The Caravan Owners Club

[red stripe]

Hi Folks

New to the game and very interested to learn having now spent some time viewing all your postings .

Just parted with cash for a 720ukfe 2005 - looks wonderfull & it's destined to go onto a pitch - for life , going to try to get the wheels off - if the site will allow , or fit as many deterants as possible .

Has a " Stoptheft" Tag fitted = have looked at the web site , still not to sure what it's supposed to do , seem's to be a bit like a security tag in the retail environment , so unless somone walks past it with a scanner / or it's nicked and just happens to be run past a scanner , who would ever know - any idea's .

Insurance , seems CIS offer about the best , even though i'm never gona tow it .

Awning - just researching and - www.nicoll-indusries.co.uk seem to have awnings to fit at reasonable pricing - but has anyone tried / purchased one ? - and could comment .

Kindest

Red

[traveller11]

Hi red stripe,

Welcome.

You are correct about the 'Stoptheft' tag, we got a set when we took out our first insurance as it was part of the deal for new policies.

The kit consisted of 2 Plastic Cards about the size of a Credit Card and a small circular 'object' about the size of a 1P but 3 times as thick.

All these had to be stuck with glue inside the van in places that only you knew about, with the 'Labels' for Stoptheft stuck on the windows.

It might pay to ask the company you got the Hobby off where they 'stuck' yours, just to check and to make sure that you have got them and not just the labels on the windows?

If the van is then stolen then the Police can read the Stoptheft number from off the 'Cards/Circular object' and match it to the stolen list as the reference number contained in the stuck on bits should have been registered.

For insurance we use National Farmers Union (NFU) as they have been excellent when needed and very fair on premiums.

Awning, sorry can't help.

Best wishes and good luck.

[red stripe]

http://www.nicoll-industries.co.uk/

Sorry - this is the correctone .

[traveller11]

Hi Red.

Still cannot comment on awning as not heard of or used this company, maybe someone else can help but I would try a new post in Help & Advice as opposed to this forum.

Good luck.

[Hobbynut]

Two points really, the awnings you mention are made by Pyramid who are well respected for manufacturing many things to do with caravanning... Your A frame measurement is 1175 and this limits the number of manufacturers who actually go to this size. I don't think Pyramid will but Walker certainly do.
http://www.pyramid-awnings.co.uk/
http://www.towsure.com/category/5414-Pyramid_Awnings
You could aslo have a look at my favourite awnings which are the Dutch company Walker.. www.walker.nl

The second point is check with your insurers BEFORE removing any wheels..Maybe you were thinking of fitting these things often called " winter wheels " where the road wheels are removed and these stand type things are fitted..Some insurers do NOT accept these as one condition of some policies is that at least one wheel clamp is fitted and it stands to reason that if you have no wheels on the van you obviously can't fit a wheel clamp. Sound ridiculous but this subject has cropped up before on various websites
Cheers
Hobbynut

[red stripe]

Hobbynut,

many, many thanks for your advice.

I have now found differing views on awnings to fit a 720ukfe.

On another site sizing is listed as: -
2005 – 1162cm
2006 – 1168cm
2007 - 1168cm.

So would any awning between - 1162cm – 1175cm. fit ?
or do you have to be exact / precise.

I have found the following Awnings around the size.

Trio Sport, Mexico £885
Trio Sport, Viking £970
NR Executive £772
NR Pullman £712
Hertzog £1335
Isabella from £1500 to near £3000
Walker novium – shown as 1160 £965 ( Walker site as bigger )
Plaza - shown as 1160 £1195

Advice if it’s out there then: -

Would the lesser costing ones = lesser quality? or just a better deal

So – anyone a view on what is best overall value for an awning to stay put, rather than one that’s in & out of the bag.

Kindest regards

Rec

[traveller11]

Hi Red,

As you have been able to determine the size, why not keep an eye on the pages in the Caravan Club Magazine if you are a member as that is one place that there are quite a few s/hand awnings and of the makes you mention?

Good luck.

[Hobbynut]

I made a bit of a boo boo, the awning rail size for a 2005 model is 1165..This measuremnet does vary from one year to another and the vans altered shape a bit....Apparently 1175 is the figure that Isabella give as being their awning size that will fit that van. Sorry about that.
I once had an NR awning and could only describe it as diabolical..if I had only used it for a couple of weeks a year it would have OK but it couldn't take seasonal use..It went back to the factory on a number of occasions for repair and in the end the people who supplied it ( Waudy's Caravan Accessories ) bought it back off me and stopped selling them. Another good one I had was a Spanish Inaca and they do big sizes for Hobby's
http://www.discover.co.uk/awnings/full/1 They are only sold by Barrons which is now called Discover Leisure
Cheers
Hobbynut