Apologies for the long post but sometimes you have to call out a good experience.
I inherited a WestDubs pop top roof fitted in a T6 PV conversion I bought almost 12 months ago 2nd hand from the only owner post-conversion which had been completed in Nov 20.
A great roof, we’ve used it a lot BUT it was quite creaky at the cab end which, whilst irritating, I put down to what’s to be accepted as a conversion compromise, with nothing else to compare to.
Fast forward to last weekend, I was camping with the family down in Ledbury and had felt that the creaking had got worse in recent weeks. By sheer chance I was on the WestDubs website the day before I realized they were based 25 minutes from the campsite we were going to for a long weekend. I gave them a call to ask if I could pop in the next day for them to take a look and give me some advice on how to lessen the creaks and maybe a recommendation for an approved Westdubs fitter near my home to make any improvements. No problem they said, sounds like it might be a metal on metal creak, we close at 12.30 so try and get to us before 12.
Managed to get there at 11.30 to a friendly welcome and someone came out to take a look in the car park. Initial thought was the sides of the front reinforcing frame and it was carpeted differently to the way they do it. But basically they wouldn’t really be able to tell without taking some of the carpet off and investigating. “Oh well, I said, can you recommend anyone near me?” “Hang on, we might be able to take a look here whilst you wait” and off they went to check with Nora, one of the company directors, who was lovely. She had spoken to me on the phone and gave the ok for the team to take a look, and they would need about an hour. I had the family and dog so they gave us some pointers for some nearby dog walks and off we went.
We came back and had a coffee in the waiting room, thumbed some VW van magazines and the guys came to get me to come take a look.
Upshot was it hadn’t been fitted as per their recommended instructions: self-tappers used (bodged too with lots of failed attempts) instead of rivets, very little glue/bonding agent between the pieces and several other points. Then they took me to a table to show me what they’d found. My reinforcing frame was laid out in front of me with all the random self-tapping holes which can work their way loose and allow movement hence the creaking.
I wondered why they’d taken it out to show me and how long it would take to put back. And then it all made sense. They had replaced with a brand new frame, riveted, bonded, and re-carpeted all exposed areas! They had also replaced the pull down straps, the rings they lock against (which had also been badly fitted first time) and even gave me a carpeted board to fill the gap! I was completely in shock - what fantastic service!
Basically they weren’t happy with how their product had been fitted by someone else, and had rectified it to the best of their standards (without removing the whole roof and all side bars etc.) there and then. And also beyond when they were due to close, and to someone who didn’t have an appointment.
I spoke with Nora to settle up and pay for parts and labour but she wouldn’t hear of it just some beer tokens for the lads.
Amazing! A true family business, proud of their product and service. I’m very rarely surprised and impressed with companies so this experience has floored me.
Oh and has the creak gone? Yes, the cab above my head is now a nice quiet place to be. Completely transformed my experience of driving the van from something that felt a bit cheap at times (anything but, right?) to something much more like a normal car. If anything now my ears pick up the cabinets and other squeaks more but that’s inevitable in a camper!
So would I recommend the roof? Yes. Would I recommend Westdubs? Absolutely. They smashed it. I took a look at canvas upgrade options too (panoramic) whilst I was there and wouldn’t hesitate to drive the 2.5 hrs back to have any work done there.
Even got a quick photo opportunity with my filthy van in their cool backdrop!
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for when I eventually apply to DVLA.
