Covid-19 taking van for a run
My motorhome is sat in my drive and although I start the engine now and again, I really need to give it a run, to keep everything moving eg. tyres, brakes, etc.
Am I allowed to take my motorhome for a short run in the local area, during Covid-19 please?
Comments
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Ideally, it needs more than a short run and, no, you're not permitted to drive around for that purpose but to use it for an essential shopping trip would be a different matter.
Depending on the area where you live, be prepared to be stopped by police and questioned as to the purpose of your journey or to have eggs thrown at you by angry locals who may assume you're on holiday and flouting the rules.
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Ours is in a storage facility, so definitely out of bounds as far as a run round is concerned. If we kept it at home I would be very wary of taking it to the local supermarket, for your essential shop, unless someone is going to stay with the vehicle. Personally I think they are best not started, unless you can take if for a run that fully warms the oil and exhaust system and preferably includes some sections of higher speed. As TW says that is not permitted unless it formed part of your essential shop. Clearly from your post in the other thread keeping the cab battery charged is not a problem.
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I accept the reality of what you say,TW, but if any local acts like a vigilante, it would be a straight report to the Police for prosecution for criminal damage. Or, perhaps, a vigilante counter attack on my part. The only deterrent to the latter would be the danger of COVID19 infection from the consequent visit to the Police Cells.
The Police are the only people with the power and judgement [and recent performance brings that statement into question] to decide whether the law has been broken and what sanction is appropriate.
Steve
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Yes, Steve, I know the police are the only ones with powers but did you not read earlier on this forum anout some of the antics in Wales?
There is currently an ongoing situation in Cornwall of a care worker who's living in her campervan in a car park to be near her work and to avoid going home. She has the blessing of the Council and the Police and has an official letter displayed in her van window. That didn't stop the egg throwers though.
It's all very well taking the stance that it shouldn't happen but the fact is that it does and to even consider retaliatory action puts you in the same box as the vigilantes. Saying report matters to the police is obvious but the damage is already done by then and I, for one, would rather avoid the aggro.
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Everyone has the same problem just now, whether it's underused cars or motorhomes. If we all decided to take them out for a run there would be thousands of us! Fingers crossed our vehicles will run ok later, maybe with a few adjustments and care, perhaps best not to zoom off on a holiday later until you've checked your vehicle is ok. Check out "vehicle" web sites to see what to do during Covid19, plenty of advice out there.
Stay at home and stay safe.
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Are you sure you need to take it out? just think how long they are sat on dealers forecourts without being taken out.
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If you take your vehicle out I dont see it matters what sort it is, but the journey must be an essential one. Your trip doesnt sound essential to me as the vehicle will not come to any harm at all on your drive for a few months. The problem is that a motorhome/campervan may be persieved by others to be toddling around on a leisure journey so I would avoid parking it.
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Massive MH in our Park car park today, local plates. I am guessing someone local has come out for a stroll and decided to give MH a whirl. Swings and roundabouts. It takes a lot of effort to start one up, will it get a long enough journey to replenish that effort. 🤷♀️
Ours hasn’t rolled a wheel since January, but I bet it will start ok. If not, we have a battery charger. And it will be getting a full check over before we venture on a trip anyway. For us, it’s not an issue, it was put to bed in full working order, it will come out of hibernation, be tested over, given any TLC it might need, then away we shall go. Remembering of course to re tax it!😂
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Thank you everyone for all your replies. Yes of course we knew morally what not to do and our MH has stayed on our drive but it was interesting to hear everyone's comments and experiences. We understand that Club sites hopefully will reopen on 1st July all being well. Wishing you all a safe 'staycation' for now and looking forward to a long weekend away very soon.
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1st July? In your dreams, I fear.
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I’d not hold your breath, W/topp
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Like the OP, our motorhome is on the drive. I let the engine run for 20 mins today and will wash the exterior - not in anticipation of using it any time soon but just to keep the dirt and algae under control.
Advice differs on whether to run the engine periodically. Which Magazine say “yes”, Honest John says it does more harm than good.
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Mine will get a run of a couple of miles tomorrow. It's going in for an MOT and cab service. Not enough to warm up the engine though. I'm pondering heading on for another couple of miles after I collect it and returning along the M27 to J11. That'll give it a six mile blast along the motorway.
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