Problems with new Avida 50th anniversary Topaz

Fish · Newbie

Problems with new Avida 50th anniversary Topaz

Bruce and Bev · Guru

Avida is made by Jayco, isn't it?

Ive been told that Jayco used to make Winnebago under license to the American brand owners who took away the license a couple of years ago because they were concerned about the quality and damage to the brand name. Jayco then set up a new business called Avida.

But all this is what I have been told and would be great to get the good oil and facts

Menatime Kenton, good luck with the repairs - fingers crossed that it will be done properly and its your only warranty claim

Wizardofoz · Guru

Bruce and Bev wrote:
Avida is made by Jayco, isn't it?

Ive been told that Jayco used to make Winnebago under license to the American brand owners who took away the license a couple of years ago because they were concerned about the quality and damage to the brand name. Jayco then set up a new business called Avida.

But all this is what I have been told and would be great to get the good oil and facts

Menatime Kenton, good luck with the repairs - fingers crossed that it will be done properly and its your only warranty claim

I don't think so, I believe that Winnebago Australia were a totally seperate company and when The American parent company withdrew the Australian makers rights, the Australian name was changed to Avida and the show just continues on.

dirvine · Senior Member

Infact winnabaego do sell new rv in Aus. When I was thinking about buying a rv I looked at both. The quality in a Avida is by far and away better than the now winnies. To me the american parent co had made a big mistake, in taking away the dealership rights to this new company. I am unsure if the winnabaegos sold here now are imports or made locally. But their fit and finish now looks cheap and nasty. Perhaps they are being made under licience by J****?

Possum3 · Guru

Avida is Knott Industries at Emu Plains Sydney, Winnebago is an American Manufacturer that successfully sued Knott for using their name and trademarks "without" permission. The High Court of Australia ruled that Knott cannot use the name and trademarks and in November 2015 awarded substantial damages to Winnebago.

Knott industries originally made the Freeway motor homes.

There have been several cases reported on the TV magazine shows regarding the workmanship and avant-garde attitude of Knott/Avida and the reluctance to honour warranties

Fish if you wish to PM me I can give you all the facts about the High Court decisions and photos the would make your hair curl.

DMaxer · Guru

Hi Possum3. Without putting too fine an edge on it, I think you will find that it was the Federal Court that made the ruling and involved Winnebago and about twelve respondents, including Knotts. The last I heard those that were likely to be incurring damages were in negotiations with Winnebago regarding a settlement. "Passing Off" usually attracts an injunction but not much in the way of damages unless you can substantiate and demonstrate actual financial loss.

Bruce and Bev · Guru

Sorry Fish for dragging people slightly off your original post, but I was keen to hear the facts about who makes Avida, rather than the stories generated around a camp fire and a few reds or beers.

Seems Jayco have nothing to do with either m/home........does anyone know if they do make m/homes - apparently there was a news clip on CH 7 earlier in the year and the film crew used the Jayco plants and m/homes were being made

Interestingly though, I met a few Avida owners with units purchased new within the last year or so and they love them and not had any problems. Seems like you are either lucky with your new RV or you buy a lemon and suffer the on-going faults.

When people ask me about which RV to buy, I tell them to think very hard about a new one as I'd buy one that was about 5+ years old and spend the money to have it well checked over by a caravan repairer and an electrician (and maybe a gas fitter as well)

Bill B · Guru

Bruce and Bev wrote:

Seems Jayco have nothing to do with either m/home........does anyone know if they do make m/homes - )

Have a look at their website and all will be revealed biggrin

dirvine · Senior Member

My post re jayco was tongue in cheek! I dont really care who makes what. It was my observation of finish of the winabaego now that I was questioning, which I guess is not what this thread was about. My appologies and lets get back on track

Possum3 · Guru

@ Dmaxer Original litigation was through Federal Court against Knott and their distributors - Winnebago won 2012 - Knotts appealed in High Court and lost appeal 2013. Damages judgement handed down late 2015.
I do have copies of High Court judgement.

Possum3 · Guru

@ Fish, I have had serious problems and faults - Make Jim's seem insignificant with problems still not completely rectified. PM if you require details as this is not the forum to discuss.

TheHeaths · Guru

Well that takes the cake!

Now we bash Jayco for others poor manufacturing practises. Perhaps Jayco make every brand under licence, and they can be blamed for all faults in all brands, making it much easier!

Some people need to stop posting garbage and rumours they hear around campfires, and get the facts first.

iana · Guru

Maybe it's Jayco that sets the height of the bar?

-- Edited by iana on Saturday 30th of April 2016 09:43:44 AM

the rocket · Guru

Hello fish, sorry i cannot contribute anything to your thread but would like to welcome you to the playground and my wish for you is to get this fixed asap. Kind regards. Rocket n strop

wasn_me · Guru

iana wrote:
Maybe it's Jayco that sets the height of the bar?

-- Edited by iana on Saturday 30th of April 2016 09:43:44 AM

If that was the case we'd be seeing pretty good product coming out of the others.

Love my Jayco.

Hi Fish, It's a pity your post has gone astray. I feel for you, I couldn't imagine a worse situation than parting with your hard earned money & having problems of the enormity you have.

I hope it is all resolved for you quickly.

Cheers Pete

Snail · Senior Member

Hi Ian,

If people stop posting garbage and rumours they hear around campfires, what would be the point of this forum. As for getting the facts first, come on! I get better fuel consumption than everyone and my under powered vehicle does not even know it is towing the van.

hokianga · Senior Member

Sorry you are having problems. I had problems with the when they were labelled Winnebago with my motorhome, a Winnebago escape-very arrogant attitude and slow to rectify. On a six month old motorhome my cupboards were falling off, they messed around so much I paid a tradie to fix them for me.
Good luck if you can ask for a full refund and go get something else.

jade46 · Senior Member

I believe Winnebago is now made by Talvor caravans and motor homes in Brisbane and I prefer Jayco to their product

www.apollorvsales.com.au/

They operate under the Apollo banner which I believe is the rental division of the Talvor factory

Cheers
Dean

iana · Guru

The one thing that anybody must not do is ask me about Jayco and their standards!!!!!

Bungendore · Member

Firstly, so sorry to hear of your problems and frustration. So take a deep breath and let us look forward. Here are some suggestions:

1. Contact your dealer with a full written list of what is wrong, including photos. you must ask for a repair or replacement and you must give a reasonable time frame. E.g here is my list and I require contact within 5 business days and repairs to begin within 10 business days.... put everything in writing to leave a trail.

2. Copy the Avida Head Office with the email so they know how their dealer responds. Later they can't say they didn't know.

3. If you haven't heard back within the time frame, contact your state Consumer Affairs. Your $ value will be too high for small claims tribunal, but their interest in your problem may make Avida more receptive.

4. Know your consumer rights. You are covered by the national Australian Consumer Law. Go to their websi and it is explained in plain English. Your product must be of merchantable quality. It must be fit for purpose (do the job a normal person would expect). AND repairs must be done within a reasonable time. So you see why I suggest everything you do now be in writing.

good luck and best wishes.

Thorpspeed · Newbie

Hi , just curious as to how your Topaz is going after all the issues you had with the slideout etc. We have a Topaz with the same issues, and i think there may be many more out there. Do you still have the caravan ?

dogbox · Guru

why would you have to travel down from Townsville to get repairs done?? couldn't they be done locally

-- Edited by dogbox on Tuesday 25th of April 2017 07:51:18 PM

Chipper · Newbie

Rollers through the floor. I had the same problem have had it fixed twice. Replaced plates with stainless steel ones. I really had to push Avida hard. Birdsville is still under warranty. Would love to talk about this issue as I know many people have had this problem, they now put extra plating under the rollers. I intend to take it to the factory. For 15000k I expect much better service.

The silverton · Newbie

Yes Avida quality and service is very poor They have certainly killed of the dream of travelling in a motorhome without all the hassles of faulty workmanship which should have been checked in the factory

Possum3 · Guru

The silverton wrote:
Yes Avida quality and service is very poor They have certainly killed of the dream of travelling in a motorhome without all the hassles of faulty workmanship which should have been checked in the factory

Malcolm the post that you have linked on to is seven years old - you are right about lack of quality control at AVIDA (Knott Industries) - As an Electrical Engineer you would be horrified at some of the stories.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Fish,
I have sent you a private message.

I can only hope that someone, somewhere will come up with a solution for your troubles.