Hi Everyone,

I would like to ask advice on where I can find a set of "hen's teeth" ... (left + right] rear light panels, the plastic cover, for the indicators, stop and driving lights, as shown below in the photo.

I live in Mossel Bay and have a 1997 Jurgens Fleetline.

When camping at Letaba a few years ago I was chatting to another camper who had a Wilk caravan and he told me if I ever needed any parts he recommended Gibbon Caravan Clinic. I searched on this Forum for "Gibbon" and found a 2015 thread which "Johnnie" started and everyone advised him not to use them! I also followed a reference to "hellopeter.com' where most posts were very negative to say the least.

Because I'm in Mossel Bay I would like to obtain these rear light covers from a reliable source and have delivery via courier. The local campworld does not have any as expected .... so I need to find a caravan "graveyard" dealer or someone who could make them [unlikely?].

I would really appreciate any suggestions together with telephone and email contacts.

Regards to all and happy camping!

A few months ago I saw those lenses/covers at Trail Acc (Trailer Spares & Accessories) in Silverton, Pretoria, but the price for each is about R2450! You can phone Willie Stols at 082 311 9604 or send an email to sales2@trailacc.co.za. If you want me to go there in person, I can do it later this week.

Hi Theuns,

Thank you for such a quick response, I will contact them and see if I can get some kind of a discount.

I only noticed some time after I bought the van that the one light cover was cracked and when I tried to take it off realised it had been glued fast onto the cover housing. So it will probably break further if I ever need to replace a bulb. Hence I want to get a complete set for in case.

It's a shocking price! Nearly fell out my chair. Well I'm not in a hurry as we are only booking for next years trip up north. Will keep looking online and keep my options open for now.

This forum is really fantastic for all the assistance and sharing!

Many thanks Theuns

Hi Aj.

I had to replace my 2007 Classique's right lens a few years back. Just want to mention left and right are interchangeable. Looking at your photo I think it will be the same for your van.

The local Campworld (now closed) had to order from Jurgens. Suggest you also try Quantum or is it Leefek who took over Jurgens.

Thanks HM,

Good of you to mention the inter-changeability, will have a look tomorrow and will check if I can order them from Jurgens via our local campworld dealer or Campworld Eden in George.

Much appreciated.

All the best.

AJ, the Fleetline and Panta are fitted with exactly the same lights.

If not mistaken, the Classique, Exclusive and Elegance also use the same.

Gerden wrote:

AJ, the Fleetline and Panta are fitted with exactly the same lights.

If not mistaken, the Classique, Exclusive and Elegance also use the same.

He fitted the light holders, which you normally see on truck chevron boards and fitted the round LED lights, which most Sprite caravans have, especially Swing, Splash, Scout etc..

The modification was quite neatly/expertly done.

Maybe this will be another cheaper option and always available.

McNaughtans sell both, the holders and lights even JMR trailers, Midas, Motolek etc.. sell them.

There is a caravan place at the back of the Engen garage in Hartenbos. Owners Fanie and Riana. I know he is doing repairs to caravans and stock second hand parts. Maybe they can help. The telephone number of Riana is 0820516130.

Hi there AJ, apologies for the fact that I cannot help with the rear lights of you caravan ... do trust that you'll come right though!

However, I do have to comment about Gibbons here in Van der Bijl Park (if that is the company you were referring to) Don't know about their situation during the 2015's, but I have been sourcing various parts from them during the past two/three years and have found them very knowledgeable and friendly. Prices weren't out of the ordinary as well. Maybe the previous writer had a personal issue with them?

As such then, I can honestly recommend them for spares etc.

HM wrote:

Hi Aj.

I had to replace my 2007 Classique's right lens a few years back. Just want to mention left and right are interchangeable. Looking at your photo I think it will be the same for your van.

The local Campworld (now closed) had to order from Jurgens. Suggest you also try Quantum or is it Leefek who took over Jurgens.

 

It will be Leefek. Quantum only bought the name....no spares or any equipment. 

Also try Kempton Caravans, Boksburg caravans....I was there last week, they've got a lot of old sprares available....maybe you are lucky

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for your responses!

Theuns: I emailed "Trail Acc" and had a quick response.... Willie says they do have stock, only sell the entire fitting = housing + lens for R1900 vat incl. So still looking.

Gerden: Thanks for confirming the inter-changeability of the Jurgens lenses mentioned by HM above .I will keep your suggestion regarding the round truck lights in mind espescially the cost aspect and have to look into how to adapt the round fittings onto my van.

PietG: Thank you for reminding me about Fanie in Hartenbos.... will be going on by him later this week to see if he can help.

Nico: Thanks for your comment on Gibbons Caravan Clinic. I must accept that the post was old. I did email them at gibboncaravanclinic@telkomsa.net but the mail was returned with a notice that it was undeliverable at that mail address. Do you have an alternative email address?  The phone number I have is+27 016 981 9500. However, I prefer to do this in writing..... being in Mossel Bay.

Relaxed Camper: Thank you for confirming "Leefek" are ones who took over Jurgens and that I can also try Kempton and Boksburg Caravans.

I will now follow up and see if any locals can supply and at what cost and then cast the net wider and see if cost of delivery can justify buying with a courier delivery.

Thanks for the assistance and will let you know how I get on.

I'm sure I have seen those at Tuinroute woonwaens in Mossel bay.

AJ, contact detail for Gibbons Caravans in Van der Bijl Park:

Tel number: 016 981 9500

e-mail:          gibbongroupsa@gmail.com

Trust you'll come right!

Hi All,

George: Yes you are right, Tuinroete do... but pricey! They are less than the highest quote so far. As mentioned earlier "Trail Acc" is still best price and the highest so far is R2850.00. You have to buy the complete light unit = lens + fitting.

Nico: Thank you for the Gibbons info, I will try that email

Thanks guys, regards to all.

AJ wrote:

Hi All,

George: Yes you are right, Tuinroete do... but pricey! They are less than the highest quote so far. As mentioned earlier "Trail Acc" is still best price and the highest so far is R2850.00. You have to buy the complete light unit = lens + fitting.

Nico: Thank you for the Gibbons info, I will try that email

Thanks guys, regards to all.

Belaglik. Ek sien hulle is deel van Leisureworld. As mens op hul website kyk is die duurste kompleet lens net oor die R300....nou kom hulle met n karavaan lens wat R2850 kos? Klink soos uitbuitery....twyfel of Jurgens n R3000 lens sou kies om op hul karavane te sit as daar hordes R250 lense beskikbaar is

Kontak Jan Combrinck en hoor of hy kan help...hy hou baie van die skaarser onderdele aan

RJC Caravan and Camping in Derdepoortpark Montana Pretoria.Jan 082 465 2390

Dag Ouens,

Vordering is soos volg.

Nico: Wil net laat  weet dat Gibbons het dadelik geantwoord met die nuwe epos adres, hulle is tans uit voorraad asook hul verskaffer. Hulle hou wel die lig eenheid aan en ek kan later weer probeer as ek nog nie gekry het nie. Dankie Nico.

PietG: Ek was by Fanie se winkel in Hartenbos, Hy is was nie beskikbaar maar Riana se hulle het van die ligte gehad maar is tans uitverkoop.

HM en Relaxed Camper: Ek het toe by "Leefek" , voorheen Jurgens, uitgekom en Tian Muller [tianm@leefek.co.za] het my toe verwys na hulle agent in die WesKaap.

Dit is "4Matt Campers" hulle is in Proton Crescent, Triangle Farm Stikland, Belville 7530; epos= lanvin@4mattcampers.co.za; web= www.4mattcampers.co.za; Agent= Lanvin Farmer.

Lanvin het my intussen gekontak nadat Leefek my epos ook aan hom deurgestuur het en hy het gevra vir n foto van die agter lig en hy sal dan terug kom na my. Bietjie van n draai, maar vorder! Dankie vir inligting tov RJC Caravan and Camping.

Weereens dankie vir bydrae.

Hi, give Boland caravans in Worcester a call they do alot of repairs to caravans and do have quite a stock of spares , Liani on 023-3424631 , they close early on Fridays.

Andrew: Thank you, I have sent them an enquiry by email.

Hi Everyone,

Just to let you know that the best price for the rear light remains Trail Acc at R1900.00, vat incl. The highest was R2850.00!

The Trail Acc contact is Willie Stols 083 311 9604 email= sales@trailacc.co.za

Thanks for the kind assistance from you all. Much appreciated.

Kind regards and happy camping!

I have the same lights on my old Gypsy Caravette 2 and broke one. My van had to go in for repairs to Creative Caravan Worx in Stickland and I asked them to find a replacement and fit as well. They sourced one but had to paint the inside panel red with glass paint to match up. They charged me R350 for the part, painting and fitting. Give Daleen there a call.

PhotomanMan Alex:

Thanks Alex! I have made a note of Creative Caravan Worx in Stickland.

General update:

My problem with the left rear light unit arises out of the discovery that the previous owner, for some reason, decided to seal the entire circumference of the sides of the light with silican. The silicon was applied to the rear sidewall of the housing and was not immediately apparent.  I discovered this when I wanted to remove the lens to clean all the contacts on the light bulbs. I soon realised that the silicon was so well applied that the lens started cracking with any force applied. I tried to use a very thin flexible piece of metal strapping to try and loosen the lens but to no avail.

I then decided to first see what a new light fitting would cost as I realised the unit would be damaged with concerted effort to remove it. Hence the assistance sought on the forum of a replacement light fixture.

After everyones kind advice on purchase options and much delibaration I decided that, as the unit must come off anyway, to see what damage would result if I tried to prise it off from the right side. That is, on the left light unit, working from it's right hand corner where there is a "false reflector" [no bulb housing], I prised it loose along the top and downwards with much cracking noises and eventually managed to loosen the top and sides and then the bottom last.

On the whole the damage was disappointing. However, the more I looked at it, the more I felt that a last attempt at salvage was possible with some "plastice surgery". So With two tubes of Prattley's clear epoxy I did the repair as shown below.

I will see how this repair holds up and will buy a replacement as a last resort.

Again I am very appreciative of everyones kind assistance. Many, many thanks to you all.