Discussion
Chaps,
I'm led to believe that if I book a standard car onto the Eurotunnel then i'm quite likely to end up with a non-intact front splitter come Calais.
My question is, does anyone know exactly what option I need to choose to avoid this ? Options seem to be:
Car Under 6ft
Car Over 6ft
Van Under 6ft
Van Over 6ft
Campervan
Minibus
Other options are obviously trailers and roof racks etc.
A friend told me I needed a high vehicle space but he wasn't exactly sure what option it was.
Any pointers for Eurotunnel process much appreciated as starting a trip on day one with a smashed car wouldn't be much fun.
I'm led to believe that if I book a standard car onto the Eurotunnel then i'm quite likely to end up with a non-intact front splitter come Calais.
My question is, does anyone know exactly what option I need to choose to avoid this ? Options seem to be:
Car Under 6ft
Car Over 6ft
Van Under 6ft
Van Over 6ft
Campervan
Minibus
Other options are obviously trailers and roof racks etc.
A friend told me I needed a high vehicle space but he wasn't exactly sure what option it was.
Any pointers for Eurotunnel process much appreciated as starting a trip on day one with a smashed car wouldn't be much fun.
I've crossed with multiple times with both my Exige with aftermarket splittter and lower than standard and my V8V with aftermarket splitter and never had a problem. When you're boarding the train they see your car and direct you on to the bottom so there are no ramps. I should imagine the only time you'd have a problem is if you are one of the last on and there are no spaces on the bottom. As for wheels, if you can navigate multi-storey car parks you'll be ok. 8+ times over there and not merged mine yet (frantically touches wood 
)
I'll be going out this year in my V12v and will just book as a regular car
)I'll be going out this year in my V12v and will just book as a regular car
Big Ry said:
Chaps,
I'm led to believe that if I book a standard car onto the Eurotunnel then i'm quite likely to end up with a non-intact front splitter come Calais.
My question is, does anyone know exactly what option I need to choose to avoid this ? Options seem to be:
Car Under 6ft
Car Over 6ft
Van Under 6ft
Van Over 6ft
Campervan
Minibus
Other options are obviously trailers and roof racks etc.
A friend told me I needed a high vehicle space but he wasn't exactly sure what option it was.
Any pointers for Eurotunnel process much appreciated as starting a trip on day one with a smashed car wouldn't be much fun.
I've used Eurotunnel several times per year in an Aston for about 12 years nowI'm led to believe that if I book a standard car onto the Eurotunnel then i'm quite likely to end up with a non-intact front splitter come Calais.
My question is, does anyone know exactly what option I need to choose to avoid this ? Options seem to be:
Car Under 6ft
Car Over 6ft
Van Under 6ft
Van Over 6ft
Campervan
Minibus
Other options are obviously trailers and roof racks etc.
A friend told me I needed a high vehicle space but he wasn't exactly sure what option it was.
Any pointers for Eurotunnel process much appreciated as starting a trip on day one with a smashed car wouldn't be much fun.
If you go on Eurotunnel and book as a regular car, you are put on a carriage with two decks, one above the other. As you board, they direct you to one or other level but they pretty much always put sports cars on the bottom level only, so you don't need to go up the ramp to the top level - splitter is not an issue IMO providing you are on the bottom level. If by any chance they try to put you on the top level when boarding, just ask and they will let you on the bottom level
However many prefer the extra width that comes if you book as a high vehicle, as all such vehicles are put on a different carriage altogether which has much wider tracks so it lessens the risk of kerbing your alloys. I've never had a problem with the regular carriage for kerbing, but there's no doubt you have to concentrate whereas on the wide carriages, it's a non issue
To get on the wide carriage, you book as a vehicle over 6' high. Bear in mind you can't pre-book that carriage using flexiplus, although you can still try your chances if you use flexiplus - it's a little hit & miss.
Personally, if I'm going at a time of a lot of traffic, Le Mans in particular, I tend to prefer to book flexiplus as for me, the advantage of avoiding potential long delays outweighs the downside of concentrating on driving on to a regular carriage but at less busy times, I normally book a high vehicle regular ticket.
Another vote for high and wide.
What people who go regular double deck are not telling you is the stress of navigating the dumbest design of kerb I have ever seen it is designed to catch you out. Fine in a Fiat 500 but not so good with a wide and low car. I noted several joins which were less than ideal in the kerb and if you stray to close at a join then it is kerb city. This is from the top deck I have not been on the lower deck, once was enough.
Last time I was in high and wide there was a Golf hatchback in front of me with no roof rack so what does that tell you about the double deck.
What people who go regular double deck are not telling you is the stress of navigating the dumbest design of kerb I have ever seen it is designed to catch you out. Fine in a Fiat 500 but not so good with a wide and low car. I noted several joins which were less than ideal in the kerb and if you stray to close at a join then it is kerb city. This is from the top deck I have not been on the lower deck, once was enough.
Last time I was in high and wide there was a Golf hatchback in front of me with no roof rack so what does that tell you about the double deck.
Jonby is spot on.
When I went, I booked as normal. When I got there, one of the operators asked I felt I'd like to go in one of the wider carriages which I did...along with a DB9 behind me.
On the return journey, I was in a standard carriage and it was much tighter which required concentration.
When I went, I booked as normal. When I got there, one of the operators asked I felt I'd like to go in one of the wider carriages which I did...along with a DB9 behind me.
On the return journey, I was in a standard carriage and it was much tighter which required concentration.
If you book online choose Highside, the kerbs are wider. 
If you have a lowered car then drive very slowly going between carriages. As you enter each carriage there is a metal raised lump in the middle of each carriage (I think it's a shield protecting either a sensor or small camera)? Sadly with my lowered car I have caught these a couple of times, Even had to get out of the car at one point and myself and passenger had to push car along a couple of foot then get back in (much to the annoyance of impatient motorists behind us.
Personally now, I'm not convinced safety on the carriages is all that it should be, THEY DO NOT NOW always put both pairs of safety doors down between each carriage, some passenger doors are taped up saying do not use. Loose metal plates on the road decks.
This bothers me A LOT. Having been in a car fire, I know how fast flames travel so I now prefer to use the Boat. Also the ramps they make you ascend to show your passports on the UK Border (French Side) make you feel like your driving up mount everest (in a lowered car) I really don't get the idea behind it?
If you have a lowered car then drive very slowly going between carriages. As you enter each carriage there is a metal raised lump in the middle of each carriage (I think it's a shield protecting either a sensor or small camera)? Sadly with my lowered car I have caught these a couple of times, Even had to get out of the car at one point and myself and passenger had to push car along a couple of foot then get back in (much to the annoyance of impatient motorists behind us.Personally now, I'm not convinced safety on the carriages is all that it should be, THEY DO NOT NOW always put both pairs of safety doors down between each carriage, some passenger doors are taped up saying do not use. Loose metal plates on the road decks.
This bothers me A LOT. Having been in a car fire, I know how fast flames travel so I now prefer to use the Boat. Also the ramps they make you ascend to show your passports on the UK Border (French Side) make you feel like your driving up mount everest (in a lowered car) I really don't get the idea behind it?
Just worth mentioning I think. Last week I booked 4 cars in the high vehicle carriages to travel in May to get the wider clearance. I did it by phone because the availability was low. I wouldn't chance turning up and hoping to get on to the wider/higher carriages with a standard ticket. Just sayin.
I curbed my (then) brand new Vanquish on the lower deck - it's easily done.
As others have said, book ahead and book yourself onto the high sided carriage, much less stress. I used to take my Ford GT on this carriage without any issues - and that was wide and without great visibility.
As others have said, book ahead and book yourself onto the high sided carriage, much less stress. I used to take my Ford GT on this carriage without any issues - and that was wide and without great visibility.
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