Swift Group Shower Warning

[Ian_5040589]

We picked our brand new Challenger 540 up on Friday.

This is the nearside fixed bed corner washroom model which I understand has been delayed due to washroom problems.

During the first shower on Saturday morning the shower leaked.

There are two silver strips below the door which run the full width of the opening. The water seems to be getting into the gap and coming out of the door into the bedroom. This then causes pooling on the bedroom floor.

This problem may be unique to our specific van or it may be a design fault. Our van has been returned to the supplying dealer for further investigation.

If you are picking up a Challenger 540 or similar model across the Swift group, get your dealer to run the shower during handover - turn the shower on, close the door and activate the pump. Check to ensure that no water is leaking out.

I'd welcome any feedback from anyone with similar experience or if you own a similar model and have had no problems.

I hope this can be resolved because in all other respects this is an excellent van.

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

omg after all the waiting and delays and the talk for the forum and us and swift about the shower room. i just hope it is a one off and it can be sorted.

we have the same layout as you but the sterling elite onyx and are due to pick ours up on next saturday. we will make sure that they run the shower and check for this problem.

lets hope swift reads this post and can put our minds at rest.

jo-anne

 

[ValA.]

I must admit when we looked around the latest Swift we weren't impressed by the washroom door. If the model has been delayed due to washroom problems it might be that this is the cause - poor design leading to a leaking shower. They'll probably try to get around it by fitting a curtain to go across the door (like the older models) - and hope you'll accept it!

 

[Dustydog]

Jo-anne

This is why it is so important you get the dealer to show you everything working. If it leaks like Ian's you can refuse it and not pay until it is fixed. Let's hope this was just a one off. They are still excellent vans and I am sure Swift can quickly resolve Ian's problem.

Good luck next saturday.

Alan

 

[ProfJohnL]

Historically, caravans have been notorious for manufacturing faults to be undetected until the customer tries to use the facility, and then the warranty scenario starts to play out where the customer is inconvenienced whilst on holiday, they are further inconvenienced when they have to find time to take the caravan back to the dealer for the work to be assessed, often, the dealer won't keep the van until the parts arrive, so the customer is yet again inconvenienced by having to tow the caravan back to its storage locations, and then collected again for delivery back to the dealers when the work is to be carried out.

Time, fuel, lost earnings, and the caravan unavailable to be used, it all adds up to quite a lot on customer inconvenience.

How much simpler if the caravan is proved to be working at the time of handover, especially in area's that are know to be problematical from other users experiences.

Jo-anne continue to ask the dealer to prove the van, after all for many it is the second or third most expensive item you are likely to purchase and it is your right to expect a fully functioning product.

It all comes back to the caravan manufactures apparent inability to design and manufacture caravans to a consistently high and reliable standard. Sadly we end up paying for their mistakes, as they have to keep the profit line on each caravan high enough to fund the cost of warranty repairs. If they could actually put more effective effort into over all quality from the design stage through to manufacture, warranty costs would be so much lower, and profit would be higher giving room for price cuts.

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

hi, i have phoned the dealer and told them off this problem. they will be testing it in the pdi check. i also told them i want it running when we come to collect it. on the last handover from the same dealer it took all of 20 mins and no gas, elec or water was shown working. the lady who i dealt with this time says all hand overs should do elec, water cant remember about the gas. so this time i will make sure they work for there money.

jo-anne

 

[Ian_5040589]

Good for you Jo-anne,

Check the folding door in the shower - ours doesn't quite shut properly unless you force it and the locker door nearest the dividing wall between lounge and kitchen - it fouled the wall slightly.

That is the only two other problems we encountered - both potentially repeated across the range but equally could just be our van.

I'll be on the phone to Swift tomorrow. The dealer has promised to have the van back for our next trip a week on Friday but I want to ensure that Swift are in the loop too.

I will also be asking the dealer to set up the van so that I can run the shower with them present before taking it away again.

I fully support John L's comments - our last van practically lived with the dealer for the first two months with niggly faults and whilst the dealer concerned was mildly supportive the manufacturer didn't want to know when I tackled them about the costs of fuel etc for round trips for repair. I won't be quite so tolerant this time around!

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Ian,

Because of the sale of goods acts (SOGA), the manufacture is not obligated to you unlike the dealer. So I am not surprised that the manufacture is not listening to your concerns.

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

ian, ring martin hailey at swift he is the sales manager and im sure will help you in any way he can.

which locker door the one above the where the tv is?

i have already paid for my van. i did it when i paid the finance off all in one go. so where would i stand if there was a fault and i had already paid for it? (fingers crossed there isnt).

do you think i should go up before i collect the van and get them to check it then or just wait until i collect it and do it on handover?.

john im sure they will respond to Ian's and our concerns when they go back to work on monday. this was only posted today i think.

jo-anne

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

Ian, swift customer care line 01482 875740 or martin hailey 01482 479288 i dont know if he would be able to help as he is in sales but im sure if he cant then he will know someone who can.

jo-anne

 

[Ian_5040589]

Hi Jo-anne,

Its the locker door on the inside of the bedroom. There are three on that wall. Its the one above the venetian blind. There's a bit of movement in ours so it should (hopefully) be adjustable but at the moment opening it can cause it to brush against the wall which will mark it over time.

I'll report back on progress with my van. As I said before, hopefully the shower problem can be solved as in all other respects it is an excellent van. Its not rocket science as other manufacturers appear to have solved the problem and Swift are hardly inventing the wheel.

 

[Ian_5040589]

Sorry Jo-anne, I should add that I'm hopeful of a full resolution here - we paid for our van in full too and I'm sure there will be no need to go down any legal route.

I'm no legal expert but I would expect a washroom to be fit for purpose - ie not leaking so I hope the onus would be on the dealer to prove that it doesn't leak (bit difficult with a pool of water in the bedroom).

If your dealer is setting your van up for collection I'd wait until then rather than making two trips and effectively two inspections.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Ian & Jo-anne

I fuly agree with John L's comments. It amazes me that even Swift and Bailey can release caravans from their production lines with faults. What happened to the rigorous quality control they tell us about in their numerous adverts. I bet their advertising and marketing costs at least 5% of each caravan's value!??

However as John L says your contract is with the dealer not the manufacturer. Thus I believe if the dealers did a more comprehensive PDI and more people demanded a comprehensive takeover maybe the problems may reduce.

Payment? We paid by switch once we were happy the Wyoming was in good shape.

Cheers

Alan

 

[SwiftGroup_374327846]

Hi Ian & Jo-anne

I fuly agree with John L's comments. It amazes me that even Swift and Bailey can release caravans from their production lines with faults. What happened to the rigorous quality control they tell us about in their numerous adverts. I bet their advertising and marketing costs at least 5% of each caravan's value!??

However as John L says your contract is with the dealer not the manufacturer. Thus I believe if the dealers did a more comprehensive PDI and more people demanded a comprehensive takeover maybe the problems may reduce.

Payment? We paid by switch once we were happy the Wyoming was in good shape.

Cheers

Alan

Alan

I am sorry to hear about the shower problem with your new caravan.

I have briefed our customer care team to expect your call but I would appreciate if you could provide details of your van so that we can contact your dealer to understand the problem.

Our customer careline number is 01482 875740 or our email is enquiries@swiftleisure.co.uk.

Thank you

Kath

 

[Ian_5040589]

Kath,

It was me (Ian) with the shower problem.

I spoke with Sue at Swift at 11:30am this morning. There should be chapter and verse on your records if you check with Sue.

Thanks

Ian

 

[HomerS1]

Hi, we have had our Abbey 495 (same layout) since April with the same problem. It's a design fault with the shower door being too short. I glued some clear tubing across the rail at the bottom. Can't really be noticed and works a treat. Shouldn't have to do this of course but didn't want to faff about, back and forth to the dealer etc. If they sort yours let this forum know as maybe they can sort ours when it goes in for service.

Chris

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

homer and Ian, thats two of you with the same problem same layout. i just hope you find a fix and that mine isnt the same when i pick it up on saturday. ive had a bad few weeks and could do without this now.

please keep us all posted on this ian and homer.

jo-anne

 

[Ian_5040589]

Hi Jo-anne,

Spoke with the dealer and Swift today.

Swift had clearly already read this forum and were prepared for my call and have promised to work with the dealer to resolve.

I'm leaving it in their (Swift and the dealers) capable hands for a couple of days before I chase again.

Hopefully I won't need to chase as either Swift or the dealer will contact me!

Will keep you posted and will be able to update before you pick up your van on Saturday.

 

[ProfJohnL]

This is really refreshing to read that Swift group have someone actually reading this forum. I think it is a first to have a manufacturers representative actually responding to a posting.

Please Swiftgroup can we have more input from you regarding issues or topics that concern you directly?

 

[Ian_5040589]

Here's my update:

Yesterday (Tues 4th) I received a phone call and an email from Swift updating me with progress.

Today (Weds 5th) I received a call from my dealer updating me.

A Swift rep has been out and inspected the van, which apparently needed some modification to the bottom of the door. The dealer has now tested it and the problem has been resolved.

Vans in Swift group stock will need to be modified, vans in dealer stock should be modified by the dealer before dispatch to customers - so if you are in the process of collecting a 540 or similar model across the ranges, ensure your dealer is aware of the problem and speaks to Swift.

The dealer is now awaiting a part for the shower screen itself, but otherwise it sounds like my van is sorted.

They are aware I want the van for a trip a week on Friday and have asked if they can keep the van until then in case the screen part comes in. If not, I can take it and return it after the weekend (can still use shower). The dealership is on the way back home in any case, so I'm not going out of my way. They also said they'd like to valet it again before I collect!

The matter has been dealt with efficiently and I have been kept informed throughout the process.

I have to say that both the dealer and Swifts response in this matter has been EXCELLENT - other manufacturers and dealers should take note.

Jo-anne - as I said before, make sure your dealer is up to speed with the shower door issue and get him to test during handover.

Otherwise - enjoy your new van and have complete confidence in Swifts aftersales.

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

hi ian, just spoke to swift they are in the process of contacting my dealer and will be ringing me back tomorrow. if it does need this part then its maybe best staying at dealers till it comes in as i havent got the car back as yet.

updat on that on towcars.

i cant thank swift enough they have been great and i agree with you that more manu's should take note of how they have been dealing with us, the forum and the probs.

keep you posted

jo-anne

 

[waffler]

Sorry to hear this tale but I am sure it will be sorted. We have the bailey with the same layout but with unlined walls. No problem when showering but we do get a leak when I'm cleaning the bathroom. The shower tray runs into what becomes the floor on which sits the loo. When I run the shower over this floor i get the leak outside the bathroom. Thought originally it was cracked mastic round the shower tray but that's been fixed. I suspect now that there is a gap under the loo somewhere I can't see. Back to the dealers again!

 

[Ian_5040589]

Good Luck Chris, I hope your dealer is supportive - I think Swift and my dealer have set a benchmark here by which others should be measured. The Swift has a single unit shower and toilet which I think was modified recently. Effectively the toilet is mounted on an extension of the shower tray.

Jo-anne - I don't think there is a part required, I think its more about how the shower is sealed at the foot of the door so your dealer should be able to modify straight away.

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

ian, i hope so swift are ringing them about it. ive told the dealer i want the shower running and pump activate on my handover. this time they are going to do it properly and they will work for there money. i know alot more now.

keep me posted ian

thanks

jo-anne

 

[gooner44]

I have to agree with John L on this one, it's great to see Swift Group taking an interest in our discussion on here and they are to be congratulated on the way they appear to be responding to the customers problems. Hope all is now sorted Ian & I agree Swift have set a standard for others to follow.

Even more glad that we've decided to purchase a Sterling van.

'Well Done Swift Group'