we have just bought a new avondale argente and a crack has appeared on the front panel near the left front handle.it looks like a stress fracture or tear.Is this a common problem? i have contacted the dealer we bought it from who says that they will fill it, repair it and spray it.what worries us is will it happen again as soon as we tow it.has anyone else experienced this and is it a recurring problem?
If the van is brand new I would not be too happy about the dealer filling the crack. He can do this while they order a new panel... I know that some owners have had various problems so wait and see what experinces come along.
Good luck in getting yours sorted properly.
------------- "You can not change the wind, but you can adjust your sails"
Lots of Argente went back to have new panels fitted cos of a similar problem - DO NOT have it filled etc demand a new panel, if need be, get onto Avondale direct. I did with the many problems I've had with my Dart and they have been brilliant ever since I talked them into taking it back into their factory, cos they saw I was not making it up and was not a hysterical female. Jan
Hi to the whirlwind, check out the sales of goods act web site. I would be telling the dealer his fortune by now, i am assuming that your van is und 6 months old if it is then you are entitled to a refund, replacement of repair and under that act it is the manufactures reponcabilty to prove it was not faulty at the time of delivery.We have a 2004 640-6 with cracked front and back panels and are going down the refund route, we know at least 33 vans personanly with the same fault. So do not accept the bull from the dealer they know all about it and can replace panels but would you have 6 month old van repaired.Avondale know all about it so do the dealers in May 04 they where sent a memo from Avondale stating the problem.Good luck.
My new Argente is currently at the dealers waiting to be collected, with whom I discussed this problem on Saturday. He will not fill these cracks he will only replace with new panels provided by Avondale under warranty.
Now, I'm with Grumpy01 on this and I won't be having anything filled or replaced if it occurs in the first 6 months of ownership. It will be a full refund and I will have to reconsider my future choice of van.
That said, I'm hoping we don't have any poblems with cracks as we did with the Dart. I've already checked the rear panel and it appears to have been fitted flush to the van body.
I will be checking the front panel although this wasn't a problem area on the dart.
thanks for replying ...... we had read several reports of this problem prior to collection and throughly checked the panel before towing the caravan away....... it was perfect. the cracks only appeared after first tow! we are very disappointed as we have only had the caravan for 2 weeks.
we are new to caravaning and have decided to put the van on a seasonal pitch which we have already paid for....not for the caravan to be in the avondale factory.
we've spoken to the dealer.......suggested repair, caravan club tech help.......thought repair was a good option, avondale themselves........said we can put sealant on crack and get it repaired when serviced if easier.
anyone else who has had a similar problem with advice please help!
We have had our van 1 week and have noticed a crack on the left side of the van near the window, but round the first corner of the front of the van. It is a Elddis 505 model. Husband is taking it to dealer today if weather permits. Sad to say it as caused major disapointment and we really would like to have this problem sorted for Easter as we are going away.
The crack was not noted at pre delivery inspection so only can presume it as occured after being towed some distance.
Please reply if anyone is able to offer advice or is this a usual occurence with new vans
hi all this is an ongoing problem from avondale we have started looking into it and it is SHOCKING it is a far bigger problem for avondale than people think avondale have admitted there is a problem over the phone and in writing to us phone the caravan leagal help line on the back of your membership card they are very helpfull they told us we were covered by our house insurance fore sales of goods act and we are if the product is less than six mounths old the manufactors are responcable you MUST complan in writing to your dealers firt you are fully intitaled TO YOUR MONEY BACK that is the law as for repare our dealers told ua it dosenot work it would have to be replacement panels at the very lest do not forget you have payed alot of money for your van think of this if it was a faulty toaster you would have took it back and demaned your money back by now that is what we are doing and do not be put off it is the law good luck we will keep you all posted
hi grumpy01to try and cut long story sht we brought 03 dart it developed stress cracks in rear panal we traded in for argente 04 and have just had it repaired as it had stress cracks in front and rear panels we feel that this should have come to light a lot sooner, our dealer says that he was not notified in may 04 by avondale and as we brought the caravan at the end of may we are interested to know how you knew about the memo as we feel that if it is true then we should be entitled to a refund even though it is more than 6 mths old.we feel very let down and disheartened with avondale. and other people beware the new panals might not match the existing paintwork as our's dosen't but we have been told they will blend in time ha ha!
Hi Morganv8, blend in what a load of old twoddle these panels are made so they do not fade in time. We know about the memo from 2 sources one being Martin Howlett of Avondale (sales and marketing director) who has told us in writing and over trhe phone, and we have read the memo dated 4th May 04 on Avondale headed paper at our local dealers. He at first could not "Find" the memo but after a little prod with a sharp stick he found it.Good Luck
HI ALL WE HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM THE NEC SHOW AND OF COARSE WE HAD ALOOK AT THE AVONDALE STAND AND WHAT A LET DOWN OUT OF THE 15 OR SO VANS WE COUNTED FIVE VANS WITH CRACKED PANELS AND THE VANS WERE DIRTY AND MUCK HAD GOT INTO THE CRACKS AND MADE THEM EVEN MORE VISABLE. DO THEY NOT CARE ABOUT THE VANS AND THE BUYING PUBLIC???
We had a quick look at avondales today and a gentle push on the back panel was enough to put us off. It seemed very flimsy and moved all round, you could push panel in.
all these horror stories. think ill stick with my old abi ace rallyman.cost me 500notes with new awning. all new kit inside (had to unwrap) radio.cups plates.charger .battery the list goes on the old guy bought a narrow boat.ahhhhhhhhhhh big sihhhhhhhhhhh kc
Hi all i have had my avondale 18months now and only just discovered the problem.
Avondale offered me a repair but I will not accsept this. new pannels only has any body any idea how i stand legally.
Glossop also stated that this would take some 10 to 12 weeks to get new pannels and have them fitted. I started this in Febuary and still no new pannels in June
Hi... bought an avondale dart (mayfair) 6 berth in March. Its a 2004 model. After reading all about the cracks, I am now VERY worried!! Keep going over van with fine tooth comb. No visible cracks (YET) one thing that does worry me is that around the joins..such as roof to side panel, there is alot of excess sticky stuff. It looks like chewing gum in the seams. Could this mean the panels have been replaced?
Trying to enjoy new van, but have to say we are very wary of it now.
Quote: Originally posted by Wilson gang on 24/6/2006
one thing that does worry me is that around the joins..such as roof to side panel, there is alot of excess sticky stuff. It looks like chewing gum in the seams. Could this mean the panels have been replaced?
Rach
Hard to tell without seeing it, You can see excess on most vans so it is probably just our good old British attention to detail.
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Topic: stress fracture on new avondale argente
