Pink / White Reflective warning indicators for motorhomes- do you want one?

Confused in regards to the regulation for displaying a crimson / white striped signal on the again of your motorhome or campervan when travelling in Europe?

So had been we, so we’ve completed the analysis for you. Right here’s all the things you have to 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 you have to convey!

*We work arduous to make this one of the best motorhome journey weblog and street journey web site attainable, stuffed with useful content material for you. The web site is supported by our readers, so when you purchase via hyperlinks on this website we could earn a commission- at no additional value to you. All opinions stay our personal.

In case you discover this submit helpful, you may also treat us to a coffee – we promise to get pleasure from it whereas creating extra helpful content material like this- we would even take pleasure in a biscuit (or two!)

Pink & White striped boards – do you want one?

If you’re travelling in sure international locations 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 choose) in crimson 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 automobiles, 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
• You probably have something which makes the car wider, you have to 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 any case, the place would you connect it to?- however I can’t discover any definitive reply.

This way subscribes you (free!) to the Wandering Chicken mailing checklist. We share ideas, itineraries, and useful guides like this for street trippers and motorhomers.

​

We by no means spam (yuck) and you’ll unsubscribe at any time.

Which international locations 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 aren’t 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 value having- simply in case you’re like us and go detouring into random international locations with little or no planning!

What dimensions do the crimson/ white board must be?

The board have to be a minimum of 50×50 cm (minimal space of 2500cm²)

Does it matter what number of stripes?

I’ve learn that Spain requires ones with a minimum of 3 crimson/ 3 white hatched, reflective stripes, whereas Italy appears to require 5 stripes

We now have one with 5 crimson stripes. We figured, if doubtful, extra is healthier.

Does it matter what the board is constructed from?

Yep.

In Italy, the board have to be constructed from aluminium and have a reflective floor ‘throughout’. I’ve learn that that is just for autos over 12m lengthy, however can’t discover the rule to substantiate 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 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 will not be 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 crimson & white striped indicators are normally simply hooked up to the overhanging object with elastic bungees (not normally supplied with buy so make sure you purchase some- these are good). There’s normally a gap in every nook for the bungees (or string, when you choose) 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 at all times go from prime proper to backside left (see picture).

I suppose technically within the UK it’s best to cease and switch the board round to level the opposite approach, however we’ve got pushed everywhere in the UK and sometimes forgotten to do that.

Can I simply use reflective tape as a substitute 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 crimson and white warning signal varieties under 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 here

NEED GEAR? In case you want any equipment or necessities for motorhoming in Europe, here’s what we recommend and where to find it

Final replace on 2024-06-19 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photos from Amazon Product Promoting API

Sharing is caring!