Damp! Future purchase

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LMJ34

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Hi all

I'm hoping to purchase my first motor home over the next week. The vehicle I've identified (Adria, 5-6 years old) and am viewing tomorrow apparently has a damp issue and is awaiting replacement of the rear window seal.

It sounds like this work has been due to be carried out for some months but has been delayed awaiting supply of parts.

Should I be nervous and what should I look for on inspection? Id mention thay i do have an 'expert' arranged to report on the hab part of the vehicle this weekend.

I'm concerned I might end up with an expensive to repair or rotten lame duck!


Thanks you in advance!
 
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:hiya:
The simple answer is that, yes, you need to be concerned. Presumably the window has by now been leaking for some time.
You could purchase a damp meter from Screwfix/tool station and do your own checks. I would also make it my business to understand the construction of the Adria in question so you can think about what damage the damp may, or may not have done.
Use you own senses too, does it feel or smell damp. Look inside all compartments and move the mattress (s) and seat cushions.
Do not place your trust in the ‘expert’ but do your own homework.
Good Luck
 
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If it's wooden the leak may have caused rot in the wooden frame into which the window is fitted.
Check particularly around the other windows/skylights/vents etc.
 
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What model Adria as that will give some indication as to construction/potential long term damage. The Adria might also be covered for damp depending on length of warranty?
 
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Thank you so much everybody I really appreciate your responses.

Yes, the window seal work to be carried out will be done under warranty but I guess my biggest concern is that damp may be causing other problems in the MH e.g. degradation of wood.

It's an Axess 590 SG

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MisterB said:
What model Adria as that will give some indication as to construction/potential long term damage. The Adria might also be covered for damp depending on length of warranty?
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Axess 590 SG
 
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Moisture will creep a long way from its entry point, there will be problems associated with this just waiting to appear in places you wouldn´t dream of..........walk away or better still, a gentle run....
 
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If they have been totally up front about it and there's no sign of any other issues it could be ok but I'd probably look for a different one.
 
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As a slight aside, my ‘van (Elddis Majestic, 2019) had a damp issue on its last hab. check (December). This has now been fixed under warranty. I have now sold it - for peace (piece? ;) ) of mind………..

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As said above, find out the method of construction. If it is aluminium sandwich, without any wood frame, like our N&B then there is not likely to be collateral damage.

If it has a wooden frame walk away.
 
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I agree with all the above who say walk away.I has a Chausson with damp in the gas locker.
Dealer found it when I tried to P/X and I got peanuts.
A brand new Challenger,French, in the first months I heard water in the lift up rear locker.
The response was to drill holes in the bottom inside,rubbish.
Hymer for me after that.
I wish you well and :welc:you will know what’s right.
 
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As others have said - walk away. Damp is in the body work, it will be impossible to see any damage caused.

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I wouldn't be happy with just the window seal being replaced, I would want the wallboard below the window removing to check for water damage. Just the seal replaced it might come back to bite you later. Damp repairs can cost thousands.
 
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No matter how tempting I'd walk away as, even if it has been fixed fully, you'll always be concerned about it coming back, not my idea of having a MH for leisure and relaxing if you're being constantly worried by it.
 
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Dam and water ingress is the death of a motorhome.

I’d not walk away, I’d run.

Good luck with it all and if you did bump your head and get it, I’ll bet that at some stage in the future, you’ll be back on here for advice.
 
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We bought a van, mo signs of damp, on a campsite. Near to the dealers rain was torrential, and water was running down the inside of the van above the door. Called them took van back for assessment, due to distance from home tom the dealer they arranged for the repair place to see us the same day, leak caused by water coming in through where a D rail had been fitted. They ordered the parts, all done under warranty, 4 years later van was as dry as a bone.
 
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AndyPK said:
As a slight aside, my ‘van (Elddis Majestic, 2019) had a damp issue on its last hab. check (December). This has now been fixed under warranty. I have now sold it - for peace (piece? ;) ) of mind………..
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I can relate to your damp problem AndyPK. My 2018 Elddis Majestic goes back in tomorrow for the third time to get the creeping damp rectified. Earlier in the year I tried to exchange it for a PVC but after an inspection the dealer discovered the latest damp issue and wouldn’t touch it, and who can blame him!
I just hope tomorrow’s visit will be the last attempt to make my MH fit to sell or exchange.
 
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Notts Archer said:
I can relate to your damp problem AndyPK. My 2018 Elddis Majestic goes back in tomorrow for the third time to get the creeping damp rectified. Earlier in the year I tried to exchange it for a PVC but after an inspection the dealer discovered the latest damp issue and wouldn’t touch it, and who can blame him!
I just hope tomorrow’s visit will be the last attempt to make my MH fit to sell or exchange.
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I assume it’s being done under warranty…….?? :unsure: 🤞
 
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As your talking about a specific van that you can see rather than vans in general surely its better to be well informed before you walk away as suggested. it may have only just started to leak if it has there will no damage. However if it been leaking a while and the wood is rotten then will it be repaired well ? often its just left to dry. Then walk away.
I am very experienced and have spent a lot of time looking in vans over the past 30 yrs at shows. It has always shocked me how many vans for sale at dealers have water damaged vans at top prices. they tell you its been fixed and that theres no problem ,untill you want to sell it to them or another dealer and then you get screwed again.
 
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The problem with water ingress in a wood frame motorhome is that the internal board ad frame suck it in and immediately start to rot and disintegrate. Would you leave an Ikea wardrobe out in the rain for month, then take it inside, dry it out and use it? The same process of the wood swelling, glue breaking down and mould would be happening

Problem is that behind furniture in the motorhome, where there is little airflow is the usual place for the rot to settle. Proper repair means dismantling the furniture and wooden structure of the wall (or ceiling) and replace not just the small area but a wider margin to ensure you got it all. Just sealing the leak traps the water already in there to continue the rot

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and yet we hear about and see reports on here of repairs and almost complete rebuilds that owners are happy about.

it all comes down to price, knowledge, trust and skills etc.

as we dont know what the prospective buyer has in terms of those, most people seem to have assumed the worst and fallen back on the default walk away ....and to be honest that isnt a bad option and probably the safest, so if in doubt, walk out ...... but if it comes with a money back guarantee or repair against future damp in the same area for 36 months or more AND the price is substantially below similar aged models or you cant get what you want elsewhere (and dont be rushed into buying whats in front of you)

of course if you had seen the motorhome in 2 months time, everything repaired etc, you wouldnt know would you ?..... which sometimes suggests if you know a motorhomes full history, you stand a better chance of not getting stung !
 
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LMJ34 said:
Hi all

I'm hoping to purchase my first motor home over the next week. The vehicle I've identified (Adria, 5-6 years old) and am viewing tomorrow apparently has a damp issue and is awaiting replacement of the rear window seal.

It sounds like this work has been due to be carried out for some months but has been delayed awaiting supply of parts.

Should I be nervous and what should I look for on inspection? Id mention thay i do have an 'expert' arranged to report on the hab part of the vehicle this weekend.

I'm concerned I might end up with an expensive to repair or rotten lame duck!


Thanks you in advance!
Click to expand...
This is why I went for a fibreglass autosleeper, the old type that you can't get anymore. I have now bought a new panel van conversion as it's like a car and won't get damp issues. I had a caravan previously that had damp and motorhomes are even worse. Those panels with silicone on the joints, they flex when driven causing potential damp issues.
Perhaps you should look at panel van conversions.
 
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BikerJon said:
This is why I went for a fibreglass autosleeper, the old type that you can't get anymore. I have now bought a new panel van conversion as it's like a car and won't get damp issues. I had a caravan previously that had damp and motorhomes are even worse. Those panels with silicone on the joints, they flex when driven causing potential damp issues.
Perhaps you should look at panel van conversions.
Click to expand...
My first ‘van was an AS Clubman with the monocoque body shell - terrific ‘van, but too small for two adults and 4 dogs……..
 
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They all eventually leak - I know mine isn't watertight, but after a load of (non-expert) work, it's leaking a lot less.

I echo the comments about the reduction in price that would be expected for a van that is young but has such a fault. I'd also echo the comments about the advantage of knowing there is a fault. You'll be more vigilant.

If you want to keep it a long time, then maybe it's worth a go, but if you want to use it awhile and keep the value for use as a trade in, then maybe not. It's a bit like a repaired accident-damage or insurance write-off vehicle - totally fine if you keep it for a long time but the accident will always have to be declared and wrecks the resale.
 
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