Club 80-90 Forums

Do you think it advisable not tell them its a motorcaravan.
The only criteria was less than 5 mtrs in length and 2.1 in height.
its only a van after all.
It really annoys me that I pay twice as much as a car and am always the last one off.
Rob......

Rob , are you part northern ?


I paid for a motorhome , just didn't want to get turned away and mine is over the 2.1m high , but reading what peeps have said ,they just wave you on and tell you where to park

Hi.. I've always found the best bet is to phone them. Online you don't get much choice in the drop down menus.

Hi, tried that one with Norfolk line. Booked on line, the Westy came under the max size for a car. paid my money. Arrived at check in and was told it's not a car pay the difference or you will not be travelling. the difference was calculated at the fare rate for that day not when I had booked. So beware.

regards, Graham

I had an interesting conversation with the channel tunnel people when I cam back from Germany. I was transporting the Westfalia interior I'd just bought and had to convince them that my van wasn't a camper, because the interior wasn't fitted yet. Eventually they allowed me through as a van, which was what I'd booked as. I wouldn't risk lying about it especially if your camper is very obviously a camper.

Hi

I went over on Superfast ferry from Rosyth to Zeebbrugge in June. They have the same rules and I was waved on without any problems. Didn't question that I was in a camper or over 2.1M

Wonder what would happen if you had a set of thermo mats on all the rear windows?

Kev

im going to find out if having a roof rack makes the van over 2.1 Metres this summer holiday as the van is just less, but with a roof rack its 2.25m

If it does i will be taking the rack off and stowing it and the gear in the van for the ferry journey

I don't know how much you would save (bearing in mind our ferry's costing us £89 return) but I personally don't want any dispute or ifs and buts when we're on our main family holiday, the idea is to chill and not worry too much. I'd feel pretty stoopid if they wouldn't let us on 'cos I'd tried to penny-pinch.

Ian.

Try www.speedferries.com They state standard, large or high vehicle which is under 5m in lentgh and under 2.9m in height I got a quote earlier today for £25 each way with up to 5 passengers(yes a total of £50 return! ). My T25 Westy hi-top measures circa 4.8mL x 2.5mH. The quote was based on outbound Sunday 26th Aug 2.15pm inbound Friday 7th Sept 9.50 am.

Im gonna book and dont have the worry of not declaring the correct size of my vehicle! Bargain I say!! Remember we are in campers, so dont have to drive far for a nights rest, if the ferry times are not the best. If it saves a few quid, then surely it must be worth it?

TBH, i have paid for a car and got on no problems with speed ferries.

The next time i upgraded to the correct size and for some strange reason it didnt cost any more.

However, for my next trip in August, i took Mr Hulleys viewpoint and couldnt be assed to try and skimp a few quid because i don't want the stress. For some reason (peak season i imagine) the cheapest deal i could get was £98 return - dover to calais with sea france. Anyhow - that aint bad really - considering 10 years ago it was more like £200 for a car.

If you can handle the stress - do it!

Ringo

I always book mine as a car less than 4.5 m in length (which it is). I have never been challenged on a ferry and see no reason to be. You will see all sorts of weird and wonderful arrangements on board. I have not taken it in the Chunnel because it is not allowed due to LPG tanks.

ringo wrote: For some reason (peak season i imagine) the cheapest deal i could get was £98 return - dover to calais with sea france.

We're going Dover (East) to Dunkerque with Norfolkline. 8pm this Sunday out 6am Monday 13th return. Booked and payed for in January ... £89. We're heading South-East though not South.

ringo wrote: considering 10 years ago it was more like £200 for a car. Ringo

I remember those days ! Back then it was worth going with Eurocamp or similar, now though

Ian.