Hi all, we are just starting to seriously consider updating the van to one with shower and toilet. We have looked at quite a few in QLD and NSW. We have seen a few Majestic caravans and the price, layout and weight etc is exactly what we want.
However, we are currently parked next to one, and as you do, I asked the owner if she was happy with it. Half an hour later, she had told us in no uncertain terms that she was not and would not touch another with a ten food barge pole.
She invited us in to have a look and to be honest, I fell in love with it. It was beautiful but she pointed out the water marks from the leaking roof, nails through the cupboards etc etc. So I am wondering if there are any other Majestic owners out there who could offer their opinion. I tried the search box on here but not much to answer my question. Lots of talk about problems with Jayco, but thats what we have now and I have no complaints. We will have a look at Jaycos again back in NSW but until them, I will just keep dreaming.
Take you time, if you have just started looking you have a long and confusing time ahead of you, I was in the same situation as you and it took me nearly 8 months to decide, lots and lots of NICE LOOKING ?? vans out there, But you MUST look past the BLING,
I ended up with a Lotus Sprint 19' full ensuite, Only done two short trips so far, and very happy, BUT what suits one person may not suit the next. so take your time and then buy what suits you, Good Luck dazren
I have a friend who also has a Majestic van....she too is not happy with it. I don't recall all the issues but I know water leaks was one of them.
A lot of vans are sold on WOW factor and as the others have already said....you need to look past this. Not much sense in having a great looking van if it is not put together right and falls apart on the first rough road.
Pretty well any decent caravan manufacturer can build a van to suit you with floor plan, colours, layout etc so don't be taken in by what you like in one particular brand of van and think that you can't get the same options in another brand.
I always do what I call the 'drawer' test....if it fails that, it will fail in many other areas as well.
Believe me, little things will add up to big things down the road and remember it is your hard earned money that you will be parting company with.
Take your time....talk to other van owners rather than salesman.
Have a look at the Avan caravans Baroma577 (not the campers) I liked what I saw when looking around but ended up with a Avan camper for many reasons already gone into in previous posts and am very happy with it so far.
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Hi there, We have had an Avan Pop Top " the robina " an excellently built little van we were very happy with it, just no shower/toilet and too low for where we want to go.So we upgraded to the Windsor Genisis a lovely bit of gear but had a few teething problems like a leak in front, Windsor have been more than accomodating in resolving the little things. Turns out the new LED lights on front are prone to leaks because of the design - the silicone behind them doesn't set before they clip the front on. (the repair man said) hence it pushes a gap. but like I said resolved by windsor. My Ma n Pa had the Lotus sprint - towed around Aus. They to had have a couple of minor things repaired under warranty but all in all a good solid van. It still looked great when they sold it, Hope this helps. Jen
Have just taken delivery of a New Age van a 21 footer named The Jewel and are very happy with it .Our friends and people aroud us have nickednamed it "THE PALACE"
No Geoff n Jen. All is well, this forum doesnt often stay on topic. Thanks for your info. It seems most people have "minor problems" with new vans nowadays. Shouldnt happen IMHO, it can be very inconvenient when you have leaks or some appliance doesnt work or the drawers wont stay shut.
Dreaming is beautiful! Watch they do not turn to nightmares!
We have a Sheffield that has caused electric shock in the shower and has no low level gas ventilation. Along with a list of defects regarding electrical and gas safety and things that you would not expect in a secondhand van.
Trouble is if you buy in Qld don't expect the local authorities help as they have no jurisdiction. Also the local agent just duck shoves your complaint.
We have been trying to get it fixed for over four and a half years.
Their lawyers threatened us not to expose their client or make bad comments about them at their outlets or van shows. Like we really care. The truth hurts.
In reality there are a lot of dissatisfied people out there when you travel around.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings. In later posts I will publish photos and electrical safety notices that I have condemning the safety of this van and some photos of the rough workmanship that is evident in our van.
Sam
-- Edited by Sam on Thursday 14th of June 2012 02:45:22 PM
Interesting to see this thread again. Since then we have traded our jayco for a new shower toilet model. All good you might say seen as we loved the old one. On our first night, the water hose leaked through the van. Immediate repair. Next night, hot water system springs a leak, bring it to the workshop tomorrow before you head home. It was fixed. Unfortunately since then we have not been able to drink water from the tank as it is tainted. Ok through the mains, but even after several treatments and flushing, still no good. Shop wont fix it, manufacturer wont fix it so its in the hands of department of fair trading. Im not too confident but we have to keep fighting as we do a lot of bush camping and need to drink as well as shower. Wish me luck.
hi my wife and i looked at majestic and thought yep this is it came home found a forum regarding majestic and the dealer we went to and i have never seen such a negative report on any item in my life.forum had a letter at least 20 pages and all bar maybe 1 0r 2 were in the negative water leaks were the main problem we have ordered another make and are very hapy and rather than advertise like we work for other brand private message usand will let you know the brand.caravan buying is harder than buying a house or a car there is no actual quality control so be carefull do lots of homework and check forums such as these.
The main problem I see is the RVMAA that this lot are members of. They fail to act in their capacity as a mediator between the manufacturer and the Government regulators effectively.
In our case the authorities appear to be protecting the manufacturer. They appear to have no authority whatsoever. They twist and turn conduct retrospective tests, allow the perpetrator to call the tune etc etc.
In our case ESV disclosed that in fact or so I was told three caravans were made that had incorrect doors. They had no low level ventilation in the van. A potential bomb and certainly non compliant with gas regulations. This I understand was about 2007. In 2008 they had our van doing warranty work or so we were led to believe. What has happened is that in 2007 they knew of these vans. One they fixed, the other was quarantined and the other is ours. To date in full knowledge of the risk and non compliant van not being fixed we find that the regulator is wiping their hands of the matter by refusing to punish the manufacturer and we are left with accepting a verbal note from the manufacturers lawyers that states they will re-inspect our van. They are very generous (not), they claim that they will pay reasonable accommodation and transport down from Qld. What they fail to state is that they will actually fix anything and who pays for the return. I smell a rat. So there you have it a van travelling around the country side. With a risk to others nearby and the authorities are doing nothin to the manufacturer.
In the end they refer you to the Office of Fair Trading and that is about as useless as a hip pocket in a singlet.
As you may find out they will not prosecute anyone, not even the ACCC will act for you against them regardless of how allegedly negligent they may appear.
They will not act with any duty of care and frustrate your attempts at resolution by referring you to other departments. You may as well flush the Trade Practices Act down the dunny as the ACCC even though it's charter states that they regulate and enforce the Act refer you to your own solicitor.
This is clearly not fair to the consumer as the manufacturer has vast finiancial resources to draw on whilst on the other hand the poor consumer has sunk most of his resources into the caravan.
So in the end they get away with it!
Our experience is that do not accept any verbal agreement from the manufacturer that they may make. Get it in writing in the form of a binding contract and do not expect help from the authorities in Victoria as we discovered with the first electrical defect citation. They will shift the blame to the State that you bought from. Unfortunate if you live in Qld.
I have also discovered that some forums with negative comment have been withdrawn. Someone in the industry stated to me that they (manufacturers) give kickbacks to the sites and withdraw support for that site when to much negative opinion appears. So goodbye forum.
It is unfortunate that we have to resort to forums to try and expose the issues. Also it is unfortunate for us consumers in general that we have no effective voice and the unscrupulous exploit this. Sorry my response is so long. Four and a half years is a long time and perhaps we should have been using forums instead of placing our lives in the hands of the authories to actually do something to fix this disgusting situation. When I say this I do not mean just our situation but that of others that you bump into travelling around with similar tales of woe.
Could you please explain the drawer test for us please.
It was good to see a great outcome with regard to water tanks.
It is also a shame that it was not done without intervention.
Our experience is that the OFT is great whilst you have a manufacturer that cares about their image. If they do not then they are not able to force the issue. You have to read the fine print in what powers they have and have not got.
Thats what we are witnessing in our case. That authorities are full of bravado and enforcement powers initially but when push comes to shove they fold. They then claim that they do not have juridiction or refer you to another department. It is very frustrating and even when you gain the wood on the manufacturer they simply fail to respond or state that they cannot investigate any further. This leaves the only option open to you of sending more money after it by going to court.
So for all those out there that may not know the pitfalls any test that sheds light that helps sorting the weavels from the flour has to be good.
I think our next trip will be to the van show or Caboolture with all the defect notices plastered on the outside of the van.
Sam
