Towing a 911 on a trailer to the South of France
Discussion
I'm currently in the process of buying a holiday home in the South of France. I'll likely be going for periods of 3-4 weeks at a time, several times a year between April and November.
I also have a new 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet on order, as to when it will arrive, god only knows!!
So, I'm thinking about the best way to get it down there. I'm not comfortable leaving the car in France all year round, just in case it gets stolen. Plus my insurers won't allow that. So I was considering buying a Brian James Trailer and taking it down, towing it with a Range Rover at time of each visit.
I've a few questions, and would be very grateful if anyone out there can help with these:
1. If I proceed with this plan. I'm going to go on a trailer course with all the caravaners!! (can't wait), so will hopefully gain some knowledge from that, but is towing a Porsche quite straightforward, or a tricky business?
2. Is towing a vehicle for private use generally accepted by most insurers, and will the Porsche be covered if I'm towing it on a trailer and an incident occurs?
3. Has anyone else towed a trailer to France, and if so, did you take the Eurotunnel, and did towing another car create problems, for example, double charge, as double length (although I can live with that), or perhaps questions like "where are you going with that Porsche"!
I would just drive it down each time, but we have two large dogs, so that's not going to work.
Any advice or alternative suggestions / ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.
I also have a new 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet on order, as to when it will arrive, god only knows!!
So, I'm thinking about the best way to get it down there. I'm not comfortable leaving the car in France all year round, just in case it gets stolen. Plus my insurers won't allow that. So I was considering buying a Brian James Trailer and taking it down, towing it with a Range Rover at time of each visit.
I've a few questions, and would be very grateful if anyone out there can help with these:
1. If I proceed with this plan. I'm going to go on a trailer course with all the caravaners!! (can't wait), so will hopefully gain some knowledge from that, but is towing a Porsche quite straightforward, or a tricky business?
2. Is towing a vehicle for private use generally accepted by most insurers, and will the Porsche be covered if I'm towing it on a trailer and an incident occurs?
3. Has anyone else towed a trailer to France, and if so, did you take the Eurotunnel, and did towing another car create problems, for example, double charge, as double length (although I can live with that), or perhaps questions like "where are you going with that Porsche"!
I would just drive it down each time, but we have two large dogs, so that's not going to work.
Any advice or alternative suggestions / ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.
I’ve towed our trailer (boat not 911) behind a Defender all the way to Greece via France, Switzerland and Italy so same principle. I was relatively nervous re regs before I set off - had all the 90 stickers etc and stuck to all limits. In reality was super easy and actually quite fun. No issues with eurotunnel or anything else except customs get a little interested so more hassle post Brexit and needed to see boat paperwork and inspect. I left the boat at our place there so didn’t come back through customs with it. Wouldn’t have thought you’d have any issues at all. Would be more fun to drive the 911 tho’! This year I’m driving the Spyder down.
BTW I keep a tax & MOT exempt classic out there as I want something to keep there if I fly out at short notice and don’t want the hassle of having to bring it back to MOT it etc.
BTW I keep a tax & MOT exempt classic out there as I want something to keep there if I fly out at short notice and don’t want the hassle of having to bring it back to MOT it etc.
Edited by Billy_Whizzzz on Tuesday 24th May 07:44
This ^^^
Seems a really slow way to get to The South of France dragging a shed each time. And thirsty
Surely there is a way to source and keep a car in a lock up or similar for large parts of the year with a dash back to the UKnonce or twice to keep insurers happy ?
Hell probably even cheaper / easier to go in Convoy - RR and 911 that dragging it there ??
(Plus a crapload more fun)
Seems a really slow way to get to The South of France dragging a shed each time. And thirsty
Surely there is a way to source and keep a car in a lock up or similar for large parts of the year with a dash back to the UKnonce or twice to keep insurers happy ?
Hell probably even cheaper / easier to go in Convoy - RR and 911 that dragging it there ??
(Plus a crapload more fun)
It might be worth speaking to a vehicle transport logistics company to see if this is a service you could pay someone to do for you?
I'm just thinking that once you've done the trailer test, bought a trailer, insurance, thought about where to store the trailer when not in use etc. it is likely to of absorbed alot of your time and paying someone to transport the vehicle for you would actually be good value.
I'm just thinking that once you've done the trailer test, bought a trailer, insurance, thought about where to store the trailer when not in use etc. it is likely to of absorbed alot of your time and paying someone to transport the vehicle for you would actually be good value.
An interesting idea.... I drive down to the Med most years in a classic car. It's a long way, but the drive is part of the holiday, I enjoy it. No way would I do it with a trailer!
What I used to do in days of yore, was to drive down over 3 days and my wife and kids would fly down and I'd meet them at the other end. Might that work for you? When you take your longest holiday in France, drive there and drive back in the 911 - otherwise leave at home for the shorter breaks to the new house.
What I used to do in days of yore, was to drive down over 3 days and my wife and kids would fly down and I'd meet them at the other end. Might that work for you? When you take your longest holiday in France, drive there and drive back in the 911 - otherwise leave at home for the shorter breaks to the new house.
Thank you Billy Whizzzz, David W. and PushedDover, these are exactly the kind of comments and ideas I'm wanting to hear.
Firstly, Billy Whizzzzz, it's reassuring to hear that you got all the way to Greece without any problems. I've done that exact route before down to Brindisi (or was it Bari) then across to Corfu, albeit without a trailer.
I don't know if you remember it, but that final day's driving through Italy to the Ferry was one of the most boring pieces of road I've ever driven, just long, straight and dull, it seemed to go on forever...... Overall though, that adventure from UK to Greece, and ferry over to Corfu was one of the most memorable journeys of my life. Would definitely do it again.
David W. - A really good point and one I'm seriously considering, possibly even an older RHD. The issue I've got, is that the house is in quite a rural location, there's a barn with no doors but no garage, so the car will be left exposed. I'm hoping to get planning permission for a garage, or restore the barn, but either will likely take time. If you were going for a cheaper 911 (must be cabriolet), I'm thinking probably £40k mark, what would be the general consensus for what to buy?
Also, is security quite good on these older cars?
PushDover - I agree. it's a bit of a pain having to drag it backwards and forwards, but the problem I have, is my wife won't drive long distances over there, so we can't travel in convoy and we have two large dogs, so I'd have to drive down with them and then fly back to get the car.
As we're planning to come and go for probably 3-4 weeks at a time, I think it would be too much backwards and forwards. So, I know where you're coming from, but because of the trip frequency, I'm not sure it would work.
In terms of insurers, I know it's a bit naughty, but I thought if the car's there for extended periods, as long as I can show an outbound Ferry ticket, that kind of backs up its arrival day in France, and will save me going backwards and forwards with the car (I think 90 days is the limit). Can anyone see why not?
As mentioned above, would love to hear suggestions on the best 911 cab, something low to mid mileage, circa £40-£50k, but still a pleasure to drive?
Thanks to all for your advice on this
Firstly, Billy Whizzzzz, it's reassuring to hear that you got all the way to Greece without any problems. I've done that exact route before down to Brindisi (or was it Bari) then across to Corfu, albeit without a trailer.
I don't know if you remember it, but that final day's driving through Italy to the Ferry was one of the most boring pieces of road I've ever driven, just long, straight and dull, it seemed to go on forever...... Overall though, that adventure from UK to Greece, and ferry over to Corfu was one of the most memorable journeys of my life. Would definitely do it again.
David W. - A really good point and one I'm seriously considering, possibly even an older RHD. The issue I've got, is that the house is in quite a rural location, there's a barn with no doors but no garage, so the car will be left exposed. I'm hoping to get planning permission for a garage, or restore the barn, but either will likely take time. If you were going for a cheaper 911 (must be cabriolet), I'm thinking probably £40k mark, what would be the general consensus for what to buy?
Also, is security quite good on these older cars?
PushDover - I agree. it's a bit of a pain having to drag it backwards and forwards, but the problem I have, is my wife won't drive long distances over there, so we can't travel in convoy and we have two large dogs, so I'd have to drive down with them and then fly back to get the car.
As we're planning to come and go for probably 3-4 weeks at a time, I think it would be too much backwards and forwards. So, I know where you're coming from, but because of the trip frequency, I'm not sure it would work.
In terms of insurers, I know it's a bit naughty, but I thought if the car's there for extended periods, as long as I can show an outbound Ferry ticket, that kind of backs up its arrival day in France, and will save me going backwards and forwards with the car (I think 90 days is the limit). Can anyone see why not?
As mentioned above, would love to hear suggestions on the best 911 cab, something low to mid mileage, circa £40-£50k, but still a pleasure to drive?
Thanks to all for your advice on this
Thanks also to kel176506 and NDA,
These are all very good points, but the problem I have, is that I'm the sort of person who gets bored easily.
So, the plan with this house, is that we'll go for a few weeks, tire of the routine and heat in France (which you do), then we'll come home, quickly tire of the rain and grey skies and go back. Hopefully this will give us good variety and balance between April and late October.
We do love life here in the UK, but the summer's here can be so depressing, likewise though, being in the sun for extended periods can also become tiresome.
So because of this trip frequency, sourcing out transportation, or travelling separately when we've also got the dogs to take with us, unfortunately wouldn't work. Thanks both for the suggestions though.
These are all very good points, but the problem I have, is that I'm the sort of person who gets bored easily.
So, the plan with this house, is that we'll go for a few weeks, tire of the routine and heat in France (which you do), then we'll come home, quickly tire of the rain and grey skies and go back. Hopefully this will give us good variety and balance between April and late October.
We do love life here in the UK, but the summer's here can be so depressing, likewise though, being in the sun for extended periods can also become tiresome.
So because of this trip frequency, sourcing out transportation, or travelling separately when we've also got the dogs to take with us, unfortunately wouldn't work. Thanks both for the suggestions though.
Mulsanne-Speed said:
So because of this trip frequency, sourcing out transportation, or travelling separately when we've also got the dogs to take with us, unfortunately wouldn't work. Thanks both for the suggestions though.
Rock and a hard place....If you're travelling frequently to France at short (ish) notice, when the mood takes you.... then leaving a car there makes much more sense than trailering it down every time. Is there a secure garage you could rent or buy? There must be a solution to the security issue.
Personally I did not particularly enjoy towing my BJ RT6, it is an awesome trailer, but getting somewhere takes a very long time - even if you can do 100 kph. I sold it recently as I did not have storage for it (they take up a lot of space) anymore and then decided to get rid of track car and trailer as even going to my favourite track c. 220km distance was grating after a while.
Generally speaking towing a car is very easy, my trailer had lift function and a winch, so I could load and unload on my own without any issues. I would not hesitate to recommend the trailer.
But if I were you, I would buy a LHD 911 and leave it there - saves you travel time, probably money (in the long run) and you don't have to worry about possibly having to argue with your UK insurance in case of a claim.
Generally speaking towing a car is very easy, my trailer had lift function and a winch, so I could load and unload on my own without any issues. I would not hesitate to recommend the trailer.
But if I were you, I would buy a LHD 911 and leave it there - saves you travel time, probably money (in the long run) and you don't have to worry about possibly having to argue with your UK insurance in case of a claim.
Just a thought. Wouldn’t it make more sense to spend the money you plan to spend on trailer, trailering, ferries etc on making the barn secure?
BTW, I have a 365/365 Green Card but the insurer stipulates that I must be with or near the car at all times, so I’m not covered if I leave it at my holiday home and come back to the UK.
BTW, I have a 365/365 Green Card but the insurer stipulates that I must be with or near the car at all times, so I’m not covered if I leave it at my holiday home and come back to the UK.
There are UK-based car transport firms going there the whole time, sometimes with empty trailers either way. And storage in UK. Give Chris Day a call.
https://www.macklogistics.co.uk/ website is slow but he is 100% reliable and recommended. +44(0)1252 543 555
It is a bloody long way towing and you will get fed up with it. Great roads and fun stops notwithstanding.
https://www.macklogistics.co.uk/ website is slow but he is 100% reliable and recommended. +44(0)1252 543 555
It is a bloody long way towing and you will get fed up with it. Great roads and fun stops notwithstanding.
Mulsanne-Speed said:
Thank you Billy Whizzzz, David W. and PushedDover, these are exactly the kind of comments and ideas I'm wanting to hear.
Firstly, Billy Whizzzzz, it's reassuring to hear that you got all the way to Greece without any problems. I've done that exact route before down to Brindisi (or was it Bari) then across to Corfu, albeit without a trailer.
I don't know if you remember it, but that final day's driving through Italy to the Ferry was one of the most boring pieces of road I've ever driven, just long, straight and dull, it seemed to go on forever...... Overall though, that adventure from UK to Greece, and ferry over to Corfu was one of the most memorable journeys of my life. Would definitely do it again.
Ha yes took the trailer to Bari and you’re right about that stretch - I now go from Ancona on the super fast to Corfu - MUCH better!!!Firstly, Billy Whizzzzz, it's reassuring to hear that you got all the way to Greece without any problems. I've done that exact route before down to Brindisi (or was it Bari) then across to Corfu, albeit without a trailer.
I don't know if you remember it, but that final day's driving through Italy to the Ferry was one of the most boring pieces of road I've ever driven, just long, straight and dull, it seemed to go on forever...... Overall though, that adventure from UK to Greece, and ferry over to Corfu was one of the most memorable journeys of my life. Would definitely do it again.
Thank you all for your comments.
I think MDL111 is maybe right, the answer probably is going to be, securing the barn and leaving a car there.
The problem with that, is that I'm not sure I'm comfortable with leaving circa £150k 911 C4S there all the time, so what do I do with the car I have on order.
I guess I could take it down in April, bringing it back in October.
Or maybe see if there's a professional storage company in or around Toulouse, which is not far away for the winter months.
I suppose, I could register and insure it in France, but following Brexit, I'm not sure that will be straightforward, or if there will be any tax implications.
Alternatively, I could save some money and go for an older 911 cab - My questions are:
Is the 997 now considered a bit dated to drive (I'm not bothered about tech, just the car feeling "together")?
With prices so strong at present, is the 991 considered too much money, when you can pick up a 992 for not a lot more?
Would love to know your thoughts on this alternative option.
Many thanks again.
I think MDL111 is maybe right, the answer probably is going to be, securing the barn and leaving a car there.
The problem with that, is that I'm not sure I'm comfortable with leaving circa £150k 911 C4S there all the time, so what do I do with the car I have on order.
I guess I could take it down in April, bringing it back in October.
Or maybe see if there's a professional storage company in or around Toulouse, which is not far away for the winter months.
I suppose, I could register and insure it in France, but following Brexit, I'm not sure that will be straightforward, or if there will be any tax implications.
Alternatively, I could save some money and go for an older 911 cab - My questions are:
Is the 997 now considered a bit dated to drive (I'm not bothered about tech, just the car feeling "together")?
With prices so strong at present, is the 991 considered too much money, when you can pick up a 992 for not a lot more?
Would love to know your thoughts on this alternative option.
Many thanks again.
From experience leaving a car at a holiday home is a ball ache. And keeping a 911 in rural France where there will be no local specialist to look after it seems especially troublesome to me. The car won't like being left unattended for long periods, the battery will go flat, rodents will nest in the engine bay, etc etc. Then there is road tax, insurance, it's an asset and probably subject to some sort of wealth tax in France, i think it will be far more hassle than any enjoyment can offset. As for towing the car down there, no thanks. And i used to tow a race car all over the UK, but down to the south of France and having to deal with border control each way, errrr nah.
Just buy an old French car and keep that on site. Like a 2CV or a R4. Perfect.
Just buy an old French car and keep that on site. Like a 2CV or a R4. Perfect.
^^^ Left field but likeable. Or a Mini Mike type fun car?
You'll have the RR there for proper journeys, so a 'rural rustic' convertible may have it's place?
As for leaving a 911 there - if nothing else, this day an age with trackers, online web cams / security and even car monitoring, its probably never been safer to leave a car somewhere (with respect to the thieves.)
Rodents etc? A Cat or other countermeasures may work ..
You'll have the RR there for proper journeys, so a 'rural rustic' convertible may have it's place?
As for leaving a 911 there - if nothing else, this day an age with trackers, online web cams / security and even car monitoring, its probably never been safer to leave a car somewhere (with respect to the thieves.)
Rodents etc? A Cat or other countermeasures may work ..
Mulsanne-Speed said:
Thank you all for your comments.
I think MDL111 is maybe right, the answer probably is going to be, securing the barn and leaving a car there.
The problem with that, is that I'm not sure I'm comfortable with leaving circa 150k 911 C4S there all the time, so what do I do with the car I have on order.
I guess I could take it down in April, bringing it back in October.
Or maybe see if there's a professional storage company in or around Toulouse, which is not far away for the winter months.
I suppose, I could register and insure it in France, but following Brexit, I'm not sure that will be straightforward, or if there will be any tax implications.
Alternatively, I could save some money and go for an older 911 cab - My questions are:
Is the 997 now considered a bit dated to drive (I'm not bothered about tech, just the car feeling "together")?
With prices so strong at present, is the 991 considered too much money, when you can pick up a 992 for not a lot more?
Would love to know your thoughts on this alternative option.
Many thanks again.
There’s a huge range of 997s - avoid 997.1 but a good 997.2 is v useable. I have solved by keeping an old soft top series 2 Land Rover out there that I bumble around in without door tops so n and canvas rolled up, which means if I just turn up at short notice there’s something there that’s fun, low maintenance, doesn’t mind being left and I can tow boat around and go to beach. But if I go for longer planned stretches I drive the Spyder down. So best of both worlds. I think MDL111 is maybe right, the answer probably is going to be, securing the barn and leaving a car there.
The problem with that, is that I'm not sure I'm comfortable with leaving circa 150k 911 C4S there all the time, so what do I do with the car I have on order.
I guess I could take it down in April, bringing it back in October.
Or maybe see if there's a professional storage company in or around Toulouse, which is not far away for the winter months.
I suppose, I could register and insure it in France, but following Brexit, I'm not sure that will be straightforward, or if there will be any tax implications.
Alternatively, I could save some money and go for an older 911 cab - My questions are:
Is the 997 now considered a bit dated to drive (I'm not bothered about tech, just the car feeling "together")?
With prices so strong at present, is the 991 considered too much money, when you can pick up a 992 for not a lot more?
Would love to know your thoughts on this alternative option.
Many thanks again.
psi310398 said:
Mulsanne-Speed said:
I suppose, I could register and insure it in France, but following Brexit, I'm not sure that will be straightforward, or if there will be any tax implications.
You need to be resident in France to register a car there, I’m afraid.Gassing Station | 911/Carrera GT | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff