I'm currently looking for a van for my folks, just because I've been vanning for a around 3 years now and my parents have been out of it for 20 odd years they want me to choose and check over any van that I think will be suitable, I've found them a lovely van which seems to tick all the boxes, but it's had damp in the past, would this stop you from buying it or is it considered once treated then it's all ok?
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Damp
- Thread starter Mikey_74
- Start date
Hello Mike,
I 'd be very circumspect about a caravan with a history of damp. I certainly would not take the word of the seller that it has all been sorted, I would get an independent survey done, and only if it came back smelling of roses rather than mushrooms would I consider taking it any further.
If you are buying from a dealer see what sort of guarantee they offer against any return of damp.
It does of course depend on where and how much damp occurred before, but if you have doubts it's probably better to walk away.
I 'd be very circumspect about a caravan with a history of damp. I certainly would not take the word of the seller that it has all been sorted, I would get an independent survey done, and only if it came back smelling of roses rather than mushrooms would I consider taking it any further.
If you are buying from a dealer see what sort of guarantee they offer against any return of damp.
It does of course depend on where and how much damp occurred before, but if you have doubts it's probably better to walk away.
Hi Mike
It sounds like the seller has been honest if they have told you about the damp issue, as a caravan fitter myself, if the damp has been repaired and you can tell by the visual look, if it has been done correctly, then get a damp test done to confirm all is ok, if it is, then i would definatley consider it.
Pete
It sounds like the seller has been honest if they have told you about the damp issue, as a caravan fitter myself, if the damp has been repaired and you can tell by the visual look, if it has been done correctly, then get a damp test done to confirm all is ok, if it is, then i would definatley consider it.
Pete
I must admit, when my father bought his caravan (now passed on to me!) he was fairly nieve to caravan purchasing and it was riddled with damp both at the front and back. He spent weeks and weeks repairing it and as a decorater actaully repapered the whole caravan interior!. It was fine for him for the follwoing two years stood out in all conditions and has been leak and damp free for us since we got it early this year.
Like anything, if its been repaired properly its as good as it was new.
Like anything, if its been repaired properly its as good as it was new.
Parksy
Moderator
Is this caravan from a dealership or is it a private sale Mikey?
My mate recently part exchanged his Bailey Pageant series 5 for a new Olympus because the front abs panel on the old caravan had tiny cracks and it had started letting in water causing a very damp wallboard at the front corner.
The dealers removed the front panel of his old caravan and replaced the wallboard and any affected timber, replaced the cracked panel with a new one and it was impossible to tell that such an extensive repair had been carried out when we later went and had a look at it on the dealers forecourt.
Provided the seller guarantees any repairs at least you are aware of the history, there are many caravans for sale which have had damp repairs carried out but the buyer would never know anything about it.
My mate recently part exchanged his Bailey Pageant series 5 for a new Olympus because the front abs panel on the old caravan had tiny cracks and it had started letting in water causing a very damp wallboard at the front corner.
The dealers removed the front panel of his old caravan and replaced the wallboard and any affected timber, replaced the cracked panel with a new one and it was impossible to tell that such an extensive repair had been carried out when we later went and had a look at it on the dealers forecourt.
Provided the seller guarantees any repairs at least you are aware of the history, there are many caravans for sale which have had damp repairs carried out but the buyer would never know anything about it.
Thanks to all that have replied, the caravan seems honest enough by what we can see on the photos, it's being sold by I think a trader rather than priverate and he has 2 other vans, I think he sells from home rather than classing himself as a dealer, it's just over 1.5 hours from my parents house, rumour has it we maybe viewing the weekend, but as you all know, once cash has changed hands you've purchased somebody else's problems. Towsure do a damp meter for I think around £9 are these any good or would I be better just pressing my thumb around areas feeling for spongyness?
Hi Midsmikey
After damp problems in a couple of 'vans I bought a "Protim Mini" dampmeter which is the generally used in the trade. The meter cost over £100 but I had lost more than that in damp costs previously, including problems with my 'van at less than 2 years from new!!! That meter comes with a separate testing lead for getting into awkward corners and gives a percentage moisture reading on a coloured scale which indicates whether damp is a problem in a particular area. I test my 'van regularly in addition to its annual damp check when it is serviced (warranty requirement). You can google to find details and the lowest price.
However, prior to buying one I did hire one on a couple of occasions for about £15/day from a local tool hire company. It could well be worth your while doing that. I don't think the cheaper damp meters are much good.
Tread warily!!!
Tim
After damp problems in a couple of 'vans I bought a "Protim Mini" dampmeter which is the generally used in the trade. The meter cost over £100 but I had lost more than that in damp costs previously, including problems with my 'van at less than 2 years from new!!! That meter comes with a separate testing lead for getting into awkward corners and gives a percentage moisture reading on a coloured scale which indicates whether damp is a problem in a particular area. I test my 'van regularly in addition to its annual damp check when it is serviced (warranty requirement). You can google to find details and the lowest price.
However, prior to buying one I did hire one on a couple of occasions for about £15/day from a local tool hire company. It could well be worth your while doing that. I don't think the cheaper damp meters are much good.
Tread warily!!!
Tim
Parksy
Moderator
midsmikey said:
This puts a slightly different perspective on the caravan sale Mikey and there are some important points that you need to establish before your parents part with any cash.
If the sale is private you have virtually no protection under the terms of the sale of goods act and the caravan is 'sold as seen'.
If the vendor is a trader is he offering any guarantee on the caravan?
Is this 'trader' posing as a private vendor selling from home to avoid paying vat and the terms of the s.o.g.a?
I'd strongly advise you to check all paperwork with the caravan and look for a full dealer service history and details of exactly where the damp repair was carried out, was it a dealer or a diy job?
Is this previous damp problem reflected in the asking price of the caravan?
If you go ahead with the purchase ask the vendor about the service history and damp problem and if the vendor is a private individual don't fall for the old 'sold as seen' on the receipt trick.
Insist that the vendor writes down the true condition of the caravan, if they say that the caravan is bone dry get it in writing!
It might be worth asking if an independent inspection by a mobile service engineer can be carried out at shared cost before going ahead with the purchase. A damp meter can give misleading results to the untrained eye, why risk your parents money for the sake of a few quid for a professional inspection?
Being a mobile service engineer, i would strongly recommend not buying a cheap damp meter as they are not industry recognised and will give you a false reading, we have to use the protimeter damp tester, which retail at £140 and upwards depending which model you go for, but as stated in the previous threads these can be hired from any hire place, they will give you a demonstration on how they work and are very simple to use.
I would also recommend you try to get a mobile service engineer if you are serious in buying it, to check over the van as they will do checks on gas, electrics, 12v chassis, wheels, tyres delamination of floors and a damp test. If you decide not to get an engineer my advice would be to visually check everything ask to see appliances working, the biggest mistake is the tyres, which could be an expensive job to replace after you bought a van, people dont realise that the industry recommends them replaced after 5 years never more than 7 there is a date stamp on the sidewall of the tyre for example 427 which would translate to the 42nd week of the year 2007. Sorry if you already know this just dont like to see people ripped off, vans are expensive enough without having to put things right.
Hope this helps Pete
I would also recommend you try to get a mobile service engineer if you are serious in buying it, to check over the van as they will do checks on gas, electrics, 12v chassis, wheels, tyres delamination of floors and a damp test. If you decide not to get an engineer my advice would be to visually check everything ask to see appliances working, the biggest mistake is the tyres, which could be an expensive job to replace after you bought a van, people dont realise that the industry recommends them replaced after 5 years never more than 7 there is a date stamp on the sidewall of the tyre for example 427 which would translate to the 42nd week of the year 2007. Sorry if you already know this just dont like to see people ripped off, vans are expensive enough without having to put things right.
Hope this helps Pete
monkeymagic68 said:
If you have a date stamp of 427 I think you will find it actually relates to 42nd week 1997
If however it had a date stamp of 4207 then it would then represent a date stamp of 2007
Before 2000, the date code had three digits. Since 2000, it has had four. The first two digits are the week of the year (01 = the first week of January). The third digit (for tires made before 2000) is the year (1 = 1991). For most tires made after 2000, the third and fourth digits are the year (04 = 2004).
Martin
My appoligies your absolutley right i thought thats what i wrote
