Suspected floor dropping on one side, Elddis avante.
- Thread starter LouiseT
- Start date
The panels have pulled away from the floor, and the cupboards above are not aligned correctly. Nothing is visibly wrong when we look underneath the van, but the gap between the wheel arch and the wheel is smaller on the dodgy side. Any advice would be great, thanks 😊
I would check the other side of the caravan as well. It looks to me like the bodywork has gone trapezoid, I.e. the joints between the sides and the floor/roof are no longer 90⁰.
Perhaps better explained by saying the roof has moved sideways in respect of the floor. Drop a plumb line down each side from the top and see what you get.
Whatever it is looks expensive!,
Perhaps better explained by saying the roof has moved sideways in respect of the floor. Drop a plumb line down each side from the top and see what you get.
Whatever it is looks expensive!,
Mel
Moderator
Oh heck! Is it still under warranty because whatever that is, it’s not a quick fix. Sorry, I am telling you something that you already know, but not sure what else to say.
Mel
Mel
What year and model is your caravan, and when did you buy it, private or dealership.
You mention that the clearance between the wheel arch is reduced on one side. That could indicate suspension failure. Are you conscious of hitting a pothole or over an obstacle? I had off side suspension failure on a single axle caravan but it did not cause any body deformation. Has your van had a severe snake?
If your body has moved transversely it could then apply more weight to one side and possibly reduce wheel arch clearance to that side.
You mention that the clearance between the wheel arch is reduced on one side. That could indicate suspension failure. Are you conscious of hitting a pothole or over an obstacle? I had off side suspension failure on a single axle caravan but it did not cause any body deformation. Has your van had a severe snake?
If your body has moved transversely it could then apply more weight to one side and possibly reduce wheel arch clearance to that side.
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It does seem the entire body is no longer square as Mr Plodd explains. Can you take some readings of the door to walls and same with the roof?
How old is the Avante?
How old is the Avante?
If it has gone trapezoid the side to side, and floor to ceiling, measurements will remain constant because all 4 sides will still be parallel, just not square.
Hence my suggestion of a plumb line.
Once the OP answer whether they bought it privately or from a dealer we can better advise. At the moment we cannot really offer useful advice.
Mel
Moderator
It just looks like the screws holding the panels in are too short. I believe you are over thinking it.
What, ALL of the screws down the same side of the caravan?
Even if they are all too short, why are all of the visible panels not in contact with the floor.? If the caravan was square they would be on the floor wouldn't they?
In addition look at the panel towards the top left hand corner of the picture (a seat end panel?) its somewhat twisted.
The seat bases in the picture have a large gap under them tapering to no gap where they’re attached to the side wall. Certainly looks like the body has skewed relative to the floor but only measuring diagonally will determine this.
It’s not easy to tell though from the photo.
Look at the bite of the screws from the uprights to the front panels. I agree photos can lie. It would need more investigation I think the seats have become sunk and not supporting rather than floor dropping.
Thank you for everyone's help. We've looked a bit further and can see damp at the base of the wall. We're going to try to take a few measurements tomorrow and look a bit further into the floor. It's quite old, we've had it about 12 years and it wasn't brand new. It's gradually got worse over about a year...
So given the point that I am wrong. What is holding the wall square to the floor and roof. There must but at least two walls doing that.
It is very clear that something has moved, .and the caravan has lost some of its structural integrity but exactly what has failed is not revealed in the photograph.
I would venture to support Mels contention that its fairly major whatever it is and it probably won't be a cheap fix.
Whilst forum contributors do try to help, but we are severely limited as we cannot see the caravan in the flesh. I suggest you should seek the advice of a local caravan repairer, or an Approved Workshop Scheme (AWS) member who might be able to come to the caravan.
I would venture to support Mels contention that its fairly major whatever it is and it probably won't be a cheap fix.
Whilst forum contributors do try to help, but we are severely limited as we cannot see the caravan in the flesh. I suggest you should seek the advice of a local caravan repairer, or an Approved Workshop Scheme (AWS) member who might be able to come to the caravan.
I should have also pointed out, with the degree of distortion shown in the picture, I'd guess the caravan is not fit or safe to tow.
What is possible is that the sides have bulged out and in doing so have pulled the furniture away from the floor. The fastening to the wall have remained intact and the fastenings to the floor obviously not so good.
We had the issue of the bulging walls happen with an earlier caravan however it did not pull the furniture away from the floor. The caravan needed to go back to the factory as it was under 3 years old.
We had the issue of the bulging walls happen with an earlier caravan however it did not pull the furniture away from the floor. The caravan needed to go back to the factory as it was under 3 years old.
I agree with the Prof, you need an engineer to look at it as trying to diagnose it from the photo is largely guesswork. Looking at the material on show I am assuming this is too old to be under guarantee.
Thanks again for contributions. We're just debating whether to sell it as a "project" or attempt to get it fixed for next season. It's about 15 years old and has served us very well in this time. 👏
I can understand your position,
Might I suggest you arrange to get the caravan surveyed by an AWS engineer. The engineer might be able to tell you if any other parts of the structure are in a poor condition and if they are likely to fail.
Until you know the extent of the damage and the cause, you won't know if it can be repaired, and if so how much work is involved and of course the cost. If the damage is localised and can be repaired, then it might worth considering doing it, as I'd guess the cost of repairs will be considerably less than buying another caravan, and you'd have the knowledge of the caravans condition and exactly how it all works.
I'm guessing your not considering a brand new replacement (of course I could be wrong), but assuming your looking at secondhand which is always a risk because you don't know what problems it might have waiting to surprise you.
Selling the old caravan may be difficult as it is damaged.
Might I suggest you arrange to get the caravan surveyed by an AWS engineer. The engineer might be able to tell you if any other parts of the structure are in a poor condition and if they are likely to fail.
Until you know the extent of the damage and the cause, you won't know if it can be repaired, and if so how much work is involved and of course the cost. If the damage is localised and can be repaired, then it might worth considering doing it, as I'd guess the cost of repairs will be considerably less than buying another caravan, and you'd have the knowledge of the caravans condition and exactly how it all works.
I'm guessing your not considering a brand new replacement (of course I could be wrong), but assuming your looking at secondhand which is always a risk because you don't know what problems it might have waiting to surprise you.
Selling the old caravan may be difficult as it is damaged.
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