We have just collected our caravan after having its 2nd service,only to be told that they have found a '50%'damp reading on one of the side walls, we were devastated as the van is only 2 years old, there are no visible signs inside or out, or is there any damp smell which we would of perhaps expected, they are going to have it repaired under the warranty, but this means yet another trip to the dealer 60 miles away, has anybody else had similar problems on a caravan so new?
DAMP, on 2004 model!!
- Thread starter Fastcat
- Start date
Lorraine, is there any way you could get a second damp test done? Unfortunately the damp test is a crude method of detecting damp. Outside conditions such as rain, when conducting the test can throw the results way off. Just a small amount of moisture in the air is detrimental.
We had a similar occurrence a few months before Christmas, where a mobile mechanic had produced tests that showed we had damp in our 2004 van, exactly like yours. I know for a fact that he tested on a rainy day, so took the van into the main dealers (still under warranty) for them to look at. They couldn't find any damp at all. However, it's not impossible that you do indeed have a damp problem, so get it checked fast.
We had a similar occurrence a few months before Christmas, where a mobile mechanic had produced tests that showed we had damp in our 2004 van, exactly like yours. I know for a fact that he tested on a rainy day, so took the van into the main dealers (still under warranty) for them to look at. They couldn't find any damp at all. However, it's not impossible that you do indeed have a damp problem, so get it checked fast.
Hi Lorraine
On our last van - Avondale Rialto (purchased new) - we a serious damp problem within the first 3 months!! Cause was a poorly sealed window. This damp problem was repaired 3 times under warranty in a 3 year period. We got shut after 4 years as we had lost all faith in the van, despite the fact that we really loved it to live in - just the right layout and level of comfort!
Hope your problem soon sorts itself out.
John
On our last van - Avondale Rialto (purchased new) - we a serious damp problem within the first 3 months!! Cause was a poorly sealed window. This damp problem was repaired 3 times under warranty in a 3 year period. We got shut after 4 years as we had lost all faith in the van, despite the fact that we really loved it to live in - just the right layout and level of comfort!
Hope your problem soon sorts itself out.
John
I had damp within the first 3 years, water ingress was supposedly around the windows and was easily cured by re sealing.There were no apparent signs, the dealer told me.
I presume the dealer informed you too. I wonder whether a winter service suggests higher readings on their damp meter probes ?
I presume the dealer informed you too. I wonder whether a winter service suggests higher readings on their damp meter probes ?
My parents had damp in the back panel, which was found in their Lunar caravan, at their first service. ( About 4 years age). From what I can recall, it was sorted out under warranty, and had no problems since. However, with a 140 mile round trip, it certainly made me buy from a local dealer.
I have just done a complete front end rebuid on my six year old van and was disgusted to see how the leaks acured,and the same is in many new vans because like many caravanners we are attracted to look at other vans,so the next time you look at a new caravan,Open up the front windows as wide as you can and lift the window seals away from the body and look at the staples that go through the body and fixed into the window frame,Some of these staples go in so hard from the gun that they not only go through the bodywork as they intend,but they also split the body up to two inches or more,Damage done for water ingress witch takes years to come to light on the inside and by then its out of warrency,Last year i got told to leave a caravan i was looking at by a dealer as i had the windows wide open and found splits behind the seals of a two year old caravan,His response was i think you have seen enough of the van now,just close the door and leave,Hence my response was your reputation has changed any has it,Remember a damp tester doesnt always work,Godd luck,
Damian
Moderator
Lorraine, I too would get a second opinion on your damp readings.
Taking damp readings can be very problematic and the results are influenced by prevailing weather conditions, operator knowledge, or lack of, and allowing the van AND damp meter time to acclimatise before starting a reading regime.
It only needs a probe to hit a staple or part of a rubber seal to give very high readings, and with the curent levels of rain we have had, it would not surprise me to get higher than normal readings.
Taking damp readings can be very problematic and the results are influenced by prevailing weather conditions, operator knowledge, or lack of, and allowing the van AND damp meter time to acclimatise before starting a reading regime.
It only needs a probe to hit a staple or part of a rubber seal to give very high readings, and with the curent levels of rain we have had, it would not surprise me to get higher than normal readings.
Lorraine
It is going to be repaired under warranty....why get a second opinion.. there are plenty of people who have to fork out a fortune to get a repair done. I know it is an inconveniance
but put it down to an experiance and buy local next time.
TommyG
It is going to be repaired under warranty....why get a second opinion.. there are plenty of people who have to fork out a fortune to get a repair done. I know it is an inconveniance
but put it down to an experiance and buy local next time.
TommyG
There are a few reasons for requiring the second opinion, Tommy. The inconvenience of having your van repaired is one, even if it is local. Sometime these repairs can take some time, meaning the caravan could be off the road when you want to use it. Repairs can be faulty themselves and create even worse problems. If your van is sound in the first place, would you want anyone messing with it? Then there is the dealer, is he trying to drum up a little business in a slow period for his workshop? It may sound like you're being over cautious wanting a second, independent damp test but it could save a lot of hassle.
Many thanks for all your replys so far, it did actually cross our minds what Lol said about the dealer drumimg up business,we also see what you are saying TommyG, about getting it done anyway, but there is the inconvenience of having to take it back and fourth again, we are considering getting a second opinion, but is this a risk too big to take, its not something that can be ignored afterall, we wish we had thought about asking them to do a damp reading again in front of us, but we were so shocked it didn't occur to us until we got home.
Hi there,
We took delivery of our new van last February. At the first service this month we were advised that it had a 30% damp reading in the shower room. We were both devastated. Dealers have repaired the van now but I don't want it back. they have written off the service Charge (
We took delivery of our new van last February. At the first service this month we were advised that it had a 30% damp reading in the shower room. We were both devastated. Dealers have repaired the van now but I don't want it back. they have written off the service Charge (
Sorry to put a "dampener"on things, but these days I think a lot of manufacturers (not exclusive to caravans either)offer extended warantee as a way of side stepping clear production failures.
You see, if they offer full repair back to original spec FOC then in the eyes of the law they have acted reasonably.
Now as an engineer of 32 years with Tool making and prototype testing qualifications along with being a process technician (looking at right first time/repeatable process) I would iron out the build error, but often I would get over ruled as this cost's money and that comes off the bottom line.
Some would argue that repairs are also a cost, which is right. But they cost less per occassion and often can be swept under the carpet. But just try going to the board of directors and asking for
You see, if they offer full repair back to original spec FOC then in the eyes of the law they have acted reasonably.
Now as an engineer of 32 years with Tool making and prototype testing qualifications along with being a process technician (looking at right first time/repeatable process) I would iron out the build error, but often I would get over ruled as this cost's money and that comes off the bottom line.
Some would argue that repairs are also a cost, which is right. But they cost less per occassion and often can be swept under the carpet. But just try going to the board of directors and asking for
Hello Steve,
I concur with your most of your analysis, but I do take a slightly different view of the reasoning behind the manufacturers approach. I must point out that I am not connected with any caravan manufacture, though I did work for one of their major supplies and as such I have seen the working practices of the production lines.
It stems from the way that most of the large manufactures have traditionally built caravans, the bulk of the vans are built by a workforce who are paid on a piece work basis, and who generally only build vans for a few months of the year.
During the build season there is a mad flurry of activity, during which the manufacturers face many obstacles, and due to difficulties with getting supplies to the production line on time, quite a number of vans are missing some items when they reach the end of the production line.
The managers will not stop production lines because of shortages, as the work force would react badly, and quality is not managed again because of the volatility of the situation.
As for costs to repair manufacturing failures, It certainly is not cost effective to allow manufacturing faults through to the dealer. A costed job on the production line such as fitting a lamp may be
I concur with your most of your analysis, but I do take a slightly different view of the reasoning behind the manufacturers approach. I must point out that I am not connected with any caravan manufacture, though I did work for one of their major supplies and as such I have seen the working practices of the production lines.
It stems from the way that most of the large manufactures have traditionally built caravans, the bulk of the vans are built by a workforce who are paid on a piece work basis, and who generally only build vans for a few months of the year.
During the build season there is a mad flurry of activity, during which the manufacturers face many obstacles, and due to difficulties with getting supplies to the production line on time, quite a number of vans are missing some items when they reach the end of the production line.
The managers will not stop production lines because of shortages, as the work force would react badly, and quality is not managed again because of the volatility of the situation.
As for costs to repair manufacturing failures, It certainly is not cost effective to allow manufacturing faults through to the dealer. A costed job on the production line such as fitting a lamp may be
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