Newbie - pls help - Crackling/ eggshell appearance on rear bo...

[andyandkate]

Hi . we have been looking at buying anAce Twinstar. Its a 2004 model but we have found that on the rear of it there is some "eggshell or crackling" to the fibreglass bodywork. This is on the rear ledges by the number plate and also on another ledge just above.

Is this a major problem ? can we get it sorted prior to buying it? or is a a "bad one" and in which case our search will continue.

The dealer said it is nothing , but we are new to this hobby and are looking at buying our first caravan , so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks, Andy & Kate.

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Andy,

If this panel provides the water proof skin of the caravan, I'd suggest you continue looking. If it's just a piece of trim, then it might be worth continuing with an extra discount...

If you had a wealth of experience in GRP or ABS capped plastic, you might be able to assess the damage, it's probable cause and it's importance.

But from your description, this panel and where it's located shouldn't be a stressed area - so the implication is that it's been bumped on the bum.

Robert

 

[Dustydog]

Andy

Did the dealer do a damp test of the area in your presence?

Cheers

Alan

 

[andyandkate]

Hi , i emailed the company that has the caravan for sale . Its an ACE TRISTAR 2004. This is their reply :

Thank you for your enquiry.

The cracks in the back panel are cracks in the gelcoat covering the fibreglass panel, not in the fibreglass panel itself.

We can repair the panel gelcoat but cannot guarantee that it will not crack again as the caravan flexes with on the road movement.

The caravan would be serviced and cleaned prior to collection and would come with a 12 month warranty.

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Any thoughts on this?

Its a caravan that has everything we want - fixed end bed , sep shower to loo , and L shaped lounge.

The crackle is at the bed end of the van if that makes any odds??

Sorry to be a pest , but really know nothing about caravans and don't want to make an expensive mistake.

thanks for all your help.

regards Kate & Andy

 

[rob_jax]

Hi,

My experience in GRP comes from flying gliders, making repairs and re-polishing the gel coat. And owing classic Eriba caravans...

GRP panels have a deep glossy surface shine because the first layer is self-coloured resin just a mm or so thick - known as the gel coat this layer has no real strength - and can crack

The strength in a GRP panel comes from the pattern and orientation of the threads in the glass fibre "fabric" - the main function of the (now uncoloured) resin that has saturated the "fabric" is to hold the fibres in place.

Cracks in gel coat have the potential to be quite common - and they can be repaired 100% - and the invisible repair will be as strong as the original material.

But the inexperienced eye will find it impossible to differentiate a through crack (from from to back) from a crack in the gel coat. Through cracks must be rectified because they will let water pass, and they do weaken the panel. Through cracks can also be 100% repaired and the repair will be even stronger than the original panel.

But - a caravan panel that cracks from use on UK roads implies that the body structure isn't that rigid - and I'd think it likely that the GRP panel will continue to crack - and is a symptom of an underlying build issue.

Robert

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

hi, i would stay away from it. if its sold to you and you knew about the cracks you havent got a leg to stand on.

there plenty of other vans out there just keep looking you will find one eventually.

have you tried www.caravanfinder.co.uk

jo-anne

 

[Dustydog]

Just a thought. This Ace is only 4 years old. Does the Ace / Swift guarantee still apply??

Cheers

alan

 

[Jo-AnneFairway5402010]

hi again, what is the layout?. is it a twin axel with side fixed bed, L shaped lounge, end bathroom, fridge freezer?.

jo-anne

 

[andyandkate]

Hi all , many thanks for all your help and advice. The dealer doesn't mention the manufacturer warranty being still valid , so we have assumed it isn't.

Hi Jo-anne, no its not that one ,though we have seen that one at the same dealer , he has an 05 model for 11k. Its also very nice , but really don't want to pay that much :c( for our first van.

Its an L lounge end, fixed bed , side bathroom with sep shower.

We have taken a liking to it as the layout is roomy and practical and the shower being separate is also something we have looked for.

Thanks again all.....i think we will continue our search to find our 1st newbie van...there is just so much to choose from and we keep seeing lots of really nice ones so I am sure that we will strike it lucky fairly soon.

Best wishes and kindest regards

Kate.

 

[dixie1]

hello... we have an ace award nightstar 2003... brought new from a dealership and we found the same "cracks" on back panel and also on front nearside panel we found these stress cracks some 18 months after we brought the van, however the dealership repaired the cracks front and back and so far they have not reappeared..and we have not found any more..fingers crossed....

 

[Tony_374370887]

hello... we have an ace award nightstar 2003... brought new from a dealership and we found the same "cracks" on back panel and also on front nearside panel we found these stress cracks some 18 months after we brought the van, however the dealership repaired the cracks front and back and so far they have not reappeared..and we have not found any more..fingers crossed....

Hi, cracked gelcoat will flake or chip off easily and is normally due to stress or a poor bond between the fibreglass and the gelcoat (maybe as simple as an air bubble). Might be a little difficult to get the dealer to let you go at it with a sharp chisel (gently) but if it is only superficial it will also be simple to repair effectively. A crack right through the underlying laminate is a whole different issue, your description would on a boat lead me to suspect osmosis (boat pox) but as it is crackly failure could well be a series of air bubbles in a poorly laid up mold- grind out and replace.