Hi, we are travelling from Leeds to Dover, towing a caravan, this next Saturday. Due to a medical problem we will have to make frequent stops, probably every couple of hours, to take a break. Can anyone suggest the best services to pull in to, for easy parking and, more importantly, the ones to avoid? Either the M1 or A1 route.
Can't give you specifics, but I plan my journeys (towing a caravan) meticulously to avoid the worst services for a comfort break (and to find a good spot for my dog to stretch her legs!), and find most suitable refuelling stops.
I use this web site for info on services https://motorwayservices.uk/, and Google Street View to assess the actual site access and facilities. Use Google street view to 'virtually' drive off the motorway down the access slip roads, paying attention to the signage for caravans, and or aerial view to get an idea of the site layout.
I'm sure you are aware most motorway services don't really cater well for caravans, mostly punting them into usually pretty horrible HGV parking areas (beware, that often means you CANNOT then access ordinary car fuel station!), that often means a longer trek to the loos etc. I've found that the few services that direct caravans into general car parking areas can be tricky to negotiate with a bigger caravan especially if someone has parked badly or put a big van in a car bay!
Services with dedicated caravan parking areas are few and far between and often occupied by commercial vans that shouldn't be there!
It's a bit of a faff doing the research, but far less than finding yourself in one of the truly awful services where you struggle to manoeuvre a caravan around. Dead end parking bays in VERY busy HGV areas are grim unless you have a reversing camera or competent assistant!
all of them are fine to be honest with you, just follow the hgv parking signs, but DO NOT leave it unattended in any of them, it only takes seconds for the "experienced to unhitch (2 bolts on your tow ball)
Quote: Originally posted by Timofleeds on 22/5/2023
Thank you all, Marg6, is it ok to use the HGV areas even if there is a dedicated caravan parking area?
At particularly busy times, the truckers don't always appreciate you filling hard to find bays, which when you consider they are obliged by law to stop for their breaks is not unreasonable perhaps, you are after all stopping there by choice.
Given the choice, I'd opt for the dedicated caravan area every time, generally much nicer area to park.
I'd also NEVER leave my van unattended anywhere in a service area. Even if all the security devices fitted, doesn't stop them breaking in to rifle through contents for anything seemingly of value.
Quote: Originally posted by Timofleeds on 22/5/2023
Thank you all, Marg6, is it ok to use the HGV areas even if there is a dedicated caravan parking area?
speaking as an ex truck driver, as long as your using them before say 3.30 pm and not stopping a driver from being able to park up for the night then you will be fine. once a truck driver has reached his limit he is not allowed to move the vehicle even for a few feet to park correctly. try and use the correct caravan parking if you can, but dont worry if you do end up in the hgv parking area either
We generally use the A1, so assuming you don�t need Ferrybridge, the next we use is Grantham, which is seldom overly busy, if a little tired.
After that we use Baldock, which can get busy. Not having a caravan, I can’t advise re parking it.
We try and avoid South Mimms, if we need to we use Thurrock, but again I can’t help with caravan parking. Maidstone is ok too, and we sometimes ‘hole up’ there if we’ve made good progress and are very early.
M1 has more services but some of them are a pain to get into.
Quote: Originally posted by Timofleeds on 22/5/2023
Thank you all, Marg6, is it ok to use the HGV areas even if there is a dedicated caravan parking area?
At particularly busy times, the truckers don't always appreciate you filling hard to find bays, which when you consider they are obliged by law to stop for their breaks is not unreasonable perhaps, you are after all stopping there by choice.
Not really 'by choice' if the stops are medically induced. I'd park where i could. Its every man for himself in the services. But, and its probably too late, i wouldnt sail from Dover again if you paid me. Horrendous isnt the right word. From approaching, to throughout the sailing - never again!
One of the reasons for opting for a MWB VW Crafter of just under 6m in length instead of a longer version is the convenience of squeezing into a normal parking space at services and even supermarkets.
I normally park well away from all the other vehicles where it is emptier, and park over 2 spaces length-wise.
No help, sorry, however, I prefer services with a KFC! It's for the pets, honest!
Having said that, I do find the ones without a KFC rather grim.
DK
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Quote: Originally posted by dk168 on 23/5/2023
I normally park well away from all the other vehicles where it is emptier, and park over 2 spaces length-wise.
Are you my mate in disguise? He also parks so far away from the supermarket door, that you sometimes need a taxi to the entrance. One time, because it was at the bottom of a gentle slope, we could see a trolly smack against his bumper from the 1000 yards away as we approached. He was going mental al the while we were walking to it.
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Topic: Motorway services
via mobile 22/5/2023 at 12:27pm
It's for the pets, honest! 
