Just before leaving home North Coast NSW in July we had a leak in our Van was able to get leak fixed and resealed but not the repairs done this are booked in for 30th of November. We are now in Emerald QLD and still going north. We have all heard bad reports a bout some caravan repairers and as the repairer in Lismore believes it should only cost $1500 to fix I am paying for it myself. Dose any one have a repairer they are willing to recommend in Townsville, Cairns or Darwin area as starting to think would prefer to keep going rather then go back.
Look forwarded to your help.
Possum3 said
10:47 AM Aug 16, 2021
What type of repair/damage are you seeking to have repaired, and what is brand/model/ body type?
Most caravans can be worked on by MTA Members that usually work on cars ie Panel beaters, Spray painters, Welders, Auto Electricians, etc - an many cases better and cheaper than than so called "Caravan Specialist" that do not used qualified tradespersons.
Mackayak said
02:15 PM Aug 16, 2021
The repairs are to some internal wood lining rooting because of the wet and possibly more just behind the bed. The van is an Olympic champion 21.6 feet duel axel it is the one in my photo
Possum3 said
04:00 PM Aug 16, 2021
Meranti timber framed, ribbed aluminium cladding ; To repair wood rotting would require the external cladding needing to be removed - insulation replaced - repair/replace any damaged timber - Even if you were doing the repairs yourself the materials required would exceed $1,500.00.
If the chap in Lismore has quoted $1,500.00, I believe it would be a superficial patch up at best - I may be wrong but if you get it done request photographic history of his repairs.
yobarr said
05:04 PM Aug 16, 2021
Mackayak wrote:
Hi All.
Just before leaving home North Coast NSW in July we had a leak in our Van was able to get leak fixed and resealed but not the repairs done this are booked in for 30th of November. We are now in Emerald QLD and still going north. We have all heard bad reports a bout some caravan repairers and as the repairer in Lismore believes it should only cost $1500 to fix I am paying for it myself. Dose any one have a repairer they are willing to recommend in Townsville, Cairns or Darwin area as starting to think would prefer to keep going rather then go back.
Look forwarded to your help.
Forget Cairns,as all repairers have huge numbers of caravans jammed into their yards,waiting to be attended to.Waiting time is "8- 10 weeks",but is increasing daily. Most are insurance jobs,which probably would get priority? As far as I can determine,there are no longer any engineers in Cairns to approve changes to springs etc,and ATM upgrades etc,while the chap from Townsville has a 3 week waiting list there.The number of caravans presently in Queensland needs to be seen to be believed,but that may change as temperatures rise.Cheers
Warren-Pat_01 said
08:51 PM Aug 16, 2021
Hi Mackayak,
I did know a good repairer in here in Townsville (actually put him in the Recommendations Tab) but he had a blew with our (overpaid, over red-taped, etc) council & they closed him down. He works for the Jayco dealer but I suspect he'll be working "under the thumb". If you contact them ask that "Alan" does the job.
Just last week I visited the flash New Age dealership on an issue but was put off with the cost - I decided to go to a specialist upholsterer.
With all of the Covid issues down south & the high number of people travelling in Qld, I don't like your chances of getting it repaired in the time frame you might want. Perhaps you could find somewhere that has high temperatures (or run the airconditioner constantly), & leave the van open for a few days to get rid of the dampness, etc.
Sorry I can't offer any hope.
Mackayak said
09:29 AM Aug 18, 2021
Thanks for reply's it has been dried out, so will just consider our options. Will definitely keep an eye on repairs. The repairer comes highly recommended be the people who sold us the van and they did a great job of fitting us in and repairing the leak.
Thanks for the replies
-- Edited by Mackayak on Wednesday 18th of August 2021 09:30:04 AM
Hi All.
Just before leaving home North Coast NSW in July we had a leak in our Van was able to get leak fixed and resealed but not the repairs done this are booked in for 30th of November. We are now in Emerald QLD and still going north. We have all heard bad reports a bout some caravan repairers and as the repairer in Lismore believes it should only cost $1500 to fix I am paying for it myself. Dose any one have a repairer they are willing to recommend in Townsville, Cairns or Darwin area as starting to think would prefer to keep going rather then go back.
Look forwarded to your help.
Most caravans can be worked on by MTA Members that usually work on cars ie Panel beaters, Spray painters, Welders, Auto Electricians, etc - an many cases better and cheaper than than so called "Caravan Specialist" that do not used qualified tradespersons.
If the chap in Lismore has quoted $1,500.00, I believe it would be a superficial patch up at best - I may be wrong but if you get it done request photographic history of his repairs.
Forget Cairns,as all repairers have huge numbers of caravans jammed into their yards,waiting to be attended to.Waiting time is "8- 10 weeks",but is increasing daily. Most are insurance jobs,which probably would get priority? As far as I can determine,there are no longer any engineers in Cairns to approve changes to springs etc,and ATM upgrades etc,while the chap from Townsville has a 3 week waiting list there.The number of caravans presently in Queensland needs to be seen to be believed,but that may change as temperatures rise.Cheers
I did know a good repairer in here in Townsville (actually put him in the Recommendations Tab) but he had a blew with our (overpaid, over red-taped, etc) council & they closed him down. He works for the Jayco dealer but I suspect he'll be working "under the thumb". If you contact them ask that "Alan" does the job.
Just last week I visited the flash New Age dealership on an issue but was put off with the cost - I decided to go to a specialist upholsterer.
With all of the Covid issues down south & the high number of people travelling in Qld, I don't like your chances of getting it repaired in the time frame you might want. Perhaps you could find somewhere that has high temperatures (or run the airconditioner constantly), & leave the van open for a few days to get rid of the dampness, etc.
Sorry I can't offer any hope.
Thanks for reply's it has been dried out, so will just consider our options. Will definitely keep an eye on repairs. The repairer comes highly recommended be the people who sold us the van and they did a great job of fitting us in and repairing the leak.
Thanks for the replies
-- Edited by Mackayak on Wednesday 18th of August 2021 09:30:04 AM