Left Hand Drive - Any Issues?

[liquid]

Hi,

 

First time poster here - after a bit of advice!

 

Firstly a bit of background info:

 

My dad and I race motocross, and we are looking to purchase a motorhome (ideally a Benimar Europe if possible) to use with a small box trailer at motocross races, for the family to use for short breaks, and ideally for my dad and I to go and visit some of the big Grand Prix events in France/Belgium.

 

We currently have an 52 plate Iveco 3.5T van, and would like to keep with a 2.8 JTD engine or similar, as we really need a strong torquey engine (many of the tracks we go to are reached by steep Welsh country lanes!)

 

 

We were unlucky to miss out on a lovely Benimar last week but have seen a few similar campers within our budget (up to £18,000), which we are considering.

 

 

 

Only problem is two of the ones we have seen advertised are LHD, and I have heard conflicting stories about LHD vehicles. A motocross freind owns a LHD Rimor Superbrig and he has no issues at all driving and insuring it.

 

On the other hand, I have heard stories about them being expensive to insure, with them being LHD (and obviously imported)

 

Is it much of an issue adapting to a LHD vehicle (have driven LHD cars in the States but obviously you are on the other side of the road over there!). Does anyone who owns an LHD motorhome offer any driving tips?

 

Any advice gladly appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

[b6x]

Can only think of two obvious disadvantages...

 

1)  overtaking on a single lane road requires you to be half way onto the opposite side of the road to see what's coming.  (maybe not an issue in a motorhome)

 

2)  toll-booths etc are sometimes set up for right hand drive cars. Not too much of an issue for most, but a pain for me living near a toll bridge.

 

These problems easily rectified with a passenger on board though.

 

[Mel E]

Reponses:

 

1. If you insure through a specialist motorhome insurer, Left Hand Drive will cost you no more.

 

2. TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. Whilst most people are totally happy with LHD, some 15% or so of men just cannot adapt to it - it's all about spacial perception. Because (nothing sexist here) women have a reduced spacial perception function in the brain (they compensate by having better multi-tasking areas), some 30% or so of women find LHD in the UK a problem.

 

3. My own experience with LHD motorhomes over many years is:

 

- it's a doddle to drive in the UK; overtaking isn't an issue, becasue our traffic densities make it unrealistic on any single carriageway roads, and it isn't an issue on dual carriageways or motorways.

 

- it's much better and safer on the Continent - remember most Continental countries kill about twice as many (or more) per head of population on the roads.

 

Mel E

====

[donna miller]

I agree with Mel,

I have had LHD motorhomes for the last 7 years and several cars before that, it's something you get used to, and adapt your driving style to suit.

 

You can usually, though not always, get a LHD model cheaper in this country as some dealers dislike them with a passion, if you are willing to import one yourself then even bigger savings can be had.

 

Also, we've never had any premium loading for LHD.

 

Hope this helps.

 

p.s. welcome to the forum

[liquid]

Thanks for all of the tips so far!

 

I'd like to think I would be OK coping with it as I have driven a wide spectrum of vehicles (including LHD, but abroad). Just after the general consensus really, as I mentioned, I only know of one person who owns an LHD vehicle. He was a little apprehensive when he bought it a few week ago, but he says it's not a problem for him at all.

 

And if I were to pull up to a toll booth, the fact the passenger would be the one next to the payment booth would not bother me in the slightest! :-D

 

My main concern is being sat next to the kerb, sounds stupid but I fear about straying into the middle of the road! I assume it's just a case of not rushing, and being aware of the positiong of the van? Or does it become subconscious after a while?

 

Thanks

 

 

[Thai Bry]

Chris

Not a problem at all really. Like a RHD vehicle abroad, you'd normally keep your eye on the nearside mirror(Right side) just to check that you're not straying too far from the kerb. So likewise you do the same for a LHD vehicle in this country.Just keep checking in your Left hand mirror for positioning. After a while you'll wonder what the fuss was all about.

I suppose if you had a passenger with you at all times, then the occasional shout of "Get Over" from your passenger would serve as a good reminder as well.

I'm sure that you'll get used to it - enjoy!!

Thai

[Bill]

I've had a LHD sports car in the UK, and have used a RHD motorhome on the Continent.

 

My experience is that the main factor is the eight of the driver's seat: the sports car was a pain, but in the motorhome I can see over the cars in front so don't need to see round them.

 

Must admit, coming into a busy junction on the "blind side" can be interesting...

 

[W3526602]

Hi,

 

My driving is superb when driving RHD in UK.

 

Its also very good when driving RHD in France.

 

And yet again when driving LHD in UK.

 

But when I drive a LHD in France, I am an utter pratt. I'm not to sure where my RH front wheel is in relation to the kerb, particularly on bends. And French drivers coming the other way KNOW that they can psych me down.

 

There was a LHD Toyota demountable on Ebay, at a very attractive price. Go to caravans, then search for "demountable".

 

602

[crinklystarfish]

Hi,

I used to own a LHD 'van (Ducato 15 based panel) and really couldn't see what all the fuss was about. Whether at home, or abroad, on any type of road, I just drove it.

It took about 15 minutes to acclimatise and position it on UK roads correctly, during which time I just found a quiet road and took it steady. As you've driven them abroad already, I'd have a fair wager that you'd take to UK roads without any trouble.

One thing not mentioned so far, some spares can be a bit of a faff, I had problems getting hold of some exhaust sections. I have no idea why they should have differed from RHD parts, but they did.

[liquid]

Thanks for the advice so far!

 

You've raised some good views to consider.

 

We're currently looking at 2 or 3 motorhomes, both RHD and LHD, so I will take these points into consideration.

[laikaman]

Are they harder to sell when the time comes?

[Romir]

There are issues when approaching an acute road junction from the nearside in the UK as, depending upon the width of your 'van, you can't see clearly down the road if no passenger aboard. Happens at some roundabouts too.

Got over my problem when Dave Newell fitted Rear camera we also had small side camera fitted to right hand door; camera is switchable either manually or via the indicator stalk. Very useful and worthwhile addition B-)