damp floor

[baxtjhn@aol.com]

One of my neighbours has owned his present caravan for around 1 year.He is in his late sixties and does not keep great health.

He asked me to have a lok at his van as he had spotted some damp in one of the corners.

I am no expert but he knows that I also caravan.

The damp is in the offside rear under the seating right in the outer edge,the wood in rotten and still wet.

It has been repaired at some stage as a good section of the floor right up to the back and outside edge,it appears to have been well done but by the looks of things the rain is still getting in and starting to rot the new part. There is no damp above this area it all seems to be on the floor area.

I looked under the van and the floor is very wet in the same area

there is a small crack in the rail right at the bottom in this area.

My concern is that to repair the floor section would need to be removed but unsure how this could be done as this part of the floor is floating rather than sitting on a beam and I would presume the walls sit on the floor

It is an alko chassis and the van is about 12 yrs old and in excellent condition apart fron this problem

The chap cannot afford to let a dealer carry out the work and I am fairly handy at DIY fitted my own kitchen,central heating etc but realise this is a big job but don't wantn the guy to have to give up his caravanning.

Any help,advise and prayers would be very welcome,sorry for such a long post..

 

[rob_jax]

Hi John,

I don't envy you. But if you don't already own a copy, *** down to Halfords and either buy a copy of the Haynes Caravan Manual or just read chapter five on exterior body maintenance.

Then look on the Internet - several people have made up photo-stories of body repairs to caravans - and owners clubs for that caravan. Sorry, but the stories I have concern repairing 30 year old Eriba caravans, where skill with welding accident damaged tubular steel framing is required - rather than woodworking skills to replace rotten wood.

The walls do indeed sit on the floor - so you would need to replace a whole cross section (across the width of the caravan) to provide the necessary strength and support from the AL-KO chassis.

Also expect the leak to have been caused by a failure of the mastic seal further up the rail - and that all of the rail(s) will need to be re-sealed with mastic.

As you say - this is a big job and you'll need a covered workshop or car port for some considerable time - the winter is probably not the best time to be doing woodwork in the open air.

Robert

 

[baxtjhn@aol.com]

Rob_jax,

thanks for your reply,like you say not the best time of the year to do this and he does not have access to a covered area.

I thought as a temp measure he could invest in a good second hand caravan cover which could keep out the worst of the rain until he is able to start the work.

I am unsure if covers are any good in keeping out the rain,I have never used one myself but it would certainly give some breathing space if they did.

Any members have experience with covers and input would be welcome

regards john.b.