Just tried to book to go away for June bank holiday at The Deepings site in Lincolnshire.
We have a 2 berth Abbey Lincoln and also take a pup tent for the kids to use. Recently we started using our work transit van to tow as we can also take our bikes this way and it gives us loads more space for packing easily.
Problem is the amount of sites that refuse to accept groups with vans now I know this is probably down to problems with some people taking up residence on site, however surely we can't all be tarred with the same brush. The Deepings site said vans needed to notify them before booking so I did, got an email back saying we don't accept vans on site, no mention of if they have availability.
We are disappointed to say the least as we really wanted to use the site. If they refused us on grounds of length or height this wouldn't make sense as height wise and length wise we are no bigger than many other units, just looks like good old discrimination to me.
Any advice on van friendly sites?
We keep toying with the idea of getting rid of the discovery and horse trailer and getting a horsebox (van). We would probably then get the same trouble with access.
Does seem a little unfair at first glance, however I guess if they relaxed the rule the risk of a convoy of Transits towing Chrome trimmed vans occupying the site with a different view of payment arrangements and sanitation might not be worth the risk to the site owners.
Difficult one to judge from a business owner point of view so I kind of understand the stance they have taken - better safe and all that. Just a shame it effect genuine Vanners such as yourselves.
Hope you find somewhere. Maybe a phone conversation rather than an email would help them to guage that you wont be there to re tarmac the place?
We were at thorpe park cleethorpes 3 weeks ago and one tuesday night around 7.30 the travellers/ caravans arrived they didn,t ask or pay for that matter stayed a week and then left...
My wife and my bikes go in the caravan, didn't mind that with a twenty year old van, but now we are getting one less than 4 years old.... thats put paid to that.
Whats really laughable is the three main sites i use for weekend breaks supplement their winter takings with local workers, with... you guessed workers vans, and i'm talking quality sites.
I would go with what one of the previous poster said and phone them directly and state your case.... you never know.
Could you not ask if they have parking off site ? Say you understand and are happy to park your van off site ? Worth a try pal. Yep it is a shame that people are treated like this. I can see the reasoning behind it but it's un fair to the everyday person. Why should you be forced to run two cars just so you can visit sites.
------------- Live every day as if it's your last but not at risk to others :-)
I am a retired site warden, on one site I worked on, they had three caravans stolen by a gang using vans.( the year before I worked there) It was the site insurers who then insisted on the no commercial vehicle rules. In fairness we did offer outside parking for vans, but you still need someone to tow the caravan on to the site for you.
------------- VENI VIDI VACATIOUS (I came, I saw, I stayed for an holiday).
we stayed at the deepings last year and there was a van parked at the side of us and 2 opposite so why they now say no vans is strange. Haven at Mablethorpe is van friendly, we go a lot and are alweays surrounded by commercials. we have just come back from a brilliant site in spalding called Pilgrims Way that is also van friendly. hope u get lucky
atb Bill
------------- Bill n Kay
............................
when the going gets tough... get someone else to do it.....
I smile besause I have'nt a clue whats going on... appreciate everything in life especially your friends...
Some sites don't allow sign written vans. I appreciate your disappointment but sites are perfectly entitled to make their own rules and I doubt they are based on prejudice but more practical reasons such as difficulties in the past. I suppose its chicken and egg as to whether they should hve told you on booking or you should have told them, I suspect the onus was on you because only a small minority of caravans are towed with the like of a Transit van.
One of the main reasons why sites don't accept vans is because from a visual point of view, if you have too many vans on site it can start to look very much like a travellers site which then puts people off from staying which then leads to a loss of income for the park owners. However, some people don't mind vans on site but then others do so the best policy is to refuse vans completely otherwise if they accept just one then they have to accept them all. I understand that the van is more versatile for your needs but looking at the overall picture it is understandable why some camp sites and holiday sites adopt to this rule.
My sister and her OH had to use their Isuzu Denver max, as their Audi was in for repair , the Isuzu is 6 months old brand new clean smart tidy, and not ugly or an eyesore, but they refused it on site, they were allowed to unhitched the van and then told to remove it to a back parking space out of site, my brother in law asked why, they said it has sign writing on it, which it does a 12"x 12" magnetic thing saying his works business, on the tail gate,he offered to take it off and still they refused him? I understand it may of looked a bit traveller ish , but they're not travellers.
We won't go there again.
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
They do not like advertising on any sides of vans. But we had my wheelchair in ours so allowed onsite as we had nothing else to tow with at the time. We used a Vanette Cargo. no windows in side except front driving and the door ones and two at back doors. I can see their point, as many have used it to have people sleeping inside when they know they should not. It is those that have spoilt it for others.
But many just ask for it to tow their unit (whatever they have) to the pitch and they will move it outside to the carpark. With caravans, fc etc +awnings +larger vans must take up more space than normal size.
But they are very convenient if it is your work also van. Double payout all the time.Will they take you if you blotted all writing out. The insurance on sites must be a big payout for them.
Dirty rotten thieves spoil it all for genuine campers.Using their vans to tow big vans offsite and sell.
Motor homes did when they camped all night at the sea side for cheapness. Now stopping others even getting a parking place, even to visit for the day trip, as a lot are not allowed anymore.Had they not done so, others with Motorhomes could park for the day instead of seein gmore signs saying NO to them.
Getting worse for them, not everyone can have an extra towing car at the back, or bikes to ride or even be able to walk anyway as disabled.
Thanks for the input on this everyone we have had a good look round and have found a few other sites elsewhere to try.
The van is clean looking and not sign written, I tried phoning the Deepings to discuss but didn't get anyone to answer.... To be honest I'm now thinking I don't want to spend the time trying to convince them to let us in as it would probably create an element of bad feeling which would impact on our stay.
Fortunately there are plenty of other options around for us.
I totally understand the bad experiences some sites will have had in the past and that these would impact on policies just wish there was someway of looking at cases on an individual basis.
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: Towing using work van, access denied!
They can't be that desperate for your custom.
