Has anyone else had ongoing problems with Retreat caravans... I seem to have the largest lemon... will never buy a new caravan again... will stick to used
Dougwe said
06:35 PM Dec 5, 2016
Welcome to the gang Girl Croc, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Sorry to hear about your van. I kniow quite a few people with a Retreat and very very happy with it so yours seems to be the odd one out. I had problems with my van when new but the dealer fixed all things promtly and even came to me on two occassions to fix things as I refused to go to them. All good now and I enjoy my van in in the playground and I live in my van.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
The Belmont Bear said
09:06 PM Dec 5, 2016
Welcome to the forum Girl Croc I am sorry to hear that you are having problems with your Retreat. Only yesterday I replied to a post in this section under the topic "New Van" which was based on our own brief experience with the new Retreat Fraser that we picked up 2 weeks ago. Are these problems related to the van itself or with the response that you are getting from the dealer/manufacturer in rectifying your issues ? As I said in that post unfortunately with whatever brand you buy be it caravan, motor vehicle etc. you could be the one who is unlucky enough to get the lemon. I hope you can get things sorted as it's a lot of money to outlay on something that you are not going to be happy with.
Girl Croc said
08:44 AM Dec 6, 2016
Mine is a Retreat Fraser picked up April Fools Day so that says it all ...
Drove out of dealership 50ks up road seal cover comes of bearings... Next day on road hub caps n seals come off... Has been in for 3months getting repairs... Should never have left factory... No quality control... We have had a few vans n travelled a lot thought we would go all out n order a van we want but have wasted our money
sandsmere said
08:50 AM Dec 6, 2016
We've had our Retreat for 5+1/2 years now . Live in it and travel full time.
We had a few minor problems in the first few months which Retreat fixed under warranty.
Since then only very trivial stuff which every van will have.
Hope you get it all fixed soon Girl Croc.
migra said
01:42 PM Dec 6, 2016
Hi Everyone
You may want to join the FB for Lemon Caravans in Aus, we are trying to get changes to the industries, I think there is 4000+ members.
Your comments would be of interest to the group.
warhorse said
09:39 PM Dec 6, 2016
ditto migra
Tony Bev said
07:10 PM Dec 7, 2016
Hello Girl Croc
A warm welcome from me also
Sorry that I can not add to what others have already said, as I have never purchased a new caravan
I hope that you get everything sorted to your satisfaction
Androb said
10:22 AM Dec 9, 2016
Hi Girl Croc
Sorry to hear you are having problems - but what are your real problems? are they construction or with your service back up?
We brought a new Retreat Fraser Nov '14 from dealer in Newcastle and we did a few shake down trips to get used to our new van and check out any issues. Just a few minor adjustments done on the first service, as expected.
Our Van was parked on a cement slab on our property waiting for its shed to be built. During a hot spell in February, we were shocked on inspection of our van, one day that the interior cupboard bases had buckled ( a wave effect) and the ensuite wall buckled to the extent that you couldn't move the sliding door. The interior smelt of glue and silicon - we believed the glues had let go.
We contacted our Newcastle agent and made arrangements for them to inspect the van - their reaction straight away was to return the van to Melbourne.
We were in contact with Steve Borg (Manager/Owner) and arrangements were made for us to deliver the van, and they would cover all costs. We live in northern NSW, so the trip took 2 days, and they were very happy to pay all costs including accommodation and meals.
On arrival at the Retreat Factory we were met by the Management at the appointed time and they were amazed at the condition of the interior of our van - we had every expert checking it out. Straight away they accepted it was a fault and said "Leave it and it will be fixed"
We pointed out that we were very disappointed with the Refridgerator (RM8551). Because of its location next to the ensuite - you couldn't open the door far enough to remove the shelves for cleaning and the shelves on the door couldn't even hold a regular milk bottle. It's compacity was most unsuitable for the trips we do. Steve Borg acknowledged this and said he'd look into it.
We returned home and waited for the phone call 3 weeks later for us to return and collect our van. We were delighted on inspection - van was immaculate and we were delighted to see a new refridgerator RM4605) replacing old one with a few minor adjustments to cupboards, with no costs to us.
All our travel costs - $2,500, was paid immediatley directly into our bank account
We truly appreciate the service given and back up of the Retreat team and we have enjoyed some marvellous trips around this big country with no more issues.
Good Luck Girl Croc hope your problems get sorted.ANDROB
mr glassies said
07:33 PM Dec 11, 2016
Love our retreat but bought it 6 yrs ago and was second hand then
Dibs
Delta18 said
08:16 PM Dec 11, 2016
Girl Croc wrote:
Mine is a Retreat Fraser picked up April Fools Day so that says it all ... Drove out of dealership 50ks up road seal cover comes of bearings... Next day on road hub caps n seals come off... Has been in for 3months getting repairs... Should never have left factory... No quality control... We have had a few vans n travelled a lot thought we would go all out n order a van we want but have wasted our money
If a wheel bearing dust cover comes off, (not an unusual problem on our roads) it is really the chassis manufacturer that may not have fitted it well. Retreat don't make their chassis.
I find it hard to believe it has taken 3 months to put the cover back on though.
Has anyone else had ongoing problems with Retreat caravans... I seem to have the largest lemon... will never buy a new caravan again... will stick to used
Sorry to hear about your van. I kniow quite a few people with a Retreat and very very happy with it so yours seems to be the odd one out. I had problems with my van when new but the dealer fixed all things promtly and even came to me on two occassions to fix things as I refused to go to them. All good now and I enjoy my van in in the playground and I live in my van.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Drove out of dealership 50ks up road seal cover comes of bearings... Next day on road hub caps n seals come off... Has been in for 3months getting repairs... Should never have left factory... No quality control... We have had a few vans n travelled a lot thought we would go all out n order a van we want but have wasted our money
We've had our Retreat for 5+1/2 years now . Live in it and travel full time.
We had a few minor problems in the first few months which Retreat fixed under warranty.
Since then only very trivial stuff which every van will have.
Hope you get it all fixed soon Girl Croc.
Hi Everyone
You may want to join the FB for Lemon Caravans in Aus, we are trying to get changes to the industries, I think there is 4000+ members.
Your comments would be of interest to the group.
Hello Girl Croc
A warm welcome from me also
Sorry that I can not add to what others have already said, as I have never purchased a new caravan
I hope that you get everything sorted to your satisfaction
Sorry to hear you are having problems - but what are your real problems? are they construction or with your service back up?
We brought a new Retreat Fraser Nov '14 from dealer in Newcastle and we did a few shake down trips to get used to our new van and check out any issues. Just a few minor adjustments done on the first service, as expected.
Our Van was parked on a cement slab on our property waiting for its shed to be built. During a hot spell in February, we were shocked on inspection of our van, one day that the interior cupboard bases had buckled ( a wave effect) and the ensuite wall buckled to the extent that you couldn't move the sliding door. The interior smelt of glue and silicon - we believed the glues had let go.
We contacted our Newcastle agent and made arrangements for them to inspect the van - their reaction straight away was to return the van to Melbourne.
We were in contact with Steve Borg (Manager/Owner) and arrangements were made for us to deliver the van, and they would cover all costs. We live in northern NSW, so the trip took 2 days, and they were very happy to pay all costs including accommodation and meals.
On arrival at the Retreat Factory we were met by the Management at the appointed time and they were amazed at the condition of the interior of our van - we had every expert checking it out. Straight away they accepted it was a fault and said "Leave it and it will be fixed"
We pointed out that we were very disappointed with the Refridgerator (RM8551). Because of its location next to the ensuite - you couldn't open the door far enough to remove the shelves for cleaning and the shelves on the door couldn't even hold a regular milk bottle. It's compacity was most unsuitable for the trips we do. Steve Borg acknowledged this and said he'd look into it.
We returned home and waited for the phone call 3 weeks later for us to return and collect our van. We were delighted on inspection - van was immaculate and we were delighted to see a new refridgerator RM4605) replacing old one with a few minor adjustments to cupboards, with no costs to us.
All our travel costs - $2,500, was paid immediatley directly into our bank account
We truly appreciate the service given and back up of the Retreat team and we have enjoyed some marvellous trips around this big country with no more issues.
Good Luck Girl Croc hope your problems get sorted.ANDROB
Dibs
If a wheel bearing dust cover comes off, (not an unusual problem on our roads) it is really the chassis manufacturer that may not have fitted it well. Retreat don't make their chassis.
I find it hard to believe it has taken 3 months to put the cover back on though.