11th month caravan 40% damp

[TonyG]

Could not believe that my 11th month old van had 40% damp, Swift have reconsised that there is an issue but it still does not make the situation any better 23K on a caravan with 40% damp on it;s first sevice ... Shocking ,,, i an abouotey gutted , swift attitude is to apologise well words are cheep!"!!!!!!!

 

[Martin24]

Nothing new there! All manufacturers have issues and apologise (hopefully). At least with mine it's going to the factory for it's work to be done.

 

[otherclive]

My Series 5 Pageant Bordeaux had to have its whole front and rear panles replaced under warranty due to stress cracks on the roof seals allowing water to enter. The repairs were done to meet our schedule and so ffar 4 years down the line the new procedure for the seals seems to have done the trick. But it is disappointing that when you shell out so much the same problems seem to crop up. I feel that for several makes the 10 year warranty has not really tackled the underlying issue of design and manufacturing quality. And of course we all pay for the warranty via the original outlay, yet few keep the van long enough for it to make any real difference.

 

[Rita1]

7 year old "Avondale" dry

 

[DerekBrad]

I am amazed that this old problem keeps cropping up.There must be something that is inherently flawed in the methods employed in the manufacture of a caravan. Many quality cars cost less than a new caravan and we don't hear of modern cars leaking (memories of the early Minis!)
I would have thought that the major makers would have collectively employed a professional design consultant to try to solve this problem once and for all, but maybe the solution is at hand but proves too expensive to put into practice. Personally, I think the answer lies in the lack of rigidity in a caravan body compared to a car or van, which allows flexing at the seams and breakdown of the seal, but I am just a humble old fellow with no technical qualifications.

 

[Martin24]

Actually I quite expect our brand new £34k car to start leaking at some point, well before we sell it. The damp is not always due to the techniques of manufacture but to component parts, faulty sealants. faulty panels etc which often don't come to light until some time down the line. Having said that things are generally (in MHO) are improving!

 

[otherclive]

Yes Martin
but you would be disappointed if it did'nt leak would'nt you. After all its a Defender but their strong point is what comes in will go out!!! I guess the new DC100 will have a nice hole in the roof with a transparent plastic tube running into the car and non return valve so you can let the water out to meet your own schedule!! LOL

 

[Dustydog]

Could not believe that my 11th month old van had 40% damp, Swift have reconsised that there is an issue but it still does not make the situation any better 23K on a caravan with 40% damp on it;s first sevice ... Shocking ,,, i an abouotey gutted , swift attitude is to apologise well words are cheep!"!!!!!!!

Tony
It's the same old issue.
A poor system of check and supervision and the operatives working on piecework remuneration.
You only need one person to miss a bit of sealant, well you know the rest.
Until a foolproof QA / QC system is implemented at all caravan manufacturers your type of problem will not disappear.
I hope Swift fix it properly for you.

 

[MichaelE]

My friends Sterling had his first service and had damp, they said it was because he had a Fiamma Caravanstore fitted as this was causing the awning rail to pull down so wouldnt be covered by the warranty,he burst out laughing asked why by the service manager he told them that it was bought and fitted by them that very morning.
Result was a very embarressed and sheepish service manager damp resolved under warranty and a discount on his service.

 

[Raywood]

It is appalling that a caravan leaks to that extent but Swift seem no worse than the rest. Glad to say our four year old Avondale was still Ok when serviced earlier this year.