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Hi

Please can you help me, the more I read the more I'm getting confused!!

We are driving to the South of France next week and drive a Freelander 2 with a top box and and pulling a 400kg trailer. This is our first camping holiday abroad so any advise would be great  

I have been told that the French have new towing Laws this year and its all to do with your GTM - Gross Train Mass

I cant find my GTM anywhere....This is what I have seen on-line, so I assum I need the stickers???? -

Important advice - Please read below about NEW LAWS in France for Caravans and Trailers

All vehicles driving in France that are towing a caravan or trailer, where the vehicle has a GTM over 3.5 tonnes (*see below) MUST display 80 and 90 'speed limit' stickers.

This is because French Law stipulates that they are required to drive at the lower speed limits of:

• 80 km/h on single carriageways
• 90 km/h on dual carriageways/motorways

The 80 sticker must be applied to the back of the caravan or trailer in the bottom Left Hand corner, with the 90 sticker either placed above or to it's right. To use: simply wipe area dry and clean, then flexsticker and peel paper from 'crack lines' on back.

*GTM (Gross Train Mass) is the maximum permitted 'fully loaded' weight of your wehicle ADDED TO the maximum permitted caravan/trailer towing weight for your vehicle.

This information can normally be found in your vehicle handbook. As a guide, most family sized cars (e.g. Ford Mondeo) will have a GTM in EXCESS of 3.5 tonnes.

NOTE: This law is based on the 'theoretical' total GTM and, even if you are towing a smaller trailer with a lightly loaded car, stickers MUST still be applied.

Fines of 80-100 Euros can be incurred if you fail to follow this advice before driving to France!.

Any advise would be great

Thanks

Quote: Originally posted by listerdiesel on 04/8/2014

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Displaying stickers applies to French residents only, observing the speed limit is for all.

Peter

Quote: Originally posted by listerdiesel on 05/8/2014

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We were over there in June, did a 2000 mile trip with the big trailer, didn't see that many caravans on the roads, even less with stickers on, but most we saw on sites were Dutch or German and they didn't have stickers.

Peter

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Quote: Originally posted by DaveS1 on 07/8/2014

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Sorry but French laws apply to everyone. Why risk an argument with a foreign policeman for the sake of a few bob.
Have a look at the Caravan Club website which clearly explains which vehicles are restricted to 80 or 90 kph.
The weight of the trailer is irrelevant.
Daves1

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