Bailey pursuit 2014-15

[riversong14]

Help and advise please. I noticed water coming in around the toilet base this year so got a company to service and survey .
He couldn’t tell me where the water was coming from, but the reading were in the nineties around the toilet at the back, and is extending into the middle by the central aspect of the fixed bed. The workshop in Devon gave me a quote of over £5000 (350 for materials and the rest in labour in anticipation of having g the van for 7 days.
I’m devastated as I love my van and never had any problems. I just don’t know what to do… there is no mould, no smell at all.. but around the toilet base you can now see the vinyl is darkening… please advice… thank you so much.

 

[Mel]

Sounds grim and very distressing. If they can’t say where the water is coming in, then my concern would be that your £5k won’t solve the ingress problem as water can track a long way from the ingress point. Suggest you shop around for a second opinion and more quotes. There is someone in your quarter of the country that our Forumite Dustydog was recommending. I will add it in an edit if I can find it.
mel

edit These people

Motorhome & Caravan Repairs in Highbridge, Somerset - MJ Lovell Caravans

MJ Lovell Caravans - Caravan & Motorhome Repairs in Highbridge, Somerset

www.mjlovellcaravans.co.uk

 

[Jcloughie]

Welcome to the forum.

My van was worse than that, came on very quickly. The offside was reading around 50 up to 2.5 feet in, also the nearside front. Floor only, walls all good. Bristol caravans re-bedded the horizontal rails, and some of the awning rails and removed and replaced a locker. All for around £1,300. A few months later, readings were still high.

I then sold the van due to ill health and took around about £3,000 hit. The new owners were fully informed. They have had more work done, (not sure why). But they love the van. They still have no smell of dampness.

In my opinion. If the manufacturer had fully bonded the lino, damp could not travel between it and the floor. Another example of poor build.

John

 

[otherclive]

Sorry to hear of your predicament. I Second Mel’s advice and Lovell have an excellent reputation. A friend of mine has his MH booked in for August with an estimate of £10k and like you no smell or other indication other than bubbling wall boards and damp meter readings.

 

[GaryB]

There is an often repeated issue with Bailey’s and damp around the toilet. I can’t give any more information as I cannot remember the cause but try searching for a Bailey specific forum if no-one else here can advise. As the others have said, get other quotes as it’s not uncommon to find high quotes from those that don’t want/need the work.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I agree with Mel, spending any amount on a repair, when the cause of the symptom is not rectified is throwing good money after bad.

Damp issues are one of the most distressing, becasue you can never know the full extent of the problem until the area is stripped out and the fault traced back to its source.

I'm not asking you to disclose the name of the company whom has quoted you, but a good repairer should ultimately be able to trace the source of the water and correct it.

 

[Dustydog]

Thanks Mel.
Yes . Sam Lovell at MJ Lovell is the real caravan body expert.
He‘s a 170 mile round trip for,me but worth it.
Make an appointment to take the caravan to him for,inspection.

Has the Bailey water ingress warranty expired.? Some had a 10 year ,some 6 year warranty.
An estimate of £5 k Labour is massive. Can you share the written description of works with us?
Has this problem manifested itself in the last 12 months. I assume you have the caravan serviced professionally every year?
A very sad day for anyone but hopefully it’s not all a dark cloud!

 

[Beachball]

Hi welcome to the forum
We also had a problem with one of our caravans we had water coming in near the toilet and found the cause was the cassette door had warp but i would have some more quotes . and good luck

 

[riversong14]

Sounds grim and very distressing. If they can’t say where the water is coming in, then my concern would be that your £5k won’t solve the ingress problem as water can track a long way from the ingress point. Suggest you shop around for a second opinion and more quotes. There is someone in your quarter of the country that our Forumite Dustydog was recommending. I will add it in an edit if I can find it.
mel

edit These people

Motorhome & Caravan Repairs in Highbridge, Somerset - MJ Lovell Caravans

MJ Lovell Caravans - Caravan & Motorhome Repairs in Highbridge, Somerset

www.mjlovellcaravans.co.uk

Thank you so much xx

 

[riversong14]

Thank you so much. Will give them a ring, although Somerset if about two hours from where the van is. Would they know anyone in Cornwall near Looe?

 

[Dustydog]

I’m loathe to recommend people I don’t know. You could speak to some guys in Redruth.They do bodywork but my only experience was their very helpful assistance with a broken toilet whilst on holiday.
Sadly you are in the same boat as me. Finding a decent caravan bodyshop is not easy .
The estimate you have , did it come from North or South Devon?