Avondale Dart 556-6

[Elie_5064624]

Hi, after years of tenting and trailer-tenting we've taken the plunge and ordered our first caravan -a 6 berth Avondale Dart, 2006 model- It seems a very nice entry-level van, but, since we're new to this business can anyone tell us what they think of their Avondale Dart, and any weak points we should look out for? Our delivery date is the firt week in March.

Many thanks,

Elie

 

[Viking1]

Elie

We got one. We got ours just over a year back. It was our fist caravan so just like you not quite shore if we had pick right as we seemed to just look at caravans to see what they were like.

We used ours a lot seen we had it. Had so good times in it as well.

One thing to look out for is were the spare wheel fits the bit of floor that coves it can go soft. Just take it back to your dear and he shod fix it for you.

That all I can think of.

Happy caravanning

Mark

 

[Fastcat]

Hi Elie,

We also have an Avondale Dart, although its a dealer special which just means that the dealer puts extras on it like alloy wheels, different carpets, curtains, etc. W bought ours last December, 2004 model, we were like you and just looked around until we found a van that we liked, we were actually discussing our caravan only this morning about all the great times we have out in it this year alone and can't wait to go away in it again, can honestly say that we feel that we bought the right van and can't fault it at all, hope you enjoy it as much as we do, happy caravanning.

 

[sandra purdy]

Have you read the post on the general site currently page 6 entitled cracking panels, this seams to be a cause for concern - this is our story. We had a 2004 556-6 which we purchased new in July 2004. At first service the damp reading was 60 (cause for concern on a reading of 24 or more according to an independant specialist!!). On checking further the rear panel was cracked hence the water ingress. Christine at Avondale did not want to know and told us to contact the dealer. We were offered an under warranty repair, but after a lot of thought and handing over a further

 

[martin_5096754]

Hi, we have had a 2002 556, and it was faultless. We had crazing of the rear panel but not cracked and showing no signs of damp.

Enjoyed every minute of the van and used it every weekend from march to september last year with no problems.

Reluctantly let it go this month to get a new layout (rear bedroom) to get some peace from the kids.

 

[Julie_5040500]

Hi

My 2004 Avondale as been returned from the manafacturer today after 7 weeks with a reinforced floor and 2 new panels. It still has quite a few thing to be done at the dealer under warranty. Im lucky my dealer has been brilliant and not quibbled over anything but ther are other on this forum tyhat can't get the workd done. Beware and I would ask your dealer about these cracks, it is still happening.

 

[Pelyma1]

My parents'Avondale Osprey has the cracking panels too, Avondale do not want to know and neither does the dealer. An expert has looked at the van yesterday and has found that the front lights are the cause in part. They have a lug that locates into a depression on the front panel, but the depression is not there thus causing a pressure point. The van has cracks along the roof up from the awning rail, this seems to be by the fixings. Avondales warranty does not cover cracks in the panels after the first year unless there is water ingress. Of course you don't know that until you've bought it. If anyone is going to watchdog please let me know as my parents would love to tell Mr Avondale and the waste of space dealer in Nottinghamshire what they think of them.

 

[Julie_5040500]

Hi

we've collected our van today, all the jobs we have been done at the factory and not the dealer. We were very shocked when the dealer pointed out that instead of replacing the panels like they were going to do the have plastic welded them. They look good at the moment but he feels sure the problem will occur again, so I am waiting for the inevitable. Well the floor is another story, in the word of the dealer its a load of crap, they have put some kind of board over the weak area, so we now have a raised part the shape of the board under the carpet. The floor is still spongy, I will be putting a letter in the post and paying a visit to trading standards. Is there anybody that you can contact to inspect the work and give an opinion of wether they think the work is upto standard. It's no good going to another Avondale dealer because some of them obviously are up there A****, where the sun don't shine. I mentioned to my dealer about the previous case and he couldn't understand why it's not being repaired under warranty, he felt sure they would do the work.