Hole in roof

[Surfchick565]

We have just purchased privately a caravan. Stupidly we didn’t check the roof. We have now discovered a hole which comes down from outside into the corner of the wardrobe.
The roof is fibreglass. I’ve never had anything remotely like this in years of caravanning.
Do I need a specialist to repair and could I try a car body shop?
Anyone got any idea on cost please?
Will a replay be noticeable?
It had just the previous week been fully serviced with a satisfactory damp report. We suspect a branch had since fallen from a tree and made the hole, just days before we arrived to purchase. Very unlucky.
Thank you.

 

[Mr Plodd]

First task is to cover the hole with Gaffer tape or similar to keep the water out.

Then seek out who your local bus or coach company use to repair their vehicles. No point in going to a car body shop, they have expertise in metal! Coach repairers have expertise in regards to GRP (and tend to be cheaper than car bodyshops)

Alternatively you could do the job yourself, it's not difficult if you are half handy. Plenty of advice on YouTube, and Halfords etc carry the parts and materials you will need. It's only a small hole, and it's out of the way so why not have a go yourself?

 

[Surfchick565]

First task is to cover the hole with Gaffer tape or similar to keep the water out.

Then seek out who your local bus or coach company use to repair their vehicles. No point in going to a car body shop, they have expertise in metal! Coach repairers have expertise in regards to GRP (and tend to be cheaper than car bodyshops)

Alternatively you could do the job yourself, it's not difficult if you are half handy. Plenty of advice on YouTube, and Halfords etc carry the parts and materials you will need. It's only a small hole, and it's out of the way so why not have a go yourself?

That’s very useful, thank you. I didn’t realise buses were also made of fibreglass!
I was worried if we did it ourself, it might look like a home job and put someone off buying it in the future. We finally got a van 4 years old after having a very old one for years. What do you think?

 

[Ferrodo]

As Mr Plod said, if you’re handy then it’s quite a straightforward job. It’s on the roof too so out of sight it not perfect.

 

[Buckman]

That’s very useful, thank you. I didn’t realise buses were also made of fibreglass!
I was worried if we did it ourself, it might look like a home job and put someone off buying it in the future. We finally got a van 4 years old after having a very old one for years. What do you think?

If the caravan is under 6 years old you can get the remainder of the 6 years damp warranty transferred into your name providing the caravan is up to date with annual servicing.

 

[Surfchick565]

If the caravan is under 6 years old you can get the remainder of the 6 years damp warranty transferred into your name providing the caravan is up to date with annual servicing.

Thank you. I’m not sure if it’s been correctly serviced. It’s a Knaus and came from the Isle of Wight where there is no Knaus dealer to complete the service.

 

[DaveA1]

Thank you. I’m not sure if it’s been correctly serviced. It’s a Knaus and came from the Isle of Wight where there is no Knaus dealer to complete the service.

You don't need to go to a Knaus dealer. A mobil caravan service engineer will service.

As for the repair, go for it, you'll be suprised how good it will look, It's on the roof you will have a little leeway.

I repaired mine after I reversed into a planter on my driveway.

 

[Jcloughie]

To do an amateur fibreglass repair which is permanent and watertight is not difficult and kits are readily available. To make it cosmetically good os a different matter. If not confident, try googling ‘fiberglass repairs near me’.

John

 

[Beehpee]

Because of where the hole is I would do an immediate quick cover with gaffer tape as suggested, then cover it yourself with a fibre glass kit, on the roof does not require perfect looking, stop leaks and don’t worry about it again.how many people would ever notice the repair.

BP

 

[Mr Plodd]

The OP didn't spot it !

 

[Surfchick565]

You don't need to go to a Knaus dealer. A mobil caravan service engineer will service.

As for the repair, go for it, you'll be suprised how good it will look, It's on the roof you will have a little leeway.

I repaired mine after I reversed into a planter on my driveway.

Ok thank you. Interesting, the Knaus dealer must’ve been lying, he said it would only be under warranty if it had been serviced by them!

 

[Jcloughie]

Ok thank you. Interesting, the Knaus dealer must’ve been lying, he said it would only be under warranty if it had been serviced by them!

Just look at your warranty T&C’s. It will tell you the criteria for who can service it and the timescale to preserve the warranty.



John

 

[DaveA1]

Ok thank you. Interesting, the Knaus dealer must’ve been lying, he said it would only be under warranty if it had been serviced by them!

I have a new 2023 Swift Elite and unless I have a warranty repair, all my servicing will be carried out by a mobile engineer.

I never suggested they were lying, Enough said!

 

[Buckman]

Ok thank you. Interesting, the Knaus dealer must’ve been lying, he said it would only be under warranty if it had been serviced by them!

Or their appointed agents which could include AWS or mobile technicians. However as you bought from a dealer you are covered by CRA 2015 for the first 6 years anyway, but after the first 6 months it is up to the consumer to prove that the fault was there from day one.

In the first 6 months you have the option to a repair, a replacement or a refund for any faults found on the caravan. This over rides any warranty offered with the caravan. The hole may have been there prior to purchase, but was not noticed due to it being on the roof. Does it look fresh or "old"?

 

[Milkfloat]

If the repair does not too great afterward you could always use it as a great spot for a cable entry for solar or a router antenna.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Buckman....

The OP clearly stated in their initial post that the caravan was purchased privately. So all of your comments regards CRA etc have no bearing on the issue at hand
(But do have a possible issue on warranty work)

 

[Buckman]

Buckman....

The OP clearly stated in their initial post that the caravan was purchased privately. So all of your comments regards CRA etc have no bearing on the issue at hand
(But do have a possible issue on warranty work)

In post #11 the OP mentions that the Knaus dealer may have been telling porkies which suggested that it was bought from a dealership?

 

[Surfchick565]

Or their appointed agents which could include AWS or mobile technicians. However as you bought from a dealer you are covered by CRA 2015 for the first 6 years anyway, but after the first 6 months it is up to the consumer to prove that the fault was there from day one.

In the first 6 months you have the option to a repair, a replacement or a refund for any faults found on the caravan. This over rides any warranty offered with the caravan. The hole may have been there prior to purchase, but was not noticed due to it being on the roof. Does it look fresh or "old"?

Thank you for your help. It does look new. I did buy privately but rang a dealer for advice about the warranty. I am sorry you got dragged in due to the confusion, it was confusing. I didn’t realise you had to read the entire thread prior to posting either, it’s definitely put me off this forum.

 

[Hutch]

Thank you for your help. It does look new. I did buy privately but rang a dealer for advice about the warranty. I am sorry you got dragged in due to the confusion, it was confusing. I didn’t realise you had to read the entire thread prior to posting either, it’s definitely put me off this forum.

It would be a shame for you to leave the Forum, after a while the thread normally meanders away from the Original posting,
People will put their, view in about a thread, which they thought was valid but might have been PoPoed earlier in a posting. . But it is of course your own choice good luck with your repair.

 

[Sam Vimes]

Folks please calm down.

Generally we're a pretty tolerant group here. Mistakes do get made but that's no excuse for getting into a finger pointing blame game.

Be aware of how your comments may be perceived when pointing out mistakes. Would you act the same way in a face to face discussion?

If bevahiour like this continues the Moderators can make suspensions and ultimately bans. This is not desirable because we all have valuable contributions to make.

We now run the risk of losing a member who came here for help.

 

[Mr Plodd]

OK folks

It appears I have put my foot in it here, so I am more than happy to publicly apologise to EVERYONE involved.

 

[Parksy]

Thank you for your help. It does look new. I did buy privately but rang a dealer for advice about the warranty. I am sorry you got dragged in due to the confusion, it was confusing. I didn’t realise you had to read the entire thread prior to posting either, it’s definitely put me off this forum.

Surferchick, none of that (which I've deleted) was your fault.
Nobody has to read entire threads, points of view are sometimes added according to the understanding of a thread at the time, and misunderstandings can arise at times.
It's a storm in a teacup, take no notice and please let us know how you get on with repairing the hole in the caravan roof.

 

[Buckman]

Thank you for your help. It does look new. I did buy privately but rang a dealer for advice about the warranty. I am sorry you got dragged in due to the confusion, it was confusing. I didn’t realise you had to read the entire thread prior to posting either, it’s definitely put me off this forum.

Hopefully you will get the issue resolved to your satisfaction and update us at some point what action you took as it may be beneficial to others. Take care.