Was I wise in buying a brand new Bailey.

[Royston]

Having owned a older type of construction bailey pageant 1998, decided in the year 2006 to purchased a series 6 Ranger 460/4 with the latest construction, as now used in the entire range of Bailey caravans.

They rely on outside contractors to supply the front and rear panels, alas all is not well with these panels.

On my second service they found dampness in excees of 36% in the top left hand side of the van, upon checking they found a split in the rear panel, did a temporary repair, awaited Baileys for conformation as to what method of repair they should carry out.

Whilst waiting for a reply from the Dealer I contacted Bailey direct explained what had happened to my van , was assured by Baileys( have all this on my computer)that they had authorised a new rear panel and other parts that may require replacing.

Was advised by the dealer that the parts including the rear panel had arrived and when could I bring the van in. Date was set upon arriving at the Dealers six weeks only since the orignal split was discovered another split was observed this time on the right side of the rear panel.

They had the van a fortnight before I was informed that the van was ready for collection, upon arrival at the dealers I discovered the same original rear panel was still on the van.

The fitter explained , that they deemed it not necessary to replace the panel , they had done a epoxy repair which had sealed the splits.

Racing round to the dealer boss man In advised him that Baileys had promised me a complete new panel, which they had in their possesion,I rejected the van and left on the understanding that they would replace the rear panel. Should have the van back within 10 days.

During the discussions the question of warranties cropped up,ie would the new panel have a 6 year warranty, reason being the dealer mentioned that the new panel could easly become faulty but would be repaired whilst under warranty, The only way you can save yourselves a hefty replacement panel outside the warranty (900 to 1000 pounds per panel)is to sell the van before the warranty expires.

Heaven help people buying second hand vans in the future

not knowing whether the front and rear panels are as sound in construction as they think they are.

Not a very happy Bailey Caravan owner.

Royston

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

to me sound like this is down to the dealer. i know its frustrating remember your contract is with the dealer.

i know that when you require a new panel bailey usually like the vans there so they can change the panel.

id ring bailey if i was you.

jo-anne

 

[DeliDave]

god knows that 99% of dealers are pure gold but could the dealer possibly have charged bailey for a replacement panel,kept the new one for a paid repair and done a cheapo job to fob you off.I would definately contact Baileys and let them know the position it might be all above board of course but it wont hurt to talk to them

 

[Royston]

Yes I have been back to Baileys contact Ian Turner, who has been returning my faxes, prefer this method as i have the recorded messages as evidence should the problem turn nasty, (phone calls can be denied by both parties).

This is one of the reasons that I saw red at the Dealers as I have on fax from Ian that he had authorised a replacement panel to be fitted by the Dealer, as previously mentioned the Dealer last friday did agree to fit the panel, why he chose not to who knows.

In the past i have never ever bought a brand new caravan, the ones that I have bought have always served me well,usual 3 months warrenty never had any leak problems, untill now when Buying for the first time a brand new van,why should the panel crack after only two years , there appears to be no explanation, possible theries are incorrect drilling during assembly,holes being to small for the screws that hold the awning rail causing through vibration the splits to occur within the panel, Its not only the rear panels that have had defects, the front panels have been subjected to the same problems.

These panels are manufactured by sub contractors who supply other major caravan manufactures, Baleys have been excellent in there approach to my problem , and supplying the replacement parts to rectify the problem , thank goodness they honour there six year warranties.

Royston

 

[trucker]

Royston, I dont think it matters what van you buy. My Abbey is at the dealers currently awaiting Swift to tell them if they can replace the front and rear panels cus they have both developed cracks, the rear is exacty as you describe. I have told the dealer and swift I will not accept a repair. My Abbey is also only 2 years old.

Good luck with yours.

Kevin

 

[trucker]

I was going to keep this private between the dealer, swift and myself but after the attitude I had on thusday from swift prahaps going public will wake them up a bit and take my complaint seriously. Ive been waiting 2 weeks for an answer which I think is far too long for such a serious problem.

Kevin

 

[Royston]

Trucker,

Swift buy their external front and rear panels from the same supplier as Baileys,So the fault is not down to Bailey construction methods, but to the supplier of these panels,I do not know who they are,but their must be a design fault within the construction of these panels.

Has your van been fitted with Alko Shock Absorbers,just wondered by fitting them what difference it would make to the towing of the van.

Will keep in touch on the devolpment , their must be alot more people out their who will discover simular problems to ourselves, knowing how many vans swift make.

Royston

 

[trucker]

Royston, News today (what a suprise) Swift are comming to my house w/c 3 Nov to inspect the van. Ill make sure that im off on the day tbc to go through it with them and get their expectations managed on what I require.

I fitted alko shocks earlyer this year and it does make a fantastic difference to the towing, a lot less bouncing around on the back of the car so much so the wife even said it was much better and she was a big scepic before I got them.

Ill keep you informed of the progress with the panels

Kevin

 

[Royston]

Hi Kevin,Thanks for the info regarding the shock absorbers, pleased to read that Swift are coming round to your house, do you live near to the manufacturing plant,As I live in Essex quite away from Bristol home of Bailey, Hopefully when they inspect your van all will soon be sorted out, by the time they come to visit you hopefully i willhave some good news to tell.

Royston

 

[trucker]

Royston

No, we live in Tiverton devon and Swift are in Hull. I guess they will be spending the week down this part of the world inspecting vans. I had a repair on my last van which was carried out by swift at my dealers, they were doing the same then going from dealer to dealer doing panel repairs, but no repairs needed this time just 2 new panels.

kevin

 

[Stephen_374341239]

Royston

I am a Bailey owner and I have been told that ABS panels like the type on Bailey caravans cannot be repaired. Thay have to be replaced completly. There plastic you connot fill or seal them.

You can as a temp repair drill a small hole at the end of the split to stop it splitting any further then fill with mastic as a temp repair ONLY.

 

[Rich]

Sorry to look like a stalker Stephen... Second post tonight following yours!

Anyway. The panels are not ABS they are fibre glass and repairing is awkward as you really need to patch from the inside and use a good chemical cleaner to allow the epoxy to stick to the inner surface or use an insustrial bonding agent and a composite patch. If they were ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) then they can be welded using a hot air plastic welder and an ABS filler rod. Like most welding flatting and polishing will leave a scar but it will seal the crack until a new panel can be fitted. Fibre glass can be a problem but it is still possible to have the surface crack sealed with epoxy as a temporary measure again with a replacement needed for it to be fully done. The best material to use would be Pre-preg Carbon Fibre as it has a strength greater than steel and flexability but the cost is high.

 

[TD42]

Hi Royston The problem with cracking front & rear panels on the bailey rangers of around 2006 vintage is due to the panel fixing screw being undersized . this caused stress cracking in the panels around the screws (remember the Bailey/Fenwicks row regarding plastic panel cracking) The solution I am told was to oversize the screw holes & use a nylon insert through which the screw was inserted thus relieving the stress. Bailey have been replacing panels affected under warrantie

 

[Andy_374377949]

Hi Royston The problem with cracking front & rear panels on the bailey rangers of around 2006 vintage is due to the panel fixing screw being undersized . this caused stress cracking in the panels around the screws (remember the Bailey/Fenwicks row regarding plastic panel cracking) The solution I am told was to oversize the screw holes & use a nylon insert through which the screw was inserted thus relieving the stress. Bailey have been replacing panels affected under warrantie

I think the design is at fault. I not convinced that having a protruding plastic rear together with a metal side works.

Though i admit to be no expert, i reckon the expansion rate of the metal against the plastic is significant. This causes undue stress on the joint (sealant) and also the shock load induced due to distance the plastic rear panel overhangs away from the joint.

Not sure how valid my points are, but when i asked at the van master factory what i should avoid when buying a caravan he did protruding plastic rear panels.

Well do you good people think?

 

[Royston]

Hi Andy, my thoughts as well, I too assumed as Tony has pointed out about the screws.

The first split was discovered in the rear panel nearside alongside the awning rail where the panel is joined to the side metal panel.

The second split discovered 3 weeks after as I took the van in for the first repair,This time the split was On the offside of the panel, this time in the middle horizontal between the top fold of the panel and the awning rail no where near the screw fixings.

I just did wonder if the front and rear panels vibrate during towing, as i do tend to travel long distances , but Trucker who has a Abbey has the same problem and he has fitted shock absorbers.

Still waiting to hear from the dealer how they are getting on with Fitting the new replacement new rear panel.

Royston

 

[alunhve]

Is this a problem specific to Bailey's from 2006. I have a 2005 Senator Arizona and have not seen any problems to date.

Alun

 

[Stephen_374341239]

Royston

I am a Bailey owner and I have been told that ABS panels like the type on Bailey caravans cannot be repaired. Thay have to be replaced completly. There plastic you connot fill or seal them.

You can as a temp repair drill a small hole at the end of the split to stop it splitting any further then fill with mastic as a temp repair ONLY.

There Plastic 2008 Bailey Ranger ABS Plastic panels or fitted back and front.

 

[Stephen_374341239]

Sorry to look like a stalker Stephen... Second post tonight following yours!

Anyway. The panels are not ABS they are fibre glass and repairing is awkward as you really need to patch from the inside and use a good chemical cleaner to allow the epoxy to stick to the inner surface or use an insustrial bonding agent and a composite patch. If they were ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) then they can be welded using a hot air plastic welder and an ABS filler rod. Like most welding flatting and polishing will leave a scar but it will seal the crack until a new panel can be fitted. Fibre glass can be a problem but it is still possible to have the surface crack sealed with epoxy as a temporary measure again with a replacement needed for it to be fully done. The best material to use would be Pre-preg Carbon Fibre as it has a strength greater than steel and flexability but the cost is high.

Checked with Bailey today there Plastic abs panel front and back on new caravans.Phone them your self if you do not beleave me.

 

[Dustydog]

My previous S5 Pageant Vendee covered 1000s of miles and never had any ABS problems. My friend with an identical Vendee, with very low use, has a crcked ABS panel which is being replaced without quibble by Bailey and their dealer.

My present S6 Wyoming seems ok and will have her full damp test at next months first service.

So why are all these ABS panels failing? As far as I know the problem is not restricted to just Bailey and Swift. So why aren't they doing something with their suppliers to eradicate this problem once and for all?

I agree with the shock absorber fitting but wonder if it has any relevance to this issue?

Just a long shot but are the failures occurring on caravans that spend more time in storage than in use?

Cheers

Alan

 

[trucker]

Hi Alan, We use the caravan at least once per month for at least a w/e, going away this w/e as it happens. So no it cant be to do with the caravan not being used, well not in my case anyway.

Kevin

 

[Rich]

Checked with Bailey today there Plastic abs panel front and back on new caravans.Phone them your self if you do not beleave me.

The latest may be ABS and I did say what happens if you need to repair ABS. ABS plastics in general are distinguished by great toughness and high impact strength and the material is used in things like garden furniture. It has very good resistance to cracking I mean how many garden chairs just crack? Thermoforming extruded ABS sheet led to some spectacular uses, notably the body of the Citr

 

[Royston]

Hi Alan inbetween the first crack being temporary repaired and taking the van for the rear panel replacement, where the second split on the opposite side was noticed I had towed the van a mere 471 miles. Now the crack could have occured anywhere within that mileage, which is very worrying, I have written to Baileys MD explaning my position asking why nobody can explain why these faults are occuring,and these same people cannot guarantee that the new replacement panel will not suffer the same fate as the original one has.

Royston

 

[trucker]

Royson, good news from Swift. Rear panel being replaced, front locker door being replaced and front panel small distortion in the glase being repaired. All being done at my dealers.

Kevin

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Kevin

Very good news. Well done persevering.

I'm now paranoid about checking my ABS panels. Fortunately I've never had a problem. I wonder if the failure occurrs because of an error at the manufacturing, assembly or some external source.

Maybe Swift , Bailey and others can tell us how serious or mild this problem really is.

I've said it before on this forum . Why do manufacturers keep changing things that have worked perfectly for years?

I always think of the Austin Allegro square steering wheel.

Cheers

Alan

 

[Royston]

Hi Trucker, Good news things are on the move , alas cannot say the same for my Bailey, its now three weeks since I rejected the van for the bodge repair, and the dealer fineally agreeing that they would fit the brand new rear panel that Baileys had supplied them, rang the dealer this morning their reply still awaiting spares new awning rails.Its now 12 days since i wrote a letter to the MD of Baileys requesting could some person advise what is causeing these cracks to appear in the rear and front panels in van that is only two years old, Alas still no response .

Anybody out there got any thoughts as what my next move should be.

Royston