We ordered an Alaria TR at the February NEC show which failed to materialise. Originally we were told early May, then before Spring Bank Holiday then June, and finally “maybe” July.
So, in early May I called the dealers and told them I wanted options. It was suggested I choose a different, in stock new caravan, which I was happy to do. We choose the Alaria as it was the end bed, middle bath, cupboard by door layout that we wanted. Off I went to the dealers, 120 mile round trip and chose a Coachman VIP 545 Good choice I was told. Quality I was told.
Yesterday we went to collect the van. There were a few quality control issues that were sorted immediately but took a while. At 5pm, after 4 hours of hanging around we were finally able to hitch up, so far so good. Motor mover working no problems. Connected the electrics and we had a light show, lights flashing, ATC connecting and disconnecting....and we hadn’t even put the key in the ignition!!! Luckily a technician was still on site so he was called, he got his magic box and checked the van, no problem with the van, it must be the car. This seemed odd as we had towed our old van there to part ex. Well after wrangling for 20 mins he allowed us to try connecting to a different van, a Pastiche, everything worked fine, but no, it still had to be our car. There were no other tow cars on site so we couldn’t try a different car. When OH stated he knew what he was talking about (he does it’s his job) Head tech guy was called in. It is now past 6 pm. More wrangling and connecting car to van...Head shaking...never happened before....can’t happen to a Coachman. Executive decision to unlock the caravan store and bring down a newly delivered, sold, Coachman VIP 545. Connected to car and guess what.........it worked fine. Oh dear say tech guys, it must be the van. It is now 7.15pm and everyone is tired and hungry.
So, we are home, waiting for a call. No van, site to be called to cancel this week-ends booking, hope I don’t get a black mark for cancelling less than 48 hours. Away visiting family in America next week to early July.
Hey ho!
How did I know to unload old van at home and leave stuff there “just in case”!!!
Watch this space.
Can’t fault dealership, went the extra mile to try and get us away fully functional.
------------- Started with a motorbike and tent.......my gallery, my life.
That seems rather odd as like all caravan manufacturers (not just Coachman) have all the wiring looms delivered so all they have to do is feed the looms through the base before assembly and finally connect all the corresponding cables respectively. It makes me wonder if the loom was for a different model and got mixed up at the production line or possibly a trainee did the connections and failed to get inspected before dispatch.
However, you have to feel sorry for the dealer for havig egg on their faces and the embarrasment of it all only to find out that it was actually a manufacturing defect.
I always say to people (whatever the component is) just because it's brand new doesn't mean that it's in perfect working order which my philosophy is exactly right. Full marks to the dealer though for finally sorting out the problem before leaving the premises.
Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 08/6/2018
That seems rather odd as like all caravan manufacturers (not just Coachman) have all the wiring looms delivered so all they have to do is feed the looms through the base before assembly and finally connect all the corresponding cables respectively. It makes me wonder if the loom was for a different model and got mixed up at the production line or possibly a trainee did the connections and failed to get inspected before dispatch.
However, you have to feel sorry for the dealer for havig egg on their faces and the embarrasment of it all only to find out that it was actually a manufacturing defect.
I always say to people (whatever the component is) just because it's brand new doesn't mean that it's in perfect working order which my philosophy is exactly right. Full marks to the dealer though for finally sorting out the problem before leaving the premises.
So once the problem is located is it a quick fix?
------------- Started with a motorbike and tent.......my gallery, my life.
I'm not an electrician by trade so can't give you an honest answer. All I can say is if the wiring has been installed incorrectly it could be a major job and may well have to go back to the factory for rectification.
been on a site recently and my ''neighbour'' on the next pitch had a brand new coachman from a dealer in Glossop.........
He said that the PDI was atrocious ( PDI !! ) He said he had a list of faults which were apparent when he picked it up from the dealership but was told ...''just take it to any dealer if you have a problem '' Great customer services and unfortunately the chap drove away with a van riddled with faults...He explained that he was it the end of his tether and the straw that broke the camels back was a statement from the dealer regarding a problem fitting his towing cover to the front of his van. ( wouldn't clip into awning rails ) was ;-
''just bend them out until it fits...'' with no offer to rectify
Why do we still put up with shoddy workmanship and crap dealers ( there are some really good ones out there but few and far between )
Take a look on you tube and search for caravan manufacturers videos showing how quick they put together a van and the age of the workforce and you will see why there are so many faults !!
One poster on another subject raised a really good point.....Why don't manufactures slow down the build process and take time to build quality rather than quantity
I have to agree that the build quality on caravans is pretty shoddy.
I was lucky when I bought mine, only had one slight fault with the lights not working, but even so there are still slight "issues" which although aren't a problem, it just niggles me. For example some of the seams on the "wallpaper" on the inside of the van are a bit rough and ready.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, the UK caravan industry is just how the UK car industry was back in the sixties.
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Topic: New caravan saga continues
