Help!!?? Rotten Motorhome (1 Viewer)

Nov 18, 2011
11,856
42,474
Planet Earth
Funster No
18,938
MH
A van
Exp
Over 25 year's
I fixed one two years ago don't think I would do another one but it's still going strog and no leeks can't find the thread but it might help sum
And don't rip it out in one go repare I bit at a time one meter sections at a time
Bill
 
Feb 9, 2008
8,924
18,663
Corby, Northants
Funster No
1,455
MH
Coach Built
Exp
Since 2007
This is a bit of a wild shot but did he provide a Habitation check document when you bought the motorhome ? Was the damp only visible after you removed the roof or could you see it before moving any of the exterior panels. He/she may argue it was sold as seen and the damp was clearly visible although the true extent unknown. I'm clearly clutching at straws here but just trying to get my head round why it was sold in this condition without you being aware of the damp until after the point of sale.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Feb 16, 2013
19,505
51,185
uttoxeter
Funster No
24,713
MH
ambulance conversion
Exp
50 years
This is a bit of a wild shot but did he provide a Habitation check document when you bought the motorhome ? Was the damp only visible after you removed the roof or could you see it before moving any of the exterior panels. He/she may argue it was sold as seen and the damp was clearly visible although the true extent unknown. I'm clearly clutching at straws here but just trying to get my head round why it was sold in this condition without you being aware of the damp until after the point of sale.
i thought this as well, without some sort of photo or something we cant really tell, one persons nice condition might be totaly un live in by another, and if nothing was actually showing what made the op start pulling down the ceiling
 
Feb 16, 2013
19,505
51,185
uttoxeter
Funster No
24,713
MH
ambulance conversion
Exp
50 years
sorry just read the op again and see it was raining in, but still if its as bad as claimed something should have been there to see.
 
Feb 9, 2008
8,924
18,663
Corby, Northants
Funster No
1,455
MH
Coach Built
Exp
Since 2007
i thought this as well, without some sort of photo or something we cant really tell, one persons nice condition might be totaly un live in by another, and if nothing was actually showing what made the op start pulling down the ceiling
Looking at the initial post again the OP did say he noticed the roof leaking after a bout of heavy rain which may explain why he missed it before hand. Even so, I would have thought there would be evidence of a leaking roof from the inside of the motorhome, visually and by the old smell test.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Feb 16, 2013
19,505
51,185
uttoxeter
Funster No
24,713
MH
ambulance conversion
Exp
50 years
no sign of a value but just done a quick google and see this model is around 15 years old so very dubious if its worth a lot of repairing, could be one thing after another, its before they were galvanised so the chassis needs a good look at, id go for getting what you can off the seller and get rid and put it down to experiance, i know it sounds hard but we have seen these things to often before.
 
Apr 13, 2012
5,502
18,588
Funster No
20,541
MH
Mobilvetta Euroyacht
Exp
1996, then break 'til 2011
Repairing the van is not impossible but unless you bought it very cheaply - half price, not something you should have to do.

I'd be looking to return it - you bought a motorhome not a project

Contact the seller to see what reaction you get before taking legal action....

Good luck

(y)
 

TheBig1

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 27, 2011
17,509
42,755
Dorset
Funster No
19,048
MH
A class
Exp
many many years! since I was a kid
It is all of course repairable but needs time and patience. I can offer advice and technical support as you progress with the repair. Have carried out a fair few repairs like this over the years
There will be tears and frustration as you begin the process, but if you have good basic skills, there is no reason for a bad outcome

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
T

Taffymat

Free Member
Jun 17, 2019
23
75
Funster No
61,699
MH
C Class
Bart, unfortunately, I already know it's gonna be a massive job..:(

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

TheBig1

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 27, 2011
17,509
42,755
Dorset
Funster No
19,048
MH
A class
Exp
many many years! since I was a kid
The aluminium roof skin is a concern
The ally corrodes and produces hundreds, if not thousands, of tiny pinholes.
that can be fixed with a coat of tanking paint as used on swimming pools etc
 

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,203
48,797
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
that can be fixed with a coat of tanking paint as used on swimming pools etc
Can't see that being flexible.
The roof skin isn't bonded and will expand and contract.
I would think a proper rubberoid RV roof paint would be more suitable.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Happy1

Free Member
Jan 30, 2017
516
220
Wales
Funster No
47,121
MH
Rapido A class
Exp
12 years
As mentioned in a previous reply have you got legal cover with your house insurance?
Or Motorhome insurance, union membership, etc. They all sometimes come with it as a free bolt on, and you get £50k of “free” advice to fight your case.
 

TheBig1

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 27, 2011
17,509
42,755
Dorset
Funster No
19,048
MH
A class
Exp
many many years! since I was a kid
Can't see that being flexible.
The roof skin isn't bonded and will expand and contract.
I would think a proper rubberoid RV roof paint would be more suitable.
The tanking paint is flexible and contains strands of rubber. It is the same thing as RV rubberoid paint at a fraction of the cost. Similar again to truck bed liner paint as used to repair cracked shower trays, exactly the same product
 
OP
OP
T

Taffymat

Free Member
Jun 17, 2019
23
75
Funster No
61,699
MH
C Class
Thanks... I'll check my policy in a bit. I don't remember adding it on though.

If I do end up replacing these timbers myself. Can I ask a few questions?

What adhesive do I use to bond the timber to the FRP siding?

If I need to replace some polystyrene areas, what adhesive would I use for bonding Celotex to the siding?

Once all the framework and insulation is repaired, what adhesive is used to bond the interior panel to the celotex and timbers?

Thanks, hope you guys don't mind all the questions.

Cheers
Matt

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

TheBig1

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 27, 2011
17,509
42,755
Dorset
Funster No
19,048
MH
A class
Exp
many many years! since I was a kid
sikaflex will bond timber to ali and celotex but can effect some polystyrene
 
Oct 8, 2016
236
317
Herts
Funster No
45,490
MH
Auto Trail Cheyenne 696SE
Exp
Newbie
Thanks... I'll check my policy in a bit. I don't remember adding it on though.

If I do end up replacing these timbers myself. Can I ask a few questions?

What adhesive do I use to bond the timber to the FRP siding?

If I need to replace some polystyrene areas, what adhesive would I use for bonding Celotex to the siding?

Once all the framework and insulation is repaired, what adhesive is used to bond the interior panel to the celotex and timbers?

Thanks, hope you guys don't mind all the questions.

Cheers
Matt

Hi Matt,

Please check out my thread ‘My DIY damp repair’ it should answer a lot of your questions.

Naturally you will feel desperate and helpless. I did too. Mostly everything is repairable. It’s the not knowing how part that drives you around the bend. With time, patience and some half decent diy skills you’ll be able to rescue your MH.

The Big1 is a good resource and a very helpful guy.

To answer your questions:
I used Sikaflex 512 to bond replacement timber to aluminium outer skin
Use the same stuff to bind the replacement polystyrene too.
I preferred to use wallboard adhesive to bond the plywood wallboard to the polystyrene and wood battens rather than Sikaflex

Any questions then just ask. Lots of people here ready to help.
 
OP
OP
T

Taffymat

Free Member
Jun 17, 2019
23
75
Funster No
61,699
MH
C Class
sikaflex will bond timber to ali and celotex but can effect some polystyrene
Sikaflex in tubes?
Does the bond need to be more complete than a few beads or dabs of adhesive? As it is a sandwich board?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Ivory55

Free Member
May 23, 2012
6,017
14,534
North West Norfolk
Funster No
21,175
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
Since Feb 2012
You could always stick thin sheet aluminium on top of what’s there, it comes rolled up so glue and roll it out.
 

TheBig1

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 27, 2011
17,509
42,755
Dorset
Funster No
19,048
MH
A class
Exp
many many years! since I was a kid
Sikaflex in tubes?
Does the bond need to be more complete than a few beads or dabs of adhesive? As it is a sandwich board?
yes in tubes, you will get through a fair bit. it needs more than a few dabs as it forms part of the structural strength. be aware, it goes off fast
 
OP
OP
T

Taffymat

Free Member
Jun 17, 2019
23
75
Funster No
61,699
MH
C Class
Hi Matt,

Please check out my thread ‘My DIY damp repair’ it should answer a lot of your questions.

Naturally you will feel desperate and helpless. I did too. Mostly everything is repairable. It’s the not knowing how part that drives you around the bend. With time, patience and some half decent diy skills you’ll be able to rescue your MH.

The Big1 is a good resource and a very helpful guy.

To answer your questions:
I used Sikaflex 512 to bond replacement timber to aluminium outer skin
Use the same stuff to bind the replacement polystyrene too.
I preferred to use wallboard adhesive to bond the plywood wallboard to the


Thanks... wallboard adhesive sounds more like what I was thinking. Is this a specialist product? Or general building material?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
T

Taffymat

Free Member
Jun 17, 2019
23
75
Funster No
61,699
MH
C Class
Sikaflex 512 for timbers.

Potentially 512 or wallboard adhesive for boarding.. great, thanks
 

Neckender

Free Member
Oct 15, 2007
3,221
5,921
Neckend or North Wales.
Funster No
635
MH
VW T6.1Kombi day Van
Exp
Since 2004
Here you are Taffymat The krakens thread.

John.

 

TheBig1

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 27, 2011
17,509
42,755
Dorset
Funster No
19,048
MH
A class
Exp
many many years! since I was a kid
Sikaflex 512 for timbers.

Potentially 512 or wallboard adhesive for boarding.. great, thanks
you do need to use 2 part wall board adhesive for the inner skin. available from magnums or o'learys

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

GPW

Free Member
Feb 23, 2019
606
877
Cambridge UK
Funster No
58,720
MH
Globescout Plus
Exp
Slight to minor!
the roof leaks badly, and has completely rotted out the roof ( sandwich ply-polystyrene-paper face ply).
:
The tops of some of the sidewalls have also rotted out, the facing ply and the timbers behind.

As it was stored in a barn it's possible the person didn't know or forgot it was a leaker. This rot however doesn't fit the descrbed condition of 'nice condition' in any way, shape or form and should not be your problem.

The courts don't like it if you have made no attempt to redress issues so you need to contact the seller and politely point out that the top and sides of the van and rotten, and that you'd like your money back please.

The fact you have had to inspect the damage by cutting the interior is IMO irrelevant because it's already rotten, and any remedial work needs the damage to be assessed.

Good luck, but also you need to stop 'owning' this problem and politely and firmly reject it as 'not as advertised', because no judge in the land is going to describe a van rotten on the top and sides as 'nice condition'. If you need to go to small claims BTW it's pretty quick, cheap and easy these days, but first of all try being polite, notify them of the problems and ask for your money back.

Essentially you bought it on the basis of it being in 'nice condition', but it isn't.
 
OP
OP
T

Taffymat

Free Member
Jun 17, 2019
23
75
Funster No
61,699
MH
C Class
Yes... the aluminium roof is corroded into small holes. There is at least one large hole approx 2" diameter in the aluminium.

A previous repair by somebody was to rivet large sheets of checker plate on top to seal the roof. They did a poor job, and it leaks like a sieve. I was planning on replacing the aluminium roof sheeting, I'm a lot more comfy working with metal than wood.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top