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We got our new caravan 2 weeks ago. Havnt towed it since picked it up, been busy practicing putting awning up etc.

Decided when I got home from work tonight to take it for a tow, just round the block and to practice reversing. We live in the middle of nowhere and down a narrow country lane, so can practice reversing without any interuptions. Got on really well reversing so was really pleased with myself.

Got the van back on the drive and my wife noticed that the bathroom was broken, a chunk the size of 2 50p bits was missing. At first I thought I must have caught a branch of a tree down our country lane that broke the window, but there are no other marks along the van, which I would of thought there would of been! Also we noticed that the cover over the water heater was missing.

We retraced our route but could not see the cover, and the trees where the window may have got broken, there was no sign of broken window pieces. On closer inspection of the window there is a dent, and it looks like someone has tried to lever the window open. The window in question is on the offside of the van, which is not visible from the house. If it was someone trying to break in why did they not try to gain entry through the rear door(garage door) which is just behind this window. Also why would they want to steal the water heater cover?

Tim

Probably kids! Vandalising,rather than trying to steal.

My sympathies!!!!

Hi John

Thanks for reply, but I doubt if it was kids, we have no neighbours,but I suppose it could be possible

Tim

Hi

Do you know for certain that the cover was in place when you took posession of the van?  I have seen a lot of vans with them missing on the dealer forecourts and can only assume they are commonly stolen by caravanners.  The same seems to apply to cooker knobs inside the vans!

It could be that the missing cover and the broken window were separate events.

Since the sides of vans scratch and dent as soon as you look at them, I would have expected to see signs of that if you had caught it on trees or hedges etc,.

Just a thought, but could the window damage be caused by airgun pellets?

Bertie.

Hi,  This message is not connected to your post so apologies for that.  I just noticed that you have bought a Bailey Pageant Bretagne.  We have been looking at them, but cannot decide between the 5-berth Provence and the 6-berth Bretagne.  We have a 3 year old daughter and a bump expected in November.  What affected your decision to get the Bretagne, and apart from the problem mentioned above are you happy with it otherwise?

Many thanks

Fiona (and Chris)

Hi Fiona & Chris

We were looking for a 6 berth, and the bretagne was in our opinion the best one for the price we wanted to pay. The rear bunks would be perfect for a young family.

We love the caravan, not that we have been away in it yet, and we are really happy with it. Good luck with what ever choice you make.

Hope this helps

Tim

Can't really suggest an explanation for the window. The fridge vent covers do occasionaly come off, we lost one on our way back from Cornwall, a couple of years ago. The dealer told us it was fairly common!

The water heater cover on our Bretange is really hard to get off so I can't see that ever coming off by accident, after 3 years it's still a real fiddle to prise off.

Maybe it hadn't been pushed back on properly when the dealer did a PDI check? not sure how else it would come off.

Good luck with your new van I hope you get the problems fixed quickly - they are a great van.

Joty