STOLEN my campers been stolen HELP!

Hi everyone,

yesterday between 7am and 6pm my beloved super custom camper 'spud'  K583 YEL was stolen from outside my house in the walsall area in the West Midlands, I really don't think I'll see it again and will probably be stripped for spares but if all you good people could keep an eye out it would really be appreciated

That's awful - I hope it's recovered.

Can I suggest posting in the various facebook groups too - that may get extra coverage.

Ok thanks, I didn't realise there was a Facebook group!!!

Hello.

That’s terrible. I hope it’s safely recovered.

It seems an odd vehicle to steal for parts. Why steal a very rare import van to break for spares when because they are very rare there won’t be hardly anyone to buy?

My thoughts are more likely stolen to sell (possibly abroad) or be used (also possibly abroad).

After getting the details to the police (hopefully it’s been spotted on ANPR) and your insurers, I’d also keep a sharp eye on Gumtree and eBay plus Facebook Marketplace.

You might have to do some detective work. If there are any businesses close by it might be good to ask if they have any CCTV to narrow down timing and whether it was driven away or loaded? Also ask your neighbours.

Good luck!!

hi
Thanks for the advic, I'll follow up on all those suggestions. I'd forgotten about Gumtree and Marketplace

much appreciated

Cheers

Just an update, my insurance company are disputing that it is not a super custom but a panel van as it states on the log book. Can anyone help here are some pics

Do you have any VIN numbers etc from the logbook?

Yep

VIN no. LH100-0042656

Engine no. 2L3204287

Try entering the code here: https://carvx.jp/

It's different for a UK VIN so those checkers won't work. It looks like you need to pay for a full report - I had a quick google for something like this that's free but couldn't find anything.

A Toyota garage may be able to help here too - to get something official-looking for the insurance company

OK brilliant thanks for this. I'm still in contact with the previous owner so I'll see if he knows anything

I expect the agent that registered the van when it arrived on the boat just rushed the application - I've been looking into the process and I've read reviews where imported vehicles have been mis-registered.

Hello

My local Toyota dealer knows as much info as is on my V5C (plus all about the van) and a couple of general parts suppliers also knows the serial (VIN, sort of) details, but unsure if this relates to trim etc. Worth asking?

Have you ever bought parts that are specifically SC and wouldn’t exist on a panel van?

I think ‘Super Custom’ is essentially a trim level, plus a sort of model code. It’s trim because it’s second only to Super Custom Limited (I think) and a model code as it denotes a van with 3 rows of seats and possibly roof windows, power curtains and a number of other features such as cool box and TV. Am sure others on here can probably be more definitive.

The Hiacesoutheast lists these as grades, but mine is badged a ‘CUSTOM’ and this isn’t listed on their site fir a LH119; must tell them! They have mine as just a DX, a CD or a SGL. Also, Hiacesoutheast shows the LH100 with lots of different types and grades so might be harder for you.

I think the Super Customs have this name on a badge on the rear door so if you have a few pictures showing this, preferably with number plate and across a wide range of occasions to show it wasn’t changed, esp on purchase or provided to insurer(s) already.

From what I understand of something 'being' a Super Custom yours certainly seems one. It sure is NOT a panel van as it has erm windows so it should be really easy to squash that.

Does the export certificate or other documentation not quote SC? I think it’s for you to show it’s a SC and for the insurers to prove it’s not. Even a photo of the seat rails should be enough for someone with knowledge. If you’ve insured it as a SC (esp on multiple occasions) and can easily show this is what it is, then the (wrong) info on the V5C or other ‘paperwork’ is irrelevant, surely?

HTH!

This is great thank you so much. Mine came with a cool box and a coffee maker and electric curtains.

I've emailed the insurance with the Hi ace models and features page from the hiacesoutheast.

I only have this one pic but hopefully it will be enough.

url=https://servimg.com/view/20113958/18][/url]

But thanks again

Sorry to read this, such a shame, I had no idea they were a target.
It looks like a supercustom to me, but your photo should be enough, best of luck.

I got my logbook changed a few years ago - makes it easier on the insurance, but not by much - so it now says MPV. The DVLA are very reluctant to admit that anything got mis-registered on import but I found that sending copies of the specs/parts catalogue of the specific model and engine type from www.toyodiy.com along with photos of the interior really helped.

You can also write to Toyota in Japan about this and in theory they can confirm that the vehicle was never manufactured as a panel van, but they were somewhat less helpful because they took a long time to come back and then said that they wouldn't give the required confirmation.

In the end as long as I acknowledged that they were never going to change the tax code on it, the photos and parts diagrams did the trick, in combination.

The specific photos I had were of the windows from the inside and the outside, the whole van, seats etc from as many angles as I could, the floor runners for the seats, the curtains, and then a couple of photos of the VIN and the little sticker in the engine saying the engine type. That was enough to match my specific vehicle with the model type from toyodiy.

For anyone who's not currently trying to claim insurance I'd recommend doing this sooner rather than later - but for an already stolen vehicle, evidence that's good enough for the DVLA should be good enough for your insurer but there's a caveat:

For years, my insurance documents said "panel van" or "power van" every year rather than "super custom" because the insurers had put it through on the nearest equivalent vehicle that they could find in their system. I queried this every single time it happened so that I have in writing from my insurers multiple times that they understand that it is not, in fact, a panel/power van in spite of what my documents said. If you've not done this, they may be within their rights to say you never told them they had it wrong and could potentially say you were never insured in the first place because you didn't advise them of incorrect information. Check your small print!