Urgent Broken Down In France

daddy_boy

Hi All,

I have broken down with my motor home in France aprox 100kms east of paris the garage where my motor home was towed to of the motorway wants a small fortune to fix. i am looking for advice on who to contact to get the motorhome towed to cherbourg (440kms) or roscoff(600kms) to get it on the ferry to rosslare where i have somebody to pick it up.

I need a tow truck/flat bed capable of carrying 3500 kgs with a length of 7.5m and a height of 3.2. with a time scale of within the next 7 days.

needless to say any help gratefully received.

Tow

Would it not be better (cheaper) to find another local garage to fix it, rather than the one who thinks they have your by the...

daddy_boy

its the parts that are expensive circa 10000 (new turbo and block) which i can source back home for circa 3500

Ouch. Another cheaper option is to hire a van as a commuter while you sort things locally.

daddy_boy

Sir Liamalot wrote: »

Ouch. Another cheaper option is to hire a van as a commuter while you sort things locally.

just looking to get a tow truck sorted at the moment

Benbecul97

Have you contacted your insurance company?

SpaceTime

definitely get another quote and speak to your insurer.

if you don't speak French, find someone who can help translate and negotiate!

Aidan_M_M

Whatever about a new turbo I cannot see why you need a new block unless you drove over a landmine.

*Kol*

I thought the breakdown cover that comes with the insurance covers bringing the van back to Ireland too?

daddy_boy

Benbecul97 wrote: »

Have you contacted your insurance company?

the insurance i have just takes me of the motor way to the nearest garage up to 50kms max

daddy_boy

SpaceTime wrote: »

definitely get another quote and speak to your insurer.

if you don't speak French, find someone who can help translate and negotiate!

i have queried the cost but the parts and vat make up the majority of the quote

daddy_boy

Aidan_M_M wrote: »

Whatever about a new turbo I cannot see why you need a new block unless you drove over a landmine.

the turbo apparently put oil into the block and made it over run so it needs to be replaced

daddy_boy

*Kol* wrote: »

I thought the breakdown cover that comes with the insurance covers bringing the van back to Ireland too?

unfortunately not with the insurance i took out with dolmon

Gosub

daddy_boy wrote: »

the turbo apparently put oil into the block and made it over run so it needs to be replaced

That sounds like a pile of poo IMO. Get a second opinion before you make any decisions.

conor2469

There are different logistics companies that deal with this sort of thing, here is one example:

http://www.anchorvehiclelogistics.com/europeanrecovery.html

They are a UK company but might take you to a port to get an irish ferry?

I'm sure there are lots of others.

Mech1

Get it towed to cherbourg ferry, the port workers will load it on and off at rosslare, collect when you get home.

daddy_boy

conor2469 wrote: »

There are different logistics companies that deal with this sort of thing, here is one example:

http://www.anchorvehiclelogistics.com/europeanrecovery.html

They are a UK company but might take you to a port to get an irish ferry?

I'm sure there are lots of others.

many thanks

daddy_boy

Mech1 wrote: »

Get it towed to cherbourg ferry, the port workers will load it on and off at rosslare, collect when you get home.

that's what i am looking to do = hence looking for a towing company

daddy_boy

conor2469 wrote: »

There are different logistics companies that deal with this sort of thing, here is one example:

http://www.anchorvehiclelogistics.com/europeanrecovery.html

They are a UK company but might take you to a port to get an irish ferry?

I'm sure there are lots of others.

just tried them only do UK vehicles as they consolidate and collect them in one go - asked for ideas and no help !!

Gosub

There should be a local recovery truck that will get it to the ferry for a reasonable fee. What area are you in? I know east of Paris, but can you be more specific about the area?

daddy_boy

Gosub wrote: »

There should be a local recovery truck that will get it to the ferry for a reasonable fee. What area are you in? I know east of Paris, but can you be more specific about the area?

varennes sur seine 77130

daddy_boy

daddy_boy wrote: »

varennes sur seine 77130

sorry should have said south east more than east

Gosub

I've been scouring Google to see if I can find a recovery service near you. Not easy as I don't understand French. Maybe one of the big recovery companies might be of help... Mondial?

Try to find an local truck (grue?) and strike a deal to get the van to the ferry. The local ferry terminal staff are usually quite helpful and will get the thing on to the ferry... same at the other end.

paddyp

Gosub wrote: »

That sounds like a pile of poo IMO. Get a second opinion before you make any decisions.

Very common actually when the turbo seal goes the engine can run to unlimited revs on the oil as a fuel and eventually throws a conrod or two. Unless your engine has a throttle body to cut off the air once it hits the rev limit of course.


Really sorry to hear about your trouble, fingers crossed you'll get sorted. I'd definitely rather put a complete used engine and turbo in that get some unknown place to rebuild it. Keep the head, injectors, pump etc, for spares.

If you can find a friendly local to do the negotiation with the scrap yard you should be able to get it a heck of a lot cheaper.

Gosub

paddyp wrote: »

Very common actually when the turbo seal goes the engine can run to unlimited revs on the oil as a fuel and eventually throws a conrod or two. Unless your engine has a throttle body to cut off the air once it hits the rev limit of course.

Ah right. That makes sense now.

daddy_boy

Gosub wrote: »

Ah right. That makes sense now.

thats what happend - i was told after the event i should have put it into fifth gear and stalled it to stop it running on

daddy_boy

paddyp wrote: »

If you can find a friendly local to do the negotiation with the scrap yard you should be able to get it a heck of a lot cheaper.

thats why iwant to get it home as i will be able to source the bits over a period of time

BenEadir

daddy_boy wrote: »

its the parts that are expensive circa 10000 (new turbo and block) which i can source back home for circa 3500

If you can't get the motorhome towed home why not have the €3,500 part shipped to your location thus saving you €6,500. Simples

For that kind of saving you could fly home, borrow/rent a van, stick the replacement block etc in the van, get the ferry back over and have the local garage fix it and still save yourself €5,000!!

Ben

daddy_boy

Gosub wrote: »

I've been scouring Google to see if I can find a recovery service near you. Not easy as I don't understand French. Maybe one of the big recovery companies might be of help... Mondial?

Try to find an local truck (grue?) and strike a deal to get the van to the ferry. The local ferry terminal staff are usually quite helpful and will get the thing on to the ferry... same at the other end.

ferry port is the easy part as i have spoken to celtic link at it is not a problem just need to get it to cherbourg as i have spoken to mondial and axa and they are trying to get me a quote for towing to cherbourg and i have a tow truck ready to pick up in rosslarre - its just the french bit !!

daddy_boy

BenThere wrote: »

If you can't get the motorhome towed home why not have the €3,500 part shipped to your location thus saving you €6,500. Simples

For that kind of saving you could fly home, borrow/rent a van, stick the replacement block etc in the van, get the ferry back over and have the local garage fix it and still save yourself €5,000!!

Ben

good idea Ben, but the money i would spend on van hire ferry/transport etc would be equivalent to getting it towed also when i get it fixed at home i can take my time doing it

bargainbucket

You could try these according too google they do this all the time

BenEadir

daddy_boy wrote: »

good idea Ben, but the money i would spend on van hire ferry/transport etc would be equivalent to getting it towed also when i get it fixed at home i can take my time doing it

You sure about that daddy_boy? Could the bloc and all parts not be put on a pallet and shipped overnight/within 24/48 hours to your location for relatively little cost i.e. a few hundred euro? http://www.palletcourier.co.uk quote £205 for a full pallet from London to France. I'm sure an Irish company wouldn't be more than double that.

At least it's something to compare the towing and ferry cost to??

Best of luck.

Ben

qwertyphobia1

My camper broke down near Limoges about five weeks ago. French company looking for 3500 euro to tow it to Roscoff???

Ended up getting it towed to the UK and work done on it there. With all the lorries going back and forth to Uk and France that was the cheaper option. Got work done in the UK and drove it home two days ago from hollyhead, Irish Ferries very helpful with switching booking. Will PM you the contact details of the guy we used

Maurice G

Hi Daddy boy,

I sent you a pm late last night, did you get it? I had a similar situatiion to you in france last year and had to be trucked back to ireland.

Maurice.

ValerieR

If you go to "www.pagesjaunes.fr" and do a search for "remorquage" (towing) in the "Varennes-sur-seine" location, you should be able to get a list of local companies who should be able to give you a quote to tow you back to Cherbourg. (I could paste the link but it doesn't seem to show the results of the actual search ).

Been there, done that with a car many moons ago - with Celtic Link ; once again they are proving themselves of excellent service

Best of luck with your undertaking - not an easy one.

V

trad

Just came across these
http://www.htcartransport.com/services.htm

BenEadir

trad wrote: »

Just came across these
http://www.htcartransport.com/services.htm

Did they give you a quote? Can they get you home in a day or two?

Ben

daddy_boy

Maurice G wrote: »

Hi Daddy boy,

I sent you a pm late last night, did you get it? I had a similar situatiion to you in france last year and had to be trucked back to ireland.

Maurice.

many thanks got the pm

ValerieR wrote: »

If you go to "www.pagesjaunes.fr" and do a search for "remorquage" (towing) in the "Varennes-sur-seine" location, you should be able to get a list of local companies who should be able to give you a quote to tow you back to Cherbourg. (I could paste the link but it doesn't seem to show the results of the actual search ).

Been there, done that with a car many moons ago - with Celtic Link ; once again they are proving themselves of excellent service

Best of luck with your undertaking - not an easy one.

V

many thanks have tried celtic link but there french office is closed till sunday afternoon

trad wrote: »

Just came across these
http://www.htcartransport.com/services.htm

many thanks will try them

BenEadir

daddy_boy wrote: »

many thanks will try them

You sorted yet daddy_boy?

Ben

daddy_boy

BenThere wrote: »

You sorted yet daddy_boy?

Ben

still trying to get sorted as celtic link France dont open till sunday afternoon, but should get sorted today - will keep you posted - once again thanks to everyone for all the help

amber2

daddy_boy wrote: »

still trying to get sorted as celtic link France dont open till sunday afternoon, but should get sorted today - will keep you posted - once again thanks to everyone for all the help

There is a guy John Flynn think he is in Wexford ships racing cars to Europe for their owners, has a flat bed truck which would ideal to get you home, he may even be at Le Mans at the mo. let me know if your interested and ill pm you his number.

daddy_boy

amber2 wrote: »

There is a guy John Flynn think he is in Wexford ships racing cars to Europe for their owners, has a flat bed truck which would ideal to get you home, he may even be at Le Mans at the mo. let me know if your interested and ill pm you his number.

pm sent

amber2

daddy_boy wrote: »

pm sent

Just pm you his number daddy Boy hope he can help you out.

daddy_boy

amber2 wrote: »

Just pm you his number daddy Boy hope he can help you out.

many thanks just spoken to him but to expensive as looking for a return ticket on the ferry plus towing cost - looks like i have sorted it with a local tow firm for wend who are charging me 1000e to tow to cherbourg - hopefully now sorted out --

many thanks to everyone for all the help - i owe all of you a pint !!

Mhen66

Hi, Sorry to hear of your troubles, (just reading your posts). I am in a camper in France at the moment near Jean De Monts heading north to Cherbourg for Celtic Link ferry on Wed. Is there anything I can do for you? Obviously I can't get your camper back but if there's something I could do let me know. Best of luck, I hope it works out for you.
Mick

dfbemt

Daddy

Will be arriving in Cherbourg off IF on Weds morn if you need anything brought to you. Will be leaving house on Tuesday morning for Rosslare so can collect something for you tomo if needed

amber2

daddy_boy wrote: »

many thanks just spoken to him but to expensive as looking for a return ticket on the ferry plus towing cost - looks like i have sorted it with a local tow firm for wend who are charging me 1000e to tow to cherbourg - hopefully now sorted out --

many thanks to everyone for all the help - i owe all of you a pint !!

Gonna have a Boards beer meet up on Wednesday at Rosslare port for that free beer, I'm guessing we just might recognise you Daddy_boy well your camper anyhow. Sorry couldn't resist. Glad ur sorted. Hope all goes well.

munchkin_utd

BenThere wrote: »

What's the best way to join? I tried joining online but they require a German address :eek:
Ben

you have to ring them

Using the links below to acquire ADAC membership requires that your place of residence is in Germany. For technical reasons, our system does not support international addresses.
If you do not have a German address, please contact an ADAC local office or call 01805 10 11 12 (14 cent/min German landline, max. 42 cent/min. from mobile networks). We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

http://www.adac.de/mitgliedschaft/adac_membership/default.aspx

BenEadir

OP, are you home yet????????????????

Ben

daddy_boy

BenThere wrote: »

OP, are you home yet????????????????

Ben

Yep got back home this afternoon - once again thanks for all your help - and i can highly recomended celtic link

daddy_boy

Just as a follow up if anybody comes across this thread in the future the transport company i used was

http://www.transports-routiers-stilh.fr/contact/
+33 (0) 6 61 70 70 48
highly recomended and they speak fairly good english