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DABurleigh

I know the law is that the width is 2.55m maximum excluding awnings. And TravelworldRV make much of what they are doing about it:
http://www.travelworldrv.co.uk/news_itemView.asp?idItem=45&idCategory=7

Which makes the letter on page 23 of Feb 2008 MMM (the one with the absolutely suberb motorhome on the cover and two roadtests of it inside) entitled "Importing an American RV" all the more mysterious as to how the UK RV Dealers Association managed to help a private importer get a 2.54m RV PLUS awnings each side registered, once the DVLA had already declared it was too wide.

This confusion just rumbles on Sad

Dave

Floozie2

This topic langishes in murky waters. As far as I'm aware the RVDA have been negotiating with the governing bodies, but I'm still unclear what's going on. Apparantly there's an article in this months ARVE magazine, but I'm away so haven't seen it. Also there was a stormy debate on their website until the moderator pulled the plug, leaving me being non the wiser.

Just looking at the RVDA website

asprn

Dave,

The article (optimistically entitled "News Item") in its second paragraph alludes to "DVLA’s new laws". That stopped me reading any more, as it's no more a News Item than a Kit Kat advert.

New laws, new schmawz.

Dougie.

DABurleigh

Thanks for that update, Floozie 2. I'm more upbeat that the fog is lifting, I must say. I can see the legal framework and the influencing sounds like (awaits proof) it will deliver relevant RV exceptions to an EC directive that generally, will reduce maximum widths.

I'd comment with Dougie, but as he didn't read beyond "new laws" of the link I posted in January, there would be little point Smile

Dave

asprn

bandaid

I did a personnal import this year ( actually I pick it up tomorrow Laughing

)

The vehicle is, according to the manufacturer, 100 inches wide. This, when you stick a measuring thing on it is untrue. If you include the awning...or sunshade, if you're paying for a pitch..sticks out some 1.5 inches either side.

The official measurement is 2540mm. as accepted by the DVLA in 2007.

When I went to register the RV, in brighton local office, the guy went off, spoke to the " senior import official" and it was accepted without question.

Anyway, when I was looking for the vehicle, I saw on other UK dealer sites, vehicles, such as PAce Arrow, which are over the Width restriction, and yet up for sale, and reistered. On contact with said dealers, I was told that

In the US everything is bigger, and dont worry

so I did worry, ignored them, and chose a vehicle which had already been accepted on the list.

For what its worth, there are loads of RV's in the States, most of them dont change widths from year to year. Mines a 2005 and its the same width as the 100 model. There are so many, I thought it easier to choose from a previously accepted make/model, as the arguement would have been easier. If anyone cant find a make/model/specification of RV they like which is on the list I would be surprised.

asprn

bandaid

Yep, Ill sort that out. It will be personal with the companies I used, so costs may change if stuff is sourced elsewhere, but the steps will be the same.

(i) Buy Rv...obvious really, I went over and did this, I don't really trust phphotosff the internet. If I were buying new, then maybe, but used, I wanted to see the vehicles pepersonally
You don't pay sales tax, either Federal or State. Theres another vehicle tax which you're not ssupposedto pay..inventory tax..this is dealer to pay, not customer, but honestly its something like .75% of cost. all dealers make the customer pay.

(ii) arrange for shipping costs. I used Bernarr at RV Exports Inc. ddetailsavailable if necessary. ( ensure if your transporting you don't have LPG, they empty it is you do) I drove the vehicle to Bernarr, and paid about 7500$ for shipping.
You get an invoice from Bernarr, if you chat to him, he'll explain, this includes the shipping costs.

(iii) at this point, you have nothing to do until you get a Fed-ex letter with the documents you need, mine went to southampton then I rang up the shipper, who will give the figure required to go through customs, this is documented elsewhere. Pay. lots.

(iv) with the bankers draft given over, you will either take the vehicle to converter yourself, or arrange for pickup. Ask for MOT first, and get the certificate sent to you.
Complete the form ( C&E384) I think, it s you declaring you paid the vat.

Armed with the US title deed, the Customs form, MOT and Insurance Certificate, ( on chassis number) D/licence and proof of address. Go ye forth to the DVLA office.

Then fill in V55/5 ( used) or V55/4 (new)......This is a complicated form but you will have time in the queue.

Give documents to person behind desk and if taxing for 6 months, hand over cheque for 145.75 wait 6 days, V5 and VEL on doorstep, get yourself a plate made and collect RV. If in doubt, theres the website with approved width RVs on, I would suggest you print off the relelvant just in case,

and there you have it.

oh, if anyones interested to know why you should chat to Bernarr, PM me, as I wont incriminate myself in public.

and my levelling control panels broke. £370.00 for replacement... Crying or Very sad

Floozie2