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Post Info TOPIC: Engineering Assessment
250downunder


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Engineering Assessment
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I am seeking the professional services of a qualified engineer with caravan industry experience to undertake an assessment of my less than 2 year old 6m. European caravan with a serious structural failure [broken back syndrome].

Any recommendations?



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Tony Bev


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Sorry that I can not help you, 250downunder
Hopefully if you say which area you are in, someone will come along, who has used someone from the service you seek

I would just like to say, may I be one of the first to welcome you to the forum

If you could mention the make and model of you caravan, and perhaps a picture of the damage

It may help others, who may be thinking of buying that make of caravan



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Tony

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Aus-Kiwi


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Ring your local RTA or rego in your state . If you search on states site . They have a list of engineers . If not ring and ask . Keep the SAME engineer all the way through and KEEP ALL the paperwork !! Possibly need a structural coach building engineer ? HTH . Hope this helps ., Graeme ., Had to do the same engineering modified cars, even extra seat belts in motorhome ..

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macka17


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Hi.
If I was you. I'd price an Aust built chassis. (Preston etc) to suit that body.
Pull off running gear. and mount complete van to that.(If you really like that interior?.)
Heavier. YEP.
Equates to stronger. better to tow. WON'T break in half again.

 

They ALL. Basically. Just a wooden\fibreglass box stuck on top of a rolling chassis and screwed down.

Some get bolts.

I'd suggest it to their Lawyers when you reach that point.
Don't accept another one in exch.(I wouldn't)
What's going to happen to that.

Aust built vans are built to a standard. FOR the reason. You. Unfortunately...
Have just found out.

Looking "nice" is all well and good.
But not if it don't do job. You'll probably have to go them "Fit for job"...

Best of luck mate. and buy a stronger rig next time.
NOT a Bailey hey.



-- Edited by macka17 on Thursday 26th of October 2017 11:29:53 AM

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Barboots


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250downunder there is a Facebook support group for those facing situations like yours. You will find people who have been through the process you are commencing. It's a "closed group" and you must join... if you have a Facebook account I recommend a look in there at least. https://m.facebook.com/groups/478414359007069

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Barboots


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Sorry... take the "m" out for the full Lemon Caravans and RVs Aus group. https://facebook.com/groups/478414359007069

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250downunder


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Thank you all for your suggestions.

I am not prepared to state the brand of van [not Bailey] at this point in time, as, after 3 months of ducking and weaving, it is currently at a second  repairer [I would think the first declined involvment after seeing the van] being assessed for repair under warranty. From what I have seen to date, nothing more than a cover up is likely to be offered. When this repairer tells you that he is currently designing a new chassis/suspension assembly [as macka17 has suggested] for his own almost identical, same brand van, you know that your chances of having an effective repair completed by the manufacturer are unlikely.

 

 



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Peter_n_Margaret


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Start by talking to Colin Young here... www.caravancouncil.com.au/

Cheers,
Peter

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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 
Aus-Kiwi


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I assume your after assessment to claim ? Fix ??

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Wanda


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Hi Ray
Likewise, as with Peter & Margaret, give Colin from Caravan Council Of Australia a ring, we consulted him with a problem in regards to our new overweight caravan and he was soooooo helpful. I believe he is a retired engineer.
good luck
Ian

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250downunder


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Professional opinion of repairs offered - accept/reject based on sound engineering assessment.

You and I both know what the underlying problem is, but to progress to any type of legal argument one must be euipped with expert professional evidence.



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macka17


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Yep.
Built to a price. With too little on the table.
and no "Skyhooks" avail to support the ends.

"Go and see the Tool Storeman hey"... Chuckle.

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Aus-Kiwi


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Built to minimum standards .,

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macka17


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AND.
Unfortunately.
It's the poor public that know little.
Too trusting in the Manufacturers (They wouldn't lie to me. Would they.??.)

That cop the costs of fighting MFG's to rectify something that should NEVER have been let loose
on our marble paved highways. Mixed with boulders and dips and potholes and jagged edges and???. etc.

Because of The roads and conditions in this country.
EVERY van I've bought here. has been a SEMI Off roader..
NOT for the offroad thing.
Just to get a Stronger built Chassis\susp more securely fastened together.
That CAN bound over our boulders and potholes
and scream round the marble strewn corners at 100kmh. Without falling apart.
Still doing it in 15 yrs and more's time.

Look at our roads outside of metro areas. Then the van you bought. Thgen think.
DiD I.

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montie


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Peter_n_Margaret wrote:

Start by talking to Colin Young here... www.caravancouncil.com.au/

Cheers,
Peter

 Fully agree.

CCA will give you the correct advice and what legal options you have. In all states except Qld you can make a "not fit for purpose" claim to the Tribunal which is relatively inexpensive.

I wouldn't worry about the FB crew, they will do your case more harm than good.



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Monty. RV Dealer.
250downunder


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Thanks all. I will make contact with the CCA today.



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Hylife


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I assume you have comprehensive insurance on the van?

If so, why bother with the hassles of working with the dealer/importer.

Just put in a claim to your insurance company and let them simply write the van off.

Once you have your insurance payout you can buy something more suited to Aussie conditions.



-- Edited by Hylife on Friday 27th of October 2017 12:10:37 PM

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250downunder


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Hylife wrote:

I assume you have comprehensive insurance on the van?

If so, why bother with the hassles of working with the dealer/importer.

Just put in a claim to your insurance company and let them simply write the van off.

Once you have your insurance payout you can buy something more suited to Aussie conditions.



-- Edited by Hylife on Friday 27th of October 2017 12:10:37 PM

 And the cost is then shared between many policyholders. Little wonder insurance is so expensive!

The shonky manufacturer gets off scot free and carries on selling vans clearly not fit for purpose.

I would be very dissapointed if what you are saying actually happens.



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Kebbin


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It's a heavy price to pay with no insurance they have you over a barrel with little room to maneuver.



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Kebbin
macka17


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If it was ME.

I would be getting it registered with my ins co. NOW though.
Just in case You have to claim.
You don't have to claim yet. and the ins co will probably lean on MFG a bit too.
To cover their possible outlay.
INS co will have a lot more effect than a single little retiree purchaser.
They can just brush you off.
Ins co steps in. It WILL cost them more.

DON'T YOU tell mfg.

Unfortunately. That's the way of the world nowadays 250.
and. He has. after all Paid his premiums for such things.
IE Damage to van.
Look at how many will have over claimed multiple thousands in these weather problems we having.

Our damages up here are in Hundreds. Maybe.

But our premiums still keep rocketing upwards to cover all the claims from Mainly.

Political ineptitude down South

If roads were built with dips paved with concrete. and homes etc. Never built on flood plains
and all built to Cat 3 Cyclone. Like Queensland homes are.
The damage bills would be a fraction of.

One day. They'll learn. Maybe.



-- Edited by macka17 on Friday 27th of October 2017 04:43:58 PM

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Peter_n_Margaret


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I suggest that this failure is probably NOT an insured event.

Cheers,
Peter

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OKA196, 4x4 'C' Class, DIY, self contained motorhome. 960W of solar, 400Ah of AGMs, 310L water, 280L fuel. https://www.oka4wd.com/forum/members-vehicles-public/569-oka196-xt-motorhome
 

 
macka17


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Maybe.
BUT. Getting it on record now. Could help later if\when it goes to court.
Most probably come under MFG' Fault (in design?). Maybe.
I'd be taking lotsa piccy's. both from a new model in yard. and my (his) model now.

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250downunder


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Macka 17

This "little retiree" took on the Ford motor company some years back and beat them WITHOUT legal representation and was rewarded with a brand new "built to special order" fairlane.

Dodgy pommie van builders don't bother me one little bit. I have both the resolve and resources to give them one hell of run should they choose to not face up to their obligations.

I came here looking for an engineer to help me tick boxes before I proceed and, thanks to the help offered on this forum, I have found one.

Thanks once again to those who have offered assistance.

 

 



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macka17


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Way of the world in Australian laws.
YOU win but it still costs you. I Know. $70 odd grand the last one.
All cause missus wouldn't let me pay the little prick a visit.
No. We'll do it legal.
Sorry I'm broke. Bankrupt.

If I was you. I'd keep in touch with that bloke and his chassis.

OR contact a  Chassis MFG.

They'll send a tech. Measure. and quote you.

Better all round.

We too old for that crap nowadays. I'd rather spend the money it'll cost you on a new chassis.

 

UK Builder. Aust agent. Will cost and they'll just run you round in circles.

They can wait. Neither have any reputation to worry about.

Unlike car MFG's.



-- Edited by macka17 on Thursday 2nd of November 2017 12:39:43 AM



-- Edited by macka17 on Thursday 2nd of November 2017 12:41:29 AM

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