The Caravan Owners Club

[ArtistsRifles]

So - in this minefield of UK law vs EEC ones - what particular make & model of vehicles CAN legally be used to tow a 2.5 metre wide van legally and with no fear of issues with insurers when, say, Mahat MaCoat, the illegal immigrant, rams the caravan from behind in his untaxed/untested/uninsured wreck????

[Roy Armstrong]

Any of the heavier Dodge Ram ( in excess of 7702lbs) models.

[ArtistsRifles]

Unfortunately these aren't available new in the UK......

Maybe I should have been more specific - what can you buy new, in the UK for less than £30K to £35K that will legally be able to tow a 2.5 metre wide van???

We were looking at a new Shogun but....

[Roy Armstrong]

Dodge Ram are available new in the UK but would possibly exceed your budget.

[ArtistsRifles]

Where from Roy?

I had a look on the Dodge UK website - all they list is the Caliber and the ST models & it would be handy to look at the prices/spec's available.

[Roy Armstrong]

Their are quite a few places, one shown below.


http://www.51stateautos.com/?gclid=CNOf ... EgodO0SxmQ

If you Google dodge.ram specifying UK only you will probably find more from £30K to £36K.

[ArtistsRifles]

Many thanks

[Roy Armstrong]

Neil,

To get all the specs, use the American website.

You would probably be looking at the 2500 Laramie Mega Cab which has a couple of nice diesel options.

http://www-5.dodge.com/vehsuite/VehicleCompare.jsp

If you get one I shall be very envious as "her indoors" has put her foot down!!

Son who has a Mitsubishi Warrior test drove the Harley Davison RAM two weeks ago and is still drooling!

[ArtistsRifles]

51st state rang back this afternoon - talked it through with them and opted to try for the Ford F250 as I used to work for the company until June this year when they retired me so may qualify for the pensioner discount. Bit pricey though - they e-mailed me later with one that was £35,700 PLUS the dreaded VAT...

Other option is to risk it and go for a new Shogun @ £32,500 - not what I want to do but it may come down to price.... Currently we have an Ford Explorer - both this and the Shogun are capable of handling the towing load, sadly neither is plated at 3501 Kg.... Shogun is 3300 kg, Explorer is 2667 Kg

[Roy Armstrong]

My pal has a Ford F250 which he uses for his 5th wheel but his model is under 3501kg, hence the 5th wheel.
I too worked at Dunton & Warley but not directly for Ford though.

[ArtistsRifles]

Charles from 51st reckons they can get the F250 plated at 3501 Kg - no idea how but he seemed confident it would not be a problem...

What sort of fuel figures does your friend get from his one? Did he go for the diesel or petrol engined variant??

Wherabouts in Dunton/Warley were you based?? I was only at Dunton for a couple of years - prior to that I was over at Aveley but they closed that back in 2004/2005!! Worked in the Virtual Manufacturing Centre...

[Roy Armstrong]

I don't know the mpg figures, I shall have to ask next time I see him.
It's petrol and 5.something litre.

Initially in 1995 I shared my time between Dunton and Warley.
From 1996 until I retired in November 2000 I was based in Warley Data Centre on the global data comms. side.

I had staff working in Warley, Dunton, EEO (Visteon), Dagenham, Halewood, Bridgend and Landrover.

[ArtistsRifles]

Thanks Roy. Would appreciate the MPG figures.

As regards to Ford - our paths must have crossed at some time then - I was one of, then the, Sys-Admin for the Aveley site from '92 till closure including the comms side of things,,,

Back to the vehicles - waiting to hear from a former colleague over in the US now as to whether or not the "X" plan is open to UK pensioners.

[Roy Armstrong]

Neil,

I've E-mailed asking for the MPG figures but I never hold my breath awaiting answers.

I used to regularly attend meetings at Aveley but these were more to do with contract pricing. You would have more than likely had dealings with my technical lads.

At Dunton, I mainly dealt with John McC. and Brian Abbi. if the abbreviated names mean anything to you but with the Ford staff placement and turnover these were probably not in position when you moved there.

[ArtistsRifles]

Oh yes - I remember John and Brian Did you also come across Jim H, Pat O and Jane M from the operations side of the data centre??

On the vehicle front - we're off to see this one on the 11th (being the first day we are free):

2004 54 Reg FORD F250 Super Crew Super Duty
Automatic, Diesel, 7,300 miles, Metallic Black, 2 Owners. ABS, Adjustable seats, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Air conditioning, Alloy wheels, Anti theft system, CD, Central locking, Child locks, Cruise control, Driver airbag, Electrically adjustable seats, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Folding rear seats, Foglights, Front armrest, Head restraints, Immobiliser, Leather seats, Leather upholstery, Lumbar support, Passenger airbag, Power assisted steering, Rear armrest, Radio/CD, Remote locking, Rear headrests, Tinted glass, Towbar. full height raised truck cap, bed liner, tow pack, the ultimate tow/haulier with the ultimate in luxury. £24,250 +VAT.

Should be interesting!!!
They come in the the country plated at 4500 Kg - but apparently VOSA insist a (apparently easily removable) sticker be put beside the plate downrating it to 3500 Kg...