Benimar Owners Club

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benimar owners' club
HANDBOOK

 Issue 6 - June 2007

 

Objectives Membership Management Accounts Club Events
Newsletter Benefits Subscription Cessation ACCEO
Discounts Offers Rally Guidelines Rally Rules Dealers Distributers Safety in your Motorhome

1. Name 

The club shall be known as the Benimar Owners' Club

2. Objectives

The aim of the club is to promote recreational activities that are of interest to, and for the benefit of its members.

3. Membership

(a) Membership shall be open to any owner, or potential owner of a Benimar Motorhome, residing in the UK, the Channel Isles and the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland. Membership shall cover 1 or 2 adults per motorhome. 
(b) Every person wishing to become a member shall complete an application form and together with the annual subscription and joining fee submit it to the Membership Secretary. 
(c) The annual subscription shall become due on the 1st of January each year. Members are encouraged to pay his/her subscription from the 30th of September. Any member not paying his/her subscription by the 31st of December shall be considered to have resigned from the Club and shall forfeit all rights and privileges. 
(d) Each member will automatically become a family/personal member of The Association of Camping and Caravanning Exempted Organisations (ACCEO). The cost of membership will be included in the Club annual subscription. It will not be possible for an individual member to opt out.

(e) Associate Membership is available to any former member who no longer is the owner of a Benimar Motorhome and/or no longer lives in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, or the Republic of Ireland and wishes to continue his/her association with the Club.

Associate members will enjoy voting rights.

4. Management

(a) Management of the Club shall be by a General Committee, to be elected annually and to be eligible for renewal at the Annual General Meeting. 
(b) The Annual General Meeting shall take place each April, or as close as is practical. 
(c) The committee shall comprise of the following posts: 
Chairman 
Secretary 
Membership Secretary 
Treasurer 
Events Co-ordinator 
Newsletter Editor
Press Officer
Chief Marshal
(d) A member may take more than one of the positions available for office.
(e) Two auditors shall also be elected
(f) There shall be a position of Honorary President which the Club may award. This position will be voted for at the AGM and will be for a term of 3 years.

5. Accounts

The club financial year shall commence on the 1st of January and end on the 31st of December, after which date the treasurer shall prepare a balance sheet and statement of accounts. These accounts shall be audited and presented to the Annual General Meeting.

6. Club Events

(a) The club will promote meetings and rallies for the benefit of members. 
(b) There will be a fee for attending these events as appropriate. 
(c) Members will be able to invite one unit/motorhome as a guest. Preference will be given to club members and there will be an additional charge for visiting outfits.

7. Newsletter

(a) The newsletter, containing a diary of forthcoming events, review of past events and any other material thought to be of interest to members will be published at least once a quarter. 
(b) The newsletter will be posted to members unless collected at a conveniently timed event. 
(c) Members' adverts will be included for a nominal charge of 4 first class postage stamps.

8. Benefits

The club will attempt to obtain for members, benefits (such as discounted insurance, ferry fares, etc) and these will be advertised in the newsletter.

9. Subscription

(a) The subscription is to cover the cost of the newsletter, marshalling, signs, advertising and any other sundry items. 
(b) The subscription will be reviewed as required or at the AGM

10. Cessation

In the event of the cessation of the club, any assets at the time shall be donated to a suitable charity, selected by the committee.

ACCEO

From Jan 1st 2004 all BOC members will automatically become family/personal members of ACCEO (Association of Camping and (Caravanning Exempted Organisations). This will entitle you to certain privileges, discounts and invites to rallies. You will receive details and a magazine 3 or 4 times a year.   

Link to ACCEO    http://www.acceo.org.uk/

Club Discounts/Offers

(see magazine for further offers or Discounts link ) Be prepared to state your membership number

Rvtex. 10% discount on labour charges for all work done. Free maintenance contract on Van Bitz alarms. Tel: 01623 722477   www.rvtex.co.uk

Foxwells (Bags for all sorts of things) - offer a discount for orders of 3 or more, and are at most shows.

Anderton Spairline - a device to enable you to check your spare tyre pressure (and pump it up) remotely. Retails at £9.95. Discounts on 5 or more

Securi-Mark - Etch your reg no. on all the windows (glass and plastic) on your Motorhome. Normally £12, Club price £10, at Peterborough and York Shows.

Safeguard - will give 10% discount for motorcaravan insurance. You must provide them with your membership number, continue to own a Benimar, and do not obtain discount through another club. Tel: 0800 068 7132

Rally Guidelines

Finding a suitable site

If you think that you know of a suitable site for a club rally and are willing to marshal the following checklist will help ascertain its suitability and collect the information we need.

Site Name and address 
Contact name 
Telephone Number 
Opening dates 
Maximum number of motorhomes 
Fee/unit/night 
Drinking Water available ? 
Elsan emptying point ? 

Waste water disposal ? 
Toilets available ? 
Showers available ? 
Electric Hookups available ? 
Fires and/or barbecues allowed? 
Dogs allowed ?

The items underlined are essential information

Marshal's Duties

Find a suitable site

Agree a date with the site owner and Club Events Co-ordinator

Supply details to Club Event Co-ordinator for entry into Club Newsletter

Arrive in good time to mark out pitches and put up direction signs as necessary

Check out the facilities and advise members

Set up a fire point (at least a bucket of water)

Greet arrivals and direct them to an allocated pitch

Ensure that the code of conduct is adhered to and club rules are adhered to

Any other activities (coffee mornings, quizzes, competitions etc) are at the marshals discretion

Unless prepaid, collect site fees and settle up with the site owner.

Rally Rules

Note: The use of a rally site is a privilege and it is the responsibility of the rally marshal to see that this privilege is not abused, and that the good name of the club is upheld.

Rallies held on unlicenced sites (not at Shows and Caravan Sites) are held under DEFRA rules. The club holds an Exemption Certificate and we must comply with the following Code of Conduct

i Introduction

1. One named person, who is a member of the organisation, is to be responsible for the conduct of each meeting and for ensuring that members attending the meeting comply with the code.

ii Venue

2.  The responsible person should take reasonable steps to satisfy himself or herself that the site proposed for a meeting is not one which is the subject of an order under paragraph 13 of Schedule 1, or an Article 4 direction, nor one for which planning permission has been refused or where enforcement action has been taken. Organisations should also seek the agreement of the local authority before meeting on sites adjacent to sites for which planning permission has been granted.

3. Organisations should not meet on sites operating under paragraph 5 of Schedule 1 to the 1960 Act (certificated locations or certificated sites) or on sites adjacent to them, unless the proposed site is clearly differentiated and the risk of interference with local people and other users is minimal.

4. Organisations should take care that the siting of caravans does not unduly interfere with the activities of local people, their privacy or the enjoyment of their property. They should also take care that the siting of caravans does not interfere with the enjoyment by others of the landscape or natural beauty of the area, and the nature conservation value of areas. This is especially important in areas designated for their qualities of landscape or wildlife.

5. Organisations should avoid the over-use of any venue and consider carefully before holding successive meetings at the same venue.

iii Nuisance

6. Local people should be able to carry on their normal activities where meetings are in progress and disturbance to them should be minimised. Complaints should be treated seriously and steps taken to investigate and deal with the causes of complaints.

7. Care should be taken not to damage the site or surrounding locality. Trees, fences, buildings, equipment and stock should be respected.

8. Domestic animals belonging to members of the organisation should be kept on a lead, under close control. They should not be allowed to run loose on the site or cause disturbance to local people or animals. They should be exercised away from caravans and parts of the site used for communal activities and any mess should be picked up.

9. The responsible person should identify open space suitable for games which might otherwise intrude on or constitute a danger or annoyance to caravanners or others on or around the site.

10. Noise should be kept to a minimum for the comfort of other caravanners on the site as well as people who live and work nearby.

iv Road safety and access

11. The responsible person should take reasonable steps to ensure that travel from major roads to a proposed site is not likely to cause undue disruption to or difficulties for local people and other road users. He should also take reasonable steps to ensure that access to the proposed site is suitable for the number and likely size of units attending the meeting. Organisations should spread the arrival and departure of caravans to minimise disruption to local people and other road users.

12. The speed of vehicles on the site should be restricted to 5 mph.

v Spacing and density

13. Units should be well spaced. Units should be sited so that they do not restrict access to or exit from the unit or the area in case of emergencies. Emergency vehicles should be able to secure access to each unit on site.

vi Fire precautions

14. Open fires and barbecues should not be held except with the permission of the responsible person. Where permission is given for open fires or barbecues, they should be sited in open ground, away from vans, vehicles, awnings and any other structures.

15. Caravans should carry a fire extinguisher approved to British Standards Institute and/or Fire Officers Certificate standards.

vii Chemical toilets, waste water disposal

16. Organisations should act responsibly with respect to the disposal of the contents of chemical toilets and waste water disposal and take full account of the need to safeguard water supplies and prevent the pollution of rivers and streams.

17. On-site disposal of the contents of chemical toilets and waste water should be in accordance with arrangements agreed with the site owner or manager. Neither should be allowed to foul the ground except at designated disposal points.

viii Refuse disposal

18. Organisations should ensure that refuse is either taken home or disposed of in accordance with on-site arrangements. The responsible person should be satisfied that appropriate arrangements are in place.

19. The responsible person should ensure that the site is clear of litter after the m eating.

ix Other information

20. The responsible person should also be aware of the terms of the Caravan Code, the Country Code and the Coastal Code.

Exemption Certificate

The club has been granted an Exemption Certificate from DEFRA (the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs). This permits the dub to organise rallies on non-licensed sites, in the UK. It is valid until 12th Dec 2011.

Benimar Dealers/Distributers

UK

BCS                                        Herne Bay, Kent                               01227 374544

Mendip Caravan Centre     Weston-Super-Mare                        01934 876633

RVTex                    `                Newstead (Notts)                            01623 722477

RDH ??                                 Kirkby-in-Ashfield                              08707 585050

 

Belgium

VSG - Nubri                           Lanaken                                                89 73 16 26

Frappart                                 Quaregnon                                            65 78 48 88 

 

France

24           JLB Auto Loisirs                   Coulounieix- Chamiers                05 53 04 40 01

30          Cevennes Caravanes          Cardet                                              04 66 83 00 35

37           Relais Caravanair                 Veretz                                              02 47 50 31 70

44           AAB Loisirs                             La Montagne                                  02 40 65 64 66

47           Ets Farfal                                Villeneuve-sur-Lot                         05 5349 20 10

71           Garage Dom. Perroux          St Marcel                                         03 85 96 60 32

73           Alpes Evasion.                        Voglans                                         04 79 61 23 83

76           Plein Air CC                              Yvetot                                            02 35 56 15 15

95           Paris RV                                    Le Plesis Bouchard                   01 34 15 04 37

 

 

Germany

Carbotec                                               Konigs  Wusterhausen                33 75 21 780

Koch Freizeit-Fahrzeuge                    Itzehoe                                             48 21 68 050

Mobile & Freizeit                                  Greubenheim                                 93 69 98 02 84

Ferber Reisenmobile                         Schwartzenbek                              41 51 87 08 85

 

Holland

Benica BV                                              Enschede                                        53 43 49 494

 

Iceland

Vikurverk                                               Tangarhofol                                        04 56 72 357

 

Ireland

Anchor Point                                         Limerick                                             061 37 99 03

 

Italy

Meglioli                                  Spezzano (Modena)                                           05 98 22 720

Easy Camper                       Biella                                                                    01 57 02 333 

Autocaravan SRL                 Cavenano (Milan)                                              02 95 01 677

Happy Car                             Castigliona Olona                                             03 31 86 11 23

Guglielmi                               Alonte (Vicenza)                                                 04 44 83 15 98

Autoinindustriali Sica Srl    Imola (Bologna)                                                 05 24 66 16 11

Cesarini Camper                 Osimo (Ancona)                                                07 17 23 25 84

Overland Srl                          Nocera Inferiore (Salerno)                               08 15 17 19 16

Gruppo Holiday Camper    Misilmeri (Palermo)                                          09 18 72 26 73 

 

New Zealand

Aukland Motorhomes                Aukland                                                           95 37 06 27

 

Portugal

J Sousa Mesquita                     Pinheiro                                                          12 29 28 98 90

 

Spain

Benimar Factory                   Benicarlo                                                   964 471566  

Carav Costa Verde              Tremanes-Gijon                                       985 314131

Carav Cruz                            Elche(Alicante)                                          965 422659

Carav Santander                 Muriendas                                                  942 254161

Carav Sondika                     Lujua(Vizcaya)                                           944 711468

Carav Penedes                   Vilafranca del Penedes (Barcelona)     938 182500

Carav Itsas-Mendi               Andoain (Guipuzcoa)                               943 593290

O.R.M.A.                                Les Palmeres (Sueca) Valencia            961777112

Turisco                                  Viladecans - Barcelona                           936 581240

Carav Navarro                      Murcia                                                         968 254554

Carav Montano                     Sevilla                                                        955 666040 

Aero Caravan Park               Zaragoza                                                  976 342853 

 Roulot                                    Alcorcon (Madrid)                                    916 111003

Galitur                                    Samil Vigo                                                 986 241224

Lopez Ruesgas                   Vitoria                                                         945 174783

Caravanas Bermar             El Palmar                                                   968 884746

Hernandez Melian               Las Palmas                                              928 229051

Caravanas Puerto               Cadiz                                                          902 506095

 

Sweden

CTR Backstoms husbilar                Ullevivagen                                 004687608021

 

Club Members

 

A separate list of club members will be issued periodically.

New members will be introduced in the Newsletter

 

Safety in your Motorhome abroad                        by Ron Smith

There has been much discussion recently about safety when you are in your motorhome.

This has been highlighted by the fact that 2 of our members (out of the 12 who travelled down to Spain for the Spanish Rally) were robbed en-route (one of them being gassed ).

There is certainly seems to be an increased risk when travelling and stopping on the French and Spanish Motorways and National Roads, particularly on the holiday routes in the south of France and along the Spanish Costas.

  For what they are worth here are my views on the subject. Most of it is just plain common sense.

Firstly there are certain dos and don’ts.

 

+ Do not park overnight on a Motorway Service area or  Motorway Aire, even if there are other motorhomes, caravans or lorries already there. It has been known that a whole group of vehicles are gassed and their owners robbed. Even if you have a vehicle alarm operative, you won’t hear it if you have been gassed. If you can’t find a campsite try a village and park by the Marie,  Village Square (beware of markets the next day !), Sports Stadium, or better still Gendarmerie.

+  Do lock your cab doors whenever you stop whatever the reason (fuel station, service area, picnic area, even at traffic lights in built up areas)

+  Do not leave anything of value in the cab (wallet, purse, handbag, phone, camera, etc.)

+  Do not stop if you are flagged down by someone indicating something wrong with the back of your vehicle (very occasionally there may be but try and find somewhere safe to investigate).

+  Be suspicious of all strangers until you are satisfied that they are OK.

+  Be wary at fuel stations of people acting suspiciously round your vehicle (it has been known for your tyres to be spiked so that you will have to stop shortly after continuing your journey, and guess who will be there to “help”.

+  If you are flagged down by someone in Police or other official uniform, be wary that they may not be genuine. Wind your window down a little until you are convinced they are genuine.

+  Fit a safe and hide the key.

+  Keep a wallet or purse containing a few Euros, some out of date credit cards and other worthless items. Keep it handy in case you are threatened and hand it over.

 

Secondly, precautions that you can take

 

Cab Doors   (my experience is with the old style cab but probably applies to the new one)

                The standard Fiat door lock is easily picked and the button is easily flipped up via the quarter light, which is easily removed or broken.

 

1.  Tie the doors together using a chain or strong strap

                Stops the door being opened if the lock is forced

                Cost is negligible

                A good tug could pull off the door handle

 

2.  Feed the seat belt through the door handle and into the anchorage point

                Stops the door being opened if lock is forced

                Cost is nil.

                A good tug could pull off the door handle(s)

 

3.  Drill the locking button (3 mm drill) and inset a 3 mm pin through so that it goes into the door frame in the locked position.

                Stops the door being opened if the lock is forced

                Cost is negligible

                A hand through a broken or removed quarter light could remove the pins.

 

4.  Fit a deadlock in addition to the standard lock (easier to fit in the doorpillar rather than the door itself).

                To enter a cab door you have to force 2 locks, the deadlock being much more difficult to force.

                Cost is around £25. (Safeways D125 - Tel: 0151 653 7848)

                 Neat looking on outside

 

Caravan Door 

                The standard lock is pretty feeble and easily forced.

 

1.  When inside at night, fit a piece of wood (or a plastic clothes peg just fits) into the gap below (or above if you have a RHS door) the handle within the surround.

                Prevents the door being opened if the lock is forced

                Cost is nil

                Door catch itself could still be forced and door opened

 

2.  Fit a deadlock in addition to the standard lock

                To enter the Caravan door 2 locks have to be forced, the deadlock being much more difficult to force.

                Cost is around £35 (Safeways D160) Neat looking on outside

                The fly screen gets in the way and some plastic has to be cut away

 

3.  Fit a device to the caravan side that is a pivoting chunk of metal that swivels across the edge of the door when locked.

                To enter the caravan door 2 locks have to be forced, the additional lock being much more difficult to force.

                Cost is about £35 (Fiamma) to £55 (Defendor)

                Looks a bit clumsy on the outside

 

Alarm System       Fit a good alarm system  covering all entry points, bonnet and  lockers. If you carry bikes or a scooter on the back include a loop that feeds through them as well as securely locking them.

Don’t be put off by all the above. . Many people have been doing these trips for years with no trouble. While there is a definite higher risk on French and Spanish Motorways, if you follow the above advice you should be all right.

 

Having done all the above, a determined thief, who doesn’t care about causing damage, can still get in through any caravan window, heki light or underbed locker. So unless you want to put bars up at all windows so decide for yourself the extent to which you make your motorhome secure.

Gas in Motorhomes and Gaz in Europe      by Steve Irvine

Butane versus Propane. (Red or blue?)


Both Butane (Blue Cylinders) and Propane (Red Cylinders) are available for use in Motorhomes.  The choice is yours but whilst Butane is the cleanest burning and is kinder to your gas burning appliances, it must be remembered that as the temperature drops there is a distinct possibility that butane will begin to freeze in the regulator and stop the flow of gas. This begins to occur at around 6 degrees centigrade which in our British climate can mean a lowering of gas pressure at almost any time of year although it may not be noticeable until temperatures fall much lower. Even so, appliance efficiency will be affected. On the other hand, propane remains unaffected by the range of temperatures any motorhome owner is likely to encounter, either here or abroad and so would appear the better option. However, unlike butane (sold as Camping Gaz), there is no European standard for propane. Most European countries have their own bottle and regulator type making straightforward refills/exchanges out of the question. You will normally have to buy a new bottle and then buy and fit the matching regulator, leaving you with the added problem of your now surplus British bottle. This may be repeated for each country where you happen to run out of propane gas. The ideal solution for European travellers at the moment is to fit both propane and Camping Gaz regulators along with a changeover valve thus allowing the use of either. Camping Gaz  and Camping Gaz regulators are available both here and in most European countries.

There is a new European LPG standard aimed at all manufacturers of motorhomes, caravans, boats etc.. It is intended to simplify LPG use and dispose of all the different standards, gas pressures regulators etc.. Unfortunately, manufacturers are being very slow in the implementation of this new standard which should have been in place by last September. A new date of this September has been agreed, so maybe this time.

The new standard will require all new motorhomes to be fitted with a fixed regulator, said regulator to be fitted to the gas locker wall/bulkhead and fed by a fixed solid gas pipe. This regulator will be suitable for both Propane and Butane gases and a new standard LPG pressure of 30 millibars will apply to both. This will mean that there will be one standard regulator across the whole of Europe. So that’s one end taken care of! There will still be a whole range of different gas bottles in circulation, one type for each country at least. So to deal with this, a range of flexy pipes will be available and stocking up on the types you are likely to need will be a whole lot simpler and cheaper than buying a bottle and regulator every time you run out of gas.                                                                                            

Use and transport in an upright position......
 Gas cylinders must always be used and transported in the upright position so make sure that they are securely strapped. It is not a legal requirement to turn gas cylinders off whilst in transit in this country. Indeed Truma gas fires as fitted to most Benimars are designed  to be and capable of being used on the move. So, no need to freeze just because you happen to be moving.

N.B        Propane gas fittings have reverse threads to prevent the mixing of butane and propane fittings so remember this when disconnecting and reconnecting the regulator. Try not to overtighten Propane regulators. They have a soft brass seat in order to form a gas tight seal. Overtightening, rather than sealing the regulator, damages the brass seat and can cause the leak you are trying to prevent! As gas bottles get used over and over it’s good practice to check for leaks around the regulator seat whenever you change the bottle.

Check for leaks......
When you have made any alteration to the gas installation such as changing a hose or gas bottle always check for leaks. Check using a special leak detection spray or a soapy solution brushed onto the part to be tested. Leaks can be very dangerous so take great care and never cover vents in gas lockers (Gas escape vents)or anywhere else for that matter. They are all there for your safety and to supply the correct amount of fresh air to your gas appliances. A lack of fresh air can result in the production of Carbon Monoxide Gas!! 

Inspect hoses and clips regularly......
Hoses and connections should be regularly inspected and changed if there is any doubt about them (annual replacement could be worthwhile). Look for signs that the rubber has perished or been damaged by other items stored in the gas locker (we all do it). don't forget to check clips for tightness and once again check for leaks.  Hoses have a date printed on them and should be changed every five years. The date normally being the month of manufacture and is there as a guide to replacement.

Switch gas off on board ferries....
During Ferry crossings you must make sure that the gas is switched off at the cylinder and you have a fire extinguisher on board your vehicle.

Happy travels.