 | Home > Camping, Caravanning and Holidays > Heading to Europe... what do i need to know? |
 
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17363   
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Beware that they drive on the wrong side of the road. It will take courage and determination to show them the error of their ways and set a good example!
Perhaps you already knew this though. |
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15th Jun 2018 10:04pm |
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| GREENI Member Since: 22 Aug 2010 Location: staffs Posts: 10381
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You need a hi-viz, warning triangle and a breathalyser kit too.
Beware of staying in service areas overnight. |
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16th Jun 2018 4:44am |
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| wyvern Member Since: 13 Dec 2009 Location: Cornwall Posts: 2103 
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Enjoy the trip - you are there to have some fun so take your time to stop and absorb the event.
food it available everywhere, as it alcohol so dont over stock before you go, have road side recovery service - just in case, take maps as well as your sat nav ... and watch your speed ... some roads are faster than the UK, others are very much slower! You don’t need all those clothes, try and have layers rather than big bulky items, Spare parts should be kept to a minimum - greases and oils can be bought there! Make sure you can change your own wheels and have the right wheel lock key with you . have fun!! Poppy - TDCI (Puma) 110XS 2.2 - Camper conversion - see the build here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56530.html Elgar -TDCI(Puma) 110XS Dormobile - now sold Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response - DC126  |
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16th Jun 2018 5:31am |
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| Mean Green Member Since: 15 Sep 2011 Location: South Ayrshire Posts: 280 
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?? Really - is this a new thing? I have never noticed before - any time I have driven on the continent before I have always been impressed at how friendly the locals have been - veering in front of me to wave, toot horns and their lights.  |
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16th Jun 2018 6:20am |
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| shropshiredefender Member Since: 05 Jun 2017 Location: Shropshire Posts: 834  
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French speed limit to be cut within days… find out when, where and how to avoid the risk of fines up to £650 .
The friendly French are cutting speed limits on rural roads from (I think) July 1st. No doubt an Englishman towing a caravan will be a legitimate target for Les Gendames 
Maybe you're going from Harwich to the Hook to avoid this. I'm taking the Defender over tomorrow but I'll be back before 1st. July  Last edited by shropshiredefender on 16th Jun 2018 12:09pm. Edited 1 time in total |
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16th Jun 2018 11:54am |
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| gilarion Member Since: 05 Dec 2013 Location: Wales Posts: 5110  
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Whatever you do, don't mention the war 
For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at.. http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1 |
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16th Jun 2018 12:01pm |
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| nosnibod Member Since: 15 Aug 2007 Location: West Midlands Posts: 370 
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Regarding the lowering of the speed limits in France; it applies to single carriageway roads that used to be 90km/h - 56mph. They've reduced the speed limit to 80km/h - 50mph for vehicles under 3.5T[1].
However the speed limit for units over 3.5T has always been 80km/h so in reality nothing has changed if you are towing a decent-sized caravan. What it does mean is that everyone is limited to the same 50mph so this should make things a little more relaxed if you are towing. Weirdly if you are under 3.5T on autoroutes you can tow at 130km/h - 81mph. At 3.5T or over you can only do 90km/h - 56mph hence you get people towing trailers or small caravans tearing past. I've never understood that huge disparity and after seeing the aftermath of a few tail-wagging-the-dog incidents I reckon France would do well to look at that limit too. [1] France uses the maximum weight for this, so if you have a 110 at a shade over 3T maximum and a van at 1.5T then the total of 4.5T takes you over the 3.5T limit. Dave Green Goddess - 1998 Defender 110 300tdi |
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16th Jun 2018 2:40pm |
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| FEU DE FER Member Since: 22 Mar 2014 Location: Sutton, Surrey Posts: 28 
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Check out the area you are travelling through for "Green Zones" i.e. low emission zones.
Fairly recently a system of pollution rating stickers has been introduced across most EU Countries & it would be expensive to get caught out. The French "Crit Air" sticker is €5 including postage, the fine for not displaying €30. If you have a Smart Phone, the App that show the areas is "Green-Zones" |
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18th Jun 2018 6:49pm |
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| strang Member Since: 16 May 2012 Location: Happy Valley Posts: 1380 
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If you are driving around small villages be aware of the Priority road system. If you are not on a priority road, you have to give way to the right, so you could be driving along a small street, but any vehicles approaching from side streets have priority over you. The same with some Dutch round abouts - you sometimes have to give way to vehicles joining the roundabout. Just something to be aware of if you get off the main roads.
If you are on a road with the sign below they you are on a priority road. If there is a diagonal bar through the sigh, then be aware of traffic from the right. Click image to enlarge Euro-Leafing to infinity and beyond..... |
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19th Jun 2018 5:48pm |
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| Siwynne Member Since: 04 Nov 2016 Location: West lancs Posts: 578
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How did you get the crit air for €5 it seems to be nearly €30 on the site.
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19th Jun 2018 7:41pm |
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| macfrank Member Since: 05 Nov 2015 Location: somewhere in the north Posts: 1072  
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That's not a problem. We have lots of elderly and/or sleeping drivers crawling on the left lane on the Autobahn. By "crawling" we mean driving below 100mph. If we can't wake them up, we just overtake them on the right hand lane. So, you will feel at home 
earnestly, please, before you overtake on a motorway, take your time assessing the speed of cars in the rearview mirror; where there is no speed limit there might be cars or motorbikes driving 80mph faster than you. Let them pass first. And don't start to overtake miles before you reach the car you're overtaking; try to miminise the time you are on the left lane. However there are not many motorways left with no speed limit. You will find a lot of 75mph (120 kph) limits (see "crawling"). hi-viz are not required but recommended; breathalyzer kits are provided by the police for free if they think you might need one - no need to carry your own. have fun |
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20th Jun 2018 9:06pm |
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| Ramsay Member Since: 30 Sep 2015 Location: Moffat, Dumfries & Galloway Posts: 627 
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For a check if your vehicle qualifies for Crit Air and to apply see here.
https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/en/ Cost is €3.11 plus postage. 1995 Defender 110 CSW 1971 SIIA Lightweight |
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20th Jun 2018 9:15pm |
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| Martin Site Admin Member Since: 02 Apr 2007 Location: Hook Norton Posts: 6605 
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https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/en/ 1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW |
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20th Jun 2018 9:17pm |
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| Tdi4 Member Since: 24 Oct 2014 Location: Houten Posts: 513  
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Don’t forget the safety vests! If, Or better said when you break down hou have to wear one. Pack one for every occupant in the car. And by occupant i also mean the dog
Allthough almost every country has different rules. Ie Holland only the driver has to wear a vest. Germany has the strictest rules. Every occupant including the animales have to wear a safety vest in case of a breakdown. a defender from 1984 pretending to be a puma with a touch of Range Rover |
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21st Jun 2018 4:19am |
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