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.

Cornersteady replied on 24/01/2021 13:32

Posted on 24/01/2021 13:22 by peedee

Some broad unsubstantiated statements there.

Some are my own views but some are definitely in the public domain for those so inclined to check. Perhaps DSB would like to chip in as to the Club's views and the planned trials the Club has in mind..

peedee

Posted on 24/01/2021 13:32

well could you please put some links for the public domain ones?

Cornersteady replied on 24/01/2021 13:38

Posted on 24/01/2021 13:26 by eurortraveller

CS,  Believe me the Motorhome boom in France and the widespread provision of Aires has certainly led to the decline in sites - many smaller sites have closed, some are desperately seeking customers by cutting prices via ACSI, some remain unstaffed for much of the day, and others are running a shorter and shorter season.

I don't know whether GB will ever follow suit, the situation here is many years behind them, but in France you cannot say that "both can exist and prosper". Motorhomes and Aires in that country are really hurting campsites and their owners.

Posted on 24/01/2021 13:38

ET, believe me when I say that certainly hasn't happened in Italy, well Ok I can only speak for any certainty of that in Tuscany and what I've heard from those who tour in Italy. I have no idea of France.

As this is in in the UK section, my comments naturally only apply to the UK.

Post edit statistics I've found quickly seem to say that in France almost 13 times more people stay in 3 or 4 start sites than unrated, and 4 times as many stay in 3/4 start than unrated/1/2 star. Details on request.

replied on 24/01/2021 14:18

Posted on 24/01/2021 13:26 by eurortraveller

CS,  Believe me the Motorhome boom in France and the widespread provision of Aires has certainly led to the decline in sites - many smaller sites have closed, some are desperately seeking customers by cutting prices via ACSI, some remain unstaffed for much of the day, and others are running a shorter and shorter season.

I don't know whether GB will ever follow suit, the situation here is many years behind them, but in France you cannot say that "both can exist and prosper". Motorhomes and Aires in that country are really hurting campsites and their owners.

Posted on 24/01/2021 14:18

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

eurortraveller replied on 24/01/2021 14:20

Posted on 24/01/2021 14:20

CS , I can only make a prediction of what is likely to happen in the UK.  As the ratio of motorhomes to caravans increases, and as Aires and other stopovers gradually grow,  I think CLs are the sort of sites which will be hurt most. Grass fields in remote situations and without waste water emptying grids will probably be the sort of sites which will die fastest. 

JVB66 replied on 24/01/2021 14:28

Posted on 24/01/2021 13:22 by peedee

Some broad unsubstantiated statements there.

Some are my own views but some are definitely in the public domain for those so inclined to check. Perhaps DSB would like to chip in as to the Club's views and the planned trials the Club has in mind..

peedee

Posted on 24/01/2021 14:28

Clubs trials ?none of those i know have mentioned it?  Maybe JK or other site staff who post or lurkon here , i think would have been asked for their input can throw any light on your postundecided

JVB66 replied on 24/01/2021 14:33

Posted on 24/01/2021 14:18 by

This has been our experience  too ET   it might not be affecting the larger fully equipped  sites in the same way but the village municipals have closed at an alarming rate many becoming housing estates. One of our favourites in the Vendee was a clear example, we visited several times and found only 2 or 3 other occupants  but the so called Aire (a car park without facilities) 150 m away would have 15 or 20 motorhomes.   The first effect  was reduced opening  then  followed by closure  . It was €12 but couldn't compete with free.

Posted on 24/01/2021 14:33

It proves a point about what it seems is what some MC owners in the uk are "Expecting?"

replied on 24/01/2021 14:38

Posted on 24/01/2021 14:20 by eurortraveller

CS , I can only make a prediction of what is likely to happen in the UK.  As the ratio of motorhomes to caravans increases, and as Aires and other stopovers gradually grow,  I think CLs are the sort of sites which will be hurt most. Grass fields in remote situations and without waste water emptying grids will probably be the sort of sites which will die fastest. 

Posted on 24/01/2021 14:38

I wonder how many 'non-remote' areas are likely to acquire Aires. Also what is classified as remote? 

Probably in popular locations if I had a plot of land I might make as much from car parking as from some of the fees that a motorhome on an Aire (based on prices some might wish to pay) might generate with less service being provided and with less set up costs

replied on 24/01/2021 14:41

Posted on 24/01/2021 14:18 by

This has been our experience  too ET   it might not be affecting the larger fully equipped  sites in the same way but the village municipals have closed at an alarming rate many becoming housing estates. One of our favourites in the Vendee was a clear example, we visited several times and found only 2 or 3 other occupants  but the so called Aire (a car park without facilities) 150 m away would have 15 or 20 motorhomes.   The first effect  was reduced opening  then  followed by closure  . It was €12 but couldn't compete with free.

Posted on 24/01/2021 14:41

It was €12 but couldn't compete with free.

Doubt that there will be much 'free' competition in most of UK with servicing.

This thread is about the provision of such servicing.

Which will come first? unserviced Aires or Dump sites~?

peedee replied on 24/01/2021 14:48

Posted on 24/01/2021 14:48

I don't know whether GB will ever follow suit, the situation here is many years behind them, but in France you cannot say that "both can exist and prosper". Motorhomes and Aires in that country are really hurting campsites and their owners.

But my perception is that the motorhome is king on the Continent. Whle ownership of motorhomes is growing quickly in the UK, the caravan is still the majority and it will therfore be a while before Aires and campsites cannot co-exist in this country, plus in the short term I think with the increase in staycations there will be a shortage of pitches in the hot spots.

peedee

allanandjean replied on 24/01/2021 14:48

Posted on 24/01/2021 14:48

Just shows the dangers of assumption-having seen this thread title numerous times I wondered why there could be over 200 posts about MH owners wanting to get their vans serviced whilst staying on a CL?

Now see its something else!

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