I have looked at the dimensions and the footprint of the shelterpod is quite big. If you camp on regulated club sites (like C&CC & C&MH) and many other sites a standard pitch is 5m wide (and they’re very strict about it because of the safety zone between units) you will need to think about the space at the side of the van that the shelterpod requires (or any other awning).
A California is 1.9m wide, the rain sheet (connection part) of the awning is 2.2m, the footprint of the awning (tent part) is 2.6m. That means that looking front on to the van with awning attached at the side, from the non-awning side of the van to the end of the awning the space you need is 6.5m (not including guylines).
You could find a way to attach the shelterpod only using half of the of the rain sheet and no poles but that only saves you 1.1m, so you’re still looking at 5.4m. I don’t think you could get much closer to the van because of the side panels and the guylines required to keep the first pole/sleeve vertical (as required in the setup).
You can attach a shelterpod to the back of the van. Most pitches are longer than they are wide but you still need to make sure you will fit on a pitch. Also bare in mind that with the lower bed up as a seat there’s no access directly to the back door from the inside.
This is just a word of caution as I’ve had several “interesting” discussions about pitch sizes with wardens on both types of club site and others. I don’t have a shelterpod but have 4 different awnings for different camping situations (based on pitch size, amount of storage we need, length of stay, type of site, etc). Once we had to repitch for the sake of a very short distance (talking inches). Sometimes we’ve had wardens step out the distance in Monty Python style and once a warden had a measuring stick and a letter from head office quoting the regulations. Even if you are the right distance and they come to check because they think you might not be or they’ve had the people next to you complain, it’s not a great way to start to your holiday!
So check pitch sizes before you book a site. It would be a big shock to get to a site with all your gear, kids, dogs, whatever, and not be able to pitch your awning and store your stuff.
Some standard pitch sizes (for those with awnings):
C&CC standard pitch size is 5m wide by 9m long (sometimes you can pitch sideways, but often there’s not the space to manoeuvre that way). Bigger than that (including guylines and you’re considered to be an XL unit who needs a jumbo pitch (not available on all sites).
Camping in the forest standard pitch sizes are 5m wide by 8m long.
C&MHC pitch sizes vary from site to site. If you ring the main call centre they tell you to ring the site to talk to the wardens, so just ring the site directly.
As festivals get more popular some are moving toward smaller pitch sizes that are marked out and some don’t allow awnings at all (eg, Cambridge folk festival).
On some sites you can book 2 adjacent pitches, especially if it’s grass with no EHU.
If you’re not sure, contact a site and speak directly to the owners or wardens. It’s them that will have the say on the day. If they will, get them to send you an email or make a note on their “system” (if they have one) at least get their name in case there’s more than one set of wardens.
As a PS: I think the shelterpod looks to be a brilliant bit of kit and great value for money. I nearly ordered one tonight but didn’t when I saw it’s footprint size. The awnings we have already that I find are easy to put up (even on my own) are an outdoor revolution handi driveaway and Khyam quick erect awnings. I’ve never had an pump up one, so can’t comment on those.