Heat and GRP caravan sides - a cautionary tale

[GaryB]

Dealer has just rung, they said a full repair will be £500+ and they're concern was it wouldn't be invisible so they're going to try and go down the (cheaper!) fitting an external socket route. The Bullfinch range sockets are 5" wide so fingers crossed one of those will fit. Brief measuring seems to indicate it will fit so here's hoping.......

 

[GaryB]

Well, the dealer mocked up an external socket and there were still marks either side so repair is the only way. Cost? £630 to you sir! An expensive lesson learned, concentrate when doing anything…..

 

[otherclive]

Well, the dealer mocked up an external socket and there were still marks either side so repair is the only way. Cost? £630 to you sir! An expensive lesson learned, concentrate when doing anything…..

Ouch, hope the repair is successful. My car is in today for a scrape on the lower NS bumper. The “ chip scrape and dent” insurance would not cover it as the scrape was 40 cms and the policy limit is 30 cms. So I bought a new fog light cover at £39 from Poland but the bill will be around £450-500. Just because I switched off the front sensors when exiting a bay in the Valley of the Rocks.

 

[Dustydog]

Why did you switch off the sensors?

 

[otherclive]

Why did you switch off the sensors?

They along with rear were picking up the car at the side as well as a largely grass bank on the OS, so as I was reversing out I switched the fronts off leaving the rears and camera active. So on then moving forwards with right lock on I clipped the low lying rock that I am convinced moved forwards 🤣

The specialist repairer has been in business for years, as in 2005 he did a paintless bump removal on my Sorento front wing when grandson hit it with the handlebars of his scooter.

DAMAGE UNDONE

Small to Medium Area Repair Techniques, plastic welding, car body repairs & car scratch repair

damageundone.com

 

[Buckman]

In the past we have always used Chips Away with good results. They are expensive, but cheaper than many other places especially dealers who use third parties any way.

 

[otherclive]

In the past we have always used Chips Away with good results. They are expensive, but cheaper than many other places especially dealers who use third parties any way.

I did consider them but in our area he is a mobile and uses a canopy etc. Preferred somewhere with indoor facilities. And Damage Undone in Melksham has an excellent reputation. He does not repair wheels as there is a nearby wheel specialist with oven baking facilities.

 

[GaryB]

In August 2022 I had my Volvo bumped in a hotel car park, hit & run, discovered the damage in the morning, hotel refused to hand over CCTV footage, police not interested. I had only had the car 6 weeks!!! I bit the bullet and rather than use my insurance I went to a local smart-repair place and it cost £350 to fix and they did a great job. Unfortunately the paint has now micro-blistered and needs sorting again, took it back and as my 12 month warranty on the repair is up they aren't interested. I'll go elsewhere.......

 

[Dustydog]

Gary, not sure where you are but I can recommend Sam and Martin Lovell at Highbridge.

Motorhome & Caravan Repairs in Highbridge, Somerset - MJ Lovell Caravans

MJ Lovell Caravans - Caravan & Motorhome Repairs in Highbridge, Somerset

www.mjlovellcaravans.co.uk

The price of £630 from your dealer is enough for me to want a second quote. Will they do the work in-house or bring someone in?

 

[GaryB]

Gary, not sure where you are but I can recommend Sam and Martin Lovell at Highbridge.

Motorhome & Caravan Repairs in Highbridge, Somerset - MJ Lovell Caravans

MJ Lovell Caravans - Caravan & Motorhome Repairs in Highbridge, Somerset

www.mjlovellcaravans.co.uk

The price of £630 from your dealer is enough for me to want a second quote. Will they do the work in-house or bring someone in?

It's a mobile company, as we're part-exchanging it next week I haven't got the time to take elsewhere or get other quotes. The problem is that the sides are coloured plastic, not paint hence the repair is a bit more specialised than refinishing anything with a paint finish. It's just one of those painful financial experiences that I need to learn from.