Is this acceptable?

[AndyR1]

Hi All,

As some of you may be aware we have over the last 3 years or so had numerous problems with leaking windows. The result of which we ended up with a replacement caravan.

I have started a new topic with this as the inotial problem seems to have been solved. We do however have a continuing issue with the water tightness of our side windows.

My question is does anybody else suffer from water getting between the acrylic windows and the rubber seals?

We have had all the side window rubbers replaced and refitted to Polyplastics latest recommended fitting instructions by Swift at their factory (this was after we had suffered water collecting on the window frame and entering the van). All looked OK till the next lot of persistant rain (not windy). When I went to check the seals there was water evident between the acrylic and the rubber. I was not happy!

Miriad (Polyplastics UK distributer) claim that this is perfectly acceptable and not to worry. What are your thoughts? My view is the window seal should be water tight against all normal weather conditions that we experience.

Cheers

Andy

 

[Carafan365]

If you are getting continual water gathering on the window it would suggest that the rubber is not sealed properly. The rubber would need to be split to remove all water and then re-sealed. I would suggest taking it along to a reputable dealer who should be able to solve the problem for you.

 

[AndyR1]

Hi Chris,

Sorry in the delay in replying.

We have suffered this problem on two caravans and have recently had the replacement caravan sent back to Swift for them to fit new seals to Polyplastics new recommendations. These new recommendations are to fit the seals so the two ends are located at the bottom of the frame directly underneath one of the window catches. The ends are no longer glued and the two bottom corners have holes punched in the "bubble" part of the seal to allow drainage. Miriads engineer has been out to see our caravan in storage and has cleaned all the seals again and removed small traces of dirt and mastic from their surfaces. After his inspection he stated that all seals had been fitted correctly but that some of the dirt and mastic could have been preventing the seals from sitting properly. He left me with some Thetford silicon spray lubricant which they recommend you use now and again on the seals to keep them clean and aid the sealing.

So to get back to your reply I don't think there is much more any dealer or engineer could do to these seals to improve their weather tightness. I truly believe they are not fit for purpose.

Andy

 

[RayS]

It has always seem strange to me that seals are fitted with the join at the centre bottom of the window, where any mismatch or failure to stick correctly is likely to lead to water seeping through into the timber window surround.

Having fitted new seals to one 'van in the past, i can see it is very much easier to fit this way than with the joint centre top, but why do makers choose what has to be the worst possible point for the join ? (or am I missing something ?)

 

[Dave_374330759]

I know it seems a bit perverse to fit the seals with the join at the bottom, but if its fitted with the join at the top any water that gets in can then migrate all the way round the seal and do more damage.

I can't understand why some people seem to get water into their vans via the window seals, we've never had a problem with any of our vans even when the window has been left in the vent position and it's been chucking it down and blowing a hooly as well. Are you sure that it's not condensation - we do get that occaisionally if we close all the windows tight and it's really cold outside especially close to where we're sleeping - so we leave the windows on vent and snuggle under the duvet.

 

[AndyR1]

Hi Dave,

I can't understand it either, but I can assure you it wasn't condensation as the caravan was in storage last time we had the leak. When you open the window you can see where the water has been tracking down the join between the seal and the iside face of the acrylic.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Andy

In 30 years of tugging none of my caravans have ever had the problem you describe. My last two, a bailey pageant Vendee and Senator Wyoming remain bone dry.

The last two weeks were spent high up , above Fremington / Instow in gale force winds and torrential rain. No leakages at all.

Strangely enough, about 4 years ago a local dealer had a Swift Conqueror up for sale with a substantial discount. It was alleged the side walls were not true. Hence the price reduction. Mmmm.

Then of course we have the case of Jo-anne who had no end of problems with her silver Sterlings . The door frame cut out was too big for the door! Clearly something had gone wrong at the manufacturing stage.

Andy, a number of us have already spelt out your legal rights on this forum , so you know what you have to do.

The garbage from Polyplastic is just that. Leakages do not happen.

Gof luck .

Cheers

Alan

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

andy, if the dealer wont accept the rejection you have no choice but to get the financial ombusman involved. my friend have with there van and my sister has with her new quashkai.

please keep us posted on this and dont take no rubbish frm them.

good luck

jo-anne

 

[AndyR1]

Hi Alan /Jo-anne,

Sorry I think I may have misled you. With this latest problem I am not trying or wanting to reject my caravan.

Firstly Swift no longer make the Equerry so we would have to change to a van we don't really want and secondly the major problem of leaking front windows seems (fingers crossed) to have been fixed.

The reason for this post was to find out if anybody else suffers from this "silvering" effect (water gathering between the acrylic window and the rubber seal). Miriad (Polyplastic) say it is seen and is acceptable. I wanted to find out if this is true.

I have really appreciated your support recently and if any major faults apear in the near future I will definitley have had enough and will be seeking satisfaction through legal means.

I do not think this latest issue warrants this course of action (yet!!) but we will see what happens as winter progesses.

Thanks again

Andy