The CRiS scheme

CRiS is an acronym for the Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme.  Those in the caravan industry refer to this registration scheme for caravans as “CRiS”.

CRiS is owned by the National Caravan Council (NCC). HPI Equifax administers the CRiS scheme on their behalf, maintaining a database of caravans built after 1992. (HPI Equifax is perhaps better known for their role in checking and providing information services on the history of UK registered cars to finance houses, the insurance industry and private car buyers).

Virtually all new touring caravans manufactured in the U.K. from 1992 onwards are issued with a 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This VIN or “CRiS registration number” as it is known, will be required by most caravan insurers on or immediately after buying a caravan insurance policy (e.g. with Club Care Insurance we ask that the customer provides this within 30 days of the caravan policy inception date).

Rather like a car log book, the Vehicle ID Number, the name of the caravan’s registered keeper and a description of the caravan appear in a registration document called the “Touring Caravan Registration Document (CVR6)”. It is this document that is used to notify any subsequent changes of registered keeper. Hence, it is important that this document be kept in a safe place (and not in the caravan, for obvious reasons).

  • What does the 17 character Vehicle Id Number (VIN) mean?

    Let’s take for example: SG 5 S 001 BY Y ABC 1234

    SG  - the country of origin (in this case the UK)
    5 - the caravan manufacturer       
    S - the axle type (S = single axle, T = twin axle)
    001 - the number identifier used by the manufacturer 
    BY - the National Caravan Council’s manufacturer identity
    Y - the caravan’s model year (in this instance the Year 2000)
    ABC 1234 - the manufacturer’s alpha numeric serial number

    Each post 1992 caravan has this VIN (CRiS number) etched or die stamped into 10 locations: the windows, the door, and the chassis. It is usually accompanied by a sticker that says:

    “Warning: this caravan is security marked and electronically protected by CRiS”

    * It is possible to register a caravan manufactured before 1992 with CRiS.

  • Checking the identity of a caravan

    The CRIS number is a valuable tool in helping to check the identity of a caravan, or more importantly check whether the touring caravan has been reported stolen, has any outstanding finance or is registered as a caravan insurance write off. In the event of a caravan being stolen you can provide the CRiS number to help prove you own the caravan when it is returned or if you make a claim on your caravan insurance.

  • CRiS and its critics

    The scheme does have some critics, as the scheme’s weakness is that any change in caravan ownership may not be notified - which in turn can lead to a loss of continuity in the caravan’s sales history. However, at the present time there is no alternative in place to record the source or origin of a caravan.

    It does make sense to notify the CRiS database of any change of keeper, as it is likely that any future purchaser of your caravan will run a CRiS check.

  • CaSSOA secure caravan storage - caravan check

    As a new customer looking to take up a secure caravan storage plot on an accredited CaSSOA award secure site, don’t be surprised to be asked to show your caravan’s CRiS logbook. If you, as the caravan owner, are unable to produce the log book then it flags up to the CaSSOA site owner that the caravan may have been stolen.

  • A word of caution

    The 17 digit alphanumeric code that is etched onto the caravan windows, door and chassis in dot matrix letters and figures can be altered (e.g. the figure “9” being altered to an “8”). If the number has been altered it often raises a slight peak on the surface. This can be detected by simply running the palm of your hand over the surface.  If one number has been altered, then it is possible all may have been altered (including the chassis). The number on the chassis is often on the nearside of the A frame and any alteration can usually be easily detected.

  • How do I get a CRiS caravan history check?

    If, for peace of mind, you are looking to check the history of a used caravan before purchase, you can contact CRiS on 01722 411 430 and ask them to conduct a CRiS check. This check  currently costs approximately £15. You will need to provide them with:

    • the 17 digit CRiS number
    • a description of the caravan
    • the name and address of the vendor (registered keeper)

    Finally, once you have bought your caravan don’t forget to arrange your caravan insurance!  Club Care offer competitively priced, comprehensive caravan insurance cover from less than £50.