Mercy trip to France

[Phil]

Hi All

Due to my elderly father collapsing and being rushed to hospital (now recovered and back home trying to pretend nothing happened) I need to go to the Dordogne where they live to ensure everything is all right and to reassure the family here in the UK that he is ok. Going to have to take the Stag so thought I would ask for suggestions on how to ensure it makes it there and back. Its just had oil change new coolant and plugs everything else appears to be in order including European breakdown with the SOC club scheme. I have decided to put the hard top on (my sister doesn't do cold) and have got a week to get things ready.

Phil

[Big J]

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Phil

Have a look here http://www.day-tripper.net/drive-infrance.htmlfor some info regarding rules and regulations or Google 'driving in France' for other pages. I am sure other lads will offer better advice than I can with respect to spares and stuff for the motor!

J

[steveg]

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Phil,

Don't forget fluorescent jackets/vest - one for each person travelling and a modern warning triangle. On the spot fines since October for non-compliance of the vests.

Steve

[Arbman Al]

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Hi Phil,

Have a read here:-

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice...al_advice.html

When we went to France back in the Summer (seems a long time ago now!), we were given the tip of leaving the hi vis vest on displaysomewhere, and the Gendarme are less likely to stop you. In France you only need one for the driver.

Halfords sell all the stuff you will need.

Rgds...Al.

[Phil]

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Thats great I have got the kit needed to remain legal (speeding excepted) it was more to keep Stag running though. I have done the trip (500miles each way) many times already just never in the Stag. I go via Rouen avoiding Paris, empty motorways with a period on normal roads to relieve the boredom in the middle.

Phil

[Arbman Al]

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In that case see this thread:-

http://stagownersclub.mywowbb.com/vi...ighlight=spare

Rgds...Al.

[Phil]

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Many thanks will do

Phil

[chopperman]

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Phil,

As stated earlier, carry the high viz vest draped over the drivers seat. Watch out for fuel off motorways as the supermarkets shut down on Sundays and holidays and quite often only accept French credit cards in their auto fuel pumps.

I have a spare fuel pump, distributor capand drive shaft you can borrow (see John Clayton's saga in December SOC mag!). We can arrange pick up next week if you require.

It's a long drive, we went to the Dordogne with our caravan this summer albeit towed by Mondeo.

Regards,

Keith

[Phil]

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Keith

That would be fantastic thank you. I could take the Mitsubishi but have allways planned to take the Stag at sometime and really theres no time like the present. My sister who lives in Suffolk is up for it so will give it a go.

I am off work tommorrow or could pop over to you any evening.

Phil

I'll PM my number

[StagnJag]

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Just take the ROM, and a collection of vital fluids. Should the worst happen, any mechanic will have acess to the appropriate information to carry out a repair, torque settings and all.

Dave

[Giles]

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i would just take a few spares, a pot of K seal may help a gasket problem, hose bandage, exhaust bandage depending on what yours is like, a tube of quick steeland a few tools and breakdown cover!

Hope all goes OK

[RogerP]

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Phil wrote:

Hi All

Due to my elderly father collapsing and being rushed to hospital (now recovered and back home trying to pretend nothing happened) I need to go to the Dordogne where they live to ensure everything is all right and to reassure the family here in the UK that he is ok. Going to have to take the Stag so thought I would ask for suggestions on how to ensure it makes it there and back. Its just had oil change new coolant and plugs everything else appears to be in order including European breakdown with the SOC club scheme. I have decided to put the hard top on (my sister doesn't do cold) and have got a week to get things ready.

Phil

Ok

First of all, sorry to hear about your father, hope all is well..................We tend to travel more miles abroad than in this country and I carry far to much including drive shaft and starter motor (car is auto so cant push start) so far in 18years have never had to use them...............So I recommend the items that are easy to change but not easily obtained, fuel pump is a must, set of hoses,carb diaphragm's, plugs,alternator,distributor cap,rotor arm,coil,tin of radweld,fan belt and power steering belt, take gaffer tape and cable ties for that bodge to get you home.

Have a safe and uneventful journey

Roger

[Phil]

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Well what a fantastic responce a big thank you to you all.

My father went to hospital had numerous tests done the result of which were all favourable it would seem he just over did things a bit and he returned home last night. speaking to him this morning he wasback to normal. We just feel that as they are staying in France o their own for Christmas we would like to see them as soon aswe can. Given the choice i would have rather taken the Stag whenthe weather ishot but it seems right to use it for this trip and perhaps again next year.

Have got the travel kit Hi vis jacket etc. its just had a service breakdown cover in place. i will take some/most of the suggested spares and keep fingers crossed

Phil

just been given a lucky mascot for the trip:shock:

[Kevin Garrod]

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Lot's of good advice for you Phil,

I would only take what you could fit yourself at the roadside and a few basic tools the rest is just clutter. Sod's law that the one thing you don't take is the thing you will need!

Breakdown cover and a mobile phone and you have nothing to worry about.

I've driven through France many times, but the only time I've broken down was in my old Chrysler Neon (hateful car, I don't know what possessed my to buy it:X)

We had no breakdown cover and it was a Saturday afternoon and we were due home on the Tuesday, the fault was with the immobiliser and needed to visit the main dealer, anyway to cut a long story short we had to have the car towed from Macon to Lyon, then get the TGV and Eurostar home, I then had to fly back out a week later to collect the car!

Still brings me out in a cold sweat now!

I'm sure the Stag will run like a dream and you will have no such dramas. Apart from the circumstances leading to your journey I'm quite jealous! Have a great time!

[Phil]

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Speaking to family today it would appear that the trip will be predominatly a jolly. Its whatI had in mind to do whenI bought the Stag so am really looking forward to it

Phil

My only mishap in France was driving too close to a toll booth so my 10 year old could reach the ticket clipped the kerb and busrt front tyre. So 2 hours before ferry sat nav suggests 2hrs 10 mins to get there. Released the spare wheel it dropped on my wrist then I find its a skinny space saver. managed to get to ferry only to find it was delayed by 3 hours. That was in a Chrysler as well.