All the camp sites in Germany have always charged for electric for what you consumed. And when we do Christmas markets and the temp is below freezing the cost of electric is usually higher than the site fee, if you use electric heating. They have meters on each pitch, and you check its zero when you arrive and it is remotely read on departure.

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

And what do you think of the system? Is it fair?

I've just come back from two nights on a CL site in the Cotswolds after collecting my new camper. Cost of the stay: £35.- without any electricity. I wasn't expecting any hook up points but there were some on pay-as-you-go. First night was on the habitation battery but I put a quid for the second night. I still had 40 pence credit when I left 24 hours later! The funny thing is that one unused meter was shower £0.98 debt and two others had more than £3.- credit where people had put too many coins! So pay-as-you-go meters could mean free leccy or paying for someone else!!

@kevinlee3099

4 ай бұрын

Sorry £35 a night on a CL+ electric? No. 🥶That's surly a rip off. Just come back from France/Spain paid no more than €23. inc.

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

I guess this depends how the technology is set up. Free electric sounds like a great idea! I’d change pitch for that lol!

@travelcampervansandmore

4 ай бұрын

@@kevinlee3099 Indeed, £35.- a night would have been expensive. Please read more carefully next time.😉

When I see people with heaters tv’s lights all over going all day and night it’s not surprising I’m all for cheaper pitch fee and a meter !!

@barryyoung

4 ай бұрын

100%

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

Yes I agree! I think a huge positive from this change will be education on consumption. So many people are probably ignorant to the facts. This could change that for the better

@barryyoung

4 ай бұрын

@@MotorhomeMatt or just greedy and don’t give a monkeys

We have a small 5-pitch site and started charging separately for ehu last year. A massive drop in consumption! We have a very low-tech honesty box system - jam jar for cash payment with pre-filled paper calculation slip. Current EHU price is always on the website. (We can only charge what we pay.) Works brilliantly!

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

Love this! A pure analogue system!

Hi Mat & Keith. Two questions on metering on pitches. 1. What if thee is a power cut, do you have to go and swipe the card again on the meter? 2. Is the power still live if you leave for the day and if so what is to stop some plugging in to use power you have paid for?

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

These are great questions and I would suggest it’s worth asking at the campsite using such a system. I would assume the record of credit is left on the charge unit which is separate to the power outlet. So in the event of a power cut it would simply come back to life when power is resumed and the credit would stay on screen and sit idle until this point. As for someone else using your power that’s a good question! But most people seem to only be putting £3-£10 on the cards max so never a huge financial risk more an inconvenience

@stevegirt

4 ай бұрын

@@MotorhomeMatt I was thinking more if power cut say in the night do you need to go and tap the card back on the meter to get the power to turn back on or does it resume automatically ? I know it’s difficult to answer as I suspect there are several types of systems available to sites.

Brilliant podcast as always guys. Nice to see you looking so well Matt 🎉

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

Thank you very much!

While on the continent we’ve had to pay for electric separately many times, a meter reading was taken at the beginning of our stay and again at the end, unfortunately you had to wait until about 8:30 for them to do the reading on the morning of departure, this was in Bavaria (one of the best sites we’ve stayed at)

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

I’ve heard of similar experiences. I think the delay in the meter reading would frustrate many? It means we lose that sense of freedom to leave when we want?

RAC Driving a camper van and towing a caravan in France Camper vans are not allowed to exceed 12 metres in length, and 2.55 metres in width. There are no height restrictions. Cars with caravans are not allowed to exceed a combined 18.75 metres in length, and 2.55 metres in width. There are no height restrictions. Loads on vehicles with two axles mustn’t exceed 19 tonnes. While weights at single axles mustn’t exceed 12 tonnes. Towing in France On a standard driving licence, motorists are allowed to tow a trailer with a maximum authorised mass of 750kg, including the trailer and its load. You’re not allowed to tow a motor vehicle except in the event of a breakdown or an accident and if the distance to be travelled is short. This practice is banned on motorways where the assistance of a recovery vehicle must be sought. It is forbidden to carry people in a moving caravan. It’s illegal to tow another motor vehicle except in the case of a breakdown or an accident and if the distance to be travelled is short. Please note: The Department for Transport advises that A-frames are not legal for use by UK campers and caravanners abroad. In practice, this could mean towing your car while it’s fixed to a trailer.**

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

I wonder if you could send me links to where the A Frame rules are written down please? We’ve been busy building an episode on this exact topic and I’d love access to the points above about towing a motor vehicle. Could you send to mhmp.info/askmatt Thank you

I can here the people with their coffee machine, air fryer, romesko oven and laptops 😢wheeling into their wine glass with PAYG. Everything has got much more costly. I feel for the campsites that are small and don’t have the finances to adapt. Do you know the virus that can’t be named has resulted in campsite closures?

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

The commercial landscape we enjoy has changed. Yes some campsites have closed but many more have opened particularly glamping sites. As a business man I believe businesses need to innovate or evaporate. We are going to continue to see change. This is one element of change coming to our beloved pastime. Not driven by Covid but the cost of electricity.

Your comment about electricity is wrong. You can only boil a kettle or have your heating or hot water. IE 3kw max for safety. Most are 10 amps only. I agree that metered pitches are fair.

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

I’m not sure which comment you refer to. Some campsites are rated as low as 1.2kw and others at 4kw.

Our seasonal pitch metered 43p per kw 54p standing charge daily but this is only charged when electric hooked up So if not staying in caravan no standing charge as long as you don't keep hook up plugged in

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing. These are going to become important numbers for us to know when choosing a campsite!

Never gonna stay at one who meter electric! I’m geared up with a lithium battery and back up power station which is a lot less then these idiots who think they can charge the same pitch fees and business rate EHU…. Dream on and I’ll carry on enjoying my DA off grid camping thank you… 😂

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

That is absolutely your choice of course. But consider the cost of your lithium install versus paying for electric… surely that’s a consideration too? We are in the process at the moment with our own Motorhome and the lithium costs just don’t stack up as we intend to use campsites a lot

I just paid £37.50 per night over easter, they had meters, included in the pitch fee was £1.90 per night of electricity, in my experience 1.90 will not be able to power your water heater or space heating, I had to use gas for both of these.

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

Could you not top up? Or are you saying you didn’t wish to? Do you think it’s too expensive?

@birkatron1

4 ай бұрын

@@MotorhomeMatt yes you could top up, I felt like the minimum given with the pitch fee wasn't enough. I felt it was cheaper to run my heating/hot water on gas. (I use Safefill)

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

@@birkatron1 that’s the choice you were fortunate to make and was probably the right one. It certainly adds a new dynamic to a relaxing weekend in the ‘van’!

@birkatron1

4 ай бұрын

@@MotorhomeMatt on this occasion the pitch prices weren't reduced so I feel a little ripped off. The chap in your video has done it the right way.

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

@@birkatron1 as I said the cynics will say there will be campsites who will hold the pitch fee and charge for electric. Those that do will likely be called out and left with vacancies.

Hey Matt. You recently shared a picture of your Meds. One of the tablets I recognised as Ramipril. One of the side affects of Ramipril is a dry cough that never goes away. Dr can prescribe an alternative drug. Kind regards, Stuart

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

I can vouch for the cough! Thanks for the tip. I’m waiting for a doctors appointment by which time I’ll probably have used another month of meds!

As far as heart problems go. I am 65, exercised to a high intensity all my life as a competative cyclist, don't smoke, hardly drink and am slim, fit and healthy with no comorbities and take no prescription drugs whatsoever. Your health in older age, heart, cancer or otherwise is largely a reflection of your own lifestyle, that is the main cause of health outcome in older age, it is up to you ?

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

I’m sure that’s true to some degree. But we are not all fortunate enough to be able to predict and control health at any stage of life. Enjoy it while we have it. I am grateful that I once again have a healthy heart and am able to wake up, get up and get myself dressed! I will continue to be grateful for this every day I am gifted this privilege

@karlkjj

4 ай бұрын

Well I’ve had two heart attacks one 11 years ago and one last year ….luckily I’m still here , both times I’ve been to rehabilitation classes and both times the only people that didn’t survive the class where a marathon runner and a competitive cyclist … so being fit is not always the answer I’m sure it helps but genetics also plays a big part in our health

Enjoyed to vlog as always Matt, but one question I would have liked to have known is whilst it’s absolutely fair that the cost of what you use is passed on, assuming that is that the cost per night are adjusted accordingly. But at what price per KW is the electric purchased on the card v the actual cost to the campsite

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

That’s a great question and one to ask everywhere you stay. I guess the campsite can set this rate however they wish?

@paulbower5274

4 ай бұрын

@@MotorhomeMatt the law changed a few yrs ago making it illegal to resell gas or electricity at a different price.this was put in place to stop landlords ripping tenants off. it was at this time time the sites had to stop charging say 2 or £3 /night for electric and started building it into the pitch price.

@OurWedding2012

4 ай бұрын

On kWh charges, you have to remember that the site will have to buy their electricity on a commercial contract, which is way more expensive than the domestic rates. Domestic rates and commercial rates also differ region to region, commonly identified by postcode as the standing charges vary by network infrastructure provider. As to the difference in what they are paying to what they are charging, well they don’t need to declare that, but I would expect at least a 5% differential as the site has admin and infrastructure costs to cover.

If electricity becomes chargeable by meter everywhere, I think I would get a diesel heater for the caravan. We have one in our campervan and hardly notice a drop in the tank level in use and the heat is almost instantaneous, unlike electric heating. They are a reliable and cheap source of heat. Obviously on a normal hook up we would continue to use electricity as it is already included in the pitch fee, who wouldn't ?

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

Very good point. Would the fossil fuel green agenda debate cause you to think about this? But I agree with your point about the ease and effectiveness of a diesel heater

@stevezodiac491

4 ай бұрын

​@MotorhomeMatt We are about 1/10 th of all carbon emmissions in the UK. As long as China is building 2 coke ovens per week, our one sided reductions will do no good whatsoever, apart from making us all poorer with more expensive fuel. I shall continue to use both my diesel vehicles and any other carbon consuming equipment until it wears out. I have had an EV for 8 years and 40k miles from new. The battery has degraded 33% and is getting to the point where it will not be a useful range. My diesel Mercedes is coming up 16 years old and my MX5 sports car 20 years. The EV has only lasted half that of the diesel Merc. The EV hasn't proved environmentally friendly by wearing out in half the time my diesel has ? My campervan is Euro 6 and my superbikes are both Euro 5.

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

@@stevezodiac491 that’s interesting. The EV pundits claim EV batteries only degrade about 10% over 10 years. Check out the fully charged podcast on a Friday with Quentin Wilson. Seems to be 2 sides to this story!

@mellarner8253

4 ай бұрын

As with all claims published where motoring is concerned, the quoted battery life, mpg, range, emissions and even carbon footprint should all be taken with a pinch of state, they tend not to match with actual real world experiences. Agreed, driving styles vary, I will never achieve anywhere near what is given for mpg. In any case, driving, towing ( be it petrol, diesel or EV) is not “green” in any conceivable way. Emissions for leisure travel vary wether and how you drive, fly, cruise or bus and train it. You takes your own choice on your carbon footprint size. In any case, I personally would not pay any attention to what Mr Wilson says about anything EV related.

Great video from yourselves. In regard to the B+E license able to drive a tow car and trailer (caravan) up to 7t makes a complete mockery of the C1 license. A car and caravan outfit could be longer than longest motorhome.

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

Absolutely! I understand a line in the sand is needed but it does seem ridiculous!

@the_trailer_lady

4 ай бұрын

I agree that removing the B+E testing requirement does make a joke of the C1 licence test. There is a discussion about removing this, too, but I haven't heard an update for a while

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

@@the_trailer_ladyI can’t see any change to this anytime soon not in an election year! A review deadline came and went in Sept 2023. Maybe one day…?

@the_trailer_lady

4 ай бұрын

@MotorhomeMatt it should be reviewed for the reasons stated above, but as you say, it won't happen in an election year

One way or another we need to pay for the electric used maybe increasd site fees or PAYG but lets hope the campsites are fair and not making too much out of us

@stevezodiac491

4 ай бұрын

Camp sites by law can't make a profit per kwhr as an energy re-seller. They can however charge extra, a fixed sum for the extra electric facility.

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

I agree. I’m sure those that take advantage will be quieter

The problem I see on meter charging is how do we know the sites not profiting from electricity supply? I feel the ones I have been to are very very expensive double home cost? There no control on pricing then the recovery cost of installation etc the user will foot the bill which is becoming very expensive hobby of camping motorhoming? The prices are becoming comparable with premier inn type of premises

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

Campsites who overcharge will surely just be less busy? Consumers will vote with their feet. Is it not the same in all industries? Cafes can charge what they like for a coffee. The over priced ones will be empty whilst the reasonably priced could have a queue?

@tonyhawkins2463

4 ай бұрын

@@MotorhomeMatt yes agreed the big but ! There’s no real competition in camp sites because theres not many in a given area, when your paying £25 to £30 if not more per night plus electricity ! £5 may be more depending on the camp site unit change and recovery cost! then they’re starting to change per person? I don’t see many single motor homers? £18 per person wife and I £36 plus electric, some are now displaying the unit price of electricity, plus some sites now being charged for showering! Our hobby is going to become very very expensive! Yet in Europe 5to 10 euros per night in huge amount of Aires including water and some electric! Couple of euros to empty waste! Europe inviting in motorhomes, seems ours are becoming less inviting! Has you mentioned coffee shop prices I don’t pay £100,000 for a cup to put the coffee in, high st businesses are collapsing, campsites by continuing to be seen to over price will collapse too, on other side we all install solar or generator there camping sites will fail or totally out price themselves for a pitch fee only,

@JsJourney-nz7ci

4 ай бұрын

Commercial rates for electricity far outweigh domestic rates.

@tonyhawkins2463

4 ай бұрын

@@JsJourney-nz7ci that the issue no transparency sites need to inform customers there price of wh unit

“Pay as you go” electric is certainly the way to go in the future. Though it does require a new way of planning. Arrive at your pitch with full battery’s or your paying to charge them so let your solar do its thing until the sun sets then plug in 😂

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

Good strategy!

Charging for electricity is nothing new in Spain. It makes you very conscious of your usage. I think charging for electric and cheaper pitch would be fairer for all

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for your input Fliss as always! And thanks for your contribution to our recent episodes too

I'm sorry to hear about your health and condition matt. I am not sure about ones lifestyle with previous comment because of genetic inheritances .....wishing you the best. Please chill out more

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

Thank you! The medication is forcing me to take it easier! My brain gets confused by my bodies non cooperation!

Pitch fees are getting higher with out electric. So with electric to high.paying for dogs extra what is that about.they carnt make a profit on electric camp sites.😊

@barryyoung

4 ай бұрын

You need to learn to construct a legible sentence before posting on KZread

@MotorhomeMatt

4 ай бұрын

Costs do seem to be going up but it seems to be for everything everywhere! The living wage rise was implemented yesterday which may help a little. For some going to a campsite with 4 kids, 2 dogs, an awning and caravan and car will be an expensive holiday now