Planning first trip to Europe - any tips?

Where you go, where you stay and everything to do with getting there and back.

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

User avatar
pat_6_4
Registered user
Posts: 98
Joined: 17 Aug 2009, 13:12
80-90 Mem No: 7270
Location: Essex

Planning first trip to Europe - any tips?

Post by pat_6_4 »

Hi

We're planning a trip to France this summer and jsut wondered if there are any top tips for a rookie van driver in Europe?

Also does anyone know the height restrictions for vans when booking the tunnel? I'm looking at websites now and for the life of me can't remember the height of my van!!

It's a pop top Autohomes one

Cheers for any assistance given

Pat
1982 Air cooled

If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits eighty-eight miles per hour, you're gonna see some serious sh*t

User avatar
horns
Registered user
Posts: 2170
Joined: 19 Apr 2009, 13:44
80-90 Mem No: 6743
Location: London

Re: Planning first trip to Europe - any tips?

Post by horns »

We've taken a high-top Westy on the tunnel numerous times, so a pop-top is no problem. Make sure your gas bottle is nice and secure and shut off completely - they'll check this before you're allowed to board (although they don't seem so bothered on the french side on the way back).

You don't have an LPG conversion, do you?
1986 Westfalia Joker 1.6TD

User avatar
Ian Hulley
Registered user
Posts: 12661
Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 08:08
80-90 Mem No: 1323
Location: Wirksworth, Derbyshire ... or at t'mill

Re: Planning first trip to Europe - any tips?

Post by Ian Hulley »

No lpg powered vehicles on the chunnel though, you get the boot soon as you enter your reistration ... that picks you up as a dual-fuel and out you go. Ferries are cheaper anyway :wink:
The Hulley's Bus
1989 2.1DJ Trampspotter
LPG courtesy of Steve @ Gasure

User avatar
horns
Registered user
Posts: 2170
Joined: 19 Apr 2009, 13:44
80-90 Mem No: 6743
Location: London

Re: Planning first trip to Europe - any tips?

Post by horns »

That's why I asked. The tunnel can be cheaper sometimes I find - and its a hell of a lot quicker...
1986 Westfalia Joker 1.6TD

User avatar
T'Onion
Moderator
Posts: 10812
Joined: 07 Oct 2005, 17:39
80-90 Mem No: 255
Location: Sheffield or 07737167005

Re: Planning first trip to Europe - any tips?

Post by T'Onion »

Horn ,just out of interest how much is 'cheaper' ?
victus in mutuo vicis
Ego mori tu mori

User avatar
horns
Registered user
Posts: 2170
Joined: 19 Apr 2009, 13:44
80-90 Mem No: 6743
Location: London

Re: Planning first trip to Europe - any tips?

Post by horns »

I don't know - I don't keep a spreadsheet of every channel crossing I book.
1986 Westfalia Joker 1.6TD

User avatar
Gandalf
Registered user
Posts: 591
Joined: 07 Oct 2009, 18:52
80-90 Mem No: 7510
Location: Southampton

Re: Planning first trip to Europe - any tips?

Post by Gandalf »

MIne cost around 120 for return.
1989 California Pop Top.

User avatar
T'Onion
Moderator
Posts: 10812
Joined: 07 Oct 2005, 17:39
80-90 Mem No: 255
Location: Sheffield or 07737167005

Re: Planning first trip to Europe - any tips?

Post by T'Onion »

horns wrote:I don't know - I don't keep a spreadsheet of every channel crossing I book.


so how much was the last one ?
victus in mutuo vicis
Ego mori tu mori

User avatar
horns
Registered user
Posts: 2170
Joined: 19 Apr 2009, 13:44
80-90 Mem No: 6743
Location: London

Re: Planning first trip to Europe - any tips?

Post by horns »

I don't remember, and I can't be bothered to look it up. Is there a reason you're interrogating me about this?
1986 Westfalia Joker 1.6TD

User avatar
T'Onion
Moderator
Posts: 10812
Joined: 07 Oct 2005, 17:39
80-90 Mem No: 255
Location: Sheffield or 07737167005

Re: Planning first trip to Europe - any tips?

Post by T'Onion »

Yes
victus in mutuo vicis
Ego mori tu mori

User avatar
horns
Registered user
Posts: 2170
Joined: 19 Apr 2009, 13:44
80-90 Mem No: 6743
Location: London

Re: Planning first trip to Europe - any tips?

Post by horns »

Well, sorry to disappoint you, I guess. :?
1986 Westfalia Joker 1.6TD

User avatar
T'Onion
Moderator
Posts: 10812
Joined: 07 Oct 2005, 17:39
80-90 Mem No: 255
Location: Sheffield or 07737167005

Re: Planning first trip to Europe - any tips?

Post by T'Onion »

not disappointing me , you just seem to have an opinion on this matter ,but no evidence to back it up apart from 'been there but can't remember how much it was apart from it was cheaper' ,

If you can't remember the price then how can you say it was cheaper

carry on :rofl
victus in mutuo vicis
Ego mori tu mori

User avatar
horns
Registered user
Posts: 2170
Joined: 19 Apr 2009, 13:44
80-90 Mem No: 6743
Location: London

Re: Planning first trip to Europe - any tips?

Post by horns »

Because that's why I booked it. I shopped around for the cheapest crossing, and I distinctly remember driving onto a train rather than a boat. I just didn't write down the cost of all the various options in case someone got pedantic with me on the internet. Sorry.
1986 Westfalia Joker 1.6TD

User avatar
T'Onion
Moderator
Posts: 10812
Joined: 07 Oct 2005, 17:39
80-90 Mem No: 255
Location: Sheffield or 07737167005

Re: Planning first trip to Europe - any tips?

Post by T'Onion »

no ones getting pedantic , but if you state something then back it up , thats how advice works , I was interested because my ferry crossing in August with the LT and 3 of us on board the ferry is £60 return , so I was interested in your evidence in your statement saying its cheaper on the tunnel

Lighten up Horns , your coming across like a "cock" , just out of interest is you missus due or something :mrgreen:
victus in mutuo vicis
Ego mori tu mori

User avatar
horns
Registered user
Posts: 2170
Joined: 19 Apr 2009, 13:44
80-90 Mem No: 6743
Location: London

Re: Planning first trip to Europe - any tips?

Post by horns »

You're haranguing me about how much the various options were for a crossing I booked months ago, and I look like a "cock"?

It was cheapest. I booked it. Unless you're calling me a liar, what more is there to say?

I'm not saying the tunnel is cheapest every time - just that on some occasions it has proven to be.
1986 Westfalia Joker 1.6TD

Locked