Swift Sundance step/floor issue

[Rook26]

Hello all

I bought a 2006 Fiat Ducato Swift Sundance 590RS last spring and really pleased with it.

When I got it, it had a little bit of movement in the electric step when we used it but this has got worse and has caused the body work under the door frame to crack. It looks as though it is pulling on the floor in the doorway.
The side skirt was also a bit loose which caused movement in the wheel spat which is now quite broken and needs replaced.

On further inspection it looks as though it's previously also had a bump on that back corner and some repair work both underneath and cosmetic work on the walls.

I've had 2 quotes from motorhome repair places (which have good reviews) and they've both said that the floor where the welcome mat is, and under the fridge, needs replaced and the step reattached to a more solid floor. It's an expensive fix (£2500-3000) so i thought I'd check if anyone has had the same problem?

We're currently using a separate step.

My grieve who is a fabricator has added a bit of strength to our temporarily and had offered to put in a metal panel in the doorway that runs under the fridge. The motorhome places have suggested that this won't solve the issue though....

Having read about the damp issues with the 2004, 2005 and 2006 models, I think mine has the coated plywood underneath rather than the laminate which trapped the damp and caused all the issues. Because it's had some repair work, I'm not completely sure though! If it has the plywood is it less likely to have damp issues right through the floor? I'm hoping that any damp is local and possibly caused by damp getting in after the bump it had with previous owners.

I've read that Swift repaired some floors outside of warranty but I'm guessing that this stopped a while ago as its now 20 years old?!

Sorry for the long message!
Thanks!

 

[Baggydave]

Hello all

I bought a 2006 Fiat Ducato Swift Sundance 590RS last spring and really pleased with it.

When I got it, it had a little bit of movement in the electric step when we used it but this has got worse and has caused the body work under the door frame to crack. It looks as though it is pulling on the floor in the doorway.
The side skirt was also a bit loose which caused movement in the wheel spat which is now quite broken and needs replaced.

On further inspection it looks as though it's previously also had a bump on that back corner and some repair work both underneath and cosmetic work on the walls.

I've had 2 quotes from motorhome repair places (which have good reviews) and they've both said that the floor where the welcome mat is, and under the fridge, needs replaced and the step reattached to a more solid floor. It's an expensive fix (£2500-3000) so i thought I'd check if anyone has had the same problem?

We're currently using a separate step.

My grieve who is a fabricator has added a bit of strength to our temporarily and had offered to put in a metal panel in the doorway that runs under the fridge. The motorhome places have suggested that this won't solve the issue though....

Having read about the damp issues with the 2004, 2005 and 2006 models, I think mine has the coated plywood underneath rather than the laminate which trapped the damp and caused all the issues. Because it's had some repair work, I'm not completely sure though! If it has the plywood is it less likely to have damp issues right through the floor? I'm hoping that any damp is local and possibly caused by damp getting in after the bump it had with previous owners.

I've read that Swift repaired some floors outside of warranty but I'm guessing that this stopped a while ago as its now 20 years old?!

Sorry for the long message!
Thanks!

My mate has the same van & had the same problem. On theirs the step fell off with a section of the floor. I helped him replace the failed section with a piece of solid oak kitchen top. It Took a bit of fiddling to secure it to a bit of the existing floor but a mornings work. Four bolts reattached the step.
I think his was caused by constant spray from the front wheel. We fitted a large mud flap to prevent further spray.

 

[paul2]

I had used 2004 sundance 59rl and the step fell off when I stepped on it in 2010 it turned out the floor was very wet. I had read others had had the same problem . I phoned Swift they had their local dealer look at / take phots. A few weeks later they collected my van and took by low loader to Hull where they repaired the floor, then they gave me a one way hire car to pick it up also paid me RAC mileage rate for the fuel to return home. Four weeks later traded in for a Panel Van Conversion and only had PVC since.

 

[Rook26]

My mate has the same van & had the same problem. On theirs the step fell off with a section of the floor. I helped him replace the failed section with a piece of solid oak kitchen top. It Took a bit of fiddling to secure it to a bit of the existing floor but a mornings work. Four bolts reattached the step.
I think his was caused by constant spray from the front wheel. We fitted a large mud flap to prevent further spray.

Thanks, that sounds much cheaper! Did you only have to replace the bit above the step or under the fridge too?
The fridge in mine is no longer sitting level which I'm told is because the floor is shot underneath it too.
What did you attach it to the remaining floor with?
My fabricator friend is happy to have a go bit he's not worked on something like this before so I'm a bit cautious.

 

[Rook26]

I had used 2004 sundance 59rl and the step fell off when I stepped on it in 2010 it turned out the floor was very wet. I had read others had had the same problem . I phoned Swift they had their local dealer look at / take phots. A few weeks later they collected my van and took by low loader to Hull where they repaired the floor, then they gave me a one way hire car to pick it up also paid me RAC mileage rate for the fuel to return home. Four weeks later traded in for a Panel Van Conversion and only had PVC since.

That's great, they sorted yours out. I wonder if they still do that
Mine didn't come with a habitation check history which I've read can be an issue but I'll get in touch with them on the off chance.
Thanks!

 

[Baggydave]

Thanks, that sounds much cheaper! Did you only have to replace the bit above the step or under the fridge too?
The fridge in mine is no longer sitting level which I'm told is because the floor is shot underneath it too.
What did you attach it to the remaining floor with?
My fabricator friend is happy to have a go bit he's not worked on something like this before so I'm a bit cautious.

It was just the step bit. About 2ft long by 18” or so if I remember correctly.