France 1st timers in the MH

Bruchel

Bruchel

Free Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2020
Posts
40
Likes collected
93
Location
Surrey
Funster No
73,670
MH
Swift Suntor 590 RS
Exp
Newbies
Bonjour!

We’ve just booked to take the MH to France - it’ll be our first trip outside of the UK in it. 😬
  • I know I need a ‘UK’ sticker now (rather than a GB one)
  • I think I need headlamp converter sticky things.
  • We’re not over 3.5t so don’t think we need ‘Angles Mortes’ stickers.
  • We’ll have 4 bikes on a tow ball mounted rack, but it seems the Red/White stripey board is ‘recommended’, not compulsory.
  • I’ve got 2 full 6kg gas bottles and we’re only going for a week…
  • I’ve ordered a ‘Crit Air’ sticker even though we’re not intending going anywhere near Paris or any of the other Cities.

BUT, what do we do about EHU cables? Am I right thinking that my standard blue 16a EHU cable won’t fit anywhere? What sort of adapter do I need? Is it one of these? https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/continental-conversion-lead-240v-site-plug-to-2-pin-plug.html

Have I missed anything else, or got anything above wrong? (Am I allowed anything in the fridge on the way out? 😉)

Thank you, oh learned ones. 🙏
 
Standard blue ehu cables fit generally everywhere but just in case get hold of a 2 pin adaptor.as you have linked.Never had to use one myself.
Just enjoy the week ,doubt if you will need hook up. (y)
If your not driving at night you won't need the headlamp adaptors either.
 
I've always used sticky tape/insulation tape on the basis that it looks like we are aware of their laws and have made an effort to comply. Never had an issue so far.

I did read somewhere that it doesn't matter if it's night time or not, you might need to use headlamps when it's raining etc during the daytime ..
 
Bruchel said:
Bonjour!

We’ve just booked to take the MH to France - it’ll be our first trip outside of the UK in it. 😬
  • I know I need a ‘UK’ sticker now (rather than a GB one)
  • I think I need headlamp converter sticky things.
  • We’re not over 3.5t so don’t think we need ‘Angles Mortes’ stickers.
  • We’ll have 4 bikes on a tow ball mounted rack, but it seems the Red/White stripey board is ‘recommended’, not compulsory.
  • I’ve got 2 full 6kg gas bottles and we’re only going for a week…
  • I’ve ordered a ‘Crit Air’ sticker even though we’re not intending going anywhere near Paris or any of the other Cities.

BUT, what do we do about EHU cables? Am I right thinking that my standard blue 16a EHU cable won’t fit anywhere? What sort of adapter do I need? Is it one of these? https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/continental-conversion-lead-240v-site-plug-to-2-pin-plug.html

Have I missed anything else, or got anything above wrong? (Am I allowed anything in the fridge on the way out? 😉)

Thank you, oh learned ones. 🙏
Click to expand...
When are you going? Tunnel or ferry? Exciting!!
 
Jimbohorlicks said:
If your not driving at night you won't need the headlamp adaptors either.
Click to expand...

You will, as you require to have your headlamps on in the rain on various roads and also in tunnels.

You will also have to carry a high-vis vest for each occupant of the vehicle accessible from within the vehicle and a spare set of bulbs for the vehicle.
Don't forget your warning triangle in case you breakdown as well.
 
Last edited:
Are headlight beam deflectors a legal requirement, or is it more the case that oncoming vehicles should not be ‘dazzled’?

I’m thinking specifically about LED headlights with manual adjustment. The LED lights themselves give a flatter beam cut-off compared to halogens with little or no kick up at the extreme spread to the (U.K.) near side. Add in the potential to manually adjust the angle of the lights to a lower setting and there’s little chance of dazzling oncoming traffic when driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road.
 
Orion said:
Are headlight beam deflectors a legal requirement, or is it more the case that oncoming vehicles should not be ‘dazzled’?

I’m thinking specifically about LED headlights with manual adjustment. The LED lights themselves give a flatter beam cut-off compared to halogens with little or no kick up at the extreme spread to the (U.K.) near side. Add in the potential to manually adjust the angle of the lights to a lower setting and there’s little chance of dazzling oncoming traffic when driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road.
Click to expand...

On the whole, UK dipped beams have a pattern that shines light to the UK nearside curb which on the continent will be into the path of oncoming traffic.
 
Two on Tour said:
On the whole, UK dipped beams have a pattern that shines light to the UK nearside curb which on the continent will be into the path of oncoming traffic.
Click to expand...

Agree with that for the usual halogen headlamps, but one vehicle I have with LED headlights has a very defined beam cut-off with no dazzle above that line or when looking head on from the nearside. Hence the reason for my question - are deflectors a legal requirement or is it more a case of an offence being committed if oncoming traffic is dazzled?
 
MisterB said:
've always used sticky tape/insulation tape on the basis that it looks like we are aware of their laws and have made an effort to comply. Never had an issue so far.
Click to expand...
OK on glass headlamps but bad news on plastic ones causes a heat build up and can distort the lens.
 
The offence is dazzling oncoming traffic.

Makes no difference night or day as others have mentioned. Tunnels, rain, etc. More to the point, why wouldn’t you for the small cost of about £8 it costs for the deflectors?

On mine it has a lever to change the direction so it’s free.

I also have a reverse polarity changeover lead. Not strictly necessary but it makes me feel better. 😄

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Orion said:
Are headlight beam deflectors a legal requirement, or is it more the case that oncoming vehicles should not be ‘dazzled’?

I’m thinking specifically about LED headlights with manual adjustment. The LED lights themselves give a flatter beam cut-off compared to halogens with little or no kick up at the extreme spread to the (U.K.) near side. Add in the potential to manually adjust the angle of the lights to a lower setting and there’s little chance of dazzling oncoming traffic when driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road.
Click to expand...
It probably depends largely on how good your French language skills are when it comes to arguing with the French policeman, who is about to issue you a roadside fine, for not having beam deflectors.:cool:
 
MisterB said:
I did read somewhere that it doesn't matter if it's night time or not, you might need to use headlamps when it's raining etc during the daytime
Click to expand...
this is true, they are still required
 
Googlebot said:
More to the point, why wouldn’t you for the small cost of about £8 it costs for the deflectors?
Click to expand...
£8.00 for the purchase, 2 minutes to put them on and a 3 year degree to understand the instructions of where they go.

We were in the queue to get on the ferry when the Welsh unexpectedly got through to a semi final in the football. I had to put on my deflectors and all these Welsh fans were trying and looking completely bemused with the instructions. I got out took one look at them (with all the welsh looking at me) and just placed them onto the headlights. One came up to me and asked how they went on so i showed him his, then another, then another.

I severely doubt any of them were put on in the right position, and I was thanked loads of times and am yet to bump into any of them.

That ll learn them for singing songs about us getting beaten by Iceland
 
suavecarve said:
£8.00 for the purchase, 2 minutes to put them on and a 3 year degree to understand the instructions of where they go.

We were in the queue to get on the ferry when the Welsh unexpectedly got through to a semi final in the football. I had to put on my deflectors and all these Welsh fans were trying and looking completely bemused with the instructions. I got out took one look at them (with all the welsh looking at me) and just placed them onto the headlights. One came up to me and asked how they went on so i showed him his, then another, then another.

I severely doubt any of them were put on in the right position, and I was thanked loads of times and am yet to bump into any of them.

That ll learn them for singing songs about us getting beaten by Iceland
Click to expand...
You put them on though, the Gendarme won’t have a clue either and that’s what counts. 😂

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Googlebot said:
You put them on though, the Gendarme won’t have a clue either and that’s what counts. 😂
Click to expand...
dam right. It looked good and I was in one of my mischievous moods when only me and the wife (who was disgusted by actions) knew what was going on.
 
Lenny HB said:
OK on glass headlamps but bad news on plastic ones causes a heat build up and can distort the lens.
Click to expand...
We have, on a Ducato, headlight protectors which have the correct areas to be covered printed on, ready for a couple of strips of tape. And of course there is a small gap between lamp and protector.
 
Our A Class has a lever behind each light that flattens the beam. It is an absolute knuckle scraping b******d to get to but when you get your hand in there it works. Adjusted them on my first trip to Europe in 2016 and have never moved moved them since. No comments on the MOTs about the flat beam.

Mind you we very rarely drive in the dark. At our age we are usually tucked up in bed :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:
 
Grasmere9 said:
When are you going? Tunnel or ferry? Exciting!!
Click to expand...
i am excited, wish me luck as you wave me gout by. or ad-ee -oos , just plane sailing oh not with p. and o. ok.pj p.s. she want let me go. oh no.
 
Red /white stripes board not required as long as your bike rack has a light board. side lights, winkers, etc. Have a good time.

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Two on Tour said:
You will, as you require to have your headlamps on in the rain on various roads and also in tunnels.

You will also have to carry a high-vis vest for each occupant of the vehicle accessible from within the vehicle and a spare set of bulbs for the vehicle.
Don't forget your warning triangle in case you breakdown as well.
Click to expand...
Hi Vis & Triangle ✅
Spare bulbs..... mmm, off to Halfords.. !
 
All these French requirements and yet they rarely ( if ever) check. Many newer MH have headlamp level adjusters, some can even be changed to driving on the right.
I was going to mention the issue of polarity changes - I have a polarity checking plug and a short cable that switches polarity. So a) mains cable, b) European two pin site bollard connector (if needed) and c) polarity changeover cable. Beware, some European sites don’t have an Earth point on their bollards - the polarity check plug will highlight this, it has three small lights and depending on the way the bollard is wired it lights up accordingly.
 
It's also worth getting a 16 amp to uk 3 pin converter as some uk pub stops offer electric but dont have 16 amp sockets.

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