First time to Le mans in VW Campervan
Discussion
Hi all,
I am hoping to go to le mans next year and i will be hiring a vw campervan. I have a couple of questions to ask.
In relation to the pitch sizes i know they are 7mx5m but does anyone know if it is 7m or 5m wide as im looking to take an awning and if it is 5m wide it wont fit inside pitch.
Also i have been reading about the critair system in Rouen. Aswe are hiring the van and pucking it up the day before we set off, how will we be able to get pass or would it be better detouring Rouen.
Lastly question on electric hook up, looking at sites i see houx is only ehu site. If im not able to get pitch there, does anyone have advice how to keep fridge running as i guess leisure battery will not last.
Any help would be appreciated.
I am hoping to go to le mans next year and i will be hiring a vw campervan. I have a couple of questions to ask.
In relation to the pitch sizes i know they are 7mx5m but does anyone know if it is 7m or 5m wide as im looking to take an awning and if it is 5m wide it wont fit inside pitch.
Also i have been reading about the critair system in Rouen. Aswe are hiring the van and pucking it up the day before we set off, how will we be able to get pass or would it be better detouring Rouen.
Lastly question on electric hook up, looking at sites i see houx is only ehu site. If im not able to get pitch there, does anyone have advice how to keep fridge running as i guess leisure battery will not last.
Any help would be appreciated.
You can, of course, park sideways in order to get your awning to fit.
If you end up somewhere with no electricity (many site have unofficial power where people tap into the power points used by the toilets/showers/etc) then you will have to rely on passive coolboxes with ice - or run your engine to top up the leisure battery.
Crit'air might mean a detour if the van has no sticker - or just risk it if the van looks new enough.
If you end up somewhere with no electricity (many site have unofficial power where people tap into the power points used by the toilets/showers/etc) then you will have to rely on passive coolboxes with ice - or run your engine to top up the leisure battery.
Crit'air might mean a detour if the van has no sticker - or just risk it if the van looks new enough.
If you don't want to chance going through Rouen with a non compliant vehicle, from the A28 go down the A29 towards Le Havre, then follow the D131 around Yvetot and over the Seine at the Pont de Brotonne. You'll wind up back on the A28 at Bourg Achard. It's much nicer than going through the town anyway and only adds about 20 minutes to the journey if my experiences this year have been anything to go by.
Yes how you arrange the van in the space is up to you so plenty of room for the awning unless you have filled the space with tents. Power is available on many of the campsites these days with purpose built power connection points dotted around the sites but if you want power then either get there early and plug in or be nice to your neighbours and piggyback off them. If you do want power make sure you have the correct connection plugs and plenty of cable.
I've hired VW & Transit campers a couple of times now and the pitch size at LM is no problem at all.
For Critair just ask the hiring company to sign up, it's very easy and <£5 so not really a hassle, especially if you send them the link. I did the application myself this year for a hired vehicle about 4 weeks before LM and whilst the sticker did arrive eventually through the post, it is the email confirmation which you need and this comes through quickly, which confirms the reg' plate is on the Critair database.
For Critair just ask the hiring company to sign up, it's very easy and <£5 so not really a hassle, especially if you send them the link. I did the application myself this year for a hired vehicle about 4 weeks before LM and whilst the sticker did arrive eventually through the post, it is the email confirmation which you need and this comes through quickly, which confirms the reg' plate is on the Critair database.
I’d not bother with the electric hookup. I’ve managed fine with a 140w solar panel and 110ah leisure battery quite happily along with a modern 12v fridge plus lights overnight. I’d maybe suggest a bigger panel and a second battery, but for a few £££ investment if you’re planning more than a few trips away it’s worth the investment. Depends what your exact requirements are.
There’s quite a bit of tree cover in places on Houx, relying on solar could risky depending on where your pitch is.
If you are thinking of parking sideways in the pitch, get there early in the week before you neighbours have established an elaborate camp on either side, other wise you’ll be doing an Austin Powers style million point turn to get in place.
If you are thinking of parking sideways in the pitch, get there early in the week before you neighbours have established an elaborate camp on either side, other wise you’ll be doing an Austin Powers style million point turn to get in place.
Gassing Station | Le Mans | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff