Le Mans in a Motor Home

[phardy]

Apologies, another Le Mans topic. Me and a couple of mates are on about going this year for the first time in a 7.2m motor home. What would be the best campsite to stay at or allowed on? Ideally we want to be close as possible to things, not bothered about the toilets/showers so much as we'll have our own. Anyone done it this way before? Good or bad idea?

[cn7k7]

phardy said:

Apologies, another Le Mans topic. Me and a couple of mates are on about going this year for the first time in a 7.2m motor home. What would be the best campsite to stay at or allowed on? Ideally we want to be close as possible to things, not bothered about the toilets/showers so much as we'll have our own. Anyone done it this way before? Good or bad idea?

The caravans at Le Mans thread will answer your queries, you’ll have to chase around the agents to find a pitch at this late stage near the ‘village’ though.

[Printertosh]

Officially the max length for most campsites is 7m (for a single pitch) but they don't get their tape measure out. Ideally go for a campsite that's not numbered so you can choose a pitch when you get there that's best suited for you and get there before Wednesday so you don't have to manoeuvre round everyone else who have probably nicked a bit off next doors pitch or stretched their guide ropes across it.

[Printertosh]

By the way if the standard vehicle is officially 7m or you can get away with it being that there's probably no point in telling the ferry / tunnel company it's 7.2m either as I think they charge more for 7m+

[Vette_1978]

Printertosh said:

By the way if the standard vehicle is officially 7m or you can get away with it being that there's probably no point in telling the ferry / tunnel company it's 7.2m either as I think they charge more for 7m+

I'd just be wary on this. I went to the TT last year with a roof box, it was 3cm too tall, they got out the tape measure and were doing length and height. We were refused boarding and had to drive from Liverpool to Heysham where we got on a later ferry.

[Printertosh]

Vette_1978 said:

Printertosh said:

By the way if the standard vehicle is officially 7m or you can get away with it being that there's probably no point in telling the ferry / tunnel company it's 7.2m either as I think they charge more for 7m+

I'd just be wary on this. I went to the TT last year with a roof box, it was 3cm too tall, they got out the tape measure and were doing length and height. We were refused boarding and had to drive from Liverpool to Heysham where we got on a later ferry.

We're always booked in the highest section of Dover - Calais ferry / train anyway as we're in a motorhome so height doesn't matter to our price as long as we fit under. They never seem bothered about our length on that crossing as I think they just go by your registration number when booking. Different for cars and small campers though as they go on the split levels.

Guessing your ferry was the Isle of Man Steam Packet? Wouldn't want to cross the line with their independent laws. We'd probably be hung, drawn and quartered for an extra 20cm

[LawrieC]

With the pitch size at 7m, you may have a problem, not because you can't stick out 8 inches, but because the ACOs measuring is crap, and you might only get 6.5m. Provided you're amongst the Brits, these problems usually get sorted quickly.

As for the Ferries, the IOMSPC have a reputation. Ferries want to know the length and height of my caravan to the nearest 10cm, but its never been measured, but I don't travel on busy ferries where they're trying to squeeze everybody on.

There are usually toilet emptying points behind the shower blocks, but nowhere for grey water. With the caravan, I run a length of pipe through the fence. And you might have to use the bushes

[Vette_1978]

Printertosh said:

Guessing your ferry was the Isle of Man Steam Packet? Wouldn't want to cross the line with their independent laws. We'd probably be hung, drawn and quartered for an extra 20cm

Yep. I think the main issue is the Mannanan had a new mezzanine level floor put in for more bikes so there is less space for taller vehicles, but the Ben is still a creaky haulage boat with plenty of space. Not taking the car this year so wallet will be about £500 better off!!

[RL17]

The public bit of BSJ inside Porsche curves and by the allotments was motorhome only last year I thought and all the plots there are random and wasn't full (and a lot more calmer than previous years). Bit of a drive in but walking access good (200 m) out to the road that goes under circuit by Travel Destinations Porsche Curves and the Danish K-rejser BSJ site (the one with a roadside DJ blasting out for the burnouts on Friday etc). (Google maps search Village on the Curves go to satellite view and its the field north of the track - foot access up east side of allotments).

Also in that area Lycian events/Village on the curves have some very big motorhomes in at end just off track sometimes. They basically remove perimeter fencing to allow homes in and re-erect fencing. Bar and trackside viewing plus shuttle buses.

[Cass63]

Bsj never measure my motor home, I go on the Wednesday and pick our usual spot, near a water point and next to the fence, if you go Thursday onwards they start telling you where to park as that’s when it starts to fill up.
Bit of a trek from bsj to the village or grandstands but that’s one of the reasons it’s cheap you’ll find out the other reasons if you book there.

[Printertosh]

Vette_1978 said:

Printertosh said:

Guessing your ferry was the Isle of Man Steam Packet? Wouldn't want to cross the line with their independent laws. We'd probably be hung, drawn and quartered for an extra 20cm

Yep. I think the main issue is the Mannanan had a new mezzanine level floor put in for more bikes so there is less space for taller vehicles, but the Ben is still a creaky haulage boat with plenty of space. Not taking the car this year so wallet will be about £500 better off!!

Yeah my mate thought about doing TT a few times with his VW camper but he always says it's difficult getting the right crossings to line up with getting back in time for trip to Le Mans.

I've been the Isle of Man (not for TT) on the fast ferry from Liverpool for one day/night but left my car in the multi story near Liverpool docks. Amazing how many commuters were on it. Found Douglas an interesting place. Although everyone seemed to know each other...... local town, for local people!