Have Swift hit rock bottom?
After purchasing a swift elegance almost 3 years ago from new I’ve had nothing but problems it’s falling apart one of the issues is the front windows I can’t open all 3 together and have them at the same hight swift say “if the windows can be raised to the second level without touching then they are within tolerance” is the building of the caravans that complex that they are unable to guarantee the windows being fit for purpose I don’t want my windows open at varying levels, as it is my windows overlap each other well before the 2 setting mine can’t even meet the low requirements that swift set.
They installed a panoramic window with a large dead fly in the middle I’ve had so many issues from doors not fitting cupboards falling apart hinges not working window frames constantly falling away that I’ve written to swift to complain and all they can reply is “we are glad the dealership is supporting you” some support I’ve done over 48 journeys back and forth to get it repaired all at my expense thats very supportive, these are just a few of the issues.
Internal door frame to the toilet and shower area was warped large gap at the top small gap at the bottom causing door to rub on the frame, badly fitted
Coving coming away in the toilet area
Trim around the shower warped and buckled
Shower rail for shower head fitted upside down causing shower head to keep sliding down
Internal window frames keep falling away due to small screws used this has happened 4 to 5 times now*
Cutlery draw fell apart due to small screws, fixed but now it looks a mess
Cupboard draws locking handles stop working even if lubricated*
Overhead lockers above seating area have gaps in between, poorly fitted (they won’t fix this problem)*
Overhead locker in seating area doesn’t always stay open and slams shut with a vengeance very dangerous, hinges replaced but still does the same*
Tap in the toilet area replaced after it leaked
Vanity cupboard in toilet area shelf has water damage due to leaking tap*
Tap in cooking area replaced due to leak
Tap in cooking area replaced again due to the replacement tap being faulty
Panoramic window fitted with large dead fly trapped in between
Replacement panoramic windows rubber seal falling away*
Front external gas locker securing plate for locking mechanism wasn’t fitted when we picked the caravan up it was inside the locker
Front external gas locker door badly aliened and rubs against the front external handles, damaged caused to front locker and handles due to this poor fitting*
Front windows cannot all be opened at the same level as they are poorly fitted and the middle window overlaps one of the side windows*
External locker lock replaced after the lock just span round and round
Cupboard door under the cooker fell off
Screw cover coming off due to screw making it’s way out in the bedroom area*
Front left window blind stiff to open now the cords have snapped*
Awning light has water ingress*
Screws falling out the radiator covers making the covers insecure
My biggest fear is when the warranty runs out I will have to foot the bill not swift!
Comments
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Have you been in touch with CAMC for legal advice this might help you to sort things out if your van is still within warranty. If you are out of pocket for travel expenses to the dealership you should make a claim, we did this on a previous van and our expenses were refunded. Hope things start to improve for you, it must be very frustrating at present.
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Trade it in for a Knaus, they are super caravans built with good old fashioned pride. We are sooo please with our 4 year old Starclass 480 after having a really worrying time with our previous 2016 Elddis. We swapped in 2018 and haven't looked back.
Steve
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Other then Knaus it seems (are their doors on the continental side?), we changed our much loved (and used) Fleetwood Heritage for a Coachman 545 Festival in March and on the first time of opening the side bedroom window, it came away from the top! The front side window is doing the same 😬 We were away, so didn’t dare open the others in case they were faulty. It’s back at Glossop now being fixed, but maybe it’s in this day and age that the pride and workmanship during production isn’t there any more or are they trying to rush them out too much? 🤷♀️
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I am afraid to say, If we keep buying them, they will still make them. `it won't be till sales drastically fall that the manufacturers will do something about it, but then agin, probably not. So its not really their fault, its ours for buying them
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Wow, but I can’t say I’m surprised, we have a 2023 Challenger and are on 32 issues including three sets of carpets, four sliding washroom doors, three sets of upholstery which has been an 18 month nightmare, rubbing cabinets, end flying off the bathroom tap, just had replacement trims around the oven, I have a list and I hope that’s it now. I can relate to many of your issues. Fortunately we have a brilliant dealership who look after us and fight with Swift on our behalf but I’m sure we will get to the point where we have to sort things ourselves. When my husband retired me in a year or so he’s said we are trading it in, and we thought we’d bought out last van, but the shine has gone I’m afraid!
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Hi,
We are Swift owners and currently on our second one, we had no issues with the first one over 2 yrs only changed it due to layout requirements. This one is performing perfectly no problems at all.
As a brand personally we cannot fault them, all manufacturers have issues, how many Swift owners or other makes have had many trouble free yrs of caravanning.
Unfortunately people only make comments when things are wrong maybe people should comment on how good something is and help keep British industry going.
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We have a Swift Conquered, purchased from new in 2022, and are really happy with it. There have been a coup!e of minor issues with a blind and window strut, but the dealer has dealt with them without quibble. The build quality appears much better than on a lot of other current models produced by different manufacturers in this country.
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Between 1998 and 2013 we owned three Swift family vans. The only issue I can recall was the latest one we had needed a gel coat repair which was done under warranty and without question. Since then I have owned two Bailey Motorhomes and have had more issues with them (nothing that couldn't be sorted by the dealer) than I ever did with the caravans. We towed about 55,000 miles with those three caravans.
David
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When we were about to return to caravanning, 10 years ago, I had my heart set on a Swift Elegance 635. At that time it was about to be launched as their 'flagship' model. Our local dealer rang me and told me they were collecting one from the factory that morning and would I like to go and have a look at it. Went that afternoon and what a disappointment it turned out to be. Opened one of the drawers in the front chest and the drawer front came off in my hand. Kitchen window blind jammed half way up and wouldn't budge. Sliding wardrobe door was catching on a protruding screw head in the bottom track and wouldn't open fully. Bearing in mind this was supposedly their 'flagship' model and it had just left the factory - to say I wasn't impressed was an understatement. Yes - all minor faults which could have been rectified by the dealer but if this was the care that Swift took with one of their best models, then they weren't going to get my money. We bought a Bailey which was OK and kept it for about 4 years before buying our current Knaus.
Full UK spec - including the door on the 'correct' side and the build quality is in a different league from UK vans. Yes, we have had some issues- but only with 3rd party equipment that all other manufacturers use - notably the useless Dometic toilet (now changed for a Thetford) and that pesky Truma boiler that seems to eat heating elements on a regular basis. Every single screw in the van is a torx - nothing has dropped off or broken after nearly six years of fairly heavy use. The bed and locker hinges have to be seen to be believed and are totally over-engineered - as is the cantilever hinge mechanism on the front gas locker - see photo below. No chance of a leaking shower tray (as in the Bailey), it's not even sealed to the shower walls like most because there is a substantial upstand moulded into the tray so it can't possibly leak.
And before anyone says - "but yes - they are heavy though" - the MIRO of our Starclass 695 is actually 10kg lighter than our previous, similarly sized, Barcelona.
If this manufacturer can get it right - why can't the others?
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We also have a Knaus starclass that we brought the same time as Richard and totally agree with every thing said about Knaus. Our van is used on a regular basis and is solid and damp free and everything works fine. This is our 6th caravan in 40 years and by far the best.
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We have had a Swift Elegance 480 for two years and I have spent two years putting it back together after every outing. We have now ordered a new different make of van, the Swift is not out of warranty. Best thing about it is the GRP sides every thing else is cr*p.
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German caravans are engineered to last for at least 30 years - it’s a pity British manufacturers don’t aim for the same high standards. Our Fendt is 16 years old, and will be kept. Look East for your next van - it doesnt matter if the door is on the “wrong” side.
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I'd also look east for a new van. I'm on my 5th Eriba and whilst the latest Touring models have more bells and whistles, quality has declined but they are still very good. The Feeling range is even better. If you look at my picture you will see one. Since last June I have done about 5,000 miles, so a fair test to see if anything was to go wrong. Just one thing, the bathroom door opened in transit once, so I fitted a catch. Added bonus of these vans is great payload, 500kg theoretical but 350kg realistic after all extras added. They tow well with a smaller car as well.
Colin
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