A SHOCKING END to UK Van Life
Вставка
- Опубліковано 30 січ 2025
- How many more things can go wrong 😳😱
Hope you enjoy this week's video! If you haven't already subscribed, go ahead and do that now! New videos go out every Sunday at 4pm, with the occasional midweek bonus episode thrown into the mix 😄
So come and join us on what is set to be an incredible journey and subscribe to the channel 👍
If you want to support our channel in another way, check out the link below 👇
☕️ Buy Us A Coffee (Or An Ice Cream For The Kids) 🍦😋
www.buymeacoff...
🏠 Thinking of selling up to go travelling?
Use code 'keirareid' with Yopa to get £50 off your fees!
www.yopa.co.uk
🎵 Our music is from Epidemic Sound
Get a 30-day free trial + 2 months with 75 % off
share.epidemic...
#vanlifeeurope
Sorry you have had these issues, however you need to get out of the mindset that you have a motor-home, you don't! You have a 7.5 ton truck running at almost full gross weight, and being overweight will lead to a prosecution. DO NOT run overweight (That includes Axle weight), as its not as simple as saying I will drop the water if I get stopped, they will still prosecute you, so take your water out before running on the road. You will also need to watch as the kids get older as the weight will go up. I am a retired Transport Manager and vehicle weights is a big issue in the UK with both the DVSA and the Police. Sorry about your dog.
I'm a HGV driver. Do not overload that front axel when you fill your water up. You crash and kill someone your going to prison. The worst thing is you have admitted knowing its a possibility when your full you could or will be over . Don't do it, you can't empty your tanks if your trapped in the vehicle after an accident.
English is not really your strong point is it mate!
100% correct mate, nothing else needs to be said...
@@almuric1baggins337ok buddy 😂
A life or Grammer@@almuric1baggins337 Arsh...le
@@almuric1baggins337guess reading english, isn't your strong point if you fail to understand it.
water always runs downhill, so, A, never drive on damp grass, B, when you have broken rule A, always drive on the highest part of the field
NOTE - axle weights are not about the strength of the springs, it is the limit at which your brakes will work safely, ie, too heavy + you will not stop in time to avoid an accident...
you really need to think about this when you are making flippant remarks about "ditching some water at the roadside". trucks do not crash into cars, they drive over them...
please run with your water tank empty, + learn to drive using the exhaust brake, it may just help for that one time in the future
condolences for the loss of the family pet, + enjoy your holidays
At 4:50
Your truck should have a Traction Control button on the dash to help with type of situation, its the button with (T_C) as its icon, it should help you next time you get stuck,
Be very careful using chains for recovery. Should only be used for a towing recovery not a kinetic one. Never take a run up unless you are using a kinetic rope/snatch strap.
Chains can kill.
Worth watching some UA-cam and learning about recovery methods if you are going to be off the road much.
Robert pepper does some informative videos 👍
Split the Water Tank … over to the back End and grab a pump, , to feed the font tank. you could get away with the spread load.
It would have been good for yous to put windows if possible in the back of your cab for the kids to see the wonderful scenery you will witness in Europe. Enjoy, can't wait for the upcoming vids 👍🏻
We've got some on Order, unfortunately they weren't delivered in time for this trip
I drove trucks like that for several years, often delivering to remote farms and tumbledown rural properties. I never refused a delivery because I like a challenge, but the downside was I got stuck several times. The one thing I learned is that they are absolutely useless off the tarmac and you should think very carefully before you ever leave it. Wet grass - no, mud - no, soft sand - no. Snow - no. Can you get a limited-slip differential for it? That would help, plus more aggressive tyres and maybe some tyre chains. Even with these things you'll still have to be super-careful. Due to axle weight you couldn't mount a winch on the front: rear-mounting is not ideal but it does give you another option (and if there are no trees around you'll need a ground anchor). Depends how adventurous you want to be on your travels. Good luck!
An old friend of mine did a job that involved driving off-road. He used a winch that mounted to the tow bar. His reasoning, he didn't want extra weight on the front, and, more importantly, he said he didn't see why he'd ever want to drag himself further into trouble!
Very brave…. safe travels … enjoy 😎 what a lovely way to bring up your children 🥰
Aww thankyou Jackie xx
Never ever snatch with chains
Old bread trays with the sides cut out. Carry 8. Only light. Park on 4 and edge onto them to get out, fairground lorries use then. Very light easy to use. Cheap. Keep up the great adventure.
Great to see you made it to the ferry. Just noticed that you had a lot of items in your windscreen. I used to work for DVSA as mot inspector then road side enforcement. Just be careful you do not encroach items within your wipers swept zone. Just give them a reason to pull you in on a road side check. But hope you all have a enjoyable safe journey great videos guys 👍
Thanks for sharing the anxiety. Helps me know I'm normal and can keep on keeping on despite being anxious. Hope you are enjoying the adventure!
Definitely! Anxiousness is definitely normal, don't let it stop you that's the key 😄
Used brittany ferries when i went touring to Spain on my motorcycle, the cabin was tiny and didn’t have a window.
Rough sea lol!!!!!! I’ve had bigger waves in the bathroom sink 😂 Have a good troop 😊
I'd be looking what weight you can move back. At max weight on the front axle you are making those front tyres work hard, and making getting anywhere on grass harder too. Is there any eay you could move the tanks back a couple of m? Even shifting everything heavy from under the sofa to the very back will help.
Great video, I held my breath when you went on the weigh bridge, super excited for you all that it passed
So sorry to hear you lost Charlie. Safe trip guys,
Congratulations on completing this mammoth task! Enjoy your next adventure 😊
My husband works on a site with a weigh bridge so when we travelled to Europe last year it wasn’t such a daunting experience. These days we travel a lot lighter as our 3 children don’t travel with us as they’re grown up now!
My husband does all the European travel but it is still an anxious moment when you land and disembark with your vehicle 😅
Looking forward to following your travels ❤
That's pretty handy for you when it comes to weighing your vehicle!
Great video! The first walk without your Charlie made me cry and hug my dog who is now watching the rest of the video with me. We also really like Stena Lines, went on the Cherbourg-Rosslare ferry and back this October and their pet cabins are great!
Thankyou! Give your dog another hug from us ❤️
Sorry to hear about charlie bless him. Enjoy the trip 👍
For further problems you should get a heavy duty winch on the lorry.
With some shakels and snatch blocks you can get out of anywhere on your own.
So sad to hear about Charlie. The flooding and when you got stuck looks dangerous! Looking forward to hearing about your next adventure. Love Beth
Well, folks, the only way not to exceed the front axle weight limit is to stop the kids from growing. Have a great and especially safe journey. Looking forward to your next video
Thanks for sharing have a wonderful adventure and remember to enjoy it and relax driving tori will be a dream over there I’m so jealous have a great time
Thankyou so much, it'll be much easier than the UK that's for sure
Just found your channel guys, leaving my home town of Poole for the crossing & your big adventure.
Enjoy, all of you!
Even though you were stuck, Ric looked so happy playing with big boy toys.
Secretly in his element there 😂
Be safe everyone ❤❤❤❤
Thankyou
Get a valve fitted to your water tank thar can be operated from the cab. If you see the dreaded sign "Follow Me" just open the valve and dump all your water...
Glad ye eventually got out of that field 😮. Safe travels
Haha us too. It was like fate never wanted us to leave 🙈
Enjoy your travels. I had a little cry about Charlie again. Will you be getting another dog. There are a lot of dogs that need a good home with a good family.🐕🐾🐾🇬🇧
Great to see you setting off on your first trip in Tori, hope you have a fantastic trip. Yes Rick its always a worry driving on the other side off the road, I was posted in Germany for a few years. But after leave in the UK I did worry when getting off the ferry no matter how many times I did it, it only took a few days back on our roads to set me back in that mode haha.
Mine is 3.200kg of 3,500kg fully freighted and Gov.UK has a list of weigh bridges . If you can move any weight to behind rear axle that will help lift a bit of weight off the front axle.
Enjoy yourself . It's was the best time of our lives traveling and camping around Europe . Stay safe.
Nice that all was oke with Torrie. I wish you all a great week in France. See you next week 🙂
Thank you! See you on Sunday 😊
The front axle is a bit too close to be honest. Don't get the idea that if you were stopped that you can just empty some water and everything will be ok, it won't ! There are a lot of truck checkpoints all over Europe and this is the sort of thing they are looking for.
It's not just you adding water either, as the kids grow that 60 kg will soon disappear. Also, were the fuel and AdBlue tanks full? If not you have to take that into account as well.
One thing you could do is relocate the water tank and anything else that is heavy to the rear under the chassis, that would take some weight off the front axle.
Have a fab time in Europe in your new home guys!
👋 as a HGV Class 1 driver all 7.5 ton trucks go to 3.5 ton pay load so it tack ⬆️ 2 7.5 ton full net time u get stuck on grass use the diff lock on the truck all so we’re u r I do this ship every 2/3 weeks so nothing new for me. All away drive on the left
For the axle weight, you have a little bit of a marging, mostly 5 to 10 % some countries are a bit more strict, but overal you should be fine and if its because of the watertank, just empty it out if they are difficult and you are fine, since theu have to allow it if you can bring the weight down
you're brave ! Enjoy your trip and if you cross the Perigord, come and visit !
I wouldn’t bother filling tanks until you get to where you are going or as close to as possible.
And if you are pulled and the front axel is over weight yes you can bring it down after being caught but i think though not sure you can be fined for being caught. All emptying the tanks does is allows you to continue your journey.
Have fun on your travels guys.
Great video. I've found if I lie down with my legs higher than my head that I don't get sea sick. Maybe look at investing in chains for the lorry's drive wheels for in case you have to cross a wet patch again. They do work a treat.
Lying down definitely helped!
That's not stuck, I once went on to a site, I was told I could turn around on what was meant to be hard standing. Off I go and immediately the lorry is buried to the bottom of the cab bumper and I hit the one spot that had been dug up for a cable and not marked.
Oh nooo 🫢
I know you get all kinds wise after the event comments, butI would have left the water in the dumper. Sometimes small tractors on turf tyres can’t even get themselves off damp grass…
Nothing helps with lorry off road , stay on hard standing , move water tank and batteries behind rear axle , run merc myself tried off road tyres once front sinks no chance😊
Love your journey 😃
Large old haulage trucks are known for very high maintenance costs. It's not cheap like running a large motorhome Hope you researched budgeted for High expenditures. I recommend buying, truck mechanics tool kit & engine maintenance manual and ALL spare parts in ready for braking down. 🙏 Have fun and enjoy your adventure 😊
Thanks for the info!
@@Touringwiththekids I had trucks for years, and would love to be free to have your family life. Good luck 😀🙏
@epcode.I converted a Scania 3 series ex Ryder 18 tonne box van into a motor caravan.....Many thousands of miles all over Europe and beyond ...Most cost effective vehicle I have ever had....Your Mercedes will do you well.Remember HGVs are built to work ....Your requirements give her an easy life....Dont worry.....Just Keep Er Lit.!!!!!
.
Piper is such an articulate young lady - the things she comes out with and the way she expresses herself!
Awesome video thanks for sharing your adventure
If your water tank was at the back of the chassis that would releive some weight off the front axle (cantilever effect over back axle).
Amazing to watch you living lorry life! Your family is so “together” and yes, I need max concentration when getting off the ferry and driving on the right. I can fully empathise.
Lovely comment, thankyou! Definitely requires a little extra attention at first, but doesn't take long to get used to it x
Really enjoyed your build and your lorry has turned out amazing Looking forward to following your travels all the way from New Zealand 😊
Ah thats amazing !!!
You all did great
Excellent explanation of gross and axle weights. “Off to get mine weighed!” Thanks xx
Good luck 😃
We got stuck today in Grassington in our van, my mistake the ground was way boggier than i thought, cost me £110 to get dragged out 10 feet !!!! Lesson learnt though.. glad you got out ok and made it to the ferry 🙂 Take care and safe travels, Trev Debz and Tyler x x
Oh gosh. Always a learning opportunity though 😃
You are going to have to think about that front axle as the kids grow. Be ok for a few years though.
I was thinking exactly the same and that was with a half full water tank
Brave family best of luck stay safe.
Will not be a cheap trip but worth it for the memories.😊😊😊😊
Have an amazing adventure guys 😊
Thank you! 😃
Just a thought have ever thought of getting some snow Chains to keep in the truck in case? Just love your blogs just looking forward for you going to Europe,take care keep safe,John 🇬🇧🌹👀👀😘🤞🤞😘
In Ireland it has to be weighed before it can be classified as a motorhome. So it won’t be registered unless within weight range.
Ah wow, didn't know that!
Put your watch on the other wrist, that always helped me when driving
One thing I would say is be careful as like always it’s all ok until something goes wrong and if you’re overweight on either axle and you have an accident your insurance will be invalid
We weighed before we left the UK, we were 4 tonnes! on a normal licence. Just put semi air suspension on the back to make it look as though we weren't overweight and haven't given it another thought! 1 year of travelling and never been stopped😂
Yay, adventures started. Hope you all have an amazing first week or so in Europe!
Thankyou so much xx
Interesting to hear what you think of brittany ferries! I hate having to go on those boats! They had one break down half way across and have to turn around and limp back to France the other week
Have a safe and enjoyable journey guys
Well done 👍
safe travelling and rick's idea of steps made me lol glad you made weight 7.5ton doesn't allow much payload. Holding a class 1 hgvmy self makes the local police confused how I can tow a 4 ton combined instead of the normal 3.5 ton rule in higher rated pickups. stay safe and great to see everyone loving life
Got himself into a bit of a tizz didn't he 🤣🙈
Wow you guys are large as a unit 😀 Fair play & well done as i thought i was large at 8.2 mtrs but the size doesnt daunt me as i used to drive 7.5 tonnes around london 😁👍 Subbed to you & your adventures 👍
Would it be possible to put a winch on the front of the lorry or maybe use snow chains?
Please dont take this the wrong way,
That recovery was frightening to watch, kinetic recovery should only be done using the right equipment by competent users, damage & more importantly injuries or worse are a major risk, also please consider moving your phone holders & anything else in the windscreen to the far corners as high or low as possible, hope you have a gr8 first trip in your new home, i'll be out on the med coast of spain & maybe portugal before Christmas for a couple of months so will keep an eye out. Stay safe & have fun.
Omg storm babet I hate it I went into hospital that day for transfusion’s. Friday 20th hated it soo much me and kids was wet through with that stormy I’m glad u guys got out xxx
It was a bad one wasn't it! Hope you're okay after your hospital trip ❤️
Yea it sure was hope we don’t have anymore like that. Horrible weather. Yea I’m ok for now just got to keep my iron and blood levels up 🤦🏼♀️.
Kingsmill hospital was horrible but I might after have more transfusions:( xxx
Thank u guys.xxx
Adventures in Tory now begin ❤❤
Whoopp Whoopp 🎉
If you are spending/travelling around Europe for a long time why not have a left hand drive..love the videos 👍👍👍
It will be half and half 😊
Rick just make sure your fresh water is literally on empty for starters as water is heavy and you can always get water anywhere but all your other bits and pieces I think you should be fine, nevertheless you all look like your having a ball. 😊
Great to see you finally taking Tori away from this miserable island!
Fun seeing France welcome you with rain - hope you didn't have to much more rain and got away from the recent storm that battered the channel islands.
Almost cried when you mentioned your first walk without Charlie - it's a tough time when you lose a furry family member
I once spent 2 days on a boat crossing to the Isle of Man, walking on dry land in Douglas was challenging as we were used to the floor moving - even more fun walking back to the boat after lots of drinks - extra stagger!
I've not driven a large vehicle in Europe - u can imagine it was a bit more nerve wracking than the van! Hope you handled it well
Enjoy freedom on the open road!
Thankyou!!! Feels like a long time coming 😊 lots of fun adventures ahead now.
Great stuff looking forward to your travels
Thankyou! Lots more to come x
I can't believe how much rain you have had. Here on the Costa Del Sol we are enjoying a beautiful sunny November. Are you going to head for the sun now?
Oh beautiful! Yes; definitely looking for some sun 😃
Have a great time guys long time comeing look forward to your vids safe travels 👌
Thank you! Will do!
Hi love the video 😊❤
Thanks Andrew ❤️
R,I, paradise Charlie Boy 😢🙏🏼 such a big loss to your family 😢 but hes pain free running in the field of paradise ❤ on a brighter note 😂 dod you really think they meant drive up the stairs 😂 awesome 😂now to relax after all that hard work, hope you're all ok 🙏🏼 & little man ❤️ awesome vlog guys 👍🏼🌹❤🥂
Love you guys, safe travels guys
Thankyou so much 🥰
Have a lovely adventure looking forward to the videos
Thanks so much
As always great video look forward to next sunday and dont forget to drive up some stairs next time 😂
What an exciting adventure
Looking forward to your next few videos :)
Lots moore exciting things to come!
The steps are from the car decks up to the passenger decks. Ive been o dozens of ferries with coaches. But that was hilarious.
Oh honestly, something to laugh about for sure 😂
Have fun you guys I'm just on my way back up from tarifa if I see you guys I will give you a flash I'm heading back up through Spain on my return to the UK I've not seen rain since 28th of October over here I'm dreading going back 😂😂 have lots of fun and great adventures we will all look forward to your videos 😊
Ah epic! We were there earlier this year. Good luck adjusting back to UK weather x
The steps bit is because they don’t have lifts from the bottom decks
Brilliant, thanks for sharing
You should get a winch mounted on the front
Jam packed video, full of drama! 😧 gut wrenching without Charlie 😪 Really looking forward to your new adventures. Share your stress when pulling into border controls/terminals. Always have everything in triplicate, quadruple checked but still feel like a wanted criminal. 🤷♀️ go safely and enjoy. 😊
Haha we've said that before. You almost feel guilty even though you're not 🙈
That's close on the front.. keep an eye on it for when ya kids get bigger. 😉
Enjoy the trip to Europe
Do you not have a diff lock switch on the dash or near gear stick?
Would recovery boards help? I seen a lot of van lifers use them.
Hope you enjoy your journey where are you going
Can you tell where you got the 3 fold down seats for the back of sleeper cab please
Think you need some all terrain tyres on the drive axle
Hi Guys, PLEASE an an Ex-CLASS1 Driver now Mobile Crane Operator DON;T EVER Shock-Load METAL CHAINS, Use Towing Straps/Ropes/Proper Built For Class Nylon Straps and get a Weight Much Higher, And you should have on Dash-Board an switch For REAR Diff-Lock Which WILL HELP Low-Gear-Traction [In Fields]. Anyone Love the Build and Enjoy your time on the road and with the Kids.
Needham Market, we have had VW meets there
Lovely place!