Discrimanation against Tuggers

[nowtelse2do]

Just made last minute booking for next bank holiday (and luckily found somewhere) but made enquiries at Flamingo Park near Pickering. I have a motorhome but they e-mailed me back with the details and it says that if you have a Hobby,Tarbet or Buccaneer caravan you will not be allowed on. Now I can only assume that they have had Travelers  there and had trouble, but where does that leave you ordinary Tuggers who have one of these makes.

 The site where I managed to book has asked if I have a awning or a sun canopy and will I be using them, apparently they want to make a charge, I told them only if it is sun shining.

Dave

[Blakeney]

We have heard of this some camp sites dont like these caravans

I dont think any site should charge for awnings. The camping and caravan club dont make a charge for awnings so we mainly use there sites but we have found a few other sites which dont charge.

[nowtelse2do]

Blakeney - 2010-05-07 8:06 PM We have heard of this some camp sites don't like these caravans I dont think any site should charge for awnings. The camping and caravan club dont make a charge for awnings so we mainly use there sites but we have found a few other sites which dont charge.

Welcome to the forum Blakeney.

If you pay for a pitch and if there is room on that pitch for an awning or whatever, then you should not be charged any extra apart from Electric or if it is a service pitch. If you need more space then fair enough you would expect to pay more. Not sure but I think it comes down to greed in the end.

It would be good if any site owners that may look on this forum to explain why this is increasing more, and then maybe it would clear the air a bit better.

Dave

[CliveH]

Those caravan types are sadly tarred with the brush of the Travelling low lifes who prefer them - when they are not pinching anybody else’s that is (lol)

 

As for the suggestion above re getting site owners to look at feedback on forums such as this - I would suggest this works and is a very good idea.

 

I had friends wanting to visit us and use their caravan so I suggested the Red Shoot site in the New Forest, never used the campsite but had drank there on a number of occasions.

 

However - on looking at their tariff list it just seemed to go on and on and the worst was the charge for an awning! So via this and another forum we started to ask about charges and cited this particular site.

 

Result?

 

If you look at the sites tariff now - there is no charge for awnings!!

 

Bit of a result I think. Lots of other unreasonable charges tho, which to me and our friends means that a local CL is a far far better bet!

 

 

 

[nowtelse2do]

Hi Clive,

That was a good result, re. Red Shoot site, I hope they prospered after. I think I will get all the tariffs from the site that we are booked on and post them on here along with the site name if I think they are  unreasonable.

As for the first sentence of your post.

What would you never hear a traveller say to a policeman? "Someones stolen my caravan"  :-D

Dave

[Guest Tracker]

When you see the damage to the grass that caravan awnings and their allegedly 'breathable' groundsheets can do when left in place for more than a few days you really can't blame site owners for wanting to charge for the wretched things now can you!

 

 

[nowtelse2do]

Hi Rich,

All I can say to that is that there must be some bad ground sheets and lets face it they don't cost a fortune do they?

Mine was a drive away awning, but pulled ground sheet up every night.

Dave

[Guest Tracker]

Fair enough Dave - but drive onto any site anywhere and just look at the bald and yellow patches spoiling the ground - and the 'aura' of being out in the country!

[Brian Kirby]

"Camping", started with tents.  There are few tents in which groundsheets can be raised, especially the larger family tents with inner tents and "sewn in" groundsheets, so anyone operating a camp site will have to accept some yellowing of grass, if they admit tenters.  If they don't admit tenters, they are not really campsites IMO, but caravan/motorhome parks.  No objection to that, they can do as they like, and I know the clubs fuss over groundsheets but, within reason, the grass recovers quite quickly: it's tough old stuff.  I think it has rather more to do with increasing revenue, than saving grass.  Publicising hidden charges is fine, it warns off others, but the old remedy is surely best, if you don't like the charges, don't stay - and tell them why!

[Rayjsj]

Pickering is where they hold a 'Horse Fair' every year, And that is a magnet for every travelling family within 600 miles. (an ideal oppurtunity to check Vin numbers/tax discs/insurance I would have thought ??) and large Hobby's, Buccaneers etc., seem to be the van of choice (works of art some of them are too.....if you like that sort of thing) So not suprising really. Ray ;-)

[lennyhb]

This discrimination thing is purely a British thing we had a Hobby caravan for years we never had a problem ourself but we very seldom use commercial sites in the UK.

Hobby are the largest manufacture of caravans in Europe and it's fairly obvious when you travel abroad, stayed on one one site in France about 120 vans on site over 90 of them were Hobby's and not a Traveller in site (sorry for the pun).

The discrimination is completely unfounded lets face it would you expect a traveller to actually pay for a site when the local councils provide nice parks & recreation grounds and even clear up their rubbish for free & then increase our council tax to pay for it.

[nowtelse2do]

nowtelse2do - 2010-05. I think I will get all the tariffs from the site that we are booked on and post them on here along with the site name if I think they are  unreasonable.Dave

I have decided to name this site and post their tariffs on here to see what reaction if any you might have. Firstly, I must say that we enjoyed our stay here and also the area but with a couple of reservations about the tariffs and a couple of items we were a bit apprehensive of which are as follows.

The Site is, Golden Square Caravan and Camping Park, Oswaldkirk, Helmsley, Nr York YO62 5YQ Tel 01439 788269   e-mail www.goldensquarecaravanpark.com

Price per night includes, 1 Car, Caravan or Tent, or 1 Motorhome. These prices include electric hook-up & 2 persons and are per night.

Low Season:-   £15.00p

High Season:-  £18.00p 

Bank Holiday:- £21.00p

If hook-up is not required, knock £2 per night off.

Supplements per night are:-

Adult (14yrs and over) £3.50p

Child  (5yrs but under 14yrs) £1.50p

Awnings/Gazebo/Pup Large Tents (5 Berth and Over) £2.50p)

Porch Awnings/Sun Canopy/Tent Extension £2.50p

Extra/Visitors' Cars, Day/Part Day Off Site Parking £2.50p

Dogs For All Pitches (Max 2) £1.50p

(Showers Free)

There are some more supplements for Super Pitches and Hiker's and cyclist's.

The site itself is well kept and clean and has a good shop but as usual, high prices for the convenience.

The shower's, and toilets are clean but under the seat's and the the drop down cover they could be cleaner,they are looking to be a bit dated (2 blocks) and the main block is to short of amenities especially at peak time's. There are 2 playing areas, 1 for the old children and 1 for younger ones, there is also a playing field for football etc.

Although there are level pitches I think you would need to have ramps on some of them. I felt slightly uneasy about the space between the units and that an extra yard between them would be better. 

So the good point's and bad point's for us were:-

Against.

There are no refunds, (fees to be paid on arrival)so if you pay for an awning and cant use it in bad weather then no refund.

No payment by credit or debit card.

Pitches on the smallish side.

Why 2 different prices for school age children 5 to 14, (should be 16 in IMO)

The old M/H's gripe.  Car, Caravan and Awning if erected = all pitch used. A Motorhome with pull out awning, if out = half of pitch used (same price)

Why a Low season, a High season and a Bank holiday season? I always thought a Bank holiday was High season.

For  

The site is well run and the owner and the staff are very good and pleasant.

The site is ideal for The North Yorkshire Moors, The East Coast, York and the Yorkshire Dales.

Would I recommend the site, well it is a good site, so yes.

Would I go there again, well yes but I would first look for a good site nearby that did not charge for an pull out canopy.

My thoughts are that it seems a shame, because when you consider that it is not an expensive site compared with a lot more sites, the pricing structure IMO is not a plus. 

Dave

    

[CliveH]

May be a good site but frankly I am staggered at the "additional costs".

 

As I say - makes a CL look very good value. Especially as I have a caravan that has a very nice shower bathroom etc.

 

At those prices, if I went to York, I think I would check out a reasonable Hotel like those advertised by Lenny Henry!

 

I have used them in the past and they are a little basic but very if you only want a place to put your head down at night I have found them to be very reasonable.

 

So - save myself a fortune on fuel, not tow the caravan, save all the wear and tear on my own property and use a hotel?

 

Or lug the cvan all the way there, use far more fuel, only to pay through the nose for renting a patch of grass??

 

 

:-S

[nowtelse2do]

Clive, I left it to late to book anywhere for a Bank holiday, so took what I could, but like you I was taken back by the tariff's which I think are unreasonable for anyone with more than 2 persons on board. I think a High Season charge with hook-up for £18 is good value and fair, but to be charged for pulling the awning out is unreasonable along with some of the other tariffs. 

We spent a touch over £500 for a week over the Bank Holiday period at this site and in this area ie:- Day's out in York (Jorvik center etc), Castle Howard, Flamingo Land (just daughter and 8yr old granddaughter £25 each). North Yorkshire Moors Railway Pickering to Whitby £67.50p. Two years ago my wife and myself did three weeks in Germany, Austria, and returned through the Black Forrest and Northern France for £1100 and that was including Ferry fares and fuel, talk about rip off Britain.

Dave  

[nowtelse2do]

Just to add to my last post, the journey from Pickering to Whitby was a return fare. Also Clive, I notice that more of the CL's are offering hook-up, showers and toilet facilities which can't be a bad thing can it?

Dave

[CliveH]

Interesting points Dave.

 

But believe me - if it comes to a choice between my caravan and a hotel the caravan would win every time!

 

But seriously - how can a site expect a basic patch of grass in high season to cost a few quid less per night what a Premier Inn room costs?

 

As for CL's we have used a few and much prefer them to large sites when touring. We do not tour so much now and have our cvan on a seasonal pitch which suited us for quick w/e's away when we were caring for a sick relative.

 

But we enjoy the site and the facilities so much that if we want a weekend away somewhere - it is easier and cheaper to go B&B rather than tow the cvan. Sad but true.

 

This is the tarrif for our site:-

 

Caravan/Motorhome

Low Season Pitch Fee £14.50 per night

Includes up to 2 adults, electric hookup and showers.

High Season Pitch Fee £17.50 per night

Includes up to 2 adults, electric hookup and showers.

 

 

 

 

Extras

 

Awning or Gazebo £2.00 per night

Extra Adult(s) £5.00 each per night

Extra Car (Maximum 2 per pitch) £3.00 per night

Dogs (Maximum 2 per pitch) £1.00 per dog per night

All dogs to remain on leads at all times while on the park

All dog faeces to be picked up and put in dog bins provided

 

All visitors must sign in at reception

 

Electric hookup usage FREE

Tow Bar Membership FREE

Booking advisable (essential on Bank Holiday Weekends)

 

 

No Vans or Commercial Vehicles allowed on site

 

 

 

 

[W3526602]

High Season Pitch Fee £17.50 per night Includes up to 2 adults,

 

Extras Awning or Gazebo £2.00 per night

Adult(s) £5.00 each per night

Car (Maximum 2 per pitch) £3.00 per night

 

Hi,

 

So if you have 4 adults. an awning, and and 2 cars, it will cost you an extra £15 per night.

 

For an further £2.50, you could forget the awning, and take an extra caravan ........ and have a double sized pitch. Or you could negotiate with the SO, pay an extra £2.50 and have a double pitch.

 

Go in the low-season, and you would be running at a profit. Perhaps the site operator is shooting himself in the foot?

 

602

[George Collings]

lennyhb - 2010-05-26 8:23 PM

 

This discrimination thing is purely a British thing we had a Hobby caravan for years we never had a problem ourself but we very seldom use commercial sites in the UK.

Hobby are the largest manufacture of caravans in Europe and it's fairly obvious when you travel abroad, stayed on one one site in France about 120 vans on site over 90 of them were Hobby's and not a Traveller in site (sorry for the pun).

The discrimination is completely unfounded lets face it would you expect a traveller to actually pay for a site when the local councils provide nice parks & recreation grounds and even clear up their rubbish for free & then increase our council tax to pay for it.

 

Discrimination against caravans is alive and well on the continent. Usually there is a sign barring not particular makes but twin axle caravans.

 

However most larger towns do have dedicated sites for the travelling fraternity but they do ocassionally use municipals.

[Dave225]

The only twin axles caravans I have seen on the Continent are usually UK ones. The Europeans, as caravanners, do not tend to buy them as a norm. Therefore it is indeed highly likely that a twin axle van from Europe will be used by someone who is actually living in it on a permanent basis, and therefore could lead to some sites being less than happy to accomodate them. However, if you do have a UK TA van and pre-book the site i do not think you will be refused entry. Mind you many EU sites have hedges and boundaries around the pitches so getting round the corners on site can sometimes be difficult. They are designed more for vans in the 6.5 meter length bracket as a maximum. Hobby as mentioned is a huge supplier of such single axle vans and there are many on sites everywhere.

 

Again, as far as awnings are concerned many sites in Europe have all gravel, or sometimes sand pitches. Grass does not grow too well in 30 plus degrees. Theerfore awning damage is not an issue. It is only us here in the UK that like to have our 'lawns' to park on although both CC and C&CC are making all weather or hardstanding pitches more common again to reduce awning wear and tear.

[terryW]

W3526602 - 2010-06-23 8:12 AMHigh Season Pitch Fee £17.50 per night Includes up to 2 adults,Extras Awning or Gazebo £2.00 per night Adult(s) £5.00 each per night Car (Maximum 2 per pitch) £3.00 per night Hi,So if you have 4 adults. an awning, and and 2 cars, it will cost you an extra £15 per night. For an further £2.50, you could forget the awning, and take an extra caravan ........ and have a double sized pitch. Or you could negotiate with the SO, pay an extra £2.50 and have a double pitch.Go in the low-season, and you would be running at a profit. Perhaps the site operator is shooting himself in the foot? 602

 

Still cheaper than the CC site we are using on 29/8 -  £31.55/night for 2 adults (and no awning).

 

[Syd]

 

We have a T/A Tabbert Diadem 22ft and have only once had a problem getting into a site and that was in France of all places.

We decided to ignore their protests and simply drove past them, parked up and made ourselves at home, they then took our money and left us alone

[mel wood]

terryW - 2011-08-10 5:32 PM[>Still cheaper than the CC site we are using on 29/8 -  £31.55/night for 2 adults (and no awning).

You have chosen to stay on by far the dearest CC site.The charges (and facilities including swimming pool, bar, entertainment and restaurant) are in no way typical of CC sites.

[gadjo]

this may well upset a few on here but..................

 

I think there should be a difference between charging for a motorhome and charging for a caravan, this is because when a caravan pitches up they usually have a large 4X4 car, caravan, an awing the same size as the caravan ,BBQ area, kids play area all on or around the pitch and make endless trips to the water tap with them little wheely things......therefore taking up far more room than just me with my motorhome and maybe the wind out sunshade on occasions.

 

And another thing why do the caravan club have diferent pitches available ie standard without awning and with awning but it makes no difference to the price charged?????

 

stand back wait for flack!!!

[mel wood]

gadjo - 2011-08-24 1:23 PM

 

this may well upset a few on here but..................

 

I think there should be a difference between charging for a motorhome and charging for a caravan, this is because when a caravan pitches up they usually have a large 4X4 car, caravan, an awing the same size as the caravan ,BBQ area, kids play area all on or around the pitch and make endless trips to the water tap with them little wheely things......therefore taking up far more room than just me with my motorhome and maybe the wind out sunshade on occasions.

 

And another thing why do the caravan club have diferent pitches available ie standard without awning and with awning but it makes no difference to the price charged?????

 

stand back wait for flack!!!

 

 

I have a small motorhome and I think your post has far too many generalisations, assumptions and perhaps even prejudices.

 

Regarding CC pitches, a standard pitch would suit a motorhome with a drive away awning or a towed car. A "with awning pitch" would accomadate a car, caravan and awning OR a motorhome, drive away awning and a tow car (and probably a trailer.)

 

If a standard pitch meets my needs why would I want a bigger pitch (especially if my having it could prevent someone who needs it from having a pitch)?

 

 

[gadjo]

dont really know what you are getting at!!!

 

my piont was that there should be a tariff ie extra charges for awnings, more than 1 vehicle on a pitch, gazebos etc etc etc.

 

therefore if I turn up with just me motrohome I should pay less than the person who turns up with all the above plus more.. and we all pay for what we use or choose to use.

 

still cant see why the CC make a distinction as when I have turned up regardless of what I have booked on line I am either 'placed' or told to go have a look and choose me own....