Italy in January (1 Viewer)

[John & Joan]

Well we have had a nice few days wilding down to Preston from the North East however while travelling there we had our generator fail again. So after repairs to the rear heater (Truma S3000) we set off to Birmingham instead of Dover to get it serviced. That turned into BAD news as the bearings had gone slack and were allowing the shaft to contact the motion sensors and when it did the motor stopped. We thought it was getting a bit noiser than it used to be. Well they replaced the two outer bearings and a piston as the top ring was seized and they were not able to free it. They could not get at the centre bearing or big ends as these are sealed onto the crankshaft and con rod at the factory as one unit. On reassembly it ran but there was still a lot of vibration. Conrad Anderson contacted the Gasparini factory for advice and were told to return it to them for service. This would need to have the whole generator put on a pallet to Italy by courier and the cost would be half the cost of driving to the factory in Bologna. So we decided to have them put the generator back in place on the motorhome.
After discussion we decided that our trip to the med would still happen but we would now turn left and head for Bologna to the Gasparini factory and Steve arranged for them to sort it out for us.

So this is where we need your help folks, as we haven't been to Italy before.

Route:
Dover to Calais then in arc north of Paris down to Marseilles turn onto the coast road round to Pisa in Italy then turning inland to Bologna.
We don't want to be travelling in snow or on roads that require snow chains over mountains. We have looked at the map and decided to head down France to the Med then turn left along the coast. Are there any places on this route that would need snow chains? (We are not taking the car and trailer). We will be using motorway most of the way on the route down.

Our Hymer is an old plodder which is the reason we are avoiding the mountains. We want to get down to the factory quickly so that we can then enjoy the rest of the trip returning in May the slow way.

We have fitted a BtoB charger so will be able to be off hookup so do not need sites as we will use Aires.

Thanks in anticipation

John & Joan

 

[stcyr]

Hi John & Joan. I used to go to Italy every week of the year a few years ago and occasionally used the route you're thinking of. No problems at all - I was in a 44 tonne artic so the Hymer'll be fine! :thumb:

(Lyon/Marseille/ventimiglia is about 330kms)

 

[hilldweller]

We did similar in Sept.

Stopped Diano Marino then Pisa.

You could the stop in Camping Michelangelo in Florence, admire the view then Bologna.

Great shame to do it in a rush and in January.

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[veevee]

When exactly are you travelling John & Joan?

 

[wivvy's dad]

Allow me to offer a slight alternative, but very scenic and no high routes.
From Lyon, head for Grenoble.
From Grenoble, take the N85 (Route Napoleon) south to Gap.
Keep following the N85, even after it turns off the Autoroute south of Sisteron, heading for Digne les Bains.
Stay on N85 right down to Grasse, where you can pick up the A8 coastal autoroute.

I've done this route many times (with variations), and can recommend it.

Any motorcyclists hereabouts will know it, or at least know of it, as it is consistently voted the best biking route in Europe.

 

[niggle]

Allow me to offer a slight alternative, but very scenic and no high routes.
From Lyon, head for Grenoble.
From Grenoble, take the N85 (Route Napoleon) south to Gap.
Keep following the N85, even after it turns off the Autoroute south of Sisteron, heading for Digne les Bains.
Stay on N85 right down to Grasse, where you can pick up the A8 coastal autoroute.


THIS ONE :thumb::thumb:

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[frogijock]

If you are going over the Massive Central mountain range (Millau viaduct route) in France it will very cold with heavy frost, most Aires will not have water (shut off for winter) the road should be clear,

 

[hilldweller]

to Bologna.
John & Joan

If you are an F1 fan don't miss the chance to visit the Ferrari factory just down the road.