if you read the dedicated threads for each type of caravan it seems just about anything under $100,000 will have a few van owners that are not happy with the product or the service after they have your money
a lot of the ones that have been around for years an have had a good reputation seem to be losing something due to probably to much competition/high overheads/cost cutting in a relatively small market if you want quality you must pay for it
if you pay $100,000 plus for a caravan who is to say if the brand is even going to be on the market in 5 years

if you buy something cheap an it is no good works out expensive
buy well buy once works out cheap
pay dear an no good doubly expensive

if you buy something cheap an budget for fix up to your standard

cut an paste

 

Hi - We have recently purchased a Lotus Freelander and have driven from the Gold Coast to Victoria. We have not been off bitumen and the van is a semi off-road. We have had a lot of problems which I will not go into and we are very disappointed with the purchase. We returned the van to the manufacturer (Lotus) while down here and told them of the problems we were having and that they should be fixed as the van is still under warranty. They were not very helpful and weren't too concerned about the issues. The service from Lotus is not the best. They do not return your calls. For the amount of money invested in this van, you would expect a superior product and service. I hope you have not made a decision as yet? If you do decide on a Lotus, take a look through the factory at Campbelfield (Vic) and see how they are put together.

another well known van dear than jayco. this is but one cut an paste from off this forum if you go thru them you will find some unhappy camper on them. a lot of the problems are how the dealers handle the enquires first off possibly you may give up an take your problem somewhere else

-- Edited by dogbox on Sunday 17th of January 2016 02:57:15 PM

We have a 20 yr old Jayco and it's great done many happy miles with us obviously the don't build them like they used to

dogbox wrote: quoting from another thread

---

another cut an paste

We have a two and half year old Kokoda, that we were originally happy with, but, unfortunately, no longer. We have only used it twice, at 3 months each time, and on both trips, it has blown the front window in. No one knows why this is happening, and are not interested in fixing it. We also have a big twist in the roof, and the flooring is lifting over all the floor joins, and no one is interested in fixing those either. Just tell us that it is well out of warranty, so dont bother us. Will never buy another Kokoda, and would not recommend to anyone

---

this is the next part

 Latest update on the Kokoda problem van, contacted both Condor, the manufacturer, and Mr Kokoda, both of whom are totally not willing to to do anything. Both have said that 1 year warranty is up, but according to Conusmer Affairs, that is not so, they at least must make some effort to rectify the situation. Was hoping not to have to go down this path!

-- Edited by dogbox on Sunday 17th of January 2016 07:10:19 PM

From an earlier post
New CEO at Jayco

www.caravancampingsales.com.au/editorial/news/2015/jayco/new-jayco-boss-loves-caravans-54465

an if you really start to look behind the front door an see who is running the places makes you wonder, some of the same names keep repeating them selves maybe a history lesson would be educational

maybe the problems stem from the dealers some seem to have more unhappy customers then others

Hi Chrissy and Mal,

 

thanks for your reply. 

How did you get it resolved? It would be very interesting to know.

We are still in Darwin, waiting. Jayco have cancelled all our parts, so they are not even attempting to fix our van now.

Court proceedings are now being prepared  

 

Enjoy your travels

 

Hi Pikeys

when we went to Solicitors one of our options was to have it assessed by an assessor and then have an independent repairer fix the issues and Bill Jayco. 

Once that was put to them they got a bit heavy because we were going to claim costs but they backed down and booked us into the factory for repairs. They paid for 3 nights in a motel in Cranbourne while this was happening. This is part of the warranty if things can't be fixed in hours/day. 

The 5 year warranty issue we had was finally resolved by Fiat themselves. In hindsight that is who we should have gone to in the first place not the dealer whom we negotiated the warranty with in the first place. 

Hope that helps a little. 

Good luck

dogbox wrote:

---

Big TREV wrote:

---

sorr to hear about your Silverline we have a Silverline outback 21-63 we have some issues but have been fixed  the only thing  that we are having troubles with the domestic fridge rm8555 is the freezer not freezing but there agent saying its working to there standards temps , hope Jayco offer you with a new 23 foot Silverline and if not I would fight them all the way to get your money back ! Then I would go and buy a retreat Hamilton or Kokoda caravan. Good luck 

---

who builds Kokoda caravans 

---

 Kokoda are built by a number of manf in Campbellfield, you have to check the compliance plate to see who built it

I am getting another van built by Condor in Craigieburn Vic,  very happy with the build and quality

Ken

We have now had our Silverline for 15 months, and love it. All the faults were fixed to our satisfaction, in the first service. It was all done professionally. You dont know problems until you have owned a KOKODA caravan, they are only interested in you until you buy, then its trouble full steam ahead, with the only solution (and never really a solution) to involve consumer affairs! You are no longer of interest to them after the van leaves the building!