I have just a quick question for Farmers wife, as she has really done her home work and knows the law and what they can tow etc, but appears to know that the law doesn't change until the 20^th, so why not delay collecting caravan form dealer until after that date or use a vehicle that would have been legal to tow it before that date?

Not having a go just curious?

I think this forum is brilliant for advice and information, though it is just a forum of ideas and sometimes you can get misleading advice, so someone like Phil is very useful, as this thread could otherwise have led someone to get a fine or worse by towing an illegal van with the wrong vehicle. I have been noticing several hobbies being towed by ordinary cars for the last month or so which is worrying. How would you feel if you were involved in an accident with someone with an uninsured vehicle?

Cheers Jim and Pippa. Advice is offered purely for the assistance of others. There are many on here with experience/expertise in particular fields and it is most helpful when they are willing to share that. You are right Mr RC and I only deal with matters on here that are (or should I say were, before I took early retirement) within my own area of expertise.

Just think (from my own area of expertise) it doesn't cost that much to get legal advice to point you in the right direction but costs considerably more to get you out of a mess. A mess usually, in my experience, due to not following that advice.

Phil

Hi All

I posted to say I had my new van, I am now bowing out of discussion.

Nothing personal to anyone, I just can't be bothered with this.

You can have a good nosey around the Hobby's here - really nice van I hope you have some lovely holidays in her

http://www.hobbycaravansuk.co.uk/caravans2010/2010%20Caravan%201%20-%2020.pdf

Sorry I am confused why is a caravan over 7m / 23 ft not legal?  I thought shipping length included a frame?

Here is a copy of the current law, the change will only be for the width...

2 Dimensions

If the towing vehicle has a permissible gross weight in excess of 3.5 tonnes the maximum width and length of the trailer are 2.55 metres and 12 metres respectively. If, however, the gross weight of the towing vehicle is 3.5 tonnes or less, then the maximum permissible width and length are 2.3 metres and 7 metres respectively.   In both cases, the overall length of the towing vehicle and trailer must not exceed either 18m or 18.75m depending on the type of towing vehicle.  

The definition in C&U of the overall length of a trailer makes it clear that the coupling device and draw-bar are not included in the length dimension. In the case of a caravan, where a protective box is mounted on to the front, which is supported on the draw-bar for the purpose of storage gas tanks, for example, this box is included in the overall length.

Nick J is correct in stating that the only change in the law is in the width of the van that a vehicle under 3500Kg can tow. The Isuzu used by the OP can tow the van after the 20th April provided that the caravan's length is equal to or less than that specified in the 1986 Regulations. The OP has only indicated the width of the van in her posts and I have seen a number of different lengths quoted for this van (7m to 9m) on the net (depends where people are measuring from.). So if this particular van is more than 7m (measured as NickJ indicates) a vehicle in excess of 3500Kg would be required and then both tow vehicle and caravan must not exceed the overall legal length specified in the 1986 Regs..

Incidentally Go Caravan had an article on van widths in the March edition and discusses the consequences of towing illegally. It reads "....As a consequence, this would also make the driver's insurance invalid in the event of an accident."

Phil

Yes, it's the insurance aspect that worries me.  I have no issues with towing something that heavy if you know what you're doing - Farmeres Wife is quite correct in saying that farmers routinely, and legally, tow much greater weights, but the consequences are unthinkable if, heaven forbid, you seriously injured a child and had to pay for the rest of its life.

Having said that, it is a lovely caravan.  I wouldn't get one myself, they will be too expensive when they become legal, but very very nice.

I hadn't spotted the potential problem with the length.  That could be difficult.  Let's hope not.

Phil - I liked the one about  "as fast as it would go".  Thankfully, I've only ever been in court once, Crown Court as a supporter of a family involved, so I don't have any experience, but I'll bet there were a few quiet sniggers when he said that.  Can judges keep their faces straight?

Jim

The one place in the world you're not supposed to laugh is a court. So us lawyers in the well of the court were straight faced.... but the public gallery was another matter. Chairman of the bench hammering away to restore order.

Yes Jim, length may be a challenge. Hobby website lists the model as some 7.9m so maybe need something like a Fiat Dailey to pull it if the van on this thread is at that length.

Phil

I thought that might be the case in court.  (case...court...)

I do like a big caravan, but these may be a step too far.  I've never had an awning, so we need a bit of room inside.  Awnings just look like a lot of hard work to me.  Plus, I have a theory, which is probably stupid. 

I look at awnings in the wind, and see them flapping about like sails.  If you press your hand on a sail in a strong wind, you can feel just how much power there is.  I've seen the wind collapse awnings.  Now, all that power is restrained by just a small rail, which obviously has to withstand large forces.  Does that loosen it and promote damp?

I honestly have no idea, but I have no awning and no damp, and I just wondered.

Jim

Quote: Originally posted by Missizippi on 14/4/2010

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Looks lovely but its not camping is it?? Its taking your house on holiday.

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We certainly like to be comfortable.  I think there's room for us all.  There are people like us, and there are "back to nature" people who could go camping with Ray Mears.

We just wouldn't survive that.  Might have done tears ago, but no longer.

To each his own.

Jim