We've had quite a few problems with our Lunar and it has made me a bit wary of what we choose when we come to replace it.
I'm wondering if there are any long term reliability surveys compiled from owners. A bit like the surveys the Top Gear and What Car started with cars using JD Power.
I hope there is. If there isn't, is it worth the caravan mags starting one?
Might not be too easy. According to the AWS man who services our 'van, 50% of the 'vans and motorhomes he services are damp! No make is free from damp related problems so its buyer beware!
A damp meter is your best friend. The owner of a large repair workshop I was talking to some time ago said that a large proportion of damp problems are due to the use of non setting mastics for awning rails, window seals etc. These mastics become soft and runny in hot sun and eventually dry out and fail. High quality sealants are available but they still use the stuff they were using in the 1970s! Again he couldn't tell me of one manufacturer without problems.
And then there are all the bits that are bolted on....
I think you will find there isn't the will for caravan mags who rely on caravan manufacturers for advertising revenue to compile such a survey.
There are forums who have a manufacturer by manufacturer section on their forums and you can get an idea of the number of issues being raised but I agree its difficult to tell if anyone is better (or worse!) than anyone else on a percentage of caravans produced basis
We went with Adria because they seem to be very well put together on a more consistent basis on a Wuropean method of sealing, and seem to be known or their lack of damp problems. I can't think of any UK manufacturer when reading various forums who had that general overall image. HOWEVER I do think its important to remember that the vast majority of owners happily own caravans without major issues and don't sign up to forums
I suppose it's a bit difficult to do unless you specify which parts to check.
Do you mean structural reliability?
A lot of different make vans all use the same parts like truma water heaters, thetford toilets ect.
I have had a couple of problems with my coachman but they have All been 3rd party. Ie nothing to do with the actual structural integrity of the van or any Coachman furnishings ect.
In fact I can't think of any major gripes about the actual Coachman brand as opposed to the likes of other caravan brands which are always under fire on here.
Never heard of massive upset for damp leaky vans( like the recent swift group and bailey alu tech) but perhaps someone has?
That review is the usual Caravan Club magazine cop out. After all who provides them free with the caravans to try out and review. without which they would not have a magazine.
85% satisfaction rating ..... compared to what? Cars they say. Well the average life of a car in the UK is 13 years. I for one would be well pleased if the average life of a caravan was 13 years. Yes there are a few 20 year old caravans around, but I bet as many or more are scrapped before they get to 5 years old.
Freeatlast
Don't know about that! I think a lot of people really run their caravans until they fall in bits.
On my seasonal site my van is one of the newer ones (2007).
They people on the same site as me usually only change vans when they can't get insurance anymore, even though the caravans look crappy and are not looked after one bit!
in my experience new vans are poor.you expect reliability quality and minimal problems for the vast amount of £s involved yet its the opposite.
wouldnt go near a new van again personally after the alutech experience. buy older , buy it cheap and as long its respectable and you can get 3 or more years out of it then move it on and lose no money.let someone else be the guinea pig and take the hit on depreciation
The NCC say there are 500,000 caravans in the UK. Must be quite a few old ones among that lot. I bet more are written off due to accident damage than are scrapped due to being crappy!
If you assume that it WILL leak, and keep checking and repairing it before it rots, it should last a very long time, accidents excepted.
We've had major damp repairs due to the non setting mastic. We've had loads of other problems as well, the latest being a cracked shower tray which I've received very helpful advice on another thread I posted requesting help.
I think it would be a brave magazine that conducts a no hold barred survey but it would be great for consumers though.
Mst of the damp problems may come from non setting mastic. Personally I think caravans are inherently poorly designed. If you were going to build a carboard box you wouldn't stick edge to edge along the corners. You would overlap it.
Just look at the way the old Eribas were made. Roof overlaps the side. They rarely had damp issues. Basic common sense to me but what do I know.
They are essentially a low-scale cottage industry, and not built to the precise standards that you should expect from a car for example.
I agree with not buying new - buy something that has had the major issues sorted under warranty, and save a wedge of money to boot!
The Caravan Club only review caravans put to them by makers so they are unlikely to find a "lemon".
When I had problems with a new Bailey they said they were aware of that specific van's noseweight issues but did not publish it as it would be unfair to Bailey as other vans may have the same problem and they were unaware of it.In my opinion the Club's reports on vans are worthless.The Club is a commercial organisation not a member orieted club.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Long Term Reliability Surveys
