What should be in a Continental Touring Kit?

[mole42]

I am planning my birthday trip for 2025 - taking Mabel the Stag down through France via the Millau Viaduct to Barcelona. Then by overnight ferry to Rome and driving South via the Amalfi Coast road, then North to Verona, on to the Stelvio Pass and into Switzerland. Onwards to Basel, Reims and back home. Should be a nice fortnight.

Being sensible, I'll have some spares in the car - not quite as extensive as the StanPart Continental Emergency Kit but I'm trying to think of a set of spares that are fairly easy to fit if necessary. Attached is a PDF of my thoughts so far - if you think of any additions please shout up.

Continental Touring Kit.pdf

[kev100]

European breakdown cover

[ramjam2005]

Also check the "legal/mandatory" requirements for each of the countries as some will require things like a Warning Triangle, Bulb kit - the latter you have those listed individually.

[DJT]

Hi-vis jacket for everyone.
First aid kit.
Tyre inflation compressor.
Small boost pack.
Torch/warning light.

[APS]

I drove through France to Barcelona last summer and was surprised at the number of tolls, mostly unmanned. So make sure you have a good contactless credit card.
As others have said some items are mandatory in some countries and they can differ.
I would worry if I felt a need of many of inventory items in your pdf, they will need a full toolbox.
Things like oil and ATF you can get en route at petrol stations but considering the foibles of the stag a 5 litre bottle of coolant might be an idea.
When traveling through France I was also surprised at the number of insects that splattered the screen, just like the 70's over here, so make sure you have plenty of washer fluid and a dedicated cloth for cleaning the screen at every stop.
Also a translation app on your mobile is quite useful.

[ramjam2005]

And a boot rack for your suitcase as there won't be any room in the boot with all that !! Make good use of the extra space in soft top compartment like I did when touring South of France.

[022Dave]

Credit card,
mobile ‘phone,
cork screw / bottle opener (if you’re in for a long wait)

[Woolly]

What a fantastic journey, although I'd stretch it out to 3 possible 4 weeks.... The bridge is stunning but my background is in construction so I have a biases. wanted to turn round and cross it again.

i'd add some cheese and a baguette, shouldn't drink on an empty stomach.

IMG_20190907_155216.jpg

[mole42]

As far as I'm concerned, these are mandatory:

Hi-vis jacket for everyone.
First aid kit.
Tyre inflation compressor.
Small boost pack.
Torch/warning light.
Credit card,
mobile ‘phone,
cork screw / bottle opener.
cheese and a baguette,

everything else just adds to the enjoyment of the trip. Fortuantely the Stag has a capacious spare wheel compartment, my partner is fluent in French and German and we'll not be carrying anything in the back seat.

[jakesmig]

Box of Swan Vestas.....

[Lingen]

No one seems to have mentioned the legal requirement for an air quality certificate/screen sticker. Check the website " Certificate-air.gouv.fr " for details. I knew nothing about it till today, and have spent much of it obtaining one. The only way is on line, well in advance of your trip. There is an English translation. The windscreen badge is only 4.76 euros, and lasts the lifetime of the vehicle, but travel without it at your peril. Just about every mechanically propelled vehicle seems to need one.
Mike.

[mole42]

No one seems to have mentioned the legal requirement for an air quality certificate/screen sticker. Check the website " Certificate-air.gouv.fr " for details. I knew nothing about it till today, and have spent much of it obtaining one. The only way is on line, well in advance of your trip. There is an English translation. The windscreen badge is only 4.76 euros, and lasts the lifetime of the vehicle, but travel without it at your peril. Just about every mechanically propelled vehicle seems to need one.
Mike.

I spent a little time trying to get a “Crit’Air” sticker for Mabel, but the website kept coming back with ‘not eligible’ so maybe classics are exempt?

[Philip Wardle]

My continental touring kit includes the chap who helped with the restoration ... he's best placed to get us out of a fix.

Interesting info re the Crit'Air sticker. I've tried the online process for Calamity Jane and we got the same result as Mabel. I've sent the following enquiry via the online form :

Bonjour J’ai une voiture au Royaume-Uni (Triumph Stag) qui a été immatriculée pour la première fois le 01/10/1973 et qui est maintenant dans la classe d’imposition britannique « historique ». Je comprends que ce véhicule n’est pas éligible à une vignette Crit’Air. Pourriez-vous nous indiquer si vous pouvez conduire le véhicule dans des zones où une vignette Crit’Air est habituellement requise ? Cordialement, Philip

Hello, I have a car in the UK ( Triumph Stag ) which was first registered on 01/10/1973 and is now in UK taxation class “historic”. I understand that this vehicle is not eligible for a Crit’Air sticker. Please could you advise whether may drive the vehicle in zones where a Crit’Air sticker is usually required? Best regards, Philip

... and this is their reply on 21st March 2024:

Bonjour, Votre véhicule est ancien (avant 1996) : il relève des normes antipollution les moins strictes qui se traduisent par des technologies plus polluantes. Il n’est pas éligible à un certificat. Nous vous invitons à contacter la préfecture la plus proche afin de connaitre les directives de circulation mises en place. Cordialement, Le service de délivrance des certificats qualité de l'air. www.Certificat-air.gouv.fr

Hello, Your vehicle is old (before 1996): it falls under the less strict anti-pollution standards which result in more polluting technologies. It is not eligible for a certificate. We invite you to contact the nearest prefecture to find out the traffic guidelines in place. Kind regards, The air quality certificate issuing service. www.Certificat-air.gouv.fr

[APS]

I spent a little time trying to get a “Crit’Airâ€� sticker for Mabel, but the website kept coming back with ‘not eligible’ so maybe classics are exempt?

I tried getting the same last year for my 1987 Merc, I gave up in the end. Expected a fine to come through especially after driving through centre of Rouen, but nada.

There is also a daily permit required driving in Barcelona , cost I think was 5 euro. I failed to get a response going through this process several times. Gave up and was willing to accept a fine, again nada.
Perhaps older cars are exempt but I could not find anything official and how to register them so.

Here is the link for the Barcelona permit, https://zberegistre.ambmobilitat.cat...Autoritzacio=6

[MandM]

As far as I'm concerned, these are mandatory:

Hi-vis jacket for everyone.
First aid kit.
Tyre inflation compressor.
Small boost pack.
Torch/warning light.
Credit card,
mobile ‘phone,
cork screw / bottle opener.
cheese and a baguette,

everything else just adds to the enjoyment of the trip. Fortuantely the Stag has a capacious spare wheel compartment, my partner is fluent in French and German and we'll not be carrying anything in the back seat.

An Alternator, I was only in the new forest when mine packed up , was a pain to sort