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Subject Topic: Staying in France in a Day van Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonRDH1
10/1/2014 at 6:36pm
 Location: West Yorkshire
 Outfit: Trafic Day Van View RDH1's Profile View Profile   Reply to RDH1 Reply   Quote RDH1 Quote  
Joined: 23/9/2012

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Hi we are going over to France in April mainly to visit a couple of family war graves(1st and 2nd ww). We will be going over in my Renault Trafic panel van. This has been converted to a comfy day van with hot and cold water, microwave, bed, table etc but could never be described as a motorhome. It has the window in the side door but in essence is still a van. We are going for 3 nights, first two nights we are looking to camp in tent or in van. 3rd night staying with friends in Sourdeval.
My question is, will we be allowed to use motorhome sites with hook up etc or will we be turned away as we are basically in a converted van. The van I might add is only 2 years old and pristine condition, not some old cobbled together eyesore. We will be taking tent etc anyway but it is a lot comfier in the van and easier than tenting.
Any advice or help would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Richard


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PersonJack+Jon
10/1/2014 at 6:45pm
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You will be ok, French sites ain't bothered what you camp in, you can sleep in a car if you want & I've seen it done. The only problem you might have in April is finding sites open as many French sites don't open until May. No need to book anything though, sites will be empty at that time of yr.

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Regards, Jack+Jon.


PersonCaravanSkier
10/1/2014 at 6:45pm
 Location: Essex
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I can`t imagine you will be turned away. In our many years of camping I have seen many variations of tents, caravans, motor homes and converted vans. So long as you are willing to pay for your pitch I am sure you will be fine on sites, and in motor home aires there is not usually even anyone to monitor who stops.

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PersonVal A
10/1/2014 at 7:48pm
 Location: West - North Yorkshire
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We have a friend who drives a Renault Kangoo - and has no problems staying on French campsites, or motorhome Aires.  We've seen a whole variety of other camping outfits, including a tractor pulling an old gypsy-type caravan - so I don't think you have any need to worry.


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Personfranbee
10/1/2014 at 7:48pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Leisuredrive VW T6 campervan View franbee's Profile View Profile   Reply to franbee Reply   Quote franbee Quote  
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If you are going in April, it might be worth buying a copy of the ACSI book with the discount card. Not only can you get a discount at the listed campsites, but by checking the dates, you will see when they are open.


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PersonHacksaw Bob
10/1/2014 at 8:23pm
 Location: West Midlands
 Outfit: Various tents View Hacksaw Bob's Profile View Profile   Reply to Hacksaw Bob Reply   Quote Hacksaw Bob Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by franbee on 10/1/2014If you are going in April, it might be worth buying a copy of the ACSI book with the discount card. Not only can you get a discount at the listed campsites, but by checking the dates, you will see when they are open.


Agree with Franbee the card is a good idea, but you could check the sites' opening dates, and the dates when the ACSI CampingCard is accepted, on their website before buying.

Also check with the ferry/tunnel operators whether they will class your van as a commercial vehicle.


PersonVal A
10/1/2014 at 8:36pm
 Location: West - North Yorkshire
 Outfit: Swift Speedbird 490 Mondeo Estate View Val A's Profile View Profile   Reply to Val A Reply   Quote Val A Quote  
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If you book with the tour operators themselves, then they will often charge a van at a 'van' rate which is quite high.  However, if you book with the Caravan Club, or Camping Cheques, there is no option to select 'Van' in the booking process and you can book your Kangoo as a car.  I've done this several years running for our friend with his Kangoo.


Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!


PersonRDH1
10/1/2014 at 8:39pm
 Location: West Yorkshire
 Outfit: Trafic Day Van View RDH1's Profile View Profile   Reply to RDH1 Reply   Quote RDH1 Quote  
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Hi thank you so much for the replies, very helpful. Keep them coming.
Quote : Also check with the ferry/tunnel operators whether they will class your van as a commercial vehicle.
Thanks for that Hacksaw Bob we will contact tunnel and check with them.
Thanks
Richard


PersonBig Ben
10/1/2014 at 9:18pm
 Location: None Entered
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Just to add my little bit if you go on the tunnel then it's just classed as a van and not commercial or freight . We have a vivaro with rear seats and a window and have never had a problem .


Personfranbee
10/1/2014 at 9:34pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Leisuredrive VW T6 campervan View franbee's Profile View Profile   Reply to franbee Reply   Quote franbee Quote  
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The advantage of having the ACSI book with you is that you don't need to decide where to stay beforehand, just see where you are, and look up a site. Having had a quick glance, there are lots of ACSI sites open from 1st April, if not before.


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Personthemarstonscooper
11/1/2014 at 9:43am
 Location: Cheshire
 Outfit: Volvo V70 Swift 570 View themarstonscooper's Profile View Profile   Reply to themarstonscooper Reply   Quote themarstonscooper Quote  
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Having been a RoRo freight driver All ferry operators and channel tunnel do not class a van as commercial unless its actually carrying goods or is over a certain size but we are talking 7.50 Ford Cargo size here and the like not the OP size   
If the vehicle is clealry a panel van and empty of goods then its classed as a private vehicle and as such the regular car though it may pay a height supplement if needed. if its loaded with camping gear you will also be ok. If it was loaded with furniture youd be charged commercial rates
Clearly if they decide to look in this the OP vehicle they would find it converted to a day van and therefore no extra charges.
Vans would only be charged at a commercial freight rate if they were carrying goods, The way to book this RDH is as a car but put the height in.    

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Mark

Uttoxeter (Race days)
Le Serignan Plage (clothed one) August and Scheveningen on way back


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PersonRDH1
11/1/2014 at 2:21pm
 Location: West Yorkshire
 Outfit: Trafic Day Van View RDH1's Profile View Profile   Reply to RDH1 Reply   Quote RDH1 Quote  
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Thank you very much for all your replies, very helpful.
Just ordered ACSI book camping card.


PersonRDH1
23/2/2014 at 8:17am
 Location: West Yorkshire
 Outfit: Trafic Day Van View RDH1's Profile View Profile   Reply to RDH1 Reply   Quote RDH1 Quote  
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We have now selected a couple of sites one for our first night, one for our second night and then on to our friends house nr sourdeval for our third night. Links to the site below, has anyone any experience of the sites ive linked to?
Thanks
Richard


http://www.camping-les-goelands.fr/en/goelands-campsite-france/presentation-goelands-campsite-normandy/

http://premium.secureholiday.net/en/3969/search.html?arrivalDate=04%2F04%2F2014&departureDate=05%2F04%2F2014&deltaMax=0&productType=31


PersonVal A
23/2/2014 at 9:16am
 Location: West - North Yorkshire
 Outfit: Swift Speedbird 490 Mondeo Estate View Val A's Profile View Profile   Reply to Val A Reply   Quote Val A Quote  
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I be a bit 'iffy' about your second site.  Some of the reviews on the ACSI website are very poor (mentioning filthy sanitary blocks) and there are even worse reviews on a Dutch campsite review site, which scores it only 5.6 out of 10 and similarly brings up time and again the dirty toilet facilities.  Recent, ones are just as poor as older ones.

There are other sites in the area, which score higher, and which are open at the same time of year. 

 



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