You know the story - pop out on a sunday morning for a pint of milk, newspaper maybe a quick bike ride. Come home later having just bought your first ever caravan.
Feeling a little stunned by it if I'm honest. Having been doing some investigations on here over the last few weeks with a view to doing it, but now I've actually done it!! At some point you just have to take the plunge
Pick the van up next week. Really pleased with the buy - everything we were looking for and in the price range that we wanted. However things running through my mind now include the 'other stuff'. Please help!!
1. Do I need to let my car insurance company know?
2. Does my car insurance cover any aspect of the van?
3. If no or only partially to 2 - what other insurance do I need and what does that cover?
4. Storage place in Essex?
5. Have I done the right thing putting our trusted tent into retirement?
6. Private buy - all in good shape but is it worth having a service done for the sake of having it done. Last service was November
7. Never towed before and have a 100mile journey to get it back - best to take an experienced friend?
8. What don't I know that I don't know???
Lots of us started as tenters, but at some point the old bones demand a bit more comfort so don't lament changing you canvas bag for a shed!!
Your car insurance will usually already cover you for towing. In addition to this, you need seperate insurance for your van in case of accident, theft etc. If the service was carried out in November by a registered service engineer then probably no need for another now unless for your own peace of mind. First outing- it is a good idea to have someone experienced with you but I would recomend you sign up for a manouvering course like the ones run by the CaravanClub. The main thing you need to know is take your time and enjoy!!!!
Brain
------------- there are 10 types of people in this world, those who understand binary and those who don't.
All car insurance covers you for third party risks while towing, ie you are covered for damage done by your caravan but you are not covered for repairs to the caravan or fire etc. For this you need to insure caravan separately but there is no legal requirement to insure caravan, although obviously advisable.
If the last service was Nov, you have reciept to prove then you are ok for this yr. When you collect 'van make sure you check wheelnuts & also check tyre pressures soonest. If you cannot establish age of tyres &/or they are over 5yrs old change asap.
If you live in Colchester/Clacton area they do storage at Colchester camping & at Great Bently country park & behind Fir Trees cafe at Thorrington(I think).
Quote: Originally posted by micky666 on 14/2/2011
You must inform car insurance that you have fitted a Tow bar, its classed as a modification
I tried & failed to inform mine, they wern't interested 'cos it ain't classed a a mod. All car insurance covers towing for third party risks so it follows that towbar fitting ain't a mod.
Thanks for all the responses everyone. I am looking forward to it although a little nervous about how much there seems to learn. One step at a time I suppose.
Bought the caravan - done; tow bar being fitted Friday (with twin electrics 664DaveS); storage being booked (thanks Tentz); insurance company notified of tow bar - they weren't really interested but I have asked them to make a not on my account and sent them a letter as well - just in case it comes back to bite me!)
Picking it up at the weekend so will take all of your advice onboard and have secured a mate who has had a van for a few years to come and do the journey with me.
All docs, finance, CRIS and everything checks out so hoping everything is in place.
Any other advice will be greatly recieved and I will update on my journey nback after the weekend then start posting again whilst I try and work out everything else!
do not want to spoil your enjoyment, at the service was it damp tested? may be worth asking if it was a private sale.the service will be ok until next november 2011.
congratulations on your new van.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
No spoiling at all - I appreciate you being concerned enough to qualify the question.
Having read some of the stories I wasn't taking a risk on it. The van was purchased from new by the current owner (I have all the receipts etc proving the fact). It shows a damp check being completed every year and again at the last service by the local authorised distributor. To be doubly sure I also borrowed a damp meter from a friend of mine and took that with me and the readings were fine.
From a visual aspect as well there were no spongy floorboards, no lumps or patches on the walls/re-covering, under the seats, round the pipework etc. I also looked at all the cushions both sides to see if there were any patches on them. Finally there was no musty or damp smell which I now is only a small point, but again something I was looking out for.
I feel I have taken all the precautions and obtained all the evidence I can in that respect so fingers crossed.
Please though, if anybody can think of anything else i should check or do then I would love to know. Buying first time out is a little intimidating, especially when you go private with no recourse at a later date!
I went to buy a bag of chips, and bough myself a new van last time....
you seem to have covered all the bases with damp etc, looking at service history (as long as you can be sure its for that van)
to answer your other questions...
Ring and ask if a towbar is considered a modification, Im through a broker, one year it was, next it wasn't, so it seems to depend on your insurer. if its classed as a mod, they already know you will be towing with it, if its not, ask for the note to go on your policy, possibly a bit OTT, but im dertermined there is no weedle out room incase of a claim.
2. as said, only 3rd party.
4, cnat help.
5, only you will know, but I love it after the wife twisted my arm to get our first van 7 years ago
6, maybe not a full service, but get the once over done by a caravan mechanic.
7, depends on how you feel, I drove my first van back 80miles with the wife and kid, I had towed plenty of trailers and had a TT then though.
8. just make sure it has had the gas stuff serviced, not just running gear...
Quote: Originally posted by ian220476 on 14/2/2011
Hi Michael,
No spoiling at all - I appreciate you being concerned enough to qualify the question.
Having read some of the stories I wasn't taking a risk on it. The van was purchased from new by the current owner (I have all the receipts etc proving the fact). It shows a damp check being completed every year and again at the last service by the local authorised distributor. To be doubly sure I also borrowed a damp meter from a friend of mine and took that with me and the readings were fine.
From a visual aspect as well there were no spongy floorboards, no lumps or patches on the walls/re-covering, under the seats, round the pipework etc. I also looked at all the cushions both sides to see if there were any patches on them. Finally there was no musty or damp smell which I now is only a small point, but again something I was looking out for.
I feel I have taken all the precautions and obtained all the evidence I can in that respect so fingers crossed.
Please though, if anybody can think of anything else i should check or do then I would love to know. Buying first time out is a little intimidating, especially when you go private with no recourse at a later date!
Thx, Ian
looks good to me well done.enjoy. you may be aware already the CRIS docs needs to go in your name and cost about £12.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
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Topic: Pint of Milk
