Elddis vs Swift

[Parksy]

Our last two caravans have both been twin axle Ace Supremes.
But we now want a twin axle bunk bed layout with the Alde heating and a decent sized fridge/freezer.
Swift don't do such a layout, but the Elddis Crusader Tempest ticks all the boxes.
Apart from a few problems with the most recent van, we have been very pleased with both the Aces, although I don't think the build quality on the last one was quite as good as the first.
Has anyone out there recently owned both a Swift and an Elddis and how do you rate the quality of both?
We are heading to the NEC to take a good look, but you can't beat getting feedback from real owners
Any feedback is much appreciated.

 

[forestgump]

when you are up there pop into the adria stand.

 

[DomDom]

We had a Swift Conqueror which we changed for an Elddis Crusader. We only changed to get a layout which suited us better. What a let down. The build quality of the Elddis was about the same as the average cereal box, very poor indeed. We only lasted one year with it before changing again, this time for a Coachman. We got the layout we wanted and proper build quality. Would never buy another Elddis to be honest. The Coachman will stay with us for at least 10 years.
I should also point out that we had a string of mechanical issues with the Elddis as well, i.e. not towing straight. It managed to pull a Range Rover (2600 KG) into a full on snake at 52mph despite being within all recommended weights. Allegedly it had the wrong shock absorbers fitted.
Dom.

 

[lohr500]

Hi DonDom,
How does the Coachman compare to the Swift?

 

[MichaelE]

You are really opening up a can worms here asking what people think about certain vans makes etc?
In defence of Elddis,I am on my 3rd Elddis and the only issue i have had was a 240v Fridge element fail, build quality excellent and cannot fault.( there were some issues reported with the twin axle Elddis's towing, but that was years ago!)
I have also owned a Coachman Laser which all i will say didnt live up to the expectency hence why we returned to Elddis's.
Have a good look and buy the van that YOU like as all manufactures have their ups and down.

 

[Martin24]

To get fixed bunks you need to be looking at the Amara 570 or 640 (like mine) which doesn't have the required heating. To get that with a Coachman you need to go to the Laser and lose the fixed bunks (which is what we are doing next year)

 

[MrsSorento]

Duplicate Post

 

[MrsSorento]

We bought a new Swift Charisma 565 and picked it up at Easter. Since then we've been out in a lot quite a few times for long and short holidays and have been quite pelased with it. The build quality is good, so screws suddently appearing. The only slight niggles have been a bathroom door that sticks and the wardrobe lock doesn't behave consistently apart from that no other niggles to report. Our local dealer did an inpsection prior to us picked the van up and had a ordered a new loo seat for us as the one in the van had a mark on it, we still can't tell where it was on the old one! This is our 3rd Swift van and haven't had any other make, we changed it due to the layout being exactly what we were after. Good luck with your decision making!

 

[lohr500]

Hi Martin, I spotted the fact that the Coachman Laser doesn't have bunks, but are there two additional beds that make up above the rear seats to give the 6 births? I guess all will be clear when we see one for real. If this is the case, that layout would still work well for us as we could make up the beds on one side for the kids and leave the other rear seat area in place for daytime use.

 

[Martin24]

That's exactly what we intend to do as the bunks are a little more spacious so as the tiddlypeeps are all growing they'll have more space. we'll then do what we do now and whoever is on the side without bunk above puts their bedding on the bottom bunk for the day. we will miss the end bathroom though! We all fell in love with it at lawns despite me being very anti the new look to start with. If our van had just been a year older we would probably done the deal with Kenmore there and then. As it is we'll wait for next year as not expecting any dramatic changes for a while with the lasers after this year. We have been happy with the 640/6 and the 560/6 before it and although we looked at everything else on offer our preference was definitely to stick with Coachman.

 

[lohr500]

Thanks for the feedback Martin. I have listed our Ace on eBay today as I think if we can sell it privately we can then wait until we find a good deal on whatever we decide to buy. I think we will miss the large rear washroom as well, but the fixed bed layout just hasn't worked with our 8 and 10 year olds. The fixed bed and end washroom eat up space and when it is the kids bed time, we have nowhere to sit other than on the bed. Our previous Ace twin axle had bunk beds and a side washroom, but it didn't have the Alde heating which we wouldn't be without now. Also making up the front bed was always a pain and I never found it comfortable. The sliding frame on the Coachman front bunks looks a much more substantial set up .

I had considered a 5th wheel with a bunk house, but we always cart loads of gear about in the back of the Disco when off for the day from the campsite. Having a pickup to haul a 5th wheel, means no secure storage area for all our bits and pieces.
I did spot a firm importing US caravans with a bunk house and slide out section, but they are dropping the bunk house layout for 2012, and I worry about the back up for such a limited volume, specialist caravan.

Good choice on ordering a 110 by the way! Mrs D won't entertain it, but I keep trying to convince her that a 110 would be far better than the Disco 3.

 

[Martin24]

We test drove the Disco 4 first and decided there was just too much to go wrong!!! It was also just too plush for 5 lots of wellies, two dogs and the bikes! Having had a disco 2 once I always said never again and decided that LR and electrics just don't go together! Looked at virtually all the others and found space for seats 6 and 7 distinctly lacking. The girls aren't going to get any smaller and even the 7 year old found the likes of the XC90 too cramped. swmbo now talking about a five seat 110 county to replace her focus in two years time and that's before the XS has arrived. Has Mrs D driven a 110?? mine keeps on about how much fun it is and that it's proper driving!! If anything it's me that keeps on about no electric seats, wind down windows in the back, the noise and lack of comfort and worst of all a manual gearbox!! the response I keep getting though is but it's FUN

 

[xtrailman]

Our last two caravans have both been twin axle Ace Supremes.
But we now want a twin axle bunk bed layout with the Alde heating and a decent sized fridge/freezer.
Swift don't do such a layout, but the Elddis Crusader Tempest ticks all the boxes.
Apart from a few problems with the most recent van, we have been very pleased with both the Aces, although I don't think the build quality on the last one was quite as good as the first.
Has anyone out there recently owned both a Swift and an Elddis and how do you rate the quality of both?
We are heading to the NEC to take a good look, but you can't beat getting feedback from real owners
Any feedback is much appreciated.

Why buy a caravan with only 6 years warranty?(damp ingress)
When Bailey will give you ten.
The Unicorn has two new layouts for 2012, one may suit your requirements.
Of the others avoid Avondale and Coachman, as they don't use stainless steel awning screws. Swift do.

 

[lohr500]

Hi Martin,
She has driven a 90 County as I had a TD5 version for 3 years. But she has been spoiled by the Disco 3 with all the luxuries like heated seats, auto box, etc. The Disco is a really good vehicle though with tons of space and the benefit of 7 seats when needed.
But it is out of warranty now and I do worry about all the electronics. Knowing LandRovers of old and having spend many a happy hour tracing electrical faults on our Mk1 Disco V8, I am sure the newer ones will suffer the same problems as they age.

3 months out of warranty the top tailgate electric release failed (well known problem). The only way to open the tailgate is to pull apart the bottom section trim from inside the vehicle and remove the actuator motor. I dread to think what would of happened if we had been fully loaded with the kids bikes in the back and all the other gear we cart around with us when caravanning

Oh, and then there was the time when every warning light on the dashboard came on, the suspension dropped to access height and the engine went into limp home mode. I had visions of a new ECU or worse. The cause turned out to be a failed stop tail lamp bulb filament that caused a back feed from the side lights to the brake light circuit. Yhank goodness for the Disco 3 web forum, otherwise that could have been an expensive trip to the stealer.

For fun we also have a Landrover Lightweight with 24v volt elctrics. But that's another story.

I am looking forward to the NEC so we can see what layout options are out there and also to see the Coachman Laser, Lunar Delta & Elddis Crusader in the flesh.

 

[Surfer]

Our last two caravans have both been twin axle Ace Supremes.
But we now want a twin axle bunk bed layout with the Alde heating and a decent sized fridge/freezer.
Swift don't do such a layout, but the Elddis Crusader Tempest ticks all the boxes.
Apart from a few problems with the most recent van, we have been very pleased with both the Aces, although I don't think the build quality on the last one was quite as good as the first.
Has anyone out there recently owned both a Swift and an Elddis and how do you rate the quality of both?
We are heading to the NEC to take a good look, but you can't beat getting feedback from real owners
Any feedback is much appreciated.

Why buy a caravan with only 6 years warranty?(damp ingress)
When Bailey will give you ten.
The Unicorn has two new layouts for 2012, one may suit your requirements.
Of the others avoid Avondale and Coachman, as they don't use stainless steel awning screws. Swift do.

By the same token isn't it the Unicorn that has been having problems with wheels coming off? Hardly a recommendation. Secondly after 3 years you need to take the caravan in for service and then pay extra for them to tighten the bolts on the corner that holds it together. Tough if you have shower in the corner as they cannot do thsoe nuts but will charge you anyway! IMHO I wouild avoid a new Bailey like the plague. The older Baileys were great caravans and well built.

 

[MichaelE]

"Why buy a caravan with only 6 years warranty?(damp ingress)
When Bailey will give you ten."
Yes as long as you get it serviced every year , people moan about the cost getting vans serviced in the first 3 years.
The motor trade is seeing people cut back on car servicing trying to save money and caravan serviving is going the same way.
Proof of this is my local dealer who would never touch my van as i never purchased it from him has asked if i want to book it in?

 

[xtrailman]

All makes of caravans loose wheels.
All makes of caravans require a annual service to maintain the damp warranty.
And of cause no cracked front panels anymore.

 

[Surfer]

All makes of caravans loose wheels.
All makes of caravans require a annual service to maintain the damp warranty.
And of cause no cracked front panels anymore.

But with Bailey it was a common occurence on brand new caravans and Bailey admited that there was a design fault and did a recall. That inherent fault should never have occurred if they had done their research and testing properly.

 

[MichaelE]

All makes of caravans lose wheels. (not as many in such a short time though

and they havent had to issue a recall and fix)
All makes of caravans require a annual service to maintain the damp warranty.(10 years servicing at a cost of £200 plus? Like i said after 3 years the people who get their van serviced annually reduces)

 

[Lutz]

Yes, as wheels coming off cars doesn't appear to be an issue although the same basic design applies as on caravans, it does appear that some caravan manufacturers didn't do their homework.

 

[Essexeddie]

Just sole my Elddis that I had from new and bought a Swift Challenger 570. Cant say that there is a lot of difference between the both in build. I think the Swift seems to tow better, just. Might be because its a newer van [shock absorbers] Not that I have had any problems with the towing, just seems smoother.
We only changed for the layout which is fantastic, we love it. Really is home from home.
We now prefer CL's at £10 per night and use our own washroom.

.

 

[xtrailman]

Our last two caravans have both been twin axle Ace Supremes.
But we now want a twin axle bunk bed layout with the Alde heating and a decent sized fridge/freezer.
Swift don't do such a layout, but the Elddis Crusader Tempest ticks all the boxes.
Apart from a few problems with the most recent van, we have been very pleased with both the Aces, although I don't think the build quality on the last one was quite as good as the first.
Has anyone out there recently owned both a Swift and an Elddis and how do you rate the quality of both?
We are heading to the NEC to take a good look, but you can't beat getting feedback from real owners
Any feedback is much appreciated.

Why buy a caravan with only 6 years warranty?(damp ingress)
When Bailey will give you ten.
The Unicorn has two new layouts for 2012, one may suit your requirements.
Of the others avoid Avondale and Coachman, as they don't use stainless steel awning screws. Swift do.

By the same token isn't it the Unicorn that has been having problems with wheels coming off? Hardly a recommendation. Secondly after 3 years you need to take the caravan in for service and then pay extra for them to tighten the bolts on the corner that holds it together. Tough if you have shower in the corner as they cannot do thsoe nuts but will charge you anyway! IMHO I wouild avoid a new Bailey like the plague. The older Baileys were great caravans and well built.

Yes an unusually large number of wheels detacted in a short period, around ten, most from the same dealer. As a result Bailey have replaced the wheel bolts with a different type. Not had any loose on mine, but i check my own wheel bolts. As caravan wheels, especially the near side ARE prone to coming loose.

Yes you do have to pay more for the 3rd year service to check the bolts, but if you can afford a £15k caravan, then the service works out at little more or less than a 3rd year car service?
The shower wall is removable, its separate from the roof and floor, not joined or welded, so is detachable.

Also i must disagree on your last comment, my advise is avoid old built caravans like the plague, as often the front and rear panels will crack.
My 2004 Vermont was showing two 10mm long cracks on opposite sides, which had appeared over this last winter.

 

[MichaelE]

"Yes you do have to pay more for the 3rd year service to check the bolts, but if you can afford a £15k caravan, then the service works out at little more or less than a 3rd year car service?"

Errmm my car cost over £15k is serviced every 2 years or 20k ,3 years runing costs = £132.74 for a service,3 year van servicing nearly £750,the Bailey 3 year service is over £350!!
People just begrudge paying £200 plus for servicing when they only use the van for 3 -4 weeks a year.
Out of interest how many people who leave their vans on site for the year on a fixed pitch get them serviced?

 

[Surfer]

Our last two caravans have both been twin axle Ace Supremes.
But we now want a twin axle bunk bed layout with the Alde heating and a decent sized fridge/freezer.
Swift don't do such a layout, but the Elddis Crusader Tempest ticks all the boxes.
Apart from a few problems with the most recent van, we have been very pleased with both the Aces, although I don't think the build quality on the last one was quite as good as the first.
Has anyone out there recently owned both a Swift and an Elddis and how do you rate the quality of both?
We are heading to the NEC to take a good look, but you can't beat getting feedback from real owners
Any feedback is much appreciated.

Why buy a caravan with only 6 years warranty?(damp ingress)
When Bailey will give you ten.
The Unicorn has two new layouts for 2012, one may suit your requirements.
Of the others avoid Avondale and Coachman, as they don't use stainless steel awning screws. Swift do.

By the same token isn't it the Unicorn that has been having problems with wheels coming off? Hardly a recommendation. Secondly after 3 years you need to take the caravan in for service and then pay extra for them to tighten the bolts on the corner that holds it together. Tough if you have shower in the corner as they cannot do thsoe nuts but will charge you anyway! IMHO I wouild avoid a new Bailey like the plague. The older Baileys were great caravans and well built.

Yes an unusually large number of wheels detacted in a short period, around ten, most from the same dealer. As a result Bailey have replaced the wheel bolts with a different type. Not had any loose on mine, but i check my own wheel bolts. As caravan wheels, especially the near side ARE prone to coming loose.

Yes you do have to pay more for the 3rd year service to check the bolts, but if you can afford a £15k caravan, then the service works out at little more or less than a 3rd year car service?
The shower wall is removable, its separate from the roof and floor, not joined or welded, so is detachable.

Also i must disagree on your last comment, my advise is avoid old built caravans like the plague, as often the front and rear panels will crack.
My 2004 Vermont was showing two 10mm long cracks on opposite sides, which had appeared over this last winter.

These were brand new caravans from different dealers where there was proof that the torque had been checked and was correct. Baley have now advised a higher torque rating and have changed the bolt on all new caravans and are busy doing the sssame to caravans already sold. I was referring to Baileys built mainly in the late nineties as being well built and solid. Sorry should have been clearer on that aspect.

 

[Martin24]

Have fun at the NEC, hope it's not too busy on the day you go. The 110 of course is a little less jiggly than the 90. we're having the XS so we do get the heated seats and windscreen. We will of course be covering that luxury thing called carpet with rubber mats!! might deaden some of the noise as well as catch the mud!!