Caravans to face MOTs
Discussion
This must have been posted up already, but just in case it hasn't here it is 
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2387710/EU...
MY thoughts? It won't cause a drop in caravaning use, it won't stop anyone going on holiday, it won't make one iota of difference to road safety bu it will create a turnover of millions of pounds or euros.
In fact I don't think it will happen at all.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2387710/EU...MY thoughts? It won't cause a drop in caravaning use, it won't stop anyone going on holiday, it won't make one iota of difference to road safety bu it will create a turnover of millions of pounds or euros.
In fact I don't think it will happen at all.
kiethton said:
I reckon even if implimented the only people it would affect are the "do what you likey" community who will just ignore the law and legislation anyway, leaving those that go on holiday a few times a year with an additional cost.
If its law and ignored, then caravans will be seized.Seems perfectly good idea.
If they are on the road they should be safe.
Ex77
Ive wondered why road worthy-ness test haven't been a requirement for years now and support the proposal.
Just last weekend the M5 in Somerset was brought to a standstill due to an overturned caravan.
It seems sensible that before anyone is allowed to tow a caravan down the motorway at 60mph after being parked on the drive for months possibly years on end it should be checked over.
Just last weekend the M5 in Somerset was brought to a standstill due to an overturned caravan.
It seems sensible that before anyone is allowed to tow a caravan down the motorway at 60mph after being parked on the drive for months possibly years on end it should be checked over.
Caravan Club (I know - but their sites are great!) have been discussing this and lobbying for a while.
It is Caravan's only, no trailers. There's no statistics to show that there is any benefit to the Caravan MOT and lots to show that the few Caravan accidents that take place are due to poor loading etc.
I also think it's unlikely to happen.
It is Caravan's only, no trailers. There's no statistics to show that there is any benefit to the Caravan MOT and lots to show that the few Caravan accidents that take place are due to poor loading etc.
I also think it's unlikely to happen.
Typical crap article from the wail
"Holidaymakers will be hit with bills of hundreds of pounds for.."
Hang on.. an MOT on a car is what ? £50 ? but a caravan one will cost hundreds ?
Later on its not an MOT but an M-T test, whatever that is.
There isn't really much to test - condition of the tyres, lights and braking system.
All chassis/structure are galvanised aluminium and have been for decades, corrosion isn't a problem.
Brake systems are generally so simple that they don't really go wrong, even if they did the tow vehicle will still be able to stop.. its not like a car thats left with no braking.
So that leaves tyres and lights. Admittedly tyres are important but I'd say the vast majority of owners will understand how to look after the tyres.
All a bit pointless really.
"Holidaymakers will be hit with bills of hundreds of pounds for.."
Hang on.. an MOT on a car is what ? £50 ? but a caravan one will cost hundreds ?
Later on its not an MOT but an M-T test, whatever that is.
There isn't really much to test - condition of the tyres, lights and braking system.
All chassis/structure are galvanised aluminium and have been for decades, corrosion isn't a problem.
Brake systems are generally so simple that they don't really go wrong, even if they did the tow vehicle will still be able to stop.. its not like a car thats left with no braking.
So that leaves tyres and lights. Admittedly tyres are important but I'd say the vast majority of owners will understand how to look after the tyres.
All a bit pointless really.
Crafty_ said:
"Holidaymakers will be hit with bills of hundreds of pounds for.."
Hang on.. an MOT on a car is what ? £50 ? but a caravan one will cost hundreds ?
Later on its not an MOT but an M-T test, whatever that is.
There isn't really much to test - condition of the tyres, lights and braking system.
All chassis/structure are galvanised aluminium and have been for decades, corrosion isn't a problem.
Brake systems are generally so simple that they don't really go wrong, even if they did the tow vehicle will still be able to stop.. its not like a car thats left with no braking.
So that leaves tyres and lights. Admittedly tyres are important but I'd say the vast majority of owners will understand how to look after the tyres.
All a bit pointless really.
Yeah, they may have to spend money on maintenance. As for the test, not sure how we could test brakes so that only leaves tyres, electrics and structure, no real hardship is it. Don't bank on people understanding how to look after tyres, you'd be amazed at some to the tyres I see on car MOT tests.Hang on.. an MOT on a car is what ? £50 ? but a caravan one will cost hundreds ?
Later on its not an MOT but an M-T test, whatever that is.
There isn't really much to test - condition of the tyres, lights and braking system.
All chassis/structure are galvanised aluminium and have been for decades, corrosion isn't a problem.
Brake systems are generally so simple that they don't really go wrong, even if they did the tow vehicle will still be able to stop.. its not like a car thats left with no braking.
So that leaves tyres and lights. Admittedly tyres are important but I'd say the vast majority of owners will understand how to look after the tyres.
All a bit pointless really.
Notwithstanding some of the comments in this thread (and expect some of our contibutors from the caravan section to pop on a post or two) I agree that it is right that caravans should be safe to go on the road. However, so should trailers - ALL trailers, not just those plated over 2000kg. I have seen some ghastly examples belt pass me while I am travelling on motorways at my legal limit of 60mph, with obvious signs of unroadworthiness and illegaqlity, eg dangling brake cables, hastily made number plates out of cardboard and marker pen and lighting not properly operational just to name a few.
The requirement of most insurances (maybe all of them for all I know) is to have the insured caravan serviced annually. So how much more would it cost to pop the cost of an MOT certificate on it, bearing in mind that the service probably exceeds the level of safety/security of an MOT? I have to presume that apart from maybe some specialised gear to test brakes, there are lifts etc in the bays of most caravan workshops.
The Mail of course is very good at drama and is at it here with cries of families being deprived of their holidays. What b
ks.
There is a thread running on the Caravanning4U forum on this subject and there is some good reading there.
Pete
The requirement of most insurances (maybe all of them for all I know) is to have the insured caravan serviced annually. So how much more would it cost to pop the cost of an MOT certificate on it, bearing in mind that the service probably exceeds the level of safety/security of an MOT? I have to presume that apart from maybe some specialised gear to test brakes, there are lifts etc in the bays of most caravan workshops.
The Mail of course is very good at drama and is at it here with cries of families being deprived of their holidays. What b
ks.There is a thread running on the Caravanning4U forum on this subject and there is some good reading there.
Pete
You could test the brakes by having a hitch sat on the top of a hydraulic ram. Put the caravan on the rollers, connect the hitch, as the ram extends it replicates a tow vehicle slowing up, the hitch will be pushed back in to the caravan, which applies its brakes.
Obviously the movement/pressure the ram inflicts would need calibration to suitable level.
Far as tyres go I can quite imagine you see many in poor condition on cars, but we have too understand every Tom/Dick/Harry can own a car, many have no mechanical understanding/common sense.
I don't think many caravan owners fit the general mold of the great unwashed, they typically appear to be motorsits rather than drivers, also there is plenty of advice out there for caravan tyres - check for cracks, if possible relieve the weight or remove completely if its to be stood for a long time, not using car tyres and so on.
Maybe I'm wrong ?
Obviously the movement/pressure the ram inflicts would need calibration to suitable level.
Far as tyres go I can quite imagine you see many in poor condition on cars, but we have too understand every Tom/Dick/Harry can own a car, many have no mechanical understanding/common sense.
I don't think many caravan owners fit the general mold of the great unwashed, they typically appear to be motorsits rather than drivers, also there is plenty of advice out there for caravan tyres - check for cracks, if possible relieve the weight or remove completely if its to be stood for a long time, not using car tyres and so on.
Maybe I'm wrong ?
Crafty_ said:
You could test the brakes by having a hitch sat on the top of a hydraulic ram. Put the caravan on the rollers, connect the hitch, as the ram extends it replicates a tow vehicle slowing up, the hitch will be pushed back in to the caravan, which applies its brakes.
Obviously the movement/pressure the ram inflicts would need calibration to suitable level.
Far as tyres go I can quite imagine you see many in poor condition on cars, but we have too understand every Tom/Dick/Harry can own a car, many have no mechanical understanding/common sense.
I don't think many caravan owners fit the general mold of the great unwashed, they typically appear to be motorsits rather than drivers, also there is plenty of advice out there for caravan tyres - check for cracks, if possible relieve the weight or remove completely if its to be stood for a long time, not using car tyres and so on.
Maybe I'm wrong ?
Well put Crafty. I would go so far as to suggest that most caravanners are responsible and acutely aware of how things like tyres can affect their ability to stay alive. Like many other tuggers, I religiously check the tyre pressures and wheel nuts before every trip including the one back home. My pre-journey checks also include the tyre pressures on the car, ie adjusting up/down as necessary. Self-preservation.Obviously the movement/pressure the ram inflicts would need calibration to suitable level.
Far as tyres go I can quite imagine you see many in poor condition on cars, but we have too understand every Tom/Dick/Harry can own a car, many have no mechanical understanding/common sense.
I don't think many caravan owners fit the general mold of the great unwashed, they typically appear to be motorsits rather than drivers, also there is plenty of advice out there for caravan tyres - check for cracks, if possible relieve the weight or remove completely if its to be stood for a long time, not using car tyres and so on.
Maybe I'm wrong ?
The afore-mentioned thread on Caravanning4U:-
http://www.caravanning4u.co.uk/forum/showthread.ph...
Cheers all
Pete
PS just take a look at the stable of the original poster - I bet HE doesn't hold the traffic up. (then as a fellow Saab owner I suppose I am biased - lol)
Edited by Petemate on Friday 9th August 14:29
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