This year, fancying a change from southern France, we are taking our twin axle caravan to Bay of Roses for our main summer holiday.
I won't be the first outfit of at least 12.5m going into Spain, so here's one for you seasoned large outfit visitors to Spain. My caravan is 8m long.
I read somewhere that if you tow an outfit over a certain length (12m or 12.5m is it?), unlike France, Spanish authorities require you to fit some "warning signs" to the rear of your caravan presumably to advise of a long outfit.
Does anyone have REAL WORLD experience of this i.e.
> what is the minimum outfit length that the regs apply?
> what sign(s) to display on 'van?
> where did/can you source these from?
> any other restrictions (speed?)that may apply?
Not much on the internet - so is this a regulation that isn't particularly well enforced in the real world - a bit like France and the need to carry two alcohol test kits with you, which I do, but don't legally need to for well published reasons? I ask mainly as we'll only be towing an hour or so into Spain and again another hour at the end of our holiday.
Is there anything to concern myself about? I don't really want to go to the trouble of sourcing warning plates, trying to find safe places on the rear of the 'van to fix them, for the sake of an hour or so, only to find that this is a little known regulation that is never really enforced in the real world!
Want to be legal but don't want to be a pedant, if unlikely to be stopped by police!
Appreciate recent real world experiences and input from seasoned long outfit regular visitors to Spain.
Thanks in advance
J
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Hi.
If your total length is more than 12 metres then you need reflective plates.They were about £12 when I got mine so it is not worth taking a chance on a fine.
Full details are shown on the Caravan Club website (including from where to get them).
Daves1
Outfits over 12m travelling to Spain
In Spain any car/caravan combinations or motor homes over 12m in length are required to fit marker boards to the back of the vehicle. The marker boards must have:
Plain yellow in the centre with a red outline
Made of aluminium
Manufactured to ECE70 standards
You can either have two small boards or one large board, they must be placed at the back of the outfit between 50cm and 150cm off the ground, the smaller boards can be attached horizontally or vertically. Marker boards can be purchased from most HGV suppliers including HGV Direct, www.hgvdirect.co.uk telephone: 0845 686 0008.
Thanks Daves1, Val A and OliverDay for your very helpful replies. Checked the car length and at 4.8m (12.8m with 'van)I shall now be definitely be checking out the site link with a view to placing an order.
Thanks again all for your knowledgeable assistance on a fairly obscure topic!
Best Regards
J
We travel down each year to the Bay of Roses with our van well over 12 metres and ALWAYS put the plates on, you do see twin axles without them but in todays climate it's better to be safe than sorry
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Spain - Outfit Length Restrictions (?)
