VonnieP Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 Hi there. We have just bought an Avondale Argente 390-2 2005. We love everything about it. ...BUT. ...we have noticed some small cracks on the outside of the caravan. On finding these cracks I went online, and to my horror have found out that this is a big problem with Avondale caravans (especially the Argente). I feel so upset and let down by the caravan dealer that sold it to us, and can`t believe they didn`t know about this problem. My hubby is taking the caravan back to the dealer on Friday afternoon (only a 6 hour round trip) and hopefully we can get it repaired. Has anyone got any advice to give us on what rights we have, what sort of repair to ask for etc? Vonnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterjohn Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 The only repair I would ask for is my money back. Avondale are out of business so you would not get new panels and I doubt that other than taking it to a PROPER bodyshop you would get a watertight repair. Peter. Peter and Sandy pulling a 2016 Coachman VIP 565 with 2016 Ford Kuga 2. 0. 180 ps. Titanium Nav. Retired and loving it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWanderingLancastrian Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 Hi there. We have just bought an Avondale Argente 390-2 2005. We love everything about it. ...BUT. ...we have noticed some small cracks on the outside of the caravan. On finding these cracks I went online, and to my horror have found out that this is a big problem with Avondale caravans (especially the Argente). I feel so upset and let down by the caravan dealer that sold it to us, and can`t believe they didn`t know about this problem. My hubby is taking the caravan back to the dealer on Friday afternoon (only a 6 hour round trip) and hopefully we can get it repaired. Has anyone got any advice to give us on what rights we have, what sort of repair to ask for etc? Vonnie Hi Vonnie. Are the cracks appearing at the lower corners of the window openings?. If they are, it has been an oft reported problem with some of the Elddis/Explorer Group models. It appears to have been restricted to the Twin Axles & the longer Single Axles. Have a look into the Elddis dedicated section,the problem appears to have abated of late, albeit our 2001 Elddis Crusader SuperSirocco has been affected and by all accounts in the early years after production,we are the second owners after 10yrs in the hands of the original owners. The caravan had all of the hallmarks of very little use at all. It is restricted to one position,it is at the front NS dinette window opening at the lower right hand corner position. It is currently 35mm visible and after several thousand miles of towing it does not appear to have travel any further. Life in general can be a journey of chance with some winners and sadly some losers. Your outfit can never be left to chance. A short-while carrying out essential checks can ensure a long-time of happy & safe caravanning for all concerned. Ignorance can often be bliss but is certainly not an excuse and when continually disregarded they can be totally disastrous for oneself and the innocent parties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secondopsman Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 My Guess is the cracks are appearing above the front window or on the outer edges of the front were the radius is and back seems. Avondale had big problems with these and recalled loads. Oh and you can get new panels but they take a fibreglass mould from the original panel. There is a guy in Chesterfield (columbian caravans)that can do it be he quoted us around £1500 to do the front panel on an Avondale argente 650/6 we were looking at buying. I must admit i didnt buy the van though as the thought of all the hassle just put me off. Pete Toyota Hilux Invincible pulling a Bailey Pageant Loire easily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reads Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 The only repair I would ask for is my money back. Avondale are out of business so you would not get new panels and I doubt that other than taking it to a PROPER bodyshop you would get a watertight repair. Peter. just so you know, i have new front and rear panels in stock for argentes, and darts, and can still get them and these are original plastic panels, not some cheap fibreglass copies it was a big problem for avondale for a couple of years starting approx 2005. we had our techs specially trained by the original panel supplier to complete a lasting localised repair which does not crack again. we have been repairing cracked abs panels since 2006 on any/all caravan with no problems Follow Reads. Main Dealership for Bailey, Swift, Sterling, Lunar Venus. www. readcaravans. com 2013 CaravanTimes Reader Award - Best Caravan Dealer 2013 CaravanTalk Finalist - Best Caravan Dealer 2013 CaravanTalk Finalist - Best Caravan Servicing. 2012 CaravanTalk Winner Best Caravan Servicing 2011 CaravanTimes Reader Award - Best Caravan Dealer 2010 Practical Caravan - Dealer of the Year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VonnieP Posted September 26, 2011 Author Share Posted September 26, 2011 Thank you all for the replies. Our problem is that we don`t know what our legal rights are in demanding repairs to the caravan. What do we do if the dealer just says "we will fill the cracks in", and then more cracks develope at a later date? Reads. ..it`s good to know that we would still be able to get the panels if the dealers won`t help us. Vonnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reads Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 the first question i would ask of you is do you like the caravan? the reason i ask is because one outcome would be the dealer offer you a refund but obviously you would loose the caravan. if the caravan was exactly what you wanted, the price was right and the only issue was the cracks, i would ask the seller that as long as the cracks are only cosmetic and not causing any water ingress issues you would like the cracks repairing. the cracks would have to be repaired correctly and the repairs guaranteed Follow Reads. Main Dealership for Bailey, Swift, Sterling, Lunar Venus. www. readcaravans. com 2013 CaravanTimes Reader Award - Best Caravan Dealer 2013 CaravanTalk Finalist - Best Caravan Dealer 2013 CaravanTalk Finalist - Best Caravan Servicing. 2012 CaravanTalk Winner Best Caravan Servicing 2011 CaravanTimes Reader Award - Best Caravan Dealer 2010 Practical Caravan - Dealer of the Year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VonnieP Posted September 26, 2011 Author Share Posted September 26, 2011 the first question i would ask of you is do you like the caravan? the reason i ask is because one outcome would be the dealer offer you a refund but obviously you would loose the caravan. if the caravan was exactly what you wanted, the price was right and the only issue was the cracks, i would ask the seller that as long as the cracks are only cosmetic and not causing any water ingress issues you would like the cracks repairing. the cracks would have to be repaired correctly and the repairs guaranteed The caravan is perfect for us, and we love it. What do you mean by the repairs being done correctly? We intend asking for a damp test to be done, so I suppose that would show up any water ingress wouldn`t it? Thanks for your help. Vonnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rita Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 We have had cracks repaired on our Dart no prob At service they always check for more and do a thorough damp test so far no prob They also gaurantee there work for 12 months and when i did notice cracks during the year we put gaffa tape on them, notified them and they are done at service Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VonnieP Posted September 30, 2011 Author Share Posted September 30, 2011 Just thought I would update this post. My hubby took the caravan back to the dealer, and he agreed to give us our money back. They were very helpful so we have now bought a Lunar Stellar 2008 from the same dealer. Lets hope we have more luck with this van. Thanks for all your help. Vonnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenDaveCambridge Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 How much to replace the rear panel on an Argente 550/4 2006? Could it be fitted in one day as we'd need to bring our van from Cambridge and stay somewhere until the work was done? just so you know, i have new front and rear panels in stock for argentes, and darts, and can still get them and these are original plastic panels, not some cheap fibreglass copies it was a big problem for avondale for a couple of years starting approx 2005. we had our techs specially trained by the original panel supplier to complete a lasting localised repair which does not crack again. we have been repairing cracked abs panels since 2006 on any/all caravan with no problems Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roblipsham Posted September 6, 2013 Share Posted September 6, 2013 I have a 2004 Avondale Argente 390-2, it had cracks at the rear, both left and right, where the sides/roof and rear panel comes together, I found it was due to when they originally fixed the trim end caps above the window, they did not pre drill the panel with a oversize hole, to let the end cap fixing screw go clearly through to pick up the inner timber framework, therefore "forcing" the corner of the back panel to crack. I have fixed mine by means of fibreglass, filler and re-spray, but you need to ensure you get the resin in behind the crack to ensure it is secure. hope this help's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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