Looking for advice on Swift Kon-Tiki build quality

[Just us on Tour]

Hello All …
I guess this is a question to all Kon-Tiki owners or past owners . We are considering ordering a new Kon-Tiki , however we are worried about the reported bad build quality , especially the noises on line about them being known as Con - Leakys . Has anyone ever experienced a swift with “Smart Construction“ that’s suffered with water ingress please ? Any advice regarding your experience with build quality and warranty back up would be greatly appreciated.
thank you

 

[Mzracer]

Mick, I have to respond to this, I have a 2022 Swift Kontiki 884,I bought it new unseen as they were not launched when we went on the waiting list. These are £116,000 new now. i have spent around 7k on mine, gaslow, 360 camera, diesel heater etc, I will spend more as and when I can afford it. I’ve not dished Swift yet I am a prime example why the OP is asking the question, i have never had an issue with mine till it’s first hab check. they found serious damp in it, fortunately it’s going back to the factory for repair. you get a lot of motorhome for you money with swift, I went for a new kontiki because they were the best option for around 100k, if I went into that and went on to spend another 30-40k I would have personally been looking at a Carthago to start with. As I said Steve radfords is a great guy but you and I pay for our upgrades, he gets huge discounts for promoting them, and for us we get to see the product, though I’ve yet to see a bad review.

Yours is an honest comment on both your experience of Swift from a new buyers perspective and also the You Tube bloggers.

As soon as a YouTube channel is monetised then you can expect review and content problems. The better ones are those that ask for Patreon support because then the money stream is coming directly from the likes of you and I rather than a manufacturer or reseller and thus we vote with our Patreon support if we don't like the content.

 

[Fatboy]

Yours is an honest comment on both your experience of Swift from a new buyers perspective and also the You Tube bloggers.

As soon as a YouTube channel is monetised then you can expect review and content problems. The better ones are those that ask for Patreon support because then the money stream is coming directly from the likes of you and I rather than a manufacturer or reseller and thus we vote with our Patreon support if we don't like the content.

Thanks I never knew what Patreon was?

 

[Mzracer]

Thanks I never knew what Patreon was?

Well it is like it sounds, you can be a Patreon of something or someone.

Often people using the Patreon service are people doing something a bit out on the edge and barely commercially viable but nevertheless could be quite interesting or worthy and some people fund them small amounts of money each month to support worthy efforts. Typically something like £2.50 to £5.00 per month.

Seems pretty harmless to me.

Home — Patreon

Patreon is the best place to build community with your biggest fans, share exclusive work and turn your passion into a lasting creative business.

www.patreon.com

 

[Mick Kennedy]

Mick, I have to respond to this, I have a 2022 Swift Kontiki 884,I bought it new unseen as they were not launched when we went on the waiting list. These are £116,000 new now. i have spent around 7k on mine, gaslow, 360 camera, diesel heater etc, I will spend more as and when I can afford it. I’ve not dished Swift yet I am a prime example why the OP is asking the question, i have never had an issue with mine till it’s first hab check. they found serious damp in it, fortunately it’s going back to the factory for repair. you get a lot of motorhome for you money with swift, I went for a new kontiki because they were the best option for around 100k, if I went into that and went on to spend another 30-40k I would have personally been looking at a Carthago to start with. As I said Steve radfords is a great guy but you and I pay for our upgrades, he gets huge discounts for promoting them, and for us we get to see the product, though I’ve yet to see a bad review.

Aww mate, sorry to hear about that damp issue. How deflating. I do hope they sort it out for you efficiently. Please let us know how you go on. I hear your comment about the Carthago, but it still wouldn't have given us all the upgrades we have for the price we've paid in total. I don't doubt the Carthago are nice, but I guess it still comes back to the Jaguar v Rolls-Royce thing - you cut your cloth according to your measure. As for the Radfords - I don't know them at all, haven't seen their blog, but I just think ''Good luck to them!" They've shown enterprise in what they've done and, by virtue of that, have put themselves in a win-win situation with a manufacturer. Good on 'em! I wish I had their nous and some bugger had helped me pay for all our stuff! In fact, I think I'll go online now and look for them.............

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[Fatboy]

Aww mate, sorry to hear about that damp issue. How deflating. I do hope they sort it out for you efficiently. Please let us know how you go on. I hear your comment about the Carthago, but it still wouldn't have given us all the upgrades we have for the price we've paid in total. I don't doubt the Carthago are nice, but I guess it still comes back to the Jaguar v Rolls-Royce thing - you cut your cloth according to your measure. As for the Radfords - I don't know them at all, haven't seen their blog, but I just think ''Good luck to them!" They've shown enterprise in what they've done and, by virtue of that, have put themselves in a win-win situation with a manufacturer. Good on 'em! I wish I had their nous and some bugger had helped me pay for all our stuff! In fact, I think I'll go online now and look for them.............

I will post an update mick as it was social media the prompted the repair. Before that the dealer didn’t want to know and swift said talk to the dealer. I’m with you on German vans needing upgrades, our swift has everything but it feels cheaply built against a euro van. I wish they had changed 10k more and made it feel better.

 

[Mike Rivers]

Check out The Roaming Radfords. They’ve recently upgraded their Kon-Tiki to another Kon-Tiki. I’m sure he could have bought just about any motorhome on the market but clearly loves his Swifts. Like cars, modern production facilities really do iron out any major quality issues.

 

[FrankNicklin]

Check out The Roaming Radfords. They’ve recently upgraded their Kon-Tiki to another Kon-Tiki. I’m sure he could have bought just about any motorhome on the market but clearly loves his Swifts. Like cars, modern production facilities really do iron out any major quality issues.

Are they not sponsored by Swift.

 

[Mzracer]

modern production facilities really do iron out any major quality issues.

Tell that to Fatboy

 

[Fatboy]

Tell that to Fatboy

Had a very bad experience with mine, it is being corrected at the factory, I don't know of another new Swift suffering damp, but I may be wrong. Just happy the factory have acknowledged it and are going to rectify it.

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[nicholsong]

Everything we buy in life is open to scrutiny. There are forums for virtually everything we buy these days but they generally only attract visitors when those visitors encounter a problem and are seeking advice. People rarely come to such sites to praise a product so people responding will respond with their own issues. One or two will say they are happy, but generally all here are talking about problems. You can buy a new car and it’s a lemon in the same way you can buy a new MH and it leaks. These are complex vehicles now so inevitably some will fail. Out of the 100s or 1000s produced only a few have issues. Forums do not generally give a balanced view on a products success or failure. There will be buyers who are extremely happy with their MH and others completely dissatisfied.

I frequently say that I am very pleased with our N&B Arto, which I have had for 14 years and is 20 years old.

It is my first and only MH. One might say that if I have not changed it that I may have low expectations, but I think not, as I have been used to aerospace engineering standards for most of my working life.

I feel sorry for those who have changed 2-3 times in the first years of ownership - the changes must have cost them as much as my purchase, on top of their original purchase.

My first advice to newbies is research, research ....and then research. Although not a newbie by far, Martin funflair did enormous research before he swapped his N&B Flair for his Morelo Palace. [He had to, as Jen would have been 'unhappy' if he had got it wrong.]

I did 2 years research before settling on our Arto.

 

[Dave Scadding]

What a read. The OP asked for some advice about Swift Kontiki’s and got running commentary on the Roaming Radfods and affiliated kickbacks.

 

[Mzracer]

What a read. The OP asked for some advice about Swift Kontiki’s and got running commentary on the Roaming Radfods and affiliated kickbacks.

Good healthy thread drift.

 

[Just us on Tour]

Good healthy thread drift.

lol yes like all good forums they soon drift off topic . I have had lots of advice and reports from swift owners so it was a very worthwhile post .
Thank you everyone.

 

[1967bowesj]

What a read. The OP asked for some advice about Swift Kontiki’s and got running commentary on the Roaming Radfods and affiliated kickbacks.

And a balanced side too those that get paid/sponsered to say good things

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[whisky walker]

We have a 2021 kon tiki 596 sport and at the moment it has been back to the dealers twice with a water leak above the front window in the dinning area. We are still waiting to see if it leaks in again once we get out in the van next week. My question is if for some reason it does leak in again I will have no confidence in the dealer repairing it a third time. Where do we stand in getting it back to the factory for swift to repair it?

 

[Just us on Tour]

We have a 2021 kon tiki 596 sport and at the moment it has been back to the dealers twice with a water leak above the front window in the dinning area. We are still waiting to see if it leaks in again once we get out in the van next week. My question is if for some reason it does leak in again I will have no confidence in the dealer repairing it a third time. Where do we stand in getting it back to the factory for swift to repair it?

I believe your dealer will have to agree with Swift that as they can’t find or fix the leak it needs to be returned to the factory for further attention. That is my understanding , most manufacturers put the onus on the supplying dealer to rectify it , certainly in the first instance. One thing I have learned from this post Whisky Walker is sadly you are not alone.
I hope you get it sorted .

 

[whisky walker]

I believe your dealer will have to agree with Swift that as they can’t find or fix the leak it needs to be returned to the factory for further attention. That is my understanding , most manufacturers put the onus on the supplying dealer to rectify it , certainly in the first instance. One thing I have learned from this post Whisky Walker is sadly you are not alone.
I hope you get it sorted .

Thanks for the info, only had it since July and it put a damper on the whole experience. Fingers crossed it is OK now the dealer sealed the only joint I couldn't get to. I re~sealed every other one myself.

 

[TheBig1]

Here's the thing about swift and autotrail. They have had massive amounts of negative reviewing for years and despite this continue to churn out leaky badly built vans. The happy owners are out there, as are those scared to say anything and lose more value on what was a massive investment. Would you say "Oh yes my van leaks like a sieve and is shite build quality" knowing you desperately need to sell it and get some money back?

Lots of dealers will not buy these used vans in and those that do bid low knowing they may need a lot of work before saale or under warranty.

Yes I owned a brand new swift van that I sold at a massive loss after a few months fighting swift and their dealership Marquis. It was sold with full disclosure to another dealer. Would never waste money on another, knowing what we went through with anti-customer service. I am shocked they are still in business

 

[cornish boy]

We have a Swift Kon Tiki 669, bought new in 2016. It has performed well with just a few issues in the first year. In fact the issues were fairly minor, but seemed to be beyond the capability of the dealer to sort out.
Once I had decided enough was enough and addressed the niggles myself, it has been everything we hoped it would be.
No plans to change it, still makes us smile everytime we use it.

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[Dave Scadding]

Good healthy thread drift.

What 5 posts in? Maybe by page 2 . The OP must be thinking, why did I ask?

 

[Mzracer]

What 5 posts in? Maybe by page 2 . The OP must be thinking, why did I ask?

He seems pretty happy with how the thread went and there was a clear answer.

 

[Jez1966]

Lithium Battery installation onto a Swift Motorhome – RV Installations Apart from the electrical improvements, I've had E&P hydraulics fitted, VB all-round air suspension and a 360° camera system.

Where your upgrades installed by Swift Authorised dealer/agent or local specialists.

I only ask as we have 21 Kon-Tiki 599 Sport and I asked Swift if I could have a local specialist install a front view camera, tap into rear camera feed and fit a recorder.
The answer was NO, any work carried out on the structure/electric of the vehicle/habitation area would void 3 year vehicle
warranty and 10 year motorhome body warranty.

 

[Verteuil Man]

Just watch these videos, then make your mine up. Just look at the build quality not the size of the vehicle.

 

[Gunnster]

Mick, I have to respond to this, I have a 2022 Swift Kontiki 884,I bought it new unseen as they were not launched when we went on the waiting list. These are £116,000 new now. i have spent around 7k on mine, gaslow, 360 camera, diesel heater etc, I will spend more as and when I can afford it. I’ve not dished Swift yet I am a prime example why the OP is asking the question, i have never had an issue with mine till it’s first hab check. they found serious damp in it, fortunately it’s going back to the factory for repair. you get a lot of motorhome for you money with swift, I went for a new kontiki because they were the best option for around 100k, if I went into that and went on to spend another 30-40k I would have personally been looking at a Carthago to start with. As I said Steve radfords is a great guy but you and I pay for our upgrades, he gets huge discounts for promoting them, and for us we get to see the product, though I’ve yet to see a bad review.

Just wondered where they found damp on your kontiki habcheck fatboy? Hope they sort it soon
My escape being the same year/ bodyshell will keep a close eye on mine.

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[Fatboy]

Just wondered where they found damp on your kontiki habcheck fatboy? Hope they sort it soon
My escape being the same year/ bodyshell will keep a close eye on mine.

Damp is behind the driver seat against the wall and extends at least to the kitchen, but I believe it's the full length of the motorhome. Get a non-intrusive damp meter to check yours, a pin damp meter doesn't pick it up

 

[IRHP]

Roaming radfords on YouTube seem happy with theirs and made a good few mods to it.

The ground clearance on that tag axle van was terrible before they fitted air suspension. They scraped it almost everywhere it went and bits fell off. Rear and between axles. It would put me off buying one

 

[Jo662]

The ground clearance on that tag axle van was terrible before they fitted air suspension. They scraped it almost everywhere it went and bits fell off. Rear and between axles. It would put me off buying one

Their previous Swift was a similar tag axle ,and they didnt have that problem, I think it was mainly because they were in Morocco ,on a lot of uneven roads and parking places as to \why they bottomed out a lot.

 

[Flairy]

We’ve owned ours 22years no manufactures faults just quality buld .i couldn’t afford one now so bought ours while working.

 

[Mick Kennedy]

Where your upgrades installed by Swift Authorised dealer/agent or local specialists.

I only ask as we have 21 Kon-Tiki 599 Sport and I asked Swift if I could have a local specialist install a front view camera, tap into rear camera feed and fit a recorder.
The answer was NO, any work carried out on the structure/electric of the vehicle/habitation area would void 3 year vehicle
warranty and 10 year motorhome body warranty.

Hi Jez, not sure if the outfit who did my work was Swift ''authorised'' or not, I just knew they came very well recommended (and did not disappoint). I didn't ask the question, I just had the work done. But, being cynical, I suspect that Swift (or any other company) would most likely wheedle out of the warranty if they could. Sorry, that answer isn't definitive.

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[Gunnster]

Damp is behind the driver seat against the wall and extends at least to the kitchen, but I believe it's the full length of the motorhome. Get a non-intrusive damp meter to check yours, a pin damp meter doesn't pick it up