FAO Andy Swifts re front window

[grandadbaza]

Sorry to be a pain again Andy, I know you have sorted a few problems for me , but the front window problem is back, I have allready had the centre window replaced twice , the last time was in February of this year ( I think as I am away at the moment and have not got my diary with me ) and have just noticed the winged shape defect is in the centre of the window , I was told by the dealer and was led to believe from this forum that the window manufacturers had sorted this problem by altering the window ,I had the "altered" window fitted last time ( I assumed I had) but it doesnt seem to have worked .it appears that the consensus of opinion is that high motorway speeds are the cause of the problem ,since the last window was fitted I have only towed on a motorway once since it was fitted and that was last thursday when I traveled the A180,M180,M18 and a very short time on the M1 on my way to Losehill CC site in Castleton, as the problem been sorted by the Manufacturers?? or have I had an old type replacement fitted??

Baza

 

[SwiftGroup_374327846]

Hi grandadbaza,

Our supplier Polyplastic has modified the design of the window to strengthen and increase the cavity between the two panes because as you say the two panes come together and rub at motorway speeds. This change was made sometime ago by Polyplastic (I cant remember the exact date but I have it in the office).

Can you email me your chassis number and dealer to aspacey@swiftleisure.co.uk and I will check this out for you. So far we have believed the modified design has resolved the problem, so I am keen to find out,

Thanks

Andy

 

[Richard_374423314]

I have also had this problem on my 2008 Ace Jubilee Courier.

The centre window was replaced by my dealer under warrenty in March. Only two short trips away later and I noticed this week that the v shape mark in the windows is back. Either the dealers are replacing these windows with faulty ones or the problem has not been resolved by the manufacturer. Either way I suggest Swift have a problem that they need to get on top of.

Maybe the Caravan Club or Practical Caravan would like to follow this one up as I suspect it's a defect that's affecting a significant number of 2008 Swift vans.

 

[ed1]

hello, its not just swift.... our 2008 compass is also doing this. we contacted the dealer and sent a leaflet out...thats now in the bin...keep meaning to contact dealer but as yet havent..(more pressing matters at the moment)..but i think i will ring them tomorrow, as they didnt mention we could have new windows..but our problem is, its all the windows..ooops. regards ED

 

[johnwendy]

Our Swift Challenger 540 is in having the front window replaced at the moment, I hope Andy is right about the modified design!

Wendy

 

[johnwendy]

Collected our caravan from the dealer this morning, new window fitted which was fine when we inspected it.

By the time we got home the marks had appeared once more, so it looks like another replacement for us too

Wendy

 

[grandadbaza]

Hi, John and Wendy, sorry to hear about your latest window ,I am still in discussions with Swift, got an offer from them for Miriad the UK suppliers of the windows to come to my house and fit a new type window,(no one seems to know if the last one I had fitted was the new type or not ,got the feeling it was and they are no better than the old ones),the only problem with them fitting it at my home is that the fitter is not qualified to etch the vin number on the window ,I would either have to take it to my dealers or etch it myself ( apparently the fitter is not qualified to do it but it seems I am )

Still waiting to find out what will happen

Baza

 

[johnwendy]

Hi, John and Wendy, sorry to hear about your latest window ,I am still in discussions with Swift, got an offer from them for Miriad the UK suppliers of the windows to come to my house and fit a new type window,(no one seems to know if the last one I had fitted was the new type or not ,got the feeling it was and they are no better than the old ones),the only problem with them fitting it at my home is that the fitter is not qualified to etch the vin number on the window ,I would either have to take it to my dealers or etch it myself ( apparently the fitter is not qualified to do it but it seems I am )

Still waiting to find out what will happen

Baza

Hi Baza,

I just emailed Andy to see if he would look into it for us too.

Our cris number had come through with a fault so the dealer hadn't done it either. The number is only inked through a dotted template so they were going to post it to us once the new template arrived.

I hope you get your window sorted soon we will be watching for any further developments with great interest!

Wendy

 

[Heethers]

All, l have been assured by Discover and Andy of Swift that the window that's on order for us is of the modified type, now reading John/ Wendy's news fills me with fear.

Andy surely you have had the windows checked out with your suppliers that they have solved the problem, have they not got test procedures, or is it just guess work if the latter could become expensive to Swift in the long term.

If Swift don't get to the bottom of this all it will do is damage their reputation, surely Swift would want to prevent that, or aren't they bothered, time will tell.

NigelH

 

[johnwendy]

Hi Nigel,

we commented on the problems Gaza was having when we picked up our caravan. We couldn't believe it when after a relatively short journey home, the mark was there again!

It is upsetting to have to plan another trip back to the dealer, although we are hoping it might be changed when the van goes in for it's first service in August.

How long does the warranty cover windows for? I hope they come up with a lasting solution soon

Wendy

 

[Heethers]

Wendy, l picked the caravan up on the 1st of October 2008, l assume the windows have the 6 year warranty, if so should have plenty of time to sort the problem.

In an earlier post l asked Swift it was possible to have my van serviced by another Swift dealership, the answer was yes it would not invoke the warranty.

I called at one just 6miles from home where they confirmed that was true but no warranty work would be undertaken by them l would need to take it back to the original dealership l bought from which now is a 80 mile round trip.

This means l will need to have it serviced by them also, so has to ensure all warranty work was under taken.

I just hope the window they replace is of the new type, they assured me it is, they have said it will definitely be here for the second week of June and due to be fitted at my convenience.

L know it seems we are moaning a lot but when you pay close on 14K for new van you expect it to be right first time.

We love our Ace Firestar but the few problems we have had is nothing compared to other's, l think its time the industry needs to take a long hard look at them selves and start to address their issue otherwise people will look else where.

This forum is a good way of letting the customers know some of the problems with caravans from new, also the good things as well as it is all not bad news.

Practical Caravan can have big part in getting the message across to the dealers and manufacturers that without customers no caravans and no magazines will sell, after all the customer pays your wagers

NigelH

Ps l think Andy and Ash are doing a find job and that's part way to solving some of the problems and realising they do have issues to put right, thank you to both of you for your help.

 

[SwiftGroup_374327846]

Nigel, Grandadbaza, Wendy

The new window solution from Polyplastic involved increasing the depth between the panes. This change was introduced following testing by Polyplastic.

As I would have expected both Grandadbaza and Wendy's windows to be to the latest modification we are keen to get them changed and back to Holland for inspection and testing quickly.

With both Wendy and Grandadbaza Miriad (who are the UK agent for Polyplastic) are/will be arranging direct with them to get replacment windows fitted (including etchings)in the next week or so if this is convienient to them both,

Thanks

Andy

 

[grandadbaza]

Nigel, Grandadbaza, Wendy

The new window solution from Polyplastic involved increasing the depth between the panes. This change was introduced following testing by Polyplastic.

As I would have expected both Grandadbaza and Wendy's windows to be to the latest modification we are keen to get them changed and back to Holland for inspection and testing quickly.

With both Wendy and Grandadbaza Miriad (who are the UK agent for Polyplastic) are/will be arranging direct with them to get replacment windows fitted (including etchings)in the next week or so if this is convienient to them both,

Thanks

Andy

Thanks Andy , Miriad have already been in touch and an appointment has been made for them to fit the new window at my home, lets hope that when the windows are tested they are the old type, its been a bit of a pain having windows fitted but if the last I had was not the new type it looks a bit more opomistic that I wont have to have another one !!

Thanks again Andy

Baza

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Changing the topic ever so slightly - I am glad I am not the only "grandad" on this forum although I am referred to as "Bampa" (Welsh speak).

 

[johnwendy]

Wendy, l picked the caravan up on the 1st of October 2008, l assume the windows have the 6 year warranty, if so should have plenty of time to sort the problem.

In an earlier post l asked Swift it was possible to have my van serviced by another Swift dealership, the answer was yes it would not invoke the warranty.

I called at one just 6miles from home where they confirmed that was true but no warranty work would be undertaken by them l would need to take it back to the original dealership l bought from which now is a 80 mile round trip.

This means l will need to have it serviced by them also, so has to ensure all warranty work was under taken.

I just hope the window they replace is of the new type, they assured me it is, they have said it will definitely be here for the second week of June and due to be fitted at my convenience.

L know it seems we are moaning a lot but when you pay close on 14K for new van you expect it to be right first time.

We love our Ace Firestar but the few problems we have had is nothing compared to other's, l think its time the industry needs to take a long hard look at them selves and start to address their issue otherwise people will look else where.

This forum is a good way of letting the customers know some of the problems with caravans from new, also the good things as well as it is all not bad news.

Practical Caravan can have big part in getting the message across to the dealers and manufacturers that without customers no caravans and no magazines will sell, after all the customer pays your wagers

NigelH

Ps l think Andy and Ash are doing a find job and that's part way to solving some of the problems and realising they do have issues to put right, thank you to both of you for your help.

Hi Nigel,

I can understand how you feel (it was a lot for us to splash out too) and you want everything to be just right.

On the whole we are absolutely chuffed with our new caravan and the service department have sorted out any of the little niggles we had. The window problem was just as much a disappointment to them as to us!

We were looking at the Firestar which was very similar to the challenger we ended up with, only a slight variation in colour scheme as I remember.

Wendy

 

[johnwendy]

Nigel, Grandadbaza, Wendy

The new window solution from Polyplastic involved increasing the depth between the panes. This change was introduced following testing by Polyplastic.

As I would have expected both Grandadbaza and Wendy's windows to be to the latest modification we are keen to get them changed and back to Holland for inspection and testing quickly.

With both Wendy and Grandadbaza Miriad (who are the UK agent for Polyplastic) are/will be arranging direct with them to get replacment windows fitted (including etchings)in the next week or so if this is convienient to them both,

Thanks

Andy

Thanks Andy,

I don't think the service department at our dealers had any way of telling if the replacement was of the old type so they were surprised when it went again!

Wendy

 

[Heethers]

Grandadbaza/ Wendy/ Andy of Swift group

After all the problems l have had with my new Caravan supplied by you to my Dealer, l now find after submitting another claim l receive this email from my dealer.

Dear Mr Heathcote

following on from our conversation regarding the cracked condensation board, I submitted a claim through to Swift ref BAC004417. This has now been processed but unfortunately rejected with Swift saying condensation boards are not covered after pdi. The Swift customer number is 01482 875740 if you need to discuss this more with them.

Regards

Joe Bailey

Service Advisor.

Discover Chorley

1 As far as l am concerned the PDI is not worth the paper it is written on, that's if you have a signed sheet which l have not got.

2 My caravan has been slept in for 6 days only since October 08, 2 days of which was last weekend at Bury CC park (check if you wish with the CC), where after coming home we found the cracked condensation board.

3 In October we found extract fan not working, blown fuse, overhead concealed lighting not working in the fixed bed area (was told when we picked the van up it was because we were on twelve volts, not hook up, couldn't understand that as it was plug in to their mains) found it this week when l stripped the out the light fitting, fluorescent tube not plug in correctly.

4 Finally we have the window problem that they except there is problem with.

Andy

Swift don't except the cracked condensation board problem because it was not picked up at the PDI, l ask you if they can't sort out problems that are staring them in their face how are they going to find this problem hidden behind cushions at the PDI.

What are we talking about here, a piece of ply board 48" long x 18" deep, must be a lot of money for Swift to not except it under a warranty claim, ok let me know how much it is and if reasonable l will pay for it, after all B&Q sell it for pennies.

Can't wait to go next week in the van to Sandringham , just hope we don't find anymore problems as we have not checked the fridge on gas, heating on gas and that the microwave works, lam sure they will here's hoping.

NigelH

 

[RJC]

Wendy, l picked the caravan up on the 1st of October 2008, l assume the windows have the 6 year warranty, if so should have plenty of time to sort the problem.

In an earlier post l asked Swift it was possible to have my van serviced by another Swift dealership, the answer was yes it would not invoke the warranty.

I called at one just 6miles from home where they confirmed that was true but no warranty work would be undertaken by them l would need to take it back to the original dealership l bought from which now is a 80 mile round trip.

This means l will need to have it serviced by them also, so has to ensure all warranty work was under taken.

I just hope the window they replace is of the new type, they assured me it is, they have said it will definitely be here for the second week of June and due to be fitted at my convenience.

L know it seems we are moaning a lot but when you pay close on 14K for new van you expect it to be right first time.

We love our Ace Firestar but the few problems we have had is nothing compared to other's, l think its time the industry needs to take a long hard look at them selves and start to address their issue otherwise people will look else where.

This forum is a good way of letting the customers know some of the problems with caravans from new, also the good things as well as it is all not bad news.

Practical Caravan can have big part in getting the message across to the dealers and manufacturers that without customers no caravans and no magazines will sell, after all the customer pays your wagers

NigelH

Ps l think Andy and Ash are doing a find job and that's part way to solving some of the problems and realising they do have issues to put right, thank you to both of you for your help.

Hi Nigel

I have a Coachman which had a similar problem with the front window. Like you I assumed that the window would be an integral part of the caravan and therefore covered by the 6 year warranty, however according to Miriad the window is only covered for a year and as my van was over a year old (by less than a month) they refused the claim.

I got Coachman involved and they have sorted it out for me and hopefully I will get the window replaced soon - but the point is you may not have a slong as you thought you had to get this sorted.

Good luck.

RichardC

 

[kenny_374425690]

Grandadbaza/ Wendy/ Andy of Swift group

After all the problems l have had with my new Caravan supplied by you to my Dealer, l now find after submitting another claim l receive this email from my dealer.

Dear Mr Heathcote

following on from our conversation regarding the cracked condensation board, I submitted a claim through to Swift ref BAC004417. This has now been processed but unfortunately rejected with Swift saying condensation boards are not covered after pdi. The Swift customer number is 01482 875740 if you need to discuss this more with them.

Regards

Joe Bailey

Service Advisor.

Discover Chorley

1 As far as l am concerned the PDI is not worth the paper it is written on, that's if you have a signed sheet which l have not got.

2 My caravan has been slept in for 6 days only since October 08, 2 days of which was last weekend at Bury CC park (check if you wish with the CC), where after coming home we found the cracked condensation board.

3 In October we found extract fan not working, blown fuse, overhead concealed lighting not working in the fixed bed area (was told when we picked the van up it was because we were on twelve volts, not hook up, couldn't understand that as it was plug in to their mains) found it this week when l stripped the out the light fitting, fluorescent tube not plug in correctly.

4 Finally we have the window problem that they except there is problem with.

Andy

Swift don't except the cracked condensation board problem because it was not picked up at the PDI, l ask you if they can't sort out problems that are staring them in their face how are they going to find this problem hidden behind cushions at the PDI.

What are we talking about here, a piece of ply board 48" long x 18" deep, must be a lot of money for Swift to not except it under a warranty claim, ok let me know how much it is and if reasonable l will pay for it, after all B&Q sell it for pennies.

Can't wait to go next week in the van to Sandringham , just hope we don't find anymore problems as we have not checked the fridge on gas, heating on gas and that the microwave works, lam sure they will here's hoping.

NigelH

We have just purchased a new Charisma 555, we have also noticed and brought to the attention of our dealer about the 'triangular' mark on the centre window (caused by the outer window touching the inner under wind pressure) Our dealer has told us the window has become de-laminated and will be changed under warranty without any problem.

With regards to the query about the owner who's van is near it's warranty expiry, under the sale of goods act, if any item sold is not fir for purpose or a problem has been acknowledged by the supplier/manufacturer then there are no time limits for the problem to be resolved. I know this is no answer to resolving the problem and doesn't compensate against all the hassle of trips back and forth to the dealer but I'm sure if it's a known problem it will be resolved soon ( i hope)

rgds

kenny

 

[Heethers]

All

On Monday l had the new window fitted by Discover Leisure and the other items that needed doing under warranty, l drove back from Chorley to Bollington Nr Macclesfield using the M61 and M60 for some 20 miles of towing never more than 57 MPH, when l arrived home l could not find any fault with the window no marks were sustained.

On inspecting the window it seems more ridged, so hopefully the correct type was dispatched, l will no for sure when l have towed the van up to Scarborough this Saturday a journey of some 135 miles, hopefully if the window has no marks after this tow l will be an happy Bunny.

Andy there was just one hiccup, the window was not etched with the Vin number for the Cris documentation, l believe Swift send the etching kit with the window.

l am in the process of trying to find out why this was not done through Discover Leisure, as you can appreciate it would cause me aggravation to take the van back for the etching, is their any way a mobile fitter could do the job.

Nigel H

 

[grandadbaza]

Hi, Nigel and everyone , I had my new window fitted on 25th of last month ,have done about 200 miles since 150 of them motorway,and no adverse effects , I think this window really looks the part, and appears to have a bigger cavity. I am more confident now than I have been since the first window failed,

Thanks to Andy for his efforts and to Richard at Miriad for his involvement and personally keeping me informed

Baza

 

[johnwendy]

Nigel and Grandadbaza

Glad to hear good reports on the new windows. We had ours done just before the last Bank holiday but haven't towed far enough to see if it works yet!

Wendy

 

[Trevor_374472828]

Hello, I did warn you a few weeks ago that you would have trouble, all be it not directly involving the "D" word, but they are on the sidelines

 

[Heethers]

Discover have been onto me this morning Swift omitted to send the etching kit. no problem they have ordered one will be here in 2 weeks, which will fall o/k for our trip to Clithero, so no harm done.

Trevor l may have misled you as far as l am concerned Discover Chorley did an excellent job on my service andal warranty work, in fact the accomplished all work early getting me back down the M61 and M60 before the rush.

They even exchanged my 2 Butane Bottles for the new Calor lite where everyone else is having trouble sourcing them.

l arrive at 8am, they did not need to let me in until 9am but they opened the gates and directed me to the service bay where they unhitched the van. l have only praise for Discover Leisure, thank you Joe Bailey and the rest of the team at Chorley.

NigelH

 

[path20]

All

On Monday l had the new window fitted by Discover Leisure and the other items that needed doing under warranty, l drove back from Chorley to Bollington Nr Macclesfield using the M61 and M60 for some 20 miles of towing never more than 57 MPH, when l arrived home l could not find any fault with the window no marks were sustained.

On inspecting the window it seems more ridged, so hopefully the correct type was dispatched, l will no for sure when l have towed the van up to Scarborough this Saturday a journey of some 135 miles, hopefully if the window has no marks after this tow l will be an happy Bunny.

Andy there was just one hiccup, the window was not etched with the Vin number for the Cris documentation, l believe Swift send the etching kit with the window.

l am in the process of trying to find out why this was not done through Discover Leisure, as you can appreciate it would cause me aggravation to take the van back for the etching, is their any way a mobile fitter could do the job.

Nigel H

Ask them to send you the etching kit Nigel. Only takes a few minutes and easy to do it yourself.