Delaminating habitation door

[Anonymous]

Hi, I’m a new member having bought a Hobby Van T500 ( 2007 ) at the end of July from David Fuller Leisure near Nottingham. I previously had a Rapido but we wanted something smaller and more manoeuvrable. The Hobby Van seemed to fit the bill nicely. I had noticed that the door didn’t seem to fit perfectly but assumed that it was just a matter of adjustment.

However on a closer look at home I noticed when looking from the side that the habitation door appeared to bow inwards in a concave manner at the top of the door and at the bottom. This was only visible in certain light and when looking along the length of the van. I reported this to Fullers and called in on a trip down south. The workshop manager had a look and said he’d never seen anything like it before. We called in on the way home a fortnight later but he wasn’t there and the assistant looked at it and agreed it looked odd.

I phoned the workshop manager again and he said he wanted another look so I took it back down last Tuesday and left it with him. Today I contacted him again and he told me an inspector from the National Caravan Council had called in unexpectedly and his view on the van door damage was that it was “cosmetic!”

My response was that if it was cosmetic they could have the van back and return my money, this received a negative response. The inspector seemed to indicate that this warping of the habitation door was common with Hobbys, Burstners, Hymers etc.

I was hoping someone might be able to shed some light on this on the forum. They seem very reluctant to do anything about it even though they admit that they noticed it was “delaminating” when they bought it in.

The whole business is spoiling our enjoyment of the “new van” and I don’t feel inclined to give in without a fight.

Any advice greatly received.

Sorry to start off with a moan!

Thanks for reading

Dave Mattinson

 

Topic

[Anonymous]

Thanks Jim, had a look at the doors on Ebay but unfortunately they are both curved and I’m sure mine is flat, except for the unintentional curved bits!

Will keep looking.

Thanks again.

Dave M.

[David Lawson]

Hi David

After reading your post again I was sure that I had previously seen Hobby motorhome doors on ebay.

There are two listed at present, both new, one complete with frame.

The links are :
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hobby-Motorhome-curved-caravan-entry-door-/290694354795?pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item43aebbd76b
This is the one complete with frame at £245

and
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hobby-Motorhome-Curved-Door/131341505751?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27827%26meid%3D6e15abc7ce0b436f95d91cc55d3781ae%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D11436%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D290694354795&rt=nc
This one is door only at £150

Not sure of the exact shape of your door but they must be worth a look.
Regards and good luck.

[Anonymous]

Hi Jim

Thanks for showing an interest in my door Jim! The van is at the dealers at the moment. They have agreed to replace the door as and when they can obtain a like for like replacement. They are reluctant to buy a new one as this would be around £2000.

I got in touch with Hobby UK and their motorhome specialist had a look at it. He declared that it was only cosmetic damage and the dealer had been generous to offer to get a replacement. The Citizens Advice agreed like for like was acceptable. I have also tried Hobby Germany and Hartal Germany no luck there though.

How long is reasonable to wait I’m not sure.

It’s very frustrating!

Thanks

Dave M.

 

[Jim Smith]

Hi Dave
Having read your post about the door I thought someone may have had some info for you .
It’s not something that I have read about before happening to hobby,burstner or hymer so don’t think it’s a common problem .
Hope you have got something sorted by now and there’s good news on the horizon ,there is a lot of experience in the club so hopefully someone will pass by shortly to enlighten us .
Good luck
Jim

[Author]

Replies