Motorhome over 3m high

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Going off topic a bit but with the reduced speed limit in France (80kph / 50 mph) the normal roads may be quieter but it does take a heck of a long time to get from A to B on them and the Motorways can speed up your journey through France considerably - but a price.

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I have read  the height sensors on the French toll roads check the front vehicle height and anything mounted further back is ignored. They do not check weight. My current vehicle is over 3m at the front so I have never had chance to prove the above but I only ever paid class 2 with my last 3.8 ton vehicle which was only just 3m high.

peedee

What ever you do, please don't leave your airconditioning unit running all day and night, especially on a terraced site. You'll annoy the neighbours. If you need to cool down, go to SuperU or similar and enjoy some cool spray next to the veg, or hang around the chilled food section

At an unmanned toll gate, you'll have to talk on the intercom, in French, to the remote operator to claim Classe deux.

And it is rarely suceesfull.

peedee

It’s not just the motorway tolls you need to consider but the bridge tolls in particular as the mark up can be even higher as we found out with our old van which was over 3m. For example the Millay viaduct is 8.30€ off peak and 10.40€ peak for <3m and 36.70€ at any time for >3m.

There are a few small ferries which will not accept vehicles over 3m.

Envoy your new van whatever you decide.

John, which van do you have?

upplating to 3850 will give you an 'apparent' extra 350kg of 'payload', hence your 500+ kg comment...

however, if it's a Fiat,  the 3850 upgrade is only a paper one which incorporates the two axle maxima of 1850kg front, 2000kg rear.

so, physically, the rear axle still has the same limitations it had when it was plated at 3500kg...

the 'extra' 350kg can only be made use of if you have spare capacity on the axles and can spread it exactly to match that capacity.

in nor,al use, the rear axle is the most vulnerable, and if your van is over 7m (say) and has a ear locker/garage where all your stuff will go, each kg loaded will knock around 1.2kg off the payload....

so, it would be useful to know which van you have, any other heavy options....auto box, sat dish, solar panel, twin leisure batteries, etc....

also, the payload almost certainly include a full tank of water not the passenger.....around 175kg....

im getting a bit worried now.....your 'payload' at 3500kg would have been only 150+ kg ......if it's 500 with a 350kg upplate....

take out. 175 for water/passenger and your overweight...

ok, you have an extra 350 in ypur back pocket but on.y if the rear axle isn't already tight...

im getting the feeling this is a large 7.5m type van, upplated to make it 'work' in the brochure....

you need to factor in all your kit, from cutlery to bedding, clothes, tools, bikes, computers, leads, water kit, boots, pots, pans, plates, cups, bottles etc, etc....

a few more details please..... I reckon you need to weigh this van and pay particular attention to the rear axle loading.....

Life is far simpler if you intend touring on the continent to stick to 3.5T and under 3.0m if you can manage with size and or payload.