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Subject Topic: help please what is right?? Post Reply Post New Topic
14/11/2011 at 5:31pm
 Location: Tyne and Wear
 Outfit: Lunar Lexon 570 & Airgo Horizon 4
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hi all

I have had an accident and put a dent which has split in the side of my caravan.  I am insured and have had two companies look at it.

Here is my dilema:-

1)  Person one says they will fill it, and then paint it and it will be fixed and look cosmetically perfect.

2) Person two says they will bond a new panel over the old one, so it will be fixed and look cosmetically perfect.

The caravan cost me a fortune and is only 12 months old.

I only need send one quotation (im awaiting both) to my insurers.   Which is the best fix.   I will be keeping the caravan for 15+ years.   The guy who said a new panel will be best said the "fill" will eventually discolour and will show up down the line.

Any advice will be gratefully accepted.

Thank you



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Donna


14/11/2011 at 6:11pm
 Location: sunny nottingham
 Outfit: Lunar Clubman
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I think I would be tempted to go with option 2 - sounds like a more lasting "fix".


14/11/2011 at 6:15pm
 Location: Eastbourne East Sussex
 Outfit: Elddis WistonGT
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Assuming its more than a very small dent I would go for the new panel every time - the fill and paint will not, in my opinion, be a permanent solution to a split panel, and I doubt you will be that happy with it in the long term. Why not go to a third repairer, say one who deals with your brand of caravan, and see what they come up with.


14/11/2011 at 6:41pm
 Location: Tyne and Wear
 Outfit: Lunar Lexon 570 & Airgo Horizon 4
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the first repairer IS my local lunar dealer, the second is a caravan repair company

 



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Donna


14/11/2011 at 7:01pm
 Location: Derbyshire
 Outfit: ElddisAvante462 Honda CRV SE2.2 i-Dtec
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It may be worth checking how the repair would effect your warantee if it was done by a non-Lunar approved workshop, it may be worth giving their HQ customer services a call for some advice. You could also mention that you wouldnt be happy just accepting the first option of just to fill, and ask where they recommend you take your caravan and how it should be repaired.

Julia



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Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife

Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!


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14/11/2011 at 7:07pm
 Location: west country
 Outfit: None Entered
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Talk to Lunar As Julia advises but on the face of it option 2 the new panel would be my preference.

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Steve




14/11/2011 at 8:29pm
 Location: Lanarkshire
 Outfit: Compass Lynx 340 2
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Hi, As advice above New panel better in long run.



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If everything runs smoothly then I must have done something wrong
If in Doubt Check it Out.



John


15/11/2011 at 11:15am
 Location: Keswick
 Outfit: Bailey
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Did you tell them that it was an insurance job? If you do they tend to offer the best fix rather than a cheaper option that many prefer if they are paying themselves!!

Phil



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If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe    


15/11/2011 at 11:52am
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold
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a correct repair is the only way to go.once reskined you will not know it has been repaired by looking at it.

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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


16/11/2011 at 8:35am
 Location: Sitingbourne
 Outfit: baily champaign
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I have had both sides of my van "re skinned" they fill the dent & stick a new skin of aluminum over the original side panel How ever this has 2 disadvantages 1)the weight of each half section (each side usually consists of 2 panels,1 top & 1 bottom if the bottom panel is damaged they SHOULD replace both as the top panel lips over the bottom 1 for a weather proof join)is about 10kg & this detracts from your payload 2)the side can end up with a rippled effect like s bad car body repair UNLESS the repairer has specialized equipment that holds the skin in place with an even pressure over the entire surface until the bond its dry.
IMHO if your van can be repaired & the whole side sprayed I personally would go that route
My Van has a textured side so could not be filled & sprayed
This company has an inflatable wall that gives an equal pressure to the side while it cures http://www.crossleycoachcraft.co.uk/home.htm


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17/11/2011 at 9:28am
 Location: Milton Keynes
 Outfit: 2023Archway Woodford
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If it is an insurance job and a newish van you intend keeping, i would personally have a new skin.At least a new manufacturers skin will match colour-wise where a repair will probably not match after time, and will devalue it when you do come to sell.


17/11/2011 at 12:44pm
 Location: cheshire
 Outfit: bailey ranger 470 4
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I would go for the repair option I think there are too many potential problems with fitting a new skin on a smooth sided van as old chap has pointed out I would also worry about water getting in between the skins



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