Eurotunnel in a GT4

[Redline88]

Just posting this really as a heads up for anybody looking to take their GT4 on the Eurotunnel. I know that most people know about booking the larger carriage which gives you considerably more width on the carriages themselves (and ground clearance is no issue) however, at the French side, returning to the UK, some of the UK checkpoints (the second checkpoint you go through after having your passport stamped) have ramps up to the boarder control people. The GT4 happily travels up these however it won’t get down the other side as I learned at the weekend during a busy crossing! If you do take the tunnel then I’d keep an eye out for one of the lower ramped sections!

[KOKSRACING]

That’s interesting as I went on the tunnel for Lemans and found a mountain of a border control bump. The car went up and down it ok but at an angle

Did you have to reverse back? Or did it scrape the front splitter?

[Redline88]

There were a couple of different sizes - the smaller one I managed but on the first attempt on the larger one, it started to scrape so had to reverse back, not helped with it being a pretty tight channel and a mild curve!

ETA - there was Armco either side so no option to leave at an angle

[bosshog]

Interesting. I go on the tunnel x2 a year in the GT4 and never had any issues anywhere. Not sure why others are.

[donutskidmark]

Likewise- I took my gt4 to LeMans- never had any issue with ramps

[Jeronh]

Interesting - my GT4 scraped the front splitter when going over this but was fine on the way down.

[TDT]

Likewise - minimal issues really for me. My car is running lower ride height than OEM GT4 and also has 4RS underbody vanes.
Have been out and back twice already this year and will be again in October.
Main thing is to realise that the ramps are there and then it really just about approach and speed.

But a good tip to look for one of the lower lanes. I have been directed to those before, although it meant i had to get out of the car to hand over passport to the official.

[Redline88]

I was conscious that it could scrape so it was as slow as I could possibly go, no option to go slower and as mentioned, it was a tight lane so no option to take an angle. Anyway, I’ve also been over several times this year and this is the first time that I’ve had issues, just wanted to highlight it so people were aware.

[TDT]

Redline88 said:

I was conscious that it could scrape so it was as slow as I could possibly go, no option to go slower and as mentioned, it was a tight lane so no option to take an angle. Anyway, I’ve also been over several times this year and this is the first time that I’ve had issues, just wanted to highlight it so people were aware.

It’s possible that particular lane may just have been higher then.
Good heads up.

[Roma101]

Thanks for the heads up. I’ve been through these check points in “normal” cars and have wondered how a GT4 would cope.

For those who have taken their GT4 through, can you remember which ones were ok? For example, the ones on the ends of the row, or in the middle?

[bigmowley]

Spa this week in the 4RS and no issues on the UK side but the French side is a bit tricky. I think it’s the passport and customs booths on the RHS of the assembly area that have the enormous humps, the nice French security chap directed us to a booth without a hump which was very nice of him, lots of sign language going on about the clearance at the front. I didn’t have the heart to tell him it has lift

[Paul_N]

Thanks for posting, first trip with the GT4 scheduled next month, got wide carriage booked but other information most useful.

[J Chitty]

I took the normal car deck and had no issues either way. Just go on at an angle.

[Paul_N]

Another question sort of related, is there anything I need to do regarding the tracker before going abroad please?

[J Chitty]

You are meant to call them before getting on train. I’d probably take a spare battery for the fob as well if you’re going for a while.

[bigmowley]

Paul_N said:

Another question sort of related, is there anything I need to do regarding the tracker before going abroad please?

That’s a good question. I forgot all about it both ways on the Eurotunnel and nothing happened. Mind you the fob never left the car.
I am rubbish at remembering that fob at the best of times

[Paul_N]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated