A twin-unit static caravan or lodge is one of the most complex moves in the industry – yet thousands are successfully relocated across the UK every year. If you own a twin-unit and need to move it, the first thing to understand is that this is a two-vehicle, multi-day operation that involves splitting the home in two, transporting each half separately, and then rejoining and resealing it on the new pitch. Done properly by an experienced team, the result is a unit that is level, weathertight, and ready to connect up. Done badly, it can mean a home that leaks, sits unlevel, or costs a fortune to put right. This guide explains exactly how moving a twin-unit static caravan works – from the first phone call to the day you get your keys back.
What Is a Twin-Unit Static Caravan?
A twin-unit is two separate caravan bodies – called halves or wings – that are joined side by side on site to create one wide living space. Each half is typically 10–12 ft wide and 35–40 ft long, so the combined footprint can reach 20–24 ft wide and upwards of 40 ft long. That width is what makes twin-units so popular as residential park homes and luxury lodges, but it is also what makes moving them a specialist job. You cannot move a twin-unit as a single piece: the two halves must always be separated, braced, and sheeted individually before transport. For context on static caravan sizes and what they mean for transport, see our dedicated guide.
Step-by-Step: How a Twin-Unit Move Works
Every twin-unit move follows the same broad sequence, though the exact timescales and on-site requirements vary with the unit, the parks involved, and the distance travelled. Here is what to expect at each stage.
1. Survey and route planning
Before anything moves, we carry out a survey of both sites. The critical questions are: can a low-loader reach your current pitch to collect each half? Can it access the destination pitch to deliver? Low-loaders are long and heavy – narrow park roads, tight turns, overhead cables, and soft ground can all be obstacles. We identify these early and plan around them, rather than discovering problems on moving day.
Because each half of a twin-unit will typically be over 10 ft (3.05 m) wide, both loads will qualify as abnormal loads under UK regulations. We handle all ESDAL notifications (which require at least two clear working days’ notice to police and highways authorities), route planning, marker boards, and – where the width of a half exceeds around 3.5 m – the arrangement of an escort vehicle. For wider or taller units on complex routes, National Highways consent may be required. None of that falls on you.
2. Customer preparation: utilities and skirting
This is the step owners most often underestimate. Before the transport team can lift either half, all utility connections – gas, water, and electricity – must be fully disconnected and signed off by a suitably qualified professional. We do not carry out certified utility disconnection or reconnection, and we are not liable for those works. Many parks insist that their own engineers or a park-approved contractor handle disconnection; check with your current park manager early, as booking a qualified tradesperson can take a week or more. Similarly, any skirting panels, steps, or decking that surround the unit will need to be removed before the jacks go in – we can price that work if you need it, but it adds time and cost, and most owners arrange it themselves.
3. De-siting: splitting and lifting each half
Once utilities are disconnected and the site is clear, the de-siting team arrives. The two halves are first separated: the ridge seal, internal trim, and any structural connections joining them are carefully removed and stored. Each half is then individually jacked, lifted off its stands or chassis, and loaded onto its own low-loader. Bracing timbers are fitted internally where required, and the open joined faces are sheeted with heavy tarpaulin to protect the interior during the journey. Read more about the full de-siting process if you want a deeper look at what is involved.
4. Transport as two separate abnormal loads
Each half travels on its own specialist low-loader, usually on consecutive days or on the same day if the route and receiving site permit it. Because these are notifiable abnormal loads, movement is restricted to daylight hours and certain roads. Our national network means we can cover the whole of mainland UK – including long-distance moves from Scotland to the south coast – without the cost spiralling to a one-off special. Transport for a twin-unit move starts from around £950 per half, so budget for two transport costs when planning. For a full breakdown, see our guide on how much it costs to move a static caravan.
5. Siting, levelling and rejoining on the new pitch
This is where the specialist skill really shows. Each half is unloaded, manoeuvred onto the prepared base or axle stands, and levelled independently before the two are jacked together. Getting the level right matters – an unlevel unit stresses the frame, makes doors and windows bind, and can cause condensation problems over time. Once both halves are correctly positioned and levelled, they are drawn together, the ridge join is resealed, internal trim is refitted, and the unit is made fully weathertight. Steps and any skirting we have been asked to refit are completed at this point.
6. Final utility reconnection – your responsibility again
Once the unit is sited, level, and weathertight, the qualified tradesperson you have arranged (or the receiving park’s own engineers) connects gas, water, and electricity and issues the necessary sign-off certificates. Only then is the home ready to occupy. Do not assume the destination park will handle this automatically – confirm it in writing before moving day.
What Does a Twin-Unit Move Cost?
Costs depend on distance, the dimensions of each half, access difficulty, and whether escort vehicles or specialist consent are required. The table below gives a broad guide – every job is quoted individually because no two moves are identical.
| Cost element | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Transport (per half) | From £950 | Two halves = two transport costs |
| De-siting (both halves) | £300 – £1,200 typical; up to £4,000 – £5,000 for large or complex units | Includes jacking, lifting, bracing, sheeting |
| Re-siting (both halves, levelling & rejoining) | £300 – £1,200 typical; up to £4,000 – £5,000 for large or complex units | Includes positioning, levelling, resealing, weatherproofing |
| Abnormal load permits & ESDAL notifications | Included in our quote | We handle all admin |
| Escort vehicle (where required) | Quoted on route | Typically needed over ~3.5 m wide |
| Utility disconnection / reconnection | Arranged & paid by customer | Must be certified – we do not carry out this work |
| Skirting / decking removal & refitting | Quoted on request | Often arranged by customer |
For a more detailed look at all the variables that affect price, our guide to park home and mobile home moving costs covers the same ground for residential units.
Key Things to Check Before You Book
A twin-unit move has more moving parts than a standard single-unit job. Working through this checklist before you confirm the booking will save time and avoid surprises.
- Age limit at the destination park. Many parks operate a 10–20 year age limit. If your twin-unit is approaching that threshold, confirm the park will accept it in writing before committing to transport costs. See our guide on how long a static caravan lasts for context on condition and lifespan.
- Access for a low-loader at both ends. Confirm the route from the park entrance to your current pitch and the destination pitch. Our survey will flag problems, but you can speed things up by checking gate widths, road surfaces, and any height barriers.
- Park consent at both sites. Your current park will usually need to know you are leaving, and the destination park will need to approve the unit. Some parks require a condition survey before accepting a used unit.
- Qualified utility contractors. Book a Gas Safe engineer for gas, and a Part P or approved electrician for the electrical supply, at both ends. If the park handles disconnection itself, get a confirmed date from them.
- Residential vs holiday use. If you are moving to a year-round residential park, the site licence will be issued under BS 3632 standards. Some twin-unit lodges are built to holiday-grade specification – check whether yours meets the residential standard before paying pitch fees.
- The 50% deposit. We ask for a 50% deposit to reserve the transport and siting dates, with the balance due when the unit is loaded.
How Long Does a Twin-Unit Move Take?
A straightforward twin-unit move – good access at both sites, no complex permit requirements, moderate distance – typically spans two to three days: one day for de-siting and loading the first half, a second day for the second half and transport, and a third day for siting, levelling, and rejoining. Add a day or two for longer distances or more complex routes. Utility reconnection is then booked separately and may add further time depending on engineer availability. Our guide on how long it takes to move a static caravan explains all the variables in detail.
Why Use a Specialist for a Twin-Unit Move?
Moving a single static caravan requires specialist equipment and permits. Moving a twin-unit doubles the complexity: two separate abnormal load notifications, two low-loaders, two separate sets of jacking and levelling, and then the skilled task of rejoining and resealing the unit so it performs as one weathertight home. Getting the join wrong – an improperly seated ridge seal or a half that is a fraction out of level – causes water ingress and structural stress that can be expensive to remedy. With over 20 years’ experience and a trusted national network of transport and siting teams, Static Caravan Movers handles twin-unit moves across all of mainland UK as standard jobs, not special cases.
If you are weighing up whether to move or sell, our guide to selling a static caravan sets out the options honestly so you can decide which makes most financial sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you move a twin-unit static caravan in one piece?
No. A twin-unit is made up of two separate bodies and must always be moved as two individual halves on two separate low-loaders. Each half is braced, sheeted, and transported independently, then rejoined and resealed on the new pitch. Attempting to move a joined twin-unit as a single load is not possible – the combined width would exceed any legal load width for UK roads.
How much does it cost to move a twin-unit static caravan?
Transport starts from £950 per half, so you are budgeting for at least two transport costs. De-siting and re-siting each half adds further cost – typically £300 to £1,200 for straightforward jobs, rising to £4,000 to £5,000 for larger, more complex, or specialist units. Abnormal load permits and ESDAL notifications are included in our quote. Utility disconnection and reconnection is arranged and paid for by the customer separately. Every move is quoted individually; call us on 01797 740231 for a tailored figure.
Do I need permits to move a twin-unit?
Yes. Each half of a twin-unit will almost certainly qualify as a notifiable abnormal load, requiring ESDAL notification to police and highways authorities at least two clear working days before the move. Halves wider than around 3.5 m will require an escort vehicle. We manage all permit paperwork, route planning, ESDAL submissions, marker boards, and escort arrangements – you do not need to deal with any of it directly.
Who disconnects the utilities on a twin-unit?
Gas, water, and electrical disconnection must be carried out by a suitably qualified professional – a Gas Safe registered engineer for gas, and a Part P or approved electrician for the electrical supply. This is always the customer’s responsibility to arrange and pay for. Some parks insist that only their own engineers may disconnect site services, so check with your park manager early. We do not carry out certified utility disconnection or reconnection and are not liable for those works.
How is the join between the two halves resealed?
Once both halves have been independently levelled on the new pitch, they are drawn together using jacks. The ridge seal – the weatherproofing strip that runs the full length of the roof join – is fitted and sealed, and internal trim pieces are refitted to cover the joint inside. Done correctly, the result is a unit that is fully weathertight and shows only the internal trim line at the join. This is skilled work; a poorly fitted seal will allow water ingress over time.
Can Static Caravan Movers transport a twin-unit long distances across the UK?
Yes. Despite being based in Rye, East Sussex, we cover all of mainland UK through our national network of transport and siting teams. Long-distance moves – Scotland to England, Wales to the south coast – are standard jobs for us, not one-off specials. This means competitive pricing regardless of distance. See our guide on long-distance static caravan transport for more detail.
What base or foundations does a twin-unit need on the new pitch?
Twin-unit lodges and park homes are typically sited on either a concrete slab or a prepared hardcore base with individual concrete pads at the stand positions. The base must be level and capable of bearing the weight of both halves – which can be several tonnes each. The destination park will usually specify what base standard they require, and it is worth confirming this is in place before moving day. An inadequate base can prevent the unit from being levelled correctly, adding time and cost on the day.