Where to park at Services (Motorway)

[starquake]

Sounds a wierd question to ask, but Motorhomes seemed all over at Rugby services this weekend. I parked in the caravan section (6.6m van so doesn't fit in a normal space without a metre overhang). The question is should I -> some motorhomers in regular car section picking overhanging grass areas, some in the coach area.

There seems to be no standard, but I wasn't "only" person to use caravan lane (as it's both wide enough and long enough to allow safe access to gas locker to turn on gas for a brew rather than going to starbucks at 5x the price lol).

So whats the forums view on parking etiquitte, should I use coach parking as a few were? I am coachbuilt... A Bailey 66-2.

 

[The Wino]

We generally go in caravan parking. If that's full and it's pretty empty anywhere else will do if it's busy go somewhere else.

 

[RowleyBirkinQC]

We are 7m and target the caravan parking where possible.

 

[Larby]

I have a « Motor Caravan » according to DVLA
I also have P HGV
Stops parking attendant insisting on being in wrong section.
He should be ticketing cars in caravan places.

 

[The Wino]

Forgot to say we generally try to stop at the front of an empty caravan slot if possible as our stops are usually pretty short and if you're behind someone and the spaces either side are taken it's a pain getting out.

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[Figaro]

Caravan bays every time.
Avoid the coach bays, you're likely to annoy the drivers if it's busy.
Always follow signs if there are any

 

[PP Bear]

Have seen extended bays in the car parks for long vehicles, but guess what, every time I look, it’s got cars using them. Where’s the attendant now then

Use the caravan lane, which at times, takes you to the HGV and coach parking

It’s where I witnessed the coach driver dumping the toilet black waste in the carpark and got it all over himself

 

[chaser]

Have seen extended bays in the car parks for long vehicles, but guess what, every time I look, it’s got cars using them. Where’s the attendant now then

Use the caravan lane, which at times, takes you to the HGV and coach parking

It’s where I witnessed the coach driver dumping the toilet black waste in the carpark and got it all over himself

Did anything come of that coach driver, never heard anymore about it.?

 

[PP Bear]

Did anything come of that coach driver, never heard anymore about it.?

Don’t know, but there were other Funsters who notified the company, so might have heard something

 

[steve69]

I'm only 6M long but if the caravan parking has spaces, I use one of those. If it is busy - I park near the perimeter as possible so as to be out of the way of other vehicles.

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[lynnian]

On the way to Tunnel we usually stop at Thurrock Services and 'head ' for the caravan parking' but it is invariably full of HGV's so park in the HGV area as there is plenty of room

 

[Littlewheels]

Why should it be so difficult? because they Service areas in the U.K. are not fit for purpose, crammed in everyway parking/shops/fuel not to mention the rip off prices and then you have a jobsworth looking to ticket you at every opportunit, all that and Motorway signage advising take a break and when you do you suffer all the stress of above.
Compare to mainland Europe acres of parking, free and a multitude of Rest/Picnick areas and the oppor to fuel up every 20km or so.
Just another example of making the Motorist who adds billions into the government coffers suffer.

 

[hja]

We are 6.4m Look for signage, usually follow caravan signs. Park behind another van rather than an empty bay, to leave more room for caravans. If van in front leaves before us, always move foreward to allow space behind.

 

[bigtwin]

While PVCs are, technically, motorcaravans and can claim legitimate use of ‘caravan’ bays (although the provision clearly isn’t made based on their revenue classification), I can never understand why they don't park in the ‘car’ park, utilising two bays if necessary. It can be frustrating if you have a long vehicle and you find a little PVC parked in the middle of a long ‘caravan’ bay. You also get folks with ‘people carrier’ type vehicles who could perfectly well use the normal car park.

It’s a bit like the generator issue, generators aren’t the problem it’s the choices made by the user that dictates the consequences.
My biggest gripe with service stations is the poor signage to direct you to the correct area.

Ian

 

[Sleafordquin]

I always try and go in the caravan area only time i have be questioned was when i parked in the car part at medway services at 3am in the morning it was totaly empty and was quicker walk to the coffeer lol

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[Orion]

Compare to mainland Europe acres of parking, free and a multitude of Rest/Picnick areas and the oppor to fuel up every 20km or so.
Just another example of making the Motorist who adds billions into the government coffers suffer.

You forgot the dedicated MoHo service facilities - drive over grey and black dump, fresh potable water fill - that are free to use at many continental service areas. Bet your life they would be charged for if they were more commonplace over here.

 

[Janine]

The only motorway services that I would avoid is Exeter on the M5.

Lots of signs with dire warnings but no clear signage for parking a motorhome. Luckily I am small enough to fit in a car space but didn’t dare leave the van in case I got ticketed.

 

[DDJC]

Always the LGV section, but we do tow a 2m trailer so are a bit longer than many MHs.

 

[dunnah01]

Can over 3.5t PHGVs legitimately use the HGV parking?

 

[hja]

While PVCs are, technically, motorcaravans and can claim legitimate use of ‘caravan’ bays (although the provision clearly isn’t made based on their revenue classification), I can never understand why they don't park in the ‘car’ park, utilising two bays if necessary. It can be frustrating if you have a long vehicle and you find a little PVC parked in the middle of a long ‘caravan’ bay. You also get folks with ‘people carrier’ type vehicles who could perfectly well use the normal car park.

It’s a bit like the generator issue, generators aren’t the problem it’s the choices made by the user that dictates the consequences.
My biggest gripe with service stations is the poor signage to direct you to the correct area.

Ian

As a PVC 6.4 m firstly I would have to find two bays end to end that were available. I would just fit the bay width, probably, but would be concerned about neighbouring cars being able to open doors without damage to me. Also services car parks are not the easiest to negotiate in a 6.4m PVC, often some tight turns.

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[The Wino]

If I were arranging parking at the services and had a choice between 3 cars with owners likely to spend money or a motorhome when I know a lot just use the loos and put the kettle on I wonder which one I would use the space for!

 

[LesW]

I can't even remember the last time I felt the need to stop at a motorway services..

 

[poppycamper]

Can over 3.5t PHGVs legitimately use the HGV parking?

They are techniqually HGV's. So why not..

 

[The Wino]

I can't even remember the last time I felt the need to stop at a motorway services..

We use them a lot more since Greggs started setting up on them. It's our guilty treat!

 

[Charlie57]

We use them a lot more since Greggs started setting up on them. It's our guilty treat!

Guilty as charged, sentencing will be made in due course

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[Charlie57]

While PVCs are, technically, motorcaravans and can claim legitimate use of ‘caravan’ bays (although the provision clearly isn’t made based on their revenue classification), I can never understand why they don't park in the ‘car’ park, utilising two bays if necessary.

Ian

If they are long and the bays are narrow they would have difficulty getting in and out of a space with a vehicle either side, especially if they are numb nuts who park on the white line would make leaving impossible ar the roadways are also narrow

 

[Just smiffy]

With my 6m pvc it fits in a disabled bay so I can get my wheelchair out so that’s where I park… sometimes I sit near my van having a drink or something to eat and you’d be amazed at the amount of people walking past moaning about it being parked there saying how can that belong to a disabled person….

 

[chaser]

How long has there been parking wardens on motorway services,? IV never seen one. I thought it was all cameras. We always stop on the way to the tunnel and back, we just park anywhere actually, we are not that much longer than the car bays especially around the outside or the caravan part and if we can't get anywhere else will use the hgv but this is only a last resort as these guys are working for their living and have to stop, and they can't choose but as I say we have parked everywhere and never seen a sign of any warden.

 

[nicholsong]

We usually park on HGV bays on Continent, but not at w/e in countries where theit use on roads is banned.

I did not know of difficulties and penalties in UK.

 

[Charlie57]

With my 6m pvc it fits in a disabled bay so I can get my wheelchair out so that’s where I park… sometimes I sit near my van having a drink or something to eat and you’d be amazed at the amount of people walking past moaning about it being parked there saying how can that belong to a disabled person….

Tell 'em to **** off