Abs Panels 2014

[MalH]

Just picked up my caravan this afternoon with the new rear panel. Dealer has done a great job, looks as good as new. They confirmed that the frame had to be modified to prevent it from stressing the rear panel.

 

 

Me too!!

[Markt1891]

 

Me too!!

Great news! Glad this problem is finally getting sorted out for everyone.

 

Mark.

[mjohns4]

Due to the problems with ABS panels and the manufacturers reluctance to comment I have just purchased a Bailey Pegasus gt65, my fifth Bailey as no problems with any of the previous vans, I was very impressed with the Affinity 550 layout as the other half really liked the island bed, I wonder how many other people have done the same.

[Markt1891]

As the saying goes "you pay your money and take your chance"... although it shouldn't be that way it's just a sad reflection of the UK caravan industry. I am not sure that any of the UK manufacturers are perfect at the moment but I can't blame you for sticking with a manufacturer you trust.

 

However I know what my father-in-law would say if I asked him about his experience over the last 12 months with his GT65 :-). I am sure yours will be fine and I suspect that there are many Elddis owners who are also perfectly happy.

 

Mark.

[rpg7l]

My old 2005 bailey provence had a cracked rear panel which thankfully was replaced under warranty and it transpired that it was a common problem for that particular year of manufacture, so no caravan is immune. I doubt that current elddis vans will have the issue as they will have addressed the problem.

I have to hope that if my 576 does develop cracks they will deal with it under warranty.

[mjohns4]

As the saying goes "you pay your money and take your chance"... although it shouldn't be that way it's just a sad reflection of the UK caravan industry. I am not sure that any of the UK manufacturers are perfect at the moment but I can't blame you for sticking with a manufacturer you trust.

 

However I know what my father-in-law would say if I asked him about his experience over the last 12 months with his GT65 :-). I am sure yours will be fine and I suspect that there are many Elddis owners who are also perfectly happy.

 

Mark.

[mjohns4]

I agree that hopefully all ABS panels will get sorted under warranty, it's just that my dealer could not assure me that new models had been modified or that ABS panels would carry more than 12 months warranty, I'm sorry to hear about your father-in-laws problems with his gt65, I researched ongoing snags with gt65 and dealer confirmed modifications that have been carried out on 2014 models, good luck with your Elddis,

Mike

[MillieDog]

Just picked up my caravan this afternoon with the new rear panel. Dealer has done a great job, looks as good as new. They confirmed that the frame had to be modified to prevent it from stressing the rear panel.

 

Mark.

 

Mine as well - ours was replaced in July last year and the people who did the work (Premier Towing Centre - where the dealer shipped it to as they couldn't do the job) showed me photos of the work they had done to chamfer the structure beneath the panel to remove the source of the stress.

 

And the job was carried out very professionally, can't see that its been replaced except that we got the new twin reversing light design of panel.

Edited May 29, 2014 by MillieDog

[Bridgetown Caravans]

It's not just Elddis ABS panels that split. All manufacturers persist in using this material and all manufacturers have trouble with it splitting. Apart from personal experience on three occasions, there are reports on new (last three years) Swifts, Lunars, and Pre Alu-tech Baileys. Suffering still after they have been using it for 30 years. Enough is enough as they say.

 

Before parting with any money for a van manufactured with large panels of this material I would insist on the being in writing that the panel was covered for the same period of time as the body shell. i. e. 10 years. If they won't do so that then you can judge for yourself how much faith they have in one of the most important structures on a van.

 

The SOGA gives you protection but why risk the heartache it causes.

 

Any manufacturers who persist in this '12 months warranty on plastic items' are taking us for mugs. Always read the small print in the warranty before parting with the money.

Quite right, we have come across a number of issues both with ABS and GRP, particulalry on the upper corners of the rear panel, our Blog shows a picture of one unlucky customer who is still wrangling with his dealer over the matter.

 

Manufacturers will 99. 9% of the time replace not repair ABS as its a specialist repair not like GRP.

Edited May 30, 2014 by Bridgetown Caravans

[Alan Stanley]

Quite right, we have come across a number of issues both with ABS and GRP, particulalry on the upper corners of the rear panel, our Blog shows a picture of one unlucky customer who is still wrangling with his dealer over the matter.

 

Manufacturers will 99. 9% of the time replace not repair ABS as its a specialist repair not like GRP.

I'm sure Swift are on the right track with the latest developments such as totally wood free construction and very impressed with what I have seen so far, but I was surprised to see the latest models still have ABS rear panels. When I spoke to the Rep at the Caravan Show launch he stated. "We have reinforced them With SRIM mouldings, nothing to worry about now." I hope he is right but having seen panels split from nothing more than bad moulding/design/fitting, some before they were even fitted, I am not convinced yet. And other stronger better products (almost bomb proof by comparison ) are available so other than they are cheap why use them ?

 

Bailey's Alu-tech is far from perfect but a big plus for me was and is NO ABS.

 

I hope Swift have got it right but how many years before we can be sure ? Any other manufacturer that uses them to keep the water out just will not get our custom.

[Bridgetown Caravans]

I'm sure Swift are on the right track with the latest developments such as totally wood free construction and very impressed with what I have seen so far, but I was surprised to see the latest models still have ABS rear panels. When I spoke to the Rep at the Caravan Show launch he stated. "We have reinforced them With SRIM mouldings, nothing to worry about now." I hope he is right but having seen panels split from nothing more than bad moulding/design/fitting, some before they were even fitted, I am not convinced yet. And other stronger better products (almost bomb proof by comparison ) are available so other than they are cheap why use them ?

 

Bailey's Alu-tech is far from perfect but a big plus for me was and is NO ABS.

 

I hope Swift have got it right but how many years before we can be sure ? Any other manufacturer that uses them to keep the water out just will not get our custom.

Hello Alan,

We have had lots of dealings with the Bailey range, whilst I wont comment on proffesional opinions on any brand I can say that from my (own) opinion, they are almost there were others have yet to get to that place, if that makes sense, the only mistake I personally believe they made was not going total pure in the first instance, ie, the floor.

 

We have not yet come accross any of the new Swift range nor have we been asked to carry out any pre purchase reports, however, it will come in time, the model is still new. On the whole they do seem a very good design over the previous, we have carried out many Pre Purchase reports on the previous models.

 

ABS does in my (opinion) look far better than GRP, the only problem with ABS that we find is that it doesnt seem to hold up well against many of the build stresses that take place, hence many of the splits and crack due to pressure that we have come by. Also as im sure you will already know, ABS cannot be repaired as easily as GRP.

 

Simon

Edited May 31, 2014 by Bridgetown Caravans

[Caravanmedicswindon]

I have no problems repairing ABS. ....quicker, easier & a lot less messy than GRP.

[Bridgetown Caravans]

I have no problems repairing ABS. ....quicker, easier & a lot less messy than GRP.

I quite agree that ABS is a lot less messy. out of the approx 70 GRP repairs we have carried out we have carried out 35 ABS, both look as good when finished although depending on conditions, GRP can sometimes be subject to sinking, also, the quality of Fiber fill on the market can vary too, this can have a detrimental imapact on repairs.

 

ABS panel just look overall better and brighter IMO.

 

Simon