Hi Martin, we have had a 2008 Abbey GTS 420 for 8 yrs, exactly same layout as Swift 560. We were recently looking at buying a later model but the ones we looked at had the same issues as we have had with the Abbey. Stress fractures on the top corners of the rear panel where you pointed out but on top only visible with ladders. 2 we looked at the owners were unaware. Also the shower base fractures too.
Hi Martin, Very good and useful vlog for Swift buyers and maybe even other manufacturers. We did a lot of the same checks when we bought our Swift, touch the proverbial wood all is good. As you said you can only do so much and niggly things will happen. We have also watched the guy you referred to. A couple of things we have done is put a small sensor light in the front locker, so if it's dark I don't need a torch anymore. Also added alko shocks for a better ride. Happy caravaning and travel safe. Paul and Joanne 👍 😊
Hi Martin, I know you got rid of a dud, and I hope this one gives you peace of mind. It knocks the confidence when you realise you have been sat on a major issue and never realised until it was too late. In saying that, it’s a massive learning curve and I’m sure if you do get any issues with the new van, you catch them early enough to sort them before they become a major issue. Just remember that you got it to enjoy too🎉
You can check some things using a remote connection to the Swift Command. You can switch on lights and some other things. It depends on having a signal where it is sited. It is a bit temperamental You do need to have the system switched on of course.
Wish id seen this before i bought the Swift. Caravan sales place i bought the caravan wasn't the best. I just hope ive not bought a pig in a poke. Engineer booked for January. So anything he finds will be fixed. I may have rushed into it?
@ Thank Martin - we’ve literally just bought a Challenger Hi Style 580 2019. We’ve just had a really bad experience with our Bailey Cadiz …. Severely damp. Was going to cost us £6k to repair and the chap we took it to advised us to get rid and not touch Bailey’s …. It’s down to the sealant and then not giving it time to dry …. He’d lost all faith and he was a genuine guy. Advised us to get a Swift from 2018 - did they make some changes from then on….. so long story short …. Very very grateful of any advice you can give us! Was due to go away for a couple of days today to test it out - but we’ve come down with Covid ! Won’t get another chance now before next year 😢
Hi. For anyone who hasn’t already, well worth dismantling the kitchen sink drain pipe and “gluing” the joints back together using proprietary product. Think they are just pushed together by the manufacturer. I was unlucky enough to pull the plug on a full sink of water and a waste joint let go. All the water ended up in the cupboard below. Wasn’t happy! 🙄
Hi Martin 👋. That was a really helpful & thought provoking vlog! Cheers for that. Regards, Mo 😊👍.
Thanks for watching Mo. 🙂
Hi Martin, we have had a 2008 Abbey GTS 420 for 8 yrs, exactly same layout as Swift 560. We were recently looking at buying a later model but the ones we looked at had the same issues as we have had with the Abbey. Stress fractures on the top corners of the rear panel where you pointed out but on top only visible with ladders. 2 we looked at the owners were unaware. Also the shower base fractures too.
It’s a common problem with them. You would think that manufacturers would know this and do something about it!
Hi Martin,
Very good and useful vlog for Swift buyers and maybe even other manufacturers.
We did a lot of the same checks when we bought our Swift, touch the proverbial wood all is good.
As you said you can only do so much and niggly things will happen.
We have also watched the guy you referred to.
A couple of things we have done is put a small sensor light in the front locker, so if it's dark I don't need a torch anymore.
Also added alko shocks for a better ride.
Happy caravaning and travel safe.
Paul and Joanne 👍 😊
Hi Paul & Joanne,
Think I’ve got a spare sensor light somewhere, will put one in the front locker. Great idea!
Thanks for comments and support, Martin
Wendy as the same swift command as you and you can still check your van from home x
Hi Deb, will check that out next time we use the van, didn’t think it would work and never tried it. See ya soon xx
Hi Martin, I know you got rid of a dud, and I hope this one gives you peace of mind. It knocks the confidence when you realise you have been sat on a major issue and never realised until it was too late. In saying that, it’s a massive learning curve and I’m sure if you do get any issues with the new van, you catch them early enough to sort them before they become a major issue. Just remember that you got it to enjoy too🎉
You can check some things using a remote connection to the Swift Command. You can switch on lights and some other things. It depends on having a signal where it is sited. It is a bit temperamental You do need to have the system switched on of course.
Don’t think that facility works on mine but will try it. Cheers
Atlantic caravans are brilliant..
Yep, agreed 👍 🙂
@TheCaravanNut .
Helpful video on damp floors and how to repair...👍
Wish id seen this before i bought the Swift. Caravan sales place i bought the caravan wasn't the best. I just hope ive not bought a pig in a poke.
Engineer booked for January. So anything he finds will be fixed.
I may have rushed into it?
Hi Martin, really useful thank you - what year is your caravan?
It’s a 2018 Challenger. Thanks for the feedback 🙂
@ Thank Martin - we’ve literally just bought a Challenger Hi Style 580 2019. We’ve just had a really bad experience with our Bailey Cadiz …. Severely damp. Was going to cost us £6k to repair and the chap we took it to advised us to get rid and not touch Bailey’s …. It’s down to the sealant and then not giving it time to dry …. He’d lost all faith and he was a genuine guy. Advised us to get a Swift from 2018 - did they make some changes from then on….. so long story short …. Very very grateful of any advice you can give us! Was due to go away for a couple of days today to test it out - but we’ve come down with Covid ! Won’t get another chance now before next year 😢
Hi. For anyone who hasn’t already, well worth dismantling the kitchen sink drain pipe and “gluing” the joints back together using proprietary product. Think they are just pushed together by the manufacturer. I was unlucky enough to pull the plug on a full sink of water and a waste joint let go. All the water ended up in the cupboard below. Wasn’t happy! 🙄
Yes, definitely worth checking. We had a slight leak but sorted it. Cheers