26 footers welcome in holiday caravan parks

[suewatson]

Hi! We're Sue and Roy, two professional people about to give up the rat race, retire early and become "Third Age Travellers"! We'e already bought a 3.2 litre Shogun Elegance which we are assured can pull anyhting. We want to buy a caravan large enough to live in as we tour Europe for as long as we can stand up - or until we get fed up of emptying the chemical toilet!

We have fallen in love with a caravn that is 24 feet long and 8 feet wide.

We're wondering if there are length and width restrictions in the UK or any part of Europe and will we be welcomed on caravan sites.

Does anyone have any info on this or can you suggest where we find out?

Cheers! Happy vanning. Best wishes Sue n Roy

 

[Oldfogey]

Unfortunatel, the maximum width you can tow in the UK with a car is 2.3m - this is less than 8'.

You would need a commercial vehicle, such as a Van, to tow this size of van.

 

[CarolineSimon]

Hi Sue & Roy,

Have a look at this web site for infor on UK towing restrictions.

http://www.towitall.co.uk/NTTA_law/law/dimensions.htm

 

[cris_408518]

As O F says you need a commercial to tow 8 foot wide.

You are also likely to find that sites in UK and Europe would not accept you as the type of caravan is associated with Travellers and Gypsies!

 

[Joyce_5063910]

Hi Sue and Roy

Which caravan have you fallen in love with, you did not say?

 

[allen1]

Hello sue and roy

when we bought our TEC weltbummler it was a twin axle 26 footer and 8foot wide and on the bill of sale it stated that it had to be towed by a vehicle with a GVW of 3.5 tons,We used the van in england,france ,holland,germany,spain,and we were accepted on all the sites we stopped at with no problems,generaly the only people with vans less than 8ft wide are the brits.

 

[suewatson]

Thanks so much for your friendly and helpful replies re. the length & width of caravan. It's the first time we've placed a message, but certainly won't be the last. Isn't it a great idea. Cheers folks and thanks again. Love Sue & Roy

PS the caravans we loved, apart from the Bailey Senator Wyoming or Louisiana, were the West Caravans which are basically Dethleffs but with some extra features.

 

[allen1]

hi Sue

Please be sure,If you are thinking of a van from wests that you check the weights. They are terrifc vans and the build quality is second to none,they do look great and the interiors are top notch,but they are very heavy and some of them are in excess of 2 tons

 

[suewatson]

hi Sue

Please be sure,If you are thinking of a van from wests that you check the weights. They are terrifc vans and the build quality is second to none,they do look great and the interiors are top notch,but they are very heavy and some of them are in excess of 2 tons

Many thanks, Allen, for your advice re weight of West Caravans. Roy had been trying to find info on their website but we suspect they avoid mentioning it because weights are not favourable. We'll look for alternatives at the Caravan Show, NEC next week.

Best wishes. Sue & Roy