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Bit worried (!). Had a great idea to take my boys and their budding MTB romance on a summer tour of wild beautiful Wales in general and Welsh trail centers particularly. Hired a motorhome to do so - not sure on exact height and length, but sleeps 6 so let's assume BIG.
My golden idea was move from place to place, ride when we ride (plus some walking, kayaking, zip lining etc), and then drive to the next RV-friendly campsite. Work our way from South Coast to Wales via Forest of Dean. Live the dream.
I had a horrible realization a few days ago.
A big ass'd RV might not fit into the trail center car parks, and my boys aren't fit enough yet to ride -to- the trail center and then do a sizeable day out. I'm an idiot!
Was wondering if the STW hivemind knows a) which Welsh locations will be more or less RV friendly for beginner-intermediate young riders and b) any campsites and RV spots that you've experienced or generally recommend.
Basically...is this even a workable plan? (The RV has been paid for!).
Thanks so much for any advice.
Cwmcarn, no probs, Nant yr Arian, no problem, Coed y brenin, no problem, Afan, no problem. See a pattern here? Usually it is more of a problem negotiating the smaller roads to get to the trail centres than actually parking when you get there. I can't think of eny with height restrictions on them, which would be the only limiting factor.
Since when did people, well, Brits at least, start referring to these things as an RV.
My sisters in-laws now have a motorhome and they keep calling it an RV....
Machynlleth could be a bit tight, penmachno park at bottom. I think everywhere else would be fine.
CYB overflow looks like a european aire when im there usually!
Since when did people, well, Brits at least, start referring to these things as an RV.
Given that he also can't spell centre, I'm assuming that the OP is a Murkan. If not then yes he needs to take a long hard look at himself 🤗
OP. Given that cars ( sorry, sedans and station wagons are completely in the minority at all UK trail centres you'll be fine in a motorhome/van. Or indeed a semi. No problem at all having a semi in a Welsh trail centre car park
With our 6.5m motorhome last year we found Llandegla, CYB, Afan and Cwm Carn fine, with Llandegla having the tightest parking spots.
We have been to most of them in ours and not had a problem. Just make sure when you park it that you have a good getaway so that no one blocks you in
Check which car parks allow you to park an RV in them as well as the height restrictions. I know that Cwmcarn officially bans any motorhomes even though there's usually a few there most weekends. I know one person got a ticket there last year but that was most likely because they'd parked across three bays and had an awning up as a pit area while they hit the uplift!
As others, I can't think of any that have height restrictions so as long as you're sensible you should be fine.
Nant yr Arian is perfect, right on the A44 trunk road and there's a big layby outside if they're arsey about overnight parking. Similarly Coed y Brenin is just off the A470 north of Dolgellau.
No problem at all having a semi in a Welsh trail centre car park
Quite an achievement on a wet afternoon in January, I'd say
Both Afan sites have camping, but I think one is tents only so you should be okay there.
Cwmcarn... if it's anything like it's been this past week you'd want to arrive early. Carpark was full by 09:30 yesterday and 80% full Wednesday evening, you'll be about a popular as Syphilis if you take up a couple of spaces with your mobile plastic palace. I'd park at the top where the uplift turns around (he won't be running this summer).
RV = motorhome = motorcaravan = caravanette?
I think I'm going to use caravanette from now on, I'm a child of the '70s anyway.
if you take up a couple of spaces with your mobile plastic palace.
The op didn't say he had forgotten how to drive. There's no reason it needs to take up more than one space if you park wise. Stick the overhang over grass/ditch.
Don't park up against posts /bankings /buildings you can minimise space down to a single vehicle carparking space.
Obviously don't be sticking an awning out or any other dick moves.
The op didn’t say he had forgotten how to drive. There’s no reason it needs to take up more than one space if you park wise. Stick the overhang over grass/ditch.
Really, he said it's "Big", my Mate's jumbo Crafter van won't fit in one of the normal parking spaces there, hanging over the grass or not.
Lol! Thank you so much, you lot. Not only have you give me great and very helpful answers, but the classic STW ribbing (in this case, of my outrageous American spellings in a few areas) have put a big ol' smile on my face.
WE WILL CONQUER WALES IN OUR RV/'motorhome'.
waggons roll
🙂
Quite an achievement on a wet afternoon in January, I’d say
To take an old footballing term and mash it up, "if you can perform in a cold trail centre car park on a wet afternoon in January then..."
WE WILL CONQUER WALES IN OUR RV/’motorhome’.
Caravanette, please.
I prefer camper, no mater the size or style, or the French term of Camping Car 😉
ooh, camping car is good.
The op didn’t say he had forgotten how to drive. There’s no reason it needs to take up more than one space if you park wise. Stick the overhang over grass/ditch. <span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">Really, he said it’s “Big”, my Mate’s jumbo Crafter van won’t fit in one of the normal parking spaces there, hanging over the grass or not.</span>
My Mondeo estate doesn't fit in most supermarket car park spaces. I think the UK needs to rethink the dimensions of parking spaces and make them bigger to accommodate modern vehicles.
Most of the forest access is built around getting timber wagons and low loaders in, think a van will be fine 😉
Timber wagons are known for a slightly robust approach mind, they'll take artics to places in the woods without question whilst we struggle to encourage in rigid stone lorries.