Swift Motorhome - Never Again

vbfg - no disrespect intended in my response to you and others but it is often the case that the focus of an original topic is lost when postings veer away from the subject matter.  In this case it is my contention that my Swift Motorhome has original fittings that are of poor quality, not fit for purpose and that despite being in warranty, it is taking many months to get replacement parts. Ultimately they are responsible for the equipment they choose to install.

Swift should get the message that their existing customers are more important than their prospective customers.  Because we existing customers may well dissuade the prospective customer by broadcasting our grievences, which have been allowed to fester.

For example, I have a friend who has a small motorhome that often attracts interest from passers by, but because of long standing issues and lack of action by the manufacturer/supplier, my friend is an unhappy owner and actively dissuades them from pursuing their interest.

Thank you. You do have a point as I have lost posts which I have made (I am not very tech savvy) so have sometimes missed an answer or reply. I do sympathise with you and agree that it is only by giving a company bad publicity, that they may make better efforts to help resolve their customers problems.

I wish I had a quid for every bit of bad publicity Swift have had over the years! 

What difference has it made? Absolutely none 😖

Or almost every other caravan manufacture, (or caravan assembler of third party parts).

Yep, there isn’t much to choose between any of them.

I do think that due to the more recent habit of posting internet reviews and social media posts, bad publicity IS more likely to do some harm to manufacturers than it used to previously, but it takes some time to do so.  In the case of caravans, motorhomes, 3 way fridges/freezers etc, much of the problem is that we are in a way, a captive audience as there are only certain companies which make them which puts us at a disadvantage as there are so few brands to choose from.  it is very surprising really when you think of the technology and innovation which there is in new cars, TVs, computing, etc but this technology and innovation does not seem to extend to vehicles used for touring or the fridges/freezers which they are fitted with!

We have been considering a wildaxe PVC but just hope they can fit a Thetford  toilet instead of the by reports very. poor do etic as fitted at present

Its a question of scale vbfg. The caravan/motorhome market is very small compared to cars, tvs, computing etc. using your examples. For example a bought a brand new car in 2019, a BMW, designed in Germany, parts manufactured globally, assembled in South Carolina USA, and shipped to me in the UK. Can you imagine such a production run for a caravan?

As it happens I have just ordered a new caravan for delivery next spring (fingers and toes crossed), I was speaking to a dealer who contacted Bailey on my behalf and found out the production run for the model i was interested in had been cut from 14,000 units to less than 4,500 units. Needles to say, i didn't order one, and i haven't ordered a Bailey.

To balance things i have had my current Swift Challenger for 11 years from new and i have only had 2 minor problems with it that were corrected under warranty and i've been very happy with it.

I have had a few minor issues with my Swift van, but these have been so minor that I have sorted them myself - mostly internal fittings coming loose or cupboards not shutting properly. It had to go back for a recall issue - a new roof covering was fitted to cure a translucent roof problem. This was dealt with properly and without fuss and, of course, without cost. Otherwise no major issues at all and nothing else for which I have had to go back to a dealer for repair or rectification. 

I think these things are a bit of a lottery. It shouldn't be - it should always be right - but sadly motorhome manufacture remains rather like car manufacture was 30 years ago.

I would be quite happy to buy another Swift - but I might have my fingers crossed!     

Whittakerr wrote "To balance things i have had my current Swift Challenger for 11 years from new and i have only had 2 minor problems with it that were corrected under warranty and i've been very happy with it."

In which case, given there adverse comments about the major manufacturers current standards, perhaps you should keep the one you have. What will a new one give you that you don't already have except perhaps "exciting new decals"?