Our single axle caravan is inside a CASSOA storage site.
The owners are removing jockey wheels so the ball cup then rests on the concrete floor. This enables caravans to be reversed over the A frame of the one behind enabling more vans inside the facility.
Is this common practice and is it acceptable. We are concerned about possible damage to the Alko cup & braking system.
I phoned CC & Swift but neither were able to offer advice.
I wouldn't be happy with that type of storage. Our van is stored in a herring bone fashion with a big enough gap either side to open the door etc. I wouldn't be happy about the owners removing anything from my van, how do they know who's jockey wheel is whose and are they prepared to pay for any damage caused?
------------- -x- Diane -x-
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And I thought storage on our site was tight! but at least we can walk round the van and open the door. No way would I use a storage site where I couldnt just go in and take my van out when I wanted to. I would definately find another store, unless of course this firm have a monoply. If you do accept it, why not get one of the security balls that lock into the hitch - this will keep the dirt out, and either wrap in a canvas cover, or as suggested above, stand on a bit of ply, although I suspect this will disappear the first time the site operator moves your van to get another one out. One other thought, whose insurance covers your caravan while they are shunting yours and others vans around?
There are many questions that need to be raised first to find out more about this practice. Firstly, did the storage site owners write to all the caravan owners explaining about this exercise and secondly, where are they storing all the jockey wheels that they are removing?
i bet insurance companys would not agree to this, being a cassoa site the owner will be insured against loss as will your insurance.
ring them both to see what they say.
Sounds weird to me and makes it a pain if you want to pop along to check over the van during the winter. Personally I wouldn't agree to it and would either look for a new site or see if you can leave yours with the jockey wheel in place!
if it was me i would complain bitterly for simple reason,they have a duty of care.by messing about with your van this is not being maintained.if there was a fire the caravans could not be moved in a hurry because they are so close and have no jockey wheels.i do not think the insurance would like this arrangement,you need to ask them.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Sounds more like a cheapo back street yard. Nothing wrong with that if it's mega cheap and your happy with the arrangement. Not what you expect from a CASSOA site. I definitely would be looking else where.
------------- Live every day as if it's your last but not at risk to others :-)
I presume that you were asking for legal advice on this issue so you need to reply to my previous post in order to know what further steps to take and who to complain to.
Thanks to all who replied your many varied responses reflect my own.
Just to update - site is an undercover CASSOA GOLD !!!!! £10 pw - no access to your van. It is put out into a 'secure' compound for collection [or return], access to compound is with a combination lock. 4 days notice is required.
We have never been advised that this practice is being used. I discovered it by being allowed into the covered storage area.
I contacted CC - they advised contact Swift - they advised contact Alko. Alko said this practice was NOT recommended.
I contacted my Insurance who said it was a common storage practice & they were not in the least concerned.
We have now decided to take the easy option & move our caravan elsewhere to give us better access.
£10 per week equals £520 per year which seems a bit of a rip off actually and to require 4 days prior notice to taking your van out as well seems a rather restrictive to say the least. I think you have done the right thing by moving your caravan to another compound as I wouldn't be happy with this arrangement and judging by the answers on this thread nobody else would be either. The storage site owners have to have a licence in order to be CaSSOA graded which is Bronze, Silver or Gold so when you have moved to another compound I would certainly write to CaSSOA with a formal complaint as they may well not be aware that parts of the caravan are being removed to comply with their own regulations. You can contact CaSSOA head office in writing at the address below or telephone on 01159 349 826. Details are provided in the link.
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