Caravan Tax & Theft

[Val & Frank]

Still thinking about caravan theft. If a caravan was like a car and required taxing and an MOT etc. Would this not deter thieves or purchasers of stolen vans ?? If a national data base of all caravans was started from say year 2007, and then all vans held in Cris added to the list that would be the start of a very comprehensive data base. MOTs could start in say 2010 for vans 5 years old, and then in 2012 the tax data base could be up and running NO MOT NO TAX DISC. No disc, produce ownership document at local police station etc. I would think the reduction in Insurance Premiums would pay for the cost of the system. Just a thought only don't mention it to your local MP.

Val & Frank ( being a little naieve )

 

[Lol1]

Does it stop the "Toe rags" from nicking your car?

Now stop thinking so much Frank, you'll get us all into trouble......

 

[SteveW77]

If your idea worked, surely there would be little or no car theft.

 

[Val & Frank]

No I agree it don't stop car theft, but it's starting to come close.

The DVLA now have Car reg number/MOT/Insurance/Road Tax and SORN all on one data base. I watched then a couple of weeks ago set up two cameras on the main road into Aberdeen. Every car that passed had Tax/MOT/or SORN cross checked within 10 seconds. So technology exsists to start to crack down on the cheats, next step could be reg numbers of towed vehicles cross checked.

Val & Frank

 

[Lutz]

Sounds like the system which is already in effect in most Continental countries where caravans have their own number plates. Compulsory registration together with log book does make it a little more difficult to "change ownership" of a stolen caravan. Unless using false number plates, stolen caravans can really only be used as statics.

 

[Val & Frank]

It's only an idea. Nothing seems to be done with regards to caravan theft. With new vans costing up to

 

[SteveW77]

A very large proportion of stolen caravans are shipped abroad and never seen again, your system would do little to prevent this. The only thing that your idea would create is yet another form of stealth tax, bearing in mind that a lot of caravaners indulge in this form of holidaying because they are on limited income. Not all vanners own

 

[Val & Frank]

Lutz is Caravan theft a big problem in Europe ?? ( your bit that is not here )

Val & Frank

 

[Val & Frank]

No BUT the insurance pain is felt by all. The bad publicity is felt by all when a non serviced/maintained van breaks down on the M5 in peak summer traffic. So Steve don't be so smug were not bothered if you have an

 

[Val & Frank]

You can't ship a van without having it recorded some place. When you board a ferry to France,Holland or Ireland your number plate is recorded, and I would be surprised if this is not cross checked against a data base. Single out, return back with a caravan ummmmm lets think. You do this 25 times a year sir could you explain why !!!!.

See not Rocket Science, or the problem is not as big as we have been led to believe. It's just the insurance companies and dealers ripping us poor punter off.

Val & Frank

I think maybe the later as all Insurance Companies are clamering for our business, including the CC the C&CC etc

 

[Damian]

Frank, I do not think your idea would do anything to prevent caravan theft.

as has been said, cars are MOT'd and Taxed, but still get stolen, and those who want to just steal any car and joyride it, whether or not it has tax and MOT, as do the many drivers driving our roads uninsured,un taxed, un MOT'd, un licenced and in unroadworthy cars.

I personally wouldnt trust this, or any government body with a database of smarties, never mind anything else, and god forbid when they force the ID card farce upon us, our personal details wil be avaiable to all and sundry in no time.

I would not subscribe to any moves which put even more money into our useless Government, they squander enough as it is, without having any more of mine.

 

[Lutz]

Caravan theft is almost unknown in Europe, Frank. I've had mine on a storage site together with about 80 others for 14 years and I've only heard of one theft in all that time although the padlock looks as though it would submit to defeat at the very sight of bolt cutters and there's no further protection other than a rusty wire fence. A few of the newer caravans there have hitchlocks but that's about it. Most, including mine, just stand there 'ready for the taking'.

ps: We do pay Tax for caravans based on MTPLM but it's relatively modest at around

 

[Damian]

Following on from Franks latest post,and the being questioned about travel amounts, WHY should I have to explain myself to some jobsworth?

If I want to travel 25 times a year, that is MY decision, not any one elses business.

Big Brother,no thanks

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

val and frank, how did you get on this weekend?.

jo-anne

 

[Val & Frank]

Hi Jo-anne

We will write our experience up tomorrow. All went resonably well thanks to a very experienced caravanner on the next pitch, who just happened to have a Bessacarr. The site at Banchory was good. write it up tomorrow.

Val & Frank

 

[Rod_5128213]

Frank, your'e on a loser with this idea. The police actually catch very few stolen,untaxed or uninsured cars due to CLONING. It's a very common ruse whereby the git in the rogue car just drives around till he finds the same make and colour then has a set of number plates made up the with the same registration number. The government made their usual dumb ass thicko moves to stop it by stating that you have to have ID to buy number plates, but not to buy show plates (and the difference is?). Besides that most sign shops will make you a set for cash, no questions asked.

rod.

 

[Val & Frank]

We didn't think it was the answer we just opened it up for debate. I am sure greater brains than mine have looked at this problem, it's just that we don't seem able to find any conclusions. See Lutz answer re thief on the continent so maybe there is an answer after all, we just don't seem to have the will to look for it.

In regards to who travels when and to where it is a matter of FACT that you are checked in and out on Car Ferries like it or not.

Val & Frank

 

[Steve L]

Only a little naieve? I think not baby puppy!!

The police hardly ever catch the car thief on the job and only trace your burnt out wreck so that your insurance company can pay for it's disposal.

But of coarse if you should drive a little fast or have a tail light out, they'll pounce on you like a cat on a kipper.

The best thing that could be done would be to remove the rights of the criminal. In other words he gets what's comming legal or not, if he tries to steal someone else's property. I keep saying it, but the arabic way comes to mind. (taketh the hand that offends) He'd only do it twice!!

We certainly don't need to give the government any more thoughts on stinging the motorist even more, they manage that one without our help.

I'm also equally sure that anyone who has suffered theft and burgulary will say that it realy is an awful experience. I have been down that route as a business owner and then found out that due to the insurance company specifying such a tight security package, it was more than just a possability that I could be raided at home and then forced to go to the factory to open up for them. This has left me always watching for cars following me, strange vehicles around my home address etc.

Oh and don't kid yourself that with remote monitoring alarms, the police will get there first to nab "Jonny Blagger", they wait for you with the ploy that "you know the internal layout of the building best".

It was a realjoy having panic alarms in every room just in case!!

Can't think why it was one of the reasons that we packed in the factory and now work as employee's and not employer's.

Steve L