DAMP

[Baden87]

Hi
second year service from new 2019 Autotrail Apache 634 se , and damp discovered behind driver seat area
I have read a lot of similar stories, why can't resolve the reason why its a regular occurrence instead of fixing it when it crops up
its a scandal the just keep selling them kn owing they have a problem

 

[POH]

Had the same problem with our imala got rid sharpish as didn't want to keep having it fixed .

 

[tonka]

The issue of damp in that area has been going on for years.
When I had my Watertrail I was active on a few groups and read quite a few issues, even my 2012 Apache 700 had to have a new internal wall fitted in the dinette behind the driver. Some pictures I saw had no sealant underneath at the end of the floor. Comments were made about the alloy strip they use between the floor and side walls, making a cold area and hence condensation.
Good luck getting it sorted, mine had damp issues 6 out of the 7 years we owned it.
On the flip side I know many have no issues, maybe some who never admit it plus some who just cut their losses and move on to another brand.

 

[Mike123]

Must be one of the lucky ones to date, though the old knees are knocking every time the habitation check is done.

Also sure I read somewhere about other makes also having some issues…….

Edit - also not sure if when checks are done has an affect (i.e. in the middle of summer v autumn / winter), as this could impact the results ?

 

[Podney]

Good luck. Get rid.

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[Baden87]

I am going to get rid but what brand do I get
why o why do they get away with it with a known issue ?

 

[Blue Knight]

I am going to get rid but what brand do I get
why o why do they get away with it with a known issue ?

Choose your next layout and then see what brands cover it.........then check the Quality reputation and the payload etc.

 

[Baden87]

I would like same layout u shaped rear lounge, are the foreign vans any better guy’s if so which ones

 

[tonka]

I would like same layout u shaped rear lounge, are the foreign vans any better guy’s if so which ones

U lounge is quite a British thing, there are some contental vans with U lounge but you won't have as much choice.

 

[Blue Knight]

Two examples from the Frankia stables which may be of interest:

A Class I680 Plus: <Broken link removed>


C-Class A680 Plus: <Broken link removed>

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[irnbru]

I think its pot luck. Not just Autotrails that have problems behind drivers seat.

 

[599]

hi guys . we bought our last m/h autotrail Cheyenne 840d had her 10 years when we first had her we had a leak around rear window bad workmanship short of seal on the top . at the side where it meets the back fitter suck white seal metal strip off no seal at all both soon fixed .the fitter said if you can catch the leaks as soon as otherwise you don't know what the damage is hidden . some m/h builders are worse than others but one thing true we have not heard of one m/h make that has not had leak problems from time to time . val

 

[Baden87]

They should not be allowed to sell them before they identified the problems causing the damp issues and put that right , it seem like they are winging it , keep building them and hope people don’t identify the probleit must be a umbers thing

 

[Jackd]

They should not be allowed to sell them before they identified the problems causing the damp issues and put that right , it seem like they are winging it , keep building them and hope people don’t identify the probleit must be a umbers thing

Unfortunately, they and other Moho manufacturers (mainly in the U.K.) will carry on knocking them out until we, the customers, stop buying them. Not before.
I’m not having it, that in 2021, they can’t produce a product that isn’t 100% waterproof for a minimum of 10yrs if they put their minds to it. They don’t want to because it would eat into their vast profits.

We too found out the hard way, so bit the bullet and went for an Aluminium sideded, wood free German build.
Still a possibility, but hopefully much less chance.

 

[dash300]

If the likes of Swift and Autotrail et al where boat makers they would have sunk years ago along with their boats!

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[Baden87]

Like I said earlier my first and last new Autotrail , they having from the Rolls Royce of motorhomes to the bodge it and scarper
Manufacturers, I will never give them a penny more of my hard earned money
But who do I buy from now ? English or foreign?

 

[GMLS]

Sorry to hear of your problems. We had the slightly larger Scout and had water ingress every one of our 5 years of ownership, the last once requiring the van to go back to Autotrail themselves for months. We had the same problem behind the drivers seat 3 times. We love the rear lounge layout which as said is increasingly rare but after enjoying our Burstner for 3 years, we've just ordered the new Rapido 854f which might be worth a look if the slightly smaller size suits.

 

[Bernie P]

A lot of the problem is the "Get em out of the door" mentality of production. Things are crashed into place and faults fixed, if noticed, at the end allegedly! Deep down the problem is an ineffective quality system that runs from concept to delivery. Design out the problems, use the correct materials in the correct places and put it together properly. Putting an inspector at the end of the line doesn't fix things. I argued for years that you cant inspect things correct they have to be designed that way from the outset. (Yes I worked in Quality assurance in a different industry).

My previous van had 32 faults when we took delivery, most of which could be directly attributed to "System Failures" in the companies QA system (they have ISO 90001 accreditation). Being in that line of business I sent them my "findings". Give them their due they did phone me to discuss them but declined the offer from me to go a sit down with their QA team and exchange experiences - their loss.

One of the biggest areas of failure in all MH manufacturers is the warranty department don't feedback to design and production, so the latter carry on regardless.

 

[RM_Marine]

Two examples from the Frankia stables which may be of interest:

A Class I680 Plus: <Broken link removed>


C-Class A680 Plus: <Broken link removed>

Errr, there isn't even a stereo in the van on the c class

 

[599]

If the likes of Swift and Autotrail et al where boat makers they would have sunk years ago along with their boats!

hi guys one fact about swift & its why we bought a swift does not have a wooden frame . bill said its solid plastic frame think its called polycarbonate made from recycled plastic that's why they give you 10 water ingress. val

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[Alfie159]

Bürstner we went for given build technique and well Germans build with a view to the life of the product. Whilst I usually promote buying British wherever I can, I refused to consider a British built (wooden) van. TMHD near birmingham stockist and after sales top notch.