Posted on 29/05/2020 09:43
Hi all, it seems that Caravan manufacturers are making 8ft wide caravans as the norm now. But I was wondering if anybody has towed with one, how do you find it? Motorways and A roads I would think be OK until you get to the last bit of your journey where road are a bit tight?
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Posted on 05/06/2020 21:52 by RiggersWe have a 8ft 2020 Swift Celebrate Super QEB and so far had no issues on our trips to Chatsworth, Grassington & York before lockdown. It tows really well and to be honest hasn’t caused me any uncomfortable moments yet! The additional interior space is noticeable and as we caravan all year appreciate the difference especially in the separate end bed room which is perfect for us. Not noticed any real difference in mpg when towing over our previous van.
Not for everyone but we love ours
Posted on 06/06/2020 10:42 by munro21Did you find it ok driving round Grassington on B road's?
Posted on 07/06/2020 20:08
The approach to the Wharfedale CAMC site was fine. You have the narrow stretch having just past through Threshfields but you have to take that section carefully with a standard size van. At nearly 8metres long it is the length that worries me more than the width! And as jonray said we had no difficulty with Chatsworth either including the bridge on entering the arrivals area at the site.
Posted on 06/06/2020 12:24 by ExtuggerMunro, I've been to Grassington & Chatsworth in our 8' van. The roads are great and present no problems. The only time you need to take extra care, is when there's no centre white line marking.
Posted on 06/06/2020 10:14 by TinwheelerPS. I'm not pointing the finger here but R&R did choose his Cornish site with great care and sought opinion here as to which roads to tow on. Something I doubt he would have done with a conventional width van.
Don't forget, too, that delivery vans are made of much stronger stuff than caravans and often aren't driven by their owners. White van man probably won't care and his van will very likely be less than 8' in width.
Each to their own, eh.
Posted on 08/06/2020 05:33
TW - you're absolutely correct and I was grateful for the excellent advice I got from you and others on here. However, you are incorrect when you say that you doubted that I would have done it with my previous (7'6") van - I would have, because that's the sort of person I am!! I spent hours checking Google maps, the first time we went to Wharfedale with the Barcelona - just because we were going into 'unknown territory'.
And I agree with your comments about 'white van man' and that's another reason I always check. However, as I said earlier, I have found that in practice most drivers are understanding and can see the width - so if I sit there, waiting to get past an obstruction etc, they usually (but not always!) let me through.
I was apprehensive to start with but by now, it isn't a problem at all. I wouldn't want to take the Knaus down any tiny country lanes - but I wouldn't have done that with the Barcelona, either.
Plus, as I get older, I recognise that I might not be towing for that many more years, and the Knaus would be ideal sited on a seasonal pitch somewhere - which was at the back of our minds when we bought it.
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munro21
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