Gutted - Is this an Insurance claim?

[Gafferbill]

Snap Kevin ........ looks like a stress crack to me but who knows.
Caravans eh!!........who would have em?

My caravan has a 3 cms crack on the rear corner on the roof.....that is definitely a stress fracture.
A known problem to Swift who produce end roof caps to sort the problem relatively cheaply.

I don't think you will have any luck with an insurance claim unless yo have evidence of a culprit for the damage.

I'm sure a man of your caliber will get it fixed and a positive is that you spotted it quickly.......Good Luck

 

[otherclive]

Snap Kevin ........ looks like a stress crack to me but who knows.
Caravans eh!!........who would have em?

My caravan has a 3 cms crack on the rear corner on the roof.....that is definitely a stress fracture.
A known problem to Swift who produce end roof caps to sort the problem relatively cheaply.

I don't think you will have any luck with an insurance claim unless yo have evidence of a culprit for the damage.

I'm sure a man of your caliber will get it fixed and a positive is that you spotted it quickly.......Good Luck

It’s interesting that new Adrias and Knaus do not have the large single piece panels their front and rear roof line extend down the front and rear faces and there is then a horizontal joint. Must say looking at a few they look exceedingly well made. If the horizontal joint(s) should ever give a problem then it’s an easier and cheaper fix.

 

[ProfJohnL]

If we scrutinise the photos isn't there a horizontal mark to the right of the crack - Sherlock Holmes on the case!

I looked closely at the pictures when they were first put up. Firstly I noted the area seems to have been cleaned, witness by the tide mark of slightly dirtier surface nearby in the top picture.

The mark is also noticeable in the bottom picture, which shows a mark typical of a wiped surface following teh top of the window hinge. Cleaning the surface may have removed any marks caused if there had been an impact.

The crack runs almost vertically from the roof joint to the top of RH side of the central window.

The vertical shadow line of the crack from top to bottom suggests there is an increasing displacement of the two section, With the section to the right seeming to be closer to the camera then the section on the left.

I have looked for evidence of a puncture impact, I would expect to see bruising to the edges of the crack if there had been a point impact but I see none. That does not mean there hasn't been an impact just that I can't see it in these pictures.

The fact the crack seems to be coincident with the RH end of the central window hinge may be a clue, but e evidence presented so far is not conclusive, which I why I did not comment earlier.

 

[Gagakev]

Aha Kev.
So there is a possibility one of the lads unknowingly swung a pole onto Mr Fleety without realising it? Do you have any photos of the scaffold around Mr Fleety? When you speak to your Insurers tell them the truth . It is strange that for 18 months all has been ok and then the crack appears as the scaffolding goes up. I’d say enough circumstantial evidence for the Insurer to consider. Do tell them you own the scaffold firm but didn’t do the actual job.
Good luck.

The problem is,. is the excess on our policy !!
probably cheaper to pay for the repair!!

The Plastic surgeon dont do those kind of repairs anymore.
So waiting for a reply from the link otherclive gave me, they have responded so hopefully get a quote tomorrow.

Even if the insurance company reject your claim they may be able to point you in the direction of someone that they normally recommend to do that sort of repair. The insurer will probably give you several options as they cannot show favouritism towards one company.

They have sent me a claims form and told me to get my own quote, so no help from them!!

 

[Raywood]

Looking at the crack it does not look like an impact but more like stress. Impact damage should have a point of impact that can be clearly seen and normally damage will radiate from there although a crack is possible. I tend to agree with the Prof an the problem.
Sorry but it does not look like an insurance job, but you can always try them and see what they say. I would have thought that the repair will far exceed any excess.

 

[Gagakev]

If we scrutinise the photos isn't there a horizontal mark to the right of the crack - Sherlock Holmes on the case!

Hi Rob, unfortunately that is dirt, my attempt to clean prior to putting on the yellow tape!!

 

[Parksy]

Looking at the picture with an expanded view, the yellow tape seems to show one side of the crack being slightly lower than the other.
There are no marks which would suggest damage caused by a hard impact, but a few scaffold boards temporarily leant against the front of what to a non caravanner might wrongly seem like a fairly solid front panel would easily stress the panel to create such a large crack with differing heights on each side.
Of course, there's no way of knowing either way, but for a stress failure with such a large unevenly sided crack, to my mind something happenned.

 

[JTQ]

It looks like just what ABS is so prone to do as over time it absorbs UV and ages; crack from the handiest stress raiser. I note the apron under the gas locker door has developed similar cracking like marks from the stressed corners.

Is it facing the sun, so now it and the structure, expanding between the heating from the present square on low sun angles, and the chilled nights?

I similarly can see no evidence of impact damage or fracture characteristics, that I could associate with being whacked with a hard steel scaffolding pole.

Edit;I find Parksy's stack of scaffolding planks a more plausible case.

 

[Gagakev]

I looked closely at the pictures when they were first put up. Firstly I noted the area seems to have been cleaned, witness by the tide mark of slightly dirtier surface nearby in the top picture.

The mark is also noticeable in the bottom picture, which shows a mark typical of a wiped surface following teh top of the window hinge. Cleaning the surface may have removed any marks caused if there had been an impact.

The crack runs almost vertically from the roof joint to the top of RH side of the central window.

The vertical shadow line of the crack from top to bottom suggests there is an increasing displacement of the two section, With the section to the right seeming to be closer to the camera then the section on the left.

I have looked for evidence of a puncture impact, I would expect to see bruising to the edges of the crack if there had been a point impact but I see none. That does not mean there hasn't been an impact just that I can't see it in these pictures.

The fact the crack seems to be coincident with the RH end of the central window hinge may be a clue, but e evidence presented so far is not conclusive, which I why I did not comment earlier.

Hi Prof,
You are right in that I cleaned the area, in panic mode I wanted to get the tape on and admit I didnt look or see an impact mark and there is no evidence now to say anything happened.
Your theory regards the hinge may have a point, will take a closer look in daylight.

 

[Gagakev]

It looks like just what ABS is so prone to do as over time it absorbs UV and ages; crack from the handiest stress raiser. I note the apron under the gas locker door has developed similar cracking like marks from the stressed corners.

Is it facing the sun, so now it and the structure, expanding between the heating from the present square on low sun angles, and the chilled nights?

I similarly can see no evidence of impact damage or fracture characteristics, that I could associate with being whacked with a hard steel scaffolding pole.

Edit;I find Parksy's stack of scaffolding planks a more plausible case.

Hi JTQ, cant see no further cracks in the apron but embarrassingly I can confess its dirt again!! Just been out and wiped it off to confirm!!

 

[Gagakev]

Snap Kevin ........ looks like a stress crack to me but who knows.
Caravans eh!!........who would have em?

My caravan has a 3 cms crack on the rear corner on the roof.....that is definitely a stress fracture.
A known problem to Swift who produce end roof caps to sort the problem relatively cheaply.

I don't think you will have any luck with an insurance claim unless yo have evidence of a culprit for the damage.

I'm sure a man of your caliber will get it fixed and a positive is that you spotted it quickly.......Good Luck

Oh dear Gaffabill you have one as well 😢
Think the majority like your self are in agreement that the insurance wont cover it, so just waiting on a quote to fall off my chair

 

[Gagakev]

It’s interesting that new Adrias and Knaus do not have the large single piece panels their front and rear roof line extend down the front and rear faces and there is then a horizontal joint. Must say looking at a few they look exceedingly well made. If the horizontal joint(s) should ever give a problem then it’s an easier and cheaper fix.

Otherclive, I also read yesterday that they dont use screws either, all joints are bonded. (Amazing what you can read...if it's true).

 

[otherclive]

Otherclive, I also read yesterday that they dont use screws either, all joints are bonded. (Amazing what you can read...if it's true).

Hope if they do ever have a problem the bonding can be released by some technique. But there again Dreamliner and Airbus are extensively bonded and we trust our lives to them. 😀

 

[otherclive]

While over at the caravan today I looked at two Fleetwoods just to see if their front panels showed any sign of cracking. Neither did, although they made Fleety look pristine. But unlike all of the other vans around the panel above the window horizontal line curves up and down twice just like yours does. This could make the area susceptible to stress concentration of whatever sort. Neither van was on axle stands or winter wheels and were stored very level with nose down.

 

[Kevin M]

Would anyone know if the likes of Hobby/LMC suffer from this sort of issue?

Kev

 

[otherclive]

Would anyone know if the likes of Hobby/LMC suffer from this sort of issue?

Kev

Not many owners of that marque on the Forum. But LMC have good reputation as do Knaus and Hymer. Perhaps an owners forum would help.

 

[Beachball]

My cousin had a Hobby twin axle caravan he used it for seasonal on a site near Hornsea he took the wheels off had it jack up but he didn"t have any problems with panels ,bodywork, Dampfree he said it was solid when he sold it he got more then he paid for .it

 

[Gagakev]

While over at the caravan today I looked at two Fleetwoods just to see if their front panels showed any sign of cracking. Neither did, although they made Fleety look pristine. But unlike all of the other vans around the panel above the window horizontal line curves up and down twice just like yours does. This could make the area susceptible to stress concentration of whatever sort. Neither van was on axle stands or winter wheels and were stored very level with nose down.

Hi Clive, could probably assume if they were Fleetwoods they may have been older than mine, being built 2009 sold 2010. If so they may have been built in this country by the then Fleetwood themselves as opposed to mine being built by Adria in Slovenia Or Slovakia where ever it was!!

 

[Hutch]

Just a thought Kev, As Mr Fleety hasn't had a "Realy good Wash" for a few years, how long has this crack been there for.

Ok I will buy you a beer, next time we meet up, and I owe you for the Buckfast, .

 

[Gagakev]

Just a thought Kev, As Mr Fleety hasn't had a "Realy good Wash" for a few years, how long has this crack been there for.

Ok I will buy you a beer, next time we meet up, and I owe you for the Buckfast, .

I'll have less of that "really good wash for years" stuff young man, its been about a year to be precise!!!

Crack has only been there for max couple of weeks as next door neighbour had his house re-rendered and the plasterer thought he would cover the side and part of the front of the van as well and it wasnt there then, so he had a few choice words spoken to him, but I was soft compared to the wrath of Maggie when he then splashed our drive!!
Perhaps I should have blamed him!!

I'll have that beer with you when we meet again.....if I have a caravan and not sent Mr Fleety to the graveyard!!
The Buckfast was on me and Mags

 

[Gagakev]

So folks have been pondering over a couple of quotes for the repair over the holidays, one local and one up the line which was the cheapest but it involves a five hour journey both ways, so they work out about the same with all things considered.
One repair would involve fibre glass adhered to the back of the split, with the crack filled and painted,
The second option was an aluminium plate bonded to the back and cracked filled and painted.
BUT they will not guarantee the repair!!
So the only option is a full blown DIY fix, I'm going for the aluminium plate option and filling the crack, the bonding agent/glue is also suitable for filling the crack, but haven't made up my mind on the paint finish yet as it will be hard to match so an option would be a plastic cover strip and one the other side to match, it's a ten year old van and losing value everyday so whats your thought folks.

 

[Mel]

What do the “sell it and start again“ vs “ repair it and keep it going” maths look like?
mel

 

[Jcloughie]

Some plastics can be specialist welded. No idea if yours would. But vehicle body repairers carry the kit. Might be worth enquiring.

John

 

[Beachball]

So folks have been pondering over a couple of quotes for the repair over the holidays, one local and one up the line which was the cheapest but it involves a five hour journey both ways, so they work out about the same with all things considered.
One repair would involve fibre glass adhered to the back of the split, with the crack filled and painted,
The second option was an aluminium plate bonded to the back and cracked filled and painted.
BUT they will not guarantee the repair!!
So the only option is a full blown DIY fix, I'm going for the aluminium plate option and filling the crack, the bonding agent/glue is also suitable for filling the crack, but haven't made up my mind on the paint finish yet as it will be hard to match so an option would be a plastic cover strip and one the other side to match, it's a ten year old van and losing value everyday so whats your thought folks.

Hi Kev i have sent you message i hope you get your caravan repaired .
Happy New Year

 

[otherclive]

So folks have been pondering over a couple of quotes for the repair over the holidays, one local and one up the line which was the cheapest but it involves a five hour journey both ways, so they work out about the same with all things considered.
One repair would involve fibre glass adhered to the back of the split, with the crack filled and painted,
The second option was an aluminium plate bonded to the back and cracked filled and painted.
BUT they will not guarantee the repair!!
So the only option is a full blown DIY fix, I'm going for the aluminium plate option and filling the crack, the bonding agent/glue is also suitable for filling the crack, but haven't made up my mind on the paint finish yet as it will be hard to match so an option would be a plastic cover strip and one the other side to match, it's a ten year old van and losing value everyday so whats your thought folks.

When the “welded” front corner of my as frame fairing started to crack I repaired it with Fibrefix patch. It virtually welded itself to the ABS much like PVC plastic plumbing solvent glue does. it is suitable for GRP repairs too

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...075AB768BCAC99B10112075AB768BCAC99B&FORM=VIRE