Trailering a car across Europe for an event advice please.

[kartman24]

I am taking my 1960 Sports car on a trailer over to Italy this year for a retro event and am planning on going via the tunnel which i have not used before and then traveling down towards Italy. There are obviously numerous routes, our favoured one would take us down through Switzerland but i have been advised by one person who has done the trip to avoid going that route as the Swiss have a lot of rules on Trailers and it would need a lot of paperwork relating to it? Has anyone been across Europe with a car on a trailer since Brexit and can advise on what is needed beyond the fluorescent jacket and warning triangle type stuff? Any help appreciated.

[rdjohn]

If the combined weight of car and trailer is less than 3.5-tonnes, then you can buy a E-vignettes, one for each beforehand, or buy physical ones at the border. Only the usual bit of pettyfogging.

If it’s more than 3.5 tonnes, then use another route.

[this is my username]

If you trailer weight is over 750kg then you need to register it before you take it to Europe. Not a major faff or expense, but needs to be done:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/trailer-registration

You will also need to check the customs rules regarding taking your car to Europe on a trailer. If you are driving it then no problem, once it's on a trailer it becomes goods and you may well need a carnet or something similar to cover it's temporary export. You can thank Brexit for that one.

It might be worth driving the car on and off the ferry then putting it on the trailer on the other side. That way you could avoid the customs faff.

[fttm]

You'll definately need a carnet , not just for the car but also for spares and tools in the trailer .

[rdjohn]

fttm said:

You'll definately need a carnet , not just for the car but also for spares and tools in the trailer .

That was panicky advice in 2021.

The current reality is that you do not. Best trailer the car on an open trailer bearing a UK number plate. Take the V5

Last year a friend took a rally car to Loheac for an event. Simply rolled on and off the ferry with an enclosed trailer full of tools in his towing van, yet had no hassle. Some sources are just looking for odd reasons for scare stories.

Customs guys are not stupid, they will know you are unlikely be trying to dodge export rules. The vignette thing for Switzerland is unfortunately a current requirement.

[iguana]

V5 for the tow car & the sports car, registration for the trailer, Switzerland needs vignette for the the tow car plus one for the trailer.

If Dover/Calais unlikely to get grief for car & some spares, Hull to Holland very different story, carnet needed for spares package, not for the car if it's got v5.

Return trip via Mt Blanc less £ than 2x vignettes if class1 & sub 2m, bit more if class 2 & over but it's more in tolls to get there, vs via Switzerland which you can get to toll free from Calais.

Tho check your validity dates on return, is a wk. Longer you'd need 2x singles, which is more €

Vignette is CHF 40 which is approx € 43so x2 = €86

Edited by iguana on Monday 20th April 15:35

Edited by iguana on Monday 20th April 15:36

Edited by iguana on Monday 20th April 15:40

[iguana]

Is it the Vernasca Silver Flag event you are going to?

I went last yr.