Concerns about motorhome overhang when using Ferry or Tunnel?

[BigVtwin]

Afternoon all.

Soon (next 3 days) to be the very proud new owner of a AT Serrano (yep can't wait ).

Anyway, the overhang is much longer than my previous van and was wondering (as we are due to use both Tunnel and Ferry on our trip in next 2 weeks), does anybody with a large bottomed van scrape on any of the ramps for either Ferry or Tunnel?

You know what it's like, the old grey matter starts going into overdrive.....

 

[Brains]

Motorhome skid wheels

 

[BigVtwin]

Motorhome skid wheels

Thought of them but dont think i will have the time to get them fitted before i go

 

[rb62]

You won't have a problem on the tunnel

 

[Quackers]

to Motorhome Fun BigVtwin. The first thing you need to do is join as a full member, well worth it.

Seen some vehicles with a very low chassis here at Woodside Field and the Serrano is not one of them. Remember when packing the garage for Justin, do not put all the heavy stuff right at the back no matter how tempting it is. We also have a Serrano, love it.
Happy travels.

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[BigVtwin]

to Motorhome Fun BigVtwin. The first thing you need to do is join as a full member, well worth it.

Seen some vehicles with a very low chassis here at Woodside Field and the Serrano is not one of them. Remember when packing the garage for Justin, do not put all the heavy stuff right at the back no matter how tempting it is. We also have a Serrano, love it.
Happy travels.

Thankyou

 

[VXman]

Mine has a long overhang being 7.5 metres and I've never had an problem on ferries.

 

[VXman]

However, having just looked at a picture of a AT Serrano and it does look low

 

[BigVtwin]

However, having just looked at a picture of a AT Serrano and it does look low

View attachment 855108

 

[varaizian]

They generally load MHs on the level deck rather than up a ramp but I've never seen anyone have a problem even at very low or high tide states. Not something I even think about with only 6 metres of length and a high tail end!

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[VXman]

For comparison with mine.

 

[varaizian]

I've just looked at the picture. Lovely looking vehicle but, yes!

 

[Just smiffy]

Fit some airbags on the rears and then you can pump it up a bit for ferries…

 

[Roger S]

We had a Swift 597 which was ( and still is ) 8.11m the overhang on that was quite long, the tunnel never was a problem as the approach is level with the train, doddle getting on there. However the freshwater drain was very low and was an issue on the occasional speed bump on france 0

 

[bigtwin]

Motorhome skid wheels

A complete and utter waste of time.

In most instances they exacerbate the issue and in the few instances where they might offer any benefit they buckle and distort.

They're expected to carry a point load in excess of 1 tonne and they simply wouldn’t be up to it.

From the website:

Avoid those horrible grounding experiences.

Far from avoiding grounding experiences, they increase the frequency of such groundings (they must do because they’re lower than any other part of the vehicle and will now ground out when before there would have been enough clearance!

Skid Wheels provide shock absorbing protection for the rear of your vehicle.

There are no shock absorbers (dampers) featured in the design. They will transmit the grounding shock directly to the chassis of the vehicle.

Only two benefits are presented on the website, neither of which have any foundation.

Ian

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[BigVtwin]

A complete and utter waste of time.

In most instances they exacerbate the issue and in the few instances where they might offer any benefit they buckle and distort.

They're expected to carry a point load in excess of 1 tonne and they simply wouldn’t be up to it.

From the website:


Far from avoiding grounding experiences, they increase the frequency of such groundings (they must do because they’re lower than any other part of the vehicle and will now ground out when before there would have been enough clearance!



There are no shock absorbers (dampers) featured in the design. They will transmit the grounding shock directly to the chassis of the vehicle.

Only two benefits are presented on the website, neither of which have any foundation.

Ian

Thanks for the reply

 

[Spriddler]

Some ferry operators (e.g. inter-island) know the problem and will slip 'extension' boards under the wheels to reduce the steepness of the ramp. You can also mount the ramp at an angle rather than square on to it.

 

[DDJC]

We have a 7.3m Rimor Ducato SWB ... with a tow bar! The back end sticks out a lot!

Never grounded on the few times we used the ferry. Mind you, I remember driving the car/caravan up the ramp at Dublin to Holyhead. Something scraped a bit at the coupling.
So, we got VB semi air on the rear axle, controlled by internal compressor and dual switches/gauges. From empty to 3.5 bar raises the rear of the bus by about four inches, which would stop you dragging on any ramp (and it improved the ride no end - no wobble going round corners, no crashing the rear axle bump stops and no air bumping from passing trucks/coaches).

We usually use the channel tunnel nowadays. You will not scrap or drag, getting onto the tunnel train.

 

[Speve]

I think I would be more concerned with side swiping something with that overhang when turning out of gateways and the like

 

[BigVtwin]

I think I would be more concerned with side swiping something with that overhang when turning out of gateways and the like

Now why would ya go and start my mind worrying on that ???

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[tonka]

I think I would be more concerned with side swiping something with that overhang when turning out of gateways and the like

My Apache 700 was about the same length and overhang as the Serrano. I once took out a concrete waste bin in France after pulling out, luckily the towbar hit it and no damage to the van.

Ref grounding, only had an issue on the Morroco ferry but I did later fit rear air suspension to help raise the back end. DIY fitted and at the time about £250.

 

[nicholsong]

My experience on both Scottish Island and Greek island ferries is that the loading crew are quite experienced at spotting a potential grounding and often drag thick mats into place to make the transition smoother.

On the Dover Strait ferries there is usually no problem because the loading jetties are adjustable to the ships decks according to the tides.

 

[Googlebot]

Don’t worry about the tunnel, used to do it with a large caravan and no problem at all!

Lots of the trucks are quite low now as well, I don’t think you will have an issue.

 

[A S R]

I’ve taken my Burstner Elegance ( with a 2 metre overhang ) to some weird and wonderful places and NEVER had a problem. That includes the Shuttle, Alps, small Scottish ferries, crappy little campsites etc….
Looking at those skid wheels and the size of them I can’t help thinking that they’d cause more problems than they would solve!
Even more so on that motorhome you’ve just bought. They’d probably be in constant contact with the road!
As previously mentioned, air bags on the rear would be your best option I reckon.

 

[Emmyclaire]

Afternoon all.

Soon (next 3 days) to be the very proud new owner of a AT Serrano (yep can't wait ).

Anyway, the overhang is much longer than my previous van and was wondering (as we are due to use both Tunnel and Ferry on our trip in next 2 weeks), does anybody with a large bottomed van scrape on any of the ramps for either Ferry or Tunnel?

You know what it's like, the old grey matter starts going into overdrive.....

We have a long overhang on our autotrail twin axle and have been fine on the ferry, haven't done the shuttle so can't comment on that.

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[BigVtwin]

All - can i thankyou for the comments, really informative and great advice - you guys rock

 

[Newb52]

Afternoon all.

Soon (next 3 days) to be the very proud new owner of a AT Serrano (yep can't wait ).

Anyway, the overhang is much longer than my previous van and was wondering (as we are due to use both Tunnel and Ferry on our trip in next 2 weeks), does anybody with a large bottomed van scrape on any of the ramps for either Ferry or Tunnel?

You know what it's like, the old grey matter starts going into overdrive.....

We had a Bailey Autograph which is really low & never had a problem on the tunnel, did scrape slightly when getting off Red Funnel ferry from the Isle of Wight

 

[BrianHHill]

Afternoon all.

Soon (next 3 days) to be the very proud new owner of a AT Serrano (yep can't wait ).

Anyway, the overhang is much longer than my previous van and was wondering (as we are due to use both Tunnel and Ferry on our trip in next 2 weeks), does anybody with a large bottomed van scrape on any of the ramps for either Ferry or Tunnel?

You know what it's like, the old grey matter starts going into overdrive.....

We have an Auto-Sleeper Burford with a big overhang. No problem on either the Tunnel or Ferry. I was nervous on the Ferry and took a diagonal approach to the ramp. A lot of "Motorhomers" do that.

 

[two]

Try not to worry about these things - it will spoil your fun. I used to be completely ignorant of such possibilities and had a more carefree time. Now, i tend to worry about possible problems that fail to materialise.
I use to have a steep drive with abrupt start from the road. If the approach was not right, I placed some thick blocks under the wheels to lift the back up. The ferries to worry about may be the small ones across a river, where the banks are steep on either side but you are unlikely to be the first with a long overhang and the operator should know how to handle it. "Regular" ferries don't want delays and (I'm sure) will arrange ramps in a way that's unlikely to cause you a problem.
Get your co-pilot to watch you wherever you think it might be tight and you'll soon know whether it's likely to be an issue. If needed, you could add air assist later. (Don't mess with skids.)

 

[GMLS]

Afternoon all.

Soon (next 3 days) to be the very proud new owner of a AT Serrano (yep can't wait ).

Anyway, the overhang is much longer than my previous van and was wondering (as we are due to use both Tunnel and Ferry on our trip in next 2 weeks), does anybody with a large bottomed van scrape on any of the ramps for either Ferry or Tunnel?

You know what it's like, the old grey matter starts going into overdrive.....

Had an AT Scout with a large overhang and towbar with bike rack.No issues at all on tunnel, Dover to Calais or Fishguard to Rosslare routes.Enjoy!