Disappointing service from Dometic.

Brodie Allen · Guru

Disappointing service from Dometic.

Possum3 · Guru

They are a cow of a door Avida had to replace mine 4 times in six months - fortunately got rid of the Avida pile of junk.

Brodie Allen · Guru

P3,

I haven't had any problems other than this lock - thank goodness it went when we were
on the inside!!

But some years ago it flew open on a few bumps and destroyed itself and did some
damage to the van.

Remember that it is a suicide door that should never been allowed. Nearly $1500 inc
labour.

B

Oka374 · Veteran Member

I always thought those doors were a pretty silly design, what idiot puts a sheet of glass on the outside of a caravan or motorhome?
One flying stone and it's gone! the first time I saw one was in augathella and we helped the owner of the van fastsn a sheet of ply cut to shape to enable the van to be sealed again as there was afew thousands of k's to be travelled to get it replaced.

Bas + Eve · Senior Member

Dometics care factor on just about anything these days is -10

Burt65 · Senior Member

Dometic does not produce any of the products they sell... They are not a manufacturer, they are a retailer...

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Burt65 wrote:
Dometic does not produce any of the products they sell... They are not a manufacturer, they are a retailer...

In fact they are a Swedish company who OWN numerous RV product manufacturers (such as Waeco) which they generally wholesale.

Cheers,

Peter

Burt65 · Senior Member

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Burt65 wrote:
Dometic does not produce any of the products they sell... They are not a manufacturer, they are a retailer...
In fact they are a Swedish company who OWN numerous RV product manufacturers (such as Waeco) which they generally wholesale.
Cheers,
Peter

That was my point.. They buy manufacturing company that already produce their own products... They don't produce anything as there is no such thing as a Dometic manufacturing company. You can check their address in Sweden... It is just an office, not a manufacturing plant... Hemvärnsgatan 15, 6tr 171 54, Solna, Stockholm Sweden. That's why they suggested visiting a locksmith, because they wouldn't have a clue on how to replace a door lock as they don't make the door. They just got a manufacturing company making them and then just rebrand them.. It is pretty common in the industry... Same as Webasto X100 Diesel cooker that it is actually made by Wallas in Finland and sold under the model 88DU..

Even Waeco buys their fridge compressor from China. They are Guangzhou Wanbao compressor with a Waeco sticker on the top.. So you could say that you just bought a Dometic/Waeco/Wanbao fridge, but it would be hard to sell.. biggrin

My first (and last) Dometic fridge was the Dometic RPD218, and it was sold in Australia with a T rating. When I contacted the Chinese company for replacement parts, they told me it was only an ST, when I supplied the compressor part number...

Same as the awnings. They are made by Kampa and they were made by Kampa long before Dometic came around and acquired the company... Just because they put their name on it, it doesn't mean they are making it. It only means they own it

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Burt65 wrote:
They don't produce anything as there is no such thing as a Dometic manufacturing company.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

That is a bit like saying GM don't make cars. smile

Dometic do employ 7,000 people. Pretty big office. biggrin

Their primary business is manufacturing.

Cheers,

Peter

-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Monday 4th of May 2026 02:28:24 PM

Burt65 · Senior Member

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Burt65 wrote:
They don't produce anything as there is no such thing as a Dometic manufacturing company.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
That is a bit like saying GMH don't make cars.
Dometic do employ 7,000 people. Pretty big office.
Cheers,
Peter

I know, right... It is a fine line, but it is there and for the actual company that manufacture the product, makes a big difference... That's why their name somehow, always remain on the product... I guess it boils down to pride in the workmanship..

TheHeaths · Guru

Burt65 wrote:
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
Burt65 wrote:
Dometic does not produce any of the products they sell... They are not a manufacturer, they are a retailer...
In fact they are a Swedish company who OWN numerous RV product manufacturers (such as Waeco) which they generally wholesale.
Cheers,
Peter

That was my point.. They buy manufacturing company that already produce their own products... They don't produce anything as there is no such thing as a Dometic manufacturing company. You can check their address in Sweden... It is just an office, not a manufacturing plant... Hemvärnsgatan 15, 6tr 171 54, Solna, Stockholm Sweden. That's why they suggested visiting a locksmith, because they wouldn't have a clue on how to replace a door lock as they don't make the door. They just got a manufacturing company making them and then just rebrand them.. It is pretty common in the industry... Same as Webasto X100 Diesel cooker that it is actually made by Wallas in Finland and sold under the model 88DU..
Even Waeco buys their fridge compressor from China. They are Guangzhou Wanbao compressor with a Waeco sticker on the top.. So you could say that you just bought a Dometic/Waeco/Wanbao fridge, but it would be hard to sell..
My first (and last) Dometic fridge was the Dometic RPD218, and it was sold in Australia with a T rating. When I contacted the Chinese company for replacement parts, they told me it was only an ST, when I supplied the compressor part number...
Same as the awnings. They are made by Kampa and they were made by Kampa long before Dometic came around and acquired the company... Just because they put their name on it, it doesn't mean they are making it. It only means they own it

This is what I find ridiculous about the caravan industry. The excuse when warranty matters arise that we didnt make it you need to see the manufacturer. I doubt too many car manufacturers make locks, alternators, windscreen wiper motors, or hundreds of other components that do into cars, but they take responsibility for warranty and dont pass you to the manufacturer!

Dometic, if they have bought the manufacturing company, ARE the manufacturers, and even if they dont own it, and just put a sticker on a bought in item, really owe customers the support to handle warranty and repair questions rather than this bull**** approach that it is nothing to do with them.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

The retailer is 100% legally responsible for parts and warranty.
Cheers,
Peter