Can anyone tell me if it's possible to buy a German caravan but with the door on the UK side (nearside). I'm looking to buy a used model approx 3 or 4 years old or maybe a new model.
Is there any particular reason it needs to have the door on the UK side? We have a Hymer with the door on the "wrong" side and it hasn't caused us any problems, as yet.
Our Geist is UK spec - bought from Elite caravans in Northampton.
I wouldn't be put off by where the door is. Any site that has an issue with it isn't the type of site I'd want to go to anyway. And I've never heard of anyone who has had that problem - only some who know the friend of their neighbours cousins brother who did ;)
------------- 'In later life, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than with the things you did.' - Mark Twain
Have a look at the Lowdhams website for a Hymer Nova that is post 2006 and it will have the door on the UK side.
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
I don't think it's a site issue - more a practical one.
On many sites, caravans with a UK layout will tend to pitch at the left hand side of the pitch (as viewed from the access road), leaving just enough space at the left edge for an aquaroll and wastemaster. This maximises the amount of pitch space available for an awning and for parking your car.
On sites with narrow pitches you really don't have an option to do otherwise. If a continental layout van wants to use the next pitch to the left of the UK layout van, it has a problem. Ideally, the owner would want to setup the caravan to the right of the pitch to leave the most usable space - but cannot do that, as it would be too near the UK layout van on the next pitch. You usually have to be a minimum of 6m from the next unit for fire regulations /insurance /site licensing reasons. The only solution I can see, is for the continental layout van to pitch on the left, but nose first - but on many sites, that might leave you with a far from ideal view and a problem heaving the caravan on and off the pitch, unless you have a motor mover.
Some sites have pitches that are so wide that it doesn't really matter which side the door is on - but I have been on lots where it would definitely cause a problem. I have a Burstner S500TS which is UK layout. Its a great caravan, but I definitely would not have bought it if it had a continental layout, as my main/ sole usage is in the UK.
I have used european vans with the door on the european side for 10 out of 19 years and I have never ever come across a problem of siting the van, it always goes in pointing the same way as other vans and there has never been an issue with fire regulations or privacy. If you see the van you want and it has the door on the euro side buy it as it will not be a problem for you.
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
I have used european vans with the door on the european side for 10 out of 19 years and I have never ever come across a problem of siting the van, it always goes in pointing the same way as other vans
Without knowing which caravan sites you use, that doesn't mean much. If you only ever use sites with large pitches, you may well not have a problem.
For sites with relatively narrow pitches, all it takes is a pencil and a sheet of paper for anyone to prove to themselves that it just ain't possible to pitch a continental layout van tail first, erect an awning and keep 6m from UK layout vans on adjoining pitches. It is barely possible on some sites for UK layout vans, unless they all pitch carefully. Indeed on many sites awnings are not allowed (and would not fit) on some pitches.
If each caravan has to pitch within a specific area and each caravan has an awning and a caravan then they take up exactly the same width no matter what side the door is on, so the distances between the units is exactly the same. If the required distances are possible with one layout then they are also possible with the other
Which sites do I use well in 19 years I have only been on 1 commercial site, I have used CCC sites but in the main I use CC sites or CC CL's
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
If each caravan has to pitch within a specific area and each caravan has an awning and a caravan then they take up exactly the same width no matter what side the door is on, so the distances between the units is exactly the same. If the required distances are possible with one layout then they are also possible with the other
Which sites do I use well in 19 years I have only been on 1 commercial site, I have used CCC sites but in the main I use CC sites or CC CL's
Like I said, "If you only ever use sites with large pitches, you may well not have a problem." If you have not used commercial sites then your advice that it doesn't matter which side the caravan door is on is kite flying. You cannot know whether what you said is true or not.
If a continental layout van & awning pitches to the left of a UK layout van that is near to the boundary between the pitches - and if the continental van and its awning together are say 4.3m wide (2.3m plus 2m) then to leave a 6m gap to the UK layout van in the adjoining pitch, the continental van would need a pitch that is an absolute minimum of 10.3m wide. Many commercial sites have pitches that are narrower than this, so your suggestion that caravan layout doesn't make any difference is simply untrue for those. I suspect it isn't correct for some pitches on CC and C&CC sites.
If each caravan has to pitch within a specific area and each caravan has an awning and a caravan then they take up exactly the same width no matter what side the door is on, so the distances between the units is exactly the same. If the required distances are possible with one layout then they are also possible with the other
Which sites do I use well in 19 years I have only been on 1 commercial site, I have used CCC sites but in the main I use CC sites or CC CL's
Like I said, "If you only ever use sites with large pitches, you may well not have a problem." If you have not used commercial sites then your advice that it doesn't matter which side the caravan door is on is kite flying. You cannot know whether what you said is true or not.
If a continental layout van & awning pitches to the left of a UK layout van that is near to the boundary between the pitches - and if the continental van and its awning together are say 4.3m wide (2.3m plus 2m) then to leave a 6m gap to the UK layout van in the adjoining pitch, the continental van would need a pitch that is an absolute minimum of 10.3m wide. Many commercial sites have pitches that are narrower than this, so your suggestion that caravan layout doesn't make any difference is simply untrue for those. I suspect it isn't correct for some pitches on CC and C&CC sites too.
I've kind of got lost in all those calculations! We have a continental spec van and been on commercial sites, rallies, CLs, Caravan Club sites and Camping and Caravan Club sites - the side the door has been on has never been a problem. The last CC club site we were on had the teeniest pitch and we were pitched very close to our neighbour - but that was more to do with the shape of the pitch and the length of our van, than its layout. Yes if you site as indicated above (i.e. to the left) then you would be close to a neighbouring continental spec van, but if you have a caravan sandwiched between a car and an awning, in theory it isn't going to make much difference. However, my only word of caution is one of privacy - some people (not us) may not like opening their door facing our door - again this hasn't been a problem to us, but we are aware of it. Looking at this as a positive, we often caravan with friends and find our doors facing is beneficial as we can socialise inbetween the vans, whilst the kids are asleep inside.
But, never mind the calculations, differing site layouts, etc - if you like the van and it's continental then there are really no big issues. After all, what do we do with our continental visitors - frown on them because they have the wrong van!
Meant to add.... you probably know already, but Burstner no longer do new caravans in the UK anymore, so you would have to consider one that is at least 2 years old (or thereabouts) - I have seen UK layout ones for sale in the past. BTW, just because the door is on the opposite side, it doesn't mean the rest of the van is continental - i.e. power is all converted to UK spec.
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: German caravan
