Just renewed my insurance, and with the papers there is a dire warning list of 'get out clauses' for failing to comply with specified safety/security devices! - Must be functional and fitted as in case of removable locks, and setting alarm etc.!
If ATC is standard on van, think I'd be absolutely clear (in writing!) with insurer that it is NON-FUNCTIONAL because regular tow car is unable to power it! That removes them having a get out clause in case of a claim.
I’d like to know how any insurance company would know if it was working in the event of a RTA. One picture to the insurance company and it would be a total loss, compared to cars caravans very rarely get repaired as spares are stupidly expensive and you don’t need a very old van to have parts no longer available.
Quote: Originally posted by clbewi on 12/4/2025
I’d like to know how any insurance company would know if it was working in the event of a RTA. One picture to the insurance company and it would be a total loss, compared to cars caravans very rarely get repaired as spares are stupidly expensive and you don’t need a very old van to have parts no longer available.
I don't think it is necessarily the spares that are expensive, it is the labour. I carried out a damp repair on my old caravan a couple of years back for well under £200, but for which I had been quoted a starting price of £2,000. You could guarantee they would soon have bumped that up too! No way was it worth having it done as the caravan simply isn't worth £2,000. My repair has fixed the problem and probably given me a few more years use out of it. I haven't needed much in the way of spares for mine but what I have needed I haven't had too much trouble getting, and my caravan is now 33 years old.
Well let’s put it this way, a small end rear impact on a caravan and your looking at over a grand for the panel rear lights plus any internal fittings it all adds up. That’s why so many are written off.
Quote: Originally posted by clbewi on 12/4/2025
I’d like to know how any insurance company would know if it was working in the event of a RTA. One picture to the insurance company and it would be a total loss, compared to cars caravans very rarely get repaired as spares are stupidly expensive and you don’t need a very old van to have parts no longer available.
If they send in a loss adjuster to assess damage, they can be thorough and ask awkward questions! Insurance companies themselves are just trying to avoid paying!
The ATC is like "seat belts" & "air bags" etc, they don't do anything until they need to, then they significantly increase the chances of coming out of an issue somewhat better, here, a snake, undamaged. They don't enhance the towing characteristic, unlike a stabiliser that slightly damps sways easing the fatigue we and car passengers feel as a towed trailer moves the car about.
The ATC as the insurers realise is a very effective, snake killer. If it senses the van moving about too much it momentarily partially applies the van's brake which facilitates the tow car to pull the van back into line. Its the power of the tow car harnessedd to straighten the trailer, as just the trailer brakes come on.
IMO, the best safety feature introduced to trailers in decades. Not needed in all normal situations but there if ever a snake develops.
It is not essential to have the LED indications, you can hear the ATC going through a start up test routine, the LED's greatest asset is it can show if it failed to complete that routine, that is the brakes did not come off and the LED shows solid RED. Most drivers will know as soon as they tow the brakes are on.
Even car's with the required "sustained" 12 volt feed the ATC uses, need to have a 25 Amp fuse, which is typically higher than would normaly be fitted in this feed. Normally a 15 Amp is fitted and can work but is prone to fail, if not straight away, some time later.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Alko ATC system
