Overseas Touring

[MJ2]

I have recently lost my wife of 50yrs + I am considering touring in France. As a lone driver I can see many problems, not least the difficulty in overtaking. Any tips please.

Mac

 

[emmerson2]

MJ, two tips I've learned whilst in Europe.

1) Use dual carriageways as much as possible when towing if you're nervous about overtaking.

2) Stay well back from the vehicle you're about to overtake, as this will give you a longer view ahead.

3) Use a large powerful car, which will accelerate swiftly.

4) Enjoy France. It's a lovely country.

My commiserations on your loss. I've never been in your position, but I'm told that life does go on.

 

[ValA.]

I'd agree with what Emmerson says - but also the reassurance that in general French roads are much less busy than British roads, and also French drivers are more likely to be overtaking you than letting you overtake them! I know this is a generalisation, and obviously there will be occasions when you need to overtake, but it's not like driving in British traffic.

Time your journeys, too. HGVs are 'off-road' for most of the weekend, except those with refrigerated cargos, so there is also less likelihood of a slow-moving HGV going up the hill in front of you. Also, between 12 and 2 lots of HGVs seem to stop for lunch, so it's a good time to travel (but not a good time to try to find space on a service area to have your own lunch), so eat earlier, and drive through that time. On dual carriageways on hills there is often a slow-vehicles lane, which keeps traffic moving, too.

Your main problem will be drivers seeing a caravan in front and trying to overtake you just as you're pulling out. As Emmerson says, stay well back, and accelerate quickly!

 

[RayS]

As usual good advice from Val, all I would add is to ensure you have good extension mirrors, ideally with flat glass to avoid the difficulty of assessing the speed of overtaking vehicles. Make sure you can get really good vision down (our) nearside. The milenco Grand Aero are excellent in this respect and extension arms are available if your van is much wider than your towcar.

If you haven't already got one, I would fit a mover to the van which will avoid reversing on site and also gratly ease turning the outfit round should you miss a road somewhere.

If you refuel at Supermarkets look for the 24/24 pumps which take a credit card as the exit from these is usually easier than having to go past the kiosk to pay and you don't have to leave the outfit unattended.

 

[ValA.]

Another tip, not related to driving, is to have a look at www.campingcheque.co.uk, www.campingcard.com, or www.vacansoleil.co.uk/soleil-cheques/ - all of which offer bargains on site prices. All offer a pitch for a night, with car and caravan plus awning, and electricity. The costs vary between

 

[MJ2]

Overseas touring

Many thanks for all your replies. Your comments and tip are most useful and are very much appreciated

Mac