Views on Lunar

IDC
IDC Forum Participant Posts: 36
edited January 2019 in Caravans #1

Hi all,

We are off to the show in Manchester this weekend and have narrowed our search down to a few vans. One thing that is nagging me though is the reputation of Lunar.

They are getting slated on Trust Pilot for water ingress and poor build. We currently have a Coachman but would like to go bigger due to kids becoming bigger!!! 

Considering the Quasar 674 as I can tow it with my Skoda.

What are the experiences and thoughts of the collective on here?

Many thanks....

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Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2019 #2

    Take a look at the threads on here about Lunars in the Caravan section. It’s not a great situation but all brands have their problems. 

  • IDC
    IDC Forum Participant Posts: 36
    edited January 2019 #3

    Moved to CARAVANS section - please look there!!!

    Sorry...

  • Chris Ardis
    Chris Ardis Forum Participant Posts: 55
    edited January 2019 #4

    I have had 2 Lunar Cosmos special edition caravans.  The second, a 2014 Cosmos/Quasar 544 leaked through a locker door during its first season and both front and rear end panel joints on its second year.  Also note that this unit had a heavy nose load which I could not get below 90 kg. even carrying only 1 Callor lite. 

    Switched to 2016 Bailey Pegasus Rimini series 4 which has just gone through its third annual service perfectly dry and a nose weight down to 75/80 kg.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,865 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2019 #5

    Chris

    As you can see I have moved your original post to the Caravan section. As this has already had meaningful replies I have locked the other thread to avoid duplication.

    David

  • IDC
    IDC Forum Participant Posts: 36
    edited January 2019 #6

    Thanks David....

  • Francis
    Francis Club Member Posts: 2,023 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2019 #7

    We have a Lunar Cosmos (Quasar) 544 2018 model and so far have been very happy with it. It had its first service just before Christmas and passed with no issues or damp ect. There was a few small issues that we got fixed under warranty, a damaged tap, a speaker that wasn't working and a pipe in the bathroom that had a small leak all done at the service. Just before the service the fridge stopped working on 230v so they checked it while it was in and it has turned out to be a faulty element which the part has been ordered for and the van booked in to get this fixed in March. We have so far been happy with the van and any issue we have had Campbells Caravans have fixed with no problems. I have read many stories about people having issues with Lunar but I have also read many stories about problems with other brands so I suppose it is just luck. Overall I would recommend Lunar we have enjoyed our first season with the Lunar. Hope this helps.

  • IDC
    IDC Forum Participant Posts: 36
    edited January 2019 #8

    Thanks Francis, it is the cosmos we are considering - thanks for redressing the balance!!

    I have also emailed our mobile service fella to ask his opinion as clearly he sees a lot of vans!!

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2019 #9

    I had a list of defects as long as my arm all sorted by my dealer (no longer a Lunar stockist). The worse problem was replacing large portions of the floor at 1 year old.  The problem seems to have returned (van now out of warranty) so I feel a fight coming on. 

  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
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    edited January 2019 #10

    We are on our third and have done some fairly high mileages in all three without anything more than a couple of niggles. Nice airy vans, plenty of light, very comfortable seating. 

  • heddlo
    heddlo Forum Participant Posts: 872 ✭✭
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    edited January 2019 #11

    We are on our 3rd Lunar. They have been great until this last one (2017 model), which, unfortunately hasn’t been what we had expected, none have had any damp problems. To be fair many of our issues with our present Lunar were with our useless dealer and the non existent PDI on our caravan. Had this dealer issue not been so bad I expect we would not have felt so frustrated with the caravan! We haven’t had a Quasar model but hopefully if you have a good dealer any issues can be sorted. Lunar Customer Care have been very good too in helping with our problems and we now appear to have a ‘working caravan’. We love Lunar caravans for the look and feel. The one we really had dreadful damp problems with was a Bailey some years ago now, so you can’t really say one manufacturer is worse than others. Good luck with your search and purchase.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited January 2019 #12

    We bought our second Lunar Clubman in Dec 2017' Previously we had a 2012 of the same model and apart from toilet pump, alarm fob, fridge element, and a grill fault we had little problem that was down to Lunar construction. We used it for 600 nights away. We bought the first one because of its comfortable sprung seating and similarly the second after trying the seating in many makes.

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2019 #13

    On our second lunar, both at the smaller end of the scale. An Ariva toured many a mile over Europe and here at home. No issues in the 6 years we had it. Have a Stellar for the last 18 months. No issues apart from very small ones, sorted when serviced. Fingers crossed.

    Before that we had a Coachman which we enjoyed until the windows started coming apart and Polyplastics refused to do anything about it.

    Prior to that we had Swifts but after the last one, where we had 36 serious faults in 36 months of warranty we vowed to keep away from Swift.

    All in all, everyone makes a bad'un but having them rectified and having a good dealer behind count for a lot. It's pot luck. Good luck.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2019 #14

    We are on our second Lunar and have to say the final finish on both tended to be a bit slapdash although nothing seriously wrong on delivery. The previous one did however have two leak, the first was down one side, we took it back to the dealer who put through a warranty claim and the whole thing was dealt with reasonably promptly and without any argument. 

    The second was damp along the joint between the front panel and roof. We took it back and the dealer was quite happy to put another warranty claim through. We had however lost confidence in the caravan and bought the current one when we got a deal possibly a little better than we expected. We did look at other makes but the Lunar suited us best and we took the risk.

    There have been problems with Lunar and particularly with the seal  which was the cause of the second damp issue. This was found to be a problem and Lunar have been repairing caravans with this problem under warranty. I believe it only applies to 2014 models however. The workshop foreman suggested all 2014 models have this problem but I am not sure if this was totally true.

    My feeling is that a lot of the problems with getting work done on all makes is down to the poorer dealers,  Those that value service do seem to get things done although not as quickly as you would hope and certainly nowhere near the standards of most other industries.

    I have since see on another forum that Lunar also found one of their staff had been failing to seal caravans properly and has since left them.

    If that is the case then Lunars should be as good as any other make but only time will tell.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited January 2019 #15

    The workshop foreman suggested all 2014 models have this problem but I am not sure if this was totally true.

    I am sure it wasn't Steve as we had no problem over 5 seasons and 600 nights, 120 tows (approx). 

    We did look at other makes but the Lunar suited us best and we took the risk.

    The first time we bought on comfort and good front bench lengths as we have a side dinette and use the front as two singles.

    When we went for a replacement most makes had vans where the front seats had one long and one short. But regardless the others we tried did not have the comfort of sprung seating which also provided for comfortable beds

  • edmundl
    edmundl Forum Participant Posts: 37
    edited January 2019 #16

    Hi we have a 215 Cosmos 564 ( Quaser special edition)which we have had since new, apart from the floor problem which appeared to be common to all Lunar Cosmos produced that year we have had no problems and are very happy with it. The floor problem was picked up on its first service and was dealt with quite quickly under warranty. It had its fourth service in December last year and came through with flying colours Would definitely buy Lunar again

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2019 #17

    Our 2010 Steller was an excellent van with only a couple of minor niggles.  We changed to our Quasar based dealer special as we wanted a different layout.

  • cabbiemick
    cabbiemick Forum Participant Posts: 297
    edited January 2019 #18

    we  had a lunar delta 2016 the van was taken back by the dealer the whole floor was damp 80 precent in places and some of the walls was damp the electrics was always going wrong but we might of had a one off 

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited January 2019 #19

    not a one off i'm affraid. We have the delta ri and its waiting for repair to the bedroom roof corner under warranty and as soon as it's done it's going, had the same with the floor last year and took 5 months for repair 4 1/2 months waiting for lunar to supply the parts. timberless swift next for us.  

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2019 #20

    Not sure that Swift are a better bet. From posts on them they have their fair share of trouble and the service is no better. My daughters friend has one and that needs serious work.

    I am afraid with all makes it is pot luck.

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2019 #21

    Just looked at the C&CC website on the latest customer satisfaction survey. Best for this were Coachman followed well back by Bailey,Swift and Lunar but there was not a lot in the Bailey to Lunar percentages. Last as usual were the Eldiss brands.

    If you want a fault free caravan, Coachman again were way out in front, Bailey were a poor second and Lunar just beat Swift with Eldiss at the back again.

    If you can handle the weight it does make Coachman look the best bet.

    The continental manufacturers did not get included due to their numbers being too low, but they did get good reviews from those people reporting.

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited January 2019 #22

    ...but folk don't have to by a UK brand...aren't Adria and the like top of the caravan customer satisfaction ratings?....again...

    why do folk assume there are only Swift, Bailey, Coachman and Lunar to choose from?

     

  • cabbiemick
    cabbiemick Forum Participant Posts: 297
    edited January 2019 #23

     hi lornalou whould the dealer not take the lunar back our dealer was great took van back and supplied us with a new pampolna with in two weeks we only had to pay the vat

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited January 2019 #24

    Not buying anything from the EU at the momentsurprised

  • handsj
    handsj Forum Participant Posts: 117
    edited January 2019 #25

    I can recommend Knaus. I'd rather buy from the EU if it results in a far superior caravan (previously seriously let down by British design and quality control).

    cool

     

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,582 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited January 2019 #26

    No as the numbers involved were too low to get a decent statistical answer. The report suggests that foreign caravans did well, but together they were only about 5% of the total, so there were simply not enough to give an accurate answer.

    Of the UK firms Coachman slaughtered the rest, and Eldiss managed their usual last place.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited January 2019 #27

    We have some freinds on site who are now on their second Coachman in six years ,and they are coming to the conclusion that as Coachman have become more "popular"they are becoming less problem free,as their production figures have increased,as so far they have had several warranty claims ,and also problems with the brakes (all replaced)and some have had the alko axle "collapse "

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited January 2019 #28

    I assume that Bolero Boy was referring to the practical caravan survey. If so Practical Caravan claim that their results are statistically valid. Every year it’s run the same results continental marques come higher than U.K. ones. Perhaps the owner of continental vans are less discerning?  

    Re not buying from the EU such patriotism is to be applauded.   I assume that your next U.K. caravan will be supplied without eu components.  So no Chassis, heating cooking refrigerator toilet?   Certainly one way of reducing the Mroundecided

    Ps most of the people I know who have had Recent Lunar’s seem relatively satisfied btw. 

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited January 2019 #29
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited January 2019 #30

    Re not buying from the EU such patriotism is to be applauded.

    Doubt that it patriotism as much as it is the exchange rate

  • JSGARTH
    JSGARTH Forum Participant Posts: 40
    edited January 2019 #31

    We are on our 3rd Lunar, we had the last one for 16 years from new and loved it. We replaced it as we felt like treating ourselves to a new caravan, to enjoy in retirement. We did not consider any other make, we went to a local Lunar dealer and bought a Lunar Clubman ES in 2014.

    What an unfortunate mistake!! We have been very disappointed by the caravan and the quality of its components, many of which have been replaced under warranty, hassle, hassle. I won't bore you with all the gory details. The dealers proved to be a waste of time and we got no support from Lunar.

    As we are now retired and tend to keep caravans for a while we are unlikely to replace our current caravan, but if we did it would be very unlikely that we would buy another Lunar.

    Good Luck with your purchase, whatever you decide?