A manufacturer's viewpoint on 2021
Comments
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As posted before, all the time the UK market is aimed at those that expect all the latest gizmos that can be towed by a small Car. or in the case of motor caravans all the latest gismos in a 3500kg or lighter vehicle then a lighter material installed body will be not be altered with all its flexing short comings
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David, I don't think I've ever seen even a slight criticism of any aspect of any brand of caravan or motorhome that's been reviewed in the magazine. I find that truly amazing.
One Autotrail van had just 200kg of payload totally empty and not even a mention, however the 'new season decor' was pronounced a real success...
the van would be unusable in the vast majority of cases but, no doubt the weeping owner would be enjoying the decor while sat in it on the drive with his head between his legs...
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A couple of years ago? We and some friends were at FM when a new Bailey Caravan was brought in on a low loader, , we managed to get a sneak look before this clubs reviewers arrived the following day
We spoke to them about what a terrible design update had been made to what was a good caravan before and had been very user friendly,
When we saw the pictures and read the review ,we thought it was a different van to what we has looked in and discussed with the reviewers ,with none of downsides that the reviewers agreed it had
It was noted that the upgraded c/van was not in production long and was joined by a caravan that was the image of the pre upgrade but under a different name
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BB
I don't disagree with what you say about the payload, it should have been mentioned. But reviews of new models are different as the point I was answering was about how the Club, should or should not deal with ongoing short comings of manufacturing? I was just pointing out that a difficult path to go down and would not necessarily create the results that some would like.
Going back to your reviews. I find all the Club reviews superficial in their approach. Worth pointing out that those models review would have likely been gone over with a fine toothcomb before they get anywhere near a Club reviewer? The reviews on MMM are certainly more detailed but whether they are anymore critical I am not sure.
David
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David, you may be right that even MMM isn't particularly 'critical' where a dearth of payload often triggers the comment 'a C1 licence may be required following a chassis upgrade'....no good to the many younger drivers joining the motorhoming community.
another brand had a kitchen drawer that couldn't be opened fully without the habitation door being opened!...again, not even a mention...
I agree these aren't fine tooth-comb reviews but it just goes to show that even 'live-in tests' are no such thing...
Re: the general quality issue, if there really is no 'body' to hold manufacturers to account on behalf of customers then it may turn out to be social media that is the weapon for those being sold products that are just not fit for purpose.
Even the annual magazine 'awards' (and there are several) just seem to be the same old, based more on who actually submits a van for that event rather than a serious review of all the vans tested over the year...
im afraid, we are all going to have to do our own appraisals and fight our own battles should the product or supplier let us down...
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D K
As I read the posts none are condemning the Club which you appear to be defending, all seem to be saying that manufacturers are producing a poor product. What the solution to the problem is and will it be solved we can only hope so. However I bet it will not be the Club that does solve it or put's the wheels in motion to do so and I and others recognise that. With one Million members of Recreation Vehicles who the Caravan and Motorhome Industry rely on the Cub is in a strong position to make our voices heard !.....if they want to.
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