Absolutely superb job, thank you. Am taking my caravan to Sweden in June, first time in Europe with it! Have the choice of Harwich ferry or tunnel, the tunnel looks very attractive from your video
A very helpful video. I'm going to ravel via the Eurotunnel in a 6-seater van and I was a little afraid how to go through this. The film explains the matter well. Thanks.
Superbly helpful Video Andrew, as always. We are off to BelRepayre in July, first tow in France and this Vid has nicely put my mind at rest getting Ettie onto the Euro Tunnel.
A great video we have just bought a caravan and have booked to go to France in July. Have been a bit worried how we got it onto the train, this made it look easy and has given us confidence thank you.
Brilliant video! Full of tons of info. I don’t know that I’ll ever use the information, but this is exactly how I would want someone to explain it to me. I really appreciate you doing this for other people.❤
Andrew Ditton Thank you for your very professional video,with a bit of a giggle in it.You have given me a lot of confidence. I am just a bit sorry I got your name wrong in my first comment. So thank you Andrew.
I like the video very informative I've been using the Channel Tunnel for the last five years but this is the first time I'm taking my caravan. So watching your video showed me the proper way to go to catch the train. thank you
Thank you for the video. I am quite concerned as taking a motorhome and boat on a trailor so unsure as to the process and access room. Mind is at rest, thank you.
We are booked an d go in a couple of months, very informative video, I had concerns about the loading process but no longer after watching this, we are using the tunnel because of our dog, didn't want to leave her in the car from portsmouth to caen!.. many thanks
Thanks to your video we braved the Channel Tunnel and it couldn't be easier. Great dog exercise area at the terminal and we headed on down to a great dog friendly back-to-basics campsite in the South of France. (Le Mas Cauvy - Saint Christol Les Alès) check it out if you're ever headed this way. Very friendly and an amazing location with everything you could need. Thanks for the heads up on the tunnel - opened up a different world.
Great informative video Andrew, we took the train on a trip to the Netherlands a couple of years ago. We were relatively new caravanners at the time and found the whole process incredibly easy. In fact, project stack was by far our biggest hinderance / frustration in both directions. I would definitely opt for the train if we head off to the continent again...
Ah, the dreaded 'op stack'! Coming from Kent, it is the bane of our lives sometimes. Glad you found the vid useful. I'm hoping to head off again next week.. ;)
Just watched this Andrew. Very useful. Wish I watched it before we went to Ypres last year without the caravan. The automated check in cought me out as Im used to the ferries.
Thanks for the great video. Indeed a major advantage to have your pet with you during the trip! I wonder how it works with built-in gas installations...
When I last went through the Chunnel it was a coach load of campers with a trailer full of camping equipment and I didn't like the crossing one bit as we wasn't allowed off the coach to stretch our legs whilst on the train. On this Friday I'll be taking the Eurostar which hopefully I'll like the Eurostar Chunnel trip to Paris.
***** You're welcome! There is currently a lot of traffic disruption in Kent so best get travel advice from the Eurotunnel website or their Twitter feed before you set off for the terminal - and allow LOTS of time. Have a great trip!
Thank you Andrew. I'm a total newbie so your video was very helpful. May I suggest a video on taking pets abroad, as a visual learner your videos are so informative and helpful
Deciding whether caravan or motorhome. Was not quite sure of taking caravan to europe but this video has showed me that the eurotunnel for a caravan (i have travelled in the car often enough) is not as bad as I thought. And staying with the dog in the caravan would be great for my scitty dog.
The tunnel is definitely best for skitty dogs so you can stay with them. Caravan v motorhome is a difficult one though. In my experience, motorhome for touring (fewer than 3 nights per site), caravan for longer stays (3 nights or more per site). You'll get a lot of advice from a lot of people, most of it biased, so just decide what is most important for YOU! :)
Thanks very much for this Andrew. We are off to France soon so will play this as a sat nav. Are you sure you aren't exceeding your towing limit with that set up 😀. Good luck on your adventures.
That was a fun vid! We drove to the in-laws' in Germany back in '08 and have been on the Eurolines bus via the tunnel too. It is good! I'd happily do it again - except the speed on German motorways scares me to death!!!
Very informative; will consider choosing the train instead, travelling from Germany to the UK. Shame it is somewhat more expensive than the ferry. (if I'm not mistaken)
Yes it often is, but sometimes you can get a bargain. However, if it's running well it is way quicker than the ferry, and you can stay with your pets in the car.
Wowzer driving into a train! What a way to go. Especially like that you can sit in your trailer while the train is going. Would have been nice to know how long the train part of the trip took.
How fun does that look! Andrew, what does it cost? Is it different for a motorhome ? So happy you could travel with sweet Dougal. I think my next male dog will be named Dougal!
I'm from the U.S. And my family is vacationing from London to Paris from the eurotunnel, I bet my dad would drive on the wrong side of the road when we arrive in London!
Hopefully with the steering wheel also being on the 'wrong' side for your Dad he'll have no problem. If you are taking the train directly from London to Paris, you'll be on the Eurostar which is passenger only, not on this vehicle-carrying 'Eurotunnel' train that only operates between Folkestone and Calais. Both trains use the same Channel Tunnel though. Don't believe any smart tour operator who tells you that we say 'Chunnel' instead of Channel Tunnel - we don't! Only US tour operators call it Chunnel ;@) Have a great trip!
hi, brill clip, really clear, especially the tip about not moving forward till the 'join' of the carriages is clear. got a question though, when you said you can go in your caravan whilst its on the train, what is the safest way to do this? would i need to put the legs down etc? i'm travelling with 3 young children, myself and partner and it would be brill to go in the caravan but would want it set up quick but safely. thanks again for the clip, hope you have a suggestion.
Hi there, normally as long as the caravan is attached to the car, and you don't mind it wobbling with the movement of the train, you don't need to put the legs down. If you're worried about the additional weight on the back of your car you can put down the jockey wheel, but don't forget you'll be stationary, and the dynamic load of a caravan pitching at speed on the towbar is far higher than stationary. I must warn you that the Chef de Train once kicked me out of the van because I was getting my head down, but that I think was a one-off. As long as you keep the rooflight AND DOOR open you should be OK. Do remember the gas must remain isolated. Bon voyage!
Well done Andrew - very good video with a load of information for the first time traveller. Could you tell me which camera you use? I have a DR 32 Dashcam that has gone on the blink and a mini camera that is totally unreliable. I need a new recommended camera for my journeys abroad and one similar to yours seems to fit the bill. Any help appreciated. Keith
Wow thank you for that video is it easy to get back to the euro tunnel for the return journey are the signs in both languages and are the pictures similar high veh or caravan etc
Excellent video Andrew. We have always gone the ferry route but you really have got us thinking about this now. I thought it might be a bit claustrophobic but didn't realise you could stay in the van. Are you able to move freely on the train or do you have to stay put once you opt to sit in the caravan? Many thanks!
Hi Hannah, it's the same space but do trust me, it's more than enough. I did it with a huge 8ft wide Adria and no problems. There are people there to help guide you if you are nervous. Bon voyage!
Thank you so much for making this video . It is so incredibly well executed and informative . Thing is, I have had a touring caravan for years, and have taken it to Europe lots of times but I have always crossed the channel via ferries as I am claustrophobic so have always avoided crossing underground in the train . I have always thought I would feel too enclosed to do that. Watching your video I was first of all surprised at how light and open the train appeared to be as you drove into it and I did not have a sense of being shut in . May I ask , if the lights in the train carriage remain on throughout the journey to France ? Also I note the train doors then shut on you . I wondered when that happens are you the only car and van in that carriage or are there others with you? Also did you get any sense of being unduly enclosed ? Your thought in this would be much appreciated . Thank you again.😃 Regards Sandy
Hi Sandy, the lights stay on all the time, and there are normally a couple of other cars or another caravan rig in the same compartment as you. There are passenger doors in the fire shutters so you can walk along the entire train if you want, or just pop to the loo. My only recommendation would be to take the caravan or a high vehicle (e.g. SUV + roof box) and that way you get a nice open carriage like this one. If you take a lower car you might be put in a double-deck carriage with much lower ceilings.
Thank you so much ! Enjoy Scotland ! Hope your migraines are few and far between and are not causing you loads pain. . How is your studung going ? Keep posting your brill blogs . Love to you anf Dougal 😃 Sandy
Hi Andrew, with regards to isolating the Gas cylinder prior to boarding. Do Eurotunnel want us ti=o disconnect the cylinder with a spanner to just turn the gas off via the hand wheel? Thanks
Your other clips Andrew, invariably show your Triumph lurking in the foreground. Where d'you put it in transit? I can't believe you lay it down in the back of your pickup!
Hi there, I did a video many years back - 2016 or thereabouts, showing how I load the bike into the truck. If you scroll back on the 'videos' tab on my channel page... ;)
![Beginner's guide to taking your caravan abroad [CC]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/vumy0Z4OylQ/mqdefault.jpg)
![Beginner's guide to taking your caravan abroad [CC]](/img/tr.png)
Excellent! Thank you for that...takes such a lot of the fear out of it for first timers!
I think bringing a caravan or motorhome on the train is a great idea because you can sit and relax inside it instead of sitting in the drivers seat
You're brilliant at explaining things and this video was really well put together... I'm gonna bookmark this to refer back to. Thanks.
>>I wasn't really towing my RV 120 mph.
Texan in me: Hold my beer!
I love going to France and Spain via the tunnel. Lovely video and helpful with the caravan.
I'm from Indonesia, so it's really educated when I see ur video. Thanks Andrew n have a nice journey with Dougal.
Why is this so fascinating to me? I want to go there just to go across and back! Great video!
Great editing and commentary. Well done, not only for caravans but for everyone. If i could i would give 10 thumbs up.
Thank you kindly! I have some 2017 footage I am hoping to edit in to a newer version over the next few weeks so stay tuned!
This is just the video I was looking for, thank you!
Excellent video, we are getting our new caravan in a few months and as a first timer your video really gives me confidence. Thank you!
+batninja You're welcome! Thanks for the message and enjoy your new caravan.
batninja okoo
Many thanks for taking the time to do this , it was very useful for a couple of first timers , we are very grateful
Cheers Martin! I'm hoping to update it with a 2017 version soon.
Excellent video - thank you - bringing a large motorhome across next month so reassured by this.
Thanks Andrew, we're heading of to France this year so I found you video most useful.
A good video that has put us at ease as we are just about to travel through the tunnel touring a part of France
A really good video. Very informative. Thanks for sharing.
great video Andrew....thanks
Very informative. Thank you!
Many thanks for this very informative film. Looking forward to our first trip through the tunnel.
Thank YOU for your kind comment! Have a lovely trip.
Thank so much I took mine through too and I knew everything because of this video thanks for making it
Thank you, for this very nice and clear video. With kind regards from Groningen, Holland.
Absolutely superb job, thank you. Am taking my caravan to Sweden in June, first time in Europe with it! Have the choice of Harwich ferry or tunnel, the tunnel looks very attractive from your video
A very helpful video. I'm going to ravel via the Eurotunnel in a 6-seater van and I was a little afraid how to go through this. The film explains the matter well. Thanks.
Full of useful and confidence inspiring information. Especially about the dog information. Thanks
Cheers David!
Superbly helpful Video Andrew, as always. We are off to BelRepayre in July, first tow in France and this Vid has nicely put my mind at rest getting Ettie onto the Euro Tunnel.
Very helpful video, thank you. Considering a first venture through the tunnel so this sort of presentation is so valuable.
Thank you! I have footage from 2017 I am hoping to use for an updated version soon so stay tuned!
I will be traveling on that to France in May, great vid.
Nice and clear - thanks for posting this video!
Thank you for your film, we're off to the south of France next year. I think will use the
, you've made it look simple, manny thanks
You're welcome! Thanks for taking the time to let me know. Have a lovely holiday.
Very helpful video, thank you for sharing!
A great video we have just bought a caravan and have booked to go to France in July. Have been a bit worried how we got it onto the train, this made it look easy and has given us confidence thank you.
No worries, have a great trip!
Brilliant video! Full of tons of info. I don’t know that I’ll ever use the information, but this is exactly how I would want someone to explain it to me. I really appreciate you doing this for other people.❤
Thank you!
very clear and informative.
cheers
what an excellent video. Much less to worry about now. Thankyou Ian.
I'm glad you found it useful. Thank you for your kind comment and have a great trip!
Andrew Ditton Thank you for your very professional video,with a bit of a giggle in it.You have given me a lot of confidence. I am just a bit sorry I got your name wrong in my first comment. So thank you Andrew.
What a extremely informative video thank you
I like the video very informative I've been using the Channel Tunnel for the last five years but this is the first time I'm taking my caravan. So watching your video showed me the proper way to go to catch the train. thank you
Thanks! I'm hoping to update this with a 2017 update over the winter so stay tuned!
Thank you for the video. I am quite concerned as taking a motorhome and boat on a trailor so unsure as to the process and access room.
Mind is at rest, thank you.
Thanks. We are planning our tip and this video is helpfull for us.
We are booked an d go in a couple of months, very informative video, I had concerns about the loading process but no longer after watching this, we are using the tunnel because of our dog, didn't want to leave her in the car from portsmouth to caen!.. many thanks
Great stuff Ruth! There are dog exercise areas both sides (by the service area) as well. Have a great trip.
brilliant vid. im taking my girls to france on our home ed adventures and your video has really calmed my nerves! thank you x
Then my job here is done, cheers! Bon voyage ;)
That is very informative video and well done. Thank you.
Thank YOU for taking the trouble to say so :)
it all looks very exciting.
Still very useful, thanks Andrew.
Very informative. Thank you for this
being newbies this video is excellent thankyou very helpful and has got to be the best choice with our dog
Glad you found it useful, thanks for letting me know!
Thanks Andrew ☺
Sitting in a camper in a train 40 meters below the sea. Technology is great
It is rather amazing
doing it next july - brilliant thanks now know roughly what to expect! hate doing new stuff lol!!
No worries - have a good crossing!
Really great and very, very helpful. Thanks a lot
You're very welcome. Thanks for taking the trouble to comment :)
interesting video and sweet dog
I agree with bat ninja I'm a beginner too who would dearly love to tow in France. This is really helpful. Many thanks xxx
No worries, glad you found it useful.
I love this video. Really informative and seems to capture the thrill of the Eurostar with a caravan.
Cheers David! It's an old video but the train is still the same ;)
@@andrewjditton that's good to know. Are there any further complications since Brexit?
Thanks for the info. Nice video.
awsome video thanks so much!
Thanks to your video we braved the Channel Tunnel and it couldn't be easier. Great dog exercise area at the terminal and we headed on down to a great dog friendly back-to-basics campsite in the South of France. (Le Mas Cauvy - Saint Christol Les Alès) check it out if you're ever headed this way. Very friendly and an amazing location with everything you could need. Thanks for the heads up on the tunnel - opened up a different world.
Cheers David, glad it was useful and I appreciate your top tip in return - sounds like my kind of site! All the best.
Thank you for this video. It was really helpful
You're welcome, thanks for taking the trouble to say so :)
Great informative video Andrew, we took the train on a trip to the Netherlands a couple of years ago. We were relatively new caravanners at the time and found the whole process incredibly easy. In fact, project stack was by far our biggest hinderance / frustration in both directions. I would definitely opt for the train if we head off to the continent again...
Ah, the dreaded 'op stack'! Coming from Kent, it is the bane of our lives sometimes. Glad you found the vid useful. I'm hoping to head off again next week.. ;)
Just watched this Andrew. Very useful. Wish I watched it before we went to Ypres last year without the caravan. The automated check in cought me out as Im used to the ferries.
Thanks for the great video. Indeed a major advantage to have your pet with you during the trip! I wonder how it works with built-in gas installations...
brilliant vid i learnt so much great quality like your dog.
+Reece Vr46 Moore Thank you! :)
Thanks for the advice, good tips
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent video thanks. Its been years since we took the tunnel with a caravan and I needed to refresh my memory.
When I last went through the Chunnel it was a coach load of campers with a trailer full of camping equipment and I didn't like the crossing one bit as we wasn't allowed off the coach to stretch our legs whilst on the train. On this Friday I'll be taking the Eurostar which hopefully I'll like the Eurostar Chunnel trip to Paris.
Excellent, thanks
thanks, looking forward to travelling it now
***** You're welcome! There is currently a lot of traffic disruption in Kent so best get travel advice from the Eurotunnel website or their Twitter feed before you set off for the terminal - and allow LOTS of time. Have a great trip!
Cute dog :P and great video, thanks.
wonderful ,thank you it looks easy .
Many thanks very informative good point over pets
Thank you Andrew. I'm a total newbie so your video was very helpful. May I suggest a video on taking pets abroad, as a visual learner your videos are so informative and helpful
Thank you! Yes, I have the footage from taking Dougal abroad this year so am planning this video as a winter project. Cheers!
Deciding whether caravan or motorhome. Was not quite sure of taking caravan to europe but this video has showed me that the eurotunnel for a caravan (i have travelled in the car often enough) is not as bad as I thought. And staying with the dog in the caravan would be great for my scitty dog.
The tunnel is definitely best for skitty dogs so you can stay with them. Caravan v motorhome is a difficult one though. In my experience, motorhome for touring (fewer than 3 nights per site), caravan for longer stays (3 nights or more per site). You'll get a lot of advice from a lot of people, most of it biased, so just decide what is most important for YOU! :)
Thanks very much for this Andrew. We are off to France soon so will play this as a sat nav. Are you sure you aren't exceeding your towing limit with that set up 😀. Good luck on your adventures.
A good tip is to make sure you headlights are turned off to help the automatic number plate camera do its thing.
Top tip thanks Ian!
Very well explained
Thanks Alan!
Thanks for the info. Hoping to take our caravan to France as soon as.
Have fun!
Brilliant!
That was a fun vid! We drove to the in-laws' in Germany back in '08 and have been on the Eurolines bus via the tunnel too. It is good! I'd happily do it again - except the speed on German motorways scares me to death!!!
lol just normal to drive 200 on the Autobahn 😂
volvov70. hh Exactly! 😨
That was cool. Cheers. A.,
Thanks!
Brilliant. Thanks for that. Potential caravan eurotravellers dog owners here!
Thanks! Am hoping to update with a 2017 version over the coming months.
That is so cool
Great vid handbrake was a giggle
Very informative; will consider choosing the train instead, travelling from Germany to the UK. Shame it is somewhat more expensive than the ferry. (if I'm not mistaken)
Yes it often is, but sometimes you can get a bargain. However, if it's running well it is way quicker than the ferry, and you can stay with your pets in the car.
Wowzer driving into a train! What a way to go. Especially like that you can sit in your trailer while the train is going. Would have been nice to know how long the train part of the trip took.
The journey takes around half an hour.
How fun does that look! Andrew, what does it cost? Is it different for a motorhome ? So happy you could travel with sweet Dougal. I think my next male dog will be named Dougal!
I'm from the U.S. And my family is vacationing from London to Paris from the eurotunnel, I bet my dad would drive on the wrong side of the road when we arrive in London!
Hopefully with the steering wheel also being on the 'wrong' side for your Dad he'll have no problem. If you are taking the train directly from London to Paris, you'll be on the Eurostar which is passenger only, not on this vehicle-carrying 'Eurotunnel' train that only operates between Folkestone and Calais. Both trains use the same Channel Tunnel though. Don't believe any smart tour operator who tells you that we say 'Chunnel' instead of Channel Tunnel - we don't! Only US tour operators call it Chunnel ;@) Have a great trip!
Just make sure your dad has diplomatic immunity - then you can flee the country after killing a teenager.
Your so helpful,so want to get a motor home
Great video was that an air stream you were towing . love the dog also .thanks
Thank you! Yes, that's my faithful Airstream in tow :)
hi, brill clip, really clear, especially the tip about not moving forward till the 'join' of the carriages is clear. got a question though, when you said you can go in your caravan whilst its on the train, what is the safest way to do this? would i need to put the legs down etc? i'm travelling with 3 young children, myself and partner and it would be brill to go in the caravan but would want it set up quick but safely. thanks again for the clip, hope you have a suggestion.
Hi there, normally as long as the caravan is attached to the car, and you don't mind it wobbling with the movement of the train, you don't need to put the legs down. If you're worried about the additional weight on the back of your car you can put down the jockey wheel, but don't forget you'll be stationary, and the dynamic load of a caravan pitching at speed on the towbar is far higher than stationary. I must warn you that the Chef de Train once kicked me out of the van because I was getting my head down, but that I think was a one-off. As long as you keep the rooflight AND DOOR open you should be OK. Do remember the gas must remain isolated. Bon voyage!
Well done Andrew - very good video with a load of information for the first time traveller.
Could you tell me which camera you use?
I have a DR 32 Dashcam that has gone on the blink and a mini camera that is totally unreliable.
I need a new recommended camera for my journeys abroad and one similar to yours seems to fit the bill.
Any help appreciated.
Keith
Thanks Keith! I use the GoPro Camera. Very good but found the wifi control (using app on the iPhone) to be very unreliable. Cheers!
Wow thank you for that video is it easy to get back to the euro tunnel for the return journey are the signs in both languages and are the pictures similar high veh or caravan etc
Yes, I travelled a couple of days ago, and all signs are bilingual and easy to understand. Bon voyage!
Excellent video Andrew. We have always gone the ferry route but you really have got us thinking about this now. I thought it might be a bit claustrophobic but didn't realise you could stay in the van. Are you able to move freely on the train or do you have to stay put once you opt to sit in the caravan? Many thanks!
Hi Adrian, you can move about the train no problem, there are passenger access doors through each of the fire screens.
Nice video, very informativ but I have a question. What is maximum width allowed?
Hi there. Thanks for a really informative videos. How much space would you have to get a large twin axel on at all please.
Hi Hannah, it's the same space but do trust me, it's more than enough. I did it with a huge 8ft wide Adria and no problems. There are people there to help guide you if you are nervous. Bon voyage!
Thank you so much for making this video . It is so incredibly well executed and informative . Thing is, I have had a touring caravan for years, and have taken it to Europe lots of times but I have always crossed the channel via ferries as I am claustrophobic so have always avoided crossing underground in the train . I have always thought I would feel too enclosed to do that. Watching your video I was first of all surprised at how light and open the train appeared to be as you drove into it and I did not have a sense of being shut in . May I ask , if the lights in the train carriage remain on throughout the journey to France ? Also I note the train doors then shut on you . I wondered when that happens are you the only car and van in that carriage or are there others with you? Also did you get any sense of being unduly enclosed ? Your thought in this would be much appreciated . Thank you again.😃 Regards Sandy
Hi Sandy, the lights stay on all the time, and there are normally a couple of other cars or another caravan rig in the same compartment as you. There are passenger doors in the fire shutters so you can walk along the entire train if you want, or just pop to the loo. My only recommendation would be to take the caravan or a high vehicle (e.g. SUV + roof box) and that way you get a nice open carriage like this one. If you take a lower car you might be put in a double-deck carriage with much lower ceilings.
Thank you so much ! Enjoy Scotland ! Hope your migraines are few and far between and are not causing you loads pain. . How is your studung going ? Keep posting your brill blogs . Love to you anf Dougal 😃 Sandy
It's called an Autoroute in France :) and toll boots are called a Payage :)
péage*
Well done!!! You managed a whole video without saying hellooooooooooooooo, great! I will have to find something else to punch now
good one vive le Dougal
Would a box low loader be classed as the same? Andrew
A long drive to get on the train at the UK end! I'd ask for some money of the train ticket after driving that much of the journey... ;-)
It's no farther than you'd need to drive at ferry terminal.
Hi Andrew, with regards to isolating the Gas cylinder prior to boarding. Do Eurotunnel want us ti=o disconnect the cylinder with a spanner to just turn the gas off via the hand wheel? Thanks
Just turn off, no need to disconnect.
Your other clips Andrew, invariably show your Triumph lurking in the foreground. Where d'you put it in transit? I can't believe you lay it down in the back of your pickup!
Hi there, I did a video many years back - 2016 or thereabouts, showing how I load the bike into the truck. If you scroll back on the 'videos' tab on my channel page... ;)
@@andrewjditton yes Andrew, but it doesn’t appear to be there on your travels. That’s my point!