Is the heyday of the Campervan/Motorhome drawing to a close?

Mansfieldman750 said:
I don’t know macmaster. I’m Scottish anyway, just happen to live in Midlands.
So, where does Midlands end and North start ? I’d say about Worksop.
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Anywhere above Coventry is Up North.
It’s easy to verify, they all have odd accents from there all the way up to the cold seas…
 
Back to the original question, welshgas has a point, parking in beach carparks and seafront parking is getting difficult in Dorset, I always use a campsite, but enjoy doing the coast walks, but a california is not a car according to Dorset council, so you pay extra and have to park in one of the few motorhome bays, if you can, cheering up the motorhomers as there are no alternatives.
 
procrastinator said:
Back to the original question, welshgas has a point, parking in beach carparks and seafront parking is getting difficult in Dorset, I always use a campsite, but enjoy doing the coast walks, but a california is not a car according to Dorset council, so you pay extra and have to park in one of the few motorhome bays, if you can, cheering up the motorhomers as there are no alternatives.
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Has anyone contested this in a court of law…?
A motorhome is quite different to a campervan. I’m sure my old Ocean was registered as a car. Therefore, I would be entitled to park legally, in a car parking space?
 
soulstyledevon said:
Has anyone contested this in a court of law…?
A motorhome is quite different to a campervan. I’m sure my old Ocean was registered as a car. Therefore, I would be entitled to park legally, in a car parking space?
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All depends on the Councils definition of a Campervan. They don't have to follow DVLAs definition.
 
One reason for the move from Caravans to Campervans or Motorhomes is simply due to the rapidly decreasing towing weight capability of vehicles from Hybrids to full Electric powered.

One instance of a new EV SUV has a towing capacity of 750kgs, Finding any with 2000kgs capability is difficult. Caravans have got heavier through time and now Manufacturers are reverting back to supplying smaller light weight models.

Many when faced with the high cost of a suitable tow car plus a new caravan are compromising with the Campervan or less likely Motorhome route. That's in the 'normal' replacement cycle due to age.
 
procrastinator said:
Back to the original question, welshgas has a point, parking in beach carparks and seafront parking is getting difficult in Dorset, I always use a campsite, but enjoy doing the coast walks, but a california is not a car according to Dorset council, so you pay extra and have to park in one of the few motorhome bays, if you can, cheering up the motorhomers as there are no alternatives.
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So frustrating isn’t it. Both the paying extra and depriving the large motorhomes of the few big bays there are.

The 4.8m rule is so clearly aimed at Calis/conversions.
 
soulstyledevon said:
Has anyone contested this in a court of law…?
A motorhome is quite different to a campervan. I’m sure my old Ocean was registered as a car. Therefore, I would be entitled to park legally, in a car parking space?
Click to expand...
It’s unfortunately clearly spelled out on the signs in the carparks. If the van has a kitchen or is converted to sleep in, 4.8m is the maximum length.

I got fined within 20 minutes at the car park I always use in Dorset the first time I parked the Cali there.

Attendants are clearly on the lookout.
 
JuanVecino2023 said:
It’s unfortunately clearly spelled out on the signs in the carparks. If the van has a kitchen or is converted to sleep in, 4.8m is the maximum length.

I got fined within 20 minutes at the car park I always use in Dorset the first time I parked the Cali there.

Attendants are clearly on the lookout.
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Agree. Saw 2 peering through the windows of my Multivan and then moving on, locally.
 
Parking restrictions for campervans is one of the factors I'm weighing up in my decision on a possible replacement for my Beach (with cooking facilities so would fail that Dorset CP, which one is it for future reference?). One of the options I'm considering would be to change to a car and caravan. A lot of my usage of the van involves having a sea kayak or two on the roof. While the Cali is fantastic for getting changed, warming up carrying loads of gear while at the beach if I'm prevented by restriction or height barriers from actually getting to the beach I've got a problem.
For me the Cali is mostly used as a day van but I do use it for main 2 week holiday (usually France) & long weekends away. My holidays are always at a single or possibly two campsites. A small caravan (Tab 320 or Gopod) would arguably be better for these trips once on site. Disadvantage of course in getting a caravan to the site (especially if went electric for the car) , caravan storage and I lose the benefits of having a nice base for the kayaking / cycling all year.
At the moment I'm still in the campervan suits my needs best 'camp' but car and caravan not completely out of the question.
 
owen_h said:
Parking restrictions for campervans is one of the factors I'm weighing up in my decision on a possible replacement for my Beach (with cooking facilities so would fail that Dorset CP, which one is it for future reference?). One of the options I'm considering would be to change to a car and caravan. A lot of my usage of the van involves having a sea kayak or two on the roof. While the Cali is fantastic for getting changed, warming up carrying loads of gear while at the beach if I'm prevented by restriction or height barriers from actually getting to the beach I've got a problem.
For me the Cali is mostly used as a day van but I do use it for main 2 week holiday (usually France) & long weekends away. My holidays are always at a single or possibly two campsites. A small caravan (Tab 320 or Gopod) would arguably be better for these trips once on site. Disadvantage of course in getting a caravan to the site (especially if went electric for the car) , caravan storage and I lose the benefits of having a nice base for the kayaking / cycling all year.
At the moment I'm still in the campervan suits my needs best 'camp' but car and caravan not completely out of the question.
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My best guess is they will know VW Beach/Coast/Ocean are converted to sleep in. See attached images with their definitions.

IMG_9127.jpeg

IMG_9128.jpeg
 
soulstyledevon said:
Sorry WelshGas it’s your age…
I think you’ve got to a point in life where a caravan, may appeal to yourself and others of a similar time of life.

Without doubt people in my age group mid 40s all want Campervans and bigger vans are more appealing.
However, the cost of living crisis is biting hard in this sector, especially with the cost of these vehicles. Remember the days of the £50k Ocean? Wow, great times…

I’ve just got back from Europe, I noticed an explosion in roof top tent ownership. I would say this is a big hit for the 25-40 demographic.
They seem to be everywhere, with many different brands available.
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Tent box thing definitely having its moment.
 
But going back to the original question. Seems to me it’s more a UK thing than a European thing. Up to now that is.

Sure, wild camping is forbidden in a lot of European countries but as mentioned by others, there are also places opening up for campervans.

I do understand that often locals don’t benefit from it in any way. And sometimes I am truly ashamed by the mess some people leave behind. It’s particularly those people that the others suffer from.

Apart from potential tire tracks, there is nothing else I leave behind when I stay somewhere.
 
Well, there's a lot to consider in this thread. We tow a caravan with our Cali about half of the time away.

I'm also a member of some Caravan forums and the future of Caravanning on those forums is a concern. The view is that everyone is switching to Campervans and PVCs. Which is the opposite of some views on here!

For us we feel we have the best of all worlds. A decent Towcar which also works standalone as a campervan. The Cali is actually smaller than our last Kia Towcar so being able to use it as a car is absolutely key.

It's a very worrying trend that we may be unable to use it as a car or day vehicle. If daytime parking restrictions become widespread then the Cali won't be workable. We would go back to car and caravan or upgrade to a PVC with onboard shower and toilet.

It's poorly thought through. There's no reason why daytime parking needs to consider anything other than length, width and height of the vehicle. It seems that all these rules are just to spoil our enjoyment.

Our local town Exmouth has just introduced an increase in overnight parking for motorhomes from 11 to 20 pounds. And previously the 11 pounds was a 24 hour fee. Not anymore.

The town centres are already being crippled by unaffordable Business rates and now East Devon seems intent to deter more folks who would be spending in the town.

They claim there are fully serviced campsites available but that's simply not true. The one there is is miles out of town with no bus route.
 
CaliforniaCylus said:
Well, there's a lot to consider in this thread. We tow a caravan with our Cali about half of the time away.

I'm also a member of some Caravan forums and the future of Caravanning on those forums is a concern. The view is that everyone is switching to Campervans and PVCs. Which is the opposite of some views on here!

For us we feel we have the best of all worlds. A decent Towcar which also works standalone as a campervan. The Cali is actually smaller than our last Kia Towcar so being able to use it as a car is absolutely key.

It's a very worrying trend that we may be unable to use it as a car or day vehicle. If daytime parking restrictions become widespread then the Cali won't be workable. We would go back to car and caravan or upgrade to a PVC with onboard shower and toilet.

It's poorly thought through. There's no reason why daytime parking needs to consider anything other than length, width and height of the vehicle. It seems that all these rules are just to spoil our enjoyment.

Our local town Exmouth has just introduced an increase in overnight parking for motorhomes from 11 to 20 pounds. And previously the 11 pounds was a 24 hour fee. Not anymore.

The town centres are already being crippled by unaffordable Business rates and now East Devon seems intent to deter more folks who would be spending in the town.

They claim there are fully serviced campsites available but that's simply not true. The one there is is miles out of town with no bus route.
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I’m saddened, as I’m just getting my daughter into surfing and envisaged nights away and/or using the Cali as a day van to change & have a hot drink after a day in the waves.

After experiences in Dorset (the easiest beaches to reach from home), put me off the van.

Having sold, I’m now considering a panel van with a rock & roll bed for stealth nights. Or perhaps an old bay window or T25 instead.
 
soulstyledevon said:
Has anyone contested this in a court of law…?
A motorhome is quite different to a campervan. I’m sure my old Ocean was registered as a car. Therefore, I would be entitled to park legally, in a car parking space?
Click to expand...
I’d be interested in knowing how to differentiate the two? I would say my California was definitely a campervan but my Joker ?
 
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