8 ft wide caravan in the tunnel
I hope someone can give me some advice concerning 8ft wide caravans.
We always use the Chunnel when going to France and this year noticed that the space between the wheels and the walkway is a bit tight with a standard 7ft 6in van - about 6in per side.
We are seriously considering buying an 8ft wide new van and wonder if there are any problems in accessing and driving down the train carriages. As far as I can see Eurotunnel are silent on this.
Thanks in advance.
Comments
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There many buses on the Eurotunnel train over 8 foot wide - this one is 8feet 4inches wide --
https://i.postimg.cc/sDzS2T8K/BUS-WIDE.jpg
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Channel Tunnel says max width is 2.55 metres - which copes with tourist coaches - but I agree that is tight. The two big P&O Ferries to Calais, Spirit of Britain and Spirit of France, are enormous and might be worth your consideration as alternatives if you are concerned.
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Channel Tunnel says max width is 2.55 metres
slightly off piste but it might be worth checking what happens in the event of a breakdown and you have to be recovered via low loader, some breakdown companies have a 7 metre restriction on length including towing hitch, not sure re width
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Our previous motorhome was 8 foot wide and we had no issues in getting on/through/off the Shuttle Trains. We were once delayed by a broken down motorhome and eventually they just towed it off the Shuttle and probably parked it on the side to allow those behind to get off.
David
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Used the Chunnel many times with my 8' wide caravan. It's no problem whatsoever. Neither is it a problem getting breakdown cover - the 7 metre rule applies to all caravan bodies and doesn't include A frames with most companies. Neither is it a problem fitting on a Club pitch or towing down Cornwall's roads. Don't be put off by ignorant comments made on forums. If a Motorhome or Delivery van can get down the road - so can you. BTW There are much bigger vehicles using the Chunnel than an 8' wide caravans.
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Neither is it a problem getting breakdown cover - the 7 metre rule applies to all caravan bodies and doesn't include A frames with most companies.
I know you said most companies, but unless the AA have changed their policy it def said 7 metre including the A frame, i changed because mine is 7.3m, oh! and as an aside they dont cater for dogs.
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With the tunnel it's not so much the overall width that matters (within reason obviously) but the width of the track. I for one have no idea if an 8' van has a wider track than a 7'6 van or indeed how it would compare with an 8' or wider motorhome - just looking at some photos it strikes me that some motorhomes appear to have a track a bit narrower than the overall vehicle which I think tends not to be so much the case with caravans. It would be interesting to know the track width of 8' vans.
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No problems with an 8ft wide van on the tunnel I’ve attached a couple of photos from our outward journey this year there’s not loads of room but the kerbs are lower than the bottom of the van and so if there was contact it would just be the wheel brushing the kerb . The trickiest bit. Is getting it all straight As you enter
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Having probs adding pictures I think the files may be too big ..?0 -
Hope these upload ok and helps to give you some idea
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