Oh dear the dreaded damp!

[Buckman]

Our 2018 Cruiser has just come back from its service with our local AWS technician and 50% damp has been found around the bottom rear of the front offside window. In addition, 50% damp has been found under the island bed near the locker door. Not a happy bunny.

On checking, the caravan has done only 580 miles since it last service by the dealer in Nov 2022 so it seems that the damp is quite recent with our very wet summer unless the dealer missed the damp on the last check. At the last service the whole front panel was replaced due to it being cracked.

I am going to try for a warranty repair with the dealer and see if it will be covered under warranty. I have contacted the dealer and forwarded onto them copies of the damp report and they have said they will review them and make a decision. However they have offered us 3 nights for the price of two on their campsite as a sweetener. The dealer is 90 miles away near a seaside location.

In addition to the damp, all four of the tyres have slight crazing on the inside sidewalls so will need replacing in the near future. At the moment they are safe to use and will be changing them before the start of the new season. Also the smoke alarm needs replacing as past its expiry date.

 

[otherclive]

Our 2018 Cruiser has just come back from its service with our local AWS technician and 50% damp has been found around the bottom rear of the front offside window. In addition, 50% damp has been found under the island bed near the locker door. Not a happy bunny.

On checking, the caravan has done only 580 miles since it last service by the dealer in Nov 2022 so it seems that the damp is quite recent with our very wet summer unless the dealer missed the damp on the last check. At the last service the whole front panel was replaced due to it being cracked.

I am going to try for a warranty repair with the dealer and see if it will be covered under warranty. I have contacted the dealer and forwarded onto them copies of the damp report and they have said they will review them and make a decision. However they have offered us 3 nights for the price of two on their campsite as a sweetener. The dealer is 90 miles away near a seaside location.

In addition to the damp, all four of the tyres have slight crazing on the inside sidewalls so will need replacing in the near future. At the moment they are safe to use and will be changing them before the start of the new season. Also the smoke alarm needs replacing as past its expiry date.

Wow three nights for the price of two....that's a a real generous offer from the dealer. I now know why I would check damp regularly with my meter, and have an AWS check at the six month mark, as well as its annual service. Bit OCD about damp and tyres. Hope that the dealer can repair it for you under warranty. Could the front damp be a consequence of the panel repair.

 

[Dustydog]

“Built to leak”!
Typical but from your description not life threatening.
The window rubber seals are an easy repair, if that is the cause? Same as the locker door. Note there is the door rubber type seal but also the inner section joint to outer section of the actual door does fail.
Good luck with the Dealer

 

[Hutch]

My thoughts would be get that caravan fixed and get rid of it.

 

[Raywood]

Sounds bad at 50% but hopefully the warranty will sort it. Let us know how you get on. I think the next thing from the dealer will be a request to check it to confirm the damp report you have which, they are entitled to do.

 

[Dustydog]

My thoughts would be get that caravan fixed and get rid of it.

Alternatively as he is gradually getting all joints and panels fixed He should keep it. Triggers Broom🤪

 

[Buckman]

Wow three nights for the price of two....that's a a real generous offer from the dealer. I now know why I would check damp regularly with my meter, and have an AWS check at the six month mark, as well as its annual service. Bit OCD about damp and tyres. Hope that the dealer can repair it for you under warranty. Could the front damp be a consequence of the panel repair.

If the damp was towards the front there would be that possibility.

“Built to leak”!
Typical but from your description not life threatening.
The window rubber seals are an easy repair, if that is the cause? Same as the locker door. Note there is the door rubber type seal but also the inner section joint to outer section of the actual door does fail.
Good luck with the Dealer

Not sure about window seal, but the mastic holding the locker door in place has probably dried out and cracked which may have allowed water into the caravan.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Hiw long is the water ingress warranty on your caravan?
If its 6 years, and you have proof of regular servicing in accordance with the manufacturers terms and conditions then you have nothing to worry about.
If the warranty is less than 6 years, or servicing hasn't been carried out then you are o your own
Mileage covered has no bearing on water ingressTyres and smoke alarm are service items and are not covered.

 

[Buckman]

Hiw long is the water ingress warranty on your caravan?
If its 6 years, and you have proof of regular servicing in accordance with the manufacturers terms and conditions then you have nothing to worry about.
If the warranty is less than 6 years, or servicing hasn't been carried out then you are o your own
Mileage covered has no bearing on water ingressTyres and smoke alarm are service items and are not covered.

The water ingress warranty is supposed to be 10 years and the 2018 caravan has been serviced annually in accordance with the requirements. Most recent service was the 6th year service done a month early.

I only mentioned mileage to highlight the mileage between services. I am aware that the smoke alarm and tyres are not covered by any warranty.

 

[Hutch]

Did the AWS tech, give any clue as to where he/ she thought the damp had come from, the mastic drying out and cracking, seems a bit unlikely, hope things go well with the dealer.
The tyres are they original ??, I would wait until repairs are complete before replacing them.

 

[Buckman]

Did the AWS tech, give any clue as to where he/ she thought the damp had come from, the mastic drying out and cracking, seems a bit unlikely, hope things go well with the dealer.
The tyres are they original ??, I would wait until repairs are complete before replacing them.

No he did not indicate why they originated. Those were my thoughts as I had previously mentioned the mastic separating from the body, but they said it would not be a problem.

The tyres are the original and are dated 2017. We bought the caravan in Oct 2017. We will be waiting until next year before replacing them as no point fitting new tyres onto the caravan at the moment.

 

[Buckman]

Dealer contacted us again today to confirm booking and it seems they are under the impression that we will be leaving the caravan with them for the winter?

I was under the impression that we drop off the caravan at end of months on the date suggested by the dealer and that they would do the repair within a week or two.

It now appears that they will get around to the repair as and when it suits them. Our concern is the damp spreading?

 

[Mr Plodd]

If it spreads they will have a bigger job. Their problem not yours.

 

[Dustydog]

Dealer contacted us again today to confirm booking and it seems they are under the impression that we will be leaving the caravan with them for the winter?

Free storage 🤪🤪

 

[Buckman]

Dealer contacted us again today to confirm booking and it seems they are under the impression that we will be leaving the caravan with them for the winter?

Free storage 🤪🤪

I still have to pay for our normal storage area.

 

[shouldknowbettor]

Dealer contacted us again today to confirm booking and it seems they are under the impression that we will be leaving the caravan with them for the winter?

Depends on how they store it. It needs to dry out so if they have room they can keep it out of the wet for a month or two to dry out.

 

[Buckman]

Depends on how they store it. It needs to dry out so if they have room they can keep it out of the wet for a month or two to dry out.

It is stored outside and not under cover. As it will cost us £100 in fuel for the two round trips plus the 2 nights stay, we have contacted the local AWS technician for a quote.

It seems that the rubber around the window is a poor fit and the mastic around the locker door has "cracked" allowing water in which has saturated the floor. If the repair is under £200 probably get it done by the local AWS as it appears that no parts required except new mastic.

 

[Dustydog]

It is stored outside and not under cover. As it will cost us £100 in fuel for the two round trips plus the 2 nights stay, we have contacted the local AWS technician for a quote.

It seems that the rubber around the window is a poor fit and the mastic around the locker door has "cracked" allowing water in which has saturated the floor. If the repair is under £200 probably get it done by the local AWS as it appears that no parts required except new mastic.

The window rubbers are supplied in a large reel and are a once only fit as they come pre prepared with sealant .
Make sure it is the door mastic and not the door rubber seal or the joint between the internal / external door section

 

[caravan john]

Our 2018 Cruiser has just come back from its service with our local AWS technician and 50% damp has been found around the bottom rear of the front offside window. In addition, 50% damp has been found under the island bed near the locker door. Not a happy bunny.

On checking, the caravan has done only 580 miles since it last service by the dealer in Nov 2022 so it seems that the damp is quite recent with our very wet summer unless the dealer missed the damp on the last check. At the last service the whole front panel was replaced due to it being cracked.

I am going to try for a warranty repair with the dealer and see if it will be covered under warranty. I have contacted the dealer and forwarded onto them copies of the damp report and they have said they will review them and make a decision. However they have offered us 3 nights for the price of two on their campsite as a sweetener. The dealer is 90 miles away near a seaside location.

In addition to the damp, all four of the tyres have slight crazing on the inside sidewalls so will need replacing in the near future. At the moment they are safe to use and will be changing them before the start of the new season. Also the smoke alarm needs replacing as past its expiry date.

Hi the work ie the panel replacement is guaranteed for 12 months by the dealer or repairer. With regards to you 10 year warranty, even if you have had the correct services completed. The only thing guaranteed under the solid 10 year ingress is the two bonded roof straps. I know this from experience. And to have a new front panel replacement is an absolute humungous job , and to get it right is near impossible. Dont forget gr panels cracking are only guaranteed for 12 months . Windows,seals roof lights etc all 12 months.
Regards John.

 

[Buckman]

Hi the work ie the panel replacement is guaranteed for 12 months by the dealer or repairer. With regards to you 10 year warranty, even if you have had the correct services completed. The only thing guaranteed under the solid 10 year ingress is the two bonded roof straps. I know this from experience. And to have a new front panel replacement is an absolute humungous job , and to get it right is near impossible. Dont forget gr panels cracking are only guaranteed for 12 months . Windows,seals roof lights etc all 12 months.
Regards John.

However under CRA 2015 as I made a part payment I am covered for 6 years on the new replacement front panel however the current issue is a window seal and a locker door seal causing the damp. Caravan was delivered yesterday to the dealer so will be probably 2 - 3 weeks before I get any feedback.

 

[Buckman]

Looking at the picture you can just about see the staining. When dried out will this staining disappear or will they need to replace the panel?

 

[Mel]

I doubt it will disappear ☹️but don’t know what other options you have. New wallpaper?
Mel

 

[Buckman]

I doubt it will disappear ☹️but don’t know what other options you have. New wallpaper?
Mel

Thanks but caravan is only 6 years old and the new and old wallpaper will probably clash?

 

[otherclive]

In my experience water marks don’t disappear, and in a visible spot your eyes seem to get drawn to them.

 

[Buckman]

The other area of damp is on the floor boards under the bed and you cannot see the damp so probably just needs drying out. I suspect that the mastic around the locker door cracked and let in the water.

The big concern here is the the mark and whether they will be changing the panel . I am a little unsure whether I could use CRA 2015 as proving the fault was there at time of purchase may be a bit difficult. However if they used poor quality mastic I may stand a chance.

We do not fancy forking out a grand or two for a repair when the caravan is supposed to have a 10 year water ingress and body integrity warranty as stated on the brochure.