Rock Salt Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Hello My Wife and I are planning a three month (or there abouts) tour of Europe beginning April next year. We will be going in our 110 Defender and pulling a Sankey trailer that has been converted into a rather splendid expedition trailer tent. I really want this trip to go as smoothly as possible, we will also be taking our four year old Son too. My questions and my plea for any advice appropriate to such a trip (we will be going as far south as Southern Italy and as far north as mid- Norway) is are there any particular regulations that I should be aware of concering towing a Sankey "expedition" trailer? I did read on one forum that a chap had some difficulty with the police (cannot recall which country) because he had a Nato hitch! The police didn't do anything after all but he had to stand his ground apparantly. My Sankey will have the same wheels and tyres on as the Defender (235/85/16) and I'm sure they are going to stick out a bit. Do I have to have wider mud gaurds fitted to the sides so that the tyres are inside sotospeak? This will be my first trip like this round Europe and I appologise if I appear rather wet behind the ears, but I just want to get some really good advice from those more experienced than I. My Wife has MS and is just also going through Chemotherapy due to having breast cancer- So I just want this to be a very very special trip for her especially once she is better. Any information regarding campsites or great places to se with the Land Rover would be wonderful. Thank you all so much in advance. (Great forum) Kind regards Rock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 I can't help you with the trailer question, but I can send you some details of campsites I've stayed at in France and the Suza Valley in Northern Italy, along with some places to visit. It's all on a Google map, so if you'd like details, pm me an e-mail address. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 Mud guards are probably in order. Trouble with a NATO hitch I don't really see happening, but you never know. Apart from that, there shouldn't be any problems with the trailer as long as it's under 750kg, then you can tow it with a normal license and plates and no paperwork. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finnarne Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 There are regulations on how fast you can tow an unbraked trailer, and I think they differ from country to country. In Norway, you have a limit of 60km/h if the total weight of the trailer is more than 300 kg, and (i think) 80 if its under 300 kg. (that is trailer and load). In Sweden, I think there is a limit of 40km/h if the weight of the trailer (with load) is more than half weight of the unladen truck. That's why I mostly drive trailers with brakes. There are some restrictions on use of NATO hitch when registering trailers in Norway, but I dont know what they'll do if they stop you when visiting Norway. I guess they will let you continue driving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seriebil.dk Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 Hi there Sounds like a great trip and to mé a fine setup, in denmark you woun't have an problems with that, max speed 70 km/h on roads, 80 km/h on highways. Here you Can find free campsites in Denmark + a few other places. http://freecamp.dlrk.dk/index_en.htm drop in, i'm at no. 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 Hi Rock, I have towed my converted sankey a fair few places now and not had any problems, as your trailer is braked you should not have any issues either. The Nato hitch now has a TUV certificate so any issues there should be covered if you PM Alfaman he can send it to you. Last year I did a trip report which covers some routes and Camp sites in it, I am in the process of writing this years report. We are used to getting stopped now, not for legal issues but just because the authorities often just want a look at things and just take it in our stride now and don't get wound up. Not sure where you are based but if you are from the UK, our laws with regard to registration carry throughout Europe so although the Spanish are required to have a registration for a trailer over 750kg (trailer and load) visiting cars don't need to comply with this. I have found myself explaining this to people more than once and the easiest way I have found to explain it is that a Spanish car visiting the UK would not need to get an MOT or Tax but their car would have to be legal i.e. insured and be roadworthy. If you have any other questions feel free to drop me a PM. Jason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Posted September 4, 2012 Share Posted September 4, 2012 Can't help with the trailer but if your going out of season it's worth looking at Camping Cheques. (April / May) We use them and save a fortune in Europe http://www.campingcheque.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock Salt Posted September 5, 2012 Author Share Posted September 5, 2012 Thank you to everyone who has responded to my post. I really do appreciate it. Some great advice from you all. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.