Devastated

[Surfer]

We have had our caravan up for sale and had some inquiries. The first viewer couldn't meet our price. The second person who viewed it was very impressed and gave us the deposit straight away after a thorough check. Didn't quibble about the price. It was agreed that we would tow the caravan to a seasonal site about 25 miles away Saturday gone or yesterday.

Hooked up yesterday and towed the caravan to the site and started setting up waiting their arrival. I then noticed a piece of plastic lying on the floor by the doorway. I thought that it must have been stuck on my shoe when I walked into the caravan and continued with setting it up.

The wife then noticed that the caravan seemed a bit breezy and on looking up noticed that the skylight was missing. It seems that it blew off on our trip to the site.

We can only surmise that the first viewer opened the skylight and then never closed it properly by latching it down. The second buyer would not have been able to reach the skylight catches.

As we had towed it to the storage originally, when we hooked up to take it to the buyer's site, we never checked to make sure that it was totally closed as we assumed nothing had changed since putting it in storage. Big mistake!

The buyer accepted that accidents happen and still wants the caravan as they say it is the best that they have seen considering it is 5 years old. I suppose a bit of a compliment to us.

We managed to contact the service department at Chichester caravans in Bromsgrove yesterday and spoke with the MD who said that he would personally wait for us to bring back the caravan and that they would put it in under cover storage. He also indicated that they may be able to have the skylight replaced by the end of the week. So hopefully good news there.

What a day and never want to repeat it again!

 

[Parksy]

Hi Ian

Sorry to hear about the problem, these things happen.

It sounds as though you are in the Midlands if you are taking the caravan to Chichester in Bromsgrove.

There are heavy showers predicted for the West Midlands later today so make sure that the rooflight is covered at least by a plastic sheet to prevent rainwater entering the caravan and causing even more problems.

Skylight's are not exclusive to any one make of caravan,Towsure in Halesowen sell a range of different types and they are not difficult to fit,

Good Luck

 

[Surfer]

The dealer put it straight inside their workshop when we delivered to them yesterday. So 10 out of 10 for Md who stayed on waiting for su to deliver.

 

[Parksy]

Well done to Chichester Caravans, it's always nice to read about it when service 'over and above etc' is offered.

I'm sure that the skylight will be as good as new and the buyers will be happy with the caravan.

Are you replacing your caravan with another model?

 

[Surfer]

We would love to but circumstances are against us so we need to give up caravanning for awhile.

 

[JandP]

Hi Ian, sorry to hear about your problem but it looks like its going to be ok for you. This has happened to me twice but it was an older caravan and the failure was due to the plastic ageing not the roof light being left open. We bought the van in Weymouth and by the time we got to Swanage it had gone! I made a tempory cover out of a wire basket inside a bin bag and it worked very well except when it got windy in the night (the weather ,not me!) and it buzzed like a demented Bee. Easy diy job to replace it and as a precaution I thought I would also change the other one. Bought the part but never got around to fitting it until we when away and, well you can guess what happened. Probably the best emergency cover would be an umbrella but I didnt think of that at the time. Jim.

 

[Steve L]

That is bad luck Ian, but at least your service center are on the ball.

Ther are some genuine folks out there.

I didn't meet any on my trip out to Slough from Leominster to look at a supposed good car. The one with a broken bumper trim and a bonnet that doen't sit in line with the wing. But it hasn't been in an accident. If my seller was pinocio he would have a 4 mtr nose.

So better luck soon I hope M8.

All the best, Steve L.

 

[starlightdj]

Hi no concelation but travelled to wales last weekend, along the a55 counted four skylights along the side of the road.

bigger issue than people think.

Cheers

John

 

[wends64]

I don't think I could count the number of times I have flashed lights at, succesfully communicated to drivers pulling caravans that their skylights or windows are open. Also ignored by many. sometimes think it would be useful to carry a small dry wipe board in car to tell drivers.

Never done it myself but have left battery door open, luckily spotted in mirror when changing lanes - no damage.