Swift Gazelle Aluminium Extrusion

[shmbry]

Hello All

I need to replace the aluminium frame surrounding the gas compartment aperture on a 2001 Swift Gazelle.

I have asked Swift, who put in touch with the nearest dealer. The dealer said there is no parts information available for that vehicle. I went back to Swift and, after a struggle, got them to divulge the name of the company that supplied the extrusion. This turned ot to be a UPVC window company! They subsequently said they had no information, and referred me to Oleary's to whom I had already spoken!

Does anyone know where I can get this type of extrusion? It's obvious that Swift don't want anything to do with anything over 10 years old, and their customer support is non existent.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Shmbry.

It is regrettable that Swift's customer services were unable (or not willing) to give more detailed information to you.

In reality there is a very strong probability that that Swift have not used that specific part for many years now. With annually changing model lines, and the introduction of new assembly techniques, its impractical for the caravan manufacturer to hold spare for models that are than about 6 years old. Its unlikely they ever kept any significant stock, as even in 2001 the manufacturers were moving towards 'just in time' deliveries of components from suppliers. It was up to the suppliers to managed production and any stock holding required to meet delivery targets. Specialized unique parts such as door surrounds would be manufactured against a schedule and very few extras would be produced. Its not uncommon for final product assemblers like Swift, to refer any spares enquiries to the suppliers directly. This unfortunately does not help you.

I suggest you contact your local caravan/trailer repair specialists (They many not be caravan dealers). They may have a stock of the correct strip, or might have an alternative.

 

[shmbry]

Hello John
Many thanks for the reply. I fully appreciate the nature of modern production methods and spares stock, however how many Kb does it take to keep a record of the part number, supplier and material/component designation?
Being in not doubt that the extrusion profile was not commissioned by Swift and is probably sourced from a completely separate realm of engineering, I am now canvassing various extrusion suppliers.
If I succeed in tracing it back to source I will post the results here for future reference.