Manufacturers Modifications- For public release or not?????

[Dustydog]

Modifications in service become neccessary. All part of the learning curve.
Two mods have recently come to my attention that will be of interest to fellow Swift and Bailey users.
Swift's beggars belief. See this:-
http://www.swift-talk.co.uk/forum/topics/poor-service-poor-workmanship?commentId=2976642%3AComment%3A61179&xg_source=msg_com_forum

The Series 6 Bailey Senator Wyoming has a problem with an overheating microwave cooker when the unit is in continuous use for more than 20 mins. Bailey have designed a ventilation kit to solve the problem. I do not know if it is freely available or how you get one fitted. I'm waiting to hear more from Jo-Anne Wyoming.
Anyone know of any other mods that could be useful?

 

[Surfer]

Definitely will not be purchasing a caravan from that dealer or even have my caravan serviced by them. They are also the dealer that promotes and organises the Three Counties Show in Malvern. Frightening!

 

[marlot]

If a dealer can do that badly on a simple job, and then compound it with a PR disaster on the manufacturer forum, I shudder to think how they'd tackle a major repair and how they'd handle the customer if it went wrong.

 

[DeliDave_]

Was surprised at seeing that ,have had two Baileys from them and never had any problems at all.Jacky has always been very thorough whenever we've dealt with her

 

[Chris_Hyde_Cheshire.]

DD, I have just read through the whole posting about the plumbing modifications in the Swift. What a sorry site that was, those push fit connectors are so simple to use it should be a straight forward job taking about 1 hour. Looking at the attempt by the dealers, all I can say is that it is good to know that they are employing the local blind community.......
Saying that, I am fairly confident that a blind person could of done a better job!!!

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Chris
At least Swift have the ball$ to hang out their dirty washing in public. Shame about the dealers own goal though. They could have turned the whole thing right round into a PR triumph.
I stil think it is a shame the Swift wont release their plans and drawings for this mod. That said the owner did a fantastic job for us to follow.

 

[Chris_Hyde_Cheshire.]

Hi DD, I totally agree well done Swift. I hope the dealers foot is ok after they shot it though!
Thinking about it, I am going to reposition the water system drain valve in our Avondale now as it is in an awkard place to reach. I should be able to manage it as I maintain water treatment works for a living, but if I struggle I will give ********** a call for advice

* Moderators edit
Persons name removed- rule 3 forum etiquette
Parksy (Moderator)

 

[Parksy]

Swift have said that they won't release drawings for modifications to the general public because they can't guarantee the competency of diy enthusiasts.
I can understand their position, if they release the drawings they could be said to be 'endorsing' diy modifications which could affect warranties and guarantees.
It would be a poor diy enthusiast who would make the sort of pigs ear of the modification that Golden Castle caravans allegedly allowed out of their workshop though

Their response on the Swift forum seemed knee jerk, up to then I'd heard very good reports about GC but they let themselves down this time unfortunately both with the poor modification and the forum response.
Before anybody wets themselves with glee because I've 'named' the company concerned, by responding to the original topic on a public internet forum they put the issue into the public domain by acknowledging that it actually happened.
Golden Castle have disputed some of the facts which can be seen in the original topic on Swift Talk, please don't name the individuals concerned on this forum though, stick to generalisations.

 

[ProfAlGoogle]

Baileys attempts at plumbing also leave a lot to be desired IMO, I have modified the plumbing on my series 6 California and removed the cumbersome changeover valves. I now use en external electric pump to fill the inboard tank, so now all I have to do is select fill on the three position switch, and it fills the tank in half the time it used to take the inboard pump. I have also installed a run light when the fill switch is in use, and a water tank contents gauge, so no more groveling around on the floor changing valves

 

[Dustydog]

Baileys attempts at plumbing also leave a lot to be desired IMO, I have modified the plumbing on my series 6 California and removed the cumbersome changeover valves. I now use en external electric pump to fill the inboard tank, so now all I have to do is select fill on the three position switch, and it fills the tank in half the time it used to take the inboard pump. I have also installed a run light when the fill switch is in use, and a water tank contents gauge, so no more groveling around on the floor changing valves

Hi Allan
The water pump mod to fill th eonboard tank is just what I need. Do you have any drawings or better explanation you would be willing to me? I have S6 Wyoming.
Parksy's post is interesting. If Swift didn't want anyone to know about this mod or indeed the customers excellent diy ,then why didn't they remove the whole thread? Actually Swift's behaviour here is exemplary and they get my vote for allowing the truth out.

 

[Parksy]

Swift lead the field in terms of customer care as far as I'm concerned DD and by setting up their forum in the way that they have Swift have stolen a march on their competitors.
Swift discussed their ideas for their forum with their dealers before it went live apparently, the Swift dealers were aware that they could come in for criticism and adverse comment and agreed to participate whenever necessary.
Swift appear to be quite open with their customers and would have no problem with anybody being made aware of modifications.
They have given general information about modifications to me for my own caravan, they have also suggested suitable materials for me to use and are always extremely helpful. I'm really glad that we bought a caravan made by Swift and their helpful attitude gives me confidence in the long term viability of our caravan.
Their only difficulty lies in the situation of releasing some drawings because the company could potentially place themselves into a litigous situation.
If only every caravan dealer in the UK would agree to use this forum to reply to criticisms we could scrap rule 6

Unfortunately it would never happen

 

[ProfAlGoogle]

Hi Dusty, it`s not to difficult, but first you will need to purchase a new water inlet as the type fitted by Bailey do not have the two electrical contacts in them, and you cannot purchase them separately, it`s then just a simple job of removing the back of the water inlet housing and sliding the two contacts in as the provision for them is already there, and of course you will also need to buy the external pump.
I can only give you a rough idea at the moment as my van is in storage, and if you can wait a week or two when we next have the van out I will be able to confirm the cable colours and perhaps include some photos. Basically you have three cables going to the original inboard pump, four with the earth, when switched to run the pump works via the pressure switch and supply's the taps, when switched to fill in runs in series with the float switch in the tank, this is the cable you need to divert to one side of your newly fitted contacts, the other side will need to be earthed, the third cable is the signal cable that illuminates the red L E D low water level. I also fitted a fill running light to the master control panel, this is a simple job of running a single cable up from the + side of your new contact to a suitable small L E D lamp, in my case blue, with an earth return.

Then I stripped the valves out from the wooden plinth, so you are left with the original feed pipe going in to the top of the tank, then the feed out from the tank going to the input side of the inboard pump, output going direct to the cold water feed and hot water tank.
When I arrive on site I fill the aqua roll, drop the electric pump in, switch to fill and fill the tank, once full I the switch over to run purge the system and off we go, you will be surprised at just how quick it fills the tank using an external electric pump compared to the inboard one.

I have also fitted a water contents gauge as I find the warning light a bit hit and miss, when it shows around a quarter full I just switch to fill and top the tank up, normally get two top ups from a full aqua roll.

Hope this helps, any questions give us a shout. PS I have also fitted an external shower point for Jack our westie.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Allan
Fantastic. I think I understand. Some pics wil be appreciated. No rush. We're off for a couple of weeks in North Devon saturday. The external shower point is something else that would be very useful to us for the two Springers, always muddy!
BTW why don't you post these excellent mods to Nigel the Editor. He's looking for good ideas and mods for future articles. Yours seem to fit the bill well.
Customised your caravan? Get paid for your story...
I think that's the link under Technical.
Parksy, help please if I've got it wrong

 

[ProfAlGoogle]

Hi Dusty, no problems, yes I have posted my mods to Nigel on a couple of occasions but had no reply??? I have also carried out one or two other improvements to my California : Removal of the plastic heated towel rail (useless) and replaced with a chrome low wattage bowed electric one, additional power point to the kitchen, electric razor point in the bathroom, four zone remote controlled low level mood lighting to lounge, bedroom/bathroom, improved alarm system to include 8 zone control panel with microwave/passive pir, shock sensor, level sensor, corner steady sensor, panic button, SAB alarm box (hidden) with strobe light fitted into the existing awning light, with LED status also in the same housing, 17ah back up battery, gsm dial up to inform me of any unauthorised activity via my mobile phone, timed central heating.
Hard wired reversing camera, Maxview crank up satellite dish up on the roof, with maual changeover switch so I can select between the status aerial and the dish, additional led lighting to the outside, and to keep up with the power requirements when the van is in storage, or away from EHU, I have fitted a 80 Watt solar panel and stecker controller to charge and condition the leisure battery, then there is the hot/cold external shower point for when Jack our westie comes back muddy from his walks.

The next mod I have in mind is to increase the volume of hot water via an additional hot water tank, as the wife is always complaining that there is never enough hot water when she is having a shower, but that is still at the drawing board stage as it could be quite complex, ideas anyone?

Allan.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Allan
You cool dude

I use the sky box and max view DIY self align 66 cm dish and a good compass. One day I'll upgrade!He never responded to some of my mods so I guess he is busy and don't forget he's not been well. He's currently recovering from a hip replacement and I am sure we all wish him well.
I live near Cirencester in Gloucestershire. Are you close?

 

[ProfAlGoogle]

Hi Dusty, we are over on the Nott`s Derbyshire border, but when we purchased the California we got it from chipping sodbury caravans, I enjoy doing the upgrades almost as much as I do going away with the van, always looking for ways to improve our trips away, and can highly recommend the water works mod, makes life so much easier, we are now very interested in unicorn range, but that will have to wait until I retire as we have only had the California for 18 months.

Allan & Gill

 

[Dustydog]

Allan
I know the Chipping Sodbury guys very well indeed. Tony Voisey in the workshops is brilliant as are all his staff.
The owners son Jamie is dangerous. He keeps selling me new models!!
Without doubt, one of the best dealers in the UK.
We must do some catch up. I've had 3 Baileys and a real jamboree bag when I was younger.

 

[ProfAlGoogle]

I will look forward to that Dusty, this is only our second Bailey, but we have had a host of other vans over the years. The first Baily was a Arizona series 5, that one was a nightmare and we only kept it 18 months, but full credit to Bailey there after service was second to none.

Allan.