Dithering!

[Martyn_374542202]

Hello all,

Having been a caravanner in the past (Dethleffs, Coachman and Ace)we are returning to it now the family have grown and almost left home (they keep coming back!!).

We are dithering about choosing a caravan. We intend to buy in the Spring and are going to the NEC (again) to look at the Bailey Olympus, having been impressed by the Pegasus at the last show. We are after a (4 berth) fixed bed, transverse bathroom van as we may be taking our youngest (16) for a year or two on holidays. We looked at a Swift at the weekend and, because it was parked next to the Pegasus at the dealers, went off the Pegasus. Build quality doesn't seem to match up. Any other suggestions to try and resolve our indecision would be gratefully accepted!!

 

[STEVE_5041381]

Does the fact that the Swifts "build quality" overule the worry about possible future water ingress and all the hassle and cost

incurred at a later date ?.

 

[MichaelE]

Steve you make it sound that all Swifts suffer from water ingress which is simply not true.

 

[NigelHutson]

Michael,

I couldn't agree more. I've had four Swift built caravans, and not one of them has leaked, nor fallen to bits. We made the mistake of buying a new Lunar last year (Lexon SE) which has been much more trouble than it's worth. It has been returned to the factory today (not the dealer) to have leaks(S) attended to. The Leaky Lunar lives on. On Bailey's, I know it's personal choice, but I think that the Pegasus is such a horrible looking thing that I would give up caravanning before I have one of those!

 

[machighlander]

in my humble opinion martyn ( im the neewbie in here ) you will find faults that some folks have come across in every manufacturer, i dont see the point of labelling certain ones as some do. it's your choice buddy, gid luck.

 

[Chrissylizzie]

I agree with highlander. ALL makes of caravans can suffer with water ingress and it is very bad luck if the one we buy is a bad model. We have a 'leaky Lunar' which has just had it's three year damp check and it was all clear. I do feel that this is really as it should be, but we all know that doesn't mean that it always is the case. Trust your instincts about all features of the van you like and keep your fingers crossed which is what we all have to do in reality.

 

[Martyn_374542202]

I agree with highlander. ALL makes of caravans can suffer with water ingress and it is very bad luck if the one we buy is a bad model. We have a 'leaky Lunar' which has just had it's three year damp check and it was all clear. I do feel that this is really as it should be, but we all know that doesn't mean that it always is the case. Trust your instincts about all features of the van you like and keep your fingers crossed which is what we all have to do in reality.

Thanks for the advice.. I will go to the show and decide on the day! I was sent a email from Bailey today with the Olympus brochure link. I looks very much like the Pegasus but narrower!!

Dithering on!!

 

[Mel]

I can say with confidence that 100% of the Swifts I have owned have leaked from brand new. OK I have only owned the one, but if it is damp yet again on its forthcoming 3rd annual service its either a pegasus next time. Shame really. If you are following this thread Andy or Ash go and tell the MD that its not blinkin good enough.

mel

 

[machighlander]

"can say with confidence that 100% of the Swifts I have owned have leaked from brand new. OK I have only owned the one",

that comment right there just back up what chrissy and i have already said.

 

[Mel]

Exactly my point highlander. You can be unlucky with any manufacturer. That thought does not make it any less inconvenient (polite choice of words) when one has to trail back and forth to the service place and have the poorly manufactured (more polite choice of words)van off the road. It does make it more likely tht future purchases will be of a different build style and not from the same, less than diligent (extremely polite use of words) manufacturer. Even though other manufacturers could be equally lacking in quality control. (extreme restraint in choice of words).

mel

 

[MikeA]

I can play this game too.

100% of the Explorer Group vans we have owned leaked (sample of one.) 100% of the Bailey Caravans we have owned leaked, (also sample of one). 100% of Lunar caravans we have owned did not leak (sample of two). The Deanline Rambler didn't leak either.

BUT, both the Explorer Group van and the Bailey van were and are really good caravans. The damp was detected and new back ends put on each by their respective dealers with the minimum of fuss, to a convenient timescale and we quickly forgot about the issue. I would have no problem buying a van made by either manufacturer. In fact we went to the NEC show last October expecting to buy either a Bailey or an Elddis. We have eventually settled on a Swift, our first, and I hope that it will turn out to be the first of the 21st century not to leak. But if it does, I still don't expect it to be an epic problem.

Cheers

Mike A

 

[Dustydog]

Martyn

I fully agree with Mike A's advice. For every bad apple there's always a batch of good ones.

My best advice is just be certain you buy from a decent dealer who will attend to any problems painlessly and without quibble.

There are three / four excellent dealers within a 50 mile radius of me and of course we have our "resident" friends in Blackburn.

Whereabouts are you? I'm sure recommendations , no names, will come flying in!

Cheers

Dustydog

 

[Martyn_374542202]

Thanks for all the debate!! I am near Hull East Yorks, and having taken on board the need for a decent dealer, wonder if anyone has had local dealings or whether a trip elsewhere would be best!! Thanks again, Martyn.

 

[Moonstone1]

Hi Martyn

We also bought at the NEC (like Mike A) and we bought a Swift. Personal choice, but after having 2 Avondales and 1 Fleetwood, all of which were great build quality and no leads, but unfortunately both went bust. Had looked at Elldis but their build quality was rubbish compared to Swift. Don't like the look of the Baileys at all, not our taste.

Two extra deciding factor for the Swift was

1. They are in Hull (the same as us) and we are providing jobs for our area in a time of recession.

2. Swift are visible on a lot of forums, and offer oustanding customer service and advice which counts for a lot these days.

Hopefully we won't have any problems with our new van, but only used it once so far since getting it in November.

 

[Chrissylizzie]

Hi Martyn

Going to the show is a good idea, even if you do not buy from there. The main benefit is that you can walk round and go from van to van comparing each whilst they are all still fresh in your mind. Good luck and let us know your eventual decision.

 

[Parksy]

This might be an opportune moment to point out to Martyn and anyone else seeking advice as to the 'best' caravan or manufacturer that forums such as this one usually contain posts from members who have had problems with their caravans.

No matter what make of caravan you choose Martyn there will always be somebody who will give reasons why they wouldn't have made the same choice.

Not many of us who are entirely satisfied think of putting a post on a caravan forum to report that their caravan lived up to or exceeded their expectations and they have had no problems at all.

In reality the overwhelming majority of caravan buyers, the 'silent majority'- have no problems and we never hear from them on forums.

As Dustydog pointed out, a good relationship with a reputable caravan dealer will ensure that your experience in buying a new caravan is and remains a positive one.

On this forum the public 'naming and shaming' of dealers/ service providers who's service has fallen below acceptable standards is not allowed for a variety of reasons.

We are always more than happy for the names of dealers who consistently provide good service to appear on the forum, recommendations by those who have had good service are informative and welcome.

It would also be good to read about how different caravan layouts and designs work for our members who own different makes of caravan, is a bed too small or uncomfortable, is an end washroom big enough, are there enough 240v sockets, tv points or worktops?

That's the sort of thing that can influence a buyer, we could all report that a caravan that we once bought was damp - I certainly could!

 

[Mel]

I totally agree with what Parksy and everyone else is saying, that there will be poor examples from any caravan manufacturer and that posts on any forum are skewed towards complaints. But if we take Mike A's post who is not moaning, in fact is very positive, as a small sample then 40% of the vans he has owned regardless of manufacturer, have leaked. This is not OK. Of course we cannot take this tiny sample as representative of the entire caravan market, but I assume that Swift or Bailey or Lunar or Ediss or whoever will know how many of their vans have needed damp work while still under warranty. If you give Ash the chassis number he can track parts etc, so the info must be there. Hence there should be objective evidence somewhere of which manufacturers produce the least leaky vans. Doubt anyone is going to publish it though.

mel

 

[STEVE_5041381]

Sorry didnt quite phrase my reply as I should have done -

it should have meant -

Do you want to take the risk of a possible leak in the future

(as with any conventional built caravan) or do you want to

have a "supposedly" leakproof caravan which is the biggest curse of caravans ? and if sales suffer on convential built

caravans manufacturers could all change to the alu-tec type build in the near future.

 

[Mikey1]

Nobody knows if the Bailey way of building is the way to go?

You can do lots of testing but in the field its a different story,only time will tell if Baileys have issues?

 

[ANDREW_374368566]

There is no such thing as a non-leaking caravan, some vans I have come across of 18 years are bone dry and still offering excellent service. As soon as you put a roof vent, Heater flu, TV aerial on any caravan roof you have a leak potential. So dont take everything to seriously - if you think about it, if caravans didnt ever leak again and didnt wear out-not many people would replace them or if they did it would be at a slower rate - hence new caravan sales would flounder. You can test on tracks over ramps but it is the end user who actually does the testing - over several years. Leaving caravans under trees (sap attcks any caravan seals no matter how good) vans jacked up with more pressure on one side than the other - distorts the body that sort of thing. Sam Alper of Sprite tested his products in all sorts of terrain and sure they passed with flying colours - but ageing on components and this includes the most high tech seals and vans will less screw holes than others still see wear and tear takes its toll. So the question of the Swift build or Lunar build (tried and tested construction) leaking really doesnt stand up. caravans if serviced on a regular basis and looked after should last 20 plus years and longer as some caravans seen around on site confirm. In the end its down to style and practicality and low running costs as well as value. Go for what you like - thats the main thing

 

[NigelHutson]

Martyn,

I know they're across the Humber from you, but I've had my last five caravans from Couplands' Caravans at Louth who have always looked after me very well. They sell Bailey, Stirling and Bessacar (their own brand based upon Swift) at Louth, but Peter Coupland also owns Baryford Leisure at Lincoln who sell Couchman, Swift and Lunar.

I have no connection with this Company, other than being a very satisfied customer of theirs - it's just the latest bodge by Lunar that's been my problem!

Nigel.

 

[Heethers]

Martyn we had the Ace Brightstar made by Swift 2002 model no sign of water ingression when we traded it in for the Ace Firestar in October 08, just hope Firestar is as good.

As far as l am concerned the Jury is still out on the Pegasus, if you want that 10 year warranty you have to pay for it in extra servicing costs you get six years with the other Manufacturers by then l would have probably traded it in.

NigelH