The traditional Australian dream of owning a quarter-acre block is evolving.
With housing affordability a constant challenge, more Aussies are looking to alternative property investments, and the allure of a caravan as a mobile home, holiday retreat, or even a permanent off-grid dwelling is stronger than ever.
But for Sally and David Watts, their foray into the mobile property market has become a $52,440 nightmare, exposing the hidden risks and consumer pitfalls in what many consider their ‘home on wheels’.
According to Yahoo Fiance, the Victorian couple’s pursuit of a brand new, budget-friendly caravan quickly devolved into a months-long battle over a refund, exposing potential pitfalls in the booming mobile home market.
“We thought because we were going to go and live off-grid for a while. And we just saw this company advertising, they had some good deals going so we decided to go with them,” David told Yahoo Finance.
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Sally and David thought they’d found a deal when they bought a relatively cheap caravan earlier this year. Source: Yahoo News
Purchasing their entry-level van from Union RV in March, the Watts believed they had snagged a bargain.
However, the initial excitement rapidly soured upon collection, with David, a trained mechanic, immediately spotting what he described as “shonky workmanship.”
“I noticed the airconditioning wasn’t working, so I rang him up. He said, ‘Oh, we forgot to connect the inverter for you’,” he told Yahoo News.
“We just kept finding so many things wrong.
“The water tanks were leaking just before we were about to hit the road.
“The reverse cameras weren’t working – that wasn’t wired up properly … and then we just found so many rusted spots everywhere.”
Their inaugural trip was cut short after just five days with the couple’s dream of a carefree journey shattered by concerns over the vehicle’s safety and fitness for purpose.
Upon returning, the Watts compiled an exhaustive list of issues and sought a full refund from Union RV.
The company, however, refused, instead offering to repair the defects at no extra cost. Distrustful of the dealer, the couple declined, opting for an independent assessment.
An inspection report from Caravan Care, seen by Yahoo Finance, painted a grim picture.
It highlighted a litany of problems including holes, water leaks, screws penetrating walls, unsecured electrical conduits, rusted screws, split pins, peeling external decals, and deteriorating roof seals. The report concluded that the “faults remained and needed to be rectified.”
An increasing number of caravans are being reported for defects.
In response, Union RV’s lawyers stated the company had repeatedly urged the customer to return the van for free repairs.
“After reviewing it, our client noted that all identified items were repairable and fell within the scope of work they were already prepared to undertake (at no extra cost),” the statement to Yahoo News read.
“The only step our client has been unable to agree to is providing a full refund without first receiving the caravan back for inspection – something that is both a legal and practical requirement for any refund or replacement to be considered,” they said.
“Our client remains willing to resolve all repairable issues promptly once the caravan is made available to them.”
Despite the company’s offer of repairs, the Watts remain wary.
They considered taking the matter to VCAT but are apprehensive about the potentially drawn-out legal process.
“We just want to move on, but we want people to know just be careful when you buy caravans, and make sure you go over check everything before you drive it out the door,” David said.
Shoddy caravans costing owners thousands in repairs
Recent investigations by Affordable Caravans – Service and Repairs, captured in a revealing new video, have pulled back the curtain on the alarming reality of some caravans hitting our roads.
What appears pristine on the showroom floor – or even on online marketplaces – can, upon closer inspection, be riddled with shoddy workmanship and dangerous shortcuts.
In the confronting footage, a technician meticulously dismantles the side of a Crusader caravan, initially due to insurance impact damage.
What he uncovers is nothing short of astonishing.
Ever wondered why your moulding isn’t sticking properly? Maybe it’s because the plastic inside hasn’t been removed to allow it to stick to the body of the caravan. Source: Affordable Caravans – Service and Repairs
“All right guys, check this one out. We’ve been ripping the side of this Crusader apart at the moment due to some insurance impact damage and…look how easy the easing is coming off,” he explains, effortlessly peeling away sections.
The shock deepens as he reveals a critical flaw: “We just started down the bottom here, no silicon whatsoever on the bottom mould.”
Further inspection uncovers that even the roof seal was devoid of sealant, and the caravan’s brand new moulding wasn’t attached properly because the protective plastic hadn’t been removed.
“They haven’t taken the plastic off the backside…that’s why it hasn’t stuck to the frame at all,” he states, highlighting a basic but critical assembly error.
The caravan was also found to have no insulation and showed minor water damage, directly attributable to the poor placement of the moulding and trim.
Industry on notice: ACCC’s warning
With more than 900,000 registered caravans and motorhomes currently traversing Australian roads, industry insiders are sounding the alarm over what they describe as ongoing poor consumer practices and insufficient product testing, despite the market’s rapid growth.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) issued a stern warning in 2022, putting the caravan industry “on notice for poor treatment of consumers.”
The ACCC cited pervasive issues including lengthy wait times for deliveries and repairs, misleading advertising, and false warranty claims.
There are more than 900,000 registered caravans on Australia’s roads at last count.
Speaking to Yahoo in August, a spokesperson for the ACCC said it continues to monitor the sector and that “consumers have a right to expect certain things when they buy a caravan”, adding that redress for any improper defects can be pursued under Australian Consumer Law.
“Where a caravan fails to comply with one or more of the consumer guarantees, the supplier must provide the consumer with a remedy, which can be a repair, replacement or refund, depending on the circumstances,” the spokesperson said.
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