Thank you Dusty
Again I cannot claim to be guru in
these matters, I just have strong opinions that good product design techniques should
identify these types of issues through prototypes and testing
regimes, and design solutions, which should include prevention of
wrong assembly.
Where a critical feature is involved,
methods of proving the design and production will guarantee a
successful result – in short (and we have been here so many times
before) Quality Assurance.
I have viewed the suggested videos with
interest. I have no reason to doubt the presenters intentions, and
they certainly show the reasons why the customer has every reason to
be really upset with their caravan purchase.
But there are questions that the video
does not answer, which might explain the images we see.
Without knowing the design of the
bottom side wall moulding, it may or may not require to be bonded
tightly to the side wall. So the apparent gap may be perfectly
innocent.
The assumption that rain on the side
wall enters the gap and then gets into the floor construction may be
incorrect, the water may be sourced from elsewhere on the caravan,
and travel by some other route.
The use of the moisture meter seems to
show moisture on the surface of the wall. The coating on the wall
board is often impervious so that can carry surface condensation
giving a false reading.
As I stated I am sure the the presenter
is genuine in there intention, its just that such images need to be
considered carefully.
However, its very distressing to see
such evidence that leads to customer dissatisfaction. I know from the
correspondence on the forum that other owners are reporting similar
issues with this model, so whilst the video is of just one example it
seems likely it is not a totally isolated incident.
Unfortunately we have to be a little
circumspect with regard to apparent faults reported in this way:-
Forums by their nature will tend to
carry more reports of complaints about products rather than reports
of when products are satisfactory or good. Its also common practice
for manufacturers to refrain from open debate about such matters on
forums, so the inevitable outcome will usually have a more negative
bias than positive. As readers we're hamstrung because there could be
salient information not provided which may leave an unbalanced
perspective of the report.
Having made that point, the fact that
water ingress issues continue to come to light on this and other
forums gives credence to the contention the industry fails to really
understand the mechanics of the failures, AND the impact it has on
those customers who have the misfortune to have purchased a caravan
that leaks!
There is no acceptable reason for water
ingress, and the manufactures cannot be complacent, because it
represents a failure of their duty to produce a perfect product- in
short a dry caravan.
We don't know the numbers of
caravans/motorhomes that develop this type of failure, but regardless
of the percentage, I firmly believe manufacturers are reneging on a
moral duty of care (if not a legal one) to be far more supportive of
customers when this issue arises. Its unreasonable to blame the
seller, (as SoGA requires) as they have no direct input into the
design or construction of the product.
Some manufactures will tell you in
water ingress only affect a small undefined number of their total
production, Fine; then they should adopt a “lets sort it out
quickly and fully” for the few that do suffer, and be more generous
in terms of possible replacements and or compensation.
Where greater numbers may be involved,
then they seriously need to look at why the problem exists, and
engineer a solution and offer it to all customers.
Any manufacture that continues to
produce a product that has a tendency to be evidently unsatisfactory,
should be doing:-
All they can to understand and remedy
the problem.
Undertaking a comprehensive product
review to establish why their products continue to demonstrate this
tendency.
Then produce a tested and proven
solution to cure current products and design future products to break
the tradition.
Caravans should not be prone to leaks
that damage the structure, content or customer confidence.
As a legal issue if sufficient numbers
of customer have the same proven issue with a product or range of
products, then there is an option of taking a class action against
the manufacture- but its costly and time consuming with no guaranteed
outcome.
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