Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26779
New caravan experiences...
We are just prepping our 2014 Elddis Affinity 550 to go away for a couple of weeks. It was used for a week in the summer, but has not been used much this year.
Problems encountered today have been a soaked carpet caused by a leaky roof light, failed tv aerial, failed stereo, Leaking water pump, ballooned tyre.
Most issues I’ve fixed, by replacing a fuse, new water connector and pump, new tyres. The Heki roof light has been leaky from new and despite several attempt to fix under warranty and since that ran out, by myself, it still leaks from time to time.
Anyway, it is what it is and we are going away.
However, I think this might be the last trip for this van. I reckon it’s getting long in the tooth and I’m ready for a new one. I am not impressed by Elddis build quality, or its dealers.
Likes:
We like the separate end bedroom with island bed, and the fact you can shut the door. It a a real door and not just a flimsy curtain.
We like the Alde central heating. Great system.
Dislikes:
Build quality very poor
Small front seats
So who’s bought a new caravan this year? What did you buy and how have you got on with it?
6th Oct 2020 4:11 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15269
I bought a 2014 Sterling Eccles SE Coral in Aug last year.
Stayed in it two nights when I collected it ........ and haven't even seen it since!...... always on the road less travelled 🚧
< ‘tis but a mere scratch …….. it’ll polish out.
6th Oct 2020 4:16 pm
Pelyma
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Patching, Sussex
Posts: 15496
Mine hasn’t moved for 2 years Talking of leaking roof lights one of the images that will stay with me for ever was a leaky roof light up the kids end of our Fleetwood. I told my son at 6am in the morning to lift it up so we could see what was going on, it was like a bucket of water being poured over him and he didn’t flinch he was that shocked. Needless to say we went home, but ever since we’ve carried a tarpaulin in case it starts leaking again.
Can’t help you with a new caravan Gareth beyond saying Coachman always looked nice.DS3 TDV6 HSE - Silver with Alpaca (old one) Gone
DS3 TDV6 HSE- Silver with Alpaca (new one) Gone
D4 HSE Lux - Montalcino Red Gone
Porsche Cayenne V8 Diesel S
Go German. The German manufacturers are starting to swarm the UK dealer sites because of the UK manufacturers' reluctance to re-open facilities during Covid and instead rely on furlough. The UK should be booming with all the demand, but they just left everything too late and now can't meet demand.Front Runner Rack, OEM Ladder & RAI, Tuff-Trek Foxwing, B'rakhah Ingonyama Expedition Trailer, RLD's Spare Wheel Protector, Bodsy's Bars, Empty Pockets! Member of Gloucestershire & Worcestershire 4x4 Response.
6th Oct 2020 4:29 pm
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
We bought a new swift this year and after 20 days away in it we have roughly 10 manufacturing defects to report back for repair over winter, including stress fractures in both the front and rear panels.
You'd think after 50 years of building vans they'd be able to get basic things right. Like keeping them water tight for example.
But I don't thibk its limited to Swift, unless you get a van built by craftsmen they all appear to the .2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
6th Oct 2020 5:33 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23866
A friend of mine, who lives in France, always says if you want a caravan look at makes that the travellers live in. Which seems logical.
I think he has a Hobby(?).2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
6th Oct 2020 5:45 pm
stew 46
Member Since: 01 Dec 2011
Location: cornwall
Posts: 10148
Gareth when your down I’ll pop down with a bucket of tar and some corking cotton and if that don’t work just leave it at mine as I’m thinking of getting one for next year -------------------------------------------------
if you cant hold on dont let go , it ill come in handy for something even if you never use it.
D3 SE 05,
110 s wagon 300 tdi SOLD
h top transit
crew cab transit
transit connect
ausa dumper, muck truck .
peljob 2.5 digger
06 L 200 crew cab
6th Oct 2020 5:50 pm
nigel207
Member Since: 26 Mar 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 1359
We bought a new Coachman VIP545 in March 2019 and have had a number of “niggles” with it, but thankfully nothing major, and certainly nothing that has prevented us using it. We always use our caravans all year, and to be honest often enjoy our winter trips more than those in the summer.
Don’t believe that foreign makes are any better because they aren’t. ALL makes have issues of some sort, and of course many share common components - windows from Polyplastic, Thetford/Dometic fridges, cookers, toilets etc., etc., etc.
My Dad bought a Buccaneer cruiser from new , basically an Elddis in drag
Ok for the first year few niggles and leaks on the wet system
This year it has a structural crack from the fridge vent to the door edge
Manufacturers doesn’t want to know , it’s now in a workshop being rectified under his insurance as pot hole damage
The fitters say we have done a few
When we asked what van do see the least , coachman we don’t have many warranty or insurance claims on them
We had a coachman VIP before we bought our Swift challenger at 2 year old we will be going back to the coachman brand when ready
Nothing wrong with the Swift at the moment
6th Oct 2020 6:37 pm
J@mes
Member Since: 10 Nov 2008
Location: Bomber County
Posts: 4547
LT wrote:
A friend of mine, who lives in France, always says if you want a caravan look at makes that the travellers live in. Which seems logical.
I think he has a Hobby(?).
An awful lot of sites don't permit these type of vans for their association with certain persons.2014 D4 XS
2005 D3 SE - Gone
6th Oct 2020 6:50 pm
dunton10
Member Since: 23 Dec 2006
Location: SUTTON COLDFIELD, WEST MIDS
Posts: 213
Strange a couple have mentioned coachman. I bought a new one a couple of years ago thinking this will see my touring years out. It lasted two years.
Year one service several issues reported but not resolved. Dealer was useless when trying to fix. Shortly after 100% damp on a side wall. Caravan went back to factory for repair in the end.
To be fair once it came back it was better but I’d had enough.
Part ex it for a swift elegance which has been dry and good for three years.
I’d look at Adria, like those. Seem solid.Currently 2015 D4 SE Tech, Corris Grey
RLD Protector, led interior lights, timed climate, towing equipment
Previously
2006 D3 S
2001 TD5
1996 Shogun LWB
1989 Range Rover TDVM
6th Oct 2020 7:14 pm
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23866
J@mes wrote:
LT wrote:
A friend of mine, who lives in France, always says if you want a caravan look at makes that the travellers live in. Which seems logical.
I think he has a Hobby(?).
An awful lot of sites don't permit these type of vans for their association with certain persons.
I’ve heard that. It’s discrimination, which I’d be keen to point out. Hypothetical though as I’m not the right shape for caravans. 😆2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography (now semi-retired)
6th Oct 2020 7:42 pm
ClassikFan
Member Since: 02 Nov 2016
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1049
we swapped our 2013 Elddis (leaky & made of balsa) after 3 years and bought an 8ft wide Adria Isonzo in 2016. Now 4 years old with no issues to report. Solidly built with tough polyester outer side panels that don't dent even when a car drives into you! It was so dry inside at it's recent service my engineer thought his damp meter had stopped working. Slovenian quality design & construction.
Just 'cause you got the power... that don't mean you got the right.
6th Oct 2020 9:22 pm
Gareth Site Moderator
Member Since: 07 Dec 2004
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 26779
Yes I’ve heard Adria are good. Might have a closer look. They have a new island bed model out next year.
6th Oct 2020 10:06 pm
Pelyma
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Patching, Sussex
Posts: 15496
Adria owned and run Fleetwood when we bought ours. I sat down with the Sales Director of Adria at the caravan show and the MD of Fleetwood who promised me that the build quality and systems of Fleetwood were the same as Adria, I guess they weren’t! What about Vanmaster?DS3 TDV6 HSE - Silver with Alpaca (old one) Gone
DS3 TDV6 HSE- Silver with Alpaca (new one) Gone
D4 HSE Lux - Montalcino Red Gone
Porsche Cayenne V8 Diesel S
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Talking of leaking roof lights one of the images that will stay with me for ever was a leaky roof light up the kids end of our Fleetwood. I told my son at 6am in the morning to lift it up so we could see what was going on, it was like a bucket of water being poured over him and he didn’t flinch he was that shocked. Needless to say we went home, but ever since we’ve carried a tarpaulin in case it starts leaking again.
.
and if that don’t work just leave it at mine as I’m thinking of getting one for next year 
