Caravan industry last chance saloon
Comments
-
I agree with everything that has been said in terms of improving quality. But nothing is going to happen. The reason is simple money. If you take a look at British Caravan manufacturers they are in truth fairly small companies. For example Baileys turn over isn't much more the £100 million and they are by no means the smallest. I believe that all of the manufacturers lead a pretty hand to mouth existence in terms of cash flow.
The rewards implementing better quality systems, rather having the current system of churning out inadequate products and relying on the owners to be so ground down that they give up claiming on the warranty. But the implementation of improved quality would inevitably lead to an initial reduction in production while training and systems are put in place. I suspect that the manufacturers simply don't have the financial resources to be able do it. Although it would be a case of 1 step back and 5 steps forward.
A non caravan industry example. I have used this before. A good friend of mine worked at Rolls Royce / Bentley before, during and after the take over by VW. His assessment of RR before the take over was "pretty rubbish really". Actually he didn't use the word rubbish. After the take over VW realised that the quality was so poor that they effectively stopped production to sort out quality problems. Their pockets were deep enough to do this and have reaped the rewards. Do you think that any British caravan manufacturer could afford to do this?
What I believe is that they will stagger on in the same old way and get picked off one by one each time there is a downturn. It will be interesting to see what Hymer do at Elddis.
0 -
All these British vans using German running gear ect ect....the bit we put on is crap, it is a good job for those who buy a British van that they do not make the running gear, leaks would be the least of your problems😡😡😡😡😡
0 -
Have you ever adjusted the brakes on your caravan, I have never seen such an archaic system in my life, poking a screwdriver through a hole, it was easier to adjust the drum brakes on my Mini in the 60's.Similarly the AlKo secure wheel lock, having to mess about lining up the wheel with the receiver, is this really the best a company like AlKo can come up with.
0 -
I can confirm that there are some very rough roads in Belgium and Italy although I have no evidence to be able to equate them with the rear end of a badger. I do sense that the roads in France are better than they have been in years gone by.
David
0 -
Minor details, soggy vans,doors falling off,crap electrics and it all relates back to our manufacturing,what is needed is proper quality control and that is not going to happen,British made is on the wane in the caravan sector it is going the same way as our car industry.
here is thought might not work though,.. I bet best bits about your unit are foreign 😇
0 -
After reading all the dire reports on BRITISH cars and caravans on this forum I'm struggling to believe I'm alive!
We were hit by a car traveling at high speed on the A71 in France 23rd May both our car and caravan were write-off – we walked away with minor cuts and bruises.
Needles to say we have replaced the car with another BRITISH car and yes we have ordered a replacement BRITISH caravan.
1 -
At the moment we are waiting to go to Meathrop Fell in two weeks we are both looking forward to this trip, we intend to give the last chance saloon a really good go. Their are always ups and downs with all things, so we are hoping this van will get us back into the swing of things. Our daughter is talking about buying a property in Southern France keeps hounding me about going out there in the future. l am not so sure hate flying, the only way l would do it is to tour down with the van, so hopefully fingers cross it won't be the last chance saloon.
it's really been enlightening reading all the post, their is one post missing and that's from the industry l really do hope they monitor this forum and take on board all your comments.
Cheers for now Heethers
0 -
The tiny minority who post on here are not what one can call a measurement of owners of any product,if the "problems"we're a widespread as some think then the uk market would have collapsed years ago,it is a known fact that that the few who do have a "genuine" gripe will always shout the loudest, aided by the vocal knock anything UK usual few ,where as the the vast majority of satisfied customers are sitting back and enjoying their product
2 -
So nice to read you were OK, material things can be replaced. Life and your future health are different.
I wonder how many on lookers/passers by assumed it was the caravaner's fault ?
Good luck with your new outfit.
1 -
JVB66
lf you read the post out of the four new vans that we bought over 10 years, all had defects of some description, how many people have the same problem as we did and don't go online to report their frustration's, quite a few l feel. For the first couple of vans we didn't we just put up with it.The point l am trying to make is to the industry as a whole that they need to buck up, people are turning to the UK to have their Holidays, the caravan industry is booming on this, things can change in an instance where another product could be out their and the market that the industry shares at the moment could dwindle, if you think l am having a go at the British caravan market then you are write l feel l have good cause with the amount of money l have spent entitles me to voice my opinion
0 -
No problem with your post as I think it is unusual not to to have a "niggle " or two (a lot seem to be because of poor or non existant PDI from dealer ),as we have noted with the numerous c/vans and motor c/vans we have had ,but as usual the the thread is taken over by the knock anything UK brigade,and when any mention of other countries manufacturing faults are mentioned its not allowed ,and a large part of any UK leisure vehicles ,area made from parts imported from abroad
3 -
l agree some use it to knock Britain, which wasn't the point of the post. Has you can see l have stuck with British caravans where my Brother move to a Hymer Motor Home and gives me grief all the time about buying British. l am hoping that because we bought a second hand van all the faults should be ironed out, l have been over it with fine tooth comb everything is ok other than the Avtex aerial which l new about from posts on this forum. Of course things can go wrong down the road but we are both positive about the future. We hope to keep this van for good few years, we spent enough over the last ten years so this is the last chance saloon for us if things go wrong, then we will take stock and make our decision knowing we have given it go. Wouldn't mind taking a bet if things do go well we will be the market for one last caravan to takes us to the end, at 65 and 64, (oh sorry wife's been 59 for the past 4 years) We only intend to go for another ten years.
0 -
Hymer do not seem,the the be all and end all of leisure vehicles that they were in the past,as all manufacturers are looking to cut costs and weights,
I have mentioned in the past (much ridicule from usual quarter)about a German family we were next to in Devon who were taking their Hymer motor caravan back for more damp rectification and they had had several other equipment/ build problems
0 -
Hi JVB66, it's the usual quarter here!
I find it highly assmusing that you don't see the inconsistency in your own position(s).
ie Position one. Anyone who criticises a British made RV (your term) is an ungrateful moaning cur who represents a tiny minority of the otherwise ecstatic and grateful owners of British made RVs.
Position 2. I met this couple who had problems with their Hymer. Therefore based on a sample size of one all Hymers and by extension all non British made RV's are rubbish.
Love from
Boff a happy Hymer owner.
Ps The last time the caravan club had the guts to publish the results of satisfaction surveys. Vanmaster came first, then iirc Hymer group products filled the next 4 places.
0 -
Buy cheap, buy twice I will stick to non British. Did try british three times never never again. Quality control , cheap production methods, sorry but never buy British again, U.K. Vans are all kippers and curtains, oh don't forget that next years upgraded model will have nice new decal...
if you like British good luck you will need it.
0 -
We've just decided to come back to caravanning after a years sabbatical.
In truth we got fed up with having the feeling of deja vu on every service. It's like going back to the old British Leyland of the seventies with the 'well we've a new fix for this'.
Quality control there ain't but damp and faults there are.
We're thinking of trying the Germans in the shape of Eriba.
Their reputation seems pretty good.
Best regards
Tombo
0 -
But aren't really increasing are they ?
I know that every single show every single British manufacturer claims record orders
http://www.thencc.org.uk/Our_Industry/statistics.aspx
0 -
Even in the old 2014 statistics MH sales increased by about a net £40 million in that year.
I believe sales of both are up in the last 2 years....certainly in cash terms
PS. Was involved in the Wholesale/retail market and every single show in nearly every single product line reports record show attendance and sales....that's normal
0 -
Taken from caravantalk
http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/man-s-camper-van-protest-goes-viral-1-8629311
who said a single picture is worth a 1000 words?
0 -
Like the OP we went the fixed bed route with a Swift...what a mistake!! Plenty of problems, a poor dealership response - and no help whatsoever from Swift to rectify or even arbitrate. An absolute joke!!
How many Swift owners realise that their warranty is no longer valid if they take their caravan to the continent for over 90 days? I found this nugget of information in the Swift warranty booklet for our 2014 Challenger Sport. It just goes to reinforce how much confidence that Swift have in their product!!
Now we have gone back to a 2016 Coachman Pastiche 460 - and what a difference for us So far a couple of minor problems - quickly rectified by the dealer.. Long may it continue.
As for the 'Brit' buying community - I like some 'gizmos' but I would sooner have a good quality solid built caravan with a decent user payload instead of the measly 125kgs we seem to have in most caravans on the market
0 -
So now I’m really confused.
2 years ago I read all the reviews, visited the shows and swapped my Elddis Crusader for a new Coachman vip. The crusader wasn’t fault free but over 9years it wasn’t too bad. The coachman has been the worst caravan I have owned in over 30; years. I hope most things are now fixed after returning to the manufacturers. we’ll see if the reseal has solved the 100% damp in the side wall.
dont want to give up touring but what do I replace with now.
reading on here - don’t touch a lunar, Elddis, buccaneer, Bailey. What about swift? At this years show I liked the new conquerer/elegance . I really want to like Adria but every time my wife goes in one she doesn’t like the interior particularly the washrooms/unsealed showers.
I also like the lunar deltas RI and TR. but a leaky lunar??
Suggestions please. £30,000 is a lot to gamble on whether I get a good one but that seems to be the only option.
0 -
dunton10---i have the 2016 delta RI and find it perfect for me and my disabled wife and with a large washroom as have to attend to her needs so both in there at same time. van goes in for 2nd service on wednesday so will see what damp is found if any. van kept on farm storage so well open to the elements. do have those moisture traps inside and empty them every month so fingers crossed. will repost with report asap after wednesday.
0 -
didn't say I had damp. didn't say I had a water leak. 1 inch of water in each trap tells me that they are taking some moisture out of the air and where would it go if no traps, poss into mattress/seat cushions etc etc. even if it stops that musty smell, I'm happy to use them. still learning about this new hobby but I suppose some of you were experts from day one. NOT.
0 -
That's uncalled for, LL.
Lutz is correct and there is also a school of thought that says a moisture trap will actually draw damp air into the van. There is another theory that entering the van to check on it can make matters worse by allowing even more damp air to enter. The jury is out on moisture traps but if using them suits you, that’s fine.
3
when a nerve touched
