Why Twin Units Need Two Deliveries
A twin-unit park home or lodge is built in the factory as two separate halves — typically each around 11ft to 16ft wide. Joined together on the pitch, the assembled unit ends up 22ft wide or more, which is significantly over the 9ft 6in single-load width limit on UK roads.
That means each half travels separately, on its own trailer, under abnormal-load rules. Most projects schedule the two halves for the same day, with an escort interval between them so the convoys don't clash.
The Day Before
A properly planned delivery does not start on delivery day. The day before, the site should already be:
- Cleared — old unit removed, pitch free of obstacles, anchors and pads laid out where they will be needed.
- Surveyed — gateway widths, internal road radii, ground bearing, and any low overhead obstructions all checked and signed off.
- Confirmed with the police — for abnormal-load movements, the relevant police forces have been notified and the route is approved.
If any of these are still open at 17:00 the day before delivery, the move usually slips by 24–48 hours. It's far cheaper to defer a day than to roll up with two trailers and find the unit can't get through the gate.
Arrival of the First Half
On delivery day, the first trailer arrives at the agreed window — usually mid-morning. The convoy includes the haulage tractor and trailer with the first half loaded, plus at least one escort vehicle.
The first half is reversed onto the pitch with the cab end closest to the final position. Once in place, it is:
- Levelled with hydraulic jacks
- Pinned onto its blocks or stand
- Prepared for joining — protective covers removed on the joining wall
The first half typically takes 90–120 minutes from arrival to ready-for-join.
Second Half Arrival and Joining
The second trailer follows the first, usually with a 30–60 minute interval so the convoys don't share the same single-track lanes. The second half is positioned alongside the first using dollies or, on awkward pitches, a mini-crane.
This is the precision part of the day. The two halves have to align within a few millimetres so that:
- The roof ridge meets cleanly
- The internal walls line up
- The flooring transitions are flush
- The window and door reveals match
Once aligned, the two halves are bolted together along the joining wall. The ridge cover is fitted and sealed, and the external joining strip is screwed and silicone-sealed.
Final Commissioning
With the structure joined, the inside still has work to do. Carpets and laminate may need to be transitioned across the joining line. Furniture sections, especially kitchens, may need final assembly. Plumbing and electrics need a meter test and connection-up.
For most twin units, the structural day finishes early evening, with first-fix interior work completing the next morning. The owner or park manager signs off the unit and it's ready for occupation.
Common Day-of Issues
Even well-planned moves throw curveballs:
- Wet ground — soft pitches need ground mats under the tractor and trailer wheels. Bring extras, never assume.
- Trees and overheads — branches that were fine two summers ago may have grown into the path of a 14ft wide load. Tree-prune in advance.
- Late deliveries — escort intervals slip, drivers hit traffic. Build a 90-minute float into the timeline.
A good operator plans for all three. A bad day is the result of skipping one of them.
What This Costs You
Twin-unit delivery is not single-unit delivery × 2. The price reflects two trailers, two driver-days, escort vehicles for both halves, possible police escort, on-site joining time and finishing. A typical UK twin-unit move sits in the four-figure range, scaling up with distance and access complexity.
If a quote comes in dramatically below that, ask what is excluded. Usually it's the on-site joining day — and that's the day that turns a delivery into a finished home.