Confused concerning the legislation for displaying a pink / white striped signal on the again of your motorhome or campervan when travelling in Europe?
So had been we, so we’ve accomplished the analysis for you. Right here’s all the things it’s essential know to remain authorized in case you have an overhanging load in your van in Europe.
Don’t overlook to seize your FREE Europe motorhoming guidelines under to recollect all the things else it’s essential deliver!
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Crimson & White striped boards – do you want one?
In case you are travelling in sure nations in Europe and have ANYTHING which overhangs the size of your motorhome, you MUST show a panel board (usually referred to as a chevron board) which has reflective stripes (or slashes, when you desire) in pink and white.
The stripes should run at 45 levels and have to be displayed on ANY car with something extending the size. This is applicable to vehicles, caravans, motorhomes and campervans.
The reflective warning signal have to be displayed on the rear of your motorhome/ camper, in the back of the load (so not on the again of your precise motorhome.)
You’ll want them in case you have a:
- storage field (like ours)
- bicycle rack (even when nothing is on it)
- tow bar rack (even when nothing is on it)
- in case you have a surfboard or one thing on the roof which extends past the again bumper
- In case you have something which makes the car wider, you could show two boards, one on either side.
You do NOT want one in case you have a trailer.
It’s unclear when you want one when you simply have a towbar and nothing else on it. My intestine feeling is no- in spite of everything, the place would you connect it to?- however I can’t discover any definitive reply.
Which nations are they obligatory in?
These again marker boards are obligatory if motorhoming in Italy and Spain, though they’re ‘really useful’ in a number of others.
You don’t want one within the UK if the overhang is lower than 1m.
They don’t seem to be at present obligatory when motorhoming in France, Germany or every other European nation except the load extends over 10% of the car size, however nonetheless price having- simply in case you’re like us and go detouring into random nations with little or no planning!
What dimensions do the pink/ white board should be?
The board have to be no less than 50×50 cm (minimal space of 2500cm²)
Does it matter what number of stripes?
I’ve learn that Spain requires ones with no less than 3 pink/ 3 white hatched, reflective stripes, whereas Italy appears to require 5 stripes
We have now one with 5 pink stripes. We figured, if unsure, extra is healthier.
Does it matter what the board is made out of?
Yep.
In Italy, the board have to be made out of aluminium and have a reflective floor ‘throughout’. I’ve learn that that is just for automobiles over 12m lengthy, however can’t discover the rule to verify this. Personally, we went for an aluminium one and haven’t had any bother in Italy or when motorhoming in Spain.
I’ve additionally learn that the Italians are much less involved concerning the materials if it has the 4 ‘reflective circles/ cats eyes’ within the corners. Nonetheless, Fiamma (an ITALIAN firm!) say that the plastic boards are usually not authorized in Italy.
What makes that much more absurd/ complicated, is that Fiamma themselves solely promote the plastic boards. Which makes completely no sense!
Planning to take your motorhome to Europe?
How do you connect the board?
The pink & white striped indicators are often simply connected to the overhanging object with elastic bungees (not often supplied with buy so make sure you purchase some- these are good). There may be often a gap in every nook for the bungees (or string, when you desire) to connect to.
Which approach spherical does the stripes need to level?
The stripes MUST level into the centre of the street within the nation you’re driving in. In fact, in Europe they might all the time go from high proper to backside left (see picture).
I assume technically within the UK it’s best to cease and switch the board round to level the opposite approach, however now we have pushed everywhere in the UK and infrequently forgotten to do that.
Can I simply use reflective tape as an alternative of an indication?
No. I feel you run the danger of being fined. Get a correct reflective rear warning board.
Which rear warning board to purchase?
Personally, I just like the pink and white warning signal varieties under and have by no means had an issue.
New to motorhome or camper journey in Europe? You may discover these posts useful:
See all our Europe motorhoming posts right here
NEED GEAR? When you want any package or necessities for motorhoming in Europe, right here’s what we suggest and the place to seek out it
Final replace on 2024-05-23 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photos from Amazon Product Promoting API
