French autoroute charges - classes/ heights!

[scottie58]

We are looking to change our van (Hymer 584, 2.85m tall) in the next 18 months for a bigger one as prep for a "gap year" ( better late than never!). The French autoroute toll classes are defined by height - up to 3m is class 2, above 3m class 3. Or do they just lump all motorhomes into class 2? Some of the vans we are eyeing will be 3m+ with the addition of a sat dish on top.

Anybody got firsthand experience of a 3m + tall van on the french peages?? Is it up to the tollbooth operator or is it automatic?

We only intend to use the toll roads very infrequently, but they are very handy at times.

 

[lebesset]

they have a height detector as well as a view of the number of axles ...over 3.5 tonnes is group 3 minimum
one italian motorhome was withdrawn from sale in france because it was 3.05 metre high !

if you are under 3 metres high but have antennae etc sticking up you will generally get away with it ...I have been told that the detectors on automatic booths will charge you class 3 , but have no experience of that ; class 1 is under 3.5 and less than 2 metres tall ..I had a pop top which was 2.1 metres tall...never , ever got away with class 1

it is not unknown for motorhomers to be asked to produce their log book to prove they are under 3.5 tonnes ; having said that the upgraded 3.5 tonners [ to 3.85 or 4.0 tonnes]still look as though they are under 3.5 and you will generally get away with that as class 2 as long as you ignore the legal requirement for stickers on the back showing the reduced speeds you are permitted if over 3.5

can't imagine why you would want to get something bigger than a 6 metre 584 unless you want to go and sit on campsites in your gap year , we have had from 4.5 to 8.5 , and find that 6 metres is the biggest we can squeeze in just about anywhere