Will do. Like you I have heard mixed reviews, but I have been in touch with Owen Cox ( Autotherm ) a few times about this unit and he seemed to think it was better than the more expensive modem linked unit. So I thought I would give it a go.
Just the obvious - Check your route, decide whether you are going to use toll roads. Check that your mobile contract allows for use/data in Europe. if you have a paper licence make sure you have an international drivers licence (you can get it from the post office). Let your insurance company know you are going into Europe. Check your Ad Blue, tyres etc. before you travel. Have a UK sticker not a GB one. Familiarise your self with the headlight controls - if you have LEDs you can adjust them for the opposite side of the road.Booked a ruddy long road trip into France to stretch the legs of the the van in May. Ferries were already fully booked up for half-term at the times we needed
, so we'll be heading over/under on the Eurotunnel (half the price price and a much shorter crossing than the boat route, so not too fussed). Going 'chunnel' means a longer journey both in the UK to get to Folkstone, and again in France to get across to Il De Rey (just off of La Rochelle), but that suits me fine - love a good long road trip, I'll enjoy that as much as the destination. Reckon it'll be a good 8 hour drive when the van rolls off the train.
This will be our first foray abroad since the pandemic, and the first time we'll be taking the van abroad since I collected her in October '21.
We're not camping in the van this time, we've 'gone large' and opted for an 'open air hotel' (basically a posh shed nestled in the sand dunes of a beach). Looking forward to it!
View attachment 186027
Any advise for driving in France (for someone who last did it 15 years ago) gratefully appreciated...
Order one of these from amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/AA-Travel-driving-France-Europe/dp/B003FZBGMS/ref=sr_1_5?crid=HOV4CLZ0GIPC&keywords=aa+europe+kit&qid=1674823407&sprefix=AA+europe+,aps,93&sr=8-5
and a pack of breathalysers: https://www.amazon.co.uk/AlcoSense-...ec-970c-fee0f9a43e35&pd_rd_i=B007K5XZXM&psc=1
and have fun!
Shorty mudflaps.
www.customveedubs.com
VW T6 Mudflaps | Tailgate | Set of 4 | Shorty | CUSTOMVEEDUBS
VW T6 T6.1 only * No drilling | Direct fit | 10 min install • OEM Fixings retained to the wheel arch NOT screwed to the bumper so no drilling• Flexible + Durable solution to fitting on the T6 Tailgate
www.customveedubs.com
And watch out for speed traps!
Yea, my mate lives just south of Tours (along his route), and he said the Gendarmes are b@stards at the moment.. especially in the new 20kmh zones. More reason to stick to the Autoroute I say..
A new Bosch wiper blade to replac3e the bloody awful Halfords Advanced Silicone Wiper Blade X24"
never buy this it leaves a greasy smear all the time . Utterly useless stick with Bosch
never buy this it leaves a greasy smear all the time . Utterly useless stick with Bosch
I don't believe they're a requirement any more.
On that subject, Rouen now has a Low Emission Zone which means you need a Crit Air sticker to enter it or face a fine by french old bill (but they are very easy to apply for on line - the sticker that is). Luckily, we had one when my Mrs was driving, I wasn't paying enough attention and she took a wrong turning there last year.
Hmmm, i wonder if you end up on a French database, via the crit air sticker, if it makes it easier for them to fine you for unintentional speeding offences or other minor infractions via ANPR… maybe worth avoiding the sticker if not needed?
just thinking out loud…
^^^^^
I thought exactly the same thing when I got mine last year.
Not really any viable alternative route if he wants to go from Calais to La Rochelle other than through Rouen. My route would be Portsmouth - St Malo in a cabin on the overnight ferry and to hell with the cost, then just 4 hours with a stop going past Rennes and Nantes.
I thought exactly the same thing when I got mine last year.
Not really any viable alternative route if he wants to go from Calais to La Rochelle other than through Rouen. My route would be Portsmouth - St Malo in a cabin on the overnight ferry and to hell with the cost, then just 4 hours with a stop going past Rennes and Nantes.
D
Deleted member 47379
Guest
I don't know if I've copied the link right......
After no success finding a weighbridge I can use within a reasonable distance decided to get one of these. I am the sort of person that needs to know if I'm within my limits. If used correctly they are +/-3% so I'll have a pretty good idea what weight I'm carrying.
If anyone wants to make use of it in the Berkshire area and I'm around feel free to DM me.
Safety - Reich Caravan Weight Control Scales 1000kg Per Wheel Motorhome Caravan Safety
After no success finding a weighbridge I can use within a reasonable distance decided to get one of these. I am the sort of person that needs to know if I'm within my limits. If used correctly they are +/-3% so I'll have a pretty good idea what weight I'm carrying.
If anyone wants to make use of it in the Berkshire area and I'm around feel free to DM me.
Safety - Reich Caravan Weight Control Scales 1000kg Per Wheel Motorhome Caravan Safety
This looks really useful I’ve always wanted to weigh the van fully loaded as I’m worried it’s overloaded and never a great time to find a weighbridge! I liked the look of this so googled a bit and found reviews on Amazon saying the results aren’t repeatable. One added a known weight see below (translated from German):
Measurements have shown strong deviations from measurement to measurement. I took 4 measurements each with half-loaded and fully loaded caravans. The min/max values, for example, are fully loaded on the left wheel between 807 and 846 kg, the measurement of a concrete parasol floor plate weighed 36.5 kg with a very good personal scale and with the CWC a weight of 43 kg, which is a deviation of 17.8%! According to the manufacturer's product description, the deviation should be a maximum of < 3%. With my own body weight, the deviation was also over 17%
So would be interested if you see similar results although difficult to test in this way unless you can get all the additional load on the one wheel.
Ooh, lovely '90s website there.
Reich Portable Caravan Weight Control - Yellow https://amzn.eu/d/01odEdpOoh, lovely '90s website there.
Is that better? I guess when you don’t pay tax you have a bit more to spend on that sort of thing! Costs you £14 more for that too
D
Deleted member 47379
Guest
Oh bugger!
oh well. I'll give it a go and see how I get on.
Please report back how it goes, I’m still tempted!Oh bugger!
