Coachman VIP - lack of jack and advice on tracker
We've just taken delivery of a new Coachman VIP 575 that was ordered in February. Our old caravan was a Swift 530 Challenger dealer special that came with a motor mover, solar panel and other upgrades that were part of the basic specification. How times have changed! The motor mover was extra, the solar panel was extra and now I find out from the dealer after asking where the spare wheel jack was that although the caravan comes with a spare wheel, it doesn't come with a jack and I have to get the dealer to order one from Coachman together with the brackets for the chassis! And this is on a caravan that cost around £34,000!
The second issue is I have now found out from my insurance company that because of the higher value of the caravan I need a tracker. If I had known this when I ordered the Coachman I could have specified a factor fit Phantom at around £460 with the first year's subscription free. I sent an email to Moving Intelligence (Phantom) to ask them what they could do for me as their website shows £499 to fit the same tracker and the monthly subscription of £10.99 starting immediately. They haven't bothered replying to me. Any suggestions? I'm insured with Caravan Guard and they sent me a list of approved trackers.
Peter
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While I have never known a new van to come with a mover as standard, I would think it possible to negotiate one being fitted as a "discount" by your dealer.
Quite surprised at the lack of solar panel.
A jack......our Swift group van back in 2008 came with an AlKo side lift jack, which I looked at and then put away. I use a 2 tonne trolley jack, £20-£30 from Halfords and other places, much easier and safer. There are other possibilities which no doubt others will expand upon.
Tracker/alarm.....ours came with a Phantom system which works well. As far as we have found they are always helpful. Our old one failed after 13 years, they fitted a new one at a discount price. There are varying lengths of subscription for ours, from monthly to yearly, 2 yearly and 5 yearly. Less expensive if you pay up front.
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As you posted your last C/van was a" dealer special" Which tend to come with extras fitted as part of the "special" you have now bought a standard ex factory model which so not normally come fitted for the dealership specials
To as the.manufacrerer would say "to keep prices as low as possible and save weight, we leave it to the purchaser to have fitted what they require"?
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Our used Coachman 620/4 came with a scissor jack. I did the same as Kjell. Occasionally I come across it in the garage. 😂 It also came with a factory fit tracker ... I never subscribed as the CC 'insurance' didn't require one.
I think I'd find an insurer that does not require a tracker, it'll probably be cheaper in the longer run.
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I'm a bit surprised about no jack. Ours came with a 2 tonne trolley jack as standard. Never used it though and now I've got E&P fitted, it's a bit redundant.
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We tow a 2021 Coachman Laser 575 Excel - excellent caravan. Ours was supposed to have an ALKO jack and jacking points as standard, however this was removed by Coachman between ordering in Oct 20 and delivery in Apr 21 but without any communication with the customer or dealer. Our dealer fitted the jacking points and provided an ALKO jack for at cost as a goodwill gesture. I agree with JVB66's comments. We negotiated a 'package price' with our dealer to include air-conditioning, motor mover and a towing cover.
We are insured through CAMC, which proved to competitive and with no requirement to fit a tracker.
Hope that helps,
Roger
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Worth it if the alternative might be giving up caravanning👍🏻
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We have had a 4WD Powrtouch motor mover fitted on our twin axle caravan. The jacking brackets had to be removed to accommodate this. When I asked Bailey where the safest place to jack up the van was, they said we would have to remove the mover to jack up the van. So, you cannot change a wheel or fit an Alko wheel lock if you have a 4WD motor mover fitted. Is this correct? Has anyone else had this problem? Surely the manufacturers of all caravans and motor movers should be able to solve this problem.
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I found this previous discussion, which may help.
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As Tinny says - that was exactly my situation. I had major surgery in January and had a by-pass done on an aneurysm in my knee. I'm not supposed to / can't kneel down and fitting twin wheel locks on a TA van using Lock 'n Level was just getting too much. Now I can do everything sitting on the caravan step with the remote in my hand. I opted for the 'Compact' system which just levels side to side and at a little over £2k, I thought it was worth every penny.
I've recently gone a stage further and ditched an air awning to have a Thule Omnistor fitted with a room that can be attached and pegged out without me having to kneel (well not much!) and that was even more expensive than the E&P.
I ain't giving up yet and if there's a way round the problems that ageing brings with it - I will use it.
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Peter, Why do you need a jack? The Green Flag man brings his own.
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A good point, I have one with me ( a small hydraulic one in the car) but if I needed to change a wheel it's a phone call.
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Yes it is. Many thanks.
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Tracker
I have an Elddis Mistral, it came with a tracker, the first year subscription paid. The van is just 3 years old and I have had a call from Tracker to tell me the sub is due for renewal and ‘oh yes the tracker device needs replacing (they can tell from a remote signal), total cost £240. Plus subscription of £90.
Greentree have indicated that the life of a tracker is between 1 and 5 years. Sounds like a rip off to me!
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