Popularity of Marques.

[Buckman]

We may see if things have changed at Eldiss eventually when the current magazine survey is eventually published. They have generally done very badly with only Lunar doing worse in the last survey. There should be enough of the newer ones in the next results to establish what has improved if anything but I do think there big selling point, light weight is part of the problem. It may be significant that the heaviest makes Coachman and Adri regularly come out best, and the lightest ones Eldiss and Lunar have been worst. Is that lack of weight causing problems with rigidity?

Caravan surveys IMHO are generally a waste of time as most times they prove nothing and are probably not balanced. We had Lunars for many years and geneally no issue with them until we bought a brand new Delta in 2011. It really earned its name Leaky Lunar.

 

[Raywood]

I would agree that a single survey might be suspect. These have been running for several years and the results are very consistent though and do seem to follow what you read on line. The problem is that what they show is where you have the best chance of a good model, rather than anything else. They all seem to turn out some appalling examples, you just have to look at which gives you he best chance, or just take a risk on the rest.
Our first Lunar did leak but our second has not so far, due a service next month so fingers crossed.

 

[Buckman]

I would agree that a single survey might be suspect. These have been running for several years and the results are very consistent though and do seem to follow what you read on line. The problem is that what they show is where you have the best chance of a good model, rather than anything else. They all seem to turn out some appalling examples, you just have to look at which gives you he best chance, or just take a risk on the rest.
Our first Lunar did leak but our second has not so far, due a service next month so fingers crossed.

If they send the survey to the same people every year, there will not be much change. How do they decide who is going to be selected to do the survey?

 

[JezzerB]

I too am suspicious of the caravan ones Buckman-like you-i feel the same people will respond but likewise it seems to me the smallest sellers do best-ie Adria and Coachman. Same with car surveys too-I know they say they are weighted but......

 

[Thingy]

Still on the subject of Marques, we decided that if we have any issues with the replaaced panoramic roof, we would get rid of the caravan and replace it. The two we are looking at are the Bailey Peg Grande Rimini SE and also the Coachman VIP range with a couple of different layouts. Looking at them I was very surprised to see that the Coachman is still made with aluminium sandwich, and a sandwich floor and roof. Having moved up to SmartHT construction with our present caravan, Im wondering if that is a step backwards we dont need to take.

 

[otherclive]

Still on the subject of Marques, we decided that if we have any issues with the replaaced panoramic roof, we would get rid of the caravan and replace it. The two we are looking at are the Bailey Peg Grande Rimini SE and also the Coachman VIP range with a couple of different layouts. Looking at them I was very surprised to see that the Coachman is still made with aluminium sandwich, and a sandwich floor and roof. Having moved up to SmartHT construction with our present caravan, Im wondering if that is a step backwards we dont need to take.

A difficult one but Coachman seem to have consistently good build quality and feature highly in the annual owner surveys. Don’t forget that “ traditional build” has served Hymer, Knaus, Defleth, and Vanroyce and Vanmaster very well. So could our reticence actually be down to the quality of design, development and production?

But given equal production status I would chose one with materials less pervious to damage caused by water ingress.

 

[Kevin M]

Just reviving this one, I had to go out this morning.
One the way out, lots of people out on their way to a lovely holiday in their caravan..
I swear (didn’t count so not very scientific) that 2 out of every 3 vans were large, twin axle Eldiss vans, Eldiss must be doing something right!

Kev

 

[Thingy]

Ah my son, you mean Elddis Hymer courtesy of the yanks.

 

[Raywood]

I assume he has none of the 2021 models left as if he said that too often he would be left with them forever. There do seem to be grumbles about minor things on current Baileys though.

 

[Thingy]

There will be grumbles about any caravan, Im certain of that. That will always be the state of play when quality control is left to the end user.

 

[Dustydog]

Since Swift closed down their Owners Forum I haven’t read one bad word about them. Maybe they have finally cracked the quality issues that plague the industry🤔🤔

 

[JezzerB]

I'd always be wary of a dealer dissing a make tbh. Me thinks less profit or none in stock and trying to point you elsewhere. We are super satisfied with our Thor group Buc! We chose it at a show and in direct comparison with the Coachman Xcel and swift equivalent. We'd already given the Bailey the once over(Alicanto) and liked it lots but the Buc won on standard kit, vfm build, comfort etc.

 

[ProfJohnL]

There will be grumbles about any caravan, Im certain of that. That will always be the state of play when quality control is left to the end user.

Quality control? I think its more quality Uncontrolled!

Have Swift cracked it? Or have they silenced it?

I do honestly hope the manufacturers have been listening, and are addressing the historically abysmal attention to quality management.

Perhaps the intervention of C-19 has given them time to think more about the role that a caravan plays in their customers lives. People are looking for a product that can be relied on to work flawlessly for the few precious days a year called holidays. They should not be marred with concerns about a caravan failing in some way.

 

[Thingy]

Couldnt agree more Prof.

 

[ProfJohnL]

If there was some way of ensuring manufacturers were more directly accountable for their products rather than it falling on dealers or even customers. it would sharpen their attention to the details. Unfortunately the way the supply chain is permitted to be set up in the UK, that crucial link between the end user and the manufacturer simply isn't enforced in law.

I wholeheartedly consider the UK's CRA 2015 is one of the strongest sets of consumer legislation, and it should be welcomed as it does formalise the contractual arrangements between the retailer and the end user, but that's as far as it goes, it does not force the retailer to pass the whole cost (and inconvenience) back up the supply chain, so manufacturers do not feel the pain of their mistakes.

There ought to be a Customers (retail, resellers or trade) Rights Act or some other form of legislation that automatically means that any fault introduced in to a new product at any stage of its manufacture or movement through the supply chain can be charged back to the point where that fault occurred.

Only when each stage of the supply chain is held responsible for its own actions, will each stage look at their processes and make the necessary improvements

 

[Dustydog]

Good script Prof. However the “incestuous “ structure of the NCC precludes any chance of the success we all seek .

 

[ProfJohnL]

Good script Prof. However the “incestuous “ structure of the NCC precludes any chance of the success we all seek .

I should point out that the concept I outlined above is not just appropriate for caravans but any product.

Also whilst it is not enshrined in law, in theory it could happen now, except some commercial contracts between manufacturers and dealers, wholesalers or stockists prevent full costs being passed back to the source.

It also raises the issue of should the manufacturer or a faulty screw be held responsible for all the costs of repair or replacement or even consequential losses if a high value item like a car or caravan or supertanker fails becasue of it.

I suppose it could be argued the customer who used the faulty screw should have detected it and rejected it rather than using it.