Autotrail Cheyenne - Toll Charges

[Bailey58]

If it's so tight you could always let the tyres down a bit.

 

[Gellyneck]

If it's so tight you could always let the tyres down a bit.

Don't be silly!

Can I refer you to post #24 which is a simpler and more attractive alternative!

 

[Bailey58]

Don't be silly!

Can I refer you to post #24 which is a simpler and more attractive alternative!

But more expensive!

 

[Puddleduck]

How do ‘they’ know? Is a digital check of some database? Thinking of a scenario with a 3.65t uplift on a usually 3.5t model where they are visually identical.

Maybe I am the only one who just pays whichever classe is asked for (although we usually avoid toll roads if we can).

We are under 3m but over 3500kg having up-plated to 3650 as a paper exercise. In France we were charged as Classe 2 in Italy it was hit and miss but in Switzerland we registered as a PHGV (which worked out cheaper for us than the vignette - aka "wig net" as per my sister in law).

 

[Gellyneck]

But more expensive!

Yeh but toffs are careless (or is that pennyless?)!

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[Kozikot]

Just done the complete A22 in PORTUGAL last week, 2.89mt H, 3,500Kg but uprated to 4,250Kg,Taxed as PHGV, Class 2 all the way...

 

[Conal]

We added GlideRite rear air assist to our 3.03m high Autotrail Delaware, I assume it will now be slightly higher at the back?

 

[Camper634]

My Apache634 has a tag attached from Sanef which I originally bought for a previous sub 3 metre in height van.Tha Apache is just slightly over 3 metres and we often get to the embarrassing situation of the barrier not opening when exiting a section of toll Rd.Telling the operator on the other end of the intercom that we are a camping car sometimes is successful in getting the barrier lifted.However if you get a jobsworth like we have also occasionally had,we are told to pay the class 3 rate via credit card.If not you will be stuck there until you do.Not a pleasant experience.

 

[Lenny HB]

If it's so tight you could always let the tyres down a bit.

More sensible to fit full air suspension then you can lower it a few inches as you approach the barrier.

 

[StuartB]

We have a Autosleeper Nuevo overcab, the overcab takes use up to 3.01m!!. It's our first motorhome, although we have toured extensively in Europe camping by car. Because of time constraints we need to use tolls sometimes in Europe, and last summer in the MH used our previous auto tag, as we find them very convenient to get somewhere quickly. As already stated that 1cm meant we were classed as 3, and the tag didn't work automatically. Although the extra cost is bad enough, we find the inconvenience of the passenger having to stay awake to pay also very significant. I am discussing with Autosleeper the possibility of changing the rooflight (this is what takes us over 3m), however I suspect the cost will be prohibitive. Autosleeper claim to have been previously unaware of the 3m limit!!

Does anyone know if you can get a tag for class 3 in France/Spain/Portugal?
Thanks

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[Ridgeway]

I always aim for class 5, never managed it yet....

 

[Tea Bag]

"Eeeyupp lad, carn't thar see I'm int' Cheyenne?"

Hi.
You forgot.... " sythee ?" on the end. ...Barnsley lad in a london Pub,,, " Pint of Bitter sir... Whitbread..? ". "Ay , Two slices.sythee ". The old ones still keep getting out. don't they.?......." 'appen so.". Love Yorkshire,lived in Hull for a while and was an honorary West Yorkshire Woolly back .
Tea Bag

 

[Korova]

I've got an '02 Cheyenne, no dome, drove the length of France using toll roads and was always class 2, using a Liber-t tag.

 

[Emmit]

Stuart,

When you arrive at a toll and it says (or the OP. in the Booth says) Classe 3 say something like " Nous somme le camping car, Class deux SIL vous plait"

(we are a motorhome, class 2 please)

Seems to work.

 

[Badknee]

Also if over 3.5t regardless of height its Class 3.

We’re 2.90 and 5250kgs Lenny and we were always charged class 2. Don’t to France anymore though.

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[Lenny HB]

We’re 2.90 and 5250kgs Lenny and we were always charged class 2. Don’t to France anymore though.

You were a naughty boy then.

 

[BILL 875]

I can only advise on Portugal the height measurement is the height of vehicle is directly above the centre of the front wheel, anything on the roof does not count, under 1.0mtr is class 1 above that class 2, I had a toyota land cruiser 1.1 high class 2, double the car rate.

 

[JaG]

Domes don’t make any difference we had auto trail Tracker with a dome and always made class 2

With my dome it is just over 3m, and it did get bring up Class 3 at the toll booth in this country.

 

[TCG]

I really like the roomy feel of our Autotrail Delaware but why make it 3.03m tall. The designers must know the height limit (3 metres) for some tolls and the difference in toll price is substantial. I know there are those who will say “when you pay that much for a motorhome why worry about a few £100 a year“ but I regard it as a design fault.

We have a delaware...And a class two autoroute tag. Only once been challenged. Argued the toss and she let me through

 

[Speve]

With my dome it is just over 3m, and it did get bring up Class 3 at the toll booth in this country.

I assumed we were talking France, Spain & Portugal

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[JaG]

I assumed we were talking France, Spain & Portugal

No, UK. Yet to take it there

 

[Bubba]

Fit adjustable air suspension. Lower it right down going through the laser. Then pump it back up on the other side.

 

[Ian Bosman]

We have a Autosleeper Nuevo overcab, the overcab takes use up to 3.01m!!. It's our first motorhome, although we have toured extensively in Europe camping by car. Because of time constraints we need to use tolls sometimes in Europe, and last summer in the MH used our previous auto tag, as we find them very convenient to get somewhere quickly. As already stated that 1cm meant we were classed as 3, and the tag didn't work automatically. Although the extra cost is bad enough, we find the inconvenience of the passenger having to stay awake to pay also very significant. I am discussing with Autosleeper the possibility of changing the rooflight (this is what takes us over 3m), however I suspect the cost will be prohibitive. Autosleeper claim to have been previously unaware of the 3m limit!!

Does anyone know if you can get a tag for class 3 in France/Spain/Portugal?
Thanks

Many are getting worked up on the 3.01metres compared with 3.00 metres, a difference of 10mm which in really old money is just over one third of an inch, so I’m not surprised some tolls allow as class 2 and some class 3 due to the small differences. My own has no chance at 3.19 but we try to avoid French tolls anyway unless time is short.

 

[treeker]

Basic vehicle height is what counts. Here is the evidence (France):

https://www.autoroutes.fr/FCKeditor/UserFiles/File/ASFA%20CLASSE%20VEHICULE%20BD.pdf

Under Remarques:
(These) Do not affect the calculation of the total height:
- Load on the roof of a vehicle or trailer
- Accessories, such as: aerials, boxes or roof bars, flashing lights, taxi signs, satellite dishes, skylights, solar panels.

(These do) Affect the calculation of the total height:
- Items added to the base vehicle, such as: habitable cells(pods?), air conditioners, refrigeration units.

 

[EuroTrotters]

Only place I fancy in France this year, Annecy. A favourite of ours for many years.

I use a Toll tag over 3.5t (3,850kg). But don’t fancy those ugly, stupid stickers. Especially with the gross sounding wording.

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[Peter Beeston]

Today we are off to Chester for a couple of days and I’ve just checked the toll price of the Runcorn Bridge Mersey crossing. The weight puts us into class 3 which is £6 as opposed to £2 for sub 3.5 tonne .

A couple of years ago I crossed the Mersey Crossing in my 4t Autotrail Apache and was charged £6. On checking the charges, I found that Motorhomes, regardless of their weight, should only pay £2, so I challenged them about that. They argued that they relied on the DVLA Vehicle Category (Section J on the V5C) to determine the charging. On advice from the DVLA I then argued that this category cannot determine if the vehicle is a Motorhome and for that they need the Body type (Section D.5 on the V5C), which they did not request at that time.
The outcome was that they admitted that they were wrong, and would change the procedures to comply with the law (Their charging bands are set by an Act of Parliament).
If you are being charged £6, and on your V5C the Body type is MOTOR CARAVAN, then they should only charge you £2, and you should complain and get a refund.

 

[Ian Bosman]

Basic vehicle height is what counts. Here is the evidence (France):

https://www.autoroutes.fr/FCKeditor/UserFiles/File/ASFA%20CLASSE%20VEHICULE%20BD.pdf

Under Remarques:
(These) Do not affect the calculation of the total height:
- Load on the roof of a vehicle or trailer
- Accessories, such as: aerials, boxes or roof bars, flashing lights, taxi signs, satellite dishes, skylights, solar panels.

(These do) Affect the calculation of the total height:
- Items added to the base vehicle, such as: habitable cells(pods?), air conditioners, refrigeration units.

I believe that you have mis-read the link you gave us as the translation says this "
- Loading on the roof of a vehicle or trailer

- Accessories, such as: aerials, roof boxes or bars, flashing lights, taxi signs, satellite dishes, skylights, solar panels. Affect the calculation of the total height: - Items added to the basic vehicle, such as: habitable cells, air conditioners, refrigeration units.

 

[Barryh]

A couple of years ago I crossed the Mersey Crossing in my 4t Autotrail Apache and was charged £6. On checking the charges, I found that Motorhomes, regardless of their weight, should only pay £2, so I challenged them about that. They argued that they relied on the DVLA Vehicle Category (Section J on the V5C) to determine the charging. On advice from the DVLA I then argued that this category cannot determine if the vehicle is a Motorhome and for that they need the Body type (Section D.5 on the V5C), which they did not request at that time.
The outcome was that they admitted that they were wrong, and would change the procedures to comply with the law (Their charging bands are set by an Act of Parliament).
If you are being charged £6, and on your V5C the Body type is MOTOR CARAVAN, then they should only charge you £2, and you should complain and get a refund.

Thanks for that information I didn’t use the bridge in the end as I went round.

 

[GAVLAD]

If the OP is talking about France, all of the tolls are operated by independent companies who look after that stretch of road, so you may find that some toll booths may categorise you as class 2, 3 or 4.
Their height limit is operated by a laser, as is number of axles.
If you're 2.99m but have a roof box or a sat dome and it takes you over, they charge you for what height you actually are, not what the manufacturer says in their brochure.
As mentioned previously, you can always press the intercom and plead your case by saying you are a camper van.
This has worked in the past for us, but on occasion, they have replied 'Non'.
We're just shy of 9m long at 3.23m heigh at 5200kgs on a tag, so should be class 4, but have been charged class 2 by some toll operators.
The alternative is to avoid the tolls.
Or take your Sat dome off.

 

[Molly A]

Ah, that seals the deal then as ours is 3900kg.

Never been stopped in our bijou Hymer Exsis 414I at 2,8m and registered at 3700...

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