Touring, whether abroad or in the UK, is what motorhoming is all about, the freedom of the open road, the excitement of visiting new places, meeting others, finding a deserted beach or quaint sleepy village, what's just around the next bend or over the next hill all add to the pleasure.. however, without some planning things can and
do go wrong.
I've read posts where the only plan is to disembark at Calais and turn right/left .. all very well and good if your driving a small panel van, not if your driving an RV or large Eurovan, perhaps with a car in tow.. a sure fire recipe for stress.
I'm not suggesting for a moment that you need to have a set route or timetable.. far from it, plans should be flexible, time not important and be readily changed if the mood or weather dictates..
My tips for a successful and stress free trip..
Do lots of research before setting off.
Using your preferred method ( I use Autoroute ) plot as many possible sites and aires that you KNOW will accommodate you.. the more the better.
Ask others, personal recommendations are the best.
While on site speak to others, find out where they've been, I've gleaned more useful information this way than any other.
Before setting off have at least two possible sites or aires plotted, plan B is just as important as a plan A ..
Plan to drive no more than a few hours each day and arrive at your aire or site early PM.. you will get the best spot and won't be stressed out. Arriving late often leads to disappointment.
Hints and Tips for 'big rigs' using aires.
EHU cable, I would advise on at least 30mt., several short leads are more useful than one large. I have three, a 1 x 15, 1 x 25, and 1 x 30 mt. Most aires use the blue 16A socket but some still have the French socket so don’t forget the adaptor.
Water hose, have plenty, this will negate the need to shunt around a busy aire to fill up. A watering can is a useful accessory when it’s not possible to use a hose.
Not all dump points are RV friendly but dumping is always possible provided you have a wheeled waste tank, we have a Tote’n’Store waste carrier. A macerator can also be useful.
When you drive to the dump station wait until late afternoon or early evening to you will get less hassle and more time and space to manoeuvre.
On arrival, walk the aire before driving into it, choose a pitch and ensure you can extract yourself easily from it.
Choose a pitch with care, taking into consideration the location of the nearest water and EHU point, corner pitches are favourite as you can often have space to deploy the awning and have space for the BBQ etc.
Leave NOTHING out overnight and lock bikes to rack with good quality security chain, wire rope bike locks are easily ‘cropped’ ( we learned this the hard way) !
Plan your arrival early to mid afternoon, this will give you the best choice of spaces, (late arrivals are often disappointed) also, shunting around an aire in the late evening isn’t good for Anglo French relations !
A small genny or solar panels may be required if you intend on a long stay on a free aire which has no EHU. Be considerate if using a genny, site it away as far as possible using any natural sound barriers and try not to annoy your neighbours but if in any doubt ask their permission and apologise for the noise. The French are very polite and will greatly appreciate your consideration.
On ‘free parking’ aires water is often charged at €1 or €2 so when it’s free fill up before leaving.
My Tools for Plannning.. and navigating
Autoroute 2007
Camping Car infos CD
Michelin road atlas
Aires guide (there are several to choose from)
The Rough Guide books
Caravan Club European sites book(s)
Tom Tom One XL Europe
The Internet, an invaluable tool before setting off.
Spending time planning will pay big dividends, it's also very enjoyable..
he had died..
