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Rear panel on Bailey Ranger - Help!

E

Ewan_5130997

Just had the misfortune of hitting a utility pole with the back of my new pride and joy. (I have an excuse, but I wont go into that here). There is only scratches to the visible area, however, a piece of the plastic (about the size of your hand)which folds under the rear of the van and is nailed to the floor has snapped off. I have yet to have the van looked at by the dealer, however on speaking to them on the phone, it was suggested that basically they dont repair such damage and it may require a whole new back panel. Does anyone know if this is the case or have they had a similar problem?
 
A lot depends on what material it is made of, Fibreglass is easy to repair but ABS plastic is more difficult and of course who's paying, insurance or out your own pocket!!

For a repair your paying for, I would suggest you look in yellow pages for a mobile guy who fixes car bumpers rather than caravans.
 
If you can get it repaired, do so. Replacement panels never seem to fit like the originals.I whacked the rear panel on my 2004 swift, but am prepared to put up with a few scratches and a bit of filler !

Ray
 
Dealer says it is not worth repairing as the plastic is starting to split......therefore, new panel required. At the prices quoted, the insurance company will be getting a call.

Am I being synical or are the manufacturers making these one piece panels just to make it harder to carry out small repairs????
 
Ewan,

No it's lack of training.

If the panel is GRP (polyester resin and fibre-glass) then these can be easily repaired by almost anyone, from filling corrosion holes in old car panels to my Libelle sailplane - the skill is quite easy to pick up.

But if the panel is "Acrylic capped ABS" then this is the same stuff as modern flexible car bumpers, and these tend to "split and run". GRP repair kits won't stick to ABS (too flexible) but there is a special repair kit for ABS - but you need to be trained how to use it.

And it appears that most caravan service centres aren't trained.

Robert
 
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