From Taunton to Inverness

Rolyan wrote:My nephew Mark works at Highland Campers. He’s on the servicing side but also get a chance to test out new models. If you speak to him tell him his Uncle is planning on doing the North East 250 later this year!

I’ve travelled independently for many years and discovered the only thing that’s essential is your wallet. There’s almost nothing you can’t buy when you discover you haven’t got it. As for the water yes, I drink from the tank, but I wouldn’t until I had cleaned it once on getting it. After that there’s as many tank cleaning opinions as there are vans.  I bet you have a great time; enjoy.

How long has Mark worked at HCV Rolyan, we have had a few repairs done by them in the past, last one being ,repairing the hab door looks on our Sigma, if it was Mark, then he did and excellent job.
Boaby

burlingtonboaby wrote:

Rolyan wrote:My nephew Mark works at Highland Campers. He’s on the servicing side but also get a chance to test out new models. If you speak to him tell him his Uncle is planning on doing the North East 250 later this year!

I’ve travelled independently for many years and discovered the only thing that’s essential is your wallet. There’s almost nothing you can’t buy when you discover you haven’t got it. As for the water yes, I drink from the tank, but I wouldn’t until I had cleaned it once on getting it. After that there’s as many tank cleaning opinions as there are vans.  I bet you have a great time; enjoy.

How long has Mark worked at HCV Rolyan, we have had a few repairs done by them in the past, last one being ,repairing the hab door looks on our Sigma, if it was Mark, then he did and excellent job.
Boaby

He’s been there three years now. He loves his job, Scotland and travelling. He also likes ice swimming in frozen lakes!!!!

Hi Rolyan 
Ray from HCV has assured me the tanks will be cleaned and filled with clean water for when I pick the van up. Talking to him over the last few weeks he comes across as one of the good guys (you know who you are). 
I know he's a salesman doing his job but has also gave me loads of advice as well. Talked fishing as well. 
I know I'm going to the other end of the country to buy a van but it sort of makes sense and we're hoping to arrive home a bit better than novices. But the biggest bonus of picking it up in Inverness is getting to drive it home through one of the most beautiful countries known to man. I was born a Scot but raised in Mansfield England and I love it every time I go back. 
Cheers to all for the welcome and many thanks in advance for all the advice we may need in the future. Hahahaha   Al and Mary

Well this is a great forum for advice and help. Enjoy your first trip, one of many to come.

Rolyan wrote:Well this is a great forum for advice and help. Enjoy your first trip, one of many to come.

2017 was the last time at HCV, the service was excellent then.  
Boaby

Brycey wrote:Hi Rolyan 
......
I know I'm going to the other end of the country to buy a van ..........Al and Mary

It is well worth the effort to go to the other end of the country to buy the right vehicle from a good dealer. The other end of the country is 700 miles. You will be doing probably 4000 miles every year (Ts and Cs apply, as they say!) so even if the initial journey is a bit far it represents a small fraction of your overall use of the vehicle. And if you enjoy the journey that makes it all the more exciting.
You do need to be sure of the procedure in the event of some warranty work being needed though. I have had terrible service from a 'nearby' main agent dealer who was incapable of fixing a fault on a new motorhome. I was left to fix it after they 'tried' three times, and I have had wonderful service from far away unknown car garages. My experience is that you get more problems buying a new motorhome than you do with a ten year old one.

Hi Gassygassy cheers for the encouragement buddy! I'm afraid we wont have any warranty as it's bought on a brokerage deal. They offered me a 3 year warranty at £800 but on reading it there was more get out clauses than things it covered. So after reading another thread on said subject I got the feeling that most people thought they were not worth the money. Good insurance with good breakdown cover was the feeling I got. 
But I do have 14 days to return after we have picked it up and for any reason we don't like it we can get our money back (buying from distance laws). Also as the van is 6 year old with nearly 24K on clock it has had some use. I also got advised that it was better to buy a van that had been used regularly than one that had spent it's entire life on somebody's driveway. Like some vans you see at 4 to 5 years old and 2K on the clock. Not sure if that's true or not though. Still waiting for new gas tank to be fitted before we can pick it up as it's coming from the EU apparently things are not as smooth as they used to be. Would you believe it??
Chomping at the bit.

Brycey wrote:..Like some vans you see at 4 to 5 years old and 2K on the clock. Not sure if that's true or not though. Still waiting for new gas tank to be fitted before we can pick it up as it's coming from the EU apparently things are not as smooth as they used to be. Would you believe it??
Chomping at the bit.

That's odd a new gas tank coming from the EU. I thought that A/S gas tanks were GasIt, made in Wales.
https://www.gasit.co.uk/    
GAS IT
The Old Church Hall
Groeslon
Caernarfon
Gwynedd
LL54 7DL
Or perhaps they are made in Italy, shipped in primer to the UK and anyone who wishes can stamp their name on the tank.

Also why is yours having a new tank? I have heard of, and seen under floor tanks go rusty, is that the cause? I sprayed mine with waxoyl as soon as I bought it. There is at least one occurrence of a motorhome driving into a workshop with its tank dragging along on the floor. Gulp. Mind you, they have a device built directly on to the output valve that shuts off if it detects a fast flow leak.

Because the engineer found a dent in the tank on the hab check and HCV told the owner they would sell it under their brokerage scheme only if he had a new tank fitted. Apparently there is not a tank to be had in the UK Moho's and vans being built at full throttle by all companies or so I've been told.

Hi Al and Mary

Highland Campervans are very good and just down the road from me.  I have a Symbol.  Yes Ray is one of the good guys.  As someone has said, HCV only have a very small area with a very limited selection in their shop.

Go Outdoors is good for camping products.  It's quite a large one on Glendoe Terrace, Telford St, Inverness IV3 8DL (open 7 days).


I have a list of what I keep in my campervan - for insurance purposes.  If you would like a copy, I can highlight the essentials and email to you along with my mobile number in case you need local help in the first couple of days - carriedjb@icloud.com


I joined the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravan Club prior to picking up my Symbol from Newcastle.  The member site guides arrived well before I travelled, which I found helpful.  They are also online.  I then travelled to Kent and back up to Inverness.  Their sites are cheaper for club members, so I covered the cost of membership very quickly. 


Both clubs also have member exclusive Certified Locations / Certified Sites which have up to 5 grass / hard standings.  There are not as many facilities as main sites.  As so many people have been buying since last year, you may find a lot of main sites may be fully booked.  The smaller certified ones may have more spaces . . .  


Wishing you much happiness and an enjoyable trip back home


Carrie :) 

Hiya Carrie

Many thanks for the lovely reply. 

I did PM you but it only seems to go in my outbox not sentbox. Also sent email thinking that prob went in your junk folder.

Let me know if you want me to resend cheers Al and Mary

I've private messaged you Al :)