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.

replied on 19/01/2021 22:08

Posted on 19/01/2021 21:34 by dave the rave

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

Posted on 19/01/2021 22:08

Never had a problem with my toilet splashing when it was in use whilst I refitted the bathroom and toilet. Just press the vacuum release button before you start. There is nothing in the cassette to cause blockage when I empty mine, just liquid. 

When I did 'wild camp' for the few weeks in Scotland I had a two part toilet that was far easier. I think that I had only twice had to use a public toilet though in a couple of parks as I normally stayed fishing for 4 or 5 nights and then used a site to shower, trim my beard and a little hand washing.

I agree that at present finding a toilet might be difficult at the present but have no idea. Hardly been out for 11 months other than shopping 

cyberyacht replied on 20/01/2021 09:29

Posted on 20/01/2021 09:29

ET wrote: "I, personally, have no desire for the club to provide these facilities for those choosing to stay where there are non. Whilst I do not directly condemn those doing so I see no reason for CMC to promote it."

At the risk of bringing the wrath of the provisional wing of the Kennel Club upon me, the same could be said of dog walks. CAMC are quite happy to provide a facility that is not directly related to LV ownership for a section of the membership yet is unwilling to provide a facility that IS directly related to LV ownership.

brue replied on 20/01/2021 09:34

Posted on 20/01/2021 09:34

I thought we'd done well so far without someone mentioning the D word and I don't use the swings and slides either....laughing

The idea about providing extra services to none site users funded by the club has been talked about before and the official line from the club was they din't want to encourage the unregulated H&S practices of "wild" campers. 

JVB66 replied on 20/01/2021 09:42

Posted on 19/01/2021 21:34 by dave the rave

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

Posted on 20/01/2021 09:42

We encountered that at Whitby P&R and Bourton on the Water car park toiletsyell

Rocky 2 buckets replied on 20/01/2021 09:46

Posted on 20/01/2021 09:42 by JVB66

We encountered that at Whitby P&R and Bourton on the Water car park toiletsyell

Posted on 20/01/2021 09:46

Scarborough south side toilets went the same way & had to be closed for a season awaiting repairs🙁.

last time I was there they were open & working-that was in 2020.

peedee replied on 20/01/2021 10:15

Posted on 20/01/2021 10:15

A survey last year in which 9000 owners responded indicated 96 percent of owners were willing to pay £10 per night just to park overnight and would pay more if there were motorhome services available as well. I think there are very very few who expect to pay nothing and of the 4 percent who wouldn't pay £10, considering it to be too expensive, they would probably be willing to pay something.

I reviewed the survey this morning while the site was down and I note I need to correct the above. My memory wasn't quite correct, for the sake of accuracy the figure of £10 was acceptable to 96 percent for the provision of services (no EHU) and parking as apposed to just parking.

peedee

replied on 20/01/2021 10:18

Posted on 20/01/2021 09:29 by cyberyacht

ET wrote: "I, personally, have no desire for the club to provide these facilities for those choosing to stay where there are non. Whilst I do not directly condemn those doing so I see no reason for CMC to promote it."

At the risk of bringing the wrath of the provisional wing of the Kennel Club upon me, the same could be said of dog walks. CAMC are quite happy to provide a facility that is not directly related to LV ownership for a section of the membership yet is unwilling to provide a facility that IS directly related to LV ownership.

Posted on 20/01/2021 10:18

Directly related to the LV community that use sites that don't provide the very facilities that they apparently require. If they do not wish to use a regulated site they should consider their options. One obvious one is to use a regulated site. If they don't wish to do that then I see no reason for a club site to make provision -Whether a member or not.

There are a number of RV users that regularly weekend on car parks etc. In normal times I suspect that many would have little problem managing waste for weekend.

Eventually there may be some providers that see a business opportunity in providing facilities. Not seen many yet. 

replied on 20/01/2021 10:29

Posted on 20/01/2021 10:15 by peedee

A survey last year in which 9000 owners responded indicated 96 percent of owners were willing to pay £10 per night just to park overnight and would pay more if there were motorhome services available as well. I think there are very very few who expect to pay nothing and of the 4 percent who wouldn't pay £10, considering it to be too expensive, they would probably be willing to pay something.

I reviewed the survey this morning while the site was down and I note I need to correct the above. My memory wasn't quite correct, for the sake of accuracy the figure of £10 was acceptable to 96 percent for the provision of services (no EHU) and parking as apposed to just parking.

peedee

Posted on 20/01/2021 10:29

Looking around some popular car parks in Whitby 24 hours parking is £10 without dump stations although daytime toilets on site (normally). I suspect that for many possible providers they would want around £10 just to dump - no parking up. £10 a night for pitch and dump provisions in such an area is unlikely to happen I suspect. I suspect the same in many popular areas

SteveL replied on 20/01/2021 10:32

Posted on 20/01/2021 10:32

I would think a prime time wild campers would want access is fairly early on, when they move on from where ever they have managed to park up. This would directly conflict with those who had stopped on site and are leaving. In most cases all we or they are dumping is grey water, which takes very little time. Where as the wild camper will also be filling with water and emptying their cassette, which is going to take somewhat longer. As when busy it is already necessary to queue, I am firmly against opening it up to those not stopping the night.

Takethedogalong replied on 20/01/2021 10:43

Posted on 20/01/2021 10:43

I suspect if the Club ever did consider something, it might be an amenity on the edge of a Site, so that those wanting to use it weren’t detained unnecessarily by the overwhelming welcome and friendship shown by Members staying🤣

 

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