Confused in regards to the regulation for displaying a pink / white striped signal on the again of your motorhome or campervan when travelling in Europe?
So have been we, so we’ve carried out the analysis for you. Right here’s every little thing it’s essential know to remain authorized you probably have an overhanging load in your van in Europe.
Don’t overlook to seize your FREE Europe motorhoming guidelines beneath to recollect every little thing else it’s essential convey!
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Pink & White striped boards – do you want one?
If you’re travelling in sure nations in Europe and have ANYTHING which overhangs the size of your motorhome, you MUST show a panel board (typically known as a chevron board) which has reflective stripes (or slashes, if you happen to want) in pink and white.
The stripes should run at 45 levels and should be displayed on ANY car with something extending the size. This is applicable to vehicles, caravans, motorhomes and campervans.
The reflective warning signal should be displayed on the rear of your motorhome/ camper, behind the load (so not on the again of your precise motorhome.)
You’ll want them you probably have a:
- storage field (like ours)
- bicycle rack (even when nothing is on it)
- tow bar rack (even when nothing is on it)
- you probably have a surfboard or one thing on the roof which extends past the again bumper
- When you have something which makes the car wider, you have to show two boards, one on both sides.
You do NOT want one you probably have a trailer.
It’s unclear if you happen to want one if you happen to simply have a towbar and nothing else on it. My intestine feeling is no- in any case, 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 helpful’ 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 the moment 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 have to be?
The board should be not less than 50×50 cm (minimal space of 2500cm²)
Does it matter what number of stripes?
I’ve learn that Spain requires ones with not less than 3 pink/ 3 white hatched, reflective stripes, whereas Italy appears to require 5 stripes
We’ve got one with 5 pink stripes. We figured, if doubtful, extra is healthier.
Does it matter what the board is created from?
Yep.
In Italy, the board should be created from 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 substantiate this. Personally, we went for an aluminium one and haven’t had any hassle in Italy or when motorhoming in Spain.
I’ve additionally learn that the Italians are much less involved in regards to the materials if it has the 4 ‘reflective circles/ cats eyes’ within the corners. Nevertheless, Fiamma (an ITALIAN firm!) say that the plastic boards usually are 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 be sure you purchase some- these are good). There may be often a gap in every nook for the bungees (or string, if you happen to want) to connect to.
Which approach spherical does the stripes should level?
The stripes MUST level into the centre of the highway within the nation you’re driving in. After all, in Europe they might at all times go from high proper to backside left (see picture).
I suppose technically within the UK it is 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 a substitute of an indication?
No. I believe you run the chance 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 sorts beneath and have by no means had an issue.
New to motorhome or camper journey in Europe? You would possibly discover these posts useful:
See all our Europe motorhoming posts right here
NEED GEAR? In case you want any equipment or necessities for motorhoming in Europe, right here’s what we suggest and the place to search out it
Final replace on 2024-05-26 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Pictures from Amazon Product Promoting API
