Thought van conversions weren't supposed to leak... (1 Viewer)

[mikebeaches]

So our Rapido V68 pvc - which we've had from new - celebrated its 5th birthday last month.

During last winter we thought we'd got a condensation issue, with damp at the foot of one of the beds. Although somewhat puzzled, we didn't think too much about it other than improving ventilation by cracking a few windows slightly ajar on the night ventilation catches. There was no sign above that I could see of water ingress. The van had been stored indoors the previous couple of winters, in Spain.

I've been out of action for a while following a knee operation, but after last week's rain found it damp in the same place again!! Surely not overnight condensation at this time of year?

Anyway, to cut a long story short - I suddenly thought about the roof-lights, even though non of them are anywhere near the damp patch at the foot of the bed.

Discovered the rear one - about 6-7 feet from where the damp was evident - the seal between the fitting and the bodywork had failed... doh! Water had obviously tracked across unseen inside the roof.

I couldn't quite reach it from the steps and really didn't fancy climbing on the roof. So just before close of business on Friday afternoon, called our local bodyshop, less than a couple of miles away. Briefly explained the issue to the receptionist and she said bring it in Monday morning and we'll take a look. Which I did and the boss said, we're busy but if you can leave it with us we'll see what we can do. (They've got quite a big workshop, with a gantry they can work off)

Phone call next morning - done. And I reckon they did a pretty neat job - much smarter than the original sealing by Rapido...

BEFORE

AFTER

The company is SCUFFS of Nailsea - they've done a few handy jobs on the van for me (fitted new electric step last summer) and they are always responsive, quick and good at what they do. In my opinion, reasonable prices too. Anybody in the Bristol area, might be worth keeping them in mind. Obviously, they're particularly convenient for us.

Car body repair | Scuffs

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Caravans and motor homes | Scuffs

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[funflair]

I would get the other one done as well

 

[mikebeaches]

I would get the other one done as well

Actually, I've been thinking the same...

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[CazPaul]

Did they remove the roof light totally and clean up everything then re-seal?

 

[Northernraider]

Personally as a rule I'd reseal all skylights on the roof every five years if i had a van that long . The sealant dries up and shrinks around them . Prevention rather than cure

 

[Bolti]

We too have a Rapido, a V43 and the roof seals are a known fault. Rapido have had a recall on them. We had already resealed ours before we heard of the recall.
The central rooflight over the lounge leaked, the water tracked across and got into the control panel sending it dolally. Fortunately when it dried out it was ok, make sure you get all of the rooflights resealed.

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[tonyidle]

Personally as a rule I'd reseal all skylights on the roof every five years if i had a van that long . The sealant dries up and shrinks around them . Prevention rather than cure

Not butyl. I've taken original sealant off a 5 years old van and if the exposed edges hadn't been filthy it could have been re-used.

 

[Northernraider]

Not butyl. I've taken original sealant off a 5 years old van and if the exposed edges hadn't been filthy it could have been re-used.

Id still do them anyway as no idea when i buy a van whats been used previously. Water can do lots of damage.

 

[tonyidle]

Id still do them anyway as no idea when i buy a van whats been used previously. Water can do lots of damage.

Tell you what's worse: a supposedly high-end A class where the hole for the Heki rooflight was cut with square corners and the rooflight outer frame (and supplied cutting template) has rounded corners. The frame overlap at the corners was less than 10mm. Guess where it leaked? If the van had been in open storage it could have been wrecked - as it was I spotted it almost immediately. I had to Sika a stainless frame of the correct shape with decent overlap before refitting the rooflight with butyl.

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[dunnah01]

The roof ridges in PVCs make great gutters for collecting water - then some ambitious types block them with rooflights and solar panels etc. Tsch!

 

[mikebeaches]

We too have a Rapido, a V43 and the roof seals are a known fault. Rapido have had a recall on them. We had already resealed ours before we heard of the recall.
The central rooflight over the lounge leaked, the water tracked across and got into the control panel sending it dolally. Fortunately when it dried out it was ok, make sure you get all of the rooflights resealed.

Interesting, I wasn't aware it was a known Rapido pvc issue! Thanks for the info. Good advice about the other two roof lights.

Glad you managed to sort yours, and saved the control panel.

 

[gus-lopez]

Actually, I've been thinking the same...

+2

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[Off da Grid]

The ridged roof on ours grows some nice red algae sometimes.
After a good downpour and a corner or quick brake the windscreen gets a good wash.

 

[mikebeaches]

We too have a Rapido, a V43 and the roof seals are a known fault. Rapido have had a recall on them. We had already resealed ours before we heard of the recall.
The central rooflight over the lounge leaked, the water tracked across and got into the control panel sending it dolally. Fortunately when it dried out it was ok, make sure you get all of the rooflights resealed.

By the way - do you mind me asking how old your Rapido V43 is?

Wondering if it's a similar age to mine - 2016?

 

[Bolti]

By the way - do you mind me asking how old your Rapido V43 is?

Wondering if it's a similar age to mine - 2016?

2018, keep an eye on the Rapido owners group on Facebook useful info pops up on there from time to time.

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[mikebeaches]

2018, keep an eye on the Rapido owners group on Facebook useful info pops up on there from time to time.

Thanks for that - gosh 2 years newer than ours!

Yes, I signed up to the Rapido owners Facebook group some time ago, but rarely look in - I should be a bit more focused.

Think I should definitely get the other two roof-lights re-sealed.

Appreciate your help and info.

 

[Bucket]

Thanks for sharing 'Scuffs' with us. I had to remove and reseal our Heki a few weeks ago having suffered a worsening leak for some time and paying so-called specialists a lot of money for an ineffectual fix.
I'm pleased and proud of the result (no more leaks - yay) but will keep Scuffs in mind for any future issues being local.