 | Home > Camping, Caravanning and Holidays > Summer Holiday Booked - South of France in the Defender. |
 
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| JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7906   
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We don't travel particularly lightly when ccamping but manage to get everything in the back or our SW with the seats in the back too, but it is tight!! We've had ours fully soundproofed and it is a big improvement, but it's my wife's everyday car and a keeper, so I thought worth while and don't regret it.
I would highly recommend a remap, for a far superior drive 
 Click image to enlarge James MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641 MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557 Instagram @suffolk_rovers |
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31st Jan 2017 11:44am |
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| Riverboy Member Since: 16 May 2016 Location: French sector, Earth Posts: 1288 
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Do you really need that over here? We do have fuel stations on our autoroutes and lots of them. What struck me on my visit to the UK last year was the lack of petrol stations on the motorways and total absence of rest stops, let alone a bloody loo.
Perhaps next time I'll take a 5 gallon drum to pee in  |
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16th Feb 2017 6:38pm |
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| Froglaise Member Since: 24 Sep 2016 Location: left forum Posts: 212 |
I'd agree with that...I'm pretty sure there are more stations over here than the UK, and most have at least one 24hr pump.
On the anti-pollution stickers, it's the AGE of the vehicle rather than any class that counts. Stupid really as 15yr old ecomobile will get penalised before a big new smoker. Get one though as I've seen police out pulling cars on non-display fines every day this week. |
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16th Feb 2017 7:03pm |
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| John Fair Member Since: 10 May 2016 Location: Norfolk Posts: 150 
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No you don't really need it just an acute awareness that a fully loaded 110 , sitting at autoroute speeds ,will do 20 yes 20 miles, with the light on, until it stops. Technically that's not true either though as in fact it will only do 15miles before the fuel running out surge kicks in and it will do the last 5miles ( more than the book says) in surge mode. The look on your wife's face as all this is happening might not be worth a fuel can to you but it is to me. 👀 Ask me how I know this and how I know some of the service areas are over 20 miles apart 😳😳 also wierd how this only happens on the longest ever uphill gradient know to mankind that seemed to go on for longer than the 20 miles indicated. 😜
Last edited by John Fair on 16th Feb 2017 9:32pm. Edited 1 time in total |
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16th Feb 2017 7:21pm |
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| Maris Widgeon Member Since: 11 Dec 2013 Location: Cotswolds Posts: 216  
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I know the auto routes are fantastic, but we like to drive some of the D roads that are direct ,and let you see some great parts of France. This doesn't work if you need to get somewhere in a hurry, but if camping you can find some fantastic campsites in the quieter parts of France .
If going to the SOF then the Route Napoleon is a nice drive , after some of the Ardeche,Auverne Loire, etc. I am just saying that it is a massive country and it can be relaxing to travel through whilst finding great little places off the beaten track. Anyone heading that way this summer have a great break , and wave if you see a black 90 sometime in June , not sure which part yet, so much to see 
Nick |
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16th Feb 2017 9:10pm |
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| JOW240725 Member Since: 04 May 2015 Location: Suffolk Posts: 7906
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And don't tell me you were told to fill up at the last petrol station, but you didn't want to stop!  James
MY2012 110 2.2TDCi XS SW Orkney Grey - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic43410.html MY1990 110 200TDi SW beautifully faded Portofino Red - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post743641.html#743641 MY1984 90 V8 Slate Grey - https://www.defender2.net/forum/post744557.html#744557 Instagram @suffolk_rovers |
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16th Feb 2017 9:19pm |
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| John Fair Member Since: 10 May 2016 Location: Norfolk Posts: 150
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😂 I recall it was more of a "didn't you want to stop there?" No it's fine the fuel light isn't even on yet. 👈 Accompanied by the simultaneous comedic fuel light illuminating. It's fine love, the next stops only 20miles, it'll easy do that with the fuel light on. 🤔😱🤗😳😓😓😓😭😭
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16th Feb 2017 9:29pm |
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| Wild Card 90 Member Since: 03 Dec 2014 Location: Gerlingen Posts: 1060 
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We had an identical situation, coming back from the UK in January. Late into the night, raining, and we found ourselves coaxing the Landy along, as it stuttered its way to the next fuel stop. Screaming with delight as we pulled up to the pump.
Stupid, really!  1998 Tdi 90 SW,
2008 Td4 90 SW, 2012 2.2 90 SW, 2" raised Trailmaster/Terrafirma Heavy Track Raids, 255 MT´s, Recaro CS´s, anorak, wellingtons |
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16th Feb 2017 10:22pm |
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| Beefcake Member Since: 06 Oct 2014 Location: London Posts: 18 
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Hi
I’ve never driven in France before, but thinking about a camping holiday in south of France later this year. Is driving a modified UK defender a problem in France at all? Winch, roof rack, spots, RAI, side steps and chunkier cooper tyres. Many thanks! |
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15th Mar 2018 8:08pm |
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| justinp Member Since: 24 Jun 2016 Location: Cambridge Posts: 167
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I’ve no idea whether your modifications will attract attention from the Gendarmerie, but driving a Defender to the South of France will be fine.
You're legally aloud to cruise at 130kph in most autoroutes, but if you do, some speed cameras will trigger falsely as the defender is so tall. Now gone - 2012 2.2 110 DC XS |
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15th Mar 2018 9:07pm |
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| ickle Member Since: 22 Jul 2010 Location: South Vendee Posts: 1786  
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We regularly drove my 200tdi / 100" bitsa c/w mud tyres, winch, snorkel etc and only stopped to be breathalysed, same for the last 9 years or so in the tdci 110, bigger wheels, snorkel, black windows, only really want to stop to have a look round with lots of smiles...!
have fun Keith |
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15th Mar 2018 9:58pm |
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| Grenadier Member Since: 23 Jul 2014 Location: The foot of Mont Blanc... Posts: 5829 
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Nope. None at all. I live here year round and we have a multitude of variously modified Defs. Gendarmes won't bother you unless they catch you doing something illegal. But even then, unless they check the vehicle and it's a safety issue, they won't care about winches etc. The obvious reason for being stopped is speeding, so that shouldn't be a worry then
What is interesting, is that as all UK paperwork is now on-line, last time I was stopped for a spot-check, one Gendarme told another not to bother with me as they had nothing to check against. . But I'd still bring copies.
Obviously they have the funny laws for vests and breatherlisers, don't forget that stuff, you'll only be tempting fate. But be aware that they're really tough on drink driving now, especially in tourist areas. I stay teetotal, simply not worth the risk. As mentioned in the thread, most important is preparing for driving on the wrong side of the road. I do it daily, not a big issue, the hassle is in carparks or motorway tolls. I now have a toll bleeper (godsend) but I'm not sure what you'd pay if you drive through with clobber on the roof. My DC has nothing on top so I can still use the Max 2m lanes, with guaranteed car pricing. Given a 110 with roofrack is comfortably taller, will it be confused with a LGV if done automatically. Ive heard some people say the pricing is based on bonnet height, others Roof height, so I have no idea. Might be worth checking or seeing if anyone posting above has a firm answer from experience. Big difference in price 
But overall, leave the Def as is. Lots of love in France for overlanding. Enjoy. Be good to see a route and (eventually) some photos Monsieur Le Grenadier
I've not been everywhere, but it's on my list..... 2011 Puma 110DC - Corris Grey |
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16th Mar 2018 6:15am |
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| Beefcake Member Since: 06 Oct 2014 Location: London Posts: 18
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Thank you all for the info and advice. The wife is already eyeing up potential destinations. Interesting point about the toll height limits. I’ll look into that! Cheers
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16th Mar 2018 6:41am |
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| Tdi4 Member Since: 24 Oct 2014 Location: Houten Posts: 513  
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We travel a lot in France. Absolute joy. But just a tip is you have a lot on you roof and/or a caravan look out at the toll booth and practice this sentence: je ne suis pas une poids lourd (i’m Not a truck
) or else you pay double. a defender from 1984 pretending to be a puma with a touch of Range Rover |
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16th Mar 2018 7:07am |
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