aussietraveller wrote:

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In a previous post I talked about an issue that I had with my Jayco Fiberglass van where the jell coat on one side has broken down and the side has a dull crazed appearance, I approached Jayco and sent them photos of the van also had it inspected by a caravan specialist repairer and a report sent to Jayco.

this van gets used for 3-4 month trip each year usually during Winter plus some 1-2 week short trips in warmer part of the a, s  of the year it lives under cover carport with sides.

Jayco have now told me that I have caused the problem because I only polish the van once a year with polish I purchased at Jayco Sydney and only wash the van when I get it out for a trip and when I put it away, I also clean whilst travelling where possible, the opposite side of the van has a high gloss finish just like new so I guess the polish works better on that side Jayco did not comment on this difference.

In Jayco's final email they said they hoped this issue would not impact on my buying another van from them, this is my third Jayco and definitely my last the next one will be Alluminium and not a Jayco. Just a bit upset and now understand why jerry Ryan is getting out of the company as this van is definitely not fit for purpose.

 

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 David

I would not let it rest...I would contact the selling dealer ( and confirm your discussion in writing and cc Jayco) and advise what action is he ( the dealer) going to take to fix the problem, (your contract is with the dealer not Jayco) I assume the answer will not be satisfactory to you, I would then contact the DFT and complain to them.

I would be asking Jayco for the material information sheet showing operating conditions of the fiberglass/gelcoat .

Does the Jayco user manual state anything regarding the polishing of the van and if so... at what intervals should it be polish.

You have nothing to loose in taking action with the DFT.

I would go onto the caravan forum ....Jayco caravan club and advise them of the situation.

The news a couple of weeks ago stated that Gerry Ryan was standing down as chairman as he believed it was time for new leadership in the company

Our fibreglass yacht has now been on the water for 21 years & is on a permanent swing mooring or cruising our southern Tassie waterways, so is always exposed to

all weather elements.  It comes out of the water every 18 months or so for antifouling the bottom,  polishing the topsides & is still on its original gel-coat. I believe crazing on boat gel-coat can be caused by insufficiently built stress points or bad handling in the original release from the mould. I don't know how old your van is but if it is less than 10-15 years old it would appear not to be laid up to acceptable fibreglass standards or consumer expectations & if I were in your circumstances I would spend some money on legal & professional advice if you have no positive result from migra's DFT suggestion.

David

 

To answer simply without flaming Jayco, there is Gelcoat and there is inferior Gelcoat, some comes from undefined Asian sources that has minimal uv protective additives, some come from high spec European or Australian suppliers that meets certain standards, but obviously are far more expensive a product.

Ask yourself which product is used for greatest profit margins, the answer is blindingly simple.

Our 5'th wheeler has full fibre glass roof and sides, it has spent nearly 4 years in full sun conditions, in full time use as we live on the road, been polished only annually with a quality boat polish (it's a big job ! ) and still looks like new. The skin comes originally from Italy but is assembled into panels in Melbourne. It costs a lot ! the end product is expensive.

Simple economics, you do really get what you pay for with fibreglass.

My second Jayco in 2003 had fibreglass ends, front and rear, it went a horrible yellow colour after 18 months holiday use only, jayco said it was the polish I'd used, but no, it was what I'd used always on my boat the same stuff I use now on my 5'er.

Hence we traded it and have never had another.

Its always annoying, disappointing - to say the least - when you hear these horror stories.

Its seems the larger manufacturers of RVs and the bulk of the Dealers treat customers with contempt and as total idiots.

Aussietraveller did the right thing cleaning his vehicle (probably often and with more care than most of us) and hes just been "dumped" by Jayco.

We must complain to the ACCC - considering how many complaints about RV's you read here (and hear face to face from others), an inquiry into the industry is well overdue.

The car industry, for example, would not get away with it. Look at Fiat/Chrysler with the Jeep range - they are currently been investigated we think, by the ACCC and a motor vehicle is usually cheaper than most new RV's.............

Bruce &Bev suggested contacting the ACCC, they will not enter into any sort of action if the vehicle is over 6 years old and mine has its tenth birthday this December, Gus1949 commented on issues with the polishing compounds but in this case I purchased both bottles of compound from the Sydney Jayco dealer and discussed its application with their service people.

I think Banjo probably nailed it with his comment about the quality of the gell coat being an inferior quality, anyway I am not going to have a win with this one and I know of two others with the same model that had the same issue,

I just want to warn potential buyers of Jayco Fiberglass vans to be very careful of the high level of maintenance that Jayco specify for their vans and then seriously consider buying a full Alluminium van I certainly will next time.

8 years as a surfboard manufacturer's glasser and I would bet my dollar on incorrect

hardener additive proportions in the glass or gelcoat.

 

Can you see a difference in texture/refraction in the faulty area when viewed from

a sharp angle?

 

One other, but unlikely cause, is pulling the panel from the mould too soon and

bending the panel and causing minute shatters in the gelcoat.