French Toll Roads for over 3.5T MH's

don't have a tag of any sort (yet?....) but 'generally' all single axle MHs will be Classe Deux.....

do you desperately need a tag, and if you have one will this move costs automatically upwards if you have to declare weights and height?

i don't know, just curious.

Could you not use the standard Tag rather than a specialist HGV one? as used by cars and motorhomes up to 3500kgs? Surely all it would do is put you into the Class three category.  Although you suggest your motorhomes is taller than 3 metres and heavier than 3500kgs you don't mention how much taller and heavier it is. Perhaps if you are thinking HGV it is a really large motorhome? The systems installed at the toll booth will determine the class of toll. I can understand how they measure height as there will be sensors in place, although how these work in relation to you being a few mm over the 3 metres I am not sure. Weight is more difficult because I am not sure they have equipment in place to weigh. It is also possible to have two identical motorhomes but with different max weights if one has been upgraded?

On the issue of convenience my answer would be a Tag every time!!!

David

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If you are travelling quite a bit on Autoroutes a tag is invaluable. No fumbling around finding a credit card, OH trying to stretch out etc. Some of the bigger pèage are automatic, you don’t even stop. They are quite cheap and there is automatic billing.

Some of the largest motorhomes are actually Classe 4 - meaning the tolls costs are an arm and a leg (and another leg for some of the tunnels and bridges).

Here's a classification breakdown so you can see what tolls you will pay:

Autoroute vehicle classification for toll charges

Ian,  ValDa is of course right on her point, but I would just add that the largest motorhomes may in some circumstances have to use the motorways, as they will be banned from taking the "old road" through many towns in France which frequently have a 3500kg limit, 

But whether you use an autoroute tag or pay as you go with a bank card is entirely up to you, but tags of all sorts will definitely work. 

Hi BB, 

Not sure what your  “generally” covers, but not “all single axle MH’s” are Class 2.    My single axle is Class 3, at 4,250 kgs.      So, does “generally” mean all the rest, all those mini-motorhomes?!

Hope you are still enjoying those long days of sunshine.   My mate who is in BP in an Eriba is complaining about how cold it is!      I told him to buy a decent Brit van with central heating!

BillC

Hi Bill, is your van well over 3m tall?

AFAIK, I agree with David in that weight can't be measured unless it's obtained from the vehicle docs via ANPR software.

we are 2.89m tall and, although we run the van at 3500kg, it was plated at 3850kg from the factory...

so, the van hasn't physically changed (only a paper change) so how would I be charged more if I'd left it at 3850kg.

im sure it's height (well over 3m) or no of axles (obvious) that drive the charges.

have you ever pressed the button and said 'classe deux s'il vous plait', this is usually enough to get a class two toll charge unless very high or three axles.

yes, weather a bit up and down at BP today....and cold at night, as expected in January....Tai Chi on the beach this morning was sharp but sunny, just warning up now as I'm sat out typing this.

we are here till 9th Feb, then down to the Algarve.

PS....I'm pretty sure our previous Carthago was Classe Deux and that was 7.5m and 4250kg...again 2.89m high (under 3m) so perhaps height (or lack of it) is the main driver...if weight can't be measured and documents not referenced?

the latest Kon Tiki is either 3.02m or 3.13m depending on model...is yours the same?

i also noticed the Autotrails are 3.03m which must be frustrating if charged the higher fee even for a 3500 van.....?

Hi BB,

Our current van is 2.98m, so just inside the limit.  Yes, the new KTs are longer and higher, which I think is a big mistake by Swift.    We would have been in the market for the new van idc, but with these stats will have to think seriously about it, mainly because of ferry prices, but also tolls.

It may be possible to go through the manned booth and try the Class 2 rate, but if you were applying for a Class 2 Tag you need to have a weight within the 3500 kg limit, 3m or under for height and these are the only two restrictions, not axles, but I don’t think you will get a Tag Axle under 4t in weight.       Even though they can’t tell your weight at the booth, you can’t lie about your weight to get a Tag, but more on this when we meet up.

Tai Chi indeed, with all those women on the beech and you felt the cold!    Say no more!

BillC

 

we don't have a tag so havent declared weight to anyone (except on V5). Same with our heavier van, no tag, so perhaps there's a loophole.

we've never paid anything other than class 2 even on the bigger Carthago. I don't see how they can do it without getting weight info from somewhere?....and it won't be at the toll booth, no equipment.

so, as long as under 3m and single axle, class two every time...in my experience.

all Tai Chi ers this morning, of either sex, were pretty well wrapped up. advanced class at 11:30 for some....I cycled up the mountain behind us instead..