I have had an accident and put a dent which has split in the side of my caravan. I am insured and have had two companies look at it.
Here is my dilema:-
1) Person one says they will fill it, and then paint it and it will be fixed and look cosmetically perfect.
2) Person two says they will bond a new panel over the old one, so it will be fixed and look cosmetically perfect.
The caravan cost me a fortune and is only 12 months old.
I only need send one quotation (im awaiting both) to my insurers. Which is the best fix. I will be keeping the caravan for 15+ years. The guy who said a new panel will be best said the "fill" will eventually discolour and will show up down the line.
Assuming its more than a very small dent I would go for the new panel every time - the fill and paint will not, in my opinion, be a permanent solution to a split panel, and I doubt you will be that happy with it in the long term. Why not go to a third repairer, say one who deals with your brand of caravan, and see what they come up with.
It may be worth checking how the repair would effect your warantee if it was done by a non-Lunar approved workshop, it may be worth giving their HQ customer services a call for some advice. You could also mention that you wouldnt be happy just accepting the first option of just to fill, and ask where they recommend you take your caravan and how it should be repaired.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
Did you tell them that it was an insurance job? If you do they tend to offer the best fix rather than a cheaper option that many prefer if they are paying themselves!!
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
I have had both sides of my van "re skinned" they fill the dent & stick a new skin of aluminum over the original side panel How ever this has 2 disadvantages 1)the weight of each half section (each side usually consists of 2 panels,1 top & 1 bottom if the bottom panel is damaged they SHOULD replace both as the top panel lips over the bottom 1 for a weather proof join)is about 10kg & this detracts from your payload 2)the side can end up with a rippled effect like s bad car body repair UNLESS the repairer has specialized equipment that holds the skin in place with an even pressure over the entire surface until the bond its dry.
IMHO if your van can be repaired & the whole side sprayed I personally would go that route
My Van has a textured side so could not be filled & sprayed
This company has an inflatable wall that gives an equal pressure to the side while it cures http://www.crossleycoachcraft.co.uk/home.htm
If it is an insurance job and a newish van you intend keeping, i would personally have a new skin.At least a new manufacturers skin will match colour-wise where a repair will probably not match after time, and will devalue it when you do come to sell.
I would go for the repair option I think there are too many potential problems with fitting a new skin on a smooth sided van as old chap has pointed out I would also worry about water getting in between the skins
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Topic: help please what is right??
