Damp in Non Wood Vans (1 Viewer)

[Robgoals]

Hi, sorry this is something I'm entirely ignorant about.
I understand more modern motorhomes don't plywood or wood for the panels or structure of the habitation area.
Whats the benefit of this when it comes to damp?
Presumably they don't rot but what happens if you repair a leak? Do they dry out much more easily than wood? Do they ever need sections replacing as you would with wood? Is this then much more difficult and expensive?

Thanks.

 

[Jonno1103]

It's the reason why 'damp' has been replaced with 'ingress', they tend to let it in rather than soak it up. Repair is done by resealing the joints with the internal facia board being replaced together with ply floor coverings and maybe damaged cabinets if required.

There are many reasons for false readings in the modern motorhome such as condensation and the increased use of aluminium etc this is why a blue or orange water activated dye is added when the panels are fabricated. Basically this stops the cowboys saying you have damp when infact you don't.

The core of the panels has changed. It used to be a blown styrofoam type filled with tiny air bubbles, today it's a solid extruded slab.

Many of the new caravans don't have damp checks anymore, they're not even listed on the data software.