Very Dangerous Problems Swift 686 Escape (1 Viewer)

B

Boschie

Deleted User
Hi All new to forum, but needed to tell people of a very dangerous situation, just bought a Swift 686 Escape on a ducato chasiss only 3 weeks old and the leaf spring on the o/s/r where the shackle bushes go through has completely snapped.Being only 3 weeks old and having waxoyled it completely underneath myself I found a complete 5mm crack across the leaf spring at the end where the rubber bush goes through,this is extremely dangerous and needs to be checked.I bought my home from Dolphin Motor Homes in Southampton and my mechanic has stated it should have been picked up on the Pre delivery inspection as it is to rusty inside the the large crack to have be done recently.We have only done 375 miles in it.I will let you know if it becomes a recall.:cry:Regards Mark
 

Jim

Ringleader
Jul 19, 2007
36,191
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Well spotted.:thumb: What has the reaction of the dealer been. As its new you would expect the problem to be sorted quickly without delay. I hope it is.

Meanwhile, welcome to the Fun::bigsmile:
 
OP
OP
B

Boschie

Deleted User
Hi Jim,
Taking it to dealer tommorrow,will let you know result asap perhaps it needs to be highlighted at the front of the forum?Thankyou for your support.
Regards mark

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vwalan

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Sep 23, 2008
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hi n welcome to the fun . not a normal problem would have thought it highly unlikely to be happening to lots of springs. but good job you spotted yours. lets hope its the first n last problem you get .have fun we do. cheers alan.
 

DESCO

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Sorry to hear of your problem, well spotted.

Welcome to MH Fun by the way hope its the last of your problems.

Best of luck.


Dave:thumb::thumb:
 

bobandjanie

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Apr 28, 2008
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Hi, :welcome: to the Fun. I was watching a post on another Forum:Doh: and it was about fitting a towbar to a Swift Escape 622


He went to Pickering last month to have a look around to see whats on offer and after viewing several/many we decided that we both liked the Swift Escape 622 on the Wandahome stand,we talked to the salesman Brian,discussed our requirements ect and then went away to talk some more.We went back several times to ensure that it would be the van for us,talked again with Bran and ended up paying a deposit and the new van would be ours in October 2009.One of our requirements was for the salesman to get us an estimate to supply and fit a tow bar and ensured that this along with other things was added to the order form prior to me signing it.I did ask for a brochure but they had none onsite at this time.
Next day we went back and they then had brochures and we were given one,I gave it a brief read as we were leaving to drive home that afternoon.
Once home I read the brochure from cover to cover and was very surprised to see that unlike any other Swift brochures there was no details re towing weights ect. I called the Swift technical department to enquire why this was the case and was informed that,Swift Motorhomes Limited

"THAT AS THE ESCAPE RANGE OF MOTORHOMES ARE FITTED WITH A LIGHTWEIGHT

CHASSIS THEY DO NOT RECCOMEND THAT A TOWBAR BE FITTED" I requested that this

information be emailed to me and this was very kindly done.

:RollEyes:Sound like the Chassi may be very lightweight. Bob.

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SwiftGroup

Free Member
Jan 10, 2008
108
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Hi Mark,

Just to confirm that we (The Swift Group) have seen this post and also your e-mail to our Customer Services Team.

We have responded directly to your e-mail.

Thanks,

Ash
 

scotjimland

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He went to Pickering last month to have a look around to see whats on offer and after viewing several/many we decided that we both liked the Swift Escape 622 on the Wandahome stand,we talked to the salesman Brian,discussed our requirements ect



:RollEyes:Sound like the Chassi may be very lightweight. Bob.


Sounds like a retrograde step to me Bob ... :Doh:

In My Opinion, your Euromobile is a superior van :winky:

jim
 

Road Runner

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Hi Mark,

Just to confirm that we (The Swift Group) have seen this post and also your e-mail to our Customer Services Team.

We have responded directly to your e-mail.

Thanks,

Ash


Well done the Swift group:thumb:

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DESCO

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I know that the Swift Escape is a cheaper entry level van, but an entry level to what " a load of trouble by the sound of it"



Dave:thumb::thumb:
 

The Wallace

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Apr 3, 2009
367
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In My Opinion, your Euromobile is a superior van
Hi Jim, you may well be correct but I think he was cutting and pasting from someone else's post.

Scuttlegate, juddergate and now Springate, or should that be Spring-gate, what next?
Anybody know what happens if a spring breaks when driving? Is it as dangerous as the o.p. suggests. If so how do I check it on my old bus?
 

hilldweller

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I know that the Swift Escape is a cheaper entry level van, but an entry level to what
Dave:thumb::thumb:

The Kingdom of Heaven my Son. What better service can Swift offer than Swift transport to the almighty.
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PS This is of course a joke. Swift have no fast route The Kingdom of Heaven and this is an isolated case which will be thoroughly investigated.

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S

stagman

Deleted User
Hi Jim, you may well be correct but I think he was cutting and pasting from someone else's post.

Scuttlegate, juddergate and now Springate, or should that be Spring-gate, what next?
Anybody know what happens if a spring breaks when driving? Is it as dangerous as the o.p. suggests. If so how do I check it on my old bus?

Don't worry just risk it you will be alright I'm sure ::bigsmile:
 

Geo

Trader - Funster
Jul 29, 2007
11,757
14,563
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Autotrail Tracker FB
Exp
45 +years with breaks
You Guys must learn to think out of the box sometimes:Doh:
swift don't make springs:RollEyes:
Fiat don't make springs
Ford don't make springs
Merc----------- need i go on
The company that did make the spring is governed by the steel suppliers quality control:Sad: and could have made half the springs were ALL riding around on:Eeek:
cept me of course, mines Real American Steel:thumb::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
Geo

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The Wallace

Free Member
Apr 3, 2009
367
5
Funster No
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Use these:Eeek:or get a

Wheeltappers hammer
I have an engineers ball pein hammer, a bricklayers hammer, a slaters hammer, a claw hammer, a toffee hammer,a tacker hammer, a cross pein hammer, a rubber mallet and a wooden mallet !!

Now you want me to buy a wheel tappers hammer as well !! Don't tell me you sell them too?
 

geofliz

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I have an engineers ball pein hammer, a bricklayers hammer, a slaters hammer, a claw hammer, a toffee hammer,a tacker hammer, a cross pein hammer, a rubber mallet and a wooden mallet !!

Now you want me to buy a wheel tappers hammer as well !! Don't tell me you sell them too?

why have you not got a lump hammer? Everyone needs a lump hammer! :thumb:

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The Wallace

Free Member
Apr 3, 2009
367
5
Funster No
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why have you not got a lump hammer? Everyone needs a lump hammer!
Forgot my sledge hammer and the back of the felling axe in my list but no lump hammer - the lads in my slipway squad carried one each everywhere (so I didn't need one) - got them thrown out of the pub at least once.

Now kidding aside and back ON TOPIC how about some guidance from motor trade members on what to look for when driving and how bad is it?
If a spring can fail in less than 375 miles in spite of metalurgical tests on the steel, quality checks when the spring is made, quality checks when it is fitted, checks when the van is converted and finally PDI what is the chance of a 20 year old spring failing catastrophically on the road.
I have never seen a broken spring but had to replace 'tired' ones on my Land Rover.
 
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OP
OP
B

Boschie

Deleted User
686 Escape leaf sping drama... update.

Dear Jim,
Not so angry today.:Sad:

As promised I am posting an update to the saga of my broken leaf spring,I have returned the motorhome to Dolphin Motorhomes in Southampton and they were extremely helpful.

Mr T Willis of Dolphin Motorhomes was shocked to see the spring completely broken in half around the shackle bush area and has embarked on getting it fixed along with the other side. Mr Willis was also concerned as in the PDI report it has stated that all underbody fixings had been inspected and were secure,unfortunately this was not the case.(Obviously not worth the paper it is written on.)

Swift Motorhomes have also been in contact after I had told them of my postings on your site,however they have passed the buck on to fiat stating they do not change the chasiss on their conversions.

However, I have reminded them that they were the ones whom organised the PDI report and therefore should share some of the responsibility of letting the motorhome go out in a dangerous condition. After all if an accident had resulted in this malfunction it could have been fatal not an issue to be flippant about . Although I hope to find the more amusing side of this saga one day that after spending almost 38k on friday afternoon built motorhome.

Heres to the trials and tribulations of life.Remember "A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES STARTS WITH ONE SMALL STEP"
Kind regards to all those readers whom offered surpport.
Mark:Cool:
 

Supertractorman

Free Member
Sep 7, 2007
406
2
Funster No
239
Mark,

There is a major problem in the commercial vehicle sector of the motor industry relating to Pre - Delivery inspections, and I have seen many faults getting through the PDI because of the inspection process, including my own Swift motorhome.
In my case the PDI was done by a company in Hull in October 2005, which would have been before Swift saw the van. At that stage it would have been a bare chassis, and the company carrying out the inspections would have been doing hundreds at a time, possibly not using highly skilled labour, and not particularly bothered because the vehicle had warranty cover which would sort faults later. In my case the van then had approx 2 tons of body added and was then delivered to the Dealer in March 2006. My main fault was heater controls not connected to anything and on MOT at its third year one light was shining very high ( Possibly OK when no weight on the back ). I did find that the Fiat Dealer doing my warranty had to double check with Fiat before doing the work in case the fault had been caused by Swift ! ).
Normally new commercial springs have a waxoil type cover over them when new to protect from rusting, and this would cover a manufacturers defect at that time. In your case the weight of the body would open the crack, then rain water would get in during its travel to the Dealer, making the fault more visible. I would expect the Dealer is probably looking for Swift faults rather than Fiat problems.
I experienced this sort of problem from all the truck manufacturers because all our HGV vehicles had bodies added to them after delivery ( I did get local Dealers to carry out a PDI after body building after many arguments and threats of no repeat business ).
I feel sure your Dealer will sort the problem out, but I do wonder how many vans have faults not found until MOT, due to PDI current procedures.

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Peter JohnsCross MH

Funster
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Jan 5, 2008
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Autotrail
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Swift Motorhomes have also been in contact after I had told them of my postings on your site,however they have passed the buck on to fiat stating they do not change the chasiss on their conversions.

However, I have reminded them that they were the ones whom organised the PDI report and therefore should share some of the responsibility of letting the motorhome go out in a dangerous condition.


Hi Mark,

It is the Fiat Main Dealer who supplies the cab/chassis to converters responsibility to carry out the PDI (Pre Delivery Inspection) before it is delivered to any converter.

Frankly in our experience their PDI is crap and we do it again at our expense.

Peter
 

chatter

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I for one think that the fact that Swift have joined various forums is good, as it gives them an insight to problems which are reported on by members that dealers quite often try and fob off, including in some cases using the we cant get the part because the factory is on its anual shutdown. I know of that excuse being used on another forum as the reason a van wasnt being repaired and have to say that once the manufacturer found out they acted and the van was repaired in time for the holiday of its owner.
Swift might not be able to sort all problems but at least they are listening and hearing in a lot of cases helping which in the end shows they are aware of shortcommings of dealers when problems arise, unlike some other manufacturers.
It also might just result in a better product comming off the line in years to come
 
OP
OP
B

Boschie

Deleted User
686 Escape leaf sping drama... update.

:thanks2:
Well spotted.:thumb: What has the reaction of the dealer been. As its new you would expect the problem to be sorted quickly without delay. I hope it is.

Meanwhile, welcome to the Fun::bigsmile:
Hi Jim I have already posted an update to the thread but just so you know I am not over exagarating I`ve enclosed some pictures for you to peruse.Kind regards Mark:thanks2:

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Apr 29, 2009
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I for one think that the fact that Swift have joined various forums is good, as it gives them an insight to problems which are reported on by members that dealers quite often try and fob off, including in some cases using the we cant get the part because the factory is on its anual shutdown. I know of that excuse being used on another forum as the reason a van wasnt being repaired and have to say that once the manufacturer found out they acted and the van was repaired in time for the holiday of its owner.
Swift might not be able to sort all problems but at least they are listening and hearing in a lot of cases helping which in the end shows they are aware of shortcommings of dealers when problems arise, unlike some other manufacturers.
It also might just result in a better product comming off the line in years to come

Swift monitor (I think) this and other forums I posted on another forum (the one you have to pay to join!!) about the control panel on my Autocruise Startrail and the subsequent fault with the charger and they got in touch with me via the forum stating they were aware of the problem....like you say small touches like that can only be good for the industry in general!!
 

hilldweller

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:thanks2:
Hi Jim I have already posted an update to the thread but just so you know I am not over exagarating I`ve enclosed some pictures for you to peruse.Kind regards Mark:thanks2:

I always thought Fiat springs aren't all they're cracked up to be.
 
Aug 7, 2007
669
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73
MH
Elddis Autoquest 195
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since 1975
swift escape range

:Smile:A note to an/all prespective purchasers of any of the above range of motorhomes.I was going to buy one and have actually paid a deposit (now canceled trying to get deposit back from Wandahome at South Cave - another story)
Anyway I contacted Swift to query as there was no information re towing weights,I was informed via email from Swift Technical Department Quote,Swift "DO NOT " reccomend fitting any towbars to to this range of vans as they are all fitted with a lightweight shrt chassis.Also said,if it were offered, it would by printed in their brochure and as it is not in the brochure or on they web page it is not offered.
So if like me you have ordered a van and one of your requests is to have a tow bar,my advice (like Swifts) is dont.

P.S. If anyone requested a copy of Swift email reply and I will forward it to you,Please also note that it was also verified on you sister site motorhomefacts under Swift.
cheers to all:thumb:
 

pappajohn

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:Smile:
,Please also note that it was also verified on you sister site motorhomefacts under Swift.
cheers to all:thumb:

oh dear.....you're gonna regret that mistake....:Sad: :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

but because this is motorhomeFUN the moderators wont pull the thread just because you mentioned the aforementioned forum....unlike the moderators on the aforementioned forum if motorhome fun is mentioned.

Jeez, thats a gob full.
 
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Peter JohnsCross MH

Funster
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Jan 5, 2008
9,617
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Exp
1995
Tow bars can be fitted to short chassis vans providing they are fitted by specialist suppliers who make chassis extensions.

We had one fitted to a Karman by PWS of Poole.

Peter

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