Discussion
Dear TVR Fanatics
I am going to have a big European Trip in September via France-Belgium-Germany-Switzerland-Italy-France again.
Totally circa 3000miles. Any tips and advice, dos and donts or must have items, would be gracefully received!!
Many thanks looking forward to your valuable response.
I am going to have a big European Trip in September via France-Belgium-Germany-Switzerland-Italy-France again.
Totally circa 3000miles. Any tips and advice, dos and donts or must have items, would be gracefully received!!
Many thanks looking forward to your valuable response.
I'm heading to southern Spain next Sunday so similar 3000+ distance.
Do similar every year.
Unfortunately my Tuscan is quite sick this week and in 'hospital' so not sure if I will be using the Wifes
I always carry the usual things like oil and water and a few tools but nothing much.
Dont forget the legal stuff like warning triangle, hi-vis jacket etc. Check out on line for details.
Get your car checked out before you leave and make sure you have European break down cover.
Have fun and good luck.
Do similar every year.
Unfortunately my Tuscan is quite sick this week and in 'hospital' so not sure if I will be using the Wifes
I always carry the usual things like oil and water and a few tools but nothing much.
Dont forget the legal stuff like warning triangle, hi-vis jacket etc. Check out on line for details.
Get your car checked out before you leave and make sure you have European break down cover.
Have fun and good luck.
I would read the AA website on what you need to legally carry (and where in the car) for each country you are going to visit, their coverage is comprehensive. For France you will need a high vis jacket in the cabin, not the boot and they will impound your car if they find a radar detector in it.
Buy a European wide breakdown cover policy if you don't already have one - I now have ADAC for my Euro jaunts.
For French roads I also now have an automated toll tag that allows me to use the "fast" lanes and not have to queue to pay personally, the price is also discounted compared to pay as you go charges. The toll tag can now be purchased via a UK based web site:
https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/
You may also need to buy a "vingette(sp?)" for Switzerland to show you have paid road tax of some sort but I'm not sure if they waive this if you are passing through or where you do buy them if they are needed.
HTH
Buy a European wide breakdown cover policy if you don't already have one - I now have ADAC for my Euro jaunts.
For French roads I also now have an automated toll tag that allows me to use the "fast" lanes and not have to queue to pay personally, the price is also discounted compared to pay as you go charges. The toll tag can now be purchased via a UK based web site:
https://www.saneftolling.co.uk/
You may also need to buy a "vingette(sp?)" for Switzerland to show you have paid road tax of some sort but I'm not sure if they waive this if you are passing through or where you do buy them if they are needed.
HTH
Edited by Grey Ghost on Thursday 16th August 13:10
You may also need to buy a "vingette(sp?)" for Switzerland to show you have paid road tax of some sort but I'm not sure if they waive this if you are passing through or where you do buy them if they are needed.
HTH
Edited by Grey Ghost on Thursday 16th August 13:10
[/quote]
I passed through Switzerland 2 years ago and if they do waive you through. They most certainly didn't ignore the fact that I needed a vingette when I was there. As you go through customs, you will be able to purchase one there.
Grey Ghost said:
You may also need to buy a "vingette(sp?)" for Switzerland to show you have paid road tax of some sort but I'm not sure if they waive this if you are passing through or where you do buy them if they are needed.
Took the Tamora into Switzerland and you do have to buy them if driving on the Motorways (but I don't believe you need them on other roads). Easier just to have one.My tip - If crossing into Switzerland on a motorway you may get worried about how to buy one and stop just before the border where an enterprising service station advertises the last chance to buy a vignette before the border, Then as soon as you get through the border they are being sold on the Swiss side by the Swiss 20% cheaper...
Or I believe you can buy them in petrol stations.
Fuel price ranking - Switzerland is cheaper than France which is cheaper than Italy. I think we managed to avoid filling up in Italy since we were close to the French and Swiss borders.
I also collated information on TVR garages in Europe - Thankfully didn't need them, the Tamora did 3000 trouble-free miles (at 27 mpg).
European TVR Garages
Having read some of the Le Mans 'got caught speeding' threads this year- be ultra careful driving through France. Do not be tempted to put your foot down because if you get stopped by the local Police the fines are starting to get astronomical and you even risk having your car impounded and sold for state funds (I kid you not- see what LowDrag has to say about it)- where of course you are entirely at liberty to bid for it (!) and get it back if you are substantially over the speed limit...not saying this happens every time but it IS nonetheless a possibility...so take heed.
Sevenman said:
Grey Ghost said:
You may also need to buy a "vingette(sp?)" for Switzerland to show you have paid road tax of some sort but I'm not sure if they waive this if you are passing through or where you do buy them if they are needed.
Took the Tamora into Switzerland and you do have to buy them if driving on the Motorways (but I don't believe you need them on other roads). Easier just to have one.My tip - If crossing into Switzerland on a motorway you may get worried about how to buy one and stop just before the border where an enterprising service station advertises the last chance to buy a vignette before the border, Then as soon as you get through the border they are being sold on the Swiss side by the Swiss 20% cheaper...
Or I believe you can buy them in petrol stations.
Fuel price ranking - Switzerland is cheaper than France which is cheaper than Italy. I think we managed to avoid filling up in Italy since we were close to the French and Swiss borders.
I also collated information on TVR garages in Europe - Thankfully didn't need them, the Tamora did 3000 trouble-free miles (at 27 mpg).
European TVR Garages
We are also off on our annual jaunt in September - over on the ferry then a quick trip through France, Belgium, Netherlands and into Germany to catch the Autozug from Dusseldorf. Up the next morning in Innsbruck for a few days around Northern Italy and Austria. When in September are you going?
Having recently completed a 4x day trip to Belgium via Germany, Luxembourg, France, my main recommendation is to budget for fuel. A 4x day trip was quite alarming based on current fuel prices, normally something that doesn't bother me, quite staggering really.
In addition i recommend spare throttle cable, fuses, relays and breakdown recovery for peace of mind if nothing else.
In addition i recommend spare throttle cable, fuses, relays and breakdown recovery for peace of mind if nothing else.
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