Getting onto the Channel Tunnel Trains?
- Thread starter jwa
- Start date
For some reason the text all disappeared?
So, again!
Hi, we ventured abroad for the frist time this summer, to France and the Loire Valley. Being fairly new to caravanning I was little apprehensive about getting onto the ferry and towing nearly 1000 miles, but we had a brilliant time. So much so that we are planning another trip across the water, however, my wife favours the tunnel next time and I am a little bit worried about getting onto the train? Is it easy, do you just drive on and let the van folow or do you have to do what the coaches do and drive on, off the other side and then bring the front back onto the train? Any advice greatfully received, the help from this forum has made the learning curve much less steep and we absolutely love our time in our caravan.
John
So, again!
Hi, we ventured abroad for the frist time this summer, to France and the Loire Valley. Being fairly new to caravanning I was little apprehensive about getting onto the ferry and towing nearly 1000 miles, but we had a brilliant time. So much so that we are planning another trip across the water, however, my wife favours the tunnel next time and I am a little bit worried about getting onto the train? Is it easy, do you just drive on and let the van folow or do you have to do what the coaches do and drive on, off the other side and then bring the front back onto the train? Any advice greatfully received, the help from this forum has made the learning curve much less steep and we absolutely love our time in our caravan.
John
Have used the tunnel for the past few years finding it very convenient -
Driving on to the train is relatively easy and once you have crossed the Channel you drive through the compatments of the train and come off near the front which again is relatively straight forward.
Driving on to the train is relatively easy and once you have crossed the Channel you drive through the compatments of the train and come off near the front which again is relatively straight forward.
I always use the tunnel and like you the first time I was very apprehensive and so I followed what the coach in front of me did because with a 7.25 metre box behind the car I didn't want the back end of the van to collide with the train.
I start by leaving a wider than normal gap between the train and our outfit, as I approach the loading area and drive until I know the van wheels are beyond the opening and then gently turn onto the train. The car front wheels will initially go out of the train at the other side but once I'm happy that the caravan will follow inside the train without hitting the side of the train or the van wheels hitting the guide curb I then turn and bring the outfit back into line to go down the train.
I'm not saying this is the best method, but it works fine for me every time.
There are always loading staff on hand to assist if you need them.
Best regards
I start by leaving a wider than normal gap between the train and our outfit, as I approach the loading area and drive until I know the van wheels are beyond the opening and then gently turn onto the train. The car front wheels will initially go out of the train at the other side but once I'm happy that the caravan will follow inside the train without hitting the side of the train or the van wheels hitting the guide curb I then turn and bring the outfit back into line to go down the train.
I'm not saying this is the best method, but it works fine for me every time.
There are always loading staff on hand to assist if you need them.
Best regards
Good advice already given. My ourfit is over 12m long so a certain amount of care is necessary, but it's at least as eay as using a ferry, and sometimes easier - the ramp angles on ferries can be very steep depending on the state of the tide, and it is all too easy to 'ground' the back of a long caravan..
Stay wide from the train as you approach and don't cut the corner. Take your own time - the train loaders will not hustle you as they know two attempts will take longer than one at a moderate pace.
Driving off is the same process - go as far forward inside the train as you can before going onto full lock to get the front of the car out. Whether by design or just the way uit worded out, I have always left the train on the right hand side which means you can see the caravan in the mirrors.
relax and enjoy it !
Stay wide from the train as you approach and don't cut the corner. Take your own time - the train loaders will not hustle you as they know two attempts will take longer than one at a moderate pace.
Driving off is the same process - go as far forward inside the train as you can before going onto full lock to get the front of the car out. Whether by design or just the way uit worded out, I have always left the train on the right hand side which means you can see the caravan in the mirrors.
relax and enjoy it !
Hi, many thanks for that advice, it all seems reasonably straightforward. I guess the first time is going to be interesting, but so was my first time towing!
Thanks again.
John
Thanks again.
John
If you do a Google search for Youtube films of vehicles joining a Eurotunnel Shuttle you can get an idea of what its like. Like others we have used the Tunnel for years now and seem to manage to get our 7.3 caravan on OK.
David
David
Bit of a horror story from myself regarding going on the shuttle two years ago. I was booked on a 9.50 am service and was then given the 'good news' that I was going to be sent on a train seven minutes earlier. I was going to be rearmost vehicle on that train and made my way down onto the train following another outfit. The plan was that myself and the other outfit were going to occupy the rearmost carriage. After three attempts of calling me as far forward as possible into the rear of the van in front was told they could not close the carriage door behind me. I then had to reverse out of the carriage onto the loading carriage, drive forward off onto the platform past the train and then reverse back up the platform for some distance before waiting a few minutes and doing a hard left onto another train that pulled in - I actually got to France later than originally planned.
The staff were very good and for that reason I never complained but it was a rather stressful experience being petrified of dropping the van off the platform edge. I've since gone on the ferry with DFDS- far cheaper and a more fulfilling experience.
The staff were very good and for that reason I never complained but it was a rather stressful experience being petrified of dropping the van off the platform edge. I've since gone on the ferry with DFDS- far cheaper and a more fulfilling experience.
Just remember there are metal doors between each carriage that close during the journey so don't be in any rush to get close behind the unit in front. Wait until the person in front has definitely gone far enough so that you know you can fit on the carriage as well. If in doubt wait until the loader calls you forward.
Always find the flexibility of the tunnel a help. If you are early you can often get the next available train if it's in your price band. Also if you are late they will put you on the next available place. Add to that the joy of booking with tesco vouchers, I think the tunnel is so practical. I have to admit that a ferry crossing still has a certain 'magic' that a train never will have.
Hi JWA
We use the tunnel all the time, find it really easy loading with a friendly smile from the staff.
http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/8594/img0001ng.jpg
We use the tunnel all the time, find it really easy loading with a friendly smile from the staff.
http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/8594/img0001ng.jpg
- Apr 24, 2012
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- 18,535
this was exactly what I do, but this year, the "loader" waved me on, I said I do not think I will fit, he kept waving, I stayed put until he came to me, by now time was moving on, he then again instructed me to pull forward, I told him I do not think I will fit in, again he said move in, so after so many "instructions" to move forward, I did. When I got behind the outfit in front, they could not close the door. I made sure I took my time as I had to reverse in to the previous carriage, needless to say, he disappeared pretty quickly, never saw him when we offloaded either.John Griffiths said:
- May 7, 2012
- 8,596
- 1,818
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We have only used it once but were very impressed and had no problem getting on or off. We were waved to the front of the carriage and the loader made sure we were right up to the white line they then closed the doors and off we went with a vast space behind us.
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