GT3RS on the Tunnel

[mnk303]

Anyone tried getting a GT3RS (Gen2) on the train, just I remember seeing a Gen1 make it once, but of course dont know if it had a front lift, mine does not and I would love to take it over to Germany in the spring and then on to Porsche for a factory visit.

I suppose I could take some rubber mats as I do now for extreame speed humps but its a pain, so just thought i would ass please.

 

[garyw]

I wouldn't of thought it'd be an issue getting onto the train at all, I'd be more concerned coming down the loading ramp onto the dock, although there is plenty of space to cut across 45degree.
I don't yet think I've seen one scrape the floor- just make sure you take the second entrance onto the train(its the downstairs - or book it as a high car and they send you onto the Coach carriages that are wide and low. []

garyw

 

[911 turbo newbie]

go on the ferrys at least 4 times a year, got an aerokit on mine which has a 5 inch clearence only, never had a single problem getting on or off them, so would say the train would be the same or not better.

 

[mnk303]

Thanks guys, hope someone may reply who has the same car checked my clearance it is 104mm to the ground which is only 4.1 inches, so tight, I worry about Ferries as every car or van I have ever taken ends up with pop marks or scruffs on the bodywork when people try and squeeze by, think Garys commenst on the train are good because going out the ramp can be steep, hate to get there and scrap the bumper.

 

[adrian996]

I think that some ferries might cause you problems. I have the lower sport suspension, which won't be as low as yours, but I've never had a problem with the train. I would just avoid any element of doubt and tell the operator about your concerns and that you'd like to get on to one of the more spacious carriers (the type that Clarkson used when TG did that bit on the Veyron).

(See here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoK4QYwixDc .......... and jump to the 8 minute mark)

One thing is for sure; they'd rather make sure that you get on to the train smoothly rather than hold the departure up so they're most likely to oblige!

My 911 once got stuck on a train transporter at Brive-la-Gaillarde because the staff had put the anti-roll bars behind the front wheels and in front of the rear wheels - instead of the other way 'round!
Suffice to say that things got slowed up a bit that morning. It came very close to them getting out the angle grinder but I had to intervene at that point (for obvious reasons!) but it wasn't easy; one young British guy with a flashy sports car vs. eight greasy, frustrated French guys at six thirty in the morning...!![] Not good!![] I called the train operator from France and they made the necessary arrangements for the return journey.

I'm laughing now but I had a right sweat on at the time! My cr*p French didn't help in that situation either!

 

[mnk303]

Thank you good advice, I will call the French boys and make sure they can cope....my French is 0 as well so I dont want to test them, after this year I was stuck on the French motorway services with a broken down Motorhome for 29 hours.....not funny

 

[garyw]

The carriage that JC is on is the coach carriage - where high vehicle are also sent... at no extra cost.
We sometime get sent there too... we were sent along the dock once to the other end in order to get onto that carriage.
We've had some low cars with us over the years and they've never grounded out.

garyw

 

[okellyt]

See Gary' s comments - book a tall vehicle slot on the euro star and you'll be fine, you don't want to go upstairs though.

The beast has near identical front spoiler ground clearance to a GT3 RS (tucking my foot under the spoiler it comes to the mid lace level) - bottom level euro star much easier than getting onto and off a ferry.

As per Gary's comments watch the down ramp, I tend to take these crab wise nowadays

 

[mnk303]

Thanks Guys will call the operators and make sure I emphasise the issue before I travel, I have seen two Gen1 cars make it so I guess I am about the same

 

[bobfair]

My Gen 2 GT 3 went to Spa via the tunnel last year. Downstairs is fine but dont let them direct you onto the higher level as the ramp is much steeper. I find the ferries worse than the tunnel especially at low tide

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

Hi,
I have done the tunnel on a MK1 GT3 and the MK1 is very low as we know.
Not a problem at all taking it slow on and off.
But please ask the operater to let you on down stairs as I was sent up top once
ok getting on but had a scrape on the decent right at the bottom.
so I allways insisited on the bottom deck after that.
Cliff

 

[grover]

Agree, go on the coach and high vehicle part which you can ask for, its much wider too, so wont scuff any wheels

Have taken various gallardo's, a 430 and 458, an Audi v10 spider and my turbo with aerokit no problem on that part.

No chance of any dents too which is why I avoid ferries

 

[azure111s]

I travel on Eurtotunnel regularly (like 70+ single trips in the last 2 years [8|]). 9 times out of 10 the staff will realise that you cannot go on the top deck in a GT3RS and will direct you to the lower level. If they don't, simply point at the lower level and they'll realise and oblige, as others have said before.

However, also as others have said, you could book as a high car and get a bit more clearance either side as the distance between kerbs is wider as well as there being no 'upstairs' level. You go through the 'higher than 1.85m' lane and join those vehicles that are higher than 1.85m (including coaches, but not including lorries - they go on a separate 'open-sided' train).

You'd be fine on the lower level with a 'normal' booking. My old Elise was 100mm at the front and had no trouble (albeit with less front overhang than your GTSRS), but for extra width and the reassurance that brings, you could book the >1.85m. Only downside is that you have to walk further for the loo as they're in 1st and last carriages, whereas they're every 3 carriages in the 'normal' double-decker config.

I didn't take the Elise or now my 997 on ferries for the ramp angle and coat zip/handbag scratching issues (there are some selfish s0ds about, aren't there?!). Eurotunnel is 100% more suitable for both reasons and a much quicker crossing to boot.