Italy

[wotme]

The wife and I hope to venture across the Italian boarder for the fist time next year heading for the Dolomite mountains. Just a bit concerned if our 2007 Elnagh coach built will cope with the mountain roads. Hopefully the roads will be clear of snow by the time we get going in April May. If you have travelled in this area is there anywhere you can recommend as a must see or any roads that are too dodgy and not worth the risk of fading brakes. Thanks guys in advance

 

[Robert Clark]

You’re likely to see road signs saying that snow chains are a legal requirement between mid October and Mid April
Not sure if this is enforced

 

[Two on Tour]

 

[TerryL]

Took a 40ft coach up into the Dolomites (not the Sella pass mind, it would have been closed) a couple of times - in Winter! Don't think you'll have much problem, use common sense and heed any snow chains warnings.

 

[busby]

You won't get fading brakes if you use your gears..BUSBY?

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[Kirsten]

Went to Italy this year in our old [beloved] van... that is reason we have a new van now.
We drove to Elba and stayed there -looping near Monte Carlo [went for day on train from campsite] I am a grade A scaredy-cat and hate heights- the roads in Italy gave me the horrors- sheer drops at times on the Motorway bridges and our van was in first gear a lot of the time on the smaller roads Well most of the time to be exact. Have driven in the French Alpes a lot and found that easier ; but Italy is beautiful and woudl go back in new improved-engine van...

 

[DBK]

If you drive south from Innsbruck you can go over the Brenner Pass which is about the lowest available into Italy. The steepest bit on these passes is almost always the inside of right hand hairpins. The trick is to spot these points before you get to them and after checking nothing is coming down, slowing if necessary to aim for a gap, swing out left and take the bend wide.

Where you go when you get there depends on your interests. The DK Eyewitness guide to Italy has a whole section on this area.

 

[Offagain]

You’re likely to see road signs saying that snow chains are a legal requirement between mid October and Mid April
Not sure if this is enforced

In March 2017 we drove an ex British Gas van to Greece with a load of boaty stuff in the back. We didn't have the motor home then.
Anyway, we were heading for Ancona port to get the ferry to Igoumenitsa and it was snowing really hard. As we pulled off the motorway the police were stopping everyone and checking for either snow tyres or chains. Those who had chains weren't allowed to proceed until they had put them on. There were a lot of vehicles parked up and abandoned as apparently they didn't have either. We had snow tyres on the van (excellent forward planning by the skipper) which were checked and we continued to the port. At which point the port was closed due to the weather and the ferry cancelled

 

[Ridgeway]

April there will be snow for sure on most passes, the main ones will always be clear though as it's unlikely (not impossible) that there will be that much new snow fall, anything above 2,000m needs checking before travel. Check the weather, take your time and enjoy a nice cuppa on the top of where ever you end up, most vans seem to handle these routes as well if not better than cars, i certainly enjoy them more in the van than in my car.

I would avoid Sella in April, i believe it has restricted access anyway.

All the big passes will be open, almost all year around, Brenner, Simplon, Gottard, St Bernard.

Furka is always more of a question mark, more often shut for +3.5t than the others above.

If you're looking for an alternative then take the BLS train from Brig to Iselle and avoid the passes, it will squeeze a 3.2m tall van on, just....

 

[scotzsue]

If you're looking for an alternative then take the BLS train from Brig to Iselle and avoid the passes, it will squeeze a 3.2m tall van on, just....

blast ours is 3.2

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[Ridgeway]

blast ours is 3.2

It will fit, just breath in, we did although the width is also important. To say it was tight..... but we got on and had a brew whilst on the train down to Iselle.

 

[DBK]

blast ours is 3.2

Let some air out of the tyres and you'll be fine.

 

[scotzsue]

Have taken a note to discuss later. Thanks

 

[Podney]

Let some air out of the tyres and you'll be fine.

And maybe better grip too!

 

[7735]

i don’t know about snow as we haven’t been there at that time but I don’t think you will have any problems with the gradients, up or down. The main thing to watch out for are Italian drivers, got to be some of the worst and most impatient in Europe.

spongy

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[Dorwyn]

The wife and I hope to venture across the Italian boarder for the fist time next year heading for the Dolomite mountains. Just a bit concerned if our 2007 Elnagh coach built will cope with the mountain roads. Hopefully the roads will be clear of snow by the time we get going in April May. If you have travelled in this area is there anywhere you can recommend as a must see or any roads that are too dodgy and not worth the risk of fading brakes. Thanks guys in advance

I went across the San Gothard Pass in preference to the Gothard tunnel and thought it was easy and enjoyable, no really steep stretches, not many hairpins. There's also the one that ends up on Lake Maggiore and that was easy. My 2.3 fiat engine coped very well, also privious 90 bhp Renault. Might you be overthinking it? If you're going into the Dolomites, you'll be on mountain roads anyway.

 

[wotme]

Thanks everyone for your replies, especially your links "Two on Tour" very helpful.
A slight change of plan as just found out my lad will be competing in the 2020 Austrian Iron Man event so we will be doing the Dolomites either before or after that in July.