motorway or not???

[Woodentop]

They are good value in Germany but in Switzerland you need two, one for the car and one for the caravan. I found Germany a bit unsettling due to the speed of traffic on the motorways. I am used to watching out for coaches and prepared for the buffet as they pass but in Germany you get cars coming by at 120mph+ and the turbulence is quite bad.

You just keep an eye on your outside mirror for vehicles approaching with their left indicator flashing - that is the one nearest the central crash barrier. It is generally understood to mean 'get out of my way - I'm coming past at all costs.' When you see such just drift towards the hard shoulder to maximise the distance between you and the high speed nutter and there will be very little if any buffet effect.

 

[Tuningdrew]

Regarding your brake fade issue, firstly change your brake fluid and fit best quality pads. to my customers cars I prefer to fit manufacturers own or Pagid pads. replace the discs as well, worn discs don't dissipate heat so well
Then address your driving technique when descending long hills. Check with your handbook but I suggest your automatic Sante Fe is pretty much identical to my Sorento and you have the option to manually select gears by pushing the stick to one side when in D. You'll see the gear display change in the speedo from D to 6.By pushing the stick forwards or back you can manually change and hold a particular gear, the display will tell you which gear you're in. As you crest the hill push the selector from D into manual and pull the gears down a couple from 6th to 4th or 3rd, you'll feel the engine braking then all you need to do is dab the brakes occasionally to keep the speed down. Just keep an eye on the rev counter (Tacho) so as not to over rev the engine.Once at the bottom of the hill push the stick sideways again to switch back to full auto.

 

[Woodentop]

My route to Tuscany a couple of years ago was France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria and via the Brenner pass. I did look at going via Switzerland but of course you need a vignette for the car and one for the caravan. These are 38.50 euro each in 2017 but they will also cover the return journey. Austria will cost you 8.90€ for a 10 day one, plus the same on the way back. You only need one for the car, not the caravan.

Although I would not encourage anyone to break the law, realistically just about everyone towing on the German autobahns drives at least 90kph, (the Dutch nearer 120kph) simply to avoid holding up trucks as there are long sections where they are not allowed to overtake. You wouldn't be doing anything for Anglo-German relations if you stuck to 80kph. I've been through cameras and followed by police cars towing at 90kph and never been stopped. Looking at the cheaper fuel costs in Luxembourg and Austria I found this way worked out the cheapest all motorway route.

The Brenner pass has a separate toll of 8.5 euro's each way..

I think you will find the Brenner Highway has the toll, the Pass is the old road and is free but not a very nice drive!

 

[JonnyG]

My route to Tuscany a couple of years ago was France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria and via the Brenner pass. I did look at going via Switzerland but of course you need a vignette for the car and one for the caravan. These are 38.50 euro each in 2017 but they will also cover the return journey. Austria will cost you 8.90€ for a 10 day one, plus the same on the way back. You only need one for the car, not the caravan.

Although I would not encourage anyone to break the law, realistically just about everyone towing on the German autobahns drives at least 90kph, (the Dutch nearer 120kph) simply to avoid holding up trucks as there are long sections where they are not allowed to overtake. You wouldn't be doing anything for Anglo-German relations if you stuck to 80kph. I've been through cameras and followed by police cars towing at 90kph and never been stopped. Looking at the cheaper fuel costs in Luxembourg and Austria I found this way worked out the cheapest all motorway route.

The Brenner pass has a separate toll of 8.5 euro's each way..

I think you will find the Brenner Highway has the toll, the Pass is the old road and is free but not a very nice drive!

motorway. The brenner Motorway indeed does have the toll. unfortunately these days people do use the term brenner pass in the context of the Toll Brenner Motorway.. Personally i have always found the brenner pass [meaning the non toll brenner pass an extremely enjoyable drive, both ways, numerous times . but of course i was not towing ,although i cannot imagine it being too bad a job towing. the road is wide only a small amount of switchback's and the gradient isn't that bad..Never the less if i was towing i'd use the Brenner toll motorway.

 

[emmerson]

If you have the time ignore all motorways. Much more interesting and enjoyable drive without them.