Hello, I am new here, I am not very group savvy, so hope I have done this right.
I am looking for someone with caravan experience who could tow my caravan and set it up for me.
I have a ramp on my car so can't tow myself also not fit enough to set it up.
I want to pay of course, but I have been quoted some pretty hefty prices.
Sorry I forgot to say I am in Cumbria.
I think there may be a few things that you need to be aware of, and may justify to some extent the apparently high quotes you've had so far.
Caravans under tow are normally covered for 3rd party risks by the tow vehicle insurance, and maybe accident loss, BUT if towing for someone else for gain (payment), most vehicle insurers would NOT cover that, drivers even risking their own vehicle cover if involved in an accident as these days much insurance is limited to social and leisure use only with 'maybe' cover for commuting in connection with owners regular business. Bottom line, most individuals would not be insured to tow your caravan for payment!
You ideally need to verify any volunteer is suitably experienced, and their vehicle is legal to tow your caravan, various trailer/tow vehicle weight limits need to be in order, including not overloading the vehicle tow bar. Illegal sets ups can be stopped on journey and impounded! Any volunteer driver also needs to be assured your caravan is roadworthy, otherwise they risk prosecution if stopped with an unroadworthy trailer.
Many of us have tales to tell of picking up a strange to us caravan from a dealer or seller only to find it tows like an utter pig, because it wasn't loaded correctly/properly by someone else, and spend some time fettling the loading on subsequent journeys until it is safe and comfortable to tow. Anyone towing your van on a one off journey may not have the opportunity to perfect the loading for best stability, which increases risk of on road snaking type accidents/incidents.
There are a lot of unknowns in your request, value of caravan, size/weight of caravan, distance of journey and starting/ending points etc. When was it last fully serviced and deemed in good running order, with tyres under 5 years old, brakes fully functional, wheel bearings sound, breakaway cable in good order, road lights functional etc.?
I know Cumbria pretty well, and tow my own caravan to various bits most years, but there are parts I'd never consider towing a caravan, the roads are just not caravan friendly, so locations are highly relevant.
May not sound the most positive outlook, but "The road to hell is paved with good intentions"! Some basic precautions all round are wise.
Personally, I'd be cautious about transporting a good friends caravan without due diligence, let alone doing so for a stranger! Not an uncaring attitude, just an awareness of how many ways my bum could get bitten if not done with great thought!
Getting someone to set it once on site is less risky and should only be an hour or so of their time. The towing I'd be inclined to leave to a professional with correct qualifications and insurances, as if it goes wrong there are consequences and comebacks.
Thank you for taking the time to give me your good advice.
She would only be towed out of Cumbria, which would be motorway, she was serviced last week and got a clean bill of health apart from a recommendation for new tyres.
I can provide full details of size, weight etc and she is insured but I would need to check on what it actually covers.
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Topic: Help wanted to tow my caravan
via mobile 15/5/2025 at 3:21pm
