Ferry Crossing and COmmercial Vehicles

Jota Rob

Jota Rob

Hero member
Location
England
Hi all
I'm planning (was planning ) to bring my bike over to spa in a small van, but seeing the price differential made me realise it's not worth trying to naively turn up and get through, having booked it as a car.
Does anyone have any experience of this or a ferry that has better pricing, Norfolkline want ?100 each way for a renault Kangoo van, a car is ?13-16.50 each way for the same journey. The registration number makes it hard to challenge the fact it is a White Van !

Any advice ?

Heres the communication I received..
You are now talking to Steve
How can I help you?
You said: Hello Steve
Steve: Hi - How can i help you?
You said: Im thinking of booking a crossing but instead of previous years where Ive taken my M/C Im thinking of taking a renault kangoo van, car derived van, however the price is ?100 each way instead of min ?13 each way for a car ??
Steve: Vehicles classified as vans are designed for the carriage of commercial goods regardless of size or purpose. We do offer a Tourist rate for vans, however this rate mirrors that charged by our Freight Department for the same vehicle type. This decision was taken by us to protect our commercial market.
We fully accept that you may not be travelling for business purposes, however we simply do not offer a Tourist fare for your Van. This is our policy and we are unable to make exceptions to the rule.
You said: If I turn up in a van, having booked it as a car, are you able to give an off the record advice as to what I might get ?
Steve: You will be challenged at the port and the difference in fare would be applied and charged, fares at the port are considerably higher than in advance. Sorry!
You said: ok Steve, I realise they're not your rules, thanks
Steve: Sorry, i hope understand our position on this.
Steve: Is there anything else I can help you with today?
You said: no I dont think so
Steve: Thank you for contacting the DFDS Seaways Passenger Services Team
 
Keith
I think Ive resigned myself to riding the F***ing thing, who'd have thought, I'd have to do that !

V5 states quite clearly its a COmmercial vehicle and given you have to submit the registration, I'm not willing to be shafted at the terminal.

Hope to see some of you guys there...
 
Rob - What's the cost on ferry of a normal car and trailer ? - years ago i did take car and trailer to France to collect a Laverda - must have been cheap as otherwise I wouldn't have done it :D - Regards - Phil
 
From Rob's first post I think its clear that calls to him may be recorded and used for training purposes.... :D :D

Rob, The price seems very steep, Rob Brad has booked our crossing and I seem to recall it's ?200 return for my Vito van including a caravan. All up the van and caravan are 36' long, whch is a wee bit longer than a Kangoo . Mind you, the van has got side windows... I always book it as a people carrier and have never been questioned about it by the ferry operators.

Before any unsavoury rumours start I would just like to point out that I will be deploying the 2 x single bed option on the Abbey 215 GTS. Rob was disappointed we weren't sharing a double but I told him,"Hey, you might be a big cheese on the forum but it's my van, my rules ..."
 
Thanks for the input, it inspired me to have another search,  Phil a car and trailer is a better price (ie anything non commercial) but I dont have a car, it seems they (most crossing operators) dont like vans, let one in cheap and it opens the flood gates and they dont seem to discriminate so big van is the same as a Kia Pride van..Not so with a motorhome.

However........Sea france take a different approach, they treat car derived vans as cars. so I'm just about to book, dover calais for ?47 return...thats my kind of price and little more than Norfolkline would have charged for the bike..

KERMIT1200 said:
Rob,
Cost of using the channel tunnel?Does small van = car to them.
If you use the Van couldn't you put the total cost aganist your business?

Andy
Click to expand...

Andy, accountant says dont take the piss ! and business is not good but the idea was..

Here is their policy on Vans https://www.seafrance.com/uk/ferry-booking-schedule/vehicle-categories?packedargs=site=SF_Pax_Uk

In order to safely and promptly board all vehicles, it is important we have accurate information about your vehicle. To enable us to do this, we ask that you provide us with the correct information at the time of booking. Drivers of cars and car-based vans, and vans less than or equal to 3.5t (laden axle weight) should select the appropriate category when booking. If you do not, you may be delayed at check-in or embarkation, or be charged an additional supplement if the vehicle you are travelling in differs from that booked. 'Car-based vans' are defined as a passenger car where the seats have been removed to create a load area.

Owners of vehicles more than 3.5t cannot book a tourist crossing and must book their crossing through our freight reservations. For more information about freight travel, please visit SeaFrance Freight or telephone 01304 203 030.

Below are the car-based van, minibus and van categories for crossings with SeaFrance. Please ensure you select the corresponding category when booking. Please note, this list is intended as a guide only and is subject to change without notice. If in doubt, please contact us for more information.


 
I travel to France with my VW T5 and Caravan every year, paying the cheapest rate Norfolk Line do. This year I think it's about ?110 return in mid July. Never had a problem as of yet, always sailed through check-in (no pun intended). Maybe I'm just lucky?

Stuart
 
Had a look at Trans Europa Simon, probably good price on large vans,  in summary, one price for all vans... as I say, all booked now at ?47 return so very happy, thanks..
Drikko those outboard motors were about ?10K or more and Im not sure a Kangoo will float with all all the stuff Im about to fill it with  :-\
 
breganzane said:
The ferry to Tasmania jumps from $75 each way for a 4.5m car, to $350 each way for a 4.5m car plus 3m trailer!  I can't work that one out.
Cheers
Steve
Click to expand...

G'day Steve

The trick I discovered on the Tasmania ferry is to tow a trailer behind a motorcycle with sidecar.

Fares:
Motorcycle $54
Motorcycle with sidecar OR trailer $79

However, their booking system can't handle both a sidecar AND a trailer, so they only charge the surcharge for one of 'em and all you pay is $79. In effect, the trailer travels free  :D

Cheers,
Cam
 
phil37 said:
Rob - What's the cost on ferry of a normal car and trailer ? - years ago i did take car and trailer to France to collect a Laverda - must have been cheap as otherwise I wouldn't have done it :D - Regards - Phil
Click to expand...

I took a car and trailer to pick a bike up at your place a few years back and paid the same as for car without trailer.

Best regards
Paul
 
breganzane said:
Cam,
So are you offering to come to Melb and transport the SFC down to the Nationals in November for me?  :D
Cheers
Steve
Click to expand...

I could do that if you like Steve, but you'd have to find your own way home  :D

Good to hear you're coming to Tassie in November. I assume you're entered for the Australian Historic Road Race Championships at Symmons Plains on 19-20 Nov. But there's also the Tasmanian Historic Championships at Baskerville the following weekend. You could hang around for the week and do both meetings.

Cheers,
Cam
 
Now THAT is a good idea... bye wifeys, bye bye work.. we're goin' racing...
Now how can I get that Monty into cabin baggage, it ain't that big... :P
8)
 
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