French Tolls in a Tag axle

[John and Jo]

Who has done the route down to the alps from Calais in a TAG axle van?

Looking for advice on costs using or avoiding etc from people who have done this in a tag axle.

We have a sanef tag thingy and always used that in past even thou we we're touch over 3.5t but I think we would be pushing it this time. I looks like we are now class 4 which if my research is anything to go by will be very expensive.

P.S. we are 5.2t, 8.6m but might just scrape in under 3m in height.

Cheers.

 

[funflair]

This issue usually turns into a "popcorn" thread, for sure you are officially class 4 and a cash cow for the French, some will say if you have a toll tag just use it you will be OK and if you are less than 3 metres you most likely will be, if you get pulled over you plead ignorance and just pay the inflated/correct fee for that journey, last time I read their T&C's they didn't seem to impose big penalties for transgression's.

I wouldn't do it if for no other reason that SWMBO wouldn't let me as she is a bit of a stickler for rules, we are only class 3 but at over 3.3 metres would not get away with it so we stick to the back roads.

Martin

 

[John and Jo]

Thanks yes I know and have read other threads but just wanted one of my own

Can you select what class you are at the auto booth? I have only even gone through on a doobry in the window.

 

[Lazyboy]

Push the call button at the booth and tell them, using your best French, that you are a camping car and Class 2. At most toll points they will adjust the fee down to class 2. We lost out at one this year when the very stubborn woman would not amend to class 2 but did go from class 4 to class 3.
This is at the unmanned booths but if they are manned doubt they will alter the fee because of height and number of axles.

 

[hchris]

Couple of years ago we only paid class 2 without asking
We are 7.8m long 3m high tag

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[GAVLAD]

We've been charged class 2, 3 & 4 in the past. (Tag axle 8.7m, 3.3m high)
We've always pushed the button and said we are a camper-car.
Most times, they have reduced it down but only twice have they stuck to their guns.
I remember queuing for about 30 mins just outside Angers for the toll which had about 18 booths.
We'd roughly calculated the fee and when it came to our turn the automated price flashed up for a class 4.
Being the cheeky tight ass Yorkshire folk we are, we pushed the button and said we're a class 2 camper car in our best French effort.
The lady said 'Non' and hung up.
We coppered up and then I dropped the coins. Some angry bloke came on the tannoy and bollocked us in French and we couldn't stop laughing out of embarrassment. My wife wanted to dig a hole! In the end the automated price adjusted to a class 2 and we couldn't pay it quick enough.
I think that the whole of France was behind us pipping their car horns and nobody would let us in when the 18 toll booth lanes filtered back into 3 lanes.
Happy days!
Last year we programmed the satnav to avoid tolls. At times, I wish we had just paid for a stretch due to small villages and diversions and road works.
You could put your route into viamichellin and it will calculate your tolls and then x3 for a class 4. That seems to be the average and then you'll have an idea.

 

[Jaws]

I know it aint for every one, but we avoid toll roads in France, just too darned expensive
Ask your self if you NEED to use toll routes

 

[John and Jo]

I know it aint for every one, but we avoid toll roads in France, just too darned expensive
Ask your self if you NEED to use toll routes

Yes I have been asking that very question and still not sure of the answer ....

 

[Jaws]

Yes I have been asking that very question and still not sure of the answer ....

We used tolls the first year we travelled. Haven't been on one since !

 

[boxerdog]

hi we had a tag and always had to pay class 4 ........Ian

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Polar bear]

Just back from Switzerland we went through Belgium, Luxembourg then south through France to basil used the non toll motorways through Belgium and the n roads in France paid no tolls at all.

 

[John and Jo]

I might go the "scenic" route then ...see how we go and then can always come back tolls.

 

[Jaws]

I might go the "scenic" route then ...see how we go and then can always come back tolls.

Cheaper fuel, hardly any difference in time and often shorter mileage !

 

[Reallyretired]

Our mh does better mpg on the slower roads, which together with cheaper fuel stations and often shorter distances make the whole thing more economical. The tolls are useful if time is critical though. More often use toll roads in Spain where they are cheaper.

 

[PJGWiltshire]

I think it has all been said regarding pressing the button.
We owned an 8.7mx3.1 tag until three years ago. Owned it for 7 years. The initial 4 to 5 years as the toll booths were mainly human on approaching the good people just let us be class 2.

As the booths have gone auto, its picking people over 3.0m and coming up class 4. This was happening to us and good lady just pressed the said button and was changed to class 2. Clearly we were winging it by getting class 2 camping car. Never once been challenged to pay class 4.
I took the view that if I ever was challenged and required to pay class 4, I would take it on the chin.
New van is just under the 3.0m height and no issues what so ever even though we are 4.5 ton

Remember one run from down near Serignan( on the med) all the way to Annesy in 2015, A very long run without intermediate payment. I remember thinking please not this trip for a class 4 challenge! well no challenge and thank goodness class 2 was 65 Euro

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[olley]

For us its always class 3 whether manned or autobooth, just come back Irun to Calais with a stop off in La Palmyre cost around £150. As for using them? For us its far quicker, I did the last leg La Palmyre to Calais, which is about 500 miles in 11 hours, noway could I have done that any otherway than on the tolls.

 

[John&Kate]

We are a TAG but have never been charged over class 2, which is great, but probably wont make a fuss if charged differently, it is what it is. We always use tolls

 

[Jim Schush]

We are currently in France and officially we are Class 3. I was dreading the additional cost however on route to Ile de Rae we have been classes has a class 2. On one occasion we took non toll roads and I think I have been flashed for speeding. On our route back to St Malo next week I will be keeping to the toll roads!

 

[Mikey RV]

We have travelled down through France and Spain the last four winters using some tolls. Tag axle, nine metres long three metres high and have always been charged class two.

 

[EssexBoy]

We were away at Easter for the first trip in our 8m tag and did the run from Calais to Lyon on motorways which cost us 180 euro in total in two stòps/payments. Both times we challenged the class 4 and both times refused..
So that's two strike outs in two...
We came back off motorway...

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[John and Jo]

they must be making a mint out of this.

 

[funflair]

We were away at Easter for the first trip in our 8m tag and did the run from Calais to Lyon on motorways which cost us 180 euro in total in two stòps/payments. Both times we challenged the class 4 and both times refused..
So that's two strike outs in two...
We came back off motorway...

I think if they were sensible and charged campers Class 2 they would actually get more business as Class 3 and especially class 4 is just plain silly.

Martin

 

[John and Jo]

Mind is pretty much made up for off motorway. I'll probably end up going wrong and end up on a toll. Aiming for Lac D'Orient then Annecy (do like a lake) then alps.

 

[Mr porky]

I think it’s a height thing.
We are 9m tag axle and we have never paid more than classs 2.
But we are only 3m tall.

 

[gus-lopez]

they must be making a mint out of this.

They charge tolls instead of road tax

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[John and Jo]

They charge tolls instead of road tax

well it stinks

 

[John and Jo]

Nah joking ..is what it is ..cheers guys good bit of info and food for thought

 

[TM59]

Go to the web site autoroutes.fr and put in your details.

For example.

 

[keithchesterfield2]

The only check at Peages are the height - if you have a Tag and are 3m or less you will be charged at Classe 2.
If you find when you get back to the UK that they've charged more then give them a ring or email and sort it out then.
Make life simple when on holiday.

 

[jongood]

You can help yourselves here because many of the French atlas and maps will show which roads are tolled or not and you can often save a bit of money by tailoring your route.

e.g. If you are travelling south from Rouen its much cheaper to use the N154 and A10 rather than A28

This is an excellent map to use for planning
Amazon product ASIN 2067228749

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}