Servicing calls at CLs for Motorcaravans

Biggarmac replied on 18/01/2021 17:08

Posted on 18/01/2021 17:08

In 2020 when lockdown was lifted in July there was a surge of members desperate to get out in their units.  Sites were swamped and in some areas it was impossible to find a site.  Many motorcaravanners who had not previously gone off grid (I refuse to use the term wildcamp) found they had no choice.  I was lucky to get three nights on a CL at Blairgowrie during a 10 night tour. and one night on a commercial campsite in the Great Glen.  On other nights I stayed in Pub carparks where I was able to enjoy a meal, in forestry carparks, on coastal carparks and on friends drives.

The big problem was disposing of wastes and filling with water.  Friends with drives were very helpful, but the problem of lack of the type facilities such as there is on the continent was very evident.

On the continent many campsites allow non residents on to service their units, for a fee.  It could be an additional revenue stream for CL owners to allow passing trade to use their service points.  This would be particularly useful for CLs who are full to supplement their income and to reduce the problems which were seem in many popular tourist hotspots last year.  The owners would need to look at what extra costs they would have for this service and what services they would be able to provide.  For instance how much does 100 litres of water cost on a metered supply?  How much each toilet emptying would add to the cost of sewerage?  How much for emptying a greywater supply of say 80 litres?  For comparison the CCC, on some sites, allow members to use site facilities, empty wastes and fill water for £7.30 (last years price).  That also allows for the use of showers.

This would stop the complaint that one night stopovers to dump and fill are blocking longer bookings.  A drop in facility could be a bonus for both CL owners and Motorcaravanners.

Takethedogalong replied on 19/01/2021 17:18

Posted on 19/01/2021 17:18

Hobbit reference is “There and Back Again....” Bilbo’s book about his adventures. It was actually the original title of Tolkien’s Hobbit.  

It’s just the way I think about how we use our caravan......every day, there and back again (off to see somewhere nice, then back to caravan), sorry if I confused😁

It’s linear touring with the MH......or “The Road Goes Ever On....” (Tolkien’s poem) not retracing our steps each day.

We love both ways of spending time.

JVB66 replied on 19/01/2021 17:27

Posted on 19/01/2021 15:55 by eurortraveller

With reference to your  second paragraph...

If 50 hired vans were passing my door on the NC 500 every day, some UK first timers and others overseas visitors , it would strike me that running a CL just for 5 CMC members was a bit of a loser.  

It needs someone with more of a business brain. 

Posted on 19/01/2021 17:27

I posted way back on this thread ,it may be that a cl on a busy road may be worth looking at BMs OP

I think many hire companies will already have booked sites on a tour for their LVs

replied on 19/01/2021 17:35

Posted on 19/01/2021 12:26 by DavidKlyne

There is an element within this thread and the one that Ted started about CL owners (now locked) which I think illustrates that the leisure vehicle market and requirement of owners is changing but the acceptance of that change is difficult for some to reconcile. When I caravanned the prospect of staying elsewhere other than a campsite/CL probably wouldn't have entered my mind. However since becoming a motorhomer I am more sympathetic even if I have no immediate plans to join the free/wild campers. The fact that in Europe there are thousands of perfectly legal free overnight stops provided probably leads to some puzzlement as to why the same is not true in the UK? 

One element of Ted's website I found interesting was that he felt the need to spell out to CL owners was the different requirements needed to attract motorhomers. Anyone reading the various motorhome forums and Facebook pages will realise there is a very high demand to be free of the conventional campsite solution for overnight stays. The education for motorhomers is to point out that such freedom doesn't come without a cost. Although, apparently, the Club have embraced motorhoming they have done so within the conventional framework of campsites. It might not be practical for all sites to offer a waste and refill option but there will be some sites where such a facility could be offered and perhaps it's time for the Club to experiment? If it doesn't work the experiment can be ended but if it does it could be extended.

David

Posted on 19/01/2021 17:35

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

Takethedogalong replied on 19/01/2021 17:44

Posted on 19/01/2021 17:44

We are same now AD. We used to overnight (midnight to 6am) in places like big ox bow lay bys, hidden park up spots, or in service station lorry parks, but those days are long gone now. The lay bys are sadly disgustingly dirty, full of bad pot holes, and Mr 40 tonne HGV is a lot more worrying nowadays. The service stations were never that good, and now charge an arm and a leg, and every park like pull in has a barrier of some sort. So we look for proper overnight spots nowadays, usually a CL. 

replied on 19/01/2021 18:02

Posted on 19/01/2021 17:35 by

I think you have a point about the difficulty caravanners have in understanding the difference between the touring styles. To me except in rare circumstances it never occurs now to spend a night off a site, but there was a time when I found it very convenient to do so . In the past before we were convinced of the danger (genuine  or not) of using motorway services in France I regularly managed a dash down south without loosing several hours each day going off route to sites. "Over here" I used to welcome the chance to use the caravan site (now gone) at Tebay services for an overnight en route to Scotland and wish there were more such facilities both here and abroad especially in less touristy areas where sites can be thin on the ground. I  dont have the solution to the issue but do feel its a pity every time its raised its shouted down by those without any vested interest.

Posted on 19/01/2021 18:02

If you are having a couple of stopovers on route there is ample facility on board. 

If you choose to continually stay were there are no such facilities when on holiday that is for you to sort in UK. I had no problem doing so. I simply chose a site with facilities when needed or used a public toilet to empty waste and a highway grid for any waste water. Collecting water as needed.

 

replied on 19/01/2021 18:27

Posted on 19/01/2021 17:44 by Takethedogalong

We are same now AD. We used to overnight (midnight to 6am) in places like big ox bow lay bys, hidden park up spots, or in service station lorry parks, but those days are long gone now. The lay bys are sadly disgustingly dirty, full of bad pot holes, and Mr 40 tonne HGV is a lot more worrying nowadays. The service stations were never that good, and now charge an arm and a leg, and every park like pull in has a barrier of some sort. So we look for proper overnight spots nowadays, usually a CL. 

Posted on 19/01/2021 18:27

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

replied on 19/01/2021 18:41

Posted on 19/01/2021 18:02 by

If you are having a couple of stopovers on route there is ample facility on board. 

If you choose to continually stay were there are no such facilities when on holiday that is for you to sort in UK. I had no problem doing so. I simply chose a site with facilities when needed or used a public toilet to empty waste and a highway grid for any waste water. Collecting water as needed.

 

Posted on 19/01/2021 18:41

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

nelliethehooker replied on 19/01/2021 19:32

Posted on 19/01/2021 11:51 by Rocky 2 buckets

Here you have it, it seems to be a hijacked name subsumed by the LV fraternity as a way of adding a thin veil of cool acceptability to what is a not very nice pursuit🤷🏻‍♂️☹️-

Posted on 19/01/2021 19:32

Wonder why they don't call it by the name given to it by national park wardens when they have to clean up the mess left..... "Dirty Camping"

dave the rave replied on 19/01/2021 21:34

Posted on 19/01/2021 18:02 by

If you are having a couple of stopovers on route there is ample facility on board. 

If you choose to continually stay were there are no such facilities when on holiday that is for you to sort in UK. I had no problem doing so. I simply chose a site with facilities when needed or used a public toilet to empty waste and a highway grid for any waste water. Collecting water as needed.

 

Posted on 19/01/2021 21:34

Maybe they should charge more for public toilets as they would most likely block up or be in a disgusting state after somebody emptied 2or3 days worth in one go and we all know how much it splashesfrown

Takethedogalong replied on 19/01/2021 21:39

Posted on 19/01/2021 21:39

You’d have to find a public toilet that is open, beyond those in shops. Rare as hen’s teeth at the moment. Not that I would try it anyway...🤢

This topic has been locked, no new replies can be added.

Near Malvern Hills Club Campsite by Andrew Cole

Book a late escape

There's still availability at many popular UK Club campsites - find your perfect pitch today for a last minute trip!

Book now
Woman sitting in camping chair by Wastwater in the Lake District with her two dogs and picnic blanket

Follow us on Facebook

Follow the Caravan and Motorhome Club via our official Facebook page for latest news, holiday ideas, events, activities and special offers.

Photo of Wast Water, Lake District by Sue Peace
Visit Facebook