I'm starting a new thread with this info because the last one about the watchdog programme rather drifted off topic. I received the Swift letter denying all responsibility but suggesting that I go to my local Swift Dealer to consult about a new fitting kit. Today I visited Spinney in Leek Wooton (purchased Broad Lane Caravans late last year). They knew exactly what I was talking about. A service manager was summoned to talk to me. He was very defensive and took the Swift official line that it will only blow off if you drive with the panoramic window open. When I referred to good people who had posted in forums about the roof coming off whist fully locked down closed - he called you all liars and said you would say anything, and repeated that the panoramic roof can only fly off if you drive with it open. Interestingly, the administrative assistant then dropped in: its a poor design, I wouldn't buy a motorhome with a huge opening window at the front like that!! I responded that I assumed that any reputable company or dealer selling motorhomes wouldn't sell something that was unsafe - strangely I didn't get a reply.
Anyway - that's all kind of what you might expect, though disappointing and certainly doesn't make me feel I want to go back there for any mechanical work.
Much more interestingly - they described Swift's repair instructions. Customers should ask for an inspection. If "screws are loose" then the dealer should replace with larger screws from a kit provided by Swift. Who pays for the inspection I asked - the customer does: £40. But if the roof is shown to be loose, then the screws are fitted at Swift's expense. I asked if they had a fixing kit I could buy to fix it myself - it would have to be ordered in.
Best of all - I got them to print off the instructions. From that - as far as I can see - Swift's fix consists of larger bolts & screws to replace existing. Sounds like a very thorough and reassuring fix to me.
So, in case anyone is thinking of giving it a go .... here's how to do it!!! Officially!!!!
Anyway - that's all kind of what you might expect, though disappointing and certainly doesn't make me feel I want to go back there for any mechanical work.
Much more interestingly - they described Swift's repair instructions. Customers should ask for an inspection. If "screws are loose" then the dealer should replace with larger screws from a kit provided by Swift. Who pays for the inspection I asked - the customer does: £40. But if the roof is shown to be loose, then the screws are fitted at Swift's expense. I asked if they had a fixing kit I could buy to fix it myself - it would have to be ordered in.
Best of all - I got them to print off the instructions. From that - as far as I can see - Swift's fix consists of larger bolts & screws to replace existing. Sounds like a very thorough and reassuring fix to me.
So, in case anyone is thinking of giving it a go .... here's how to do it!!! Officially!!!!
