Bailey Ranger Front Panel Splitting !!

[Mike_5041040]

Was horified at the weekend to discover a 2cm split in the front panel of our 11 month Ranger. It was right on the top edge near where it joins the roof. Fortunately the dealer is going to have it repaired properly ( New front panel Fitted ) at the factory and not just fill it. I was more worried about the water ingress and future damp problems than the cosmetics of it.

Has anyone else had a similar problem and if so was it successfuly repaired ?

Thanks,

Mike.

 

[vauxhall2]

hi,sorry about your trouble,we have the ranger 500/5.thanks for the warning.i will have a look at ours.its a 2003 model.let us know how you go on.

 

[yvonne6]

we have a 550/6 and havent noticed anything untoward but shall give it a good old check over at the weekend and report back. we couldnt get our spare wheel back into the front locker without a bit of brut force, has anybody else had the prob. on the whole i love my van to bits!!

yvonne

 

[Keith_5086839]

Yes I have seen similar articles in other forums, it seems to me that we suffer from built in obsolesces. In other words just to last the warranty out. In your case it did not last the distance. And yes my caravan went back to Factory for repair (Not Bailey) I lost the use of my van for 1 year. Now the good news, I sold my van after many years of use, damp free due to the good belt and braces repair.

 

[Alan_5064227]

Hi Mike

Had a similar problem with a 3 month old Abbey (stress cracking) around gas locker and also along front panel / roof line, like yours. Ended up with 30+ cracks along this joint. Like yours the dealer had a new front end fitted (insist on this). After a long wait for the suppliers approval and a new panel, it ended up a good job, no signs of leaking or damp. Make sure you ask for a FOC damp check a couple of months after the job has been done and the van has been towed a couple of times. 12 months on after the new front fitted and I have had no further problems with mine. It was a bit of a worry at the time so I hope you have a similar happy ending. Good luck.

 

[Paul_5064559]

Hello Mike, Have 2.5 year old Compass from new. First year noticed hairline cracks had appeared around offside Frt grab handle where meets the front panel. Included this in my warranty complaints list. Shortly after dealer told me a specialist from panel manufacturer Lamplast wd call to inspect. Gent arrived and told me problem was caused in assembly of van where the supporting brackets to the grab hnds were stressed when tightening and said problem had been highlighted to Explorer. He effected a surface repair of sorts on the faulty area but warned me to watch the spot in case these cracks went right thro the pnl which wd mean they would break out again. Sure enough a year later (this year) they emerged again which led me to make another claim. In October the van went back Explorer who fitted a new Frt pnl. Other than ask for proof of 2005 service (which I thought was a bit off and had no bearing on complaint) I have to say dealer (Wanderhome) and Explorer were co-operative. Van was only away 4 weeks. Don't know if all is now well until my van comes out of store for next season but I will make sure I have 2006 service well before warranty runs out in May and ensure there is no damp, then I will get rid of van........

PS. I seen earlier posts which seem to suggest Avondale have a bit of a history for this type of fault as well.

Best of luck

 

[paul_5064112]

Yes, I have just found two cracks on the rear panel of my Avondale Dart.One of the cracks has widened into a hole. I was shocked to see this as on our last outing in October all was well. Cant do anything today as a Bank holiday but will be onto dealer first thing tomorrow.

 

[Pete_5041298]

Yvonne - we used to have the same problem getting the sparein and out. We couldn't tow withe the spare in the locker - it made the noseweight way too high. We ended up buying a spare wheel carrier from Alko. Maybe its just me but by putting that weight so low down seems to have transformed the handling - its much better now?

 

[Bri2]

Just found stress cracks on my front panel thats letting in water both sides. Confirmed by a Bailey Service agent. See my post. looks like its a problem with some of the early ABS front panels. Mine is on top so not easy to see unless you have a close look. Going to check the back also when the rain stops!!!!!!!

Brian