V5 Vehicle Catagory N1
I am considering buying a large 4X4 to tow my caravan. One option (among many) I am looking at is a Land Rover Defender.
I am also aware that most caravan warranties state that the caravan 'should not be towed by commercial vehicles'. Presumably to do with the stiffer suspension.
My question is: Does the category 'N1' on a V5 categorise the vehicle as 'commercial'?
As a side I have discovered that 'ALL' Land Rover Defenders (whatever model) built since MY2011 have the 'N1' category. This apparently was nothing to do with load carrying and/or stiffer suspension but for tax reasons. This surely precludes them from towing caravans without invalidating the caravan warranty.
Has anyone any experience and advice on this matter?
Comments
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Looks to be the case. Lifted from Here
Category N: Motor vehicles with at least four wheels designed and constructed for the carriage of goods.
Category N1: Vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass not exceeding 3,5 tonnes.
Category N2: Vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding 3,5 tonnes but not exceeding 12 tonnes.
Category N3: Vehicles designed and constructed for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding 12 tonnes.0 -
Anyone ever seen brand new caravans being transported from factory to dealer? One of two will be carried by the transporter which also tows another behind.
Therefore, there's a fair chance your nice new caravan has already been towed by a commercial vehicle.
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I tow a twin axle with a double cab hilux, I have had to fit an adjustable dropper plate for the tow hitch , but other than that have had no problems, even the local caravan dealer uses an old double cab navara. Both of the above are on leaf springs, Defenders are on coil springs so should be a good ride,
If towing with a commercial invalidates the warranty ? what do you do when you have to be recovered following a breakdown and the recovery firm sends a truck to recover you ?
You would have to leave your caravan where it was whilst it can be recovered by a non commercial vehicle or invalidate your warranty.
You could always fit a Dixonbathe shocklink if you are that worried .
Ford transit pickups look to tow those hobby caravans with ease and they have leaf springs.
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Last summer I bought a campervan converted from a 2.8 tonne van first registered in November 2015. It is no different from a California (except as regards price and I admit, quality of finish). I picked out the low mileage van I wanted from the converter's yard and 2 months later drove off in it fully converted with bed, fridge, pop-up roof with 2 additional bed spaces, 2 burner hob, sink and heater. We live in it while away.
The van is Bluemotion EU5 spec and in terms of power output little different from my wife's EU5 diesel car except that the van has stop/staart technology and hasn't been fitted with 'defeat software'!!
CO2 is 176G/KM
Body Type is MOTOR CARAVAAN
Taxation Class in LIGHT GOODS VEHICLE
Tax is £240pa
My wife's car tax is £20pa.
Can anyone tell me whyI pay 12 times more in road tax for the van than my wife pays for her car manufactured by the same manufacturer? Can I apply for a reduction? Advice much appreciated.
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I suppose a one-off tow for a recovery is not going to cause any damage compared to numerous journeys towing with a commercial??
Also if a recovery company damages your outfit then presumably their insurance pays out!!
I am not saying that towing with a commercial invalidates a warranty I'm just quoting words from a Lunar warranty (i.e., "should not be towed with a commercial vehicle"). However knowing any organisation these days if they have a way of avoiding paying out under a warranty they will!!
A Dixon Bate Shocklink is definitely on my shopping list for extra protection.
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I know but type in 'road tax' and you get 1925 discussions. I searched through the website and this is the closest I could get to anything on vehicle classification.
There is some relevance in that my vehicle was originally designed for 'the carriage of goods'. I thought I'd give it a punt as someone might know.
No success.
I've given up and written to DVLA.
K9sam.
I suggest that if you haven't been advised to do so already that you
ring the caravan dealer or manufacturer. Then get their response in writing. They don't need much of an excuse to wriggle out of warranty obligations.
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