I have for several months been talking to Jayco about my Fibreglass Heritage caravan where it looks like the Gelcoat has broken down and you can see the Fibreglass matting pattern with a flat matt finish.
I had the van inspected by Paul Tall who said the side was effected by the sun like sunburn the service representative has just sent me an email saying the problem has been caused because I didn't polish it often enough. When I purchased the van from a Jayco dealer I commented that this van was going to be harder to polish than my traded 16 foot aluminium pop top, The staff at dealer said that fibreglass was stronger and less likely to be damaged and you didn't have to polish it
My van lives under cover when at home and I have polished it annually with polish I purchased from another Jayco dealer who also said I am wasting my time polishing it as fibreglass does not need to be polished, I have a mate with a fibreglass boat older than my van that lives full time on the water and it doesn't have a problem like mine.
I guess I only have one option left I will give consumer affairs a go as I don't believe the van is fit for the purpose for which it was sold, anyone out there with advice that can help will be appreciated.
Baz421 said
05:44 PM Jun 12, 2015
Could you please amplify "broken down",,,, ie adblated and worn away, cracked, falling off, see through (ie no pigment) not attached to glass coat.
Doesn't sound ANYTHING like a not polishing problem. I assume it hasn't had any solvents or harsh detergents on it, ie carwash.
migra said
06:03 PM Jun 12, 2015
Don't stuff around.
first, write to the selling dealer outlining your issue and request he arrange to have the problem fixed.....he is the one you have the sales contract with NOT the caravan manufacturer, give him 14 days to advise what action he will be taking on your behalf with Jayco and if no satisfactory reply move the complaint direct to the DFT in your state.
I would suggest you start the ball rolling with the DFT by making an online complaint, keep written records of all conversations with the selling dealer and confirm in writing any comments discussed.
Izabarack said
06:12 PM Jun 12, 2015
aussietraveller wrote:
.....the service representative has just sent me an email saying the problem has been caused because I didn't polish it often enough.
I guess I only have one option left ................
Not polishing enough would not result in the problem as described. Reads like an attempt to put you off and to put the responsibility back on you.
Who is Paul Tall? Rep from dealer or point of contact at Jayco?
Lots of options before going legal. Once a legal argument or process is established, it comes down to a win or lose conflict. Getting Jayco to fix the problem without costly legal action would be a PR win for them and a lot less stress for you.
Iza
aussietraveller said
06:41 PM Jun 12, 2015
G'day Baz421
What I referred to as breaking down is there is no white colouring and it has a flat not shiny finish like the rest of the van, I have used Maguires car wash as advised by the Jayco dealer I purchased it from.
Paul Tall is a caravan repair specialist near Sydney where Jayco. Askedme to take it so he could write a report for them and it was Paul who told me it was sun affected not lack of polish.
Do other people polish their fibreglass vans if so how regularly did the dealer advise to do it.
Bruce and Bev said
09:16 PM Jun 12, 2015
I agree with Migra - don't muck around. But don't have any verbal - face to face or phone conversations with them - do it all by email to your selling Dealer.
If you talk to Jayco, your State consumer protection agency will probably get you to start all over again with the Dealer. Your contract is with them and you, not Jayco and under the Trade Practices Act, they are the party responsible for any claim
ballast2 said
09:18 PM Jun 12, 2015
G'day mate. how old is the van? Have you spoken to Jayco Melbourne about the problem. They have a call number I have had to use and found them really great to deal with as they wish to keep the customer happy. I note that you have been talking to Jayco and that is why I suggested talking to head office in case you might have dealing with a dealer. the head office approved an out of warranty repair on my Sterling .
Cheers
Weevil said
10:37 AM Jun 13, 2015
AT, I would suggest ringing Jayco Head office, some dealers are given an annual allowance to attend to minor maintenance problems but if they don't use it they get to keep it.
I had a fibreglass Jayco (they are composite, not true 100% fibreglass, that is they are a skin of fibreglass) and the head office gave me order numbers for local repairers to have some items fixed, including some out of warranty which they were happy to have fixed at their expense.
From what the dealer has told you I wouldn't hesitate to ring the head office and tell them what you have been told by the dealer, also how you have been looking after your van. You should explore this avenue first before going to consumer affairs.
done dreaming said
11:01 AM Jun 13, 2015
Could be osmosis.Fibreglass swimming pools are affected this way.
Bill B said
02:37 PM Jun 13, 2015
How old is the van ?
It is quite a few years since Heritages were made.
Weevil said
05:09 PM Jun 13, 2015
Ring Jayco Head Office Customer Service anyway and tell them what model you have and ask their advice, they might surprise you.
Mine was out of warranty and I told them so, but they still arranged to have my problem attended to (not fibreglass though).
Bill B said
06:21 PM Jun 13, 2015
By my reckoning van would have to be at least 10 years old so I wouldn't hold my breath re warranty.
clarence said
12:34 PM Jun 14, 2015
My 5 yo sunliner motorhome has done this from the first year, but only on the luton peak, white wax like substance drips on to my front window. i have polished it to no avail, what is the best polish to use please?
aussietraveller said
12:20 AM Jun 15, 2015
The van is 10 Years old this December and it is head office in Victoria I have been talking to who were very good to talk to but their
NSW area manager appears to be the person who has only sent me emails claiming it is a lack of polishing that has caused the problem
Which I believe is a very poorly thought out fob off.
I am still considering my next move but thanks for the advice folks.
The Phantom said
02:45 AM Jun 15, 2015
Paul Tall.
What an awesome name. Only parents with a sense of humour could have come up with that.
Love it.
Hope you get you problem sorted.
The Phantom
Roostertales said
06:44 PM Jun 16, 2015
Hey Aussie Traveller and GN Guru - You are on the money - JAYCO have or had a quality / production problem they don't want to acknowledge. Fibreglass boats Spa's Cars etc don't routinely look like what you are describing after 10 years. Warranty though may be a separate issue.
Make sure any review sites and blogs are informed and any electronic media they use post up on where you can and let others know - squeaky wheel
On another aspect - could you respray affected area with paint to cover ?
Kind regards
Mike
jetj said
07:01 PM Jun 16, 2015
Paul Tall is a caravan repairer and are service agents for Jayco I believe.
-- Edited by jetj on Tuesday 16th of June 2015 07:04:47 PM
I had the van inspected by Paul Tall who said the side was effected by the sun like sunburn the service representative has just sent me an email saying the problem has been caused because I didn't polish it often enough. When I purchased the van from a Jayco dealer I commented that this van was going to be harder to polish than my traded 16 foot aluminium pop top, The staff at dealer said that fibreglass was stronger and less likely to be damaged and you didn't have to polish it
My van lives under cover when at home and I have polished it annually with polish I purchased from another Jayco dealer who also said I am wasting my time polishing it as fibreglass does not need to be polished, I have a mate with a fibreglass boat older than my van that lives full time on the water and it doesn't have a problem like mine.
I guess I only have one option left I will give consumer affairs a go as I don't believe the van is fit for the purpose for which it was sold, anyone out there with advice that can help will be appreciated.
Could you please amplify "broken down",,,, ie adblated and worn away, cracked, falling off, see through (ie no pigment) not attached to glass coat.
Doesn't sound ANYTHING like a not polishing problem. I assume it hasn't had any solvents or harsh detergents on it, ie carwash.
Don't stuff around.
first, write to the selling dealer outlining your issue and request he arrange to have the problem fixed.....he is the one you have the sales contract with NOT the caravan manufacturer, give him 14 days to advise what action he will be taking on your behalf with Jayco and if no satisfactory reply move the complaint direct to the DFT in your state.
I would suggest you start the ball rolling with the DFT by making an online complaint, keep written records of all conversations with the selling dealer and confirm in writing any comments discussed.
Not polishing enough would not result in the problem as described. Reads like an attempt to put you off and to put the responsibility back on you.
Who is Paul Tall? Rep from dealer or point of contact at Jayco?
Lots of options before going legal. Once a legal argument or process is established, it comes down to a win or lose conflict. Getting Jayco to fix the problem without costly legal action would be a PR win for them and a lot less stress for you.
Iza
What I referred to as breaking down is there is no white colouring and it has a flat not shiny finish like the rest of the van, I have used Maguires car wash as advised by the Jayco dealer I purchased it from.
Paul Tall is a caravan repair specialist near Sydney where Jayco. Askedme to take it so he could write a report for them and it was Paul who told me it was sun affected not lack of polish.
Do other people polish their fibreglass vans if so how regularly did the dealer advise to do it.
If you talk to Jayco, your State consumer protection agency will probably get you to start all over again with the Dealer. Your contract is with them and you, not Jayco and under the Trade Practices Act, they are the party responsible for any claim
Cheers
AT, I would suggest ringing Jayco Head office, some dealers are given an annual allowance to attend to minor maintenance problems but if they don't use it they get to keep it.
I had a fibreglass Jayco (they are composite, not true 100% fibreglass, that is they are a skin of fibreglass) and the head office gave me order numbers for local repairers to have some items fixed, including some out of warranty which they were happy to have fixed at their expense.
From what the dealer has told you I wouldn't hesitate to ring the head office and tell them what you have been told by the dealer, also how you have been looking after your van. You should explore this avenue first before going to consumer affairs.
It is quite a few years since Heritages were made.
Ring Jayco Head Office Customer Service anyway and tell them what model you have and ask their advice, they might surprise you.
Mine was out of warranty and I told them so, but they still arranged to have my problem attended to (not fibreglass though).
NSW area manager appears to be the person who has only sent me emails claiming it is a lack of polishing that has caused the problem
Which I believe is a very poorly thought out fob off.
I am still considering my next move but thanks for the advice folks.
Paul Tall.
What an awesome name. Only parents with a sense of humour could have come up with that.
Love it.
Hope you get you problem sorted.
The Phantom
Make sure any review sites and blogs are informed and any electronic media they use post up on where you can and let others know - squeaky wheel
On another aspect - could you respray affected area with paint to cover ?
Kind regards
Mike
Paul Tall is a caravan repairer and are service agents for Jayco I believe.
-- Edited by jetj on Tuesday 16th of June 2015 07:04:47 PM