Body repair to three week old caravan

wharfedale
wharfedale Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited March 2016 in Caravans #1

Hi all.

Unfortunately on its maiden trip our three week old caravan was reversed into at a club site last weekend. The polyester sides have done a remarkable job but now sport two fairly noticeable dents. 

I'm looking for repairer recommendations and hopefully some positive repair stories from other new caravan repairs that might save me from despair. 

We're based on the Yorkshire/Lancashire border. 

Cheers Stuart 

Comments

  • pennyandsteve
    pennyandsteve Forum Participant Posts: 92
    edited March 2016 #2

    Sorry to hear of your mishap Stuart...

    i would recommend taking it back to an agent of your caravan manufacturer as this should prevent any potential warranty issues further down the line?

  • wharfedale
    wharfedale Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited March 2016 #3

    Fortunately damage is purely cosmetic. Skin hasn't been punctured. Manufacturer have said with this in mind it can be repaired by any registered workshop. 

    I guess which repairer gets the best reviews and anybody else had a GRP side panel repaired to as new standard?

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #4

    Who is paying,?as if it is insurance then wherever you take it wiil pump up the price,is the panel polyester? or GRP as any body shop that deals in grp should be able to do it

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #5

    In a 3 week old caravan I would get it repaired through a dealer as you need to preserve your warranty.  If you know who reversed into your caravan surely their insurance should be paying. 

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2016 #6

    Oh dear.

    I would get a couple of quotes what can seem cheap cab turnout to be eye wateringly expensive.  If it wasn't your fault the other party should be paying.  Don't get sucked into lets do this private, I don't want to loose my no claims and I've got a mate
    who is really good type discussion.  The other parties hard luck stories aren't your problem.

    In terms of recommendation we have use Crossley coach craft in Leyland and we're happy with them.  

  • GeordieBiker
    GeordieBiker Forum Participant Posts: 45
    edited March 2016 #7

    Since you're in the north of England you might try Bodyworx in Consett. They are all ex-Elddis employees and operate in a factory unit behind the Elddis factory. I had the rear panel of a motor home repaired by them a few years ago and they made an excellent
    job. They appear to do a lot if work for caravan dealers who can't cope with complex jobs. They don't have a website but you can contact them on 07505 706 606.

    There's also Crossleys at Leyland. I haven't used them but have heard good reports of their work. They advertise in the Club magazine every month. See www.crossleycoachcraft.co.uk

    Good luck.

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited March 2016 #8

    Boff mentions Crossley Coach Craft and was happy with their work, We have also used them but our experience was the opposite. Having said that, it was many years ago and it might just have been the workman who worked on our van that was having a bad day
    and I suppose this could happen anywhere !