Easy peasy approaches to caravan site

I can assure you that it was not friendly for towing two years ago. I doubt that it has changed Nicky

Thanks for responding, Nicky.

It certainly looks as if you've been under a misapprehension regarding the route planner as I doubt anything has changed to make it either LV friendly, or to enable it to show the club's recommended routes, but I'd be delighted to be proved wrong.

Hello Jenny and everyone,

Thank you for waiting for a response, which I have for you now.

JohnDH is correct with regard to the disclaimer attached to the route planner:

Routes provided may include roads unsuitable for vehicles towing trailers or caravans.  There may also be specific weight, width or height restrictions.

For caravan-friendly local directions, please use the directions on the relevant Club Site or Certificated Location site details page or refer to your Sites Directory for the final approach.

I am so sorry that the route planner is not currently "caravan-friendly" and we do understand that it makes sense that we implement this feature.  It is on our list of things to improve.

Due to other projects going on at the moment, it is not something we will be doing any time soon but it is something we plan to do in the future.

The Avtex Garmin Sat Nav on the Member offers page will have "caravan-friendly" routes and it is very clever in that, Members input the outfit dimensions, so it takes that into account when routing.

Unfortunately, this has proved very popular so it is currently sold out but the supplier, Capital Outdoors, are expecting more stock very soon.

Just a reminder that if the approach is not suitable for towing, it will clearly state that on the site information page of the Sites Directory.

For instance, under Knaresborough (page 195), it states, care required for larger outfits through Knaresborough.

Thanks again to all of you for your patience in this matter.  Have a lovely day.  I believe Spring has sprung here! 

Hi Nicky,

Here's a thought!  I, like I'm sure, many others probably do these days, tend to use Google maps on my phone as the 'sat nav'.  What about the Club developing an App for Android and Iphone which works like the Avtex Garmin, and somehow overlays Google maps already available?  My guess is that someone will do it at some stage.  I'd certainly be interested.

David

David,

That is a brilliant idea and I have forwarded your suggestion to our Project Acorn Team who deal with all suggestions surrounding the website.

Thanks so much for your valued input and all your hard work.  It is appreciated.

The Avtex Garmin Sat Nav on the Member offers page will have "caravan-friendly" routes and it is very clever in that, Members input the outfit dimensions, so it takes that into account when routing.

I may be wrong but I thought that one problem is that the mapping information available does not have detailed road widths and that such software no matter how good was likely to produce results that were therefore unreliable anyway.

Any of these devices are only as good as the programming. A few years ago we were going to Durness in the far north west of Scotland. The Sat Nav refused to give a route, and kept putting up a box stating there was none available. 

A little bit of messing about showed there were a few small sections of road that had not been digitised. So as there were no alternative roads in that part of Scotland, as far as the Sat Nav was concerned you could not go there. Once we passed the missing sections it was quite happy to carry on.

If a section of road had the wrong width input or not input at all, even a more fancy Sat Nav like the Avtex could lead you up an unsuitable road. I would always review the route when towing, no matter how good the device is supposed to be.

Tis lucky there's only one major road goes to Durness, then. 

The recommended satnav is nearly £300 which is a major disadvantage compared to google maps for me. 

My satnav cost less than a tenth of that and I can programme it with the height and length of vehicle so it avoids unsuitable routes 

I still use the directions on the site page because they are 'free'. 

No touching your phone while behind the wheel Dave ..... we don't  want you getting 6 points & a £200 fine 😉