Caravan Servicing !!

[andyp1]

A 'friend' of mine works at a large 'reputable' caravan dealership - he is one of the workshop technicians.

He has told me some of the stories that go on when servicing some of the vans and i have no reason to doubt him.

Basically, the vans get minimal attention - they will look at something if reported faulty but generally little else, customers are paying good money for very little.

Fortunately this dealership is too far away for me to use - however i will be getting my van serviced in March - mainly, to be honest, to protect the water ingress warranty - I am now wondering how widespread this attitude/theft is within other dealerships?

The dealership i bought my van from has closed and not sure who to trust?

Maybe I am becoming paranoid.

Andy

 

[GeorgeandAde]

Yes ive heard of such stories from servicing at dealerships.

I always use a reputable mobile caravan servicing company.

The chap even invites me to watch while he carries out his work.

Worth every penny,cheaper than taking it to a dealer,i can actually see the work being done, and well worth giving him a tip after hes finished.

 

[SteveW77]

The first thing that come into my mind, is why is your friend still working there. Has he/she no pride in their own work.

I left a Vauxhall main dealers in my area, because I got fed up of hearing people complain about the standard of work they had received. I worked in the commercial section where you had to sign the service sheet and it had to be kept in the truck.If the ministry found a fault on the vehicle when it was on the road, they came and ask the fitter involved for an explanation.

Steve w

 

[andyp1]

The first thing that come into my mind, is why is your friend still working there. Has he/she no pride in their own work.

I left a Vauxhall main dealers in my area, because I got fed up of hearing people complain about the standard of work they had received. I worked in the commercial section where you had to sign the service sheet and it had to be kept in the truck.If the ministry found a fault on the vehicle when it was on the road, they came and ask the fitter involved for an explanation.

Steve w

It's an easy job with no pressure (his words) and you are right neither himself or the other 2 technicians take much pride in what they do !!

Andy

 

[joeby]

bad workmanship is spread across everything ,when i last had my caravan serviced , i found one of the nuts from the outlet where pressurise the gas system laying on the floor ,when i have had my car serviced ,it normally comes out worse than when it went in , even our health service is just as bad , just look at Stafford on the news tonight , and baby P a few years back ,you can find it every where

 

[Gagakev]

Agree with Adrian see if you can find a recommended mobile engineer

don't do what I first did, used a neighbours relative who was alledgelly a qualified engineer, paid for full service and awning rail reseal, to cut a long story short 6 weeks later it went to main dealer for another service!! I know I paid twice but my mind was at rest.And I'm still paying now, (see photo's in Technical section under Hidden Screws posting)and this is after the alleged reseal.

Kev

 

[Guest]

Let us not get too carried away. Firstly, it is not really a caravan service you are getting per se, apart from the brake drums being removed and cleaned. Mostly it is a check that all equipment is working correctly, and of course a damp check. Only if you request, and pay for it, will specific items be removed and worked on. Of course if the normal checks reveal any faults then you will be notified and remedial work can be agreed.

Most people get the annual 'service' done to keep their warranty in place, and as in my case, it is always a good idea to have someone else have a look at your van as they may see things you have missed.

I accept that their will be 'good and bad' Companies, as with anything, but in the main most do what is required. I have no complaints about my 'local' dealer even though I did not get my van from them. They did everything agreed and a few other things I requested, and the final bill was perfectly acceptable.

 

[Gagakev]

Scotch Lad

apart from the brake drums being removed and cleaned

Exactly my point,took my wheels off previous evening and checked the one shot nuts, came back with the same nuts on without even being removed. Confronted the so called engineer and he actually agreed he had'nt even removed the wheels!! He did do it then,

also the main dealer service pointed out TWO out of date tyres and the gas connection pipe (to bottle) was out of date.

All I am saying is choose carefully

Kev

 

[Guest]

Removal of the drums is not always part of the deal. On my 1st service for example the dealer told me it was normal practice to merely blow them out, and adjust, as the van was so new.

Pretty much the same as with anew car, and now you know why they give you the 1st service free?

Again, prior to booking in, ask for details of what is to be done, and if you wish more, then tell them so.

The average price is about

 

[Gagakev]

Sorry didnt explain myself properly,

as the van was 12 years old when I brought it I did ask him to do a brake check, and to see if the pads needed changing.

 

[dougie_374468830]

If you are using an approved workshop part of the AWs service sheet is to remove drums,clean and check bearing and seals.

I did a service today in about 3" of snow. The service itself took around six hours as the owner was interested in how his caravan works as well as regular stops for coffee or soup to keep us warm. Although he was frozen and wet he felt he had good value as he had seen what had been done and hadnt felt awkward about asking questions