Chocolate Teapot Coachman

[Paul_5041263]

Just collected our sleek new 2015 Coachman VIP 4060. Must say after a week on the drive getting to know the new van am NOT too impressed so far.
First off this van has a solar panel fitted to the roof to supply a trickle charge to the battery. The dealer and the manual stressed the need to disconnect if the battery is removed, However don't look around for an isolating switch because you will look in vain, so you have to dive into the bed box, find and remove the fuse situated under the solar panel control box instead! So with an abundance of LCD lights, screens dimmer switch's or whatever they have dressed this van up with the manufacturer apparently cannot manage a simple on off switch in a suitably accessible position.
Then there is the matter of the radio that cannot be turned off. All that is said in the manual is "switch on the ignition" which would be fine if this were a car but its not so how is the radio to be switched on/off? Answers on a postcard perhaps. My solution was to remove the front panel which at least removes the lights which show from the locker front. Maybe wire cutters would do the trick with a roll of insulation tape for when we want reconnect it!
But perhaps I was expecting too much for my 22+ grand.......

 

[Damian]

I assume, maybe wrongly, that you did actually look at the van before buying and asked the relevant questions before parting with your money or taking delivery???

 

[waffler]

When ones reads others posts about build quality, damp, fridge fires etc your comments don't seem that serious. The fuse is under the bed box but that box is gas strutted so should lift easily. The radio can be switched off. Go into main menu and switch power saving on, then press the on/off button. Of course you have to do this every time out as the radio is wired through the master to save battery when not in use. Have you tried the tv aerial yet? Now that might interest you. To put things in perspective friends with a new non-Coachman out for the first weekend had trouble with the bed- kept collapsing each time pulled out. Another non- Coachman where the kitchen units have pulled off the wall- new van as well.

 

[Raywood]

It is bad design although I would not regard it as the worst I have seen or experienced.
Our Lunar has a similar radio but when the caravan is not in use I use the master switch so it is off anyway. The main design fault we have is the front locker fouls the jockey wheel when you open it unless the jockey wheel is set very low.
Our last caravan had its switch for the water heater lost under the bed so you had to crawl under to switch it on in a morning.
I am still at a loss to understand why we have underslung spare wheels when the Avondale solution of an underfloor storage point made it easier and safer to reach, kept it clean and safe from theft.
Not sure the manufacturers think these things through or test the prototypes enough.

 

[Gabsgrandad]

Proto types? - I bet there aren't many of those! - Unless there's a radical design change. I would reckon most of the changes happen on the drawing board, (move bits around a bit!) - theory - it worked before, just put it somewhere else? - Jig it, build it, sell it. - Move on to next years rejigging. When the designers/draughtsmen start caravanning you might stand a chance of getting rid of alot of the nonsense!

 

[JTQ]

"Designers", are there any?
I thought they were simply "stylists" with at best an arts degree, though possibly it is "best" without one!

 

[madeleine]

OH YES-------- Now dont get me started on the tv!!
Going into our second year and I think weve managed a good picture on 3 sites ( one in France)!!