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 22/01/2021 10:40

Posted on 22/01/2021 10:40

This thread is not really about Aires TDA but there are some equivalents to Aires in UK. 

Fully fledged Aires provided by a profit making company may emerge but I doubt that they will be cheaper than many CLs already are. 

 

JVB66 replied on 22/01/2021 10:46

Posted on 22/01/2021 10:40 by

This thread is not really about Aires TDA but there are some equivalents to Aires in UK. 

Fully fledged Aires provided by a profit making company may emerge but I doubt that they will be cheaper than many CLs already are. 

 

Posted on 22/01/2021 10:46

If the staycations are going to be the future ,then i can see there may be some will cash in and prices will really go up, unless we get Mr Branson to start up his own "Easy Camps" to fill the gap in the market cool?

Thats if the nimbies and ground available allowsurprised

brue replied on 22/01/2021 11:16

Posted on 22/01/2021 10:09 by

keen to make a difference.

Most self-interest groups are. No idea what they are doing to achieve their  aims. I supposed that they wee striving to promote the provision of Aires. But it seems that overnight parking without facilities is also desired.

Posted on 22/01/2021 11:16

I'm not particularly interested either way as the big change will be the electrification or alternative propulsion of vehicles so that's another thread...electric chargers on CLs anyone? Stop offs to charge? So many changes ahead. I think we're just going to enjoy what we've got at the moment and book sites before they get full! wink

LLM replied on 22/01/2021 11:20

Posted on 22/01/2021 10:28 by JVB66

I agree with your point about stopovers and many laybys are now occupied by HGVs on their legal driving breaks which i agree is a good bit of legislation , the problem is when towing and advised by driving organisations and illuminated road signs to take a break after two hours driving and i find as i have got older i can qute agree ,it is diffcult in the UK to find any where for a stopover ,even service stations have HGVs filling caravan parking areas 

How about petitioning the Clubs (both) for members to have a  driving break using the LNA on sites when towing,surprised

Posted on 22/01/2021 11:20

How about petitioning the Clubs (both) for members to have a driving break using the LNA on sites when towing.

A good idea John provided of course it applies equally to those using motor caravans as well as those tugging.

 

 

 

JVB66 replied on 22/01/2021 11:23

Posted on 22/01/2021 11:20 by LLM

How about petitioning the Clubs (both) for members to have a driving break using the LNA on sites when towing.

A good idea John provided of course it applies equally to those using motor caravans as well as those tugging.

 

 

 

Posted on 22/01/2021 11:23

Fine, no facilities though unless we can use the site loos ,but not essentialwink

peedee replied on 22/01/2021 11:24

Posted on 22/01/2021 09:51 by brue

Thanks for the links to the motorhome group Peedee, obviously a good sized membership and keen to make a difference.

Posted on 22/01/2021 11:24

Yes and many are doing their bit to spread the word that there is a requirement for "parking" for motorhome owners and it can be profitable/environmentally friendly to provide for them.

There are many more who would like to see change as long as it is driven by others or are satisfied by the likes of "Pubstopovers" and "Britstops"..

peedee

peedee replied on 22/01/2021 11:28

Posted on 22/01/2021 11:28

It is about what CL owners think, so far owners on this thread have said they are not going to go down the OP's route for various reasons. They are the ones you will have to convince.

Corners, No I don’t have to convince CL owners about anything. I have already stated I would have to be pretty desperate to use a CL as a stop off for services and that it is down to the individual owners to decide what they provide. I actually don’t see CLs as a solution to meeting motorhome touring requirements, most are too remote from attractions and in my view motorhome services should not be tied to any membership.

Apart from the point that you didn't answer my question about it being a very biased survey and my only 'thoughts' were about giving a a balanced viewpoint which your post or survey didn't (did it?), it is not about what I think on a number of levels is it PD?

I thought I had. To make it clear I do not consider it a biased survey, it was open to all owners. The purpose of my post highlighting the survey was to show that motorhome owners did not need educating about the costs of services. 96 percent of 9000 who responded to CAMpRA’s survey accepted this. FYI a further 80,000 plus also accept it by being members of “Pubstopovers” where they are expected to buy something for the privilege of stopping overnight. "Britstops" operates similarly. The money is out there if businesses want it.

peedee

Cornersteady replied on 22/01/2021 13:26

Posted on 22/01/2021 11:28 by peedee

It is about what CL owners think, so far owners on this thread have said they are not going to go down the OP's route for various reasons. They are the ones you will have to convince.

Corners, No I don’t have to convince CL owners about anything. I have already stated I would have to be pretty desperate to use a CL as a stop off for services and that it is down to the individual owners to decide what they provide. I actually don’t see CLs as a solution to meeting motorhome touring requirements, most are too remote from attractions and in my view motorhome services should not be tied to any membership.

Apart from the point that you didn't answer my question about it being a very biased survey and my only 'thoughts' were about giving a a balanced viewpoint which your post or survey didn't (did it?), it is not about what I think on a number of levels is it PD?

I thought I had. To make it clear I do not consider it a biased survey, it was open to all owners. The purpose of my post highlighting the survey was to show that motorhome owners did not need educating about the costs of services. 96 percent of 9000 who responded to CAMpRA’s survey accepted this. FYI a further 80,000 plus also accept it by being members of “Pubstopovers” where they are expected to buy something for the privilege of stopping overnight. "Britstops" operates similarly. The money is out there if businesses want it.

peedee

Posted on 22/01/2021 13:26

well you're making a pretty good go at putting across that you are trying to convince CL owners, after all this thread is about using CLs and you have posted about some surveys, even some official ones, that appear to say there is a demand?

How can a survey taken within one self help/interested group be not biased? At best the results are only useful within that group. The results cannot be extrapolated to any other. Like turkeys not voting for Christmas.

peedee replied on 24/01/2021 07:50

Posted on 24/01/2021 07:50

well you're making a pretty good go at putting across that you are trying to convince CL owners, after all this thread is about using CLs and you have posted about some surveys, even some official ones, that appear to say there is a demand?

Sorry for the delayed response CS but I prefer to use my time more constructively in supporting CAMpRA to achieve the goals of establishing more legal motorhome “Aires” set up in places of attraction in the UK. CAMpRA is having some success which hopefully will start to snowball this year. The Club claims to have recognised the need for "UK Aires" but if it continues to ignore the requirements of a large proportion of motorhome owners and CAMpRA is successful in its goals, then I can only see the membership declining.

peedee

 

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