I've never used the toll roads in France but this year would like to use the one from Boulogne to Abbeville. Can anyone offer advice regarding how you decide which of the toll booths to aim for when towing a caravan. Probably a daft question to ask but I dont want to appear to be a total idiot over there.
Brian P.
------------- Brian
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Best answer is google something like peage france towing and it will show you the booths if you pick images option you are best looking for the one with the mans head with arm out but they have heights above them aswell basically avoid the ones with just a orange lower case t
------------- Mark
Uttoxeter (Race days)
Le Serignan Plage (clothed one) August and Scheveningen on way back
Generally, take it slowly as you approach the barriers. The first one you come across you will have to take a ticket. Choose a lane with no height barrier, but not one with an orange sign which is the Telepeage (Tag) lane.
The barrier on the stretch from Boulogne to Abbeville has only a few booths, and so it's actually easier to make your choice. Some have upwards of 12 or 15 booths - and swapping lanes can be more difficult. On the exit at Abbeville there are even less.
We towed in France for the first time last year and there was nothing worth worrying about.
The toll booths that we encountered were fine, we generally stuck to the ones towards the right hand side so we didn't need to cross lanes of traffic afterwards. Some are manned others took cash. Remember that the non driver will pay so you'll need to get near to the side by the machine.
A quick Google search for 'French toll booth signs' will help to familiarise you with the cash,manned and card booths.
I've heard that some people have encountered situations where the recognition cameras get fooled with the height of the caravan and spill out the tickets near the uppermost part of the machine (thinking you're driving a lorry). This never happened to us and, if it did, the Mrs W would need to jump out to recover the ticket.
Regards.
Post last edited on 14/02/2014 22:56:06
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As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
If your other half asks you to get a bit closer to the
Ticket machine cos she doesn't want to get our of the car to get the ticket...ignore her. I didn't ignore her last year and got too close to the high kerb and scrunched the corner of the van .Got out to have a look,and police there in seconds. OH now gets out of car to get ticket.
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Unless you have a tag the easiest way to pay is by credit card, takes about 5secs either at manned or unmanned barrier. Some autoroute exits have no manned booths so you have to pay with tag, card or coin in slot. With credit card though it needs to be fee free like Halifax Clarity or Post Office or it will cost extra.
A couple of Toll Booths we visited last year in a Motorhome.
One we paid by Credit Card at the machine and the other was cash to the Toll attendant.
Remember to pull in your wing mirror on the side you collect a ticket or you pay and approach as slowly as possible to avoid colliding with anything either side.
Be careful on the approach area to the toll booths and don't change direction suddenly. There aren't normally any lane lines and the "nippy" locals may be overtaking on either side. The same applies when leaving the toll booths.It's no real problem if you take your time to decide which booth you're heading for and head for it in a straight line using indicators if necessary.
------------- Mother Nature always wins in the end.
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Brian, I can assure you that the French roads are much better then the UK.Less traffic and certainly better surface,especially compared to some of those in Shrophire.
If you have traveled on the M6 toll, the Dartford flyover or any other toll bridge in the UK, then there is nothing to fear.
Quote: Originally posted by Wilkolad on 14/2/2014
Hi Brian,
I've heard that some people have encountered situations where the recognition cameras get fooled with the height of the caravan and spill out the tickets near the uppermost part of the machine (thinking you're driving a lorry). This never happened to us and, if it did, the Mrs W would need to jump out to recover the ticket.
Regards.
Post last edited on 14/02/2014 22:56:06
We have this sometimes with our VW high roof, but not always. It's not consistent for some reason. I don't know if we're just on the limit of the height or the measuring machines don't work very well