Challenger 640 2016 cracked GRP

[Dustydog]

Many thanks for the update Andy.
Clearly you are happy with your chosen course of action.Hopefully the repairs will be to your entire satisfaction and have the appropriate long term guarantee.
Equally important is the immediate offer of a total refund by your dealer.
No names but dare I ask roughly where they are?

 

[andyrmanc]

Hi Dustydog,
The dealers are in Blackburn.

 

[Dustydog]

Thanks Andy.
The original company recently acquired by another was I think a past dealer of the year.
Their attitude to you is to be praised.

 

[andyrmanc]

Agreed.

 

[intransient1]

Usually cracking in the gel coat only appears as fine lines.
Your first picture shows what looks like stress fractures where the front panel is attached to the side wall.
I would advise taking your van to the nearest ncc approved workshop that is not a dealership as they are unbiased, for a second opinion.

 

[andyrmanc]

Hi intransient1,

I share your suspicions but the dealers are NCC approved and they have agreed to send photos at all stages and one of them will be to show the full extent of the side crack. They are removing and replacing the awning rail (a new one) in that position to confirm the extent of the crack, be it gel coat or the actual fibre glass. If it proves to be the fibre glass then a full panel replacement maybe necessary. I have also been offered the chance to go and see the work being done at various stages to ease my concerns.