Coachman Back Panel Bonding Advice Please

[KGr]

Hi all Happy Friday
I would really appreciate some advice regarding a back panel fix for a 2024 Coachman caravan. The back panel is overly flexible and Coachman have acknowledged this. Coachman say the back panel hasn't been bonded properly and if this was addressed the tension in the panel would return to what is normal. Does anyone have any experience of this and would a new back panel factory fitted or the repair fix done in the factory be a better long term solution. The dealer has said as it stands at the minute it shouldn't cause any problems if we leave it as is.
Is this a big issue really or a minor one, I don't know are there any longer term issues that might arise from this.
Poor quality I feel from Coachman who advertise 'caravans being rigorously tested and fully bonded'
Many Thanks

 

[Buckman]

Hi all Happy Friday
I would really appreciate some advice regarding a back panel fix for a 2024 Coachman caravan. The back panel is overly flexible and Coachman have acknowledged this. Coachman say the back panel hasn't been bonded properly and if this was addressed the tension in the panel would return to what is normal. Does anyone have any experience of this and would a new back panel factory fitted or the repair fix done in the factory be a better long term solution. The dealer has said as it stands at the minute it shouldn't cause any problems if we leave it as is.
Is this a big issue really or a minor one, I don't know are there any longer term issues that might arise from this.
Poor quality I feel from Coachman who advertise 'caravans being rigorously tested and fully bonded'
Many Thanks

Make sure you put your concerns in writing to a dealer so that you have proof at a later stage should the situation get worse. When did you take delivery of the caravan?

 

[otherclive]

Nice comment by Coachman who are generally thought to be somewhat higher quality than other British makes. Hopefully they never decide to branch out into aero composites as most wings already look too flexible for my liking. Not knowing what a repair could involve I think I would prefer a whole new panel installed. this should not be happening in 2024, after all complete rear panels are not new.

 

[KGr]

Make sure you put your concerns in writing to a dealer so that you have proof at a later stage should the situation get worse. When did you take delivery of the caravan?

Thanks for replying. It was March 2024

 

[Buckman]

Thanks for replying. It was March 2024

When did you contact them about the issue as the caravan could still be within the 6 month CRA 2015 window? The 6 month window from date of delivery allows you to give the dealer one chance at a repair before rejecting the caravan or claiming compensation. In this case as the issue was there from day one, you will have no difficulty with a claim even after 6 months.

 

[Hutch]

I would go with a new panel , done by Coachman in Hull. I had a new rear panel on my 560 /4 done in 2016, and they totally resealed all joints. Battery box toilet cassette box etc.

 

[Buckman]

I would go with a new panel , done by Coachman in Hull. I had a new rear panel on my 560 /4 done in 2016, and they totally resealed all joints. Battery box toilet cassette box etc.

Would it need a new back panel as the OP read as if the rear panel has not bonded correctly and the rear panel itself may be okay? However if it flexing that much, cracks may probably occur within the short term.

 

[Dustydog]

I’m with Hutch on this one. This is a very new caravan. If the rear panel has put been bonded correctly how can the binding agent be added correctly with the panel in situ. Removing it will in itself cause damage.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Firstly,
You did not ask to purchase a faulty product. so why should you accept one, especially as the manufacturer has declared to be faulty.
Legally the dealer is at fault under Trading Standards and the Consumer Rights Act for selling a defective product.

Secondly,
You have paid full price for a faulty product!

Thirdly,
Consider when you come to try and sell the caravan, if the panel was not bonded just think how that is going to devalue the caravan.

Fourthly,
If it's not bonded properly, that means its going to be more mobile and more likely to become physically and visibly damaged, possibly allowing water in and causing internal damage, and it further devalues the product.

Read up about the Consumer Rights Act, and see why you should be rejecting the caravan either for an undamaged replacement or a full refund

Information about the CRA here