Quote: Randa france wrote in post #12

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I have just Emailed CRIS on behalf of all Eriba owners (4000 plus in Eribafolk alone) and asked the question.
Let's see what happens for as you say, £15.00 is OK but £65.00 for no apparent reason, stinks.

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Further to the above, I had an interesting phone call with a member of the CRiS team yesterday evening regarding the £65.00 charge for imported caravans. He also promised that he'd get something down in writing and Email me the information ASAP. I will therefore update and amend if necessary, the following information once I receive the Email.

Basically, all UK manufactured caravans since 1992, come with a 17 digit VIN number and that VIN number gives all the information that one would need to find out the make, mark, age etc of that van. (see UK CAMPSITE explanation below).

Therefore, when CRiS was introduced it was based on the above fact. However, vans made in other parts of the World do not necessarily comply with the UK VIn number system. This means that CRiS has to re-register these vans and issue them with an upgraded VIN number kit.

A DIY window etching kit is also supplied to the owner.

CRiS also have to pay for a foreign search to ensure that the van in question does actually exist, is not stolen or mis-represented.

He did mention that new Hobby Caravans imported to the UK do now have a UK and CRiS compliant VIN number issued and fitted by the manufacturer. They are therefore only charged £15.00 to register.

I have taken the liberty of linking and copying an interesting article published by UK CAMPSITE.co.uk a few years ago :- https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/articles/view.asp?id=89

CRiS Explained and Decoded
CRiS (the Caravan Registration & Identification Scheme) was established in 1992 by The National Caravan Council and provides a method of registering the ‘keeper’ details of every tourer manufactured by NCC member companies to help prevent and detect caravan related crime.

All new tourers are assigned a unique 17 digit CRiS Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is die stamped into the chassis, etched onto windows and recorded onto an electronic tag embedded within the bodywork. This VIN and the caravan description are recorded on a Touring Caravan Registration Document, which is sent to the caravan's registered keeper.

As well as helping to recover a stolen caravan in the event of a theft, CRiS provides anyone looking to buy a used tourer with a valuable security check; CRiS can confirm the make and model details registered against a VIN, whether it is stolen or written off, or if any finance is still outstanding on it.
When purchasing a new caravan, your dealer will register the van, and you will receive your CRiS certificate within a few weeks of taking ownership.
If you own or are buying a caravan which is pre 1992, you can now apply for the caravan to be CRiS registered if it is not already.
CRiS Numbers Decoded
You can also use the CRiS number to check some details on the caravan yourself. To help explain what the CRiS number means, take for example the number below:

SGBS000BYA1234567

SGBS000BYA1234567 SG = Manufactured in UK
SGBS000BYA1234567 B = Make of caravan is Bailey
SGBS000BYA1234567 S = Number of axles (S=Single, T=Twin)
SGBS000BYA1234567 000 = Optional manufacturer's data (eg caravan model)
SGBS000BYA1234567 BY = Manufactured by Bailey (see list below)
SGBS000BYA1234567 A = Year of manufacture (A= 2010 - see list below)
SGBS000BYA1234567 1234567 = Caravan serial number

Year of build codes (the caravanning build season runs from 1st September one year to 31st August the following year. So a caravan built between any time between September 1st 2010 and 31st August 2011 would show a build year code “B” for 2011.)
N = 1992
P = 1993
R = 1994
S = 1995
T = 1996
V = 1997 W = 1998
X = 1999
Y = 2000
1 = 2001
2 = 2002
3 = 2003 4 = 2004
5 = 2005
6 = 2006
7 = 2007
8 = 2008
9 = 2009 A = 2010
B = 2011
C = 2012
D = 2013
E = 2014

Manufacturer codes
AB = ABI
AD = Adria
AV = Avondale
BE = Bessacarr
BU = Buccaneer
BY = Bailey CL = Carlight
CM = Coachman
CP = Compass
CS = Cosalt
CU = Sprite
EL = Elddis EX = Explorer Group
FL = Fleetwood
LU = Lunar
SW = Swift Group
Don't buy a stolen caravan
When looking at secondhand caravans, the CRiS number is your biggest ally in helping preventing you purchasing a stolen caravan, or buying a caravan with ourstanding finance owed on it.
Look for the CRiS number etched into the windows of the caravan
It will also be stamped somewhere on the chassis.
Ask the seller to see their CRiS document.
Once you have the number, you can telephone CRiS for an check, just like you do when buying a secondhand car. For a small fee, they will check that the caravan make and model matches the details on their register. They will also check to see if it is reported stolen, and whether there is any outstanding monies owed on the van, by the existing owner.
Don't be tempted not to phone them and do a proper check though. It doesn't cost a lot, and could save you a fortune by preventing you from purchasing a stolen van.

Randa

Quote: JefL wrote in post #21

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Interesting. That implies that if I wish to register my 2016 Eriba with them they will create a unique 17 digit VIN number for it.
Yet it already has one allocated by Hymer which also contains much of the same information. Based on the two 2016 Eriba I have owned the numbers are of this format
Jef

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Interesting indeed. I might have got the wrong end of the stick when we discussed matters on the phone but his opening gambit was the unique 17 digit VIN number information only found on British manufactured vans. The Hymer VIN number configuration is certainly similar to that on UK vans and according to Pop320 they are able to get it to "fit in" with their system.

Once we have his observations in writing perhaps we'll be able to fathom it out.

Randa