Motorhome facilities and rules

jb99 replied on 16/09/2021 12:05

Posted on 16/09/2021 12:05

We've just returned from a tour of mid and south Wales in our motorhome.  We stayed at a number different locations: pubs, public car parks, private camp sites and one night at the C&MC site in St Davids.  We have paid our membership fees for many years, but in practice we haven't stayed on a Club site very often, and not since the name change and rebranding.  So we expected great improvements for motorhomes. 

We arrived rather early, but were warmly welcomed by the lady on reception who unexpectedly checked us in before the official time. 

I was rather confused by the parking rules, but looked at the way adjacent vehicles were arranged and tried to imitate them.  Since our motorhome is less than 2.5m wide, versus a car/caravan/awning measuring maybe 7m, it was easy to maintain the 6m separation from our neighbours.  However, apparently I had picked the wrong corner to go next to the white post.  This was explained to me that evening, but since we were leaving the next morning the very friendly warden said not to bother moving.  Fine, I'll be more careful if we visit again.

The next morning, there was a queue of motorhomes at the only grey waste point, so we decided that, as we only had a small amount of waste we would empty the toilet cassette at the service point then just fill up with fresh water and leave.  So, I pulled up next to the adjacent service point and attached my hose connector to the threaded tap.  Shortly after, a  different warden who was maintaining the grass, came along and said that motorhomes weren't allowed to use the service points and indeed there was a notice that said this that I hadn't seen.  He said that this was because filling a motorhome takes a lot of time so other people would have to wait.  I asked why I had to wait rather than other members and although a 100 litre motorhome tank will obviously take longer than a 50 litre rolling caravan tank, there were three other service points on the site.  No! Jobsworth was adamant and claimed that it was a health and safety risk (which is hard to understand). 

According to various comments on Facebook, these is just a couple of many petty rule enforcement incidents that are alienating motorhome owners.  I really think that if the Club wants to encourage this massively increasing sector of the market, they need to learn the differences between motorhomes and towed caravans.

So, the rebranding was clearly just a marketing exercise and we will have to seriously consider whether to renew our membership next year.

Takethedogalong replied on 26/09/2021 20:43

Posted on 26/09/2021 20:43

Same here Nellie, thankfully we are still fit and able to do it if required. We have never owned a Wastemaster yet. The only Aquaroll we have was donated to us. 

viatorem replied on 27/09/2021 09:10

Posted on 27/09/2021 09:10

We were on one of our favourite CLs last week a motorhome arrived when we were out for the day. The last available pitch was at the end of the field. The solution that they found for water filling was ingenious, they parked almost the exact distance of their fill hose reel unfortunately this was between two occupied pitches.

 

ADP1963 replied on 27/09/2021 09:34

Posted on 27/09/2021 09:34

TW.

      As you have chosen to re erect your previous remark I will again reply. Pushing or pulling a wheeled object I don't consider a chore. We have chosen different paths to enjoy our pastime, mine doesn't suit you and yours doesn't suit me or bother me. But Hey Ho you are able to holiday without the two items that seem to bug you!, just get on with it and enjoy yourself.

young thomas replied on 27/09/2021 09:51

Posted on 27/09/2021 09:51

Along side the physical capability issue, without a tow car or a MH with decent capacity externally accessed storage, many folk might not wish (or be able to) carry an Aquarol and Wastemaster type kit...

this might move the owner towards multiple watering can (and bucket) trips which may also be difficult.

if mobility/strength issues remove these options, the fill/dump at the MHSP becomes the favourite.

it shouldn't be too much to expect from the Caravan and Motorhome Club, a sensibly designed and implemented MHSP.

after all, in Europe where they fully understand MH requirements, a decent MHSP at a campsite or aire is expected and provided...

they don't have to be complicated affairs, in fact the simpler the better....a slope, a drain...Au Revoirwink

SeasideBill replied on 27/09/2021 10:07

Posted on 27/09/2021 10:07

In fairness to the Club, given the constraints, the MH service point pictured by DK at New Forest Centenary Campsite is more than adequate. All it requires is lining up, no different from refuelling really. I’ve seen that type at quite a few Club sites recently including Black Knowl where I’m currently sheltering from the wind, rain and fuel shortages/hoarding!

DavidKlyne replied on 27/09/2021 10:29

Posted on 27/09/2021 09:34 by ADP1963

TW.

      As you have chosen to re erect your previous remark I will again reply. Pushing or pulling a wheeled object I don't consider a chore. We have chosen different paths to enjoy our pastime, mine doesn't suit you and yours doesn't suit me or bother me. But Hey Ho you are able to holiday without the two items that seem to bug you!, just get on with it and enjoy yourself.

Posted on 27/09/2021 10:29

When on site for a while I use a 23 litre Fiamma waste container to decant waste water. I don't know if I have become a weakling in my old age, more than possible, I find that quite heavy to pull along. Goodness knows how I managed with a wastemaster. The Aquaroll was easier to manage, despite the same amount of water, when I used one with my last motorhome. Now I try and get as near to a service point I can and just top up the water tank with a 10 litre watering can which seems to work quite well and I get a bit of exercisesmile

David

ADP1963 replied on 27/09/2021 10:35

Posted on 27/09/2021 10:35

DK

     Not being flippant................but just fill it to the point that you can manage easy. Same with emptying just use manageable volumes. 

Takethedogalong replied on 27/09/2021 11:05

Posted on 27/09/2021 11:05

Back to the OP..... if you use a MHSP, and use your MH off pitch at least every couple of days to go out and back, there’s no lifting and handling involved at all if you are on a Site that doesn’t need a lid lifting. That’s why MHs are so easy used this way. No need for much in way of water transportation beyond a hosepipe and a bit of waste pipe to go on end of grey waste tap. Job done👍 It’s mainly on Club Sites you see MH owners with waste masters and aquarolls, legacy of caravanning days. But a choice that works for some.

Tinwheeler replied on 27/09/2021 11:13

Posted on 27/09/2021 09:34 by ADP1963

TW.

      As you have chosen to re erect your previous remark I will again reply. Pushing or pulling a wheeled object I don't consider a chore. We have chosen different paths to enjoy our pastime, mine doesn't suit you and yours doesn't suit me or bother me. But Hey Ho you are able to holiday without the two items that seem to bug you!, just get on with it and enjoy yourself.

Posted on 27/09/2021 11:13

That's exactly what I do, ADP. 

We were talking about MHSPs which you, with no experience of, considered a faff while I, with experience of both water collecting systems, know which is simpler for me. Personally, I'd not comment on something I'd no experience of but, hey-ho, each to their own.

Have a good day.

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