Day trip to France in my pick up
Day trip to France in my pick up
Author
Discussion

Roo

Original Poster:

11,504 posts

237 months

Saturday 5th March 2011
quotequote all
I tend to do a couple of day trips to France a year for shopping and use the tunnel.

However, as the pick up truck I've just bought is over 1.85m high I can't book it on as a car and would have to pay commercial vehicle prices.

Anyone got any suggestions? It's only 2.0m high, probably less than a people carrier with a roof box, but Eurotunnel aren't interested.

MR Kirbyz

561 posts

189 months

Saturday 5th March 2011
quotequote all
a ferry if possible?

Amateurish

8,280 posts

252 months

Saturday 5th March 2011
quotequote all
Norfolkline

Roo

Original Poster:

11,504 posts

237 months

Saturday 5th March 2011
quotequote all
Thanks chaps, you've confirmed my thoughts.

It's annoying as I've used the tunnel for years as it's fast and convenient and only 30 minutes from home.

mep

88 posts

228 months

Saturday 5th March 2011
quotequote all
Cheap hire car for the day/weekend?

PoleDriver

29,599 posts

224 months

Saturday 5th March 2011
quotequote all
Smaller wheels with low-profile tyres?

Roo

Original Poster:

11,504 posts

237 months

Saturday 5th March 2011
quotequote all
PoleDriver said:
Smaller wheels with low-profile tyres?
I've just put the bigger ones on it, even with standard ones it's still too tall.

sunbeam alpine

7,249 posts

218 months

Saturday 5th March 2011
quotequote all
I have the same problem with my LR Discovery. I just book a crossing on Eurotunnel as a standard car, then after the automated check-in I follow the > 1.85m signs. I've never been challenged or asked to pay more.

Roo

Original Poster:

11,504 posts

237 months

Monday 7th March 2011
quotequote all
sunbeam alpine said:
I have the same problem with my LR Discovery. I just book a crossing on Eurotunnel as a standard car, then after the automated check-in I follow the > 1.85m signs. I've never been challenged or asked to pay more.
The only problem with that is it's an open backed pick-up whch is listed as LGV on the registration document.

The price goes up from £50 something to nearly £90 on Eurotunnel. One of the ferry companies want nearly £200. Might have to take one of other cars instead. Shame really as I fancied terrorising a few motorists on the run to Adinkerke.

sunbeam alpine

7,249 posts

218 months

Monday 7th March 2011
quotequote all
Roo said:
sunbeam alpine said:
I have the same problem with my LR Discovery. I just book a crossing on Eurotunnel as a standard car, then after the automated check-in I follow the > 1.85m signs. I've never been challenged or asked to pay more.
The only problem with that is it's an open backed pick-up whch is listed as LGV on the registration document.

The price goes up from £50 something to nearly £90 on Eurotunnel. One of the ferry companies want nearly £200. Might have to take one of other cars instead. Shame really as I fancied terrorising a few motorists on the run to Adinkerke.
I've also got a Fiat Ducato (also LGV) which we sometimes take. I've booked crossings on the ordinary passenger tarriff for this one as well. They usually look inside to see you're not carrying freight, but it's never been a problem. That said, we've only ever used it to collect DIY things from the UK (much cheaper than over here). As long as you can persuade them it's for personal use, they've never made a problem. They did call a manager over one time to give it the OK, and he accepted that it was for personal use. He did say that it would have been more difficult if we'd had a van full of the same product.

I normally have to phone to make a booking for the Ducato - it's not available on the list of vehicles if you try to book via internet.