Member Since: 26 Oct 2012
Location: Bristol
Posts: 2021
First time towing abroad what do I need to know?
Afternoon all,
So we have a week off at the end of July/ August and thinking about taking the trailer over to France somewhere with good facilities (pool etc) and chilling out.
So a few questions for everyone:
1. Best way to get there with trailer? Tunnel or Ferry?
2. Can anyone suggest any good sites for the trailer and which has good facilities?
3. First time towing abroad so what do I need to know?
4. Not planning on going into any city etc but do I need any permits etc?
5. Already have the extra kit for the car (high vis, extinguisher etc) anything else?
Thanks in advance
Simon07 Java Black TD V6 D3, EGRs Blanked, Tow bar, Full dog guard & divider, LED Spots , DRLs, GG ATs, RLD Sump guard, RLD Spare Wheel Protector, D4 LED Rear Lights, Limo tints on boot and Midnight tint on rear windows, Kenwood screen with Garmin nav, Rear cameras, D4 Steering wheel with flappy paddles, T-max split charge system, Tree sliders, Prospeed roof rack & Ladder, Alisport fast road inter cooler,
Massey Ferguson 35x
Sankey Narrow Track Camping Trailer (Gone but to a great home)
12th May 2017 11:23 am
BorisBarKeep
Member Since: 13 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 93
On price I've found Tunnel wins everytime - even if you account for extra driving to somewhere like Brittany.
Towing abroad is no different to UK, little bit more care needed and of course drive on right! IME service stations don't have dedicated areas for caravans/trailers so you're best off heading into lorry parking.
12th May 2017 12:46 pm
stew 46
Member Since: 01 Dec 2011
Location: cornwall
Posts: 10148
Just remember they drive on wrong side of the road -------------------------------------------------
if you cant hold on dont let go , it ill come in handy for something even if you never use it.
D3 SE 05,
110 s wagon 300 tdi SOLD
h top transit
crew cab transit
transit connect
ausa dumper, muck truck .
peljob 2.5 digger
06 L 200 crew cab
12th May 2017 12:56 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
BorisBarKeep wrote:
On price I've found Tunnel wins everytime - even if you account for extra driving to somewhere like Brittany.
We looked at Chunnel vs ferry last year and even with staff discount Chunnel was dearer £95 against £75.==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
12th May 2017 1:20 pm
BorisBarKeep
Member Since: 13 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 93
Interesting
I should have clarified and said I was comparing Chunnel with Brittany Ferries to Brittany - with caravan at peak times (school hols) it was coming in close to £1000 return. Tunnel was less than half.
Also helps if you can pay with Tesco points
I'm sure the Dover-Calais ferries are a lot more price competitive
12th May 2017 1:42 pm
sailorboi
Member Since: 26 Oct 2012
Location: Bristol
Posts: 2021
Thanks a Stew
From what Inhave heard you are a lot more likely to get pulled over there, is this true?? Not 100% worried just worried about extra checks etc on trailer??07 Java Black TD V6 D3, EGRs Blanked, Tow bar, Full dog guard & divider, LED Spots , DRLs, GG ATs, RLD Sump guard, RLD Spare Wheel Protector, D4 LED Rear Lights, Limo tints on boot and Midnight tint on rear windows, Kenwood screen with Garmin nav, Rear cameras, D4 Steering wheel with flappy paddles, T-max split charge system, Tree sliders, Prospeed roof rack & Ladder, Alisport fast road inter cooler,
Massey Ferguson 35x
Sankey Narrow Track Camping Trailer (Gone but to a great home)
12th May 2017 1:52 pm
sean 471
Member Since: 26 Apr 2011
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 2990
Never been pulled once. Easier driving over there than here. Break your journey and enjoy it.
12th May 2017 1:56 pm
BorisBarKeep
Member Since: 13 Dec 2012
Location: Northants
Posts: 93
Likewise have been towing trailer or caravan through France for last 8 years and never been stopped or seen anyone else stopped.
12th May 2017 2:05 pm
geoffsnook
Member Since: 13 Jun 2014
Location: south wales
Posts: 3170
Try not to travel to the port on a sunday as its well know on the approach to them the gendarmes are on the look out for people on the way there got stopped quite a few years ago they took me to a cash point to take money for fine even ignoring a accident on the other side of the road and i was only following my brother in law Discovery 3 se gone
Range rover sport supercharged here:)
12th May 2017 2:07 pm
Dan_NL
Member Since: 19 Sep 2010
Location: world
Posts: 1213
You need a sticker for the new environmental zones...
You can see if you [ euro x ] are alllowed in the day before, from 20h on, with a special app...
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73132
stew 46 wrote:
Just remember they drive on wrong side of the road
And remembered that when you think you've got this driving on the wrong side of the road malarkie licked that's when you have to be extra careful. On virtually every jolly at some time I start off as if in UK, usually in supermarket car parks.
12th May 2017 3:53 pm
mini8334
Member Since: 17 Jul 2014
Location: Tonbridge
Posts: 713
I am off to Spain 4 June.
Prep:
Warning triangle
2xHigh Vis
1xBreath Test
GB Sticker for Trailer
Sun Shields for Children
Enjoy!2016 D4 Landmark
Santorini Black
Removable Tow-Trust
Spare Wheel Guard
-------------
Previous:
2007 D3
TDV6 GS
Automatic
117000
Blanked EGR
V8 Brake Upgrade
Harming Sat Nav Mod
Beanie Grill
De-Tango
12th May 2017 4:06 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
BorisBarKeep wrote:
Interesting
I should have clarified and said I was comparing Chunnel with Brittany Ferries to Brittany - with caravan at peak times (school hols) it was coming in close to £1000 return. Tunnel was less than half.
Also helps if you can pay with Tesco points
I'm sure the Dover-Calais ferries are a lot more price competitive
Just remember they drive on wrong side of the road
And remembered that when you think you've got this driving on the wrong side of the road malarkie licked that's when you have to be extra careful. On virtually every jolly at some time I start off as if in UK, usually in supermarket car parks.
I drive in through France most years and have to agree there is always at least one incident usually when you are not sure which turning to take or you are stressed you end up nearly driving up the wrong side. Take your time and enjoy it The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything;
They just make the best of everything they have.
12th May 2017 5:11 pm
Mogwyth
Member Since: 03 Oct 2014
Location: Pwllheli
Posts: 3976
geoffsnook wrote:
Try not to travel to the port on a sunday as its well know on the approach to them the gendarmes are on the look out for people on the way there got stopped quite a few years ago they took me to a cash point to take money for fine even ignoring a accident on the other side of the road and i was only following my brother in law
Been catching the same ferry for the last 15 years, the 12:30 out of Dunkirk on the 2nd Sunday in September, only time we see any gendarmes was about 4 years ago when they were dealing with a nasty accident on our side of the motorway and they were guiding the traffic round the remains of two cars while the ambulance staff tended the injured by the concrete crash barrier, unlike our police who would have shut the road for 12 hours!==================================
05 D3 HSE V8 4.4
04 MG TF 135
03 MG TF 115 Cool Blue Edition
02 MG TF 160
00 Hymer B564 Lionheart
1971 Series III 109
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