Full timers van needing 6 weeks repair. Ideas please?

[iain26]

Hi
I managed to damage the back of our van when reverse gear was engaged. Only a little bump I thought, and the van is still useable. However the quote for repair is in 5 figures and our insurance has approved the repair work but they want the van for 6 weeks to do a proper job.
I have asked the insurance for alternative vehicle/accommodation as part of our policy but have been met with silence. It isn’t specifically mentioned in the policy either.

So any suggestions what we can do for 6 weeks, working as camp site warden so needing some sort of accommodation. Just the 2 of us plus Rylee the dog.

Open to any ideas

Thanks
Iain

 

[jollyrodger]

Tent?

 

[Ernesto]

I guess most leisure vehicle insurance policies wont provide alternative vehicles as standard - it would be very expensive to provide it at short notice.

Might be worth sharing a more detailed location ....is an Airbnb possible for example - owner might do a special rate for a longer stay ?

 

[Dart]

If you have the funds available how about sourcing a small inexpensive older caravan. I'm thinking something under £1000 that would easily sell on again at around the same price you paid for it. Especially if your timing is such that you can advertise it again during the summer period.

 

[Lenny HB]

Do you have proper full time insurance?
One of the reasons full time insurance is 3 to 4 times the cost of normal insurance is because they have to supply accommodation in situations like this.

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[hja]

Not every one's cup of tea I know, but John from John & Mandy You Tube has got problems with his van. He has just bought a caravan to use while van is in for repair.

 

[15isto2]

Gadget John has bought an old caravan while his van is being repaired

 

[Nanniemate]

Hi
I managed to damage the back of our van when reverse gear was engaged. Only a little bump I thought, and the van is still useable. However the quote for repair is in 5 figures and our insurance has approved the repair work but they want the van for 6 weeks to do a proper job.
I have asked the insurance for alternative vehicle/accommodation as part of our policy but have been met with silence. It isn’t specifically mentioned in the policy either.

So any suggestions what we can do for 6 weeks, working as camp site warden so needing some sort of accommodation. Just the 2 of us plus Rylee the dog.

Open to any ideas

Thanks
Iain

Buy a cheap caravan

 

[CazPaul]

Do you have any motorhoming friends who could maybe lend you their van for a short period.

 

[L' Hobo]

Hi
I managed to damage the back of our van when reverse gear was engaged. Only a little bump I thought, and the van is still useable. However the quote for repair is in 5 figures and our insurance has approved the repair work but they want the van for 6 weeks to do a proper job.
I have asked the insurance for alternative vehicle/accommodation as part of our policy but have been met with silence. It isn’t specifically mentioned in the policy either.

So any suggestions what we can do for 6 weeks, working as camp site warden so needing some sort of accommodation. Just the 2 of us plus Rylee the dog.

Open to any ideas

Thanks
Iain

If you have any caravans in storage, there should be keys to them in the office and they will have to book before returning so you will have time to clean up and move to another caravan/ MH.

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[Just smiffy]

Do you have proper full time insurance?
One of the reasons full time insurance is 3 to 4 times the cost of normal insurance is because they have to supply accommodation in situations like this.

Exactly Lenny but many of these full timers put down a relatives address and say there not full timing to save on the insurance…

Not saying the op is but it happens…

 

[iain26]

Do you have proper full time insurance?
One of the reasons full time insurance is 3 to 4 times the cost of normal insurance is because they have to supply accommodation in situations like this.

Yes it is full time insurance and I “assumed” we would be covered for something but there is no mention in the policy documents, they are written as if it is a normal leisure vehicle policy.
I have asked the question but have not had any reply, I might be surprised but the gut feeling is the answer will be no.

 

[iain26]

Sounds like we may be in the market for a cheap caravan sometime, just don’t have a car to tow it with

 

[Nanniemate]

Sounds like we may be in the market for a cheap caravan sometime, just don’t have a car to tow it with

You only need to get towed to where your a warden .
Where are you based get on gumtree ..other sites are available

 

[CazPaul]

Exactly Lenny but many of these full timers put down a relatives address and say there not full timing to save on the insurance…

Not saying the op is but it happens…

So he is saying it is proper full time insurance so he’s been screwed both ways then, cost a fortune and he’s still not getting what he presumably paid for, accommodation supplied for in the event of an emergency. Then you wonder why some folk take other routes?

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[Nanniemate]

4 berth touring carvan | in Fair Oak, Hampshire | Gumtree

Sold as seen, open to offers on price. Electrics not working but should be an easy fix for someone who knows caravans. Generally decent interior, bathroom needs fixing. Needs new curtains throughout but they are usable. Has awning including, condition of this has not been ch

www.gumtree.com

Rent a car with a towbar

 

[MisterB]

Sounds like we may be in the market for a cheap caravan sometime, just don’t have a car to tow it with

Where are you, if you're not too far from me I would tow a van for you ....

 

[BreweryDave]

Do you have proper full time insurance?
One of the reasons full time insurance is 3 to 4 times the cost of normal insurance is because they have to supply accommodation in situations like this.

Do you have proper full time insurance?
One of the reasons full time insurance is 3 to 4 times the cost of normal insurance is because they have to supply accommodation in situations like this.

Sadly not the case! The reason the price is so high is because of the constant use of the vehicle as opposed to leisure use. We were with Comfort and I asked that specific question.
After paying their inflated prices for a year or two we changed to a 365 day use policy elsewhere

 

[Coolcats]

Sounds like we may be in the market for a cheap caravan sometime, just don’t have a car to tow it with

Where are you, if you're not too far from me I would tow a van for you ....

If your not for from the Essex Area happy to do the same

 

[eddie]

Do you have any motorhoming friends who could maybe lend you their van for a short period.

Imagine that conversation lol

“I’ve ten grand plus damage to my van by reversing into something could I try yours?”

If the OP is full timing and hasn’t got proper full timing insurance the insurance company wouldn’t cover alternative living arrangements

I also agree a small cheap caravan that can be sold on after the small repair taking six weeks is carried out.

I must admit if it’s a “little bump that happened when reverse gear was selected” and the five figure repair will take six weeks” I’d probably be looking for an alternative quote as it’s impossible for a “little bump” to cost so much or take so long

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[suavecarve]

Would the campsite owner consider buying a reasonable caravan which he owned, then he/she could rent it out, use it for wardens next year at a reduced rate, sell it on etc ?

The campsite owner is much more likely to know someone who has one for sale/rent locally

 

[eddie]

Would the campsite owner consider buying a reasonable caravan which he owned, then he/she could rent it out, use it for wardens next year at a reduced rate, sell it on etc ?

The campsite owner is much more likely to know someone who has one for sale/rent locally

The annual electrical certificate and Gas certificate makes this unworkable for a short period

Most wardens have their own unit in my experience

 

[Roger S]

The person selling the caravan presumably would have a tow car, you may be able to negotiate them running to you site

 

[MisterB]

If your not for from the Essex Area happy to do the same

we could open our own caravan transport service for full timers who need alternative accommodation ...

The White Stilleto - caravan transporter service based in Essex

 

[Just smiffy]

we could open our own caravan transport service for full timers who need alternative accommodation ...

The White Stilleto - caravan transporter service based in Essex

There’s no need to put your best shoes on Dave….

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[L' Hobo]

The person selling the caravan presumably wold have a tow car, you may be able to negotiate them running to you site

OR, as most sites have little tractors, if the caravan was bought locally, within a mile radius, he could tow it with that?

 

[DandJ]

How about a 'work away' ? You'll find places who need a few hours work a day in exchange for food and digs.....maybe not mentioning it's a 'we're homeless, this is a stopgap' thing....

Explore 50,000+ Workaway projects in 180 Countries

Join global travel community to learn, teach and share skills. Contact local hosts worldwide, meet likeminded adventurers and create lasting connections now!

www.workaway.info

 

[KASPAR]

4 berth touring carvan | in Fair Oak, Hampshire | Gumtree

Sold as seen, open to offers on price. Electrics not working but should be an easy fix for someone who knows caravans. Generally decent interior, bathroom needs fixing. Needs new curtains throughout but they are usable. Has awning including, condition of this has not been ch

www.gumtree.com

Rent a car with a towbar

Perhaps iain26 can give a better clue as to where it needs to go to, as an awfully long way from where the OP says in their location as 'Scotland'. If local to us can offer assistance to tow a caravan for them on a Friday. Have 13 pin and 7pin and 7pin N&S adapter

Very few rental companies have tow cars these days. We used https://4x4vehiclehire.co.uk/ when we needed a tow car for a new caravan. Tracey is a star in their Aylesbury branch 01296640750

Things to check: is the caravan electrics 7pin N&S, or 13 pin? Is car 7pin N&S, 7pin or 13pin? Is the tow hitch on the caravan an AlKo stabiliser? Is the tow bar on the car a long neck to suit AlKo stabiliser? (lots of Land Rover / Toyota Land Cruiser tow bars as fitted by hire cos are not suitable for AlKo stabiliser hitches, first speed bump and part company).

 

[Brains]

As a kid we spent 6 weeks of every summer holiday in a Frame tent on a camp site by the sea. (2-3 Adults and 3-4 kids)

Even today I probably spend at least 3 weeks a year in a hike tent.

I'd be quite happy to spend a couple of months at this time of year in a decent tent on a campsite with all the facilities nearby.

I'd buy a decent 6 berth second hand Outwell poled frame tent, they are about £600-700 new, or, as long as it's been stored properly you can find them for £2-400 on ebay. Often with the gas cooker thrown in as well.

You are going to need to empty your van before it goes into the garage, so there will be no need to buy beds or much other camping equipment. You can rig up your own electric light.
Once you get your van back, you should be able to sell the tent and camping kit as a job lot and get back at least half the cost.

 

[TheAleMan]

Not every one's cup of tea I know, but John from John & Mandy You Tube has got problems with his van. He has just bought a caravan to use while van is in for repair.

We have done exactly the same whilst waiting for our van to turn up.

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