Hi Happy

I think you will have to change your username if you try to get in there!! 8O 8O

I'm sure there is a calculation, but in your place wouldn't bother with it. I would do a scale drawing of the road and gateway, then cut out a bit of card (at the same scale :wink: ) to the dimensions of your truck.

The distance the gateway is set back from the road will be critical. 8O

It should be fairly easy then to see if you have a realistic chance of getting in without knocking the gateposts over.

Sorry to be pessimistic, but my guess would be "No".

Hope this helps

 

I know I have to make wide ( very) turns. I use the follwing method.


Take as much of the road as you need to get round.

Take as much time as you need.

Dont start the manouver untill its reasonably quiet and you are as safe as possible.


e.g on a clock face.

Driving from 6 to 12 oclock. and you in spain, so you're on the right half of the road. You want to turn left, to 9 oclock.

so, tuck yourself into the gutter, ( rhd side of your road.) signalliing left, and when safe, take a wide turn and see if you can get into the gate as straight as possible. if you cant get straight, reverse adequately, with someone looking at the back end to see oncoming traffic.

same principle applies, only the other way round if you turn right( To 3 oclock.)

Easy really, when you get it right, or if your typing.

 

BHappy,

Why not find a quiet carpark (perhaps a school out of term or friendly pub) and mark the dimensions on the ground using plastic bottles. You could then practice to your heart's content.

Kenp

 

Hi,

it is possible to calculate, but three more parameters would be needed: The van's turning circle, the wheelbase and, most important, the rear overhang. So the distance between rear axle and van's stern.

But my crude guess is that it will not work out.

Best Regards,
Gerhard

 

Do you have to drive in???
it is often alot easier to reverse in to tight openings.


Cheers
Matt

 

I put my money on NO.

The overhang will kill you.

Though I can't get my head round which of the axles you "pivot" round when turning, maybe midway, in which case the overhang is seriously massive.

If you do take up the good idea of scale models then the problem is judging how the back axles turn.

How about a 1:1 scale model - local supermarket early morning, a few cardboard boxes and try it.

 

Why not find a quiet carpark (perhaps a school out of term or friendly pub) and mark the dimensions on the ground using plastic bottles. You could then practice to your heart's content.
Kenp

Oops - just replied to an earlier post and used your idea - so that's 2 votes for a 1:1 scale attempt.

 

In my opinion - only with 20/20 hindsight, after you've had a quote for the damage.....

Smick

 

I think that it might just be possible to reverse in if you have a rear overhang of six foot or more. Get the overhang in and get square to the entrance just as the rear axel enters the gap.

That's easy for me to say, isn't it.

I agree with the others. A 1:1 scale trial and let us know the results.

 

I agree with Matt - reversing would be easier
Richard

 

Hi BHappy

I, in my wisdom are going to say yes, as long as the overhang from the back wheel to the rear of the moterhome can cross over the kerb at the opposite side of the road from the gate, in other words back up to the kerb and touch the kerb with the back wheels, this should give you enough room to then manoeuvre forward through the gate.

There I've done it again stuck my head above the parapet, be gentle.

Best Regards
Broom

 

Sorry to hijack your thread BHappy but I have a sort of opposite dilemma.

I already get Vin Gris (4.8m Transit PVC) into our drive OK and I know that Tucano's Autotrail Apache (7m) just will not fit.

We're hoping to get a 6m long Hymler and I'm concerned I won't get it round the required 90 degree left turn inside our gates. For info. the gates are on brick pillars and the gateway is 14ft wide. The worry points are the left hand gate pillar and the front right corner of the house.

See diagram (clickable to enlarge) below.

Any ideas?

SDA

 

Similar problem to what we had Andy.

I knocked the gate post down . . . . with a sledge hammer I quickly add!! 8O 8O 8O

The truck is more important than a gate post, to us anyway!!

 

Hi,

if at all, then anyway only reversing into the drive is possible. As a matter of fact, I had not even considered the possibility of driving in forward.

But, meanwhile I have made some less rough estimates (AKA calculations :wink: ), and perhaps I have to revise my first assumption:

To be able to "squeeze" just into the driveway, the angle between road and van must be at least 53 degrees, otherwise it will not fit.

Angle = arcsin(van width / driveway width)

If the van now stands at an angle of 53 degrees to the road, it blocks about 6.5 of the available 6.9 metres road width. So, depending on wheelbase, turning circle and rear overhang, it might just be possible to reverse in.

Best Regards,
Gerhard

 

Thanks dave, hope I am replying properly. As a result of another reply I have checked the following. The pillars are only set back from the road 90 cms. The road set up is such there is no space to put the overhang beyond the kerb,,, tough one. and I guess the overhang is 2.20 / 2.40, but I am checking this and the turning circle with the dealer this afternoon. Also, really like the suggestion of plactic bottles & an big empty carpark.
thanks again.... Brian

Hi Happy

I think you will have to change your username if you try to get in there!! 8O 8O

I'm sure there is a calculation, but in your place wouldn't bother with it. I would do a scale drawing of the road and gateway, then cut out a bit of card (at the same scale :wink: ) to the dimensions of your truck.

The distance the gateway is set back from the road will be critical. 8O

It should be fairly easy then to see if you have a realistic chance of getting in without knocking the gateposts over.

Sorry to be pessimistic, but my guess would be "No".

Hope this helps

 

Thanks Adrian,I have had to do something similar, but I had a wider roadway to work with.. As a result of another reply I have checked the following. The pillars are only set back from the road 90 cms. The road set up is such there is no space to put the overhang beyond the kerb,,, tough one. and I guess the overhang is 2.20 / 2.40, but I am checking this and the turning circle with the dealer this afternoon. Also, really like the suggestion of plactic bottles & an big empty carpark.
thanks again.... Brian

I know I have to make wide ( very) turns. I use the follwing method.

Take as much of the road as you need to get round.

Take as much time as you need.

Dont start the manouver untill its reasonably quiet and you are as safe as possible.

e.g on a clock face.

Driving from 6 to 12 oclock. and you in spain, so you're on the right half of the road. You want to turn left, to 9 oclock.

so, tuck yourself into the gutter, ( rhd side of your road.) signalliing left, and when safe, take a wide turn and see if you can get into the gate as straight as possible. if you cant get straight, reverse adequately, with someone looking at the back end to see oncoming traffic.

same principle applies, only the other way round if you turn right( To 3 oclock.)

Easy really, when you get it right, or if your typing.

 

Thanks, I am chasing up the other dimensions & will get back to you. Brian

Hi,

it is possible to calculate, but three more parameters would be needed: The van's turning circle, the wheelbase and, most important, the rear overhang. So the distance between rear axle and van's stern.

But my crude guess is that it will not work out.

Best Regards,
Gerhard

 

Hi BHappy

In view of that new bit of Info I would say no chance, I am going on what I have to do, which is very similar, but my motorhome is shorter and I can only just get in.

Best Regards
Broom

 

I kind of agree Except, no space to accommodaye the overhang ! No space on the far side of the road & on my side 90 cms beyond edge of kerb. Thanks

Hi BHappy

I, in my wisdom are going to say yes, as long as the overhang from the back wheel to the rear of the moterhome can cross over the kerb at the opposite side of the road from the gate, in other words back up to the kerb and touch the kerb with the back wheels, this should give you enough room to then manoeuvre forward through the gate.

There I've done it again stuck my head above the parapet, be gentle.

Best Regards
Broom

 

Tight corner

Hi

I think you will get in but it will be tight. Reverse in and if possible, carry out the manoeuvre so you drive past the opening and reverse in with plenty of "left hand down" - I always find that easier. Have an assistant though.

R

 

Hi Gerhard, I think will the extra information you requested you will be able to give a "calculated definitive answer". as soon as I have it will send it to you. Tks a mil Brian

if at all, then anyway only reversing into the drive is possible. As a matter of fact, I had not even considered the possibility of driving in forward.

But, meanwhile I have made some less rough estimates (AKA calculations :wink: ), and perhaps I have to revise my first assumption:

To be able to "squeeze" just into the driveway, the angle between road and van must be at least 53 degrees, otherwise it will not fit.

Angle = arcsin(van width / driveway width)

If the van now stands at an angle of 53 degrees to the road, it blocks about 6.5 of the available 6.9 metres road width. So, depending on wheelbase, turning circle and rear overhang, it might just be possible to reverse in.

Best Regards,
Gerhard

 

Sorry to hijack your thread BHappy but I have a sort of opposite dilemma.

I already get Vin Gris (4.8m Transit PVC) into our drive OK and I know that Tucano's Autotrail Apache (7m) just will not fit.

We're hoping to get a 6m long Hymler and I'm concerned I won't get it round the required 90 degree left turn inside our gates. For info. the gates are on brick pillars and the gateway is 14ft wide. The worry points are the left hand gate pillar and the front right corner of the house.

See diagram (clickable to enlarge) below.

Any ideas?

SDA

I'd make another gate where, ( on your diagram) the van now sits. With a decent width, and some gates which either open out to the road, or better till, ( and more expensively) slide, you may stand a chance of accessing the vehicle. Actually, I spose, the other alternative is to have very lightweight gates, and just lift them off.

 

I agree with others, go for reversing in. Since the track on reverse is different to forwards, you don't want to get in only to find you can't get it out again! I have once had to get the back wheels of an artic trolley-jacked over to get out of a bad bend in the middle of Sandwich town. Not funny at the time...
Patrick

 

I'd make another gate where, ( on your diagram) the van now sits. With a decent width, and some gates which either open out to the road, or better till, ( and more expensively) slide, you may stand a chance of accessing the vehicle. Actually, I spose, the other alternative is to have very lightweight gates, and just lift them off.

I left some details out of the diagram I'm afraid Adrian, but the pictures might make it clearer.

There's another small tree 10ft along from the cherry and another big one a further 12 ft along. The fence posts are at 6ft centres all the way along. Not sure if the Council would be happy for me to form a second entrance onto the road :roll:

SDA

 

Looking at the picture, Andy, I'd say you're struggling. My Starline 640 would just about have done it, but it had a Merc turning circle, rather than a Sevel one which is less forgiving. I think you might have to resign yourself to losing the gate post on the left as you look at it, and replacing the gates with a single five barred alloy gate, with a wheel to support the open end, hung from the RH post. This should probably open inwards, so that angling the front end of the van is easier.

This would give you the opening, though I think you may still have a problem with tree branches, and is that a carport I see beyond the van ? Bear in mind that your Hymer will be in the region of 3m high...

Is there anyone you know who has a similar size van who will come and experiment with you ?

Hope it works out.

Smick