Wtd: Advice For Caravanning In France, Plus Some Site Recommedations

[ATB]

All

 

I've started towing with my Galaxy this year and have had some very successful trips away in the UK already.

 

I'm now looking to go over to France in summer 2007 and would welcome any advice anyone has on:

 

Travelling via ferry or Eurotunnel

Driving in France with a caravan attached

Sites in France near to Disneyland Paris - preferably akin to 'CL' sites in the UK (if such a thing exists)

 

I'll be towing a Bailey Ranger 550/6 (23' long) with my 1.9 115PS Gal.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice provided...

 

ATB

[Guest MATT jr]

weve just done spain and back, you will enjoy it, as long as you keep yourselves safe.

 

make sure youve got a good set of tyres (both on car and van)

brakes are equally important

 

take a tool kit, which includes some engine oil (you may use more oil then usual when towing in france)

 

in france (i think?)

you need to have...

a spare bulb kit

TWO (yes two) warning triangles

Fluorescent jacket

a 1st aid kit

 

...think thats it, but memory is giving in already.

 

dont stop on service stations or "pull ins" on the motorways.

always stay on a campsite.

 

if your a member of the caravan club, they can sort you out with campsites to stop on along the way.

 

we went by P&O ferry, purley because we dont like the idea of being under the sea, in a concrete tube.

 

towing in france,,, mmmmmmmmm, act thick and you will blend right in!

 

other than keep on the wrong side of the road, theres nothing worry about really.

 

make sure you have all your legal bits in place etc,,,, also check your insurance covers you fully comp abroad,,, ours didnt, cost an extra

[tim-spam]

which includes some engine oil (you may use more oil then usual when towing in france)

TWO (yes two) warning triangles

Better still - buy your oil in France. Castrol TXT 505.01 is sold at Norauto for less than

[Sher]

(1) Always take a PC with you and select sites if you can with Internet connection.

 

AND

 

ALWAYS

 

(2)require the replacement parts used (with packaging) to be returned to you.

 

When your car breaks down (or anything else that is) then you can access this forum to tell you what the problem is!!!

 

Why do I say this?

 

Recent experience at 63000 miles 4years 1month. Galaxy Ghia 1.9Tdi 115bhp.

 

 

The hydraulic mechanism used as the clutch release bearing is neat, compact and expensive to replace.

 

It has to be the Achilles heel of the Galaxy as the most difficult, expensive replacement for what used to be a relatively simple cheap problem.

 

4 hours Labour at least and possible Cluth replacement. Clutch looks OK to me with plenty of meat on it and uncontaminated with with Hydraulic fluid. Meths should be able to remove any hydraulkic fluid anyway. But that was what was diagnosed.

 

 

Originally the Ford (Spanish) garage said the Flywheel needed changing 99% certainty but (2) stopped that nonsense.

 

Hopoe everything was put back but from my past experiences with garage personel I ave little confidence that everything is 100%.

 

Will have to wait some days before moving on.

[BIGRUPE01]

Hi ATB

 

Have a look at this site i use it to plane and book are carvan trips away

GOOD SITE

 

i hope this help you :D

[tim-spam]

The hydraulic mechanism used as the clutch release bearing is neat, compact and expensive to replace.

 

It has to be the Achilles heel of the Galaxy as the most difficult, expensive replacement for what used to be a relatively simple cheap problem.

This type of combined clutch release bearing / slave cylinder is now very common and, to be fair, usually very reliable. But, yes, it is a little long-winded to replace when the time comes. When the clutch needs to be replaced, always insist that the release bearing / slave cylinder is also replaced at the same time.