Costs relating to the length of a motorhome?

Posted on 31/05/2024 07:31 by MoHoSinger

First vignettes for use on motorways in Switzerland and Austria. I have no experience of Austria. The Swiss vignette is a flat fee of 40 francs for use for 13 months 1st January one year to end of Jan the next. I think I am right in saying that the fee for 3,500kg plus is higher (as well as requiring a a C1 licence). There are no length restrictions but if you are towing a caravan or whatever you require a vignette for each of the towing vehicle and caravan.

Next to road fund licence - a vehicle plated at over 3,500kg requires a C1 licence but bizarrely you pay less for a road fund licence (£180 compared with £340). Go figure!! Given the £340 figure that I am paying it is worth SORNing for months of non-use.

And on to ferry fares. Each ferry company has its own charging structure and break points. You do not say where you are based. I am a fan of DFDS Newhaven-Dieppe. They give a discount of 20% for the entire booking if booked by a senior. Their categories include small motorhome - under 7 metres - and I fall into that category. I am typically paying just under £100 each way on DFDS (Two bookings this year).

In terms of overall cost of ownership (a) insurance is a significant factor (b) longer ferry journeys will require a cabin at cost.

Finally a 6 metre MoHo will fit in supermarket car parks etc. (OK you might want to look for a slot backing onto a grass verge or the like for perfection) However you are unlikely to receive parking tickets. That makes it possible to take the van off site during the day for day trips out. 7-8 metres plus and this becomes near impossible restricting your choice of sites to those with shopping facilities nearby or on a bus route (Personally I have a folding Ebike and use that for exploring locally leaving the van behind)

Hope that helps?

Chris