Hi all, happy new year etc etc
I need to be in Italy (south of Turin) on Monday 13th January to collect a tralier, my question is am I ok to drive on sunday unit only? I’ve searched & searched and can’t find anything useful…
My understanding is that the Sunday restriction applies to any goods vehicle over 7.5 tonnes MAM (with exceptions for perishable goods and a few other special cases).
Yep I found that and have come to the conclusion that im going to have to go via le havre fri night and do the last bit mon am…cheers anyway
We do not know why there is a rush to be in Italy when the post mentions January 13th, two weeks to get there.
From Calais,it is about two and half days drive to Turin.
With driving unit only,years ago, you may have got away with driving at night when the Police were asleep,but now the fines and hassle is not worth it.
Even though it is just a tractor unit,they would class it as an artic due to what weights it can pull.
If you did risk it,the Peages or toll booths is where they will stop the unit and ask for a permit to run on a truck ban.
Because the earlier i get there the more my boss has to pay in hotels, 
The trailer builder wants the unit on mon 13th for 2days hence why I’m trying to arrive on the Monday, rather than getting there the week before & going cycling in the alps & dining with the mayor.
Another option is that freight only train that runs from Germany to Italy, Brite Pete who used to be on TNUK, knew all about this train, there are height restrictions on it, for example those air con pods that the Spanish trucks have on top of the cab may have to come off.
Second option, going through the back roads in France, these used to be N or National roads, but the French have now classed them as D roads or Departmental roads, but still good roads.
This was to force our Eastern cousins to use the toll roads, so they save money repairing the smaller road networks.
There is a great short cut to Italy that i used all the time, the short cut is full of weight limit signs that i ignored with an artic, and never got stopped, saw the Gendarmes drive past, and they did not even look at me.
From the ports in Northern France, you could bob tail down on the N and D roads, i would go at night, leave at mid night, they are asleep by then, lol.
If you google map the town of Lons de Saunier, North of Lyon, and near Bourg en Bresse, there is a short cut via Nantua to Italy, you come out by Chambery.
There are numerous towns with weight limits, and one small hamlet high up in the hills that is a bit tight for two trucks to pass at the same time, but that area is dead for Lgv traffic.
Third option, to save the Mount Blanc or Frejus tunnel tickets, is to over Mount Cenis, this is the old freight route before one of the tunnels was built, if you have seen the Michael Caine film The Italian Job, that is what the scenery is like when the bus is hanging off the mountain pass road.I have booked dinner with the Mayor of Torrino, the swimming pool is open, and there is a bike for hire on arrival. 
What would you be driving over the Mont Cenis pass at this time of year Toby? The only way you would probably get over there is in a snowcat.
I believe Cenis has to be kept open in Winter as the milatary use it and the electricity board vehicles require access all year.
Maybe the forest trucks still use it.
Not forgetting the Marie’s toboggan competition.
Just set of on the Friday morning, bags of time.
Think I will stick to the big roads I will suggest le havre friday night and get to chambery ish then 3-4 hrs to do monday am, drop unit off then to my hotel til Wednesday…and of course drinks and food with the mayor & his/her family
The Mayor has emailed asking if the five course dinner is on the agenda or go for the six course with a five litre Toby jug of vin rouge.The pool is open from 7am to 22.00.
Depending on the sat nav,there is the option to enter the route avoiding all tolls.
But unit only will be cheaper on toll prices.If the Gendarmes ask where the trailer is,tell them it fell off .
From Le Havre,Evreux to Chatres is a good road and fast…If no tacho records for the last 28 days an activity attestation letter is needed and original documents for the truck.They hate photocopies.
If park opposite the Fiat factory in Torrino,a lady of the night works there.
A big lay by and quite secure with cctv near the factory gates.
Try the Lavaza coffee.A double or triple expresso.
Two and a half days from Calais to Turin Toby? Were you going backwards?
That is allowing time for swimming pool stops,bike riding in the alps and meeting the Marie at each town i pass through.
truckertang:
Hi all, happy new year etc etcI need to be in Italy (south of Turin) on Monday 13th January to collect a tralier, my question is am I ok to drive on sunday unit only? I’ve searched & searched and can’t find anything useful…
No you can’t. Approx. 13hrs driving from Calais, unit only maybe a bit quicker.Take the bike - if you’re the type of driver that gets out of the cab from time to time - it’s fantastic cycling there but a bit cold in the hills…
switchlogic:
Two and a half days from Calais to Turin Toby? Were you going backwards?
That’s exactly what I was thinking ha ha
toby1234abc:
…If the Gendarmes ask where the trailer is,tell them it fell off…
…Excellent, a classic tobyism!
Happy New Year all, and may we have many more posts from the Tobemeister! 
Mars Transport permitting of course! 
Bonjour .Disc.Digi et Cmr s’il vous plait.Ah problem" You must pay fine".
Pourqoui payez vous.
Parce que vous avez laissez tombe votre remorque dans la route.
Ooh la la,c’etait les clandestines who pulled the king pin while i was driving.
That old chestnut,replies the Gendarme.Allez,merde et bonne route.