Expert q&a

QDOES BREAKDOWN COVER LIMIT SIZE?

I plan to buy a used van when I retire, but I’ve looked at various breakdown companies, and they appear to put significant limits on caravan lengths.

For example, the RAC limit is 6.4m, Green Flag less than 7m; the AA only states a width limit but no length. Given this, it appears I will have to search for caravans under 7m.

Have any readers’ vehicles broken down, and the service refused to recover their van because it was over 7m long?

Richard (surname withheld)

Peter Baber replies…

You are correct about Green Flag. A van is only eligible for its cover if it is under 7m long (and less than 3m high, 2.55m wide and 3.5t in weight).

The AA has no length restrictions, so long as you stay in the UK. Your van has to be lighter than 3.5t and narrower than 2.55m. If you opt for its European cover, however, there is a length restriction of 7m and the width goes down to 2.3m.

But the RAC T&Cs you have seen are for standard RAC breakdown cover – the cover you would have if you took out RAC breakdown cover for your car and just happened to be towing a caravan.

Working with the Camping and Caravanning Club, the RAC offers a different product specifically for caravanners, called Arrival. You have to be a Club member, but there is no length limit. The policy just states the towing vehicle has to be under 3.5t in weight.

This is why it pays to go with a breakdown cover provider that has considered caravans.

You shouldn’t assume that all breakdown policies cover caravans. Aviva breakdown cover, for example, will cover cars with vans, but only if the car breaks down, not the van.

QMUST WE SWITCH TO ELECTRIC CARS?

I’m worried we’re going to be forced to drive electric cars, when they are unsuitable for towing. They don’t have enough range, and recharging with a van is hopelessly impractical. Unless hydrogen cars come to market before 2035, how will we continue to tow?

John Pritchard

David Motton replies…

Some drivers are already towing with electric cars, and alth