Getting big stuff to Le Mans... van space required

[TransverseTight]

Anyone know of any services to get stuff shifted down to Le Mans ready for our arrival. Or alternatively anyone going in a van and willing to use up some space for a fee.

I've typically been going as support driver in various family wagons or rented sprinters but this year am taking my i3 for a bit of adventure. Looking to get a fridge freezer, 2.2 m long poles for a gala tent and a large coleman cool box shifted.

If you are worried about tax on undeclared income we are happy to barter using unofficial currency and pay you in cold beers once the fridge is up and running

We are on garage vert so someone over that side would be a bonus. In between Houx & Tet rouge. It can all fit in the i3 if I'm happy to wear the same clothes all week and sleep under the stars

[indyxe]

TransverseTight said:

Anyone know of any services to get stuff shifted down to Le Mans ready for our arrival. Or alternatively anyone going in a van and willing to use up some space for a fee.

I've typically been going as support driver in various family wagons or rented sprinters but this year am taking my i3 for a bit of adventure. Looking to get a fridge freezer, 2.2 m long poles for a gala tent and a large coleman cool box shifted.

If you are worried about tax on undeclared income we are happy to barter using unofficial currency and pay you in cold beers once the fridge is up and running

We are on garage vert so someone over that side would be a bonus. In between Houx & Tet rouge. It can all fit in the i3 if I'm happy to wear the same clothes all week and sleep under the stars

Pickfords springs to mind !!. be surprised if anyone's got the space for a fridge freezer and all your other gear..

probably be cheaper buying one their. we bought a fridge couple of years ago from Electro Depot just off the Mulsanne straight, think it was about 100 euros, If nobody has the room for a large gala tent and poles it might be an idea to think smaller/lighter alternative.

[//j17]

indyxe said:

probably be cheaper buying one their. we bought a fridge couple of years ago from Electro Depot just off the Mulsanne straight, think it was about 100 euros

Back before wives and babies abducted my friends we had a few bigger group trips and bought fridges, first from the electrical store where the toy shop now stands and latterly from Carrefour in Center Sud. Think the last one was 120Euro (between 6) and yes, after the packaging's removed a freidge DOES fit in the rear of a Triumph 2000

[indyxe]

We transported our fridge back to the UK in the back of a 1 series BM. we had to ditch a tent that had leaked (no great loss) and a couple of cheap cool boxes.

[TransverseTight]

The communal gear does all fit in the i3... but as I mentioned not much left over for mine and co drivers gear



At least with no centre console that's a spare space in the front

[indyxe]

Simple DITCH the fridge and buy one when you get there.

wont all that weight seriously curtail the range, maybe you should try squeezing Hinkley Point in the boot might just be more useful than the fridge

Edited by indyxe on Monday 9th May 22:11

[Gingerbread Man]

One assumes that you have also packed gear into the fridge Si, and it's not a big empty box?

[fatboy18]

Roof rack for the flatter stuff? Chuck a 6mm sheet of ply between the roof bars, put tent gazebo etc on ply, drill a series of holes in ply and feed through large cable ties, strap gear down, that will free up a lot of space. And dont forget to fill the fridge up with camping gear clothing etc.

[TransverseTight]

Weight doesn't affect range much. Top speed is the issue go over 75 and you can watch the % drop. Not really worried about range as I've got the Rex so when the battery drops to 25% I'll switch the range extender on. I don't like letting it drop below 25% on long journeys as you then have plenty of spare to accelerate up big hills


And yeah the fridge is going to be full of stuff. Tinned food, utensils etc.

[L99JKB]

How big is the coolbox Si? it might fit on my back seat but I'm only bringing a punto this year. Mr Pickles said he's already volunteered me for the job but space is tight.

[ClockworkDog]

I'll have some space if you need?! I always struggle to fill my Transporter to the gunwales. I'm guessing it's just a small fridge, not a larder fridge? I'm in Salisbury, driving to Calais on the Wednesday evening if that helps

[TransverseTight]

Well the good news is following a whole heap of whatsapp chat we've got several threads of solutions. Some of the stuff getting driven down in several cars. New fridge freezer will be acquired down there, but best find is a storage company in France owned by a brit who's willing to collect and drop off for the 24hr. I will update with prices once we get a formal quote. We did find a local place in Le Mans but it was going to be €800 / yr and we still had to sort the last 10km.

[TransverseTight]

ClockworkDog said:

I'll have some space if you need?! I always struggle to fill my Transporter to the gunwales. I'm guessing it's just a small fridge, not a larder fridge? I'm in Salisbury, driving to Calais on the Wednesday evening if that helps

I'll bear that in mind... just spotted after my latest update. Fridgefreezer is the smallest they do but still 175x50x55.

[Jon_Bmw]

ClockworkDog,

Off topic, I am also leaving Salisbury but very early Thursday morning (5.50 crossing). First time back in around 5 years!

[TransverseTight]

fatboy18 said:

Roof rack for the flatter stuff? Chuck a 6mm sheet of ply between the roof bars, put tent gazebo etc on ply, drill a series of holes in ply and feed through large cable ties, strap gear down, that will free up a lot of space. And dont forget to fill the fridge up with camping gear clothing etc.

Ah, Missed this one... sadly two things the i3 doesn't support... roof racks or tow bars . I've got a Thule bar system and 420 litre roof box. But becuase the roof is carbon there's no mount points. With no official type approved tow rating there's no chance of getting a tow bar either.

I did get an inflatable roof rack from a company called Handirack... it's ok for short trips to the dump, but the tie straps pass into the cabin and and the i3 has frameless windows, it pushes them out a bit, and once you get over 50mph they start whislting. I'm not doing that for 400 miles! I'm also worried about damaging the seals over that sort of distance. 30 minutes here and there is fine (with the windows down a bit), but nearly a day strapped on won't do much good I fear. There's a sea sucker system but I'm worried about damaging the carbon/resin... who knows what happens after a day left in a vacuum.

Hence why I've been posting a lot on the Telsa 3 reveal thread ;-) Got my deposit in on the 1st day, so maybe Le Mans 2018 or 19 I'll be heading down in that with the frunk filled up with tents, a roof rack installed and towing a trailer (news of the tow rating was confirmed after).

[ClockworkDog]

Jon_Bmw said:

ClockworkDog,

Off topic, I am also leaving Salisbury but very early Thursday morning (5.50 crossing). First time back in around 5 years!

Aah another Salisbury-ite. What have you been doing for 5 years?! PM me if you also need a fridge taking down there!

Transverse, let me know if you do need a hand - but probably more hassle than it's worth to sort out collection/drop-off. Plus we're camping down in the killing fields (bsj) so a bit of a trek but not impossible. I'd just buy one down there and gift it to the gypsy's at the end of the weekend...

[C70R]

We're taking a support van this year (MWB Transit), but sadly no space to offer as it's housing two fridge/freezers, marquees, Outback grill, TV, speakers etc.. Having said that, we've bought fridges a few times from Carrefour in town, and donated them to locals/neighbours on departure. 120Euro or so should get an under-counter fridge that will do the job without any complaint.

[Petrolhead_Rich]

TransverseTight said:

Anyone know of any services to get stuff shifted down to Le Mans ready for our arrival. Or alternatively anyone going in a van and willing to use up some space for a fee.

I've typically been going as support driver in various family wagons or rented sprinters but this year am taking my i3 for a bit of adventure. Looking to get a fridge freezer, 2.2 m long poles for a gala tent and a large coleman cool box shifted.

If you are worried about tax on undeclared income we are happy to barter using unofficial currency and pay you in cold beers once the fridge is up and running

We are on garage vert so someone over that side would be a bonus. In between Houx & Tet rouge. It can all fit in the i3 if I'm happy to wear the same clothes all week and sleep under the stars

I'm going with two mates in my Transit, I'll have to check which campsite we've booked but might be able to help?

ETA - we're staying at Beausejour

Edited by Petrolhead_Rich on Friday 13th May 18:54

[fatboy18]

Anyone want a round Beer Fridge? Commercial type that you find in off licences

Like this
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/40L-Commerc...

[scottmodha]

What do you guys do for power? I have been contemplating taking a small generator, but the cheaper ones are generally noisy b*sta*ds.

Let me know