Awning rail water ingress.

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Slowtow

Jul 29, 2022
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Hi all, may I ask please re. Coachman 560, can water get in through the awning rail?
I'm assuming the rail is screwed on the side of the paneling? What it is; I've noticed water dribbling out of the bottom of the off side front window rubber seal on the inside.
When I last washed the 'van down I did use the hose adaptor to quirt a jet of water down the awning rail to flush out all the junk.
Other than that I have carefully looked up above and down and cannot see where any rain water could be getting in.
The engineer says it may be the window frame itself leaking where the fixing screws may of rusted away?
Not heard that one before?
Anyway chaps and chapesses, any suggestions will be gratefully received.
Ta ta for now.
Kind regards. ST.
 
L

LateGuitarist

Jun 4, 2024
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I have just noticed your post while checking for replies to mine, having recently had similar problems. I am not familiar with your Van but looking at a picture I have noticed that the front panel seems to extend a good way over (above) the window in question? Might be worth checking it for any signs of cracks in it, a problem I have just been made painfully aware of. If not, check the underneath of the hinge and the hinge area including the fixing screws for rust or the bar coming away from the body or signs of damage. I would recommend getting the rubber off and checking for rot behind it ASAP!
 
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LateGuitarist

Jun 4, 2024
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Forgot to say, you can ease the inner side of the rubber away to check underneath it, as it is usually only stuck down om the outer side. If there is serious rot the staples that it will be fixed with just pull out easily.
 
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Slowtow

Jul 29, 2022
63
16
1,585
LateGuitarist said:
I have just noticed your post while checking for replies to mine, having recently had similar problems. I am not familiar with your Van but looking at a picture I have noticed that the front panel seems to extend a good way over (above) the window in question? Might be worth checking it for any signs of cracks in it, a problem I have just been made painfully aware of. If not, check the underneath of the hinge and the hinge area including the fixing screws for rust or the bar coming away from the body or signs of damage. I would recommend getting the rubber off and checking for rot behind it ASAP!
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I'm meeting the engineer next week so hopefully he'll be able to spot where water is getting in. I was wondering if it was anything to do with when I flushed out dirt from the awning rail using the hose adaptor. Anyway I should know more soon and report the findings back on here. Thanks. ST.
LateGuitarist said:
Forgot to say, you can ease the inner side of the rubber away to check underneath it, as it is usually only stuck down om the outer side. If there is serious rot the staples that it will be fixed with just pull out easily.
Click to expand...
Yes I've done that both inside and out.
When I first noticed it one morning we were away on a site. It had rained heavily the previous night but for the life of me when I took a close look outside I could not envisage where water could be getting in. The 'van is being serviced next week with a full damp report, so we'll see.
I could really go off this caravan lark I must say!! ST.
 
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Hutch

Hutch

Nov 16, 2015
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I will be interested to know what your tech finds out, as I have a 560. Just serviced last month nothing higher than 15%, but always watching for leaks.
 
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LateGuitarist

Jun 4, 2024
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Slowtow said:
I'm meeting the engineer next week so hopefully he'll be able to spot where water is getting in. I was wondering if it was anything to do with when I flushed out dirt from the awning rail using the hose adaptor. Anyway I should know more soon and report the findings back on here. Thanks. ST.

Yes I've done that both inside and out.
When I first noticed it one morning we were away on a site. It had rained heavily the previous night but for the life of me when I took a close look outside I could not envisage where water could be getting in. The 'van is being serviced next week with a full damp report, so we'll see.
I could really go off this caravan lark I must say!! ST.
Click to expand...
I don't think you would be on your own. I love the actual caravanning life to bits, but the trials of actually owning one is not easy at times. I had hoped that buying a "modern" one would see me through at least 10 years but sadly mine has failed me just short of 5. Elddis make a wonderful video telling us all about their new construction technology and then screw ABS panels on probably without pilot drilling them or overtightening screws so they crack - this is after decades of experience! Then I find the dealer I bought it from has gone bust, which is no surprise they were hopeless. It makes you wish the Japanese would start making them.
 
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LateGuitarist

Jun 4, 2024
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Hutch said:
I will be interested to know what your tech finds out, as I have a 560. Just serviced last month nothing higher than 15%, but always watching for leaks.
Click to expand...
Think I'm going invest in a decent damp meter and test mine weekly now! what is an acceptable figure I assume the damn things are never completely dry:(
 
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toad a caravan

Sep 23, 2023
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Things these days seem to be profit orientated also when one manufacture buys another out quantity and profits rather quality seems the norm.I often wonder what is the expected life of a modern day caravan and how soon can you expect faults appearing before they alter the structural integrity
 
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otherclive

otherclive

Nov 11, 2009
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I had one of these and monitored every three months in the same areas that the AWS technician measured at the annual service. Like Hutch it q was quite close to the readings taken by tge AWS technician, so when I measured I was looking for trends. Is it going up, or down. You get variation with weather and in times when you might have been away in winter with wet weather. This was mine after two torrential weeks in Yorkshire with dogs as well.
Here’s my meter too.


6A853EA1-F8A1-481B-9C76-4B3A95BC4229_1_105_c.jpeg6A853EA1-F8A1-481B-9C76-4B3A95BC4229_1_105_c.jpeg
 
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LateGuitarist

Jun 4, 2024
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otherclive said:
I had one of these and monitored every three months in the same areas that the AWS technician measured at the annual service. Like Hutch it q was quite close to the readings taken by tge AWS technician, so when I measured I was looking for trends. Is it going up, or down. You get variation with weather and in times when you might have been away in winter with wet weather. This was mine after two torrential weeks in Yorkshire with dogs as well.
Here’s my meter too.


View attachment 6921View attachment 6921
Click to expand...
Mmm very useful thanks a lot for this! Definitely going to get one and do regular tests, now the Van is obviously "old" at 5 years by UK manufacturing standards. Not what I was anticipating but probably best, along with a very careful examination of the end panels for cracks.
 
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borderbilly

borderbilly

Feb 13, 2024
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otherclive said:
I had one of these and monitored every three months in the same areas that the AWS technician measured at the annual service. Like Hutch it q was quite close to the readings taken by tge AWS technician, so when I measured I was looking for trends. Is it going up, or down. You get variation with weather and in times when you might have been away in winter with wet weather. This was mine after two torrential weeks in Yorkshire with dogs as well.
Here’s my meter too.


View attachment 6921View attachment 6921
Click to expand...
Can you tell me how you use the meter? I have 2 similar to that 1 that I use for my logs. I mean the meter has prongs/spikes on it, how do you measure the caravan without leaving holes ? Thanks.
 
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Sam Vimes

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Sep 7, 2020
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I have one of those as well but only for the logs. Wouldn't like to stick it into the walls of my van though.
 
otherclive

otherclive

Nov 11, 2009
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borderbilly said:
Can you tell me how you use the meter? I have 2 similar to that 1 that I use for my logs. I mean the meter has prongs/spikes on it, how do you measure the caravan without leaving holes ? Thanks.
Click to expand...
It does leave very tiny holes so you monitor in areas not visually sensitive. Around windows doors and lockers I’d gently lift robber seals so holes would not be seen.
 
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Hutch

Hutch

Nov 16, 2015
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I have the same tester, and it leaves minute holes that close up quite quickly, you only use it where it cannot be seen. Under seals etc.
After 8 years mine has given up, guess what, Damp got into it, 🥴
 
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