Elddis caravans

micos
micos Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited January 2016 in Caravans #1

Hi Folks

I was just wondering if any of you have had a similar issue to me, I have an eldiss avante 574 2013 model. we have had several prob;ems with this van ranging from waterpump inlet leaking ( several times) to the electric heating needing replacing, these were
all covered under warranty.

My problem now is that I have noticed the front panel starting to discolour down the left hand profile as you look at it from the front and also across the topof the front panel.

I have mentioned this to my dealer Derby Caravans (who are great) and they said they would raise a warranty issue, however the front panel only has a 12 month warranty, Eldiss themselves confirmed this saying the supplier only give a 12 month guarantee on
the front cover! 

The lady also said that she had spoken to their warranty team and they suggest it could be the cleaning detergents I have used (fenwicks caravan cleaner and fenwicks Bobby dazzler rinse)this would have made all the caravan panel discoloured I am sure.

I now have to wait for my agents to submit the claim but I am less than impressed with a yellowing plastic panel at 2 years old.

Does any one else know of similar issues???

Dont think im going to buy an eldiss again some how. Oh and the back panel has been replaced due to cracking Sad

Comments

  • ChrisRogers
    ChrisRogers Forum Participant Posts: 435
    edited January 2016 #2

    Just been reading my handbook re. cleaning the front and rear panels which are very muddy, Compass Omega 482 (Eldiss).

    ABS panels, wash with plenty of cold water, any remaining dirt should be washed off with a soft cloth and warm water. Under NO circumstances should any abrasive cleaning agents, household cleaners or proprietary cleaning fluids be used. Wash the ABS again using cold water only and dry off.

    Looks like a good get out situation!!!!! 

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited January 2016 #3

    Fenwicks has been around for years and specifically sold for the purpose of cleaning caravans I think they`d be out of business by now if it discoloured panels. I use it frequently and have never had an issue.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585
    1000 Comments 250 Likes Photogenic
    edited January 2016 #4

    Frankly a panel that cannot be washed with a standard caravan cleaner is not fit for purpose. Water and a cloth are not good enough for a vehicle out in all weathers. I am afraid that if Eldiss turn uou down then your rights under The Sale of Goods Act are against the dealer but also against the finance company if on HP or any credit card company you use.

    You could try the clubs legal helpline who must be very used to this and similar problems.

  • intransient1
    intransient1 Forum Participant Posts: 15
    edited January 2016 #5

    Well this is one for the books.

    Is your 2013 Elddis built usind the SoLiD construction?

    How can Elddis say the front abs panel only has a 12 month warranty especially when the current product ranges have a 10 year water ingress warranty, if this is the case that there is only a 12 month warranty then what happens this fails and water does get
    in and cause damage, are you then left with a caravan that wont be repaired.

    I no longer entertain any Explorer group products after buying a new Avante 540 in April 2014 which also leaked fron the water inlet not being sealed correctly.

    We replaced the 540 with a new 554 on the 3rd November 2015 used it for 6 days found damp down the nearside from front to rear and the front panel cracked where the hinge for the front locker was attached.

    As luck would have it I was covered I was covered by the new Comsumer Rights so I rejected the caravan and got my money back in full.

    As far as I am concerned Solid stands for still leake and damp.

  • Trini
    Trini Forum Participant Posts: 429
    edited January 2016 #6

    Elddis are to be congratulated on their marketing. 

    SOLID construction with a 10 year warranty but the front and rear panels are only fit for 12 months.

    Our Affinity was 16 months old when we reported a crack in the rear panel ..... Elddis use major components that they can only cover for 12 months.

    Never look at this 'shed' manufacturer again.

    (Starting down the legal road with the dealer)

  • Pageantpete07
    Pageantpete07 Forum Participant Posts: 91
    First Comment
    edited January 2016 #7

    I have used Fenwicks cleaner and Bobby Dazler for years on all my caravans and have never had a problem.

  • davetommo
    davetommo Forum Participant Posts: 1,430
    edited January 2016 #8

    To me it looks like all the new fangled ways of making caravans water tight dont work. You hear about a lot of bailey alutech caravans letting water in, dont know about the swift smart or whatever they call it but i bet some do.

  • asda160
    asda160 Forum Participant Posts: 87
    edited January 2016 #9

    micos, it is not just Elddis.

    we own a Sterling bought new and suffered the same faults plus a few others and will be swapping for an Elddis this year when it is built. I'm sure it will be no different to the Sterling, with faults and poor workmanship alike.

    In Cornwall this year I spoke to a Bailey Unicorn owner who had 60% damp and various bits faulty or falling off.

    unfortunately indicative of the British Caravan industry which we the purchasing public keep alive by our consumerism.

    That said not every van in Britain is poorly built, some folks will have had no problems at all, you only get to hear the bad stuff, those without problems very rarely shout on forums as they are  busy out enjoying themselves.

    re the 12 month abs panel guarantee, maybe this needs a group of Elddis owners to act as one and challenge this as an item not fit for purpose on a vehicle guaranteed for 10yrs against water ingress.

    Has a proprietary cleaner discolourged the panel. That would be for Elddis to prove it had and not for you to prove it hadn't.

    If You keep your dealer on side, learn the SOG inside out, purchase with finance as stated by wildwood you have protection if used wisely and calmly. 

    I agree with davetommo and would add that as vans get lighter surely the rigidity is less, which coupled with our comically uneven road surfaces is likely causing the issues with stress fractures in abs and sealed seams leaking.

    It would be good to hear what happens in your case.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585
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    edited January 2016 #10

    Not sure what the clubs members survey has thrown up on the subject of Eldiss yet. The Practical Caravan surveys over the last three years have consistantly had Eldiss at the bottom for customer satisfaction so if you look at them be warned.

    Their warranty excludes nearly everything to the point where it has to be the worst I have seen.

    On current form I cannot see us ever buying one.

  • Landlubber
    Landlubber Forum Participant Posts: 65
    edited January 2016 #11

    Not sure what the clubs members survey has thrown up on the su ject of Eldiss yet. The Practical Caravan surveys over the last three years have consistantly had Eldiss at the bottom for customer satisfaction so if you look at them be warned.

    Their warranty excludes nearly everything to the point where it has to be the worst I have seen.

    On current form I cannot see us ever buying one.

    Write your comments here...My neighbour bought top of the range twin axle last year It has been in for repairs more time than he has used it - Heating system leaking badly from all seal points for one is a worry since the water has penetrated the whole floor - what on earth they think they can do with this beggers belief.

  • Trini
    Trini Forum Participant Posts: 429
    edited January 2016 #12

    As well aqs the rear panel on our 16 month old 'shed' we have had a full new shower cubicle fitted (in 12 month) however Elddis with their super powers decided that the crazing in the Heki skylight was caused by incorrect cleaner being used, despite we have
    never used anything on it other than a clean dry microfibre cloth on inside.

    On the upside we've managed to save some money by using the Elddis warranty in the toilet- just tear it into quarters and put a loop of string thro corner and hang it up ....

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585
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    edited January 2016 #13

    As well aqs the rear panel on our 16 month old 'shed' we have had a full new shower cubicle fitted (in 12 month) however Elddis with their super powers decided that the crazing in the Heki skylight was caused by incorrect cleaner being used, despite we have
    never used anything on it other than a clean dry microfibre cloth on inside.

    On the upside we've managed to save some money by using the Elddis warranty in the toilet- just tear it into quarters and put a loop of string thro corner and hang it up ....

    If they spout rubbish like that it is no wonder they keep coming last on customer satisfaction.

  • micos
    micos Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited February 2016 #14

    Well that was certainly an eye opener folks, thanks for all the advice much appreciated as new to this caranannung lark.

    I am not going to let it ruin my enjoyment but when replacing I shall certainly bear all points in mind, and wont be buying another Eldiss.

    Ps if any one sees a man at the Caravan show wearing a shirt decrying Eldiss Its me. Once again thanks.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585
    1000 Comments 250 Likes Photogenic
    edited February 2016 #15

    Well that was certainly an eye opener folks, thanks for all the advice much appreciated as new to this caranannung lark.

    I am not going to let it ruin my enjoyment but when replacing I shall certainly bear all points in mind, and wont be buying another Eldiss.

    Ps if any one sees a man at the Caravan show wearing a shirt decrying Eldiss Its me. Once again thanks.

    Find their rep and tell them exactly what has happened and do it in as public a spot as you can. It may not get your problems sorted but it will make you feel better.

  • merlin1956
    merlin1956 Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited February 2016 #16

    Not sure what the clubs members survey has thrown up on the subject of Eldiss yet. The Practical Caravan surveys over the last three years have consistantly had Eldiss at the bottom for customer satisfaction so if you look at them be warned.

    Their warranty excludes nearly everything to the point where it has to be the worst I have seen.

    On current form I cannot see us ever buying one.

    We purchased a Compass Corona Kensington 574 in 2015 from Kimberleys in Nottingham after our dreadful experience with Coachman, what could have gone wrong did. Never again....We have had the Compass a year now, and what a year, lots of trips, this
    van is quite honestly brilliant, well made with a lot of attention to detail, well done Elddis. Had the van serviced by A K Leisure in Wickford, Essex, Amazing service, no faults found, and the one i was dreading was damp, None.. says a lot for glue....all
    serviced and ready for year 2. I see in all recent reviews that Elddis brands are mopping up the awards, a great turn around.

  • PATMAU
    PATMAU Forum Participant Posts: 250
    edited February 2016 #17

    We had an Elldis Elf for 20 years and only in the last year of ownership did we have a leak above the offside front window.  Otherwise in all the years of ownership, and it was well used, it was a brilliant trouble free van.  We did have two new panels,
    one rear and one side, but that wasn't a fault with the van but through accidental damage.  And therein lies a tale or two, lol.