i don't know about you but I'm fed up with items that rust on new vans, I myself have a New Age van that is just over 12 Months old, one item in particular is the AL-Ko corner supports, the bolts holding on the foot pad has rusted badly, they use chrome plated steel, Ive replaced mine with stainless steel bolts, AL-Ko corner supports are used by quite a few caravan manufactures, I was just recently visiting Warsons caravans at Coffs Harbour and on a brand new Silverline van the bolts were already showing signs of rust, also the chain that holds the gas bayonet plug was made of chrome plated steel was badly rusted. My mate just bought a new Jayco Starcraft, his bolts are showing rust already and is taking steps to replace them in SS.
Check out the straps holding your water tank, I bet they are showing some signs of rust.
My pet hate is that the fact you pay top dollar for a van manufactures skimp out on items that make your rig look shabby, the dollar factor would be very little, it cost me $12, but the manufacturer would buy them a lot cheaper I'm sure, why should you have to put your hand back in your pocket to replace theses items, most vans camp by the coast, so salt is exspected, why the caravan manufacturers builders haven't complained to these manufacturers is beyond me. Any item that is not stainless or galvinised should not be used, cadmium plated is not acceptable and should be rejected.
Totally agree. Its easy to say the buyer should demand better, but issues like this are industry wide and you buy it or lump it.
The RV industry is self regulating and we see the results. Last year the ACCC said it was going to commence an inquiry into the industry - don't know when that will happen, but meanwhile we pay top dollar for the many short cuts manufacturers take to screw out the maximum profit on each unit
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
I agree with your comments Wombat. Its amazing when you start mentioning consumer protection laws and your state consumer protection agency or the ACCC to the Dealer or manufacturer. They are WELL aware that 12 months warranty on most faults just don't cut it with the laws protecting us.
But its a pity that we have little choice but to take a chance in buying a lemon when buying a new RV, especially when they cost so much.
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
This is one hell of a long argument ey:), and totally agree with you..Price one pays for a towhome should have more that 12 months manufactur warrenty far as im concerned and without the sio called fine print that comes with the warrenty.
maybe get a Legal Beagle to write up your own warrenty and get the manufacturer to sign off on it prior to purchase ?? , wander if they would :)???..
Thing is some steel self tappers can bugger up a good roof etc when $5.00 more would have made it long lasting .. Often wander why buy new in the first place ? It's not like we see broken vans on the side of the road ? With depreciation ? You could buy a better model ? Suposibly ?
. Often wander why buy new in the first place ? It's not like we see broken vans on the side of the road ? With depreciation ? You could buy a better model ? Suposibly ?
Because when we want to update we want the latest, greatest newfangled stuff, not last years models.
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Neil & Lynne
Pinjarra
Western Australia
MY23.5 Ford Wildtrak V6 Dual Cab / 21' Silverline 21-65.3
Not a subject you want to start me on but the more I talk to owners of new Motorhomes , doesn't matter what Manufacturer , they are all having problems. Some are embarrassed to talk about it , handing out all this money and end up with problem after problem . Some say do your homework , it really doesn't matter , you get a vehicle which comes off a production line and is not properly tested or manufactured. They don't care , get the money and we will deal with problems later . I was talking to a couple who bought a new Motorhome and it fell apart on them , they were offered another Motorhome or money back or we could fix this one up . They went for the fix , it took 8 weeks and now they are happy , don't understand going for the fix but that was there choice. I am one in favour of the industry being regulated ,some are not in favour of this but they have never forked out 150k - 300k for a Motorhome and had problems. Would I buy new again Never.
Cheers
Mick
Re-doing the water system on our brand new van, I had to replace some PVC tubing which had an ID of 30mm. Now the van had been back to have warranty issues fixed, and one of the issues was the sink is slow to drain. Sorry we've looked at it and that's the best we can do they said. To save money on construction, the manufacturer had used a series of PVC fitting to reduce the tube down to fit their "clear" plastic tube of 25mm. But the fitting used reduced the internal diameter down to 21mm. Now with correct fittings the flow is good. There were three of these restrictors built into the system.
Our van doesn't have any chrome or steel any where to start with. All exposed metal outside is Gal and Aluminium or Stainless as is all bolts/nuts and even rivets. Underneath all hose clamps and pipe clamps are the same.
Very impressed with the build quality which is partly why we chose it. and proud to say its a Traveller. It was dearer than most but not the dearest we found.
