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I've complimented them on the website previously:
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Their handling of my web enquiry by phone was prompt, efficient and courteous.
I'll come to my main question in a mo, but I also asked about short diesel pushers and storage. Jim had posted about this recently. In response to my surmising that exterior storage was limited for a shorter diesel pusher compared like-for-like with a petrol engine up front, they were adamant that the reverve was true due to the coach chassis used with pass-through storage underneath the vehicle. So, apparently, you don't pay a storage penalty to gain the advantage of a pusher. The shortest pusher is 34ft, however. I was invited to visit and compare.
For a petrol engine in a shorter RV, by the way, the Monarch SVE 30SFS with single full-length slide looks like a lot of volume for the length:
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My main question was about width, as I had been perusing the Monaco website and the width of 100.5 inches intrigued me:
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MicknPat had previously established that their width was specified as a sidewall-to-sidewall measurement. This is 0.1" too big, before adding wheel arch trims, door handles, awnings etc.
Travelworld said that their vehicles are modified by Monaco before export to the UK. The 100.5" sidewall-to-sidewall dimension "has some tolerance", different fittings are used, in particular the awnings are roof awnings, and the DVLA and VOSA are content that they are UK legal. That must be be some "tolerance", however. They also claimed this registration cannot be revoked once granted. At one point they mentioned registration certifying the vehicle as road legal. I asked whether the owner received a certificate to this effect but unfortunately not.
The following DfT link is more specific and helpful about registering an imported motorhome than anything the DVLA or VOSA publishes to my knowledge. One can infer that new motorhomes are exempt from all "tests", yet clearly many relevant requirements for road legal use are stipulated, including width.
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I can only assume that Monaco, having been on the "legal" list, then relegated to the "illegal" list, are now back on the "legal" list again. But I am still bemused how 100.5" sidewall-to-sidewall, less any "tolerance", plus wheel arch trims and door handles, is still less than 100.4".
Dave
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The rest im afraid is down to the new owner to deal with. It may have a number plate on it but that doesnt make it legal. My car has a number plate but if its got bald tyres its not legal is it??
Im afraid its back to the 1 rule for Main Dealers and another rule for the rest of us thing.
My advice (for what its worth!!) Steer clear and buy a legal coach there are plenty out there and you wont be constantly looking over your shoulder.
There is also the insurance thing. If the insurers can find a way of not paying a claim you can bet they will find it and im sure there is a full chapter in the "How Not To Pay An Insurance Claim On American RVs In The UK" handbook about over width vehicles.
Dazzer
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On another note I wonder what Monaco would have to say if you phoned them in the USA and asked them to provide you with a letter saying their vehicles were legal and approved for the UK market.
Id also ask to speak to the "European Marketing Manager" and ask him for a letter detailing all the fundamental changes they make to their vehicles to make them UK compliant.
That would be an interesting conversation!!
Dazzer
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And I have never been persuaded by the DVLA "corruption" argument being in favour of the big boys. Officials in the UK may be barking, but they are not corrupt.
Dave
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And I have never been persuaded by the DVLA "corruption" argument being in favour of the big boys. Officials in the UK may be barking, but they are not corrupt.
mmmm, the validation of registering "unlawful" vehicles to certain persons only............ sorry but thats corruption Dave
That Cayman looks fabulous but as Dazzer rightly points out, stick to something legal, the insurance aspect would give me sleepless nights alone.
Dennis
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I am doing advance research. Years in advance I first mulled the van I have now some 6 years before buying it, with no other motorhome in between. It's worked for me so far Murvi say their customer lead time between first interest and purchase averages over 3 years (maybe their little-less-than-1-year delivery contributes .....).
If I were to buy from a UK dealer, yes, I would practice what I preach, using a letter that refers to the dealers's responsibility under the Road Traffic Act only to sell vehicles that are road legal. And I WOULD walk away if they didn't sign it. And I WOULD make merry hell about it should it ever happen.
As to the conspiracy theories of corruption, all I received to this was a deafening silence:
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Dave
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I am doing advance research. Years in advance I first mulled the van I have now some 6 years before buying it, with no other motorhome in between. It's worked for me so far
G'morning Dave
with plenty of time to research and no doubt to save some of the folding stuff, play it safe mate and buy European ..
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you know you want to
______________________________________________________________ To baldly go where no man has gone before ..............................✄
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Since cancelling the order for the new Swift, I have been looking at RV's, namely a Damon Daybreak. I like the external look of the van, and also the interiors look good. I cannot comment on the mechanical side etc.
I have learned, however, that Damon's are overwidth, and so decided against.
Russell
______________________________________________________________ Though I am not above the sorrow
Heavy hearted
ŽTil you call my name
And it sounds like church bells
Or the whistle of a train
On a summer evening
IŽll run to meet you
Barefoot barely breathing
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I first mulled the van I have now some 6 years before buying it, with no other motorhome in between. It's worked for me so far 
