Help! When looking underneath our fabulous 2005 Geist LV485 van I noticed a crack in the nearside chassis just behind the axle. Has anyone else experienced this? I seem to remember reading something about chassis problems somewhere, but can't remember where. Any help or advice greatly appreciated.
Hi, yup it was I who wrote at length concerning the LV485 chassis fracture. I'm sure you will be able to find the thread and see how at least two of us got resolution. It CAN be done, but takes a lot of persistence!
(PS there was not a recall for the LV485.)
Thanks for the info everyone. Guess I'm about to enter negotiations with the chassis manufacturers. Just a thought, though - given that this is a known problem with this model, should the supplying dealer be held responsible for selling faulty goods?
Vielen danke, alles!
Yes it is, Mike. It's a great van, and there's no sign of warping yet, but it's a worry knowing that it might eventually collapse. This rear rail is fixed to the axle support and front rail with four bolts in a square formation painted red. The crack has appeared around the bottom left bolthole.
...and that's exactly where my # was found. The chassis spec was given to BPW by Geist, who were keeping the weight as low as possible, therefore thinher rails were specified. The replacements, which I got direct from BPW weighed in at about 20Kg more than the old ones, so I had to get a re-plate as well! I was fortunate in my dealings with BPW both in UK and Germany. I know that another sufferer was helped by her insurance company. It is, unfortunately a recognised problem affecting some of the LV485s with a BPW chassis, but not all!
Good luck and persist with your dealings either with BPW or your insurance company, Be warned, hoever, Geist will disown you!
Adrian, may I ask what sort of line you took with BPW?
Dead parrot: (I wish to register a complant...)
Hurt consumer: (Thought I could trust advanced British/German engineering...)
Distressed caravanner: (Plese help or my world will end)
I'd be most grateful for some pointers on how to tackle this issuie if you can spare the time.
Thanks,
Peter.
Hi Shropshirelad, I played the hurt consumer, but I was very careful to acknowledge that the fault was as a result of the design specification, not poor BPW kit. The distressed ticket wasn't too sucessful with BPW in UK., but did strike a chord in Germany (whom I subsequently contacted). I have to say that I was treated politely and helpfully throughout, whilst accepting where the original problem lay. My 'van was built in '04, but registered and sold in '05 so it was one of the batch which seem to have been affected (again, not all!). The only touchy question I asked of BPW in UK was "Why did Geist switch to ALKO?" not a good move on my part, so I quickly changed tack to say how impressed Iwas with BPW - until I discovered the #! Good luck and keep us informed. It might help your case to remind them that at least 2 of us have had complete new chassis rails and are absolutely delighted to have a "new" 'van dated '04. My service agent said he's willingly tow our'van anywhere!
Hi Adrian,
Sorry to pester you - I'll leave you in peace after this, but can you tell me to which department of BPW you addressed your successful enquiry?
Thanks so much,
Peter.
I was involved in a recall for Geist some years ago with vans being collected from all over the Uk and taken to Consett in Co. Durham to have some form of strengthening fitted to the chassis.I think the repair company was DERWENTSIDE LEISURE VEHICLE SERVICES. They might be able to advise?
Hi Peter, I went on-line and discovered BPW in UK. Phoned 'em and asked for customer service. Then I found BPW in Germany and with the help of my wife and google translate(!) I e-mailed them. A 2 pronged approach. A repair, as suggested above, might be OK., but I'm happier with 2 complete new chassis rails! Let us know hoe=w you get on!
Well, a happy outcome thanks to Adrian's help and BPW's excellent customer service. I wrote to BPW enclosing photographs of the fault. They phoned me next day and couriered out a new set of rails the day after - according to the service manager, these were the last pair available!
Wonderful service; courteous, sympathetic and helpful, especially considering that they were not at fault and under no obligation to help. Why can't all companies be like this?
Thanks again for all the information. I now have to find a firm to fit the new rails - any recommendations Shropshire/West Midlands?
Hey! Result! So pleased to your result! BPW are anxious to maintain their reputation - which they have done once more. Good for them! I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that they are German firm? Who cares? We've had results.