Should hook up cable be included?

[Erwal]

We are picking up our new van on Friday and I'm pretty sure I read on this brill site that the dealer should include a hook up cable by EU law. Even though we are handing over a small fortune the dealer is charging us extra for this . Can anyone remember the EU link please? Thanks

 

[irnbru]

I would have guessed unless it was a brand new one you wouldn't get one perhaps on health n safety issues.

I know when we sold our last van the dealer told us to take our EHU and gas bottle out. Got to keep our tv too.

Good luck with your van, enjoy it when you get it.

And remember to unwind all the lead when using it.

 

[mike mcglynn]

My brother in law could not believe that when he had just spent 21grand on a caravan the battery was an extra,I said believe.

 

[ymfb]

Certainly we got one with the new Kingham, but not the VW California. I would be surprised if yours did if it's used. They are not expensive, but I made two of ours from parts purchased from a local electrical wholesaler.

 

[Zigisla]

My dealer did ask us if we had one. Maybe they would have supplied it if I hadn't. They did throw ramps in FoC though.

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[Zepp]

We never got one on a brand new Carthago we also never got any gas bottles

 

[Doctor Dave]

We had one included when we bought our (used) van. It was a new lead as they wouldn't pass on a used one - I think due to H & S.


Dave

 

[EuroTrotters]

No gas or EHU Cable on our only ever new one, I was shocked as our trade in had 2 x 14kG Alugas refillable

 

[icantremember]

We have always had elh lead and at least one gas bottle included, although may have had to ask for them.

A really good dealer will include them automatically but others may try not to unless mentioned ... our latest dealer, Becks, also include a CO detector.

 

[sonny]

Check through the printed advert. Swift give one

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[Lenny HB]

If it is a new British van you will probably get one as the NCC say they should be supplied a continental van probably won't have one, same with smoke & CO detectors.

 

[Pausim]

They are not expensive, but I made two of ours from parts purchased from a local electrical wholesaler

If you do it this way make sure you get the right cable, not all cables are up to the task.

 

[SuperMike]

My dealer did ask us if we had one. Maybe they would have supplied it if I hadn't. They did throw ramps in FoC though.

Cynical old SuperMike, thinks there is nothing FOC, it's just a case of what they can get away with not including.

 

[Clarky]

On our new Carthago there was no hook-up cable, no smoke detector, co2 detector or fire extinguisher.
In fact on a Carthago, like many German vans I assume, EVERYTHING is an extra.
Dealer did chuck in a new hook-up cable at handover though, as he thought my old one looked well used and faded by the sun.

Richard.

 

[Spriddler]

When I bought my relatively inexpensive 10 yrs old m/h (my first m/h) from Johns Cross four years ago they included 2 full gas bottles, new hook-up cable, loo chemicals a pack of toilet rolls, new levelling ramps and several other odds and ends to start me off, plus a habitation check certificate, new MOT, full vehicle service and cambelt change.
I couldn't have wished for a more enjoyable buying experience even if I'd been spending 60 grand with them.

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[mikebeaches]

If it is a new British van you will probably get one as the NCC say they should be supplied a continental van probably won't have one, same with smoke & CO detectors.

I also think it is an NCC (National Caravan Council) requirement for those dealers that are members of the trade association. And if purchased from a member dealer in the UK, a hook-up cable should be provided, regardless of the original country of manufacture of the MH ie British or Continental.

However, hunt as I might, I haven't found any specific reference on the NCC website.

We are on our third dealer-purchased motorhome. The first was a used van, which came with a used cable. The next two were both new vans - from different dealers - and I think we had to request in each case, but they were readily forthcoming free of charge.

We did, however, pay for the so-called 'rental agreement' on the first two Calor Lite bottles we needed.

 

[Rob and Val]

Things might have changed in recent years but at one time you could not buy a new gas bottle without 'part-exchanging' the old one. So, if you're not given a bottle with the 'van, how are you able to buy a new one?

 

[ShiftZZ]

Reminds me of buying a computer server some 30 years ago £12k, mouse, keyboard and screen an optional extra

 

[Langtoftlad]

Wildax... EHU cable, Smoke & CO detectors fitted, underslung gas tank... and bottle of bubbly in Fridge .

 

[SpeedyDux]

Things might have changed in recent years but at one time you could not buy a new gas bottle without 'part-exchanging' the old one. So, if you're not given a bottle with the 'van, how are you able to buy a new one?

If you go on the Calor UK website you will find that you can "buy" a full gas bottle without an old one to exchange.

It is more expensive than a swap because you will be charged for a "Cylinder Refill Agreement" as well. £38.09 + VAT in my case!

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[Zigisla]

Things might have changed in recent years but at one time you could not buy a new gas bottle without 'part-exchanging' the old one. So, if you're not given a bottle with the 'van, how are you able to buy a new one?

You can take out a contract with most of the places that sell exchange bottles. Prices do seem to very, but circa the price quoted by @SpeedyDux above.

 

[TheDogMan]

When I picked my present van up I realised that spare toilet cassette I had kept at home would not fit it, I told them and promptly gave me a new one FOC, charging for a hook up cable is really cheapskate new or used

 

[pappajohn]

Things might have changed in recent years but at one time you could not buy a new gas bottle without 'part-exchanging' the old one. So, if you're not given a bottle with the 'van, how are you able to buy a new one?

You have to enter a new contract with Calor, Flogas etc.
Any of their agents can arrange it......including the dealer you buy from if they stock gas bottles.
Not the cheapest option but if you don't have a bottle at all its your only option.

 

[Steve N Tracy]

Our Benimar we just traded in came with, hookup lead, warning triangles, winter fridge vent covers, fire extinguisher, silver screen, outside shower attachment, barbecue hose, apron, oven glove, tea towel, and a straw hat.
Our new Dethleffs came with a hook up lead and 2 full 6 kg gas bottles guess you get what you pay for.

 

[On the road again]

Bought a 1 year old MH in June and no gas cylinders or electric cable.Told that they could not give us the EHU cable because of H&S,. Gas as above on a Calor contract, which, if you keep the bottle long enough, (5 years I think) has a diminishing value ending up at zero!

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[scotjimland]

the dealer should include a hook up cable

Correct..

Every caravan which includes an electrical installation must be provided with a flexible lead not more than 25 m long fitted with a BS EN 60309-2 plug and a BS EN 60309-2 connector with the keyway at position 6h. The cross-sectional area of the cable must be related to the rated current of the plug as shown by {Table 7.6}.

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/7.9.2.htm

 

[mikebeaches]

Correct..

Every caravan which includes an electrical installation must be provided with a flexible lead not more than 25 m long fitted with a BS EN 60309-2 plug and a BS EN 60309-2 connector with the keyway at position 6h. The cross-sectional area of the cable must be related to the rated current of the plug as shown by {Table 7.6}.

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Book/7.9.2.htm

Thanks for providing that information and that must be where the requirement originates from. But suspect the National Caravan Council (NCC) then endorse that the IEE regulations must be met.

I think NCC also require a smoke detector and fire extinguisher to be supplied and fitted.

 

[Erwal]

A big thank you for all your helpful replies. Yes, it is a brand new German Westfalia, so I guess I'll be buying absolutely everything as an added extra - despite what EU law says!

 

[bellabee]

despite what EU law says

Did we establish that EU law said that one should be provided?

 

[Euphony]

My dealer supplied EHU cable plus a 3 prong to HU, a food grade water hose and a 6kg gas bottle with ours.