Best Of
Re: Wheel Locks
Its a preposterous piece of engineering garbage that is only marketed to keep alko in the money as you need one every time you change the van.
Better designs have been marketed using a universal fitment to the chassis receiver but all have infringed alko patents and been withdrawn.
As an engineer I hate this with a passion, alko recommend jacking the van to fit the lock. Like I am going to jack the van on the other atrocity to engineering principles the alko side scissor jack!
just to add insult to injury, my latest van now has 5 holes of one size and 5 that are fractionally shorter so I now only have a choice of 50% of the holes to fit the lock, yes alko chose the longer hole!
And just to promote alko attempts to enter the engineering hall of total engineering incompetence they chose the lock fitment that fits one of the holes that has the valve so I am now down to a 40% chance of roughly lining up with a hole of the right shape that doesn't have a valve in it. This is beyond poor, it is not fit for purpose.
Somebody please design and sell a locking hub for conversion of the existing one so we can finally have a decent alternative to this garbage.
Phishing
Re: That ecological disaster just off our coast. Two ships collide.
It does seem there was no lookout at all on the freighter. TV news showed the bridge camera and the ship not deviating from its course. While I understand that changing course takes time, any attempt should show up on the camera and there was none. Hitting the tanker square on tends to show this.
It does look like here was no lookout on the anker either but other than send a radio message to the freighter and he coast guard, it is doubtful they could have done anything else.
I suspect the Russian captain is a red herring but you never know.
I doubt the insurers will have any choice here but to pay, but the history of the freighter with faults might be a problem.
Wildwood
5 ton RV MOT
I have a 20 yr old Phoenix Cruiser US RV, weighing around 5 tons. I am looking for any advice on where I could get this vehicle MOT'd. My previous MOT garage has closed down. I am based in Edinburgh, but will travel anywhere down to the Manchester Leeds area if necessary
Re: Ideas for a tour of the West Coast of France to Royan from St Malo
We spent an enjoyable few days around Carnac in 2023, taking in the standing stones. Lots of sites very close to stones and the seafront. We stayed at:-
Campsite 3★ Carnac with swimming pool | 500m from Men-dû beach
The Ile d'Re is well worth a spending some time on and great for cycling. We stayed at:-
Camping Camp du Soleil - CLICOCHIC à Ars-en-Ré, Poitou Charentes
We tried the quieter Il d'Oleron this year but did not it enjoy it as much.
If coming back "inland" you could try The Loire area. We favour around Amboise, east of Tours. Favourite site:-
Colin
Re: Vw transporter
Yes we have a T5 Transporter & been towing with it since September 2017 it’s a 2004 T28 1.9 AXC engine manual 5 speed gearbox it’s been remapped from 85hp to 140hp we have a 2003 Swift Charisma 550 & it tows quite well it can struggle slightly on hills but if you can predict the severity of the hills & get the gear changes correct it’s fine
I bought the T5 as a panel van & have fitted windows in the sides behind the front seats one on drivers side ones the one in the sliding door is fixed I have moved the double passenger seat into the rear & now have 2 single seats up front I have insulated the rear of the van to try & keep the heat down as we have 2 dogs & fitted a rotary extractor in the rear of the van roof
If you want anymore info don’t hesitate to contact me & I’ll try to help you
Jim Day
Re: Camping Cards
Both cards offer third party insurance, the ACSI for up to 11 campers. I’m not sure of what the maximum sum is however and I think the ACSI one has a 250€ excess.
SteveL
Re: First time going to France - all advice needed!
I know I've posted this on another forum, as the question on which crossing to use comes up frequently and there is no simple answer. but here goes:-
I've just done the number crunching on distances, times etc as a future guide. Looking at late August out, late Sept back, starting in Hatherleigh mid Devon and aiming for Limueil east of Bergerac in The Dordogne. We are 2 adults with car and caravan.
The initial obvious choice of a Plymouth crossing doesn't really pan out when you look at the results. It would seem in future I'd be looking at an a very early morning departure from Hatherleigh, take the Newhaven Ferry and then drive for an hour or so after arriving in Dieppe.
Hatherleigh to Plymouth - 1hr 15mins + 38miles
Brittany Ferries Plymouth to Roscoff crossing - night out with cabin, midday back = £520 inc friends and family disc’
Roscoff to Limueil - N12 & D939 = 10hr 7mins + 446 miles and zero tolls
Hatherleigh to Poole - 2hr 40mins + 112 miles
Brittany Ferries - Poole to Cherbourg crossing - 08:30 out and 18:15 back = £423 inc friends and family disc’
Cherbourg to Limueil - D939 & N162 = 10h 38mins + 424 miles and zero tolls
Hatherleigh to Newhaven - 4hr 50mins + 220miles
DFDS - Newhaven to Dieppe crossing - 09:30 out and 12:00 back = £263 - 20% over 60’s disc = £210
Dieppe to Limueil - D565 & D704 = 9hr 49mins + 408 miles and zero tolls
Hatherleigh to Folkstone - 5hr 20mins + 270miles
Eurotunnel - Folkstone to Calais - Typically £520 return
Calais to Limueil - A20 & A16, via Dreux = 9hr 54mins + 528 miles and tolls at Euro 43 [non tolls = +2hr]
I've done all the crossings except Poole to Cherbourg and each has there merits.
I was not surprised by the price differences in my 1/2 hour spent looking things up, but what I had not expected was how similar the journey times would be down to the Dordogne.
Colin
Re: First caravan Trip to France
I've also visited Les Ormes but it was before I had a child. I loved it! Beautiful site with lots to do. I also loved the the surrounding area and St Malo is not far. I definitely want to go back with my son!
Rowena
Re: First caravan Trip to France
We are also thinking of doing a similar trip with our soon to be 9 year old. It will probably be next year so if you do go this year I would love to hear all about it!
Here are some of the Overseas Campsites that we have that are not too far from Disneyland Paris. The reviews should help as well.
You can see all campsites in that regions and the map here too: Ile de France
Hope this helps. 🙂
Rowena
Re: First caravan Trip to France
Hi ken,
We have stayed at Des Ormes once to see what it was like after seeing all the good reviews. As Euror has hinted like any site it will be down to your personal needs and tastes-for us it was OK, but we wouldn't be going back.
Our pitch was bad, steep slope and muddy, but as it was only for a couple of nights, probably why were given it, we didn't bother moving. The site was still quiet, it was mid June, it lacked atmosphere and the high hedges dont do anything for interaction with fellow campers.
We visited Eurodisney in 2013 and stayed at Croix De Vieux Pont. We chose this so we could visit Chateau Pierrefonds, where the BBC TV series Merlin was filmed, our Grandson was a big fan, and also as they had a coach trip from the site to Paris and Eurodisney.
It was a great trip but we would prefer Le Puy du Fou for a family trip destination.
We use as many references as we can when looking for sites and there are many options. Our research is usuall via ACSI, the search for sites website/app and using Google maps to search for 'camping'.
Hope that you have a good trip!
