Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

 
 
 
 
 
 
bigfoot bair
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Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 20.10.2021  ·  #1
Our van is now 20 years old just passed mot this month no problems
Only 40 thousand on the clock everything works ,sprinter based over 3.5 tons
But still old what would be the problem to look out for if crossing the pond.
Any advice welcomed thanks for now.

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ntg
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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 20.10.2021  ·  #2
Having just passed its mot and with only 40k on the clock I cannot see any problems.
To me reliability is more to do with service history than mileage on clock,and so being you are confident within yourself then go and enjoy it.


Albert the Talbot
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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 20.10.2021  ·  #3
I’d check all belts and hoses, brakes etc should be fine due to MOT tests.

Others may advise on other things

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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 20.10.2021  ·  #4
Non that i can see with a hymer on a merc. Make sure you have insurance in case of breakdown and you will see plenty of 20 year old Hymers in France, Just go and enjoy yourself France is made for Motorhoming.

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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 20.10.2021  ·  #5
I hope so as mine is 30 yrs old and present problem being fixed i will be saying bonjour next year :)

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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 20.10.2021  ·  #6
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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 20.10.2021  ·  #7
Sounds as if the van is good to go......... and enjoy 👍👍👍.


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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 20.10.2021  ·  #8
Sounds like it's mechanically fine you should have no problems , you know the van best and if you feel happy you're good to go ,Bon Voyage


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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 20.10.2021  ·  #9
Just make sure you have breakdown insurance for it just in case

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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 20.10.2021  ·  #10
Quote by TommyS

Just make sure you have breakdown insurance for it just in case


That is something I must check myself. Just after listening to the current camping crew podcast and Aaron mentioned something about some companies not covering breakdown on vehicles over 10 years, I have ADAC and our Motorhome is over 10 years old, anyone familiar with their small print?


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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 21.10.2021  ·  #11
I don't think anyone of us can honestly say we haven't had a 'what if' thought when travelling far from home.
Our MH is 17 years old, and has taken us to Northern Ireland, the UK and France. Twice we've had breakdowns that have required call-outs....one in Kerry and one in Galway!
My point is that you never know what might happen or where.
Agreed, good breakdown insurance is an absolute must, a pre-trip service and check-over is also common sense.
For my own peace of mind, I stick to a slightly slower maximum speed on the long journeys, taking things a little easier on the engine....why rush?
Finally, have any emergency numbers in your phone, clearly listed just in case. Run through them as a practice before you leave, making sure you know who to call and what to say if the need arises....which it almost certainly won't. Enjoy! 👍


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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 21.10.2021  ·  #12
Thanks for the replays good to see it won't be the oldest one
out there ,have been before but van and myself were much younger,
with Dolman don't know if that is enough 8 meters and over 4 ton never
weighed but it is heavy,
what help would you get ,I know the van very well as I doo all services
And ad ons i carry spare filters and belts and this forum is a great help.

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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 21.10.2021  ·  #13
Quote by bigfoot bair

Thanks for the replays good to see it won't be the oldest one
out there ,have been before but van and myself were much younger,
with Dolman don't know if that is enough 8 meters and over 4 ton never
weighed but it is heavy,
what help would you get ,I know the van very well as I doo all services
And ad ons i carry spare filters and belts and this forum is a great help.


Seeing as you are in the North I would bring your attention to the Nationwide Flexplus account which covers you/spouse in ANY vehicle even your mates and a passenger europewide.
Up to 8 metres and 7.5 tonne.
Includes travel insurance for both and mobile phone cover.

You just open an account and it costs £13 something a month.

I’m a member of a big GB forum and I’ve only read glowing reports about it and saw no negativity.

It might be worth a look


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Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 21.10.2021  ·  #14
We had 3 breakdowns with our Sprinter 313cdi 18years old with 250k miles.
Driving on an unpaved road, turbo after cooler rad broke,
Turbo sticking open, when cruising, Both occasions, reduced us to snail driving, last day to the boat,
PITA.,for other drivers.
Another trip, on day three, after parking up overnight, got a plastic burning smell while having breakfast, the glow plug relay had stuck shut, and went on fire, I ripped it out, and taped up the wires, "scary". it started OK after, with a bit longer cranking, driving with a burnt hand was hard bit.

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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 21.10.2021  ·  #15
On checking I have travel insurance with 3 different things, 2 bank accounts and a life insurance policy. I have breakdown insurance with a bank policy and my motorhome policy. I have a Nationwide account so will have to check if its a flex account.

Just to be sure to be sure


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Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 21.10.2021  ·  #16
It's also worth considering, as most people will have several policies, one may not get you all the way home, but could get you to the boat, and another get you home from the port.?

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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 21.10.2021  ·  #17
Don't forget to get a Crit'Air disc SEE HERE before you go. It's a fairly simple process.


bigfoot bair
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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 21.10.2021  ·  #18
Thanks for that every day is a learning day I didn't know having an
account with someone would give you brakedown cover will check it out.


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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 21.10.2021  ·  #19
I took mine in a 2500 mile round trip in Spain and got home 3 days before lockdown. 28 yr old van which just purred along at 60mph.
The breakdown recovery let’s you relax tho I think it’s an age thing cos 20 yrs ago I wouldn’t have gave a hoot about breaking down


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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 21.10.2021  ·  #20
1 am 5 hours from Spanish border in a 20 year old with 223000k on the clock, roads are good in France,even the backbone which I was on today for a hour,avoiding tolls I am


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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 21.10.2021  ·  #21
Quote by Albert the Talbot

I took mine in a 2500 mile round trip in Spain and got home 3 days before lockdown. 28 yr old van which just purred along at 60mph.
The breakdown recovery let’s you relax tho I think it’s an age thing cos 20 yrs ago I wouldn’t have gave a hoot about breaking down


How right you are...I remember, in younger years, driving the 700 mile round trip from Bristol to Newcastle and back to meet the future in-laws.
An old Morris Minor that burnt so much oil that we carried a couple of cans of old used oil to keep it topped up. AA? RAC? We could scarcely afford the feckin petrol!


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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 21.10.2021  ·  #22
I take it Tony that it was not fully synthetic that you were using?😂

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Re: Can i go to France with a 20 year old motorhome.

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Posted: 21.10.2021  ·  #23
It fulfilled the relevant criteria at the time: Free! ✌

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