Damp Issue

[misterbee]

I am venturing into the purchase of a first MH - I have to say the transparency of the MOT is a huge aid -
There is one particular vehicle - the dealers are selling fairly cheaply - they are transparent in their reasoning for this - The vehicle is 17 yrs old , extremely low mileage - evidence of historic damp - reading of over 50 by the drivers door - a small area on the floor under water tank (sounds concerning !) - + 2 small places by entrance where wall joins floor - They have knocked about a quarter of retail price off - the report , aside from those issues , was, quote : "not too bad."
I havent arranged a viewing as of yet - I would take along my own damp meter.
Without prior knowledge relating to damp issues in MHs - is there potential for repairs or are some beyond repair , Brian

 

[PaulyP]

It would all depend on the location and extent of the damp, and whether you were capable of dealing with it yourself or the cost of having it done professionally.

 

[misterbee]

It would all depend on the location and extent of the damp, and whether you were capable of dealing with it yourself or the cost of having it done professionally.

Cheers , I would def opt for a professional repair - the dealers have a workshop but time consumption for their in house tech, is the offering for low price sale . To be fair they will send the damp report if requested.

 

[PaulOH]

You can get by with a low-level leak. No one wants their beds wet and it reads that your issue is nowhere near a bed. Has that meter been run round round the rest of it?

These are alu boxes with various levels of plastic/wood components and sealants - they can be repaired if leaking but the cost rises with the complication. I have seen the youtube vid where the british-built caravan was made terribly in the first place.

If you are being offered a price much less than book value, then I'd consider that seriously - what do you think? if you can think of a way to fix the van and preserve (boost) it's value then you might be onto a winner. If not or prohibitively expensive then maybe not!

 

[misterbee]

You can get by with a low-level leak. No one wants their beds wet and it reads that your issue is nowhere near a bed. Has that meter been run round round the rest of it?

These are alu boxes with various levels of plastic/wood components and sealants - they can be repaired if leaking but the cost rises with the complication. I have seen the youtube vid where the british-built caravan was made terribly in the first place.

If you are being offered a price much less than book value, then I'd consider that seriously - what do you think? if you can think of a way to fix the van and preserve (boost) it's value then you might be onto a winner. If not or prohibitively expensive then maybe not!

Thanks mate - The company appear to be decent - i will give them a shout tomorrow , cheers, Brian

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[CazPaul]

I wouldn’t even consider it, it’s cheap for a reason, because it will be extremely expensive to repair and an ongoing problem. There are plenty of older vans around without damp don’t let the cheap price sway you, there will be no comeback once you buy. Walk away.

 

[Wabs]

The problem is with most things,,” it’s the damage you can’t see” this COULD be a very expensive issue to repair,hence the dealer offering a low price, as CazPaul said , there are plenty more vans out there,,personally, I’d be walking away,,good luck in what ever choice you make

 

[Shrimp]

You know how water travels, it seeps into all sorts of areas, the damp bits you can find may only be small spots but if they’ve been damp for a while and constantly getting wet the small spot may be half the van and you wouldn’t know until you start looking!
Knocked over the dogs drinking water the other day, thought I had got it all. Next day found a puddle in same area, it had seeped out from under the cupboard!

 

[Neil n Pat]

buy cheap pay dear ! I´d bodyswerve that one myself. Open cheque book if you decide to proceed with a professional repair. Life is too short for stress and boy you will get it.

 

[Nanniemate]

If the dealer is saying it is too expensive to spend their time on , all be it they need to make a profit, what is the cost going to be if you need to pay someone without the benefit of having professional 'on hand'

I have heard it said, put another 10% on top of a 2nd hand van for unexpected repairs, so what would it be with the repairs you know about , you could ask the dealer for a quote to repair it , bet it will take it back to retail price if not more

Good luck with finding a suitable van

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[peterc10]

Who is the converter? Motorhomes have different methods of construction depending upon the converter. 17 years ago most relied upon structural timber which can rot, but some didn't. .

 

[Plumb]

Who is the converter? Motorhomes have different methods of construction depending upon the converter. 17 years ago most relied upon structural timber which can rot, but some didn't. .

Good point !

 

[PP Bear]

I’d walk away, the damp repairs could easily exceed the cost of the van, there’s just too many areas and goodness knows what more they’ll find once they started to strip it back.

Theres a very good reason that the dealer wants it off loaded, if it was an easy repair, they’d do it themselves. No, much better to walk away in my opinion.

Good luck with your choice, if you do proceed and then go for the repairs, then loads of photos please and keep us updated

 

[Plumb]

Yes it does make the nerves jangle when the damp report arrives! I have to say that I got rid of 2 of my previous motorhomes because of damp issues and they were new .

 

[fifthwheel]

Will the van be the same price when you have finished the repair as a dry one bought now? No one knows until its repaired. I would walk away unless its really cheap, VERY cheap.

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[The Wino]

I think a van sold on the basis of known damp could be a good buy for someone experienced in damp repairs and able to do the work themselves. If you're going to pay someone else to fix it I'd only buy after getting a quote from the repairer. It might be a 25% reduction in price but if the repairs cost 50,% it would be expensive!
Good luck on the motorhome search!

 

[stevewagner]

Given it’s 17 years old would you be able to source matching finishing materials? The main issue is finding where the damp/water is getting in. Water will always find the easiest route out but it might not be anywhere near where it’s getting in.

 

[misterbee]

I wouldn’t even consider it, it’s cheap for a reason, because it will be extremely expensive to repair and an ongoing problem. There are plenty of older vans around without damp don’t let the cheap price sway you, there will be no comeback once you buy. Walk away.

Thanks mate - yeah they knocking 6k off the price - tempting but as you say .........

 

[misterbee]

I’d walk away, the damp repairs could easily exceed the cost of the van, there’s just too many areas and goodness knows what more they’ll find once they started to strip it back.

Theres a very good reason that the dealer wants it off loaded, if it was an easy repair, they’d do it themselves. No, much better to walk away in my opinion.

Good luck with your choice, if you do proceed and then go for the repairs, then loads of photos please and keep us updated

They actually state that - "there could be more patches on close inspection"

 

[misterbee]

I’d walk away, the damp repairs could easily exceed the cost of the van, there’s just too many areas and goodness knows what more they’ll find once they started to strip it back.

Theres a very good reason that the dealer wants it off loaded, if it was an easy repair, they’d do it themselves. No, much better to walk away in my opinion.

Good luck with your choice, if you do proceed and then go for the repairs, then loads of photos please and keep us updated

Thanks - if it hasnt been sold i can access the damp report

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[misterbee]

If the dealer is saying it is too expensive to spend their time on , all be it they need to make a profit, what is the cost going to be if you need to pay someone without the benefit of having professional 'on hand'

I have heard it said, put another 10% on top of a 2nd hand van for unexpected repairs, so what would it be with the repairs you know about , you could ask the dealer for a quote to repair it , bet it will take it back to retail price if not more

Good luck with finding a suitable van

Good Point !

 

[misterbee]

If the dealer is saying it is too expensive to spend their time on , all be it they need to make a profit, what is the cost going to be if you need to pay someone without the benefit of having professional 'on hand'

I have heard it said, put another 10% on top of a 2nd hand van for unexpected repairs, so what would it be with the repairs you know about , you could ask the dealer for a quote to repair it , bet it will take it back to retail price if not more

Good luck with finding a suitable van

Cheers

 

[misterbee]

Who is the converter? Motorhomes have different methods of construction depending upon the converter. 17 years ago most relied upon structural timber which can rot, but some didn't. .

Swift Sundance Model

 

[peterc10]

Swift Sundance Model

Aaaahhh. Walk away, Swifts of that age were known for water ingress and rotting timbers.

 

[misterbee]

Aaaahhh. Walk away, Swifts of that age were known for water ingress and rotting timbers.

cheers mate !

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[busbuddy]

Swift Sundance Model

Do an internet search on that era of sundance to ascertain if it has the bad wood floor, some did some didnt....pics and descriptions are all available out on the web.
A bad one will need 2 feet of wood replacing down both sides of the van, also check the furniture laminate near the door and lower corners as damp will blow it so it's obvious if you look close.
I researched and looked at loads before I got my 03 suntor, I've seen the factory floor repair and various bodges but i found one without the wrong wood fitted that caused the problem

 

[Jamesh]

I don't know what model it is but they seem to go for £20 - 30k.

So I'd offer £15k and walk away if necessary.

If your handy you've got a good project if you want a turn key MH then it's not for you.