Why such poor quality for van fittings?

[otherclive]

I have recently had a thread on my awning light...a Ring Ultra. After removing the front opaque cover I discovered that one of the bulbs had not blown but that the bulb socket (on both) and the spade connector terminals were all corroded being made from a ferrous metal. I did not waste time trying to remove the bulb as it would only have broken during removal. Given the sorry state of this unit which is only 3 yaers old I will buy a new one.

I never cease to be amazed at the poor quality of some van fittings which are clearly not fit for purpose, yet manufacturers will fit them to keep costs down. Yet for a couple of pounds more Ring could easily have produced a light that would last a lot longer. My 1990 BMW E30 still has some of its original rear bulbs in place and no corrosion on the fittings. If anyone knows of a good qualty awning light I'd be pleased to know.

 

[Gareth111278]

Hi clive , I agree on the cheap fittings bit , its all down , as you say, to cost.

One would expect if you buy BMW quality caravans things would last like they have on your car.

BUT is that the case?

Any owners of 'Quality' caravans care to comment?

Gareth

 

[ProfJohnL]

As the vast majority of electrical fittings for all caravans come from the same production lines, the ones used on expensive caravans are just as likely to weather as those on the cheaper marques.

The same applies to fridges heaters and cookers, along with water pipes and pumps.

In fact the biggest difference will be in the trim fittings and pseudo wooden mouldings, and fabrics.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I agree with what you say John

Only yesterday we were remarking that there is less difference between model ranges than there used to be and real difference is in a perceived better "name" such as Senator or Conqueror

The Bailey Senator and Pageant range look the same shape at a glance and all makers seem to have a variation on the flat roof design rather than the distinctive boat and lantern roof individual designs etc of old

The main fittings are similar but more extras such as Alko wheel clamps,ATC etc account for the greater price of upmarket models

 

[rob_jax]

Hi,

I believe you'll potentially (but not necessarily) see a difference in the fittings between a UK and European made caravan.

Obviously a Dometic fridge or Truma room heater should be the same, but the quality inspection and factory testing to root out faulty units may well differ...

You may find Hella light assemblies rather than Ring or Jokon, and there may be differences in the design, build quality, whatever of the light units. But natural condensation and dissimilar metals are always going to try to promote corrosion... So an annual check to clean and protect would seem to be sensible.

But if I could point to one electrical item in our Eriba that impresses - then the German Schaudt WA1214 booster power pack is just a really well made piece of electronics

My experience of Ring products is limited to a stop light failure on my previous Mercedes - a diagnostic message appeared saying "Left brake bulb failure" - so I popped into Halfords - and bought a pair of Ring brake light bulbs - both of these failed inside 50 miles - and careful examination showed that the "bend and crimp" process to trap the filament had simply opened up - obviously a manufacturing fault but the scope of the problem, no idea - Halfords exchanged them for Philips products and these were fine.

Manufacturing costs - there's a school of business thought (for low scale or specialist manufacture - and I'd suggest caravans fit) that the cost of brought in items should be multiplied by three or four to cover design and manufacturing costs, sales, dealer margin, etc. So a few pounds here and there soon impact on the forecourt price...

Robert

 

[Surfer]

Gareth, there is ano such thing as a BMW or Rolls Royce of caravans. They are all appear to made with sub-standard quality checks etc.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi you Guys

Fully agree. This is why I keep asking NIGEL DONNELY to do an article on QA/QC . Use of inferior parts helps no one.

Cheers

Alan

 

[vernon]

Don't hold your breath about reading an article in PC which highlights BAD QC/QA in the caravan industry.

I bet an article would be full of praise for the excellent QA/QC throughout the industry, and would state that any faulty caravan out there must be an odd rogue one!

 

[Dustydog]

Vernon

I'v got fairies at the bottom of my garden!

Cheers

Alan

 

[otherclive]

There seems to be a resigned concenus that some van fittings are not really fit for purpose. However I can't agree that I should have to take the fittings apart and claen and lubricate them annually. I don't have to do it with my cars. The principles of galvanic corrosion are well established and companies such as ring should select the correct materials for the job. Their blurb for the Ultra Awning light tells the prospective purchaser that it is weatherproof. Also looking at the opaque cover I doubt that it would stand many removals before it cracked. Three yaers life for an external fitting is totally unacceptable. The Hella range look to be better designed and have a proper perimeter seal and a screw fixed front cover.

Cheers

Other Clive

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I've always found Hella products to be well made

I had a 2 Ring Ultra awning lights with the PIR auto switch on before I took the 3rd one back for a refund

The bulbs in all 3 were burnt black as the unit didn't switch them off again

 

[ProfJohnL]

There seems to be a resigned concenus that some van fittings are not really fit for purpose. However I can't agree that I should have to take the fittings apart and claen and lubricate them annually. I don't have to do it with my cars. The principles of galvanic corrosion are well established and companies such as ring should select the correct materials for the job. Their blurb for the Ultra Awning light tells the prospective purchaser that it is weatherproof. Also looking at the opaque cover I doubt that it would stand many removals before it cracked. Three yaers life for an external fitting is totally unacceptable. The Hella range look to be better designed and have a proper perimeter seal and a screw fixed front cover.

Cheers

Other Clive

All too often caravan manufactured ignore the tried and tested domestic products, in favour of a redesigned unit that often actually costs more and doesn't last. e.g taps, pipework, latches, and so on.