Worried about HIlls in Europe

[Other-Power]

Also, being a 1982 van, has the van had the long water pipes that run the length of the van been changed to the later plastic type?

Jon

[syncron ice]

I'd be more concerned about the brakes!

Tony

[campervanman]

Its not the going up but the coming down. Because you are travelling relatively slowly there is not so much cooling air getting to the brakes and they can get a little hot! Slowly up and slowly down. Been there, got the teashirt, lovely smell of overheated brake pads. Watercooled 1.9 petrol.
If you have a front spoiler thats not VW approved, think about removing it to help with the brake cooling.

[moobiegnu]

I've taken my T25 through 12 different countries in europe, across scandinaivia, through the balitics, and down to Austria. He's an old van (1984) but managed brilliantly. The roads are well engineered and tunnels are plentiful - went through a 25km tunnel in Norway. Don't worry about the hills just enjoy yourself - I'm very jealous, can't wait to do it again one day.

[peasant]

Downhill driving should be in the same gear (or lower) than you would use to go up that same hill. If it's very steep that may well have to be second or even first.

The brakes should only be used to do actual slowing down (before sharp bends) and not to control speed, so that they can get a cooling period inbetween

[ohartas]

Hi I am thinking of doing exactly the same thing, have you left yet, do you have any advice?

I leave on 16th June 08.

Thanks

[tipo73]

No problems just respect your veichles like older persons. Don´t push it and give them a litel breaks. Done this wekend without problems. I met an older english coupel with T25 in this part of Europe
http://campers.windzin.com/galerija/alb ... aj_051.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://campers.windzin.com/galerija/alb ... 52%7E0.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://campers.windzin.com/galerija/alb ... aj_055.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Grantourer]

Hi, just got back from a week in the Pyrenese, admittedley ours is a diesel turbo, but went up to a Cathar Castle, the road said no busses, no lorries and had a sign for no coach builts. Ours went up in 2nd gear,just, and when we got there, a guy in a Czech 1600 air cooled high top was already there. Saw quite a few T25's going up hills, just take it steady and don't worry. You can always stop at the top and have a cuppa and admire the view. That's what we do. off to the Alps and Crotia for the summer, a month bumbling around in a camper Excellent!!!!!!!!!!

Regards, Graham

[Rodd]

Just as a thought, why not try it out in the UK, there are some stunning places in the Peak District, North Wales and Lake District with equally impressive views, maybe even more so ! Then if things do go wrong youre not so far from home.

There's plenty of country roads with big hills to tackle, Kirkstone Pass in the Lakes for example. Just a thought


E D I T: just realised this was an old post, forgot i was reading through search results.

[AngeloEvs]

Entering Spain and then heading towards Northern Portugal the motorway has long inclines rather than steep but it will feel steep due to the length which can be several miles. Depending on your route you will find this 'up and down' continues for approx. 200 miles of motorway. Portugal not bad at all (especilaly down the coast road) but the standard of driving is more of a worry so keep a watchfull eye on the locals. Same as you approach Madrid and from Madrid to the South of spain, long uphill/downhill inclines one after the other. Great trip tho' so enjoy.....we did the Pyranees in a 1.6 a/c Bay pop top and managed .....slowly!

[woodmonkey]

on the bright side, you'll get some unknown speed on the downside of these mountains

[Madwitch]

We were in Switzerland in August and had no problems getting there. That said, we did a detour (from Munich) round Zurich and Bern to get to Interlaken and were glad we did - we met a couple who had come the short way over the pass (think it was Bressingen or something? Can't remember) They were in a T5 1.9 and said it was terrifying!

Don't miss out on Switzerland though - it must be the most beautiful place I've ever been to (well, the Interlaken area was - Zurich and Bern were a bit ..... busy!)

[Grantourer]

Hi, just got back from Croatia via Slovenia, Austria and Germany in our Turbo Diesel. no problems at all. Stopped in Slovenia, fantastic place,also Croatia is good. Especially the Lakes. We tend to limit journeys to 550 - 600 Kilometres a day, with stops every 2 hours for coffee. As others have said, just take it easy. You are, after all, on holiday.

Regards, Graham

[ohartas]

I did a 10,000 mile trip around europe in my t25........see the link with the map, pictures and all the details.....

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Olly ... age-2.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[AngeloEvs]

I did a 10,000 mile trip around europe in my t25........see the link with the map, pictures and all the details.....

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Olly ... age-2.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

how to make someone really envious.........and no major problems with the van either......great hols that!