First Trip to Europe

njward

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Hello,

We have been campervan owners now for about 5 years and have travelled extensively in the UK. We are now planning our first trip to Europe, probably France, Spain and Portugal but very loose plans depending on the weather and how we feel.

could I get some advice on what we must have for then van and what people would recommend to help us on our maiden European tip.

We have a Peugeot Boxer conversion.

Thanks

Nick
 
Lots of seasoned European van travellers in here and over on motorhomer.com.

Unfortunately I’m not one! (although also hoping to make it over there for the first time this next winter 🤞🤞)

Hopefully some of the more well-travelled will be along to make some suggestions… although many of them are over there enjoying themselves right now, so don’t hold your breath as info might be sporadic! 👍 😉😂
 
If it’s your first time driving in Europe my advise would be to book a site for the first night, not too far from where the ferry/tunnel gets in and then you can be sure to feel settled, fill you water, drain the grey and black waste etc, maybe talk to other motorhomes etc.

You should take a high viz vest for each person, a European accident form, and a first aid kit. Personally I don’t bother with beam deflectors but you should carry some even if you don’t use them just incase. Ignore the French breath tester rule, they don’t pay any attention to it.

Bip and go may be a good idea depending on where your going and preference of roads.

In general you’ll find using aires or wild camping isn’t an issue.
 
1. V5 original
2. UK Driving Licence
3. GHIC + separate Travel Insurance
4. Warning Triangle
5. Spare Spectacles
6. Crit Air Emissions Sticker ( accepted in Spain)
7. Hi Vis Vests accessible from inside the Cab
8. UK Vehicle Insurance Documents
9. Spare Bulb Kit
10. Ring 930 Tyre Inflator (reach all wheels from Vehicle Bonnet up to 7.5m Van)
11. Spare Wheel or Tyre Gunge
12. Tool kit plus Gaffer Tape and WD40 + Dry PTFE Spray (Toolstation cheap). Bag of washers for emergency repairs
13. Beam Deflectors
14. Mylpg.eu App + SfS/P4N Apps for Aires
15. Passports valid for at least 3 months after return date to UK
16. European LPG Adapters for refills
17. UK Nationality Plate
18. SatNav with latest map updates for W. Europe
19. Levelling Blocks
20. Google Translate
21. European Breakdown Insurance
22. European Road Atlas
23. Euro Currency and Debit/Credit Cards
24. Medication for 3 months
25. Phone Chargers + USB cables
26. Bikes, batteries, chargers + spare keys and bike locks. Bungees for luggage rack for shopping and robust shopping bags (also good for Launderette visits). Rucksack each for daily food shopping
27. Owner Manuals for Truma/Fridge
28. Spare Vehicle Fuses
29. Multi-Meter
30. External Screen Cover

Steve
 
I was in the same boat this time last year and you may find this thread both useful and a bit of a giggle, but it helped us tremendously and we're off again this year to see some of what we missed, it's great fun, just watch out for the intermittent speed cameras and more raised pedestrian crossing than I ever would have imagined possible, and some very odd right of ways in small towns.

We did a bit of Belgium by going Calais to Dunkirk, just turn left out of the ferry port, we had a quick look around and then back to France, on to Luxemburg, cheaper fuel, Switzerland is beautiful too Francs and €'s then back into France, we were there for the June landings and that area is pretty good too.
 
If you are not already the most important thing is to familiarise yourself with the best apps for finding stopovers. France and many other countries are very motorhome friendly particularly France. Lots of free Aires (motorhome only stop overs) just don't confuse the purpose built Aire de Camping cars in towns, villages and rural areas with the Aires on motorways which personally I would never stop on.

Search for sites is a good one as is Camper Contact but for France and the rest of Europe this has always been my go to site in the past. Not been myself since before the pandemic but we are off again this summer. Plenty of wild camping opportunities there also

www.campingcar-infos.com

CAMPINGCAR-INFOS

Les aires de services Campingcar-Infos
www.campingcar-infos.com
 
The other thing to decide is whether to go by ferry or through the tunnel. Lots of controversy on this and. I think, ends up being personal preference. Ferries to various points in France or to Spain, cut out a lot of driving and get you to the sun a bit faster. Or the tunnel which is quick, easy and flexible but involves more driving. And depends where in UK you start from too...
Park and ride at Canterbury is a good stop the night before if going from Folkestone or Dover.
 
We go by ferry, we also pay extra to go club, it's only about £18 I think (Liz does all that stuff, I'm only the driver) you get decent seats, not so many people, NO KIDS or pets, and the food, drink and booze is included, a few scrotes fill their bags up too, no one says owt.
 
I don't think its been mentioned but what about Gas? You dont say how long you are going for or when but if you are going off grid a lot and are away for a good while you might want to consider refillable LPG like Gaslow as the funny foreigner bottles are different to ours. No calor etc.
 
Plenty of reading and info on here Nick. The search button is your friend. Great list Steve. May I add, in Spain, a flashing beacon is now required instead of triangle and a UK sticker to go on rear. (UK on plate is not enough)
Something I learnt yesterday, if towing any sort of trailer a fire extinguisher is requ. in towing vehicle.
 
I always put my wristwatch on the "other" wrist.

This feels different and reminds me to drive on the "Wrong" side

marchie said:
1. V5 original
2. UK Driving Licence
3. GHIC + separate Travel Insurance
...
29. Multi-Meter
30. External Screen Cover

Steve
Click to expand...
31 EU adapter for EHU cable
32 Polarity test plug
33 Polarity reverse cable
34 LPG fill adapter (if using refillable)
35 Lists
a) speed limits for each country (solo & towing if applicable)
b) fuel prices by country.
c) medication / allergies
d) UK contacts (including GP)
 
Jo001 said:
I don't think it's compulsory yet, but it's a good idea to have one.
Click to expand...
Flashing light
I looked on Amazon one. Found a cheap one, even cheaper by buying two.
Downside? It didn’t have the gps function required by the Spanish authorities

I’ll wait and see if when it becomes mandatory.
 
r4dent said:
I always put my wristwatch on the "other" wrist.

This feels different and reminds me to drive on the "Wrong" side


31 EU adapter for EHU cable
32 Polarity test plug
33 Polarity reverse cable
34 LPG fill adapter (if using refillable)
35 Lists
a) speed limits for each country (solo & towing if applicable)
b) fuel prices by country.
c) medication / allergies
d) UK contacts (including GP)
Click to expand...
Medication is Item 24 on my (shortened) list! Things like fuel prices are a moot point, because they change so often, and a Repsol branded Station is likely to charge much more than a supermarket or Petrobas or similar Discounter. The Repsol is probably more likely to have LPG, but the myLPG.eu App will give the details

Steve


Steve
 
It never ceases to amaze me how few people recommend the WildCamping Location App for finding overnighting locations in France and Iberia. It incorporates numerous excellent wilding locations as well as some official aires. Along with https://www.campingcar-infos.com/view.php as recommended by @barryd , that is my go-to reference for France. Both also have coverage of Iberia and CCI has good coverage of numerous other European countries.
 
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