Coachman Amara 500/5

[Tim_5120839]

I purchased a Coachman Amara 500/5 last year and we did so because we had heard how good the build quality was.Our 11 months of ownership have thrown upquite a few defects, anyone else outh there had similiar problems with build quality ???

Thanks Tim

 

[wombat1]

I took delivery of the 2007 version the 550/5 in February. We've been away for a total of 12 consecutive nights now, no problems to report so far.

 

[Alexander_374295091]

We bought a 2006 Highlander 500/5 and is almost a year old now, we have had no problems with the van apart from the water pump broken a month ago, replaced by my dealer as under a year old. We got a crack on one of the little front windows, and it was replaced, the replacement had a slightly different shade to the rest on the van, something to do with fading due to UV. Coachman got polyplastics to supply the other two at no cost to me. Would highly recommend a coachman van. You should phone Coachman direct and talk to Trevor Baxter about your problems.

What are your defects ?

 

[Tim_5120839]

Alexander, thanks for the reply. The main problems are as follows:- C.D Player display does not work properly, whenever I go away in Van we get a gathering of saw dust around bathroom area which is falling from around bathroom cabinets.I have glue marks on interior door which won't come off. Both magnetic catches in Bathroom came off (I fixed them) The plastic catch that holds back sliding door is cutting into the door, I have had to put some tape over this for now and it is an eye sore.The edging to my small drop down telivision table is missing.The wheel arch near side is loose due to screw hols being to near the edge and breaking through. And finally,and this is probably the same on yours, my 8 year old son has no way of getting out of his bunk at night as the ladder will not reach when bottom bed is made up, which in my opinion is badly though out and quite frankly dangerous. I have wrote to Coachman nearly 2 weeks ago and have as yet had no reply.My previous van was a Bailey Discovery, which is a budget/starter van, the build quality of the Coachman is better, with lots more features. However it isn't the best part of

 

[Alexander_374295091]

Tim

I too get sawdust around the toilet sink, I didn't think the bunk ladder would be a problem for us until our little one steped down onto my pregnant wife tummy at the weekend and all hell broke loose, we are sleeping under the bunk at present to save us making up the front bed in the morning. Our bathroom cabinet magnetic catches also had to be stuck back with silicone and by the time we had driven the van home from the dealer the partition door catch had marked the door edge slightly, I caught it in time and put a motorbike tank protector clear sticker over the area to prevent further damage, but a felt pad fitted at the factory would have solved that, with regard to the wood effect trims peeling or come off, you dealer should be able to fix that and replace you CD head unit, I would pay the difference to get the to fit a head unit that also plays DVD's it would save having to plug a seperate one it.

let me know what response you get from Trevor Baxter at Coachman.

 

[Tim_5120839]

Tim

I too get sawdust around the toilet sink, I didn't think the bunk ladder would be a problem for us until our little one steped down onto my pregnant wife tummy at the weekend and all hell broke loose, we are sleeping under the bunk at present to save us making up the front bed in the morning. Our bathroom cabinet magnetic catches also had to be stuck back with silicone and by the time we had driven the van home from the dealer the partition door catch had marked the door edge slightly, I caught it in time and put a motorbike tank protector clear sticker over the area to prevent further damage, but a felt pad fitted at the factory would have solved that, with regard to the wood effect trims peeling or come off, you dealer should be able to fix that and replace you CD head unit, I would pay the difference to get the to fit a head unit that also plays DVD's it would save having to plug a seperate one it.

let me know what response you get from Trevor Baxter at Coachman.

Alexander, Phew bet that hurt ! I have spoken to Spinney Motorhomes about some of the faults and they seem really good.I will have another chat with Trevor Baxter. It is a shame because overall I am happy with the Van, especially the exterior build quality. Will update you when I get some answers.

All the best Tim

 

[S-MaxJon]

Tim

I too get sawdust around the toilet sink, I didn't think the bunk ladder would be a problem for us until our little one steped down onto my pregnant wife tummy at the weekend and all hell broke loose, we are sleeping under the bunk at present to save us making up the front bed in the morning. Our bathroom cabinet magnetic catches also had to be stuck back with silicone and by the time we had driven the van home from the dealer the partition door catch had marked the door edge slightly, I caught it in time and put a motorbike tank protector clear sticker over the area to prevent further damage, but a felt pad fitted at the factory would have solved that, with regard to the wood effect trims peeling or come off, you dealer should be able to fix that and replace you CD head unit, I would pay the difference to get the to fit a head unit that also plays DVD's it would save having to plug a seperate one it.

let me know what response you get from Trevor Baxter at Coachman.

I bought a 2005 model from new and had a few problems.First the gas regulator gave up the ghost - well known problem with all bulk head mounted units.Replace under warranty.

Lock on fridge door sticks and requires screwdriver to prise out.

Lock and barrel on main door were replaced under warranty after barrel broke.

Apart from that We do love the Coachman and the Coachman smell .

Also the spare wheel carrier was part of recall to update to Alko wheel carrier.

 

[Tim_5120839]

I bought a 2005 model from new and had a few problems.First the gas regulator gave up the ghost - well known problem with all bulk head mounted units.Replace under warranty.

Lock on fridge door sticks and requires screwdriver to prise out.

Lock and barrel on main door were replaced under warranty after barrel broke.

Apart from that We do love the Coachman and the Coachman smell .

Also the spare wheel carrier was part of recall to update to Alko wheel carrier.

Jonathon,

Thanks for your comments, I love my Coachman as well its just these few faults and the lack of help from Coachman that have got my goat.Hopefully Spinney Motor caravans will sort out a lot of the faults....watch this space.

Thanks Tim