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

replied on 15/04/2023 10:14

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 10:14

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

Tinwheeler replied on 15/04/2023 10:39

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 15/04/2023 10:39

With access to car decks being barred en route, I can only imagine the story is unfounded chatter. Would staff risk losing their jobs by committing a felony? Unlikely.

3 people like this

Hja replied on 15/04/2023 11:12

Member

Hja

Posted on 15/04/2023 11:12

Things do happen down on the car deck. When we used to be a car and trailer, we have had the trailer searched on route. We knew because the straps were not returned how we fixed them. Customs? Sneak thief? Who knows. Nothing was stolen.

1 person likes this

replied on 15/04/2023 11:21

Posted on 15/04/2023 11:12 by Hja

Things do happen down on the car deck. When we used to be a car and trailer, we have had the trailer searched on route. We knew because the straps were not returned how we fixed them. Customs? Sneak thief? Who knows. Nothing was stolen.

Posted on 15/04/2023 11:21

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

allanandjean replied on 16/04/2023 08:16

Member

allanandjean

Caravanner

Posted on 16/04/2023 08:16

Whilst I can see that returning to the car to find a flat battery may cause concern it has happened to us-and now I don't worry following how it was dealt with!

I cant remember the cause but the staff had a trolley mounted fast start system and we were sorted very quickly.

I was impressed, but surprised, how efficient they were but then realised that I would not be the first, or last, that this happened to, and knowing this they were clearly well prepared-they don't have the time to faff about-as they need you of as quickly as possible.

1 person likes this

replied on 16/04/2023 08:57

Posted on 16/04/2023 08:57

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2 people like this

allanandjean replied on 16/04/2023 09:15

Member

allanandjean

Caravanner

Posted on 16/04/2023 08:57 by

Just l another tip gained from experience. If it's an overnight crossing we carry our overnight bag in the car as we were once parked too close to the side of the ship to be able to open the caravan door had we wanted.

Posted on 16/04/2023 09:15

Since being positioned such that Jean could not open the door sufficiently wide to exit we request at check in that we are positioned such that the passenger doors can be fully opened.

This also allows for easy retrieval of of out two overnight bags-one is significantly larger than the other!!

2 people like this

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