Elddis Avante 462-stress crack to rear panel
Has anyone experienced problems with Elddis SoLiD construction?
In 2015 we noticed the rear panel on our 2013 Elddis Avante 462 had gapping stress cracks in the top corners on the side. Also, at the same time water was dripping in from a cracked frame/kerb to the heki rooflight. On contacting our dealer they said they
had other vans awaiting repair suffering from the same two problems.
After some wait for the parts and a free slot at the dealer, we had a new rear panel and heki rooflight fitted under warranty in November last year. The new rear panel being a different design to the original. The heki rooflight repair included the addition
of a timber subframe in the roof construction as it was considered that the original design did not allow for any movement which had been the caues of the original cracks. This amendment was done with agreement with Elddis by our dealer.
We've just picked up the van from it's 2016 annual service today and been informed that the new rear panel has cracks in both top corners.. We have only done some 50 miles towing since the original repair..back home from the dealer after the repairs and
then back to the dealer for the service.
The dealer is unable to tell us when they will be able to replace this new panel, which will be under warrant again, as Elddis as yet, do not have a solution to the cracking problem. Apparantly mine is not the only van that's had a replacement rear panel
fitted that has again cracked.
We're told we can use the van as normal as it's not a structural problem.
I must add that our dealer/service agent has been very helpful and proactive in trying to solve our problems.
Anyone else experiencing similar SoLiD construction issue's? Perhaps SoLiD construction is too SOLID...and doesn't allow any tolerance for things to flex?
Comments
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I think you will find you are in good company.
You could add your name to a list, if there was one.
Instead you will be just another disgruntled individual with a problem (which seams to be a very common problem)
Is it SoLID, or is it not solid enough, or is it poor supplier quality, or have you driven over the wrong type of pothole ( in that odd 50 miles). Or is it ABS is just not up to the job?
Hope you get it sorted... Again...
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I have put this on another post on this forum:
I think I have just joined the Elddis 'cracking club', purchased a brand new 2014 Compass Omega 482 beginning of November 2015, fifth time out last week and when putting up our new porch awning and threading it through the channel, saw a small crack in the
rear panel, above where the rear side marker light is. Still got 8 months left on the warranty so the dealer will be informed. When you read the Elddis warranty information front and rear panels have only a 12 month warranty!The caravan must have been on the dealers forecourt for 9 months or so, it did have a good discount and I have only done around 700 miles towing it.
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As posted before our rear panel cracked before it was 12 months old. Replaced last summer but we just don't have any faith in this van anymore. Due to go in for its service in a few weeks time. Any more trouble and it's gone, will just sell it to the dealer
to get rid of, as our Xplore seems to be build by people who are NOT caravan manufactures but make great display models for shows If you look at the small invisible print they are not meant to be towed,slept in or used by your average member.0 -
Our July 2014) Affinity has been inspected by an independent expert and reports that the front & rear panels should not have failed in the time frame and are not result of anything weve done. Same with the Heki skylight thats crazed.
So now waiting for what credit card co & dealer are to do.
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Like many others we purchased an Elddis SoLID (2014 Avante 515) caravan primarily because of the 10 year warranty, having suffered serious water leaks in a 2011 caravan ( the caravan 2 years old when it started leaking) from another (British) manufacturer.
At its second service last week, stress cracks have been identified in the rear ABS panel. The dealer's initial response was to suggest drilling holes to stop the cracks spreading further and then covering over the cracks with covers which have apparently
been designed for this purpose ! Having rejected this as unacceptable in a product of this age, and which has been cared for so well, we spoke with Elddis directly and now have verbal agreement that the rear panel will be entirely replaced under warranty.
We hope that this will resolve this most disappointing issue in what has otherwise been a really good caravan.0 -
Hi Simonand Wendy...sorry to hear you've the same problem as we have. I've already had a replacement panel fitted which was a slightly different design/shape. Unfortunately this cracked again in both corners after minimal use of the van. My dealer is
still waiting for Elddis to confirm they have a solution to the cracking problem before he fits another replacement panel under warranty. It's been 2 months now since they asked....I've still not heard any response...I would question your dealer to ask the Elddis technical dept whether the replacement panel your dealer is going to fit has been proven to cure the cracking problem.
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I have a 3.5 years old Coachman Amara 450/2, bought 6 months ago-fabulous specification, great tower and in A1 condition. However, on taking it out of winter storage we spotted a crack (3 inch's approx.) over the top of the offside window. Research via the
Caravan Talk Forum indicates that this is a common problem and is caused by the way in which the screws under the trim rail were fited e.g. not predrilled. Several other owners have had new front panaels fitted at the Coachman factory FOC, so I have written
to them pleading my case. Nobody wants cracks in their caravan nor the water ingress that will result-I already feel that I have wasted the £11500 that it cost, so I am not happy and will pursue the issue through the Customer Rights Act 2015 which states 'goods
should be of a satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described'. Mine is not fit for caravanning in wet weather etc etc.Cheers to all.
An update of the potential saga to get a resolution will follow in due course
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My Elddis Avante 462 2014 is now showing small stress cracks where the ABS rear panel meets the aluminium side panels down the vertical edges of the awning rail.
High damp recording in bottom of wardrobe accredited to this problem.
Elddis are not interested as this is not covered by the 10 year Solid warranty. The warranty on the rear ABS panel is 3 years only. The first year is covered by Elddis and the second and third years by the dealer you brought the caravan from, under the sale of goods act being of merchantable quality.
ABS is obviously not suitable for caravan rear panels and the panel manufacturer manufactures for several caravan makers. You have no redress with the panel makers, as his customers are the caravan makers and not the people who eventually buy the caravans.
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I had a stress crack in the rear top corner of my Avante 462. A new rear panel was fitted with the comment that the dealear modified the two side panels by cutting of the corners. Apparently the side panels are too close to the rear panel and when towing the corners can rub on the rear panel, causing the cracks. My van was modified 4 years ago and no problems so far.
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Hi all, just read this post and I see similar problems to my Elddis Motorhome.
My Elddis motorhome (2017) is currently at my dealer as water was dripping in from a cracked frame/kerb to the heki rooflight.
Along with this there are damp readings at the front off side battery compartment and also to the rear gas locker compartment.
Not happy with these damp readings to a motorhome bought new just over 2 years ago.
My dealer and Elddis to date have been very prompt on getting my motorhome inspected and hopefully it will be repaired as quick.
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Waiting on parts for a damp issue rectification with my three year old Marquis(Elddis) as well.
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