Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[gillberry]

hi this is our first posting to your site (which we find very interesting) we have a 1966 humber sceptre Mk2 automatic and have just bought a cheltenham fawn caravan can someone help with suggestion for a good insurance company for the caravan (we are with footman for the car) and does anyone have any information on the performance of a automatic towing a small caravan, we also have other classics but the caravan is the right age for the humber and my viva ha a bit too old for the SD1s

[admin]

Hi gillberry, welcome aboard

I don't have any knowledge about insuring a classic 'van (although am sure others here do!). As for towing with a classic automatic car, it may be worth seeking advice as to whether the gearbox would need an extra oil cooler, as I know some cars, even quite recent ones, it is suggested as a worthwhile mod. Needless to say fresh fluid and filters (if applic?) would be a good idea.

cheers, Rick

[gillberry]

we have been in touch with our club and they know of sceptres towing but not of a automatic - so we are on new groud here

[Brian M]

Welcome Gilberry

When I first got my Safari I approached the classic car insurers to see if they offered cover for old Caravans - they didn't.

Modern Caravan Insurers didn't want to know if the caravan was more than 20 years old.

In the end the Caravan Club scheme was the only one I could find. For their minimum premium of £35 you can get cover for £600 for the caravan and up to £500 of contents. I have used my no-claims bonus each year to increase my cover to £1000 for the same price. I got them to confirm that they would let me find a replacement Safari for up to this price in the event of a write-off.

In addition you have to be a member of the CC (£30 pa) but you get a magazine and access to all their caravan sites.

Hope this helps.

[Cobber]

Excuse me for butting into a discussion that I have no local knowledge about.

I thought it strange that the UK....the home of vintage caravaning, to my mind, and the home of many of our insurance companies would not accept vintage caravans for insurance.

Not all companies Down Under offer V V cover but some of the classic car insurers do.

My V V is insured with “CIL Insurance’s” (Caravan Insurance Leaders....part of the Vero Group, who are part of the Promina Group, who are in some way tied in with Royal & SunAlliance
I had it in the back of my mind that there was a Pommy connection in there somewhere and eventually, Googeling led me to “Caravanguard”
http://www.caravanguard.co.uk/tourer_caravan_insurance/index.php

Has anybody over there given them a try?
If they say no! tell 'em they insure VV's in Australia and let 'em know "Cobber " sent you.
I’d love to be helpful ...maybe I’m just a nuisance
Cobber.

P. S. G'day Brian....how's things Cornish Lass (when are you going to post a photo of your van Lass ?)

Cob.

[Uncle Joe]

Gilberry, your gearbox is the old BW35 unit, which was really common at that time, and fitted to many different cars. So if you can speak to the owner of any other british automatic car that tows, you should be able to get some tips.

The thing that kills automatic gearboxes is heat. My own tips to you would be as admin says, get a good transmission oil cooler, with a thermostat control.

If you can afford it, get the box rebuilt and upgrade to early Range Rover spec. as well. This is no problem for a competent specialist. If they are available, use also clutch plates with more modern materials.

Hope this helps!

UJ

[cornish_lass]

Hi Cobber

Thanks for the link. I have contacted them and mentioned your name but to date have had no reply..... draw your own conclusions

Been up country for several days, so am just trying to catch up with the forums.... going to try to tackle photochuckit later on today, so maybe, just maybe.....

Best wishes to all

Cornish Lass

[Robin]

Hi Gillberry,
Do you know about the Cheltenham Owners Club? Its not necessary to join but the website is full of useful help and info.
Regards
Robin

[gillberry]

hi have sent two emails but no reply, have also tried to use the links for email but no luck, have got the phone number off the membership form so will try them at the weekend maybe they can help with insurance etc & pictures of what all the seats look like as we have lots of bits of foam that dont match

[Brian M]

One of the members of my Safari Group who owns a very special Safari that he values at £3-3500 posted the following information on our message board:


Not many insurers will offer an agreed value "classic caravan" policy, but one that does is

Drewe Insurance
The Post House, 14 Load Street, Bewdley, Worcs., DY12 2AE
01299-401663.

They will, as routine, ask for a recent photograph if you want a classic policy. I have no vested interest in recommending them; I am merely a well satisfied customer who has been with them for perhaps twenty years.

Might be another solution.