New models and new technology from the Swift Group – exclusively from Practical Caravan!

[LizziePope]

Hi all. If you're at the NEC show you might have seen this... The Swift Group as launched two brand new models and its new Smart HT construction as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations in Birmingham and we've got exclusive, in depth coverage on our dedicated pages – just CLICK HERE and read more. Or jump straight to our Swift pages here. With images and video content, there's lots to keep you going – we hope you enjoy it.

 

[otherclive]

Yes they certainly look nice and the construction method should go further to reducing the nightmare of water ingress, and if it should happen then hopefully the consequences should be reduced. The weights don't look too bad but I couldnt find payload which I always feel is important, but oft neglected. Feel sorry for those who bought the SMART vans last year only to be superceeded by the new HT variants. Talk about built in obsolescence which makes the motor industry hold it head up high compared to Swit's approach. Why they couldnt have declared SMART HT in one go is surprising.

 

[RayS]

Hope too that Swift don't follow other makers who, in the past few years, have produced excellent new body shells but appear to have totally ignored the quality control of what goes into them, particularly in the construction fo furniture, but inculuding the installation and mounting of the bought-in applainces.

 

[Raywood]

Looks good but top of range at the moment. Hope it works its way into regular models.

 

[Sproket]

Very interesting how they are glued together but wonder how they will be able to do a body damage repair...

 

[Surfer]

We viewed one at the show and we were impressed although not impressed too much with the layout. However previously when caravans used a similar method to make them water proof, the big problems were weight and secondly after a few years the GRP would start developing hair line cracks or crazing although it was only on the outer skin and did not affect the integrity of the caravan. Unfortunately people viewed the cracks and moved onto another caravan. I am sure that this was one of the reasons why it was abandoned even though the caravan was still water proof.

 

[mealsonwheels]

Totally agree with Ray S's reply!
Having gone through the excitement of buying a new Swift Challenger in 2008 we spent the next 5 years taking it back & forth to the dealer to get numerous problems (some of them major) fixed. We don't think we could face buying another new van again.

 

[Raywood]

Glue seems to be the new way of doing it and certainly the Eldiss system has succeeded so no doubt this should but you might not want to be a guinea pig. The Eldiss's can certainlt be repaired so I assume these can but you should ask before buying.

 

[Parksy]

My best mate builds lorry, refridgerated and box van bodies for a living and they've been using strong bonding agents (glue) for years with no problems and no leaks or water ingress.

 

[Surfer]

As said I am fairly sure that the caravans will be water proof however the fine hairline cracks that you see on fibreglass after a few years is a concern. I guess time will tell.

 

[Sproket]

Had a good look at the sectioned side today & well impressed with how neat it all looks, asked about a accident repair & they said that they have a repair system in place for if a panel needs removing & a new one putting in its place....
But when things are put together & bonded for strength, normally the only way to remove the hard adhesive is by a mechanical means.... unless they have some magic liquid the put on or inject into the joint to release the bond .... overall it looks very good & no doubt any problems that start to happen will raise there heads on the forums....

 

[Raywood]

My best mate builds lorry, refridgerated and box van bodies for a living and they've been using strong bonding agents (glue) for years with no problems and no leaks or water ingress.

They probably take care, can't say the same for the caravan industry though.

 

[Parksy]

My best mate builds lorry, refridgerated and box van bodies for a living and they've been using strong bonding agents (glue) for years with no problems and no leaks or water ingress.

They probably take care, can't say the same for the caravan industry though.

Although there is often a deadline to meet the lorry bodies are hand built onto the chassis cabs, there's no mechanisation involved apart from air hand tools.
There's nothing to rot or hold moisture on the new Swift HT Smart constructed caravans so build quality and reliability of supplied components will be paramount.