Dometic and its Seitz Heki 2 rooflights

The Fuso Szulc is equipped with two Seitz Heki 2 roof windows.

Large hatches of 33 by 22 inches (85 x 55 cm).
They give fantastic light inside the expedition vehicle.
And they allow maximum inflow of fresh air.

PR of Seitz Heki for their rooflight

There is nothing more beautiful but laying in bed in a camper and seeing the stars right above thanks to the Seitz Heki 2 roof window.

However, unfortunately, the Seitz Heki 2 roof windows have major flaws.
To begin with, they are not cheap.
In Germany they sell for € 425
($ 600) and the next thing is to get them to the USA.
These challenges can be met though.
But next comes the issue of using the Seitz Heki 2.
And then surprises await.

First of all, the build in mosquito net and curtain have been made too narrow.
They don’t fit generously in their side gliders.
Hence, if one applies the mosquito net, even a light wind blows it out of position.
And the insects can come in no problem.

Mosquito net blown out of its railing

Secondly, the Seitz Heki 2 is kept in position, when closed, by two handles.
Small plastic parts keep the large window in position.
Obviously, when a real strong wind blows, this goes underneath the sides of the window and applies upward power.
As a result, the small plastic handles cannot keep the large window in place anymore.
The handles simply break off.
As of then the Seitz Heki 2 roof windows need to be kept closed by rubber strings.

Handle to keep window in closed position

Handle to keep window in closed position

Broken off handle

Seitz Heki 2 rooflight kept in closed position after handles broke off

The last flaw of the Seitz Heki 2 roof windows are the gas struts.
In the case of the Fuso Szulc, within two years they broke.
Lost their pressure and became worthless.
Pieces of wood need to be used to keep the Seitz Heki 2 windows in the upright position.

Gas struts failing

The German company Seitz Heki is now owned by the American company Dometic.
This makes it possible to obtain parts for the Seitz Heki 2 windows in the USA.

Last week the necessary parts were ordered.
The gas struts and the handles.
The salesperson checked and explained they came in one package.
And they were in stock!
For $ 68 plus tax each and $ 25 shipping.

An order was placed and after 6 working days the parcel was received.
A Dometic customer therefore waits 8 days before to receive the needed parts.
The parcel though contained only the gas struts and not the handles.
The Dometic sales person had not informed correctly.
The gas struts come separated from the handles.
They are different parts.
Hence, one simple gas strut costs over $ 70 (€ 50).
While they sell them in Germany for $ 28 (€ 19,75).
Dometic puts 150 % on the original price.

Seitz Heki 2 gas strut selling in Europe for $ 28 and by Dometic USA for $ 70 plus tax and $ 25 shipping.

What is the conclusion of this story?
That’s obvious.



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