Help request - Bailey Pageant 5 Monarch. Leaking

[David1962]

Hello - I hope this is the right board to post this on. I researched some previous threads but am missing my specific problem, if anyone has the expertise to advise it will be really appreciated!

I bought the caravan just before Covid and got to use it once and then it was stored. I have found earlier this year it is leaking water and I have had to replace the back window frames and boards, and the right-hand back portion of the wallboard that joins it. I think I have fixed the leak above the rear windows, but now think it also leaks from the top corner wall join too.
I am just diy level and this is my first caravan and I am worried how far to go?? Should I take off the side awning rail and refiit with a new roll of mastic?? and is this hard to do?

Any views gratefully accepted.

Regards, David.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello David,

And welcome to the forum.

I can't tell you how easy it is to do the work you've identified, but it seems the series 5 was originally sold in around 2005/2006, and that means it will be wooden frame with insulation panels inside and out. so it should be within the scope of a DIY'er.

However there are several things you need to check. One of the common problems with leaks in caravans, where you see the signs of the leak can often be quite a distance from the actual leak, and that means more of the structure can be affected than you might think, so be prepared. Any wood in the roof or walls that has been soaked might develop rot in the not to distant future, and if any shows any signs of rot it needs to be replaced with treated wood.

I hope yours has not gone too far.

 

[Beachball]

Hello David Welcome to the forum

 

[Gagakev]

Hi David welcome to the forum,

Take a look At this thread

It was one I did years ago and the pictures are not that good now as photobucket who hosted the photo's originally stopped it all, but hope it gives you an insight of where to take your van.

Also some say you cannot take off and re-use the awning rail as it will bend easily, I did!! Make sure you have someone to help you though and dont rush it.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi David,

The awning rails for your caravan are no longer available. To remove your original intact is virtually impossible . Even if you did , removing the old sealant will drive you mad. However all is not lost. Where the three front panels meet
is your focus. Ie the front panel, roof and side. Carefully pare back the old sealant , not all. Place masking tape on both sides of the cleaned area , with brake cleaner. Apply and smooth new sealant
Sikaflex or Soudal, then remove the tape.

 

[Gagakev]

Hi David,

The awning rails for your caravan are no longer available. To remove your original intact is virtually impossible . Even if you did , removing the old sealant will drive you mad. However all is not lost. Where the three front panels meet is your focus. Ie the front panel, roof and side. Carefully pare back the old sealant , not all. Place masking tape on both sides of the cleaned area , with brake cleaner. Apply and smooth new sealant
Sikaflex or Soudal, then remove the tape.

There you go David, our friend Dusty says "Virtually impossible"
It is possible............I did it 😝
BUT i will agree with him on the basis it will take ages to clean it off, and once done the satisfaction is the real reward.

 

[Damian]

The most common cause of the problems with Bailey caravans is the roofstrap.both front and rear.

It needs removing, cleaning both strap and van to remove all the old mastic and refitting with new mastic and new stainless steel screws.

It is quite unusual for Bailey awning rails to leak.

 

[Buckman]

Was the caravan bought privately or from a dealer. If from a dealer, the dealer is responsible for the repair.

 

[David1962]

Such helpful replies, thank you, everyone. I think I will try to reseal this year as I have spent a couple of weeks replacing the windows and back wall. Then keep an eye on it in case the reseal is not good and next spring take the bull by the horns and try to remove the rail and go the whole hog.

Thanks everyone, great advice David.

 

[David1962]

Was the caravan bought privately or from a dealer. If from a dealer, the dealer is responsible for the repair.

A dealer, but with covid etc and no use of it I didn't realise the leak until well past the warranty

 

[David1962]

Hi David,

The awning rails for your caravan are no longer available. To remove your original intact is virtually impossible . Even if you did , removing the old sealant will drive you mad. However all is not lost. Where the three front panels meet
is your focus. Ie the front panel, roof and side. Carefully pare back the old sealant , not all. Place masking tape on both sides of the cleaned area , with brake cleaner. Apply and smooth new sealant
Sikaflex or Soudal, then remove the tape.

Hi I will try to seal as I have done the internal repairs, and if not I will cautiously try to remove the rail next year. I have since read if you remove all the screws you can cut it away with a cheesewire? see you David

 

[Dustydog]

That is true but be aware the cleaning process is a very hard task . I have in my garage now a new Bailey roof strap for fitting next week. Having done one before I have invested in “ Whizzy wheel”. This will hopefully accelerate the removal of most of the old sealant.

 

[otherclive]

Dusty what’s a whizzy Wheel. It’s nit the Fiat 500 specialist in east anglia, nor the kids toy tractor? Dremel perhaps ?

 

[Dustydog]

See “www.whizzywheel.com”
It’s a specialist decal remover. But it removes all the old sealant without too much elbow grease. Takes 90 % of the cleaning up. You use it in your drill. Just be careful and gentle.

 

[ProfJohnL]

A dealer, but with covid etc and no use of it I didn't realise the leak until well past the warranty

Buckman is almost certainly thinking of the Consumer Rights Act which sets out some inalienable rights that retailers are required by law to follow.

These kick in automatically and cannot be limited by the manufactures or second hand warranty terms and conditions.

You might be wise to read up about them as they could conceivable help, but there are quite a few hoops to jump through and they are not there to provide either party with an unfair advantage.

The fact you have already started to make changes might weaken a CRA case.

The consumer association who publish the "Which "?" magazine do have some public pages on the how to make best use of your statutory rights.

Faulty goods Advice - Which?

If your goods are faulty, you can claim a repair of refund from the retailer. Use our step-by-step guides and template letters to complain about faulty goods.

www.which.co.uk

 

[Beachball]

See “www.whizzywheel.com”
It’s a specialist decal remover. But it removes all the old sealant without too much elbow grease. Takes 90 % of the cleaning up. You use it in your drill. Just be careful and gentle.

DD Looks a great item in the right hands me would not know

 

[Dustydog]

DD Looks a great item in the right hands me would not know

BB of course you could use it. It’s amazing! Got the nod from a chap on Bailey Caravan Owners web site

 

[Buckman]

A dealer, but with covid etc and no use of it I didn't realise the leak until well past the warranty

Forget warranty as you may be covered by Consumer Rights Act 2015. If bought within the past 6 months then it is the responsibility of the dealer to repair. If bought more than 6 months ago and within 6 years then it is up to the consumer to prove the fault existed at time of purchase.
However if one takes into consideration the following which is part and parcel of the CRA 2015 "Goods are of satisfactory quality if they reach the standard that a reasonable person would regard as satisfactory, taking into account the price and any description. Aspects of quality include fitness for purpose, freedom from minor defects, appearance and finish, durability and safety."
Obviously you paid a couple of grand for the caravan but it is not fit for purpose and taking into account price paid has not been durable. One way to look at it is that the fault was there at time of purchase and as a result to ended up with damp.

 

[Raywood]

As Buckman says the dealer is required to put a fault right if it comes to light in the first six months since purchase. It does sound from your earlier reply that this s not the case and therefore you have to prove the problem was there when you purchased the caravan. To do this you would need an independent examination which would probably require the area to be stripped back to see the extent of the problem which is probably impractical. My initial reaction is to go back to the dealer and see if they will do anything for you and take it from there. I am afraid it may be a big job and unless you are very handy you will probably find it needs a professional repair.
Did you receive a damp report when purchasing as that should have been provided to you by a good dealer. to show the caravan was sound?

 

[David1962]

As Buckman says the dealer is required to put a fault right if it comes to light in the first six months since purchase. It does sound from your earlier reply that this s not the case and therefore you have to prove the problem was there when you purchased the caravan. To do this you would need an independent examination which would probably require the area to be stripped back to see the extent of the problem which is probably impractical. My initial reaction is to go back to the dealer and see if they will do anything for you and take it from there. I am afraid it may be a big job and unless you are very handy you will probably find it needs a professional repair.
Did you receive a damp report when purchasing as that should have been provided to you by a good dealer. to show the caravan was sound?

Thank you both for the advice, I didn't know this! so good for the future. I don't think I can do this now as I have already stripped out 2walls, the aftersales were awful, and just yesterday I was passing and see they have ceased trading. I was a naive customer, and I don't have much money to waste but it only cost 5k - a lot to me, but not much in context to how much they can cost. If I can fix it myself and get 5 yrs or so out of it I will feel okay about it.
See you David.