Damaged caravan but can't get spares or repairs

Wilmo
Wilmo Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited February 2021 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

I'm looking for advice please.

We own (from new) a 2014 Bailey Rimini GT65. Other than last year, we regularly tour both in the UK and France.

Last year, the storage site where we kept the caravan was broken into 3 times by travellers who, each time stole a number of caravans. Our caravan was broken into twice and damage was done to the external door and frame as well as some internal damage.

We put in a claim, through a local dealer, which was approved. We were warned by the insurance company that it might take time to source all the parts needed.

It' now almost a year on from the first break-in and we still have a damaged caravan awaiting repair. It's now sitting on our drive. Covid has caused understandable delays but we would like to move matters on as we look to be starting touring again as soon as allowed.

Has anyone had the same or similar experience? The repairs were estimated to cost £3000.

What is our best way forward?

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,137 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2021 #2

    You or your repairer could try to source second hand parts. You'll find caravan scrappers listed on the internet. Here are a couple.

    http://www.alsonline.org.uk

    https://www.caravansparesnorthdevon.co.uk

     

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2021 #3

    I'd expect an insurance company to use new parts on what is a fairly new caravan. If it was a 'classic' caravan & used parts were the only way to go, then that would be a different matter.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited February 2021 #4

    I would suggest the dealer is not really trying,,get onto your insurance company ,if parts are not available it would surely be classed as a write off

  • Wilmo
    Wilmo Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited February 2021 #5

    Thanks for all of your suggestions. Unfortunately, dealerships are shut at present but I do have another caravan mechanic who is trying to source spares for me.

    I’ll get onto the insurance company in the meantime and see what they say.

  • Oxfordeagle15
    Oxfordeagle15 Forum Participant Posts: 114
    edited February 2021 #6

    I think this is also a case for getting the Club's legal eagles involved but let us not forget that the dealerships have not been closed for all lockdowns.  I had a major damp problem in a 2 year old Elddis down in May last year though getting parts for it was a nightmare.  That said, I understand that Elddis' ability to send out parts is not that speedy.  Whatever - wish you good luck and speedy resolution.

  • marchie1053
    marchie1053 Forum Participant Posts: 584
    edited February 2021 #7

    We took our 2004 Swift Jura Touring caravan into our Service Workshop 12 months ago yesterday for a sticking motormover to be repaired and a cracked rear offside light to be replaced. Lockdown occurred 3 weeks later and last contact was a phone call from Proprietor 'I'll get a replacement lightcover and pop it on when things get back to normal', which, of course, they haven't yet ...

    I think the parts have to come from Italy which has its own COVID problems so we'll just have to wait and see. I know the Service Workshop doesn't stuff sitting around onsite and not paid for [father & son team plus a retired p/t employee] so they'll be just as keen toget Swifty back to us as we'll be to have her

    Steve

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