Check list for long trip to the south of France

Afternoon,

I’ve just fixed a problem with my brakes (lack of them ) it's a bit of a wake up call.

I’m off down to the south of France in two weeks, can anyone think of anything that will need to be checked before doing a few 1000 miles.

Last year the drain plugs on the air con decided to block up of the final leg back from Switzerland - not funny! It was a choice between wet foot well or being cooked at 35C. We decide the foot well being wet was the better option.

It's not the obvious that I’m after? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Jay

It`s always difficult predicting things... especially about the future... Sod`s Law will always apply: whatever you prepare for, something else will happen!
Check all levels, including battery (if not sealed for life), axles, steering res, g-box; take some spare fluid for coolant, brakes, steering etc. Check spare wheel still inflated. Carry spare filter for fuel if diesel (parts dearer here). Spare bulbs compulsory, spare fuses. But remember Sod`s Law...

Have a some inflation valves for your EAS just in case

the best european breakdown cover money can buy.

dibbles said:

the best european breakdown cover money can buy.

Click to expand...

I use AXA Assistance - cos
1) I used to work for them
2) They have offices in each country - so you are not relying on the AA etc. to try to sort out recovery in a country they don't really know...

I second that. Decided not to take out insurance on a small trip to France about 100 miles inland. Stainless exhaust split (for those who have a SSS exhaust beware as its not all stainless and they are barstools and expect you to have the receipt after 4 years before they will look at it, than explain that its not all stainless and the vital part that connects over the rear axle is mild steel and rots like !!!!!!)melted air suspension pipes at rear. So noisy exhaust and flat on its bump stops all the way back to the ferry, then a AA truck home from Portsmouth.
Check exhaust clips , some water (2.5 litres would do it) . You need now a day glow jacket as its the first thing the Frog police stop you for spare bulbs and a triangle.
a can of that tyre inflater is good if your on gas. You can get oil/ brake fluid and that anywhere and if you need these then its a repair before you carry on .
Spare key would be handy .

Forgot to mention speed trap locators are not legal in France. Im sure of this but you can look this up.

plenty of euro's.
i did a rally to rome last september,and it felt like europe has its hand in my back pocket.constantly dipping into my hard earned,every time we hit a toll.
we went through one toll where the barriers were up,and no tickets were being dispensed.drove 50miles,came to another toll and because we didn't have a ticket.
65 euros!!!!
we had an amazing time though ( driving through the alps).swiss roads are something else.not one pot hole!

dibbles said:

we had an amazing time though ( driving through the alps).swiss roads are something else.not one pot hole!

Click to expand...

I agree with you about the roads, done many a road-trip there but I love winding up the side of the Alps (going to Italy), and looking down and around it's breathtaking. They REALLY do have cows with bells round their necks.

Willos said:

Forgot to mention speed trap locators are not legal in France. Im sure of this but you can look this up.

Click to expand...

Speed trap locators are illegal in France, but details of the location of fixed speed traps are not. You can find all the fixed traps on your route on www.viamichelin.fr or you can get a download on TomTom I believe
You need HiVis vests for everyone in the car, €90 on spot fine if not.

woogoo said:

I agree with you about the roads, done many a road-trip there but I love winding up the side of the Alps (going to Italy), and looking down and around it's breathtaking. They REALLY do have cows with bells round their necks.

Click to expand...

We have a few cows in Preston that should have bells around their necks.

there are always police with radar guns on the outskirts of calais, waiting to get people speeding to catch the ferry on time.

switzerland was stunning! so, so clean,breathtaking views.

wammers said:

We have a few cows in Preston that should have bells around their necks.

Click to expand...

I'm sure I have been out with some of them

magictiny said:

I'm sure I have been out with some of them

Click to expand...

Yeah it's funny how beer tends to cloud the vision.

Datatek said:

You need HiVis vests for everyone in the car, €90 on spot fine if not.

Click to expand...

Not correct. Only the driver, but he must be able to put it on without getting out of the car.

Same as over here, driver has to have one and also be able to put it on without getting outside. It's so ruddy silly here that whenever you go and get your MOT sorted, unless you have the hi-viz vest over the back of your seat (driving seat that is) it goes against you, but you don't need to have it there for day to day usage. Ruddy stupid!

By the way, don't know about these days, but whenever a Brit car went to France it had to have a GB sticker on the rear end. Maybe you don't need it these days as the number plate (the new ones) have the UK stamped on them, but I would check if I were you.

Last year i took it over the Furker Pass and through lots of tunnels in Swizerland, azmazing roads. Espically the tunnels if you have a loud exhaust

Thanks so far for the replys, i had forgotten about the HiViz jacket.

OXO said:

Not correct. Only the driver, but he must be able to put it on without getting out of the car.

Click to expand...

I suggest you look at the code de la route latest version, there should be a HiVis vest for each person. My Step Son has just been doing the test.

dibbles said:

there are always police with radar guns on the outskirts of calais, waiting to get people speeding to catch the ferry on time.

Click to expand...

Lots of the same on the outskirts and centre of villages New fixed Camera points are not always marked, there are also some that are built into the Armco on the autoroutes that are almost invisible

Spare bulbs...Yes
Tyre Seal......Yes
Hi Vis Jacket..Yes
Oils etc.........No
Water...........Yes
Beer.............Compulsory:beer2:
Fags.............Compulsory:smokin::smokin::smokin::smokin::smokin::smokin:
Missus & Kids..Optional (If they have their mouths superglued)


:hysterically_laughi