Quality of service and repair for motorhomes

I agree that Hymer would probably not accept the damage caused by the "pooling" on the awning as if the awning is erected  with one side lower then pooling should not happen,but as for length of time for repairs with LVs *join the club"but cannot understand why it should take so long to obtain the awning unless it is a "special" for Hymers,its a case of keep the pressure on the dealer,good luck

Obviously the damage to the awning and subsequent body damage was your fault for leaving it up in stormy/rainy conditions.  However to take 5 months to repair it seems way too long and I would be asking questions and getting your insurance company involved as I am guessing they are paying for the repairs?

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I’m afraid the awning issue can probably be classed as operator error. To leave it up overnight in those conditions was asking for trouble in my view. Still, lesson learnt👍🏻  

Other than that, I can’t add to what JV said and there’s not much you can do unless your insurer is prepared to get involved.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies so far, the feeling that the awning failure is really operator error is what I expected. However, I can't help thinking that awnings should be designed to be able to handle just as much water as could pool in them in case it is left up when you walk into town and there is an unexpected rain shower. One side was actually lower than the other but I didn't want to exaggerate the difference in height at the ends as that would cause the main beam to twist which cant be good for it. It is really the time to repair which is causing me so much frustration. 

Thanks again for the feedback.

It is a good idea to fit storm straps to canopy awnings. Not sure about other makes but you can get ones for Thule and Fiamma with purpose designed attachments. I am a bit paranoid on the continent where violent storms can spring up in a few hours.

Arrived at a French site once, the day after a storm and about half of the canopies and awnings had been destroyed causing severe damage to many outfits. Best to wind the canopy in at night if the forecast is poor; better than getting up at 3 in the morning in swimming trunks!

I have had no dealings with Hymer or their dealerships but it seems an extraordinary length of time to retain your vehicle because the awning is broken and a replacement unavailable.

Surely you could use the Hymer without the awning now that the other repairs are completed and get some use out of a vehicle you've probably paid a fortune for and then have a new awning fitted when they get one delivered to the dealership ?

If you took your car to a local body repair shop you'd expect it back within a day or two – but not Motorhome dealers who seem to have a God given right to be as obstructive as possible.

Why these dealers take, quite literally, months and months to repair any faults is beyond credulous on their part.

A word with you Solicitor, hopefully free, might be worthwhile to put your side of the story and if, heavens forbid, you get even more problems with the vehicle than you've set in motion events that could see you getting recompense or even renewal if thing go down hill even more.

The Motorhome we bought almost six years ago has not had any need to visit its dealership and, from my point of view, long may that be – not every Motorhome needs remedial treatment and perhaps you've been a tad unlucky.

 

I think you will find they are sun shades and not an awning in a caravan sense

 

Have a look on youtube about american m/h the quality is c ..p its the same all over once youve payed for it they dont care .

The major issue here is the repair time.  

5 months.  That is massively unacceptable.  I obviously do not know which dealer has taken this amount of time, but clearly you need someone else for any future work - which is tricky, because motorhome dealerships are a bit thin on the ground in some places.

As a general rule, this is not typical of what I have experienced, although for sure the motor home world is about 15 to 25 years behind the car world in customer service terms!

The awning issue is more complex.  Awnings are flimsy, let's be blunt, but over time you find ways of not allowing that to result in damage.