to teach them. It mostly wasn't important but you often couldn't tell in advance.

We have a PVC with sofa facing the side door so, all other things being equal the default setting is side door to best view. If there's no 'view' at all it's side door to south so we can have the door open & wind-out canopy shading the inside.

I always know which way is south because I was a boy scout.

 

[HKF]

'Always park facing out' (when visiting clients) is the advice I gave to student social workers when I used to teach them. It mostly wasn't important but you often couldn't tell in advance.

We have a PVC with sofa facing the side door so, all other things being equal the default setting is side door to best view. If there's no 'view' at all it's side door to south so we can have the door open & wind-out canopy shading the inside.

I always know which way is south because I was a boy scout.

We had a similar thing with certain mental health patients....never let them get between you and the door!

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[Minxy]

Alternatively just pitch up in the dark and see what awaits in the morning.

 

[nicholsong]

We wildcampers have more options on direction of parking.

Except on ferries.

 

[stuartholmes]

We had a similar thing with certain mental health patients....never let them get between you and the door!

I learned that working in Belfast during the 1970s

 

[JulianC]

The AI answer from FunBot is:

When parking your motorhome in an open flat field, there are several considerations to take into account regarding the direction in which you park:

1. Sun Orientation: Consider parking your motorhome so that your main living areas, such as your windows and patio area, are facing away from the sun during the hottest parts of the day. This can help keep the interior cooler and more comfortable.

2. Wind Direction: Park your motorhome in a direction that minimizes exposure to strong winds. Positioning your motorhome perpendicular to the prevailing wind can help reduce the impact of wind on your vehicle and improve stability.

3. Privacy and Views: If you have a preference for privacy or scenic views, consider the orientation of your motorhome to take advantage of the surrounding landscape. Parking with a view of a lake, mountain, or other natural features can enhance your camping experience.

4. Access and Safety: Ensure that your motorhome is parked in a safe location that allows for easy access to amenities such as water, power, and facilities. Additionally, consider factors such as proximity to fire pits, picnic tables, and other campsite features when choosing a parking spot.

5. Level Ground: It is important to park your motorhome on level ground to ensure stability and prevent issues with appliances, doors, and general comfort inside the vehicle. Use leveling blocks or ramps if necessary to achieve a level parking spot.

By considering these factors, you can choose the best direction to park your motorhome in an open flat field to optimize your camping experience in terms of comfort, safety, and enjoyment of the surroundings.

Which means someone can write an app to tell you where to go and in which direction to park !

What an answer!! Crikey! The co pilot is likely to lose her advisory role (or should that be dictatorial role?) if we ask AI questions in future,

 

[TheBig1]

Both the C&CC and the C&MC advise to always park across a slope in case the handbrake fails

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[The Wino]

Both the C&CC and the C&MC advise to always park across a slope in case the handbrake fails

Odd when they were so strict about the peg position at least 50% of the time it would make it impossible to park across the slope

 

[HKF]

Both the C&CC and the C&MC advise to always park across a slope in case the handbrake fails

If that was a concern, wouldn't you just leave it in gear, too?

 

[stuartholmes]

Both the C&CC and the C&MC advise to always park across a slope in case the handbrake fails

I rather suspect that's just for amateurs and their own insurance/protection in case they get blamed for anything.

 

[Jerrywh]

Both the C&CC and the C&MC advise to always park across a slope in case the handbrake fails

Not relevant for anyone who (a) has an automatic, or (b) has enough nous to leave it in gear, or (c) is on .. but hey, a & b are enough