Marquis Motor Homes

[QFour]

Our Swift had cracks in the gel coat. Asked about it when it was serviced. Quiet common apparently over doors and windows where the body flexes. Not a good feature really but it’s someone else’s problem now.

They all have bits that come loose. I just get my Birmingham Screwdrivers out ...

..

 

[Nabsim]

If it’s fibreglass you can get cracks that’s true, spent hours trying to polish them out of sidecar bodies without luck

 

[martyndh]

A couple of weeks ago I posted that our 2 year 1 month old van sprung a bad leak whilst we were away.
1 month out of warranty but we had our habitation warranty to rely on - NOT!!
Pilote told us that as we had not had the habitation check carried out by one of their dealers we were not covered!
Our Reply - "Ok small claims court it is then under "Durability of Product"Legislation - lets see what a judge makes of a vehicle which has covered barely 7000 miles and then springs a leak"??
Their reply: "As a gesture of goodwill we have now decided we will cover the repair" Yeah right!!
Know your rights and be prepared to stand up for them!
Martyn

 

[mariesnowgoose]

If it’s fibreglass you can get cracks that’s true, spent hours trying to polish them out of sidecar bodies without luck

Our 30 year old Autosleeper monocoque fibreglass shell doesn't have any cracks in it.

Possibly because they were made to an extremely high quality at that time?

Anyway, I kinda distrust a lot of very modern stuff.
This is based on a certain amount of logic & first hand experience, and not just some 'feminine whim' or guesswork!

Looking at the shelf life of ordinary household white goods at the present time, if the motor trade (I include motorhome/camper manufacturers in this statement) are following similar lines & methods of production then I suspect the later models of some types of motorhome will be (imho) sub-standard and last a fraction of the time that the older ones do (or did).

Throwaway society writ large.

Just sayin'

 

[Channa]

Our 30 year old Autosleeper monocoque fibreglass shell doesn't have any cracks in it.

Possibly because they were made to an extremely high quality at that time?

Anyway, I kinda distrust a lot of very modern stuff.
This is based on a certain amount of logic & first hand experience, and not just some 'feminine whim' or guesswork!

Looking at the shelf life of ordinary household white goods at the present time, if the motor trade (I include motorhome/camper manufacturers in this statement) are following similar lines & methods of production then I suspect the later models of some types of motorhome will be (imho) sub-standard and last a fraction of the time that the older ones do (or did).

Throwaway society writ large.

Just sayin'

I think you make valid points Marie

It surprises a lot of people when I reflect upon my time in the trade, and state the manufacturer who had more warranty claims than any other. The answer is Mercedes !

They weren't a particularly bad product , but customer expectations were far higher than a typical Ford.

The best of the lot were Japanese, Honda , Mazda and Toyota. In the case of Toyota behind Lexus they certainly were something else. Very little warranty work.

Now theres a thought Lexus making motorhomes !

Channa

 

[Byronic]

Our 30 year old Autosleeper monocoque fibreglass shell doesn't have any cracks in it.

Possibly because they were made to an extremely high quality at that time?

Anyway, I kinda distrust a lot of very modern stuff.
This is based on a certain amount of logic & first hand experience, and not just some 'feminine whim' or guesswork!

Looking at the shelf life of ordinary household white goods at the present time, if the motor trade (I include motorhome/camper manufacturers in this statement) are following similar lines & methods of production then I suspect the later models of some types of motorhome will be (imho) sub-standard and last a fraction of the time that the older ones do (or did).

Throwaway society writ large.

Just sayin'

Don't forget when Autosleeper built those glass fibre bodies 30 and more years ago
they were using a very modern method of construction, and they made a good job
of it. Perhaps the Townsend input had something to do with it who knows!

Quite honestly I could give you quite a long list of less than heavenly old bodies, and somewhat
less than ideal materials and methods of construction in the old days that wouldn't stand
close scrutiny. The so called 'coachbuilt' m/homes, which generally meant sheet aluminium
on a glued and stapled timber frame, lined with hardboard or plywood. Shook itself loose
until the low tech 'mastic' sealant cracked and fell out, and the timber framing
soon followed.

 

[edina]

Our 30 year old Autosleeper monocoque fibreglass shell doesn't have any cracks in it.

Possibly because they were made to an extremely high quality at that time?



Just sayin'

The same applies to early fibreglass boats. Surveyor told me that the makers didn't realise how strong the stuff was, so made it super thick to be on the safe side. Now it's gel coat and as few layers of glass as possible.

 

[trevskoda]

The same applies to early fibreglass boats. Surveyor told me that the makers didn't realise how strong the stuff was, so made it super thick to be on the safe side. Now it's gel coat and as few layers of glass as possible.

True ,look at a old shetland 535 which was built like a tank,now look at american bayliners which are as thine as a razer blade and also fall to bits,not many oldies about.

 

[edina]

Our first 'real' sailing boat was a 20' fibreglass bilge keel that Noah had used as a tender. Built like the proverbial outside loo and served us very well.

 

[Byronic]

Pretty pointless building motorhomes to last 30 years, especially these
days, anyone prepared to bet todays diesels will even be allowed on the
road in 10 years time? Not forgetting that the actual mechanicals and chassis
have an economic theoretical life of about 10 years, it's only a mass produced
van after all. As for making things twice as thick and therefore twice as heavy
due to lack of understanding of the materials, might have some merit in house
building, but who wants to end up with an unnecessarily heavy van? People want
big and light, the manufacturers give them that. If people really want the
highest quality it is available, they just have to pay the price and commission a bespoke
build. Or give it a go themselves!

 

[trevskoda]

Pretty pointless building motorhomes to last 30 years, especially these
days, anyone prepared to bet todays diesels will even be allowed on the
road in 10 years time? Not forgetting that the actual mechanicals and chassis
have an economic theoretical life of about 10 years, it's only a mass produced
van after all. As for making things twice as thick and therefore twice as heavy
due to lack of understanding of the materials, might have some merit in house
building, but who wants to end up with an unnecessarily heavy van? People want
big and light, the manufacturers give them that. If people really want the
highest quality it is available, they just have to pay the price and commission a bespoke
build. Or give it a go themselves!

Good build does not mean heavy but as you say things are only ment to last 10 years or less,but just look how many old m/homes are about never mind the used price people are asking and may i say getting.
If wagons had been painted correctly and chassis galvoed then as my last car should last 30 years and do quarter of a million miles no bother,but then again folk would not be buying new units so much.

 

[Byronic]

Good build does not mean heavy but as you say things are only ment to last 10 years or less,but just look how many old m/homes are about never mind the used price people are asking and may i say getting.
If wagons had been painted correctly and chassis galvoed then as my last car should last 30 years and do quarter of a million miles no bother,but then again folk would not be buying new units so much.

Agreed trev, good build doesn't necessarily mean heavy. Look at aircraft light and strong
enough for the job they are designed for, nothing superfluous.

RMB were renowned for their quality solid hardwood finishes, but needed Merc. light
trucks or similar as a minimum to carry it, and cost a small fortune. RMB are no longer
in business (their name has been bought by some other outfit?) so not enough customers
thought that much quality was worth paying for it would appear? Or a wannabee just couldn't
afford it. Quite a few RMBs are still in existence, partly because of their good workmanship,
and partly because they cost a packet, so they tended to be looked after by owners generally
blessed with the financial means. But RMB didn't build them for owners 30 years down the line, the
first owners, or their contemporary equivalents are now on to 2nd or 3rd generation new Concords and Neisman Bischoffs.

Must admit I can't stand photo finish vinyl fake wood veneer, but nothing wrong with real wood
veneered ply!

There are cars built in recent years that were galvanised, engines that lasted many miles, and
yet they're virtually worthless now. Not enough people want older vehicles and for various reasons.
Older m/homes are selling at a premium because there's a burgeoning customer base everyone wants to be a motorhomer it seems and just not enough stock, I don't think it's because people want old vans per se, it's more a question of what they can afford.

 

[trevskoda]

Agreed trev, good build doesn't necessarily mean heavy. Look at aircraft light and strong
enough for the job they are designed for, nothing superfluous.

RMB were renowned for their quality solid hardwood finishes, but needed Merc. light
trucks or similar as a minimum to carry it, and cost a small fortune. RMB are no longer
in business (their name has been bought by some other outfit?) so not enough customers
thought that much quality was worth paying for it would appear? Or a wannabee just couldn't
afford it. Quite a few RMBs are still in existence, partly because of their good workmanship,
and partly because they cost a packet, so they tended to be looked after by owners generally
blessed with the financial means. But RMB didn't build them for owners 30 years down the line, the
first owners, or their contemporary equivalents are now on to 2nd or 3rd generation new Concords and Neisman Bischoffs.

Must admit I can't stand photo finish vinyl fake wood veneer, but nothing wrong with real wood
veneered ply!

There are cars built in recent years that were galvanised, engines that lasted many miles, and
yet they're virtually worthless now. Not enough people want older vehicles and for various reasons.
Older m/homes are selling at a premium because there's a burgeoning customer base everyone wants to be a motorhomer it seems and just not enough stock, I don't think it's because people want old vans per se, it's more a question of what they can afford.

All true and one reason why i went self build,no way on gods earth would i lift the floor boards to spend 40g on a tin/alloy box full of cheap lamanate with a cheap as chips fitted internal goods which i harvested fro wobbly boxes.

 

[Nabsim]

Our 30 year old Autosleeper monocoque fibreglass shell doesn't have any cracks in it.

Possibly because they were made to an extremely high quality at that time?

Anyway, I kinda distrust a lot of very modern stuff.
This is based on a certain amount of logic & first hand experience, and not just some 'feminine whim' or guesswork!

Looking at the shelf life of ordinary household white goods at the present time, if the motor trade (I include motorhome/camper manufacturers in this statement) are following similar lines & methods of production then I suspect the later models of some types of motorhome will be (imho) sub-standard and last a fraction of the time that the older ones do (or did).

Throwaway society writ large.

Just sayin'

Well it may be down to the speeds obtained and flexing/stress of wind and vibration but you got crazing in the gel coat on sidecar bodies, seen the same on sports cars, fairings and reliant shells as well. These aren't cracks that would be a problem except cosmetically maybe. The ones I had were nowhere near 20 years old when I got them and squire sidecar noses were fairly substantial in thickness.

 

[Byronic]

All true and one reason why i went self build,no way on gods earth would i lift the floor boards to spend 40g on a tin/alloy box full of cheap lamanate with a cheap as chips fitted internal goods which i harvested fro wobbly boxes.

My van has a lot of cupboards and drawers, if I had made the doors
and furniture out of solid +12mm wood or ply, or heaven forbid MDF,
the furniture and fixtures would weigh nearly twice what it actually
ended up being, which is less than 900Kg. I estimated a saving of
at least 700Kg, using hollow core & framed construction and
conventional materials.

 

[Fisherman]

I honestly don't understand why people buy cheap motorhomes brand new.

The cheap ones are not cheap because they are sold at a loss. They are cheap because they are made on the cheap. And that means they are crap.

I suggest buying a good quality motorhome. If you can't afford a new one, get a secondhand one at a price you can afford.

Or do a self build (though that is not for everyone, and will probably cost more than buying secondhand).

My mate bought a HYMER ML 540, he has had nothing but problems with it.
It cost him £82,000 brand new.
After a year of frustration he has finally managed to sort things out.

I bought a chausson 510, appart from a high dampness reading from a window on first annual inspection which I knew nothing about, and has been sorted and a couple of minor issues I have had nothing to report. I paid £52000.
I get your meaning hairy dog, but sometimes it just comes down to bad luck plain and simple.

Also buying second hand can be fraught with difficulty. You don’t know the full history, and my wife would want the mattress and all the upholstery replaced at a great cost.
Swings and roundabouts comes to mind.

 

[Channa]

My mate bought a HYMER ML 540, he has had nothing but problems with it.
It cost him £82,000 brand new.
After a year of frustration he has finally managed to sort things out.

I bought a chausson 510, appart from a high dampness reading from a window on first annual inspection which I knew nothing about, and has been sorted and a couple of minor issues I have had nothing to report. I paid £52000.
I get your meaning hairy dog, but sometimes it just comes down to bad luck plain and simple.

Also buying second hand can be fraught with difficulty. You don’t know the full history, and my wife would want the mattress and all the upholstery replaced at a great cost.
Swings and roundabouts comes to mind.

You make some valid points. there is a saying in the motor trade in that with used vehicles " you can be buying someone elses problems" which is one of the reasons why consideration for getting the best resale value in terms of warranties kept up can help. No one wants to buy vans that come with a story and if they do want it reflecting in the price ,,,that's the conclusion I reached.

My CI I bought off Danum motor co and know the lads there from trading with them when I was in the trade, My van the owner had played with being bored I think but Kev wanted to trade it I just happened to be in the right place at the right time It turned out to be a good deal all round.

I had never thought about mattresses but that makes a lot of sense it is how some people think but can cost a kings ransom so the gap between new and used does narrow

Channa

 

[Fisherman]

Too much modern-day reliance on electrics & technology, imho - plus it makes people lazy (or lazier than they should be!)

I would instinctively never buy an electrically operated bed at home, never mind in a camper!

OK I can see the benefit for some people who have a disability etc., but I just assume it's automatically going to break down at some point and can't be chewed with the hassle.

Heck, I even hate having electrically operated windows in a vehicle!

Good old-fashioned manual operation for certain things every time, thank you!

PS. we're supposed to be saving power, not burning it, and not everyone has solar panels. Just sayin'

Confused well I am completely.

Electrically operated beds at home why would you unless you live in a Barratt Solo flat, or some Japanese container unit.
What has a bed that has to be lowered, cushions moved and possibly then made up go to do with being lazy.
But if you are feeling full of energy those nice folk at Chausson do give you the option of winding down your bed manually.

I hate to inform you but if you are reading this your using something worked with leccy, your motorhome is stacked to the hilt with relays, circuit boards, resistors, capacitors and on and on.

We looked at the 514 with the fixed rear bed, but decided the benefits of a drop down outweighed any possible mechanical issues.
Benefits such as, Larger lounge, separate shower and toilet, larger kitchen, and larger fridge freezer.

Someone stated that a supplier would not look at vans with drop down beds, please inform us who the idiots are that are limiting their sales to only 50% of the vans available.

Well its leccy windows, cruise control, heated electric mirrors, LED lighting, auto gearbox for me.

Remember before 1893 when the first car was driven in Germany folks moaned about how problematic they could be,
forgetting about horsey troubles and massive vets bills. Ah well things never change do they.?
Its good to see that the good old British luddite attitudes will never die.

 

[alcam]

Confused well I am completely.

Electrically operated beds at home why would you unless you live in a Barratt Solo flat, or some Japanese container unit.
What has a bed that has to be lowered, cushions moved and possibly then made up go to do with being lazy.
But if you are feeling full of energy those nice folk at Chausson do give you the option of winding down your bed manually.

I hate to inform you but if you are reading this your using something worked with leccy, your motorhome is stacked to the hilt with relays, circuit boards, resistors, capacitors and on and on.

We looked at the 514 with the fixed rear bed, but decided the benefits of a drop down outweighed any possible mechanical issues.
Benefits such as, Larger lounge, separate shower and toilet, larger kitchen, and larger fridge freezer.

Someone stated that a supplier would not look at vans with drop down beds, please inform us who the idiots are that are limiting their sales to only 50% of the vans available.

Well its leccy windows, cruise control, heated electric mirrors, LED lighting, auto gearbox for me.

Remember before 1893 when the first car was driven in Germany folks moaned about how problematic they could be,
forgetting about horsey troubles and massive vets bills. Ah well things never change do they.?
Its good to see that the good old British luddite attitudes will never die.

Not totally disagreeing with you but the 'winding down process' on the Chausson bed I had was a nightmare .

 

[Channa]

There is a big motivation with some people in keeping things simple and I get that

Consumers to an extent are their own worst enemy , we all want cars and vans economical and some people want the toys,,,whether they need them is a different question people buy on occasion for emotive needs

There is no wrong or right peoples motivations differ

To offer reliability which is a big factor as to why people change vehicles and plenty of market research to support that manufacturers install a plethora of electronics because overall more efficient and reliable

If you are time served or keen home mechanic maintain a vehicle is far easier on the old stuff but you will need to invest time.

The downside is the time served mechanic on modern vehicles without access to computers and diagnostics is screwed at the roadside like the rest of us

Pay your money take your choice

Channa