Rejoice with us in 2006 as we celebrate our Diamond Jubilee!

NEW EMAIL BACK-BY RETURN TECH HELPLINE

NEW EMAIL BACK-BY RETURN TECH HELPLINE

We have received a good deal of positive feedback from members who have used our new members-only Award-Winning Tech Helpline.

Our group of experienced experts have years of Dethleffs experience and are approved by Dethleffs. They have access to the huge Dethleffs parts and service database. Last year Dethleffs won the after-sales service 100% gold award from Practical Motorhome magazine. 

To Use This Valuable Service You Must:

email:     dethleffsowners(AT)googlemail(DOT)com

 We can get satisfactory answers to technical questions for you direct from Dethleffs or from our Dethleffs Helpline Tech Member Advisor. Dethleffs are AMAZINGLY HELPFUL and can trace exact replacement parts for vehicles as old as 1990 !!  We need your Chassis number to get part numbers for you.

Members' Comments about the TechHelpLine 

Hello Richard                                                                                                                                      
                                      Just to let you know I have fixed the problem,it was the bayonet connector on bottom of one of the fuses behind the seat.Did not notice when checking fuses, after receiving your email with wiring diagrams and a clear workthrough it gave me food for thought so with help of torch i found the problem and now working fine so big panic over nothing so thank you very much for pointing me in right direction.Regards IAN 

 

 

Hello Richard Jane, just to say what a great help Steve Carding has been.  We are here Spain and have had trouble with the fridge, one email to Steve sorted it all out, don't want warm beer! Merry Christmas and a happy new year. Pete white 

 I have a GlobeCar Trendscout with a kitchen sink low profile mixer tap that has developed an intermittent connection to the switch in the tap housing. Is the switch replaceable and who manufactures the taps in case I need to replace complete, my handbook has no mention of it. PS If this goes to Steve then thank him for the fantastic support he provided when Ford decapitated my roof light!

Hi, would you believe it, no sooner had I pressed the send button on this mornings e-mail when the door bell rang and the Dethleff aluminium table mount and matching plastic table clips arrived, so thanks very much for arranging this so quickly. Having just purchased a Dethleffs it's very reassuring to know that such a fast and efficient parts service exists. I now look forward to receiving your invoice which I will settle by return. Thanks once again and best regards, Richard Wood. 

To: dethleffshelp(AT)towtal.co.uk
CC: dethleffsowners(AT)googlemail.com
Subject: Dethleff Parts.
Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:19:33 +0000

Hello, re the subject of a replacement leisure battery for my Esprit RT 7014, I can now confirm that Exide produce a fit, form & function gel battery Pt No G110 which is an exact match for the factory fitted Deta Gel DG 110. Looking at their range it would seems like they will have a battery for most of the Dethleff range of M/H's. Turning now to the subject of M/H tables, I have found a range of circular, square and rectangular table tops in 5 different finishes from www.magnummotorhomes.co.uk  Tel 01472 353520, I have not received mine yet, but they look good quality and at a very reasonable price.

Hi Richard,
Attached is the reply I got this weekend from my enquiry that I made to the help line. Seems to work ok to me. Thanks again for your help.
 
Regards
Tim

Subject: Re: Caravan help

Hi Tim
No problem they are in stock at the factory i could get them delivered direct if you think you could do the fit your self if this is the case please email me your full delivery address and date of purchase please
Thanks
Steve Carding,

DethleffsHelp



Tim HH wrote:

DOC member number; DOCXXXXX
Caravan VIN number WDT1EN3XXXXX12
Hi,
I wonder if you can help me.
We have a Dethleffs 550DL which we bought from Burton caravans on the Wirral in November. Due to the experience we had with this man it would be too soon if I ever saw him again and do not want to deal with him if at all possible.
What we have found is that the fixed bed is very hard to lift and almost impossible for my wife. When I looked at ways of improving things I noticed that there are screw holes under the bed where there should be a second gas strut to help lift. Burtons must have removed this at some point and not replaced it. Would it be possible to get a warranty replacement strut and brackets via yourselves, if not can you give me the price of one, if it is not too expensive I will buy it.
Regards
Tim Holt


Here are some communications just for your interest:

Richard Can you help me to get a windscreen for my I3 GlobeBus? The insurance company has told me that they cannot get one and my GlobeBus has been off the road for two months. PLEASE can you help? Paul.

Dear Paul,

You have been badly misled by your insurers. dethleffs are fabulous for spares these windscreens are always available with three days delivery from the factory in Isny, Bavaria.

I have checked again now and indeed as ever they are available. Please speak strongly to your insurer. Richard

I had noticed some time ago on your forum page that Paul had difficulties with his insurers obtaining a replacement windscreen for his i3 Globebus. It has prompted me to make this comment and it applies to all insured goods. Insurers like to use repairers or suppliers who are “approved” by them. What this means is that they like to use people with whom they have arranged a discount or kickback for themselves, often using non original parts or cheaper quality copies. This is probably why they were having trouble finding a windscreen for Paul. If they are unwilling to replace with the original you are entitled to demand the money instead and order it yourself. I recently had cause to get a replacement piece of jewellery. It was a piece by an internationally known designer who was a close friend of my wife and I. We were told of the pressure that was being placed on her by the insurers. They wanted photos which we did not supply. The insurers wanted to get a cheaper copy made because our friend was unwilling to give them the massive discount which they demanded. She refused because the original piece had already been discounted due to our family relationship. She also refused to give them copies of her original design which is copyrighted. They tried to fob me off, so I asked for the money instead and got it. I was most certainly not prepared to accept a copy of what was an original piece issued with a certificate of authenticity and exclusivity, personally signed. A problem here is that having recently been rated in the top 3 in world jewellery circles the value of her pieces has rocketed and has little bearing on the original price paid. In hindsight, our mistake was in showing them the discounted quotation they should have had a full retail invoice, but I am an honest person. 

Dear Richard & Jane
We have had to have our I3 windscreen replaced.  It was replaced by Autoglass and they were very thorough in taking details to ensure a correct replacement, but did take two weeks to find a replacement from Belgium.  It was fitted in our drive by their fitters who deal with commercial vehicles. Cost was £1260 of which we paid £60.  What does a windscreen cost from your source?
I was very surprised that the windscreen was much thinner than I expected.
Insurance:  We were insured through the Caravan Club, and the renewal cost for this year was £365.  Saga cost us £255, though there was a £50 discount.  Cover was very close to the CC and the Green Card was for the whole year.  The vehicle is garaged at our house and the price does not include legal cover as we get that through our CSMA breakdown insurance.
Fiat clutch:  Our clutch failed at approx 8000 miles, summer 2007, whilst in France and we had to wait two weeks before it could be looked at, due to staff holidays.  Repair eventually carried out by Fiat at Annonay, who were superb.  How many members have had clutch problems, and what are Fiat doing about the problem?
Spare Wheel:  The I3 was supplied with an inflation/repair kit, and as we have had, with past vans, two occasions when the tyre would not have repaired/inflated I researched the options for a full size spare.  Looking underneath I spotted what looked like a mounting point for the spare cradle, and a check on vehicles, with spares, at the Peterborough Show proved that one could be fitted.  It cost £400 fitted, including the wheel and tyre, which is peanuts for peace of mind.
Table:  Pullingers offered to fit folding legs to the table, removing the bulky standard plastic affair, and I fitted it to the 'wall' behind the passenger seat.  This makes the 'lounge' far more usable.  I have now added a socket in the floor for a smaller, two-person, pedestal table which is stored in the wardrobe.  This can be used for meals,drinks, laptop etc, and leaves much more space for moving around.
We are considering adding a Fiamma awning to our van. Access to our garage is very tight so we are thinking of having it fitted to the side of the roof rack - to keep overhang to a minimum.  Have you heard of anybody else doing this?
We find the I3 very easy to drive, when the clutch is working and ideal for our holiday needs.  We have two daughters and seven grandsons but only the two of us use the motorhome for holidays.  We bought it from Pullingers, who have provided excellent service.
Keep up the good work.
Paul & Gillian Moore

 

 

The van I own is an Esprit A class 2003 model I5830 - 20 foot long compact. Needless to say it's absolutely fab. It's the third van we've owned starting 70 trips ago with a VW T25, for 18 months, then an Autotrail Tracker for 18 months and now the Dethleffs - also at 18 months - but fear not, I've no plans to change it. With all three vehicles (and the Autotrail was brand new) I've repaired and improved things myself as I appreciate that these things are built to a price and a little improvement here and there can greatly increase the enjoyment you get (pride of ownership) from the vehicle. In terms of the 'forum' questions, my van (in comparison with the Autotrail) had what seemed like poor water pressure. I rectified this to some extent by removing the pump from the tank (it's easy - just reach in and disconnect it) and removing the filter on the bottom of it. The filter seems redundant as you've only got fresh clean water in there anyway... Also, the base of the pump stands on the bottom of the tank and the water enters the pump via slots between small castellation around the base of the pump. If you remove half of these castellation then the water enters the pump more easily - and the pump still stands upright. Together both of these items improved the flow of water in the van. ...second answer to the owner who says the water keeps running away - could this simply be the anti-frost valve by the Trauma water heater? If it's pressed down then the water will run out from the bottom of the boiler. The valve needs to be pulled-up. I'm told a couple of cloths pegs will hold it in place. Also, this valve is wired to the boiler so I assume that if it's open (i.e. pressed down) then the boiler won't fire-up - hence their complaint about not being able to get the gas to work... On other matters technical, I've experience of replacing an hydraulic ram in the cab bed mechanism (not for the faint hearted), I've fitted a replacement aerial in the fibreglass roof to improve radio reception - needs extra wiring; replaced cab speakers, installed rear speakers, improved bathroom fittings, added internal cupboard facilities, fitted electric heating and soundproofed the engine/cab area. So if any of these experiences can be of use, I'll gladly create a write-up etc. Good luck with the website - again, if I can help, just let me know as I run a web design company. 

Many thanks for your prompt reply to my e mail.The chassis number of our Globus 3 is ZFA24400007802895.
We have had the motor since the summer of 05 and are delighted with it. It was a replacement for our 15 yr old Elddis that we had grown very fond of.
The Globus 3 was one of the few vehicles narrow enough to pass down our driveway and still offer the level of space and comfort that we needed.
It drives like a dream and I should know since for many years Janet and I drove 40ft coaches as a living. Another reason for choosing the 3 was the U shaped
lounge/dining area (didn't want to spend our retirement in the cab as well).The build quality is exceptional and the only two problems we have had have been minor and easily fixed.That is not to say that there aren't some quirky design features that could stand alteration but I don't want to appear to be negative.
All in all the comfort and practicality of the Dethleff has to be experienced to be appreciated as I am sure you are already aware.
Your offer of membership of the DOC club was like a shining beacon of hope since if there is a downside to owning a Dethleffs it is surely the huge gulf between owner and manufacturer regarding after sales. I am certain that this situation is not specific to Dethleffs for in my experience there seems to be a reluctance on the part of most spares departments to go that extra mile to achieve customer satisfaction (if it isn't bog standard we haven't got it seems to be the order of the day).
It would seem to me that the existence of the DOC could go a long way towards bridging the aforementioned gulf and Dethleffs must be most pleased to have you both on board.
Best wishes and every success.
Derek and Janet Hunter.

Name:Jim
Enquiry:Hi,i own a dethleff fiat 5421, 1993 reg, with a 2500cc diesel engine.Have owned it for about a year, within that year i have renewed the engine battery and the leisure battery. When it is hooked up to 240v the engine battery goes dead flat, and the leisure battery only reads half charge all the time on the dash inducator ?. Plus could you send me a english instruction booklet please, await you reply with interest, as i have pulled out all my hair on this problem. Regards Jim
Jim,
I too had the same problem.
I went through a couple of batteries.
There is a fuse inline on a thick black wire near to the vehicle main battery. This should be a continental 40 amp rated. Mine had blown. Now I have replaced it, both batteries charge when I drive and when I use 240V.
I have a wiring diag for our charger unit but I also have an expert. I have to go now. Richard
I will try to email again later.
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange
Hi ?, thanks very much for the info, you were spot on, it is charging both batteries like a dream now. And i have bought myself a wig ( ha ha ) sorry for delay in replying.
Thanks again Jim

Response to Dometic enquiry below:

Hi Everyone, We are recent converts to Dethleffs & so far we realise we have made a very good choice in our new van having owned Autocruise vehicles until their recent demise. We were surprised to read in 'Forum' that another member experienced difficulties during the recent recall of the Dometic Fridges. When we first read about this recall in the CCC magazine we went to look at the number on our fridge & yes, ours had one of the winning numbers. I rang Holland & my very first phone call was answered immediately by a young gentleman who was most helpful, he confirmed that our fridge was to be tested & then endeavoured to locate a local dealer to whom we could take the van to have it checked, this was to be Marquis Devon. However I told him that we were to be travelling North for the Christmas & would rather go to Lowdham Leisure World in Nottingham, He then offered to arrange this for us but I suggested that we would prefer to arrange this direct which we did. I rang Lowdhams who were already aware of the recall & proceeded to book the van in for Dec.18th. we were travelling from Plymouth in Devon & so booked onto their overnight stop area for Monday 17th to ensure we would be there when the Dometic engineer arrived on the Tuesday. The only hold up was with the engineer, due to traffic & weather conditions he did not arrive until 11-30am but no worries we were warm & cosy with a nice cup of tea when he arrived. The job took all of ten minutes to complete & we were soon heading to our daughter's in Derbyshire for the festive season. From initial phone call to job completion was 3 weeks, that delay being our choice not theirs due to our prior arrangements. A first class service which we trust will continue ell into the future. We look forward to meeting up with fellow members soon. TRAVEL SAFELY, Steve & Lorraine

Enquiry:

Membership No DOC 070066 Child.
INFO FOR MEMBERS
Are members aware of a recall by Dometic on many of their double-door fridge freezers? Many units are affected since 2003. OK to run on 12v and 230v but not on gas.
Our Dethleffs fitted with one of those affected and not yet 12 months old. Ring this No for info 00800 3663 8420 (this is in Holland ) only took 2 hours to get through. We were then told to ring back in 4 weeks as no engineers in the area ( speedy service eh! ) it's tough that we are already booked to go away.
Keep up the good work
STEVE / JUNE

Enquiry:

We bought our 500L camper at the NEC at the end of 2006 , as it was Dethleffs 75th anniversary , we were offered the anniversary awning , but at that time could not afford it , we are now wondering if it is still available , as a matching Dethleffs awning would be rather nice.



Dear Mark,
I have forwarded this request to a very helpful lady at Dethleffs. She has replied today to say that they have one such awning still in stock that appears that it will fit your caravan !

Here is the exact reply:

Hi Richard,
the anniversary awning was a special awning we offered during our anniversary year. It is no longer available, but we have one left in stock with a size of 1014 to 1040. This should match the DL 550, which has an awning size of 1010.
Part number for this tent is 5010334. Please ask the customer to contact his supplying dealer, who can order this tent from us and will also be able to give him a price for it.

I don't know who your local dealer is, but if you print this and show them, they should be able to get this for you. It would certainly make your outfit special. Any problems get in touch with me again as we know who the best dealers are.
  

Hy Doc I recently purchased a i3 Globus on a 56 plate from Lazydays it has a pioneer sat nav with 6 cd changer and reversing camera the problem is it refuses to speak to any one so they are going to return it Pioneer. are they a problem? Also I would like to purchase a silverscreen on ringing Silverscreens they tell me their order books are full untill the new year any ideas? Regards John
Answer:

Hy Richard thanks for contact John Humphrey at Pullingers suppliers of silverscreens for globusi3. are at www.movera.com and then scroll to Grobbritannien for a list of english agents. i contacted camperuk ltd unfortunately they have to submit an order 1500 euros on contacting brownhills they quoted a price of 260 pounds??cough splutter. we would like to book for Edinburgh tattoo. Regards John

Enquiry:

Can you recommend an all types of gas alarm, please?

Enquiry:

I've just had my 1990 dethleffs A class fiat 1.9 td serviced.they said they could not change or even check the cam belt because of the position of the engine.how can i solve this problem please. Derek

Hi Derek
I would suggest that the garage didn't want the job! When I had mine done, (1996 2.5TDI A class) my mechanic told me it was a pig of a job, but quite possible. Although your chassis is somewhat different, I wouldnt have thought it was beyond any decent mechanic. If I were you, I would get further quotes from other garages.
Kind Regards
John
John Windwood

Dear Derek,
I forwarded your help call to John Windwood.
He has one like yours.
I use a very good garage called RPH Motors in Stafford.01785 227127
Phone them and ask their advice but say you are in the DOC.
Also a very good guy to ask about this is Peter at Stafford Motorhomes 07740 167400 (say you are in the DOC). He really knows his stuff on older Dethleffs and german motorhomes generally as he's been selling and using them for years. He always has some good Dethleffs for sale.
Hope this helps. I will post this on the forum to see if anyone salutes!

Thanks Richard & John, I talked to Peter and to Ray at R.P.H and its all sorted. Well done. Derek

Enquiry:

I have a 1994 left hand drive dethleff i642 A class motorhome, and i am looking for a windscreen, frontgrill & front bumper. any help from members would be appreciated. thanks neil

Enquiry:
hi, enquiring as to whether Dethleffs manufacture motorhomes with wheelchair access, we have a Dethleffs 550DL and as our young son is now becoming wheelchair dependant, we were wondering if you have, now or in the past, made a whheelchair accesssable vehicle. These are very difficult find in the uk,from any manufacturer, and we would very much like to continue travelling with our son, hope you can give us some advice. thanks richard.

Enquiry:
I am interested in buying a globebus/globevan anyone with experience of same to talk to would be helpful also experience of dealers??? Name: David Jackson

Enquiry:
Thinking of buying our first motorhome, a Dethleff Globebus I3 with U shape lounge. Because it's short narrow and easy to get into more remote locations mainly abroad but also in UK. Any comments?,particularly on the engine size we should opt for. I drove a used 500 miles one last week with the 3 ltre engine. Would the 2.3be sufficient? Tom

Enquiry:
hello, have you a recommended supplier of drive away awnings that is usable with a low profile t6406. thanks rich mason

Enquiry:
hi, i am looking for some reflective sunblinds for the windscreen & front side windows for our dethleffs i642 does anyone know were i might get some. many thanks neil

Answer from John Windwood: Thank you John

I recently bought genuine accessory wraparound external screens for my I 6842 (Which I think is identical) from Movera.com. Although Movera don't supply direct, they can be ordered using the part number from the website from Hymer UK. They cost me £150 and took 2 weeks to get. Superb quality. Could you please pass this on to Neil and I am quite happy to be contacted by eMail if he has any further queries

Enquiry: Hello I have a Fiat Dethleffs A5822 I need the paint code for the front bumper it is sort of gold colour.I dont know if this is the right place to ask but if not maybe you can direct me to one who can. Stephen Third

Enquiry:
Hi, I own a Dethleffs Advantage motorcravan.Type A6971, I have a problem with all of the windows. There is permanent condensation in the center of every window. How do i fix the problem?

Enquiry:
Hello there, I am not sure if there is still an owners club, but we have recently bought a A class 1991 Dethleffs motorhome and are having some teething problems knowing what does what. the lady who we bought it from had no idea how anything worked as her husband did everything in the motorhome and he sadly recently passed away hence her selling it. we bought it and thought we could find our way around it all but there are so many different things and we are having no luck getting either the water or the gas to work as the water simply drains away and we cant get the valve to stay shut. we have joined a motorhome forum and have had very helpful answers but thought we would try and contact you as well and also we have contacted Dethleff direct but had no reply as we have no English instructions as the handbook is all in German. We would be grateful for any help as the owners we have spoken to so far all have newer mortorhomes so they are not the same controls as ours. > many thanks, john and Kate Whittaker

Enquiry:
I have a left hand drive Dethleffs Globetrotter. It was imported from Germany, and all the manuals are in German, which I don't speak. Are there versions of this manual in English, and if so, where can I obtain one? It is built on a Fiat Ducato chassis with a 2.5 litre turbo diesel engine. It also has a truma C 4002 water heater that provides hot air central heating, and I am having problems with this in that I cannot get the water to flow at a decent rate. Can you help me with any of these issues, please? Michael Adams Send emails to us and we will forward them.

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