We're getting a Pennine Countryman FC, in place of the Combi Camp we've had for years. This should give us a longer season and the ability to use hardstanding pitches, something we have never done, and I have questions! Probably daft questions, but it's new, and I'm excited lol.
The bigger FC's open end to end and mimic the slim rectangular shape of a caravan, but the little ones like the Countryman (also the Fiesta and I think Dandy's) open side to side and form almost a square, with the awning taking it to a wide rectangle. So how would that fit on a caravan shaped pitch?
No question is a daft question if you don't know the answer!
I think the orientation required will depend very much on the camp site and their individual rules/requirements. You have to bear in mind that sites often set out their pitching rules with fire safety breaks in mind over all other requirements, the minimum being 6m between Main unit walls, cars and awnings can be within the 6m 'gap' so long as 3m clear between pitches.
If you are going on a CAMC site they have marker pegs at the back of the pitch to designate where the main unit MUST be. They are introducing a new system of wider spaced pegs than they used to be, which allows for main unit and awning, or main unit and car between the marker pegs, so I suspect you'd be OK whichever way you pitch on one of their sites.
For CAMC guidance on pitching, see their T&Cs, Points 5b & c, and 6a. https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/uk-holidays//club-campsites/club-site-rules/ . From non-club sites I've stayed on, they often have similar rules, but often without the positioning marker pegs to guide you. That said, the rigidity of pitching rules varies enormously, and I've certainly seen sites where the fire break 6m gap is not observed! TBH not happy staying on those sites, I know people who nearly lost their brand new £65k MH when the (too close!) next door tent caught fire - only quick actions of fellow campers to douse the flaming tent saved a chain reaction of fires through the site! There was also a You Tube video of a MH totally ablaze on a CAMC site last year, but because of the Club strict fire-break rules, no one else was at great risk.
Many sites don't care how you orientate your outfit, so long as it fits the pitch and doesn't compromise fire-breaks, but asking wardens/managers is always wise, as better not to have to reorganise after setting up when they challenge you if wrong! I was away last week, numpty on next pitch set up (wildly!) in breach of CAMC rules, wardens made him move it all around to comply and keep the fire-breaks safely established!
We're members of the other club! Although we've camped very little since before the pandemic, and haven't used the Combi Camp at all, hence the change.
We've used EHU for years, pre trailer tent, primarily because when we started out that was the only way to get defined pitches, which were a revelation! I know people like being able to choose exactly where their tent goes, but we'd been crammed in too many times, it's not safe, and it's very uncomfortable. A tent fire at a festival (not us) years ago scared the life out of me, and I hate it when fire breaks aren't observed.
So we know the grass with electric set up, but when I've walked past hardstandings they seem to be be mostly caravan shaped, I don't know quite how we'd fit. I was booking a trip today and wondered about it. I don't want to book a hardstanding assuming it's going to be suitable then find it's not, but we would like to be able to enjoy the longer season that would provide. Guess I'll just have to book by phone instead of online! And maybe join the other club!
We've got a dandy which is 6 foot wide trailer and beds add 4 foot each side when open so 14 foot total. It has an awning across the back which is same width as opened dandy and extends another 8 feet behind. So 14 feet wide by 14 feet long plus A Frame in total. The A frame would be at the back of the pitch similar to a caravan going in front first.
A caravan would be 6 to 7 feet wide and possibly having an awning on one side possibly 8 feet wide. So would really be a similar size I would have thought.
As it's basically a square you could turn the camper sideways on so the camper is on the hard standing with it's legs down and the awning at the side similar to a caravan.
Private sites have much more relaxed rules on siting the unit than club sites.
Quote: Originally posted by navver on 23/8/2024
We've got a dandy which is 6 foot wide trailer and beds add 4 foot each side when open so 14 foot total. It has an awning across the back which is same width as opened dandy and extends another 8 feet behind. So 14 feet wide by 14 feet long plus A Frame in total. The A frame would be at the back of the pitch similar to a caravan going in front first.
Pretty much the same size as ours will be I think; I've just had the calculator out converting to metric! Do you use hardstanding?
Years of tent then trailer tent means we are very comfortable with grass, but this is new territory!
We had a pennine fiesta for 3 years and used hardstanding on a lot of sites without any problems from campsite owners, most sites allowed us to go in aframe first and the awning to the front of the pitch, we then had the pennine pullman for 5years both great bits of kit.
Quote: Originally posted by kpnuts81 on 23/8/2024
We had a pennine fiesta for 3 years and used hardstanding on a lot of sites without any problems from campsite owners, most sites allowed us to go in aframe first and the awning to the front of the pitch, we then had the pennine pullman for 5years both great bits of kit.
We've used our Pennine Fiesta on hardstandings and never had a problem. You usually are asked which way it folds out and people sometimes seem to have a problem understanding which is the front and which is the back but we've never had a problem on club sites or private
------------- A common mistake people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools
So we took our new FC out for our first trip this weekend, a short drive to Crowden C&CC site. I booked grass, and they moved us to hardstanding at the last minute because the pitches were waterlogged. Apart from not having quite enough rock pegs, it was fine. The pitch was just wide enough for us to go in A frame first and put the awning in front, so that's good to know.
Many thanks for the reassurance, it really helped my stress levels!
I also don't know why we didn't know we could have a unit with a motor mover for so many years! I always assumed a folding camper would be too big for our drive based on what we've seen out and about, I'm kicking myself for not looking into it years ago! An absolute revelation
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Using hardstanding with a small FC
