Are Coachman caravans going downmarket?

Posted on 28/10/2021 18:21 by paulfrompontefract

That’s interesting InaD, I advertised my dometic, had a call from a Coachman owner, not wanting to buy it for spares but to ask where we got it swapped and with which model thetford.  Just had a week in the van with out a(as you mentioned) worrying if the darned toilet would function properly.  

I cant believe that Coachman have buried their head in the sands and are completely blanking their loyal customers and not recognising the issue.... allegedly customer focussed, what a laugh, my view is they are no longer the van to aspire to owning, and we will certainly look elsewhere when it comes to replacing the van.  

Paul.  

Posted on 12/11/2021 16:00 by Rufs

"The fact that they reverted back to Thetford toilets from the 2020 models speaks volumes IMHO"

My 2008 Amara 500/5 is all Thetford, fridge, toilet etc, sound as a pound.  I dont think it is just toilets that are a problem, a few people on this forum reported problems with Dometic fridges, and not just in Coachman 

p.s. spoke to a guy couple of months back, been waiting almost 6 months for new PCB for Dometic fridge 

Posted on 14/04/2021 09:04 by brissle

My wife and i have been Coachman caravan owners for many years and we have usually changed the van at 5 years old.  We have been very happy and hugely proud of our Coachman vans.

Our VIP575 was planned for replacement  this year and we could hardly wait to visit our dealer to see the new model yesterday.

What a disappointment !

The van design has changed so much it was barely recognisable.  It may still be a well-built van, but corners have been cut in the design and spec - presumably to reduce cost.  Locker space is severely reduced and less practical, decor is plain, upholstery options are almost non-existent (and pale unpractical colours).  It looks like an entry level van.

Simple cost saving changes just spoil the look - e.g. the microwave is no longer hidden behind a matching hinged door and now has a mirror door instead (at an impractical height for many people).  The useful corner cupboard in the bedroom area has gone - replaced by an extension of the already useless long narrow shelf above the window (you can't leave anything on that shelf when travelling).  The cupboards above the off-side above the sink  have been reduced from 5 to 3 larger ones - not practical for storing different types of item.  There is no solar panel - now an optional extra.

Sadly we are limited in towing weight by our Volvo XC60 which we cannot afford to change.

We need an island fixed bed, and prefer an end bathroom. 

Can anyone suggest an alternative van of a quality and finish we used to get from Coachman?

 

Posted on 14/08/2022 17:19 by Les Rosbifs

We traded our 2016 545 VIP in for the 2021 model which we picked up in April last year. Faults to date:

shower door fell off on first outing 

fridge alarm continued to sound when the door was closed

fridge sort fell off numerous times  

leaks in the water heating hose 

foam rubber doing something to alleviate noise when joints run came loose and fell off

screws fastening the mirror to the wall in the showroom came loose and one gel out while travelling

shelf edging in wall cupboards fell off

wooden lining in wardrobes came loose and split 

I could go on but Coachman failed to make sure their products left the factory in the standard I expected, and of course Covid was to Blame