Rear Warning Reflector Board

[Dazzles]

So it's just come to my attention that it's obligatory to fit a rear warning sign when carrying bicycles on the rear of our motorhome. Can anyone recommend a universal one as I'm seeing different ones for Spain and Italy?

Whilst on this note, are they any other "mandatory" signs I need be aware of?

 

[Hellski]

I'm pretty certain you can buy one that is reversible, so covering both countries on each side of the sign. Might be worth goggling along the lines, 2 in 1 warning sign for rear of motorhome.

Edit: Something like this -

 

[Dazzles]

I'm pretty certain you can buy one that is reversible, so covering both countries on each side of the sign. Might be worth goggling along the lines, 2 in 1 warning sign for rear of motorhome

And as if by magic! Thanks

 

[Gaston aires]

I always believed that you only need a warning sign if your bike/bikes stick out further than your number plate ?
Phil

 

[PhilandMena]

I always believed that you only need a warning sign if your bike/bikes stick out further than your number plate ?
Phil

I'm sure your right Phil and this has been raised in the past and as per the usual the 'experts' challenged this. I do believe however, it is a legal requirement for the warning board to be of Ali construction for Italy.

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[Dazzles]

I always believed that you only need a warning sign if your bike/bikes stick out further than your number plate ?
Phil

I'm getting the feeling it's a requirement in certain parts of Europe. For one, I'm happy to display if it stops some daft trying to land the blame at our Moho step should they be blind enough to run up the back of us

 

[Gaston aires]

Probably best to display one just in case. Our scooter cover has one incorporated, but the number plate sticks out further anyway.
Phil

 

[Deleted member 29692]

So it's just come to my attention that it's obligatory to fit a rear warning sign when carrying bicycles on the rear of our motorhome. Can anyone recommend a universal one as I'm seeing different ones for Spain and Italy?

Whilst on this note, are they any other "mandatory" signs I need be aware of?

For Italy, and I believe Spain, the sign has to be made of aluminium. The (cheap) ones generally sold here are corrugated plastic.

 

[PhilandMena]

I've been using the cheap Fiama ones for the last 6 years in Europe, never been challenged yet ! Just bought a new one as my last had faded.

 

[Deleted member 29692]

I've been using the cheap Fiama ones for the last 6 years in Europe, never been challenged yet ! Just bought a new one as my last had faded.

I knew someone would pop up with that. I should have put a bet on it.

Perhaps you'll guarantee to pay the OP's fine for him if he goes with a plastic one and is unlucky enough to get stopped?

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[sonny]

Saw all different types in spain including some fixed onto cycle rack as anything extra on the rear of the vehicle requires signage

 

[PhilandMena]

I knew someone would pop up with that. I should have put a bet on it.

Perhaps you'll guarantee to pay the OP's fine for him if he goes with a plastic one and is unlucky enough to get stopped?

I think not! and I think your scare mongering ! Please show me any instance where someone in a motorhome/Camping car has been stopped anywhere in Europe and fined because there warning sign was plastic instead of Aluminium. I will only be too happy to eat humble pie

 

[gus-lopez]

I always believed that you only need a warning sign if your bike/bikes stick out further than your number plate ?
Phil

but the rack itself will extend past the number plate even when it is not in use.mine does and has an Ali board on when folded up and not in use.

 

[Deleted member 29692]

I think not! and I think your scare mongering ! Please show me any instance where someone in a motorhome/Camping car has been stopped anywhere in Europe and fined because there warning sign was plastic instead of Aluminium. I will only be too happy to eat humble pie

It doesn't matter if anyone's been fined or not.

Italian and Spanish law require an aluminium sign. If you choose to risk it then thats up to you but should you really be encouraging anyone else to do so?

Would you encourage someone to drive at 120mph on the motorway just because you do it all the time and have never been caught?

 

[Gizmouk]

Comes under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations - Overhanging Loads.
Link to document:


Also consider that it's an offence to cover, or partially cover, your number plate or rear lights. Although that doesn't seem to bother Johnny Halfwit with several bikes hanging off the back of his brat carrier

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[PhilandMena]

It doesn't matter if anyone's been fined or not.

Italian and Spanish law require an aluminium sign. If you choose to risk it then thats up to you but should you really be encouraging anyone else to do so?

Would you encourage someone to drive at 120mph on the motorway just because you do it all the time and have never been caught?

Please show me where I have encouraged anyone else to do what I do ! I have done no more than explain what I do and what I believe the requirements are for Italy. Besides, my motorhome will only go over 100 MPH down a very steep long hill, out of gear and a following wind.

 

[Cal54]

Could I please ask for clarity: I understood the chevron boards were essential for Spain and Italy etc but was lead to believe that it wasn't a legal requirement in France- am I wrong?

 

[PhilandMena]

Comes under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations - Overhanging Loads.
Link to document:


Also consider that it's an offence to cover, or partially cover, your number plate or rear lights. Although that doesn't seem to bother Johnny Halfwit with several bikes hanging off the back of his brat carrier

Is this relevant to Motorhomes in Europe ? Also, I note this document states warning boards are required if the projection is more than 2 Meters. The other person was enquiring if warning boards were required if the projection was behind the rear number plate. Many bike carriers have a platform that bikes sit on and the end of the carrier has a number plate and warning lights. Even when attached directly to the back of the motorhome they would not protrude more than 2 meters.

 

[PhilandMena]

Could I please ask for clarity: I understood the chevron boards were essential for Spain and Italy etc but was lead to believe that it wasn't a legal requirement in France- am I wrong?

I'm fairly certain your going to get contradictory advice to that question and for what it's worth I would recommend having a warning board on the rear if carrying bikes in any country.

 

[jessthedog]

I believe the law in Italy states:

"Art 361. Panels for signaling the longitudinal projection of the load (art. 164 Cs).
The rectangular panels to report longitudinal protrusions of the load to be installed at the end of the ledge under Article 164, paragraph 9 of the Code must match the type shown in Figure V.3 and must have a minimum area of 2500 cm ². This surface must be coated with a reflective material stripes alternating red and white arranged at 45 º. 2. The panel referred to in paragraph 1 must be visible both day and night.To this end, on the surface of the panel normally consists of sheet metal, must be applied reflective film class 2, both for the white stripes for red ones. 3. When the load protrudes longitudinally for the entire width of the rear part of the vehicle, the signaling panels must be two, placed transversely, each from one end of the load, or the protruding shape. 4. With regard to the manufacture, testing and standardization of signaling panels provided for in this Article shall apply the provisions of Article 192 (1). (1) Paragraph amended by art. 204, Presidential Decree September 16, 1996, n. 610. "

It says they are normaly sheet metal!
But if I read that correctly, as long as the stripes are reflective, it dosent matter if its plastic.

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[jessthedog]

Could I please ask for clarity: I understood the chevron boards were essential for Spain and Italy etc but was lead to believe that it wasn't a legal requirement in France- am I wrong?

You are not wrong!

 

[namwaldog]

I think this covers it in Spain........



Bear in mind that this is not an official Spanish Police website. This shows the "About Us" for the website's origins...

http://n332.es/about-us/

 

[Gizmouk]

Is this relevant to Motorhomes in Europe ?

Don't know. But for the amount of time / effort / money involved in attaching a warning board, I personally wouldn't bother getting into a roadside discussion with an overly officious copper or any nationality

Also, I note this document states warning boards are required if the projection is more than 2 Meters. The other person was enquiring if warning boards were required if the projection was behind the rear number plate.

The regulations also clearly state:
" More than 1 metre, but not exceeding 2 metres: End must be made clearly visible" Slightly ambiguous, but for the sake of less than a tenner ...

Many bike carriers have a platform that bikes sit on and the end of the carrier has a number plate and warning lights. Even when attached directly to the back of the motorhome they would not protrude more than 2 meters.

That would depend on the type of bike carrier - towbar mounted, or the type "nailed" to the rear panel. We have a towbar mounted carrier, which has light / reg plate - but still requires something to make it "clearly visible" as it extends beyond 1m from the rear of the vehicle.

 

[webby1]

Don't know. But for the amount of time / effort / money involved in attaching a warning board, I personally wouldn't bother getting into a roadside discussion with an overly officious copper or any nationality

Unless of course you are able to explain to them in their own language that your understanding of the law is better than theirs. The OP was asking about the law,not what other people do and get away with.

You need the aluminium reflective all over for Italy, although the one with 4 reflectors will do for Spain and France although not legally required.

"Yes I ran into the back of the motorhome because they did not have the correct chevron board as required by law" would make interesting reading in the event of a claim for damage. Here's another ....."The accident was caused because I was dazzled by the British driver who did not have the correct beam benders on his motorhome" whether true or not, it wouldn't go very well in the event of a serious accident.

 

[Alistair33]

That's our set up,Fiama aluminium, he cover helps to hide what kind of bikes,I'd imagine useful if carrying electric bikes,doesn't take long to put on

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[LesW]

That's our set up,Fiama aluminium, he cover helps to hide what kind of bikes,I'd imagine useful if carrying electric bikes,doesn't take long to put on

What cover is that Alistair?

 

[Alistair33]

I can not remember where we got it but bought the board and the cover on line in the UK, ...

 

[tacr2man]

Just playing the devils advocate but using these marker boards with reflective white stripes ( the marker boards in C&U regs are not reflective white) showing to rear is contrary to RVLR where reflector is classed as light of same colour so only red or amber to rear so possible offense on UK roads ?

 

[Lenny HB]

And don't forget to turn them through 90 deg when in the UK, the lines must point downwards towards the offside lane.

 

[Reallyretired]

I have a back box on my bike rack. It has the Italian alli plate screwed to it, probably the wrong way round.

At least it shows I tried.

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