Can anyone advise me please. Our van is stored on site in Devon and usually use the tow out, tow in facility at a charge of £18. Recently we have received a letter from site saying that if they damage the van whilst towing we will have to claim on OUR insurance. My question is could I tow a series 7 Bailey Pageant Burgundy on the road within the site, from the compound to the pitch, which is about 1/4 of a mile. I am seriously thinking of having a towbar fitted to just do that short distance rather than risk them damaging my van and then having to claim on my insurance. The van wouldn't be towed on a public road.
If it was the diesel version you would be in with more of a chance but as it is an 02 plate it will be the MK 1 and I think that the official towball weight limit is only 50 kgs. which is quite low. I have had both the Mk. 2 & Mk 3 estates (which are heavier than the hatchback) which both have towball limits of 75 kgs. You need to check what the noseweight is on your caravan and double check to see if my figures are correct which I think you will find they are. If the noseweight is too heavy for the car then you may not only damage the rear suspension but it will also make the front of the lighter which will make the steering very light thus losing traction.
You could rear load the caravan to reduce the noseweight, but that would make it very unstable. 1/4 mile at 10 mph with an unstable van...your call really but if you did have an accident then you would still have to claim on your insurance and under the circumstances they may not pay out. I agree that £72 a mile is criminal. Personally, I'd look for somewhere else to store it. A few trips at £18 a time, plus the site fee and it may be better value to find a seasonal pitch.
It does sound like the owners have tried to make a claim and been told that they are not covered or they have had a price for the insurance renewal and it's scared the pants off them. If they are not insured to provide the service then they should not be offering it, but at that price it looks like a good little earner.
It may be worth contacting some of the other people storing there so that you have a more combined influence over the owners. If the majority threat to boycott the service or better yet move their custom elsewhere completely then maybe they will get the necessary insurance. The service is certainly making them a lot of money.
I don't see a problem at all. Whattowcar gives 108% for your combination, but your not going on a motorway, will only be taking it easy for a 1/4 mile, so I can't see a problem.
I have a 2ltr focus pertrol so from experience I'd say get a tow bar fitted and go for it.
Noseweight could be the bigger issue, especially with a front wheel drive. There is a real risk of damaging the rear suspension and also traction is going to be very limited, especially if it is wet.
The other issue is what would happen if you needed to stop quickly? Would the car be able to stop? If you had an accident, would the insurance pay up as your caravan is too heavy for the car?
It's all well and good saying you don't want to claim on your insurance if someone else damages your caravan, but what about if you had the accident? The only option you have is to claim on your insurance and that may well be invalidated.
And of course the biggie is what if the car is unable to stop with the caravan on that one time the child runs in front of you. The chances may well be low, but for the sake of your no claims bonus is it a chance you want to take?
My quarry would be over the £72 a mile they are charging, not the insurance issue. Just one point, if someone gets stuck on a caravan club rally and needs a tow, the person who assists is not allowed to ask for any kind of reward as this is deemed to be unlicenced private hire.