Towing 8ft wide caravans

The modern Buccaneers are specified as:

Overall Width: 2450mm / 8'0"  [ not that 8 foot is 2450 mm but close at 12 mm short of it]

https://elddis.co.uk/models/bermuda

It should be noted that since we aligned with Europe, our caravans can be 2550 mm wide, nearly 4.5" wider than 8 feet.

 

 

We've got an 8' wide x 27' 9' long Adria.

Been on CL's with tight access, commercial sites with tight access, C&MC with tight access.

Beginning of October we stayed at non C&MC at Ullswater which has a lovely bridge over a stream to reception with just 2 inches either side due to the wooden fence erected.

Looking to go to Trethem Mill this year and having seen Flatcoats concerns I've just had a look via online mapping.Although I see what Flatcoat refers to, I can see no issues for me anymore so than someone with a 7' 6" wide 2 8' long twin-wheeler.

It's about awareness of what you are towing and embracing technological advances such as Google maps to take a view of where you are going. It is only 6 inches wider. If this extra gives you nightmares stick with the narrow van and perhaps take a towing course to enhance your skill set along with fitting mirrors that really do look down the side of your van, not just a token gesture to comply with the C&U Regs.

Me, I learned the hard way many years ago as a yard shunt driver of bulk load artics at a feed mill, whilst reversing rear steering trailers with a mind of their own into bays with only 1" either side. It wasn't a collision free career but it taught me to stop if in doubt and go see. So suppose I'm lucky in that sense.

In the meantime I'm going to sit in my 6" wider van and enjoy the space it affords me. Very roomy indeed

 

Having visited Tretham Mill again in July i seem to recall there were a couple of 8’0” wide vans on site. If you can ‘walk’ it on Google street you will see where the tight spots (and evidence of close shaves) are. You might also want to stop as you pull into the lane off the St Mawes Road and literally walk it. This isn’t a few feet over a bridge or Through a gateway but a couple of hundred feet or so with a bend and a bit of a wiggle section. Given how some react to the Bolton Abbey arch i never make assumptions about what is easy! Enjoy your visit, fabulous site and area. 

Hi

 

We tow a Bailey Grande Messina with our MB E220 with no difficulty.

We have travelled up from the Wirral to Scotland via the A82 Loch ness route with no problems at all.

Having a 8ft wide caravan does make the standard of living more appreciative especially with 2 dogs. In our caravan we have th eluxury of a G shaed front lounge which really works well

I think people nervousness about towing an 8Ft is understandable but the way  look at it, it is just 3" inches either side of a standard caravan

we have the swift challenger x880 8ft wide van

never noticed towing it any different than our other caravans which were  narrower i think its all in your head

I have also stayed at Trethem Mill and yes, the approach lane is narrow, but with care, negotiated without a problem. 

It's incredible to think that many members on here are of a certain age, many began their driving careers in the sixties and seventies. Lots will have driven cars like the Mini, Hillman Imp, Ford Escort, Vauxhall Viva to mention a few. The Mini's width was 4' 7 1/2" (or 1.41m) The current Landrover Discovery measures 2m across, my own towcar 1.89m. How do we manage with these Goliaths? We adapted and evolved.

Yes, cars and caravans are wider (so are some roads). The only roads in the UK where I can't get down in my 8' wide caravan, are those with a 7'6" restriction, but then again, neither will most other tourers.

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I have to say David, as it would be remiss of me not to do so, that we humans are also 'increasing in size' Looking back at photos of when we were younger, portion sizes etc we could all manage with slimmer cars and caravans back then! Not so today, but that's another discussion 

I agree ,but then most modern cars are now more like a safety cage ,that we are locked inside with the same space as in older cars

Our Rover P4 100 2.6 was a big car when we had one,  we have since followed one when in our Kia Sportage and it looked really small, it is lower and much narrower 

The extra few inches of width does make a significant difference internally and when we bought our new Eccles 580 last year we pondered long and hard about buying the ‘X’ version. However the deciding factor for us is parking at home. We park the van and one of the cars side by side in a double bay enclosed by a high wall. That loss of 6” or so is a dealbreaker such we would have to enter or exit the car through the tailgate..... From a towing aspect i was not concerned.