Swift Challenger Locking Door

[Saxo Appeal]

Since we purchased our first caravan in 2023 both of us have always thought it was normal to slam the door so the handle could be moved up to the lock position when going to bed or simply locking it for security.

Wasn’t until tonight we thought, surely this can’t be right….having to slam the door when people could be sleeping doesn’t seem right.

Adding to the fact having other Swift people around us, we’ve never heard a slam from anyone else.

Anyone else have a Swift and have to really pull, slam the door so the handle can be locked, may just be misaligned.

Could be wrong but just want to check with everyone before sending off an email to our dealer

 

[Hutch]

Not on the Swift,but our Coachman states pull handle , before closing from the outside. But inside just pull to close then turn to lock.

 

[Saxo Appeal]

But you don’t need to slam the door mate?

I’ll try the ‘pull’ method tomorrow and see if that works

 

[Hutch]

Try the butcher in Brampton, Gloves GW and sons
Bought a half lamb, all boxed up fitted in the bottom of caravan fridge just nice.

Hutton le Hole, great CL site, wonderful pub and a fantastic chocolate factory.

 

[otherclive]

My last Swift I just pulled the handle and turned, but no real force required.

 

[birdman101]

Our Swift is also 2023 ,and no need to slam door. Or our previous Swift bought new in 2013. Just gently shut door and locking easy no effort whatsoever required.

 

[Dustydog]

Try the butcher in Brampton, Gloves GW and sons
Bought a half lamb, all boxed up fitted in the bottom of caravan fridge just nice.

Hutton le Hole, great CL site, wonderful pub and a fantastic chocolate factory.

Slamming doors and butchers🙃🙀

 

[Saxo Appeal]

Try the butcher in Brampton, Gloves GW and sons
Bought a half lamb, all boxed up fitted in the bottom of caravan fridge just nice.

Hutton le Hole, great CL site, wonderful pub and a fantastic chocolate factory.

This was rather off topic mate? 🤔😂

 

[borderbilly]

This was rather off topic mate? 🤔😂

He's lost the plot since turning vegan.

 

[Beachball]

So far on our Swift like someone else pulled the handle and turned with no force

 

[Saxo Appeal]

Thanks all,

I’m going to also visit a dealership and try a few swifts

Then I’ll fire off the email to my dealer

 

[otherclive]

But you don’t need to slam the door mate?

I’ll try the ‘pull’ method tomorrow and see if that works

Did the “ pull” method work then?

 

[Saxo Appeal]

Nope didn’t work, gave it a good pull and still the handle wouldn’t lock upwards.

Here a video of myself trying to shut it

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/z91zO4wv1LM?si=mL1HvXAbnRpN-Fqy

 

[ProfJohnL]

No you shouldn't need to slam the door for it to close and latch properly.

If you haven't already, may I suggest you watch all the video's posted by

Beyond the Brochure: Caravan Reality

This gentleman has recently bought a swift caravan, and has had a catalogue of failures, some of which he has repaired himself but most would warranty if it had been convenient to get to the dealer.

His experience is far from unique, and it makes me suspect most problems with Swifts are down to a combination of poor design, and poor workman ship - both of which are prime examples of a failed or non existent Quality Management System.

The saddest thing is the caravan buying public have become so used to having such issues, that most new owners actually expect to find problems. and worse, the caravan industry know they have an abysmal quality record, so they actually build into the cost of a new van a surcharge to cover the averaged cost of warranty repairs!

Caravan satisfaction Surveys carried out over several years have consistently shown that about 20% of new caravans (Across all brands) need substantive warranty work. That is an abysmal statistic, and it ignores all the lesser problems that owners fix themselves, things as trivial as sawdust in draws, the odd screw rolling around, to cupboard door being warped or a door lock not working, all of these are indications the manufacturer has not completed the assembly job correctly and which affect the end user to some extent. I'd bet that 90% or more of new caravans exhibit some manufacturing or assembly failures if we accept that uncleared sawdust is a manufacturing failure.

They are actually charging us to allow them to make mistakes! If they were to put their house into order they could actually reduce the retail price of all caravans by over £1000 each, and still make the same profit but more impressively on a smaller turnover, They would also have a happier customer base, more likely to both recommend products to friends, and generating return business.

According to the consumer rights act, customers of brand new products should expect them to be fault free!

Sorry for the rant.

 

[borderbilly]

Maybe Larry Grayson could fix it.

 

[Mel]

Since we purchased our first caravan in 2023 both of us have always thought it was normal to slam the door so the handle could be moved up to the lock position when going to bed or simply locking it for security.

Wasn’t until tonight we thought, surely this can’t be right….having to slam the door when people could be sleeping doesn’t seem right.

Adding to the fact having other Swift people around us, we’ve never heard a slam from anyone else.

Anyone else have a Swift and have to really pull, slam the door so the handle can be locked, may just be misaligned.

Could be wrong but just want to check with everyone before sending off an email to our dealer

Have you looked at the inside door plate that the catch engages to. Most of them are on the wrong way around with the recessed bit facing the opposite way to the tongue of the catch! Can’t see clearly on your video but think yours might be. Need my better glasses! Easy to turn around. Even we managed it.
Mel