Leaking roof.

[Ste T]

Hi, I’m new to this forum. Last year I changed from a motorhome to a caravan. What a mistake that was!
We have a Bailey Pamplona Black, 2020 model, that we bought private from a couple in South Wales. I’ve now found out the roof leaks! I’ve had the roof light over the rear bed taken out and revealed, the joint in the roof across the bed sealed and the solar panel frame removed and re sealed. I thought that was job done, but tonight it started raining and the water is really coming in again. I’m lost for what it could be. From the amount coming in it must be a split in the roof panel. Has any other Bailey owners had this problem, and what was the solution? Any advice please.

 

[Holiday Pursuit]

Hi Ste T
If you go on Caravantalk forum and search Bailey Roof Strap there is a lot of information on there about the leaking straps. Bad design
Regards Steve

 

[IanB1485]

I did one last year , the sealant on the roof strap had a 25mm gap in it , by inserting a thin plastic wedge under the top lip and then applying soudal Fix all and then allowing the strap to rest back and then applying a final thin section along the two edges of the strap along the complete length including the ends I managed to seal the rail. A workshop would probably replace the whole rail . You could always cover the plastic roof strap with a wider strip see the the youtube video, personally I use IPA and Brake and Clutch cleaner to degrease the roof of the caravan.

View: https://youtu.be/qbkbsZldPTw

 

[RogerL]

Ironically, Bailey roof straps are also used to repair/replace the roof straps on other brands - my Lunar has one fitted - presumably needed for Baileys so often there's a thriving supply chain. So my take is there's nothing wrong with the roof strap design, just the poor quality workmanship at the factory.

 

[Ste T]

Only bloody perfect guys! Thank you so much. I have had the “Those strips are cosmetic, the roof is sealed at the joint. Bailey are really keen on it.” Well clearly not!
Incidentally, the Bailey damp warranty isn’t worth the paper it’s written on! They’ve said because the previous owner missed an annual service check, it was no longer valid. The annual service check they missed was during Covid and the service centre was closed. From the records the owner had it done as soon as they could, but it was 3-4 months over the due date. Covid isn’t a valid reason for missing it! At least Dick Turpin had the decency to wear a mask!
I’ve already ordered the tape, so the first dry day I’m on it!

 

[otherclive]

Only bloody perfect guys! Thank you so much. I have had the “Those strips are cosmetic, the roof is sealed at the joint. Bailey are really keen on it.” Well clearly not!
Incidentally, the Bailey damp warranty isn’t worth the paper it’s written on! They’ve said because the previous owner missed an annual service check, it was no longer valid. The annual service check they missed was during Covid and the service centre was closed. From the records the owner had it done as soon as they could, but it was 3-4 months over the due date. Covid isn’t a valid reason for missing it! At least Dick Turpin had the decency to wear a mask!
I’ve already ordered the tape, so the first dry day I’m on it!

I thought that the makers gave some allowance for annual servicing during Covid. My Swift got an extra 7 months leeway.

Caravan Servicing and Covid Restrictions

Just looked at the caravan dealerships websites in the East Anglia area, and all are temporarily closed under the current lockdown restrictions for all forms of business, sales, servicing, spares and accessories etc. I have a service booked at the beginning of March and hopefully vaccinations...

forums.practicalcaravan.com

 

[Mel]

Another recipient of the Leaky Roof Strap here. We had a Bailey on a Seasonal pitch. Water pouring in through the rear roof strap. This was just before lockdown. Took ages 12months plus to get the part. Fortunately the very lovely site owner put the van into a barn for us otherwise it would have been an indoor swimming pool by the time it was fixed. 3 months or so after it was fixed, woke up to find water dripping on my face from the skylight over the rear island bed. Can only assume that the fixing of the roof strap somehow dislodged the seal around the roof light. Anyway, we were giving up seasonal by then and sold the van back to the dealership for close to what we had paid for it. Post Covid used stock was at a premium 😀

 

[Ste T]

The site manager where the van is at the moment is a terrific guy. Top man. It’s ME! We’ve just arrived for the season. The van was outside in storage all Winter and not a drop came in. I’m putting it down to the van flexing on the journey to site. I’ve ordered the tape, I’m putting a tarp over the roof at the back until a nice warm Spring day and I can get it sorted.

 

[toad a caravan]

Welcome aboard,hope all goes well

 

[Ste T]

Thank you. I hope I can help anyone as quickly and as well as I’ve been helped.

 

[Beachball]

Hi Ste T Welcome to the forum hope everything goes ok keep us updated how you get on .