Recent content by spj

Hi all, It is a shame for the customers that Fleetwood are the latest victims of the current financial situation, Fleetwood were never interested in customer problems and the quality control was very poor for the price of the caravans. A selling dealer is responsible for any repairs but I dont...

Hi, I have had a July 2004 ML270CDI auto Lux for nearly two and a half years and it is faultless, I have towed my last 3 caravans with it, the first was a single axle at 1400kg and the others were twin axles, one at 1700kg and this one at 1750kg. Overall towing it does 20 - 22mpg and solo on a...

Hi, I had a 2004 Argente 550-4, it went for its first service in August 2005 and the dealer noticed the front and rear panels were cracked and replaced them both under warranty, they knew what to look for as they had done plenty before. As for proving this I am not sure how to other than a...

Lutz, I agree that caravans can 'make do' with one axle but with 4 tyres and 4 brakes saftey has to be better. The same argument could be used for cars, why have ABS, airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners, side impact bars or laminated windscreens? non of which are needed until something goes wrong...

I had a 2001 Passat 130tdi Sport 6 speed, I towed a 1400kg van with no problems, as Angus has said these have more power and do tow very well. Out of interest I drove to Cornwall (380 miles) at 60mph and it did 27mpg, on the way home I did 50mph and it did 37mpg. Driving steady solo I have had...

I have had 2 single axles and 2 twins, I would not go back to a single, if you can drive and reverse there is no need for a mover, mine is parked behind our house down the side of our garage with very little room to move it, but it goes in with the car. Insurance can be more expensive but with...

Peter, My 640es (2008) measures 2420mm from floor to awning rail, this was measured in the middle by the wheels with the van level. spj.

Hi Ian, I got my leds from www.ultraleds.co.uk, when I bought them you could get a 1 metre strip but it looks like they only do a 5 metre roll now but it may be worth asking, mine are 'Waterproof 60 led Warm White SMT Strips 1 Metre' this is the description from the invoice, warm white leds are...

Hi Ian, my gas locker also leaks but it did on the 2007 van so I have learnt to accept it. I did remove the solar panels black cover when I polished the caravans roof when it was new, but I think the panel is far too small to be of any use other than to top up the battery in storage. We very...

Hi all, Does anyone see the point of the display panel in the 2008 Heritage? I have just returned from 17 nights on a rally field with no EHU in rainy Cornwall and all the panel does is light up the van at night unless covered and seems to drain the battery. After checking the voltage daily...

I requested a brochure from Vanmaster about 2 years ago, they sent me some poorly photocopied sheets which most of could not be read, I binned them as they were useless. To get Mercedes quality I aggree that you would have to buy German, I have had a new Avondale which I would compare to a Fiat...

Hi, be carefull with an Avondale, we had a 2004 Argente from new and got rid of it at 26 months old due to the number of defects with it that Avondale would not sort out under their 'warranty' which only covers most items for 12 months, our cushions were sagging and the tyres were cracking at...

Hi Ian, where do you put your tv? The only place my 15" lcd tv will fit is on the flap by the kitchen or in the bedroom, in the kitchen there is no sat or dvd connections, I went to Maplins and got some sat cable and phono cable, made up some leads and swapped the kitchen blank plug with the...

Hi all, I have today tested my car electrics and found the split charge relay was pulsing on and off causing the fridge locks to click away, I removed the relay and fit a standard relay supplying an ignition positive to the red wire in the 12s loom, the fridge now works fine. This is the third...

2004 Mercedes ML270CDI auto chipped to 200bhp towing 2008 Fleetwood Heritage 640es (1700kgs) does on average 20 - 21 mpg which can be a long run or local rallies, it will hold a true 60mph (64mph on the speedo) up any motorway hill with ease, driven at 50 mph would be more economical but I would...