Spare Bulbs (1 Viewer)

[Jimbo50]

Is it a legal requirement to carry spare bulbs for the MH when travelling in France?
We are now planning our first ever MH trip to France at the beginning of June.
Although we live in Cornwall (and as the OH really can't do Ferries whether calm or not), we are going via the tunnel. I know 350 miles extra travel! But I'm sure it will be just part of this exciting venture.
Any and all advice about travel timings would also be welcomed.

 

[Boringfrog]

http://www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/driving-abroad/

 

[Jimbo50]

Thanks for the link Boringfrog.

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[rangi]

Spare bulbs, Vehicle Docs, Hazard Triangle, A fluro vest for every occupant, AND! not sure about this one, they could have put the brakes on this one, 2 Breathalizers

 

[Reallyretired]

Breathalysers not required and haven't been for some years.
Technically they are required but no penalty for not having them and will never be required to use one.

 

[treetops1]

I still got my breathalysers just in case somewhere in the van lol.

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[rangi]

Breathalysers not required and haven't been for some years.
Technically they are required but no penalty for not having them and will never be required to use one.

Thanks for that Rr , I wasn't sure if they were required or not, seem to remember there was a lot of hoo haa about wether to carry them or not.

 

[magicsurfbus]

Although we live in Cornwall (and as the OH really can't do Ferries whether calm or not), we are going via the tunnel. I know 350 miles extra travel! But I'm sure it will be just part of this exciting venture.

Road miles are always cheaper than ferry miles, especially if you stop overnight somewhere cheap like Canterbury P&R. The Tunnel's not a huge amount more than the ferry.

I think the reflective vests are supposed to be within easy reach of the wearer, ie not stashed in the boot. Breathalysers need to be RF approved and in date, should you choose to carry them.

Headlight beam deflector stickers should be fitted.

If your MH has a decent-sized boot, leave it easy to inspect on the way back, not overstuffed - ours was checked twice last week at Calais port, presumably for illegal passengers.

 

[Riverbankannie]

For tunnel timings, I would suggest a late evening crossing and then plan to stay cite Europe overnight. There is a good video on here somewhere of the route to drive to get from tunnel exit to the aire. Then you have a relaxed next day to get on with your holiday.
Canterbury always seems a little out of the way when coming from south west but that would be one alternative if you wished to stay this side overnight.
Reverse coming home, stay near tunnel night before and then early crossing and have most of day to drive back home.

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[Jimbo50]

Thanks all for your help. As a side note ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff (our closest) on the days planned to travel costing £525. Tunnel with Riverbankannie's suggested timings Less than £200. So plenty of diesel and short holiday this side.

 

[The Wino]

Enjoy the trip its a good idea having the spare bulbs anyway we got a transit specific set that come in a cheap cardboad box off ebay dead cheap forget the breathalysers no fine if you don't have themno-one bothers if you need the reflective vests screwfix do them fairly cheap or £4 at ikea ignore the AA and RAC ads they still try to say you need the breathalysers you do need the reflective triangl for breakdowns. We have a space under the passenger seat where the stuff lives all the time so we dont forget.

 

[Microchip]

For tunnel timings, I would suggest a late evening crossing and then plan to stay cite Europe overnight. There is a good video on here somewhere of the route to drive to get from tunnel exit to the aire. Then you have a relaxed next day to get on with your holiday.
Canterbury always seems a little out of the way when coming from south west but that would be one alternative if you wished to stay this side overnight.
Reverse coming home, stay near tunnel night before and then early crossing and have most of day to drive back home.

Just what I was about to say....good advise...

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[denisejoe]

Has anyone tried to use the breathalysers blew in the bag once but couldn't break the end of the glass so useless?

Joe

 

[Spriddler]

I've carried the same set of spare bulbs in my car and m/home for years but whether I could fit them is another matter. Furthermore I doubt that a gendarme would know if they were the right ones or not. I certainly don't. On my car I'd have to jack it up, remove wheel and inner mudguard and have a triple jointed hand to fit the new bulb. If I had a bulb fail I'd probably take it to a garage anyway.

 

[Reallyretired]

I carry bulbs, first aid kit, triangles x2, hi vis for everyone including the dogs. I doubt if I could change most of the bulbs though.

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[The Wino]

As long as you have a set to wave it doesn't matter ( they somtimes have them on special at Aldi)