Extras you need for Continent

R&N

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Subject:

Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 29.06.2019 · #1

I know there is a separate thread for Crit Air stickers.

This time while we were in France a post came up about the white board with diagonal red stripe that you hang on bike rack. I can’t find post now.
I thought we only saw them on German MHs but didn’t know they were now compulsory in France.
Very conscious we didn’t have one nor where to buy one over there as we were only in supermarkets and looked in hardware section.
For those who have been to France this year did you notice if more than usual MHs had them.?

This could be a good place to add anything else that others may be aware that are different,
eg Gas, Gas connectors, dash cams ( we mounted ours low on left side windscreen) but there is something about whether legal.

I was watching something funny on Facebook this morning “Tips on what not to do in France” sort of etiquette, not sure if I can find it again.

Daffysparks

Subject:

Re: Across the Water

· Posted: 30.06.2019 · #2

Those red boards have been a requirement for a few years now, in France. Before we went on our first trip in MH 3 years ago, I looked up what was needed, and that was one of the things required, if you had anything overhanging or protruding past the rear of the vehicle

Davy

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Re: Across the Water

· Posted: 30.06.2019 · #3

They also have to be mounted so that the diagonal stripes are pointing downwards in the direction of the vehicle offside depending on the side of road you are driving on. Ie to the left of the vehicle viewed from the rear when on the continent.
Technically in Italy they are supposed to be metal with the whole face (white and red stripes) being of a reflective material.

Davy

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Re: Across the Water

· Posted: 30.06.2019 · #4

We just did a google and found this link, I know it is on caravan website,
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/…uirements/

eirebus

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Re: Across the Water

· Posted: 30.06.2019 · #5

I was in France too when I read that post, so I started looking for them, about 50% of vans had them, I will get one for next year though, also I think Spain requires a different one, more red lines or something like that

sprinter

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Subject:

Across the Water

· Posted: 30.06.2019 · #6

Quote by eirebus

In Spain the warning board must have:
• 3 red/ 3 white hatched, reflective stripes
• a size of 50 x 50 cm
• been manufactured from aluminum
• 4 eyelets for attachment

In Italy the warning board must have:
• 5 red/ 4 white hatched, reflective stripes
• a size of 50 x 50 cm
• been manufactured from aluminum
• 4 eyelets for attachment

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Re: Across the Water

· Posted: 30.06.2019 · #7

I love the European Standardisation

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Re: Across the Water

· Posted: 30.06.2019 · #8

So if you get the Italian one it should cover all

sprinter

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Re: Across the Water

· Posted: 30.06.2019 · #9

Amazon have a duel Spain Italy one.
2in1 Rear Warning Sing Spain and Italy motorhome signal reflector towing bike rack caravan

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 30.06.2019 · #10

@sprinter

That sounds like the best solution

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 30.06.2019 · #11

Do the bikes have to be covered?

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 01.07.2019 · #12

one thing that i found necessary is a reverse polarity and adapter kit like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car…Sw4GVYPo6a

Daffysparks

Subject:

Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 01.07.2019 · #13

Quote by Thorn123

Do the bikes have to be covered?

I saw plenty of French ones with the warning board tied directly to the bikes. No cover

sprinter

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Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 01.07.2019 · #14

Quote by Thorn123

Do the bikes have to be covered?

No, but its a good idea to keep them clean from the road spray.
Tip. Have a look at large BBQ covers with the draw string between the bikes and rear of the van.

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 01.07.2019 · #15

Aldi motorbike cover is also a good one for bicycles

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 01.07.2019 · #16

I have lost ( or had stolen ) quite a few of the boards. I bought reflective tape on Amazon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0…gDb5VND0KN

You can always get a bit of white cardboard from somewhere , and make them up. They might not be of legal size and shape, but I haven't been stopped yet in France, Spain or Portugal.

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 02.07.2019 · #17

Quote by wanderingaimlessly

one thing that i found necessary is a reverse polarity and adapter kit like this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car…Sw4GVYPo6a

Is this an essential piece of kit for France & Spain and if so for what reason.

Thorn123

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 02.07.2019 · #18

Ireland and Uk appliances only use the brown wire for switching on and off.
In Europe they use use both the brown and blue wire for switching on and off, so sometimes the wires may be placed wrong in a socket.
If you have a left hand drive camper, as far as I know , reverse polarity is not an issue.
However a Uk built camper/ mh can throw up a problem.

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 02.07.2019 · #19

Quote by Thorn123

Correct, Malcolm. That happened at a craic meet in Lough Ree where the sockets across from the showers are / were wired reverse polarity and the only Motorhome to throw up a problem was an Uk manufactured Auto Cruise

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 02.07.2019 · #20

We've had one from day 1 and use it every time no matter where we are. It's like a habit.

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 02.07.2019 · #21

Quote by Helgahobby

We've had one from day 1 and use it every time no matter where we are. It's like a habit.

Nick, so would you reckon I should get the whole kit referred to in post #12 or is it something more basic.

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 04.07.2019 · #22

Don't know if you use a hose pipe or a watering can to take your water to the MH but the taps on some aires/campsites have a hoselock connector on them so good idea to take a little male to male connector with you .

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 04.07.2019 · #23

Make sure you have your hose hooked up to the van and one end of the male to male already connected before approaching the supply as they are ‘always live’ and you can get a sudden and very thorough shower!!

Davy

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 04.07.2019 · #24

Amcor SF8000E Portable Air Conditioning Unit Mobile Air Conditioner for Rooms and Offices up to 18 sqm https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0…hDbMDY47X6

After the recent heatwave on the continent, I am very interested in buying a portable Aircon unit , similar to this one on Amazon. I have read of "cool my camper" and the other evaporation type devices, but short of getting a very expensive addition to the roof, what would craicers recommend?

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 23.07.2019 · #25

What do people use for drying laundry whilst in France/Spain. I've looked at the lightweight foldable rotary airers but is it acceptable to use them on Aires or is it only permissible on campsites.

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 23.07.2019 · #26

@JMAC
Campsites only, use your bike rack on Aires if you have one

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 23.07.2019 · #27

Important!
Let your credit card company know beforehand of your travel plans.
Because of international trading on the internet, unusual usage of credit cards can trigger a shutdown by your credit card company.
A simple phone call before you travel can save some blushes in your trip.

TommyS

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 23.07.2019 · #28

I have a Revolut card that I load before I go on holidays. It gives the best exchange rate and every time I use it I freeze it so it cant be used. Just have to open the app and un freeze it. When I make a purchase it texts me to say how much it was in the foreign currency and how much Sterling. If the card runs low I can top it up from my bank account anywhere

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 24.07.2019 · #29

EHU lead from the van

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 24.07.2019 · #30

I took it that it was the tester that Nick was using not the reverse polarity modified cable every time, I might be wrong though.

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Re: Extras you need for Continent

· Posted: 24.07.2019 · #31

Quote by Davy

Better still use

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