Using ViaMichelin for route planning
Browsing through some discussions on here about various satnavs, it got me thinking about ViaMichelin, which I always use for initial route planning before we set off. (Car has built-in satnav).
On VM, when the ‘caravan’ box is ticked, I can see the effect it has on such as timings, length of journey, etc, but does it actually take into account the suitability of the road for towing a caravan? I’ve never been able to discern a difference, but that could be because the routes I am testing are perfectly suitable, so wouldn’t show as different.
anyone found a difference, or know what functionality the caravan box tick actually has?
Comments
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I thought that in addition to route planner Via Michelin also worked out the tolls. As you generally have to pay Class 2 tolls when towing a caravan perhaps that is the reason?
David
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David is right - the main effect is to alter the cost of the tolls because a car towing a caravan will pay Class 2 rates, compared to a solo car at Class 1 (so around a third more). However, it also adjusts fuel costs and time taken........! It will also not direct you on a route with headroom less than about 3 metres (there are some) but it won't give you a route specifically chosen as 'caravan friendly'.
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I have always thought that but I have just plotted a route to Portsmouth with and without the caravan and the fuel costs were no different.
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You're right - both the viamichelin.co.uk, and the viamichelin.fr don't change fuel consumption with a caravan on the back! They most certainly used to do - adding quite a margin for the caravan! I have been in touch with Michelin before when I discovered errors, so I may email them this evening and ask why this important function is not working now!
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Were the routes or distances any different between the two? If they were the same it would suggest that beyond tolls the use of caravan just seems cosmetic. Having said that most people using a route planner would tend to use it to work out the total journey rather than parts that might be difficult, although it may well highlight the more interesting parts of the route! A sat nav should be better at avoiding difficult parts of the journey especially if it's a dedicated caravan one.
David
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No David, the routes were no different but the timing is i.e. first route is 2hrs 43 or with a caravan 3hrs 02.
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Which suggests they make an allowance perhaps for the speed difference?
I still use MSAutoroute for planning my trips, fortunately it still works in Windows 10. VM was one of the earlier route planning websites and I expect it has been overtaken by the likes of Google Maps?
David
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Just last week we asked viamichelin for a route from Amboise to Neufchatel en Bray because we had read on here that the N154 had been closed between Chartres and Dreux. VM gave us a route up the very same closed section! When we clicked on the map of the route and then selected 'show blocked routes' the blocked section was then marked on our recommended route!! How unsatisfactory.
We then told our 'CoPilot' satnav to avoid that section and all was well.
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Its useful to look at the toll or no toll differences. Sometimes the no toll route takes considerably longer. Looking at the cost v the time gives you the chance to weight up your options. One route in Northern Spain would have been 3 hours longer on non tollroads but only 13.90 for the toll. Paid up and had 3 hours more to look around at my next stop.
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If you use google maps in the UK it gives you alternative routes and times based on traffic conditions. Although Garmin and other SatNavs have traffic information they don’t seem to use that information very well. SatNavs are great when you are on the move but it will be many years before they are really irreplaceable. For one thing they have no “learning” capability and just reuse the same algorithms every time.
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I too use Autoiroute for planning purposes. The maps are correct upto 2013 so are missing more modern roads but with the database of ACSI sites superimposed it makes initial planning simple.
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