My cracked window.

May 24, 2014
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As an extra to my cracked window, panoramic roof thread, we get this today. I have done this as another thread as its a different subject for the same issue.

Having received my quote today in the post from Lowdhams, there are a number of bullet points on it, and number 3 states:

Moulding: the window is no longer available. Therefore specialist moulding will be required. This process consists of removal, crating and packing the original window, carriage to and from the specialist company and re-sealing to the caravan on receipt, cleaning off surplus sealant and refitting plastic trims. Please allow 2-3 weeks for this process to be completed.

This Caravan is 3 and a bit years old and the window is no longer available? I didn't expect to hear this. As the booking lead time of this is end of January, its reasonable to expect the caravan to be out of action until March.

And number 7 states: NB, following the above repair, there will be an increase in the caravan kerb weight.

Must be making the new window from armour plate o_O
 
Nov 11, 2009
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It’s not good having such a delay but even before the current virus situation I waited 4 months for a new rear panel, and a similar time back in 2006/7 for front and rear panels for a Bailey. Manufacturers don’t hold stocks of these items, and a recent post re a door lock showed an exceptionally long waiting time.
I wonder if the OEM panels are UK supplied or from overseas, which could exacerbate the problem sometimes. The replacement panel being heavier may reflect the fact that there could have been other vans that have suffered similarly; a design weakness perhaps?

I sometimes wonder why we put ourselves through it when you can stay in other folks accommodation, pay your bill and head off home? But it’s not the same is it?
 
Jul 18, 2017
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You may find that if you took it to another dealer, the quote and lead time would be different. As it is an insurance claim most dealers will take on the work and the work is then guaranteed for 6 years from date fo installation under CRA 2015.
When we had an insurance claim a couple of years ago for a Skylight it was all done and dusted within 10 days and the caravan was 6 years old at the time.
Something not right here?
 
Nov 11, 2009
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You may find that if you took it to another dealer, the quote and lead time would be different. As it is an insurance claim most dealers will take on the work and the work is then guaranteed for 6 years from date fo installation under CRA 2015.
When we had an insurance claim a couple of years ago for a Skylight it was all done and dusted within 10 days and the caravan was 6 years old at the time.
Something not right here?

I think that the difference here is that skylights are off the shelf items available from many outlets, and these panoramic windows tend to be bespoke to the caravan and not stocked by the normal retail outlets.
 
Nov 6, 2005
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It’s not good having such a delay but even before the current virus situation I waited 4 months for a new rear panel, and a similar time back in 2006/7 for front and rear panels for a Bailey. Manufacturers don’t hold stocks of these items, and a recent post re a door lock showed an exceptionally long waiting time.
I wonder if the OEM panels are UK supplied or from overseas, which could exacerbate the problem sometimes. The replacement panel being heavier may reflect the fact that there could have been other vans that have suffered similarly; a design weakness perhaps?

I sometimes wonder why we put ourselves through it when you can stay in other folks accommodation, pay your bill and head off home? But it’s not the same is it?

Why oh why does the caravan industry perpetuate these problems and never seems to learn from previous mistakes - back in 2001, Bailey were one of the first to fit sunroofs, using a Remi-top, but it proved unreliable with cracks forming around the fixings and flying off in transit in some cases - the replacements under warranty were more robust, ie thicker - I despair at the whole industry, not just one brand.
 
May 7, 2012
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There must be a demand for these items, although not great so stocking a few should not be a problem. Assuming this was bought in from an outside supplier surely that firm have still got the moldings and can replicate this without the cost of starting from scratch. I wonder if you can find the makers name on it or get it from Swift and see if they can supply the roof light.
 

Damian

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Mar 14, 2005
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There must be a demand for these items, although not great so stocking a few should not be a problem. Assuming this was bought in from an outside supplier surely that firm have still got the moldings and can replicate this without the cost of starting from scratch. I wonder if you can find the makers name on it or get it from Swift and see if they can supply the roof light.

None of the caravan manufacturers keep stock sitting around in a warehouse , they buy to order and that is why there is almost always a minimum waiting time of 6 weeks.

The major makers of caravan windows is Polyplastic and Remis both of which are EU based manufacturers, I believe in Denmark.

From the information regarding replacement by the dealer it sounds like they will be sending the old window to EECO for them to make a new one, probably with thicker material than the original.
 
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Mar 14, 2005
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One of the things the caravan industry does is to change product designs far too frequently. They never really get to grips with the repeating problems that arise with a model and put it right, instead they seem to throw away the design and start from near scratch again, meaning the customers have to face all the teething issues they create through poor design or inadequate materials.

In another thread, some members are bemoaning the lack of options in caravans, but if the manufacturers were to keep sets of parts for each model they produce just in case they were wanted for spares, they would have a massive storage problem, different colours of windows and wall boards, mouldings, fabrics, sinks and other bathroom products, doors etc. the variety of shades that have used over the years , the parts would swallow up space, and capital, and cost a fortune to store.

Also how many should they keep? try working that one out.

Believe it or not it is better for everyone to avoid keeping stocks like that. It is far more cost effective to seek to remanufacture obsolete spares when they are demanded.

Is even more cost effective to try and use the same well proven parts across more models to avoid diversity of stock control.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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One of the things the caravan industry does is to change product designs far too frequently. They never really get to grips with the repeating problems that arise with a model and put it right, instead they seem to throw away the design and start from near scratch again, meaning the customers have to face all the teething issues they create through poor design or inadequate materials.

In another thread, some members are bemoaning the lack of options in caravans, but if the manufacturers were to keep sets of parts for each model they produce just in case they were wanted for spares, they would have a massive storage problem, different colours of windows and wall boards, mouldings, fabrics, sinks and other bathroom products, doors etc. the variety of shades that have used over the years , the parts would swallow up space, and capital, and cost a fortune to store.

Also how many should they keep? try working that one out.

Believe it or not it is better for everyone to avoid keeping stocks like that. It is far more cost effective to seek to remanufacture obsolete spares when they are demanded.

Is even more cost effective to try and use the same well proven parts across more models to avoid diversity of stock control.
Prof
Not to worry as for 2021 Swift have reduced the range of models. I think the actual word is “ rationalised “ by cutting out some of the lower spec”d versions and the optional enhancement packs are included and no longer optional. No payload upgrades are shown either in the brochure. Clearly trying to streamline production and by including the optional packs enhancing profit margin. As like cars it’s the higher spec models that bring in the bucks.
 
Jul 18, 2017
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One of the things the caravan industry does is to change product designs far too frequently. They never really get to grips with the repeating problems that arise with a model and put it right, instead they seem to throw away the design and start from near scratch again, meaning the customers have to face all the teething issues they create through poor design or inadequate materials.

In another thread, some members are bemoaning the lack of options in caravans, but if the manufacturers were to keep sets of parts for each model they produce just in case they were wanted for spares, they would have a massive storage problem, different colours of windows and wall boards, mouldings, fabrics, sinks and other bathroom products, doors etc. the variety of shades that have used over the years , the parts would swallow up space, and capital, and cost a fortune to store.

Also how many should they keep? try working that one out.

Believe it or not it is better for everyone to avoid keeping stocks like that. It is far more cost effective to seek to remanufacture obsolete spares when they are demanded.

Is even more cost effective to try and use the same well proven parts across more models to avoid diversity of stock control.
In my original post reagrding options I stressed that the layout would stay the same therefore there would be no need to keep warehousesfull of spares as I understood the logistics of keeping spares and also JIT principles.
Unfortunately some chose to ignore what had bene written in the OP and started adding in options that were not viable in the long run. Currently some. brands do offer options on colour of upholstery, but not wallpaper, sinks, mouldings as that is standard.
However in this case the item is not even 4 years old and there is no stock available and will not ever be available in the future?
Fitting something different means you are changing the original standard specifications and there may be issues insuring the caravan plus its trade in or selling value will alter.
In essence although not practical should the insurance company perhaps consider replacing the whole caravan as the original caravan will no longer be standard?
 
May 7, 2012
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Possibly the idea of keeping a few back as replacement stock may not be as profitable as making new ones to order but these are vital parts and surely service may be relevant. It may be that the dealer wants to go to EECO but the cost there would surely be far higher than getting the original maker to replace it and the accident is a freak and unlikely to be repeated. If it was cracked due to insufficient strength I can see the point but not here.
 
May 24, 2014
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Gravedigging the thread for an update. Still not repaired. It is booked in for 18th May for a week. Any delays and we will have to cancel our only holiday for this year. Have now mmissed the last 8 trips, not all due to Covid. Im beginning to wonder whether its worth it.
 
May 24, 2014
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Its the panoramic roof, cracked inside and out. Its lost all its rigidity and therefore i wouldnt be happy using it. Its flexing badly even in a light breeze. The wind pressure generated towing would probably see it go altogether. We are on course to be sorted as long as the workshops open when they plan to do so. Fingers crossed.
 
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6 weeks wait is a dream. My panoramic window on my 2014 Swift Elegance 645 was damaged in October 2020 and Highbridge caravans have still not been able to provide the replacement window. It was expected 31st Octber this year, and today I've been told that it's not going to be delivered until the end of March 2022!! That will be a full 18 months after I asked them to fix it.
 
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Mar 14, 2005
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6 weeks wait is a dream. My panoramic window on my 2014 Swift Elegance 645 was damaged in October 2020 and Highbridge caravans have still not been able to provide the replacement window. It was expected 31st Octber this year, and today I've been told that it's not going to be delivered until the end of March 2022!! That will be a full 18 months after I asked them to fix it.
As I expect you know caravan manufacturers tend to change their caravans designs annually. Some changes are just decor, but sometimes it's a significant revision, body shape or repositioning of features. Consequently a window for a 2014 model may not be current production.

This preoccupation with updating models means that for many body related items keeping stock for after sales repairs is a very expensive excersize, after all with so many designs and colour choices, the number bulky items would need several large warehouse's, so they don't. Some items like windows are bespoke designs, and the caravan manufacturers don't make them. Instead they contract specialist manufacturer's to make them for them. It's most likely your window is a special order the caravan manufacturer has placed with their supplier. One off's like yours can take a long time to produce, as the window manufacturer has to set up their production facility to produce it. Setting up the mould's cleaning out the machinery to prevent cross colour contamination formulating the moulding compound for your colour can be time consuming process, and some how the manufacturer has to slot it into their production schedule.

The pandemic will have also played a part in the delays. For many industries that are contracted to make parts or sub assemblies for companies like caravan manufacturers, they have to schedule production runs based on the orders placed by their customers. Sometimes these schedules are worked out up to a year in advance. With such forward planning the best cost prices can be achieved. There is also plenty of time to order materials especially any that are difficult to obtain. These plans work well provided there are no hickups. Covid was a major hickup, and it has caused problems for most industries. Most industries including caravan manufacturer's cancelled or postponed many standing orders. This threw schedules into chaos and has hade a sunami effect across a wide range of industries. Covid continues to cause issues throughout supply chains, we see and hear of shortages, and whole production lines can stop for the want of the smallest component.

I am therefore not surprised when I hear of long waits for some bespoke repair item's.

I hope you get your window soon.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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As I expect you know caravan manufacturers tend to change their caravans designs annually. Some changes are just decor, but sometimes it's a significant revision, body shape or repositioning of features. Consequently a window for a 2014 model may not be current production.

This preoccupation with updating models means that for many body related items keeping stock for after sales repairs is a very expensive excersize, after all with so many designs and colour choices, the number bulky items would need several large warehouse's, so they don't. Some items like windows are bespoke designs, and the caravan manufacturers don't make them. Instead they contract specialist manufacturer's to make them for them. It's most likely your window is a special order the caravan manufacturer has placed with their supplier. One off's like yours can take a long time to produce, as the window manufacturer has to set up their production facility to produce it. Setting up the mould's cleaning out the machinery to prevent cross colour contamination formulating the moulding compound for your colour can be time consuming process, and some how the manufacturer has to slot it into their production schedule.

The pandemic will have also played a part in the delays. For many industries that are contracted to make parts or sub assemblies for companies like caravan manufacturers, they have to schedule production runs based on the orders placed by their customers. Sometimes these schedules are worked out up to a year in advance. With such forward planning the best cost prices can be achieved. There is also plenty of time to order materials especially any that are difficult to obtain. These plans work well provided there are no hickups. Covid was a major hickup, and it has caused problems for most industries. Most industries including caravan manufacturer's cancelled or postponed many standing orders. This threw schedules into chaos and has hade a sunami effect across a wide range of industries. Covid continues to cause issues throughout supply chains, we see and hear of shortages, and whole production lines can stop for the want of the smallest component.

I am therefore not surprised when I hear of long waits for some bespoke repair item's.

I hope you get your window soon.

Yet my grandson has recently placed an order with an Austro-Chinese maker of airplanes and has two new twin engined four seaters for delivery next September. Perhaps we should all take up flying!!!
 
Mar 14, 2005
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Yet my grandson has recently placed an order with an Austro-Chinese maker of airplanes and has two new twin engined four seaters for delivery next September. Perhaps we should all take up flying!!!
Hmmm,
He may have an order and a delivery date, but will he actually get them on the day? If the one of the navigation chips is not available, there could be a delay.

As for flying just think of all the Lear jet owners getting frustrated behind cherokee towing Buccaneer in their traffic lane. :devilish::devilish::devilish:
 
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Nov 11, 2009
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He won’t be popular in Glasgow🙀🙀
The company used to make a diesel engined version that had transatlantic range, but the engine manufacturer ceased. Presumably it did not need a location/identity transponder as you could hear it before it came in radar range 😊
 
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The company used to make a diesel engined version that had transatlantic range, but the engine manufacturer ceased. Presumably it did not need a location/identity transponder as you could hear it before it came in radar range 😊
I saw a diesel engine, which was a re
The company used to make a diesel engined version that had transatlantic range, but the engine manufacturer ceased. Presumably it did not need a location/identity transponder as you could hear it before it came in radar range 😊
I think that must have been the Thielert, engine , A 1.7 litre, version of the Mercedes A class. I saw one at the Turbomecca, plant in Melun, many years ago.

We diverse, Thinghy ( the original Poster ) must have got his window repaired as he was exchanging his caravan way back in early October, but has to wait.
 
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As I expect you know caravan manufacturers tend to change their caravans designs annually. Some changes are just decor, but sometimes it's a significant revision, body shape or repositioning of features. Consequently a window for a 2014 model may not be current production.

This preoccupation with updating models means that for many body related items keeping stock for after sales repairs is a very expensive excersize, after all with so many designs and colour choices, the number bulky items would need several large warehouse's, so they don't. Some items like windows are bespoke designs, and the caravan manufacturers don't make them. Instead they contract specialist manufacturer's to make them for them. It's most likely your window is a special order the caravan manufacturer has placed with their supplier. One off's like yours can take a long time to produce, as the window manufacturer has to set up their production facility to produce it. Setting up the mould's cleaning out the machinery to prevent cross colour contamination formulating the moulding compound for your colour can be time consuming process, and some how the manufacturer has to slot it into their production schedule.

The pandemic will have also played a part in the delays. For many industries that are contracted to make parts or sub assemblies for companies like caravan manufacturers, they have to schedule production runs based on the orders placed by their customers. Sometimes these schedules are worked out up to a year in advance. With such forward planning the best cost prices can be achieved. There is also plenty of time to order materials especially any that are difficult to obtain. These plans work well provided there are no hickups. Covid was a major hickup, and it has caused problems for most industries. Most industries including caravan manufacturer's cancelled or postponed many standing orders. This threw schedules into chaos and has hade a sunami effect across a wide range of industries. Covid continues to cause issues throughout supply chains, we see and hear of shortages, and whole production lines can stop for the want of the smallest component.

I am therefore not surprised when I hear of long waits for some bespoke repair item's.

I hope you get your window soon.
Van now sold back to the dealer, good price offered. 12 years of caravanning over, onto the VW campervan era!
 

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