Beach as car 1.85m+ through chunnel ...awning, automated line, stopped before?

Canary Bird · Mar 28, 2017

To all the Beach people who have taken the chunnel and classified your Beach as a car over 185cms .... could I ask you ...

1.) I assume you go through the automated line?
2.) Do you have an awning on your vehicle? id est, maybe making it look more "camper van classification"
3.) Anyone stopped and had to buy a new ticket as a campvervan?
4.) Anyone with a Spanish registered Beach go through as a car over 1.85cms?
5.) With a bright yellow color that attracts attention?

... kind of joking here.

I called the Eurotunnel operator and he was asking me how many seats? (we will have it set up as 5), kitchen?, windows that stretch the full length of the vehicle?, sleeping area?

The price difference in July/August is around 100Euros more depending on classification. I know we are talking apples & oranges, but the Beach (well, any California) is classified as a tall car when on boats, etc. in Spain.

2haw · Mar 28, 2017

Canary Bird said:
To all the Beach people who have taken the chunnel and classified your Beach as a car over 185cms .... could I ask you ...

1.) I assume you go through the automated line?
2.) Do you have an awning on your vehicle? id est, maybe making it look more "camper van classification"
3.) Anyone stopped and had to buy a new ticket as a campvervan?
4.) Anyone with a Spanish registered Beach go through as a car over 1.85cms?
5.) With a bright yellow color that attracts attention? ... kind of joking here.

I called the Eurotunnel operator and he was asking me how many seats? (we will have it set up as 5), kitchen?, windows that stretch the full length of the vehicle?, sleeping area?

The price difference in July/August is around 100Euros more depending on classification. I know we are talking apples & oranges, but the Beach (well, any California) is classified as a tall car when on boats, etc. in Spain.

I've been through with a Beach with Awning on a high car ticket without any problem.

Do not give the regisistration at time of booking.

I inserted the card I paid with into the automated machine and it dispensed the ticket.

MattBW · Mar 28, 2017

It may depend entirely what is on your registration document, assuming you input the registration that is. If you don't then as above you will be fine.

Mine says motorcaravan, but some don't. The DVLA can't make their mind up it seems whether it is a motorhome or not.

There are quite a few threads on this, and quite a few arguments too. You probably won't get a straight answer

owen_h · Mar 28, 2017

1) Yes
2) Yes
3) no
4) uk reg
5) dark blue so almost as far away from yellow as you can get.

This all based on 5 trips over 4 years. Admittedly only the last couple of years have I had to phone to book. Going over again in August.
Have been questioned by security on a couple of occasions, usually ask if I have gas (only camping cartridge stove) and if I'm carrying any knives. (Yes for cooking).

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Canary Bird · Mar 28, 2017

"Do not give the regisistration at time of booking."
----
Thank you all for input. 2haw, if I understand correctly ... do not give registration when booking by PHONE or ONLINE? ... online being the the attached box below.

My vehicle seems to be classified as a "family auto car" if they looked at paperwork.

PS It has the electric hook up on the side, but assume all of your Beach's have it too.

Max-Felix · Mar 28, 2017

1) Yes
2) Yes
3) No
4) UK
5) Yellow

It won't happen - they are far too busy to care if you have an awning attached (as if they would realise/know), kitchen, Potti etc.

Just book as a tall car and if on the phone or via the computer it/they say "It is a motorcaravan" just say no it isn't, it is an MPV and the reg says so. And if booking by computer then leave the reg blank, ring them and make the same argument.

Amarillo · Mar 28, 2017

Canary Bird said:
To all the Beach people who have taken the chunnel and classified your Beach as a car over 185cms .... could I ask you ...

1.) I assume you go through the automated line?
2.) Do you have an awning on your vehicle? id est, maybe making it look more "camper van classification"
3.) Anyone stopped and had to buy a new ticket as a campvervan?
4.) Anyone with a Spanish registered Beach go through as a car over 1.85cms?
5.) With a bright yellow color that attracts attention? ... kind of joking here.

I called the Eurotunnel operator and he was asking me how many seats? (we will have it set up as 5), kitchen?, windows that stretch the full length of the vehicle?, sleeping area?

The price difference in July/August is around 100Euros more depending on classification. I know we are talking apples & oranges, but the Beach (well, any California) is classified as a tall car when on boats, etc. in Spain.

By Eurotunnel's definition, a Beach is not a campervan.

From the Eurotunnel website:

Campervan
Any vehicle which includes living accommodation (including (without limitation) seats, table, sleeping, cooking and storage facilities).

As a non-modified Beach has no cooking facilities, it is not a campervan.

Canary Bird · Mar 28, 2017

Thank you all for your help!

I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer

...
"Just book as a tall car and if on the phone or via the computer it/they say "It is a motorcaravan" just say no it isn't, it is an MPV and the reg says so. And if booking by computer then leave the reg blank, ring them and make the same argument."

> If I book by computer, I should mark "I don't know my vehicle registration" and then I will need to also call the Eurotunnel? ... to give registration? ... to explain it is not a "motor caravan"?

Max-Felix · Mar 28, 2017

Canary Bird said:
> If I book by computer, I should mark "I don't know my vehicle registration" and then I will need to also call the Eurotunnel? ... to give registration? ... to explain it is not a "motor caravan"?

Exactly.

Canary Bird · Mar 28, 2017

Perfect! Thanks! Now you all just need to come to the Canary Islands, so that I can return the favor and send help back the other way.

Max-Felix · Mar 28, 2017

Went to Tenerife once - that was 30 years ago though! Man I'm getting (got) old...

2haw · Mar 28, 2017

Canary Bird said:
Thank you all for your help!

I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer ...
"Just book as a tall car and if on the phone or via the computer it/they say "It is a motorcaravan" just say no it isn't, it is an MPV and the reg says so. And if booking by computer then leave the reg blank, ring them and make the same argument."

> If I book by computer, I should mark "I don't know my vehicle registration" and then I will need to also call the Eurotunnel? ... to give registration? ... to explain it is not a "motor caravan"?

I left the reg blank online (you could be hiring the Beach and not know the reg) and then turned up and the terminal and inserted the payment card into the machine which then prints the mirror hanger ticket.

Canary Bird · Mar 28, 2017

Perfect.

2haw said:
I left the reg blank online (you could be hiring the Beach and not know the reg) and then turned up and the terminal and inserted the payment card into the machine which then prints the mirror hanger ticket.

DM · Mar 28, 2017

2haw said:
Do not give the regisistration at time of booking.

So is it possible to not give your reg at all until you turn up at check-in?

2haw · Mar 28, 2017

DM said:
So is it possible to not give your reg at all until you turn up at check-in?

I definitely didn't give it before check-in and pretty sure I didn't when I got to the auto machine. I'm think it works on ANPR system and once you insert the payment card, it records your reg by photo.

Stoneybroke · Mar 28, 2017

Amarillo said:
By Eurotunnel's definition, a Beach is not a campervan.

From the Eurotunnel website:

Campervan
Any vehicle which includes living accommodation (including (without limitation) seats, table, sleeping, cooking and storage facilities).
As a non-modified Beach has no cooking facilities, it is not a campervan.

The Beach is registered as a campervan by DVLA, so giving the VRM and you pay the extra.
There are a couple of threads on this subject.
I guess if you have a Spanish Registration they don't have the database access that DVLA seem to give out willy-nilly, so your should be OK.
I booked by phone (Tesco Vouchers) and gave the VRM, so got the full campervan price - I did question that the Beach did not match their definition, but the supervisor came back saying it was; others have had different answers. Still got a bargain with the vouchers.
Reading the legal definition of "including (without limitation)" it seems to mean that the list is not a restricted description. The the phraseology doesn't clearly indicate whether it is only a campervan if all of the elements are present, rather than some. Semantics, I suppose.
Perhaps I'll take the chance next time and book without the VRM...

Amarillo · Mar 28, 2017

Stoneybroke said:
Reading the legal definition of "including (without limitation)" it seems to mean that the list is not a restricted description.

The without limitation clause is to prevent someone saying, "My van has bathroom facilities, and as that is not on the list, my van is not a campervan", or something similar. Eurotunnel's definition means that those five components (seats, table, sleeping, cooking and storage facilities) need to be a part of the van for it to be a campervan; a 3 seat bench Beach fails on the cooking and storage facilities (possibly also on the table, but I wouldn't want to argue that point). The only significant difference between a Beach and some Caravelles is the upper berth on the Beach, and no Caravelle is classed as a campervan.

Stoneybroke · Mar 29, 2017

Amarillo said:
The without limitation clause is to prevent someone saying, "My van has bathroom facilities, and as that is not on the list, my van is not a campervan", or something similar. Eurotunnel's definition means that those five components (seats, table, sleeping, cooking and storage facilities) need to be a part of the van for it to be a campervan; a 3 seat bench Beach fails on the cooking and storage facilities (possibly also on the table, but I wouldn't want to argue that point). The only significant difference between a Beach and some Caravelles is the upper berth on the Beach, and no Caravelle is classed as a campervan.

I sort of agree, but it's difficult to argue with Eurotunnel when DVLA treat the Beach as a campervan even though, as pointed out in other threads, neither 3 or 2 seat bench Beach models meet the DVLA's own definition if you were trying to register a conversion.

Max-Felix · Apr 17, 2017

Max-Felix said:
1) Yes
2) Yes
3) No
4) UK
5) Yellow

It won't happen - they are far too busy to care if you have an awning attached (as if they would realise/know), kitchen, Potti etc.

Just book as a tall car and if on the phone or via the computer it/they say "It is a motorcaravan" just say no it isn't, it is an MPV and the reg says so. And if booking by computer then leave the reg blank, ring them and make the same argument.

Disagree x 1
List

What kind of a dipstick joins a forum, makes absolutely no posts let alone an introduction but is perfectly happy to click 'disagree' on another member's post without so much as an explanation or counter post?***

:talktothehand

***Answer? "suricate" does.

:headbang

WelshGas · Apr 17, 2017

Max-Felix said:
Disagree x 1

List

What kind of a dipstick joins a forum, makes absolutely no posts let alone an introduction but is perfectly happy to click 'disagree' on another member's post without so much as an explanation or counter post?***

***Answer? "suricate" does.

Not the first time. Personally I don't think there should be a " Disagree " button without the user being forced to make an explanation post.

Unfortunately Admin don't agree.

Stuart · Apr 18, 2017

Remember a lot of the users of this forum are not very IT savvy and probably click on those icons by mistake or not having a clue what they are doing.

2haw · Apr 18, 2017

I find it very easy to click on icon whilst scrolling on my phone. Maybe it was just a mistake?

Esandar#1 · May 24, 2017

Canary Bird said:
Perfect! Thanks! Now you all just need to come to the Canary Islands, so that I can return the favor and send help back the other way.

First time in 5 years we are not coming to Canary Island this May because we now have Cali...! Instead hoping for Maspalomass type weather in Cornwall. When / where are you headed in the UK?

hirsty · May 24, 2017

I keep forgetting about this discussion & booking my Beach online as a 'Campervan' and inputting my registration like a good prole should versus the "DON'T TELL 'EM YOUR NAME PIKE!" approach.

For my chosen crossings in September:

"Campervan" or "Van over 6 feet high": £174
"Car over 6 feet": £140

I'm personally not prepared to split hairs with a potentially stroppy gatekeeper - more often than not we're asking nicely to be let onto an earlier or later crossing without paying the difference, so I'll take the easy way out for less stress.

2haw · Sep 4, 2017

Used the train in the last couple of weeks again without giving my registration & just booked as a high car without any problems at all.

Inserted my bank card at the automated check-in and it put me on the next available crossing.

Beach as car 1.85m+ through chunnel ...awning, automated line, stopped before?

Canary Bird

2haw

MattBW

Here to help

owen_h

Canary Bird

Max-Felix

Amarillo

Tom

Canary Bird

Max-Felix

Canary Bird

Max-Felix

2haw

Canary Bird

DM

2haw

Stoneybroke

Amarillo

Tom

Stoneybroke

Max-Felix

WelshGas

Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.

Stuart

2haw

Esandar#1

hirsty

Two Seat Beach DSG

2haw

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