Now you did say you wanted advice form experts! Sorry but I am not one but we do have an Elddis.
We have a 2 berth Odyssey and would consider it to be well put together and spacious. The only downside we have found is that it is a bit on the heavy side. We were hoping to get a larger Odyssey (fixed bed) but the 482 is the only one in the range we can tow with our present tug.
Shame.
------------- I started out with nothing and I've still got most of it left - Seasick Steve 2008
It is the build quality we are more interested in. The weight of the van just about ok for our car. My wife likes all the extras so pur van is always going to be a little on the heavy side.
We have been caravanning for 20 years and have had various vans over that time.We purchased our first Elldis crusadar feb 07 and although the van had everything we wanted we have had a couple of problems and have found the aftersales/service very poor in comparision to previous after sales with different vans.
We have had a damp front lounge seat, which we were blamed for "spilling" something on....which took 5 months of to and fro until as a goodwill gesture they replaced( van was only 6 months old)
Our fixed bed which stated on it " a no roll together " sprung mattress exclusive to Elddis was like sleeping in a hammock and took us 13 months to get it replaced only to find the new one is going the same way!.On the latest models they have replaced these mattresses with foam ones .We are currently awaiting another mattress.
At its annual service last year in march we told them that the freezer door wasn't locking and we are still waiting for the new catch, it was supposed to be fitted at this years service on 3rd march 09 but they still didn't have the part!
This van was to be our ultimate luxary but we had nothing but battles and have been communicating directly with ElDDIS So unless you know the dealer and have heard that he offers a very good after sales I would steer clear of Elddis
Sorry to be so negative but ive never experienced such poor after sales
All comments good or bad are gratefully received. The van we are looking at is 3 years old so hopefully all the niggles have gone and we wont have to deal with Elddis for much. The van is now out of it's warranty so any faults would have to be sorted by ourselves.
hi we have an elddis hurrican we have had it for two and half yearsnot from new and vary pleased with it,its got everything we need and the end bathroon is great we just wish we had gone for a four birth as we have a grandchild now,but a very cumphy van.
We have a 2002 Eccles Onyx and have found that the build quality is excellent. Later Swift Group products have changed to pare the cost of manufacture. For example, lockers are no longer scribed to the ceiling.
We had a '92 Elddis Cyclone which, for the year, was also excellent but I believe that build quality can vary from year to year, depending on manufacturer.
I would recommend that you look through some of the other forums to find particular problems with the products you are considering.
I have an Elddis Avante Club 556 6 berth. It's a lovely van and I got it still wrapped up new. We have had the fridge, charger and microwave fail - but this isnt Explorers fault as they dont make the parts, just fit them.
The build is superb, it tows lovely and it suits us perfect. Like many things, the after sales is primarily the dealers issue, I once rang Elddis up and they were fine, but the buck stops at the dealer to look after you in most cases.
Good luck and as I always say, you get what you feel happy with.
Two weeks ago me and OH sat in a salesman's office and thrashed out a deal, 10k plus my Avondale for an Elddis Crusader Superstorm. We were feeling a tad spendthrift that day and fancied the 26-27 footer with all the gubbings.
Just about to sign and in walks the salesman from next door and looking chuffed with himself announces he's just sold it to a lady from Southampton he's just got off the phone to her!!
We walked outta there 10k better off not knowing wether to laugh or cry
I reckon it was meant to be, so we went and washed the Avondale
We had a 2007 Compass Omega 524 same van different graphics and got so fed up with niggling little thing like 6 months waiting for a battery strap, the side locker continually leaking water in under the seats that we got rid of it after 14 months the build quality on the later models is not in our opinion as good as the earlier ones say around 2001.
Ive had a elddis for 4 years, we had a couple of minor problems, a split in the shower base and we forgot to fasten the dividing door and it came off the rail and i couldnt get it to slide smoothly, the shower base was a very tiny split which the dealer found, the dealer has been excellent, they fixed both problems straight away
We have a 2008 elddis odyssey 544, we love it the build quality is top notch, we look at a few vans but when we first went into the elddis you could see the build quality was better,so we bought it.
I have just changed from a swift charmisa to a Elddis avante 630 FB i lovely the van and the layout with more cupboards and they have different storage ideal which i think is a good think.
We love our Sterling and would definately have one again. We have friends with an Elddis (Siddle spelt backwards!), the furniture came away from the walls, the bed is knacked and it now has damp and it's barely 6 years old! The aftersales at Swift is 2nd to none!
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