Costs relating to the length of a motorhome?

CustomBuild

I am in the process of looking at camper vans and small motorhomes and one consideration is the ongoing cost of travel I might incur. I have seen some videos referring to the channel tunnel, boat and road tolls whereby a longer vehicle would cost more than a shorter vehicle per trip. I got the impression that there was some kind of price break at the 6 meter length. However, by checking the channel tunnel web site, I saw that one price category is for 5.5 meter to 8 meter vehicles. That length range would appear to cover most camper vans and small motor homes.

My question is, can anyone tell me if there are other size considerations for boats, tunnels, bridges and road tolls across the whole of Europe? At this stage I don't think it will be a make or break deal for me when buying a motorhome but I would feel more comfortable knowing in advance what difference in travel costs I might incur with a longer vehicle as opposed to a shorter one.

Thanks in advance.

Lutz

Each ferry operator has its own break points for length (and often height, too) so there is little point in concentrating on a single particular length limit if that is an issue for you when planning future trips to Europe. I don't know of any bridge or road tolls that are charged by length. The criterion is usually weight and/or number of axles.

CustomBuild

Thanks for your comments Lutz, that's all good to know.

Wherenext

I think Eurotunnel charge for length. Best checking if it's important to you.

Edit - Apologies, didn't engage brain before replying. I see you already know about chunnel.

DavidKlyne

I seem to recall that on Eurotunnel the price band for motorhomes was up to 10 metres, has that changed? 

I did recall reading somewhere that the bridge between Denmark and Sweden the best price was for motorhomes of 6 metres and under, obviously more for longer units.

David

CustomBuild

I was seeing one band for the channel tunnel as being 5.5m - 8m, although I have no idea when that may have changed.

Regarding the Oresund Bridge, that appears to be up to 10m for a motorhome or 15m for a car and caravan. I've been over/under several times in the past but never noticed the price. It's not cheap, but sure is a nice drive.

Lutz

The rates based on length for the Øresund bridge surprise me and must be an exception, probably because it's in direct competition with the Helsingør-Helsingborg ferry. I've only heard of tolls based on weight before.

DavidKlyne

Lutz

It surprised me a bit as well. It was a few years ago but I was doing some research on a visit to Denmark and Sweden. There are a lot of PVC conversions that are just under the 6 metre restriction and it seemed odd that anything a few cms longer would be charged double. Had we decided to go I don't think the price would have put us off as you have to accept that Scandinavia is more expensive than the rest of Europe.

David

hitchglitch

Weight is more important than length. More than 3500 kg requires a different licence and various restrictions in Europe. Height is important on French autoroutes but all Motorhomes are going to be minimum Class 2 anyway.

CustomBuild

I guess that is why so many European motorhome manufacturers highlight 3500kg, ie. their vehicles comply with that limitation.

Yesterday I saw a video of a couple driving through Austria and they had to buy some kind of electronic box with a pre-paid value to pay the road tolls. Their comment was that their motorhome was over 3500kg. 

I just took a look at the French autoroutes and 3m high appears to be a key number. I didn't see any reference costs although some text indicated that category 2 is not much more than category 1, while category 3 is typically quite a bit higher.

 

MoHoSinger

First vignettes for use on motorways in Switzerland and Austria. I have no experience of Austria. The Swiss vignette is a flat fee of 40 francs for use for 13 months 1st January one year to end of Jan the next. I think I am right in saying that the fee for 3,500kg plus is higher (as well as requiring a a C1 licence). There are no length restrictions but if you are towing a caravan or whatever you require a vignette for each of the towing vehicle and caravan.

Next to road fund licence - a vehicle plated at over 3,500kg requires a C1 licence but bizarrely you pay less for a road fund licence (£180 compared with £340). Go figure!! Given the £340 figure that I am paying it is worth SORNing for months of non-use.

And on to ferry fares. Each ferry company has its own charging structure and break points. You do not say where you are based. I am a fan of DFDS Newhaven-Dieppe. They give a discount of 20% for the entire booking if booked by a senior. Their categories include small motorhome - under 7 metres - and I fall into that category. I am typically paying just under £100 each way on DFDS (Two bookings this year).

In terms of overall cost of ownership (a) insurance is a significant factor (b) longer ferry journeys will require a cabin at cost.

Finally a 6 metre MoHo will fit in supermarket car parks etc. (OK you might want to look for a slot backing onto a grass verge or the like for perfection) However you are unlikely to receive parking tickets. That makes it possible to take the van off site during the day for day trips out. 7-8 metres plus and this becomes near impossible restricting your choice of sites to those with shopping facilities nearby or on a bus route (Personally I have a folding Ebike and use that for exploring locally leaving the van behind)

Hope that helps?

Chris

CustomBuild

Thanks Chris,

That does indeed help and I've made a note of several points.

Going off topic, could you share with me your reasons behind buying your Hobby as opposed to one of the many other brands out there?

Currently I'm planing to visit Caravan Salon, Dusseldorf this year to try and narrow down my search then hopefully make a decision. 

Ian