The Caravan Owners Club

[John+Lezlie]

Hello, We have a 560 which after finding your site turns out to be illegal to tow even with our Range Rover. I have called the dealers to ask them about this and was told that the Laws have changed recently therefore they did not advise us wrongly. Does anyone know if this law has in fact changed, or where I can actually find it, we have looked at the DfT site which only gives mass information about towing and not width.
Thanks from John and Lezlie.

[candlefish]

I'm not the expert, but as far as I know, the law has not changed. Many of us would like it to change.....

Perhaps you could ask the dealer WHICH law has changed?
Sorry not to be any more help.

David

[keith]

There was a rumour a little while ago that it would change but I am not aware that it has. I will make enquiry's.

[John+Lezlie]

Sorry, what I meant was that the dealer is saying that when we bought the caravan it was fine to tow, but the law has since changed and it is now too wide for towing with a range rover. We bought the caravan in July 2002 and only by visiting this site in may 05 have we found out about the problem. We are waiting for their reply to our letter, they were quite dismissive on the phone, and will see when they think the apparent law change happened.
When we bought the caravan we specifically asked if the Vauxhall Senator we had at the time was ok to tow it and were told yes. We bought the range rover to tow it later just because it was a heavier and better tow car. I have been on the DfT website and looked up towing, they only say about the weight not a mention of width.
Thanks for the replies, John and Lezlie
ps anyone have a 540 for sale???

[Garry]

Im no expert on the subject but this is wot the Department of Transport had to say to my local mp when i asked the question :-

http://www.hobby-owners-club.co.uk/foru ... .php?t=154

This law hasnt changed nor according to the DOT are there any plans to change it.

Its not illegal to tow a caravan of 2.5 meters width as long as you use the appropiate vehicle.

My advice would be to check nd see whats printed on ur invoice or on the back of it in the small print.

Best of luck.

[keith]

The reply from Essex Road Traffic Policing Unit this morning is that there has been no change to the current regulations. 2.3 metres unless vehicle MAW over 3,500Kg then 2.55 metres.

[beejay]

Hi
You may be interested (or not) to know that VOSA, a government organisation, which is a combination of the Highways Authority and the Vehicle Inspectorate can apply for the power to stop vehicles for infringements to vehicle regulations without the neccesity for a police officer to be present as was the previous requirement. So far, several local authorities have taken up the opportunity and given VOSA the power to stop. Needless to say this has resulted in far more organised stop-checks in those areas. It is certain that most local authorities will approve VOSA operations as this was the intention of the merger. VOSA is a competent organisation of vehicle specialist examiners who can spot vehicle infringements a mile off. Vehicle checks will become more and more common aimed at LGVs but will, undoubtedly, include caravans. So, if you see a large white van with red/yellow chevrons and VOSA signwriting!!!!!!!!!!

[3972john]

what a cheerfull soul you are beejay, do you get out much

[beejay]

Yes, probably a lot more than you do !!!! But, I do not have to worry about having an oversize or overweight van every time I hit the road. Happy towing.

[3972john]

it seems sad that there is this them and us outlook to any van above a 540, surely we should be trying to get the law brought upto date and not keep knocking people that have been missold oversize vans,how many 560s and over do you see advertised as being able to be towed by normal cars,when i joined this site i was under the impression that it was a site for hobby owners large and small all on a level plane but this is not so which seems a shame and i await anyone to tell me any different.
yours john

[beejay]

It is unlikely that the law will be changed as the width rule applies to ALL trailers .. So, the question is.....should potential users of 2.5 m wide vans be discouraged from buying? Remember, you cannot insure an illegal act so, whatever your Insurer says, when it comes to a claim they may be looking for a letout. Some Insurers are becoming wiser and asking if the van is more than 2.3m and, if so, whether it will be permanently sited ( i.e. no road use). The rest are the ones to watch because they will claim that "all information should have been supplied and it is the insured's responsibility to comply with the law". It would be much better if caravans were registered/mot'd etc. This would be a serious deterrent to theft and could prevent non complying vans being towed ( don't see many vans on the continent with a hitch lock/wheelclamp?) In any event, any Dealer selling a 2.5m wide van should provide details of the law and get a disclaimer signed by the customer. That way nobody could claim they were unaware of the requirements. Dream on..........!!!!!

[bowers]

as we all know we are in the E U and anybody owning a hobby no matter what width can tow it legally anywhere on the""continent"" .If one of our european comerades comes to visit our glorious island are they allowed to bring their 2.5 meter van with them and are they breaking the law or not .

Anybody know the law on the continent or are there any restrictions

[Lesley]

i collected my 560 last Wednesday and I took it to derbyshire on thursday, on collection I was asked to sign a disclaimer and as I have the van insured by CIS who know it is illegal for me to tow it but they don't care and said it was an out of date law which will be changed soon. I obviously hope every thing will be hunky dory in the towing future and i can't wait for next friday when we will be on the move again.

[Hobbynut]

I am sure this problem is covered by Schedule 8 of The Motor Vehicle Construction and Use Regulations 1986...Website www.ntta.co.uk has alot of useful info, suggest the CIS read it before giving out any more DANGEROUS information which could lead to prosecution of their clients. An illegal act CANNOT be insured!!!!!!!

[Hutchy]

John

Its not a case of us and them, the people posting this information are trying to stress the fact that if you have an accident the insurance companies for both car and caravan will wriggle out of paying no matter what they have told you over the phone. In todays claim culture you could be responsible for any 3rd party claims, if you're sued for any reason you could lose more than your car and caravan. I think most people on the forum agree that the law is outdated and have written to MPs in order to change it so we are sticking together.


Jo