Message Forums

Hi

we have just bought a new avondale argente and a crack has appeared on the front panel  near the left front handle.it looks like a stress fracture or tear.Is this a common problem? i have contacted the dealer we bought it from who says that they will fill it,  repair it and spray it.what worries us is will it happen again as soon as we tow it.has anyone else experienced this and is it a recurring problem?

any advice would be greatly appreciated.

If the van is brand new I would not be too happy about the dealer filling the crack. He can do this while they order a new panel...  I know that some owners have had various problems so wait and see what experinces come along.

Good luck in getting yours sorted properly.

Hi Whirlwind

My new Argente is currently at the dealers waiting to be collected, with whom I discussed this problem on Saturday. He will not fill these cracks he will only replace with new panels provided by Avondale under warranty.

Now, I'm with Grumpy01 on this and I won't be having anything filled or replaced if it occurs in the first 6 months of ownership. It will be a full refund and I will have to reconsider my future choice of van.

That said, I'm hoping we don't have any poblems with cracks as we did with the Dart. I've already checked the rear panel and it appears to have been fitted flush to the van body.

I will be checking the front panel although this wasn't a problem area on the dart.

Thanks for the info.

Mick

hi carterma

thanks for replying ...... we had read several reports of this problem prior to collection and throughly checked the panel before towing the caravan away....... it was perfect. the cracks only appeared after first tow! we are very disappointed as we have only had the caravan for 2 weeks.

we are new to caravaning and have decided to put the van on a seasonal pitch which we have already paid for....not for the caravan to be in the avondale factory.

we've spoken to the dealer.......suggested repair, caravan club tech help.......thought repair was a good option, avondale themselves........said we can put sealant on crack and get it repaired when serviced if easier.

anyone else who has had a similar problem with advice please help!

 We have had our  van 1 week and have noticed a crack on the left side of the van near the window, but round the first corner of the front of the van. It is a Elddis 505 model. Husband is taking it to dealer today if weather permits. Sad to say it as caused major disapointment and we really would like to have this problem sorted for Easter as we are going away.

The crack was not noted at pre delivery inspection so only can presume it as occured after being towed some distance.

Please reply if anyone is able to offer advice or is this a usual occurence with new vans

HI ALL WE HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM THE NEC SHOW AND OF COARSE WE HAD ALOOK AT THE AVONDALE STAND AND WHAT A LET DOWN OUT OF THE 15 OR SO VANS WE COUNTED FIVE VANS WITH CRACKED PANELS AND THE VANS WERE DIRTY AND MUCK HAD GOT INTO THE CRACKS AND MADE THEM EVEN MORE VISABLE. DO THEY NOT CARE ABOUT THE VANS AND THE BUYING PUBLIC???

We had a quick look at avondales today and a gentle push on the back panel was enough to put us off.  It seemed very flimsy and moved all round, you could push panel in. 

Hi all i have had my avondale 18months now and only just discovered the problem.

Avondale offered me a repair but I will not accsept this. new pannels only has any body any idea how i stand legally.

Glossop also stated that this would take some 10 to 12 weeks to get new pannels and have them fitted. I started this in Febuary and still no new pannels in June

thanks

Dave

Hi... bought an avondale dart (mayfair) 6 berth in March.  Its a 2004 model.  After reading all about the cracks, I am now VERY  worried!!  Keep going over van with fine tooth comb. No visible cracks (YET) one thing that does worry me is that around the joins..such as roof to side panel, there is alot of excess sticky stuff.  It looks like chewing gum in the seams.  Could this mean the panels have been replaced?

Trying to enjoy new van, but have to say we are very wary of it now.

Thanks

Rach

Quote: Originally posted by Wilson gang on 24/6/2006

---

one thing that does worry me is that around the joins..such as roof to side panel, there is alot of excess sticky stuff.  It looks like chewing gum in the seams.  Could this mean the panels have been replaced?

Rach

---

Hard to tell without seeing it, You can see excess on most vans so it is probably just our good old British attention to detail.