kiwivan Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Hi - first post and looking for some help. Located on NZ. Have a 2013 Conqueror 645 that has developed a crease between the door and the lower fridge grill. Crease commences from the upper corner of the fridge grill upwards on 45 degree angle back towards the door - 20cm long approx. Developed crease on 3rd road trip from new. Has anyone experienced anything like this? Many thanks from down under. Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrybrook Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Hi Greg I do recall seeing a similar problem on here once before and the cause if I remember was extreme heat on the side panel, and the line of the crease appearing where the insulation panels have a joint in them, as the insulation can not be fitted in one piece. Being in New Zealand I guess that you may have had real hot weather recently. May not be much help to you, but may explain the mystery. Harry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Hi Greg. Out of interest, look in the Elddis section at the mysteriously locked thread 'Unusual Dent, Crack Beside Front Privacy Window' at posts 68 & 93. Do these bear any resemblance to what you describe? Living the dream, well more of a nightmare ~ Griff Wheels at the front ~ Discovery 4 Towing Machine Wheels at the back ~ 4 of ‘em Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caravantech Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 not one i've ever come across on a Swift product, have you got any pictures of it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abh1493 Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 not one i've ever come across on a Swift product, have you got any pictures of it? On and off, it's been an occasional problem, 'telegraphing' through the walls, usually at the points where large furniture items are fixed to the walls. They do also vary with temperature, often seen after south of france trips. I've also seen them on Lunars and Elddis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caravantech Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 On and off, it's been an occasional problem, 'telegraphing' through the walls, usually at the points where large furniture items are fixed to the walls. They do also vary with temperature, often seen after south of france trips. I've also seen them on Lunars and Elddis. it didnt sound like Telegraphing from the first post, though as requested, a picture will confirm this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWanderingLancastrian Posted January 16, 2014 Share Posted January 16, 2014 Hi - first post and looking for some help. Located on NZ. Have a 2013 Conqueror 645 that has developed a crease between the door and the lower fridge grill. Crease commences from the upper corner of the fridge grill upwards on 45 degree angle back towards the door - 20cm long approx. Developed crease on 3rd road trip from new. Has anyone experienced anything like this? Many thanks from down under. Greg Hi Greg. Are you talking about the internal boards that are covered with a very thin decorative vinyl or are you referring to the exterior of the caravan as in the other image of the three that I have attached? 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...
kiwivan Posted January 17, 2014 Author Share Posted January 17, 2014 (edited) Hi all Thanks for the feedback. Picked the family up yesterday from camping and have now attached the following pictures. Does this mean anything to any of you? Again, really appreciate all your comments. Cheers Greg. PS - yes we have had some hot weather during our current summer, on the last trip - circa 30c. Plus we had some quite strong winds whilst towing. Could the crease be caused through stress by flexing whilst towing? PPS - struggling to see how to post pictures. .....standby Edited January 17, 2014 by kiwivan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwivan Posted January 17, 2014 Author Share Posted January 17, 2014 (edited) Hi Greg I do recall seeing a similar problem on here once before and the cause if I remember was extreme heat on the side panel, and the line of the crease appearing where the insulation panels have a joint in them, as the insulation can not be fitted in one piece. Being in New Zealand I guess that you may have had real hot weather recently. May not be much help to you, but may explain the mystery. Harry Thanks Harry - yes we are in the middle of summer. See my latest post for photo. Cheers Greg Hi Greg. Are you talking about the internal boards that are covered with a very thin decorative vinyl or are you referring to the exterior of the caravan as in the other image of the three that I have attached? From Samsung Galaxy S3 ( 02-11-2013 001. jpg From Samsung Galaxy S3 ( 02-11-2013 002. jpg The cracked aluminium outer skin. jpg Hi - thanks have now posted a photo and to confirm it is the exterior skin. Cheers Greg Another picture - a little closer. Cheers Greg Edited January 17, 2014 by kiwivan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWanderingLancastrian Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 (edited) Hi kvm. If I didn't know any better I would suggest that it actually looks more like the decal has been folded Face to Face at some point before application and the warmth of the day has allowed the vinyl decal to lift at the fold/crease line. I know that is often difficult to show an issue for what it is on an image,but is the aluminium actually raised? It is just possible that a split/tear has developed beneath the decal but without removing the vent and exposing the edge of the aluminium skin,it is difficult to ascertain from the image. The part right up close to the corner of the vent certainly does look like the aluminium has lifted. Have you had an engineers 12" steel ruler across the mark? The type that is used in a joiners/cabinet makers adjustable 90* set-square/level is possibly the easiest to source. Edited January 17, 2014 by TheTravellingRooster 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...
MalH Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 That looks more like a crease to me - is it possible that you've caught a low tree branch or a bush without realising it? Nissan X-Trail Tekna + Coachman Festival 450 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caravantech Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 that looks like a crease to me, looking at the distortion near the fridge vent, though that could be my eyes deceiving me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddywheels Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 Hi Kiwivan - looks very similar to the problem I have on my Elddis - crease like this have appeared at corners of openings Many on here with Explorer Caravans affected but this is the first by another manufacturer I am aware of A Vanner without a van due to the demands of DIY and SWMBO - 40 years was a good run though Now a Motorhome Learner with a Fiat Toad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 Looks like a compression flex to me. Living the dream, well more of a nightmare ~ Griff Wheels at the front ~ Discovery 4 Towing Machine Wheels at the back ~ 4 of ‘em Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwivan Posted January 17, 2014 Author Share Posted January 17, 2014 Hi all - the crease is an inward dent/compression. There are no obvious signs that anything has come into contact with the surface to to make the indentation - the decal and paint finish are unmarked. At the point of the corner of fridge vent, the indent is distorted (kind of twisted almost). Griff, a compression flex, what might cause this? This sounds like it might be a great way to describe the damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz40 Posted January 17, 2014 Share Posted January 17, 2014 Hi Kiwivan - looks very similar to the problem I have on my Elddis - crease like this have appeared at corners of openings Many on here with Explorer Caravans affected but this is the first by another manufacturer I am aware of Looks like good old stress distortion to me and there seem to be many posts over very recent years on this issue with a majority of manufactures. Elddis, Bailey, Lunar, even Hymer. Personally I think these issues are down to the body or chassis flexing and the areas around the door and windows not having enough strengthening in the structure. Always seems to be with caravans with access doors forward to the axle. Usually blamed on over loading the caravan or hitting potholes I think it was Hymer who strengthened their walls around the door and some Adria's with doors near and forward of the axle that do not fit a front side window, presumingly for added strength in that area. Links below Any potholes down there ! http://www. caravantalk. co. uk/community/topic/18997-hymer-nova/ http://www. caravantalk. co. uk/community/topic/51036-crease-above-door/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markathomas21 Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 Just for the record this crease also has appeared here in Australia with some of the 2012-2013 Conqueror 645 and is heat related it does come and go depending upon the temperature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Rae Posted October 4, 2014 Share Posted October 4, 2014 I have found the above articles and the picture by Greg very interesting as the crease is exactly the same as on our Conqueror 645. At the beginning of September we travelled by ferry from St Malo to Portsmouth. There was no crease before we embarked but it was there when we left the ferry. It was not caused by a knock and our caravan dealer has intimated that it is a stress mark. We had to enter and exit the ship by a ramp so it is likely to have been caused at that time. It appears to me that this is a design fault and I intend to approach Swift for some redress. Our caravan is a March 2014 model. It is pointless buying a caravan that can not travel up and down a ramp without damage being caused surely. Even if it is cosmetic damage now, there is a possibility that when we take it abroad again further more serious flexing will occur that could result in more significant damage to the outer skin. Any further example of similar problems would be of interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Rae Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Further to the above posting, I am very pleased to say that Swift are to repair the crease mark under warranty. Lowdhams at Gunthorpe in Nottinghamshire have been very helpful in liaising with Swift to ensure a successful outcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddywheels Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 Great result - well done swift A Vanner without a van due to the demands of DIY and SWMBO - 40 years was a good run though Now a Motorhome Learner with a Fiat Toad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjr666 Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 Hi Greg I do recall seeing a similar problem on here once before and the cause if I remember was extreme heat on the side panel, and the line of the crease appearing where the insulation panels have a joint in them, as the insulation can not be fitted in one piece. Being in New Zealand I guess that you may have had real hot weather recently. May not be much help to you, but may explain the mystery. Harry Hi Greg i have a 2012 Sterling elite opal that has a crease above the near side bedroom window for the second time and is going back again to swift for further investigation i am not very impressed, payed a lot of money for so called elite range and had so many warranty issues goes back march next year for repairs earliest they could fit it in. I don't think they know what is causing the issue, they can't offer me a replacement van because they don't make that model anymore stopped after only 2 years in production it makes me wonder if they have got a issue with that model Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCloughie Posted November 11, 2014 Share Posted November 11, 2014 The kink above the door in my Unicorn is very small, however a whole new side is going on. See here: http://www. caravantalk. co. uk/community/topic/96160-wheel-detachment/page-8?do=findComment&comment=1100998 John Volvo V70 D3 SE (was Peugeot 4007, SsangYong Korando), Pulling a Lunar Clubman SI 2015. If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolm68 Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 I have just had a exact thing happen to mine a 2011/12 swift conqueror same place just on corner of fridge grill. I thought somebody had hit it and am having it repaired under insurance and having to pay excess. NOT A HAPPY BUNNY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulthomas Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Kiwivan,that must be a warranty issue. What does your dealer say? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poolebob Posted April 19, 2015 Share Posted April 19, 2015 Kiwivan,that must be a warranty issue. What does your dealer say? Kiwivan,that must be a warranty issue. What does your dealer say? Since kiwivan was last active over a year ago, I wouldn't hold my breath for an answer. Honda CRV Diesel Petrol & No caravan now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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