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Topic: Acceptance of commercial vehicles

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burchardt

via mobile 15/2/2022 at 9:26am
Location: wales
Outfit: Vango Diablo 600 (2005model)

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Hello Everybody

As you can probably gather I have a partly converted van which I use for both business and leisure .

Over the past couple of years it appears now that a significant portion of sites will not accept commercial vehicles , which when it comes to holiday planning it is a real headache .

You have to troll through website after website , looking at site specifics to see if they do or do not accept converted vans . Even when you think you have found a site with no mention of them not accepting vans , when you contact them too enquire , you get abruptly dismissed , with " Certainly not" .

My van is not sign written , it's not a pile of rust and dents . It's clean , presentable . There are sky lights fitted . A fold down double bed and fixed cupboards . Unfortunately, due to insurance restrictions I am unable to fit rear windows as I use it for business .

My point is basically this why can't all sites stipulate whether they take vans . I appreciate their stance on sign written vans , I wouldn't want to be on a pitch staring at a big Sprinter or Iveco with " Joe Bloggs Toilet Cleaning Service " on it for a week or so .

The thing is the site's don't give you the opportunity to explain what your vans appearance is or even to see a picture before accepting a booking then when you arrive and it is not as described then they can refuse entrance .

I would have thought with the loss of business over the past couple of years they would be glad of any trade .

Opinions please

Fiona W

via mobile 15/2/2022 at 9:51am
Location: Ayrshire
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I couldn’t get insurance to use my previous standard MH for business use when I wanted to save on overnight accommodation costs for site visits.
The “white van” is a frequent topic of discussion, if you search for it. I can even remember someone recommended light magnetic panels to cover the decals - but you say there are no signs on your van. So the issue seems to be the extent of the conversion? What happens if you just turn up with a campervan that you’re still converting, you just haven’t got the back window in yet? Maybe add a simple awning for the back door or a small tent.
However, during Covid we had problems getting onto many sites, many have been full. Owners & managers shouldn’t be rude though.

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via mobile 15/2/2022 at 10:52am
Location: Buckinghamshire
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Quote: Originally posted by burchardt on 15/2/2022
Hello Everybody

As you can probably gather I have a partly converted van which I use for both business and leisure .

My van is not sign written , it's not a pile of rust and dents . It's clean , presentable . There are sky lights fitted . A fold down double bed and fixed cupboards . Unfortunately, due to insurance restrictions I am unable to fit rear windows as I use it for business .

Can you upload a photo of the van please?

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burchardt

via mobile 15/2/2022 at 11:11am
Location: wales
Outfit: Vango Diablo 600 (2005model)

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burchardt

via mobile 15/2/2022 at 11:12am
Location: wales
Outfit: Vango Diablo 600 (2005model)

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Believe it or not this van had done 390,000 miles .

woodman2

15/2/2022 at 11:28am
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Quote: Originally posted by burchardt on 15/2/2022
Believe it or not this van had done 390,000 miles .

Is it like "Triggers Brush" though?

blueexpo97

15/2/2022 at 12:50pm
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There is nothing like Triggers Brush.

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XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.

Fiona W

via mobile 15/2/2022 at 7:39pm
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I had to look that up - Trigger’s Broom.

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Darran Bonds

via mobile 15/2/2022 at 8:08pm
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Hi my first post here!
You have me worried now, my own vivaro conversion still looks like a red van on the outside.

burchardt

via mobile 15/2/2022 at 9:53pm
Location: wales
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Original engine and turbo
2 clutches . 3 alternators . 3 starters . 2 egr valves and 1 oil pump .

Oil changes every 12,000 miles give or take a couple . Dpf clean with spray cleaner every 10,000 miles.

spiritburner

15/2/2022 at 10:30pm
Location: N.E. England
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Never had that problem. Just booked or turned up as our vehicle or campervan. Our's isn't a 'motor caravan' on the V5. It is a commercial panel van that has been through 2 conversions - firstly carpeted out, few shelves added & 2 extra seats as a race van. We tent camped with it & it was just the vehicle we turned up in both before & after turning it into a race van. Now it's been converted into a campervan, as far as me & the insurance company are concerned but not the DVLA & no problem getting on sites. Our rear door windows were only added after the final conversion just to give an all round view.

Original van - just plywood lined as we bought it.

Race van mode.

Campervan mode

woodman2

15/2/2022 at 10:58pm
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Quote: Originally posted by burchardt on 15/2/2022
Original engine and turbo
2 clutches . 3 alternators . 3 starters . 2 egr valves and 1 oil pump .

Oil changes every 12,000 miles give or take a couple . Dpf clean with spray cleaner every 10,000 miles.

It looks amazing for that mileage.

Shows the importance of regular servicing.

Hope you get sorted.

canim

08/5/2022 at 9:06am
Location: liverpool
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I was told by a site they don't allow vans as they had a few problems with traveller community in the past, understandable I suppose.

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Canim

Monty15

08/5/2022 at 9:54am
Location: London
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Quote: Originally posted by canim on 08/5/2022
I was told by a site they don't allow vans as they had a few problems with traveller community in the past, understandable I suppose.

I think it's generally accepted that 'No Commercial Vehicles' reads as 'No Travellers' in a Politically Correct fashion.

The external visual difference between a well presented panel van and a MH is often no more than a few graphics (windows are often disguised in the graphics anyway). I've seen a number of MH's that are sticker/graphic covered eyesores, whilst panel vans that have really not stood out.

It's collateral damage from enforced PC policies that no longer allow calling a spade a spade!

billy

via mobile 08/5/2022 at 2:09pm
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I think you are ok with vans/slight conversions on the big commercial coastal family sites. Site we are at now Beachside hol park Hayle has loads of vans/home conversions of all ages like old T4s upwards. Same with Coftons at Dawlish. No probs there or at the small rural Ashe Farm site nr Taunton we stop at on the way down.

I would guess the sites that may not want vans are more adult only sites that want a certain sort of customer ie elderly caravanning couples.

I think what sites are desperate to avoid is situations where a large number of caravans turn up & will not pay & will not move for weeks. I think this is more prevalent in certain parts of the country where you might encounter these type of site rules.

Post last edited on 08/05/2022 14:13:49

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Fiona W

via mobile 09/5/2022 at 1:48pm
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CAMC allows commercial vehicles, I’ve seen a few vans on CAMC sites. Some restrictions eg signs aren’t offensive. You can do a Live Chat on their website to check details; not sure if it has to be a tow vehicle or not, and not all CAMC sites take tents.
Haven’t checked C&CC.

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