It is not a cheap trip on EuroTunnel if you end up damaging an alloy wheel, or take a chunk out of the sidewall of your tyre when you drive on or off the carriage.

The problem is the upper deck carriages, where at either end the ramp narrows and the metal kerb is higher. If you are unfortunate enough to be directed towards the upper deck, you enter from the side and after making a tightish turn, then you have a steep ramp ahead of you with the nose of the car pointing at the ceiling. Normally there should be red marker posts where the ramp narrows, but often these are not in place. If you pass through the plastic posts and your wing mirrors clear them, you should be OK, but there is still the chance you might whack the metal kerb either side.

Once you are up into the carriage, the kerbs are low and should not damage your tyre or wheel if you contact them. However, when directed to the upper deck there are curbs at the apex of the ramp that are about 4 inches high and again very close together - these become the low lip kerbs once the ramp flattens out. As the nose of your car is pointing uphill, you cannot see the last six feet or so. The same when you leave the upper deck, as the ramp slopes away from you and you have little visual reference, especially if the train crew have not put the marker posts in position.

If you contact this kerb even at a walking pace speed, you risk severe damage to your alloy wheels, especially if you have low profile tyres. So what do you do if you are unlucky enough to clout one of these metal kerbs as I have done.

1. Pull up immediately to the side of the train, and find the crew member who is standing at the bottom of the ramp waving good bye to you. Or if you hit the kerb on boarding, inform a crewmember straight away.

2. Demand that a "Safety-Related Event Form" or "Declaration D'Evenement de Securite" form is completed by the supervisor who should also take pictures of the damage to your wheel, tyre or both. Take your own pictures

3. Notify by email EuroTunnel customer services that your car was damaged by these kerbs on the upper deck and you will be making a claim for a new wheel and tyre.

I am sure hundreds of motorists have clipped these kerbs, but have done nothing about it. The metal kerbs when inspected clearly show that there has been metal on metal contact many times. They are very unforgiving if hit or clipped.

If you do have a wide car with nice alloys, do not risk being sent onto the upper deck. Ask to go on the lower deck. Alternatively if you have a clasic car or something like an Aston Martin, book as an "overheight vehicle" or on the day drive into the lane before boarding for high vehicles. Then you will go into the part of the train that carries coaches. Here the lane in the carriages is much wider. Just make sure if you are parked at the front of the carriage, that the chock on one side is removed by the crew before you drive off, otherwise tyre damage may result.

Edited by Monsieur Kev on 02/07/2011 at 15:17