First time on a ferry

Coach Man replied on 10/04/2023 16:36

Coach Man

Posted on 10/04/2023 16:36

We are taking our caravan to France for the first time on Sunday next week using the Newhaven Dieppe crossing. The caravan is a single axle Coachman and it strikes me that it might be a good idea to put the corner steadies down on the van once parked on the ferry to stabilise it for the crossing. Does anyone have any advice/experience of doing this? It is a good idea or a really stupid one in practice? Comments either way welcomed.

37 replies

Rufs replied on 13/04/2023 11:45

Member

Rufs

Caravanner

Posted on 13/04/2023 10:11 by

On the longer crossings a significant number of people return to their cars to find they have a flat car battery because they did not disable their alarm despite endless information from the operators 😠. Does the same apply to caravans?

Posted on 13/04/2023 11:45

used the Santander - Portsmouth ferry January this year, should have sailed 8th Jan, cxld due to bad weather, we did sail out on the 9th Jan, still very rough, advised to stay in our cabins for at least 4 hours, i put the dog on one of the bottom bunks and wrapped him in a towl to stop him rolling off, i used the other bottom bunk.

we were advised not to put the steadies down, but to ensure car handbrake was firmly on, in park, and caravan brake firmly on, and to chock the caravan wheels if we had suitable chocks, i used the leveling ramps x 4, and to ensure alarm switched off, have never disconnected the electrics and even on a 48hrs crossing never had a problem. After approx 4hrs things did calm down, i went down for dinner, only six people in the dinning room, had a great dinner, i am ex RN

1 person likes this

iansoady replied on 14/04/2023 10:04

Member

iansoady

Caravanner

Posted on 14/04/2023 10:04

Most(?) car alarms allow the option of setting / locking without the vibration sensor being active. My freelander does.

ValDa replied on 15/04/2023 06:59

ValDa

Caravanner

Posted on 14/04/2023 10:04 by iansoady

Most(?) car alarms allow the option of setting / locking without the vibration sensor being active. My freelander does.

Posted on 15/04/2023 06:59

Everyone going on a ferry crossing should study their car manual and learn how to disable the alarm system vibration sensor properly, but on a temporary basis (not things like unlocking the door, removing fuses, disconnecting battery, etc, as suggested on google). For those with pets it's an essential, otherwise the alarm would be set off every time the pet moves in the car. Don't just google it, because some of the ideas don't work - read your own manual and do it properly.

3 people like this

replied on 15/04/2023 07:47

Posted on 15/04/2023 07:47

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replied on 15/04/2023 08:20

Posted on 15/04/2023 07:47 by

It's easy enough on my cars,just a button alongside the reading lights. Main thing is just remembering to do it. Since the alarms are deactivated it's an idea to have a quick check around the vehicles on your return as theft from and break ins are not unknown.

Posted on 15/04/2023 08:20

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SteveL replied on 15/04/2023 08:25

Member

SteveL

Motorhomer

Posted on 15/04/2023 08:25

On the MH I have to press the lock doors button on the dash and exit through the habitation door, locking that with the key. On theX trail the only way I have found to do it is use the emergency key, rather than the door buttons.

replied on 15/04/2023 08:30

Posted on 15/04/2023 08:20 by

They all vary AD. On our MH I simply don't activate the alarm. On our car it's a different story. I have to delve deep into the car settings menu and then there's a choice of two further settings. Essentially they make it very easy to ensure the alarm is automatically activated as the car is locked; the default setting, and very hard to disable or even partially disable it. Sensible but complicated. 😁

Posted on 15/04/2023 08:30

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

1 person likes this

MikeyA replied on 15/04/2023 08:38

MikeyA

Caravanner

Posted on 12/04/2023 21:35 by EmilysDad

some people worry about coming back to a flat car battery if left plugged in

Posted on 15/04/2023 08:38

Exactly the problem I had on when using my new car! . Not reading the car handbook to understand how to partly disable the sensors is a silly error.

It only happened once.

Not sure if disconnecting the caravan is necessary but it is simply playing safe. I definitetly don't want to risk someone stepping over the hitch and ripping out the wires - that would be a disastrous start to your holiday

2 people like this

iansoady replied on 15/04/2023 09:48

Member

iansoady

Caravanner

Posted on 15/04/2023 07:47 by

It's easy enough on my cars,just a button alongside the reading lights. Main thing is just remembering to do it. Since the alarms are deactivated it's an idea to have a quick check around the vehicles on your return as theft from and break ins are not unknown.

Posted on 15/04/2023 09:48

I have never heard an authenticated report of theft from a vehicle on a Channel ferry.

2 people like this

Rocky 2 buckets replied on 15/04/2023 10:11

Rocky 2 buckets

Posted on 15/04/2023 09:48 by iansoady

I have never heard an authenticated report of theft from a vehicle on a Channel ferry.

Posted on 15/04/2023 10:11

+1, I’ve used ferrys Home/Europe & worldwide without personal issues nor heard of them from others. Valid point IS👍🏻

1 person likes this

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