towing in europe

andyxs · 01 February 2007, 18:26

can anyone offer any advice for towing a rib across france. its a 6.5m rib. which is the best ferry company to use. dos anyone know of a breakdown service that covers europe and a big trailer. and dos anyone have an idea of the mpg that a 300tdi discovery would return towing a boat. thanks
Andy

Pete7 · 01 February 2007, 18:45

Andy, when I lived in Europe I had the AA European cover just incase. Our last trip down to Brittiany we just checked the brakes and bearings and took spare bearings, with a decent jack. My 300 TDI Auto did 25 mpg towing 2 tonnes.

Pete

Jono · 01 February 2007, 18:46

Just booked a crossing with P'nO Dover/Calais for July. Total length of tow and trailer is about 50' and somewhat tall. Travelling in the wee small hours took the price down from £350 each way

to £90 each way

... so use their website diligently..

Get the trailer bearings changed, tyres checked and brakes overhauled…. not a lot to go wrong with a trailer. <edit>..like what Pete7 said..AA will recover vehicle, but not trailer, but they will recover vehicle and tow trailer.. does that make sense? At least that’s what my insurance policy offers.. give ‘em a call.

codprawn · 01 February 2007, 19:15

Andre would also be a good person to ask - he's done the trip many times.

As to towing with a 300tdi I find I actually get BETTER mpg when towing as I keep my speed down - diesel 4x4s aren't at their best at 95mph everywhere!!!

I reckon on about 25 to 26mpg towing - maybe a bit more.

PeterR · 01 February 2007, 19:34

Out of interest whats your destination

Jeff · 01 February 2007, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterR

Out of interest whats your destination

Do tell

I am doing similarly in June ...... Sheffield to Ancona (IT) and then ferry to Igoumenitsa (Gr) and onto Paxos.
Just thought it would make a change form the plane !

Jeff

Andre · 01 February 2007, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Andre would also be a good person to ask - he's done the trip many times.

As to towing with a 300tdi I find I actually get BETTER mpg when towing as I keep my speed down - diesel 4x4s aren't at their best at 95mph everywhere!!!

I reckon on about 25 to 26mpg towing - maybe a bit more.

You of course have in mind crossing on the ferry

I have a Disco TDI300 and have towed a Parker 630 and 750 diesel from Poland. Mind you not at the same time. Fuel consumption about right. Good cruising speed 50 MPH going up to 60.

Don't forget your retroflective vest cos that is compulsory.

I think you can get a better deal when you actaully turn up at the terminal

andyxs · 01 February 2007, 20:12

im going to a place called nautic almata in spain in the summer with some m8s. just gestimationg costs etc. its some of the best kitesurfing in europe and the big bonus is there is a marina built around the campsite. camping with your boat infront of you brilliant weather etc. lookin 4ward to it.

Millermob · 01 February 2007, 20:21

Last June we towed the boat down from Chesterfield down to dover in about 4 hours went across on P&O had a good deal on at the time and stopped over in Calais over night. We then set off at 6.30am and headed for St Tropez.

Arrived at 8pm that day, fantastic roads cruising at about 60mph didn't stop once for traffic and averaged about 25/26 mpg in a 2.7 disco 3.

If anyone's looking to go to the South of France, you should definately look at Port Grimaud in the Bay of St Tropez. Great place, villas with mooring at the end of the garden, 2 minutes to St Tropez by boat, brilliant experience.

Freddie

davetpk · 02 February 2007, 14:53

I booked last week for Fri Jul 13 9pm / Sat Jul 28 10pm return Dover Calais for 4x4 and 7m rig x 3m tall and got £172 but changing times by just an hour could treble the price with P&O ! Also their webiste confirmation does not confirm the trailer booking but I rang them and it is a known glitch.

Also arranging a data tag delivery (sanef.com) to my UK address for the Autoroute tolls - plastic box on the windscreen for 30 Euro deposit and all tolls billed automatically to UK credit card so no waking the passenger to pay the toll booth or running round the otherside of the car !

Dave

davetpk · 02 February 2007, 14:59

I booked last week for Fri Jul 13 9pm / Sat Jul 28 10pm return Dover Calais for 4x4 and 7m rig x 3m tall and got £172 but changing times by just an hour could treble the price with P&O ! Also their webiste confirmation does not confirm the trailer booking but I rang them and it is a known glitch.

Also arranging a data tag delivery (sanef.com) to my UK address for the Autoroute tolls - plastic box on the windscreen for 30 Euro deposit and all tolls billed automatically to UK credit card so no waking the passenger to pay the toll booth or running round the otherside of the car !

Dave

Ian M · 02 February 2007, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyxs

dos anyone know of a breakdown service that covers europe and a big trailer. thanks
Andy

Andy,
just been through the recovery service debate and on recommendation I'm using Britannia. The total length of your trailer has to be less than 8m, and fitted with a standard 50mm ball hitch. Their website states that trailers are covered, and when I questioned them they confirmed that they will recover a broken trailer, even if the tow vehicle is unaffected. They do offer european coverage, and from memory it is not too pricey.