Useful Information

We post here links to websites or articles containing information that might be useful to our members. Suggestions are welcome.

If you plan to take your motorhome abroad, check here first:

https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad

This website details all the steps you need to take before returning to the UK from overseas (and what you need to do before you go):

https://www.gov.uk/uk-border-control

Restrictions on EU Travel post Brexit

From 1st January 2021, Britons are eligible to stay only for 90 days in every 180-day period in all countries in the Schengen Zone. Violating this rule has its consequences, as those who stay in the EU beyond 90 days in any 180-day period can be heavily fined and even deported to their countries. They may also be banned from re-entering.

Click here for help to calculate your permitted travel days. It is not necessary to SIGN IN for it to work. However, if you do create an account (free) your calendar entry will be SAVED to be displayed the next time you LOG IN.

Click in the Date of Entry box and a calendar pops up. Click on the appropriate date and move to the Date of Exit box and select the date from the pop up calendar. When you've done the first trip, click on the + and start a new line. Click CALCULATE to display the required information below the entries. If you have travelled to Europe in the 180 days previous to filling in the calendar, you must start with the earliest date within those 180 days.

Driving in Europe

Britons can still use their UK Driving Licences abroad unless they only have a paper copy, in which case an International Driving Permit (IDP) will be needed. All UK vehicles must have a UK Sticker - NOT GB. Contact your insurer to get a Green Card. See here for advice from British Insurance Broker's Association (BIBA).

In France, all vehicles over 3.5 tons must display warning stickers to indicate the position of blind spots to other road users. Details here.

European LEZs and Other Travel Restrictions - Useful Website Links

https://www.eurocampings.co.uk/blog/listing/environmental-stickers-new-rules-per-country-2022/

https://urbanaccessregulations.eu/

INFORMATION - April 2022

Towards the end of 2022, becoming mandatory in 2023* (NOW POSTPONED TO MID 2025), it will be necessary for travellers to Europe to purchase an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) Permit before entering any Schengen country (most EU countries). The Permit will be valid for 3 years and cost €7. *Not currently in operation, the system is to be run by EU-LISA.

For more information, see website - ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/smart-borders/european-travel-information-authorisation-system_en

HEALTHCARE FOR UK NATIONALS VISITING EUROPE

Click here to visit the Government website

TAKING YOUR PET ABROAD

Click here to see Government advice

Do not take meat or dairy produce when visiting the EU. Details here.

Although this is an EU rule, we hear that, in practice, motorhome fridges are not usually checked. Taking the risk is your choice!

Battery Maintenance In Storage

We read lots of posts regarding vehicle batteries not holding their charge during winter and while in storage. This is an issue we suffered from, especially during and since covid, due to using our motorhome less in the winter. Here is our solution.

In 2022 we replaced our 100W solar panel with two Victron 140W solar panels and changed our leisure batteries to two 120Ah Sterling lithium batteries, along with a Victron smart solar MPPT regulator and a Victron B2B charger. Unfortunately, due to the size of the solar panels, charging the vehicle battery through the Sargent EC500 control system was no longer viable, and, therefore, that battery wasn’t being charged when in storage.

In addition, we have a tracker fitted, which drains the vehicle battery in two or three weeks. In early December 2023 we had an Optimate DC to DC charger fitted by RoadPro. The unit costs under £100 and took about an hour and half to fit. It links between the leisure batteries and the vehicle battery. We monitored the vehicle battery almost daily, using our tracker app, for four weeks, with the vehicle battery maintaining a healthy 12.8V. Despite the overcast and rainy weather during this period, our leisure batteries are still showing 100%. To say we are delighted with the Optimate is an understatement.

Mick Sharp

Fridge Cooling Issue

Twelve months ago we were proud new owners of our Auto-Trail F72. Naturally, as with most new motorhomes, we did have a few small niggling issues, but one of these turned out to be a far more significant problem, which could potentially affect many motorhomes, without being obvious or even visible.

We always travel with a thermometer in our fridge and immediately found that on long journeys with multiple stops, the temperature in the fridge rose from less than 5 degrees C to over 12 degrees C (despite still feeling cool when we opened the fridge door). We were startled by this, especially as we always switch our fridge onto gas each time we stop, but despite this it still happened on every long trip.

After twelve months we now have this problem sorted. There was no problem with the fridge itself, the issue was with the power supply to the fridge (but this is not connected to the known EM interface issue, which was not a problem on our motorhome, fitted with the uprated EM56). This power supply problem could affect many motorhomes built since the introduction of smart alternators in around 2015. I would strongly advise all owners of motorhomes built since 2015 to keep a thermometer in the fridge during long trips and, if you do find a problem, contact your dealer or service agent.

Trevor Holding