Water Ingress from leaky window?

[R_374539233]

I've been to check on our Bailey Ranger GT60 today. Looks like its now got a leaking front window Due to other issues going on in life I've not been down to it for quite a while. Was very dissappointed to find that the front 'shelf' where the lower curtain rail sits is very soft right over to the middle of the centre front window, and the same goes for the front wall below it.
Although I'm experienced in the caravanning life, due to the death of my Husband 3 years ago I've not really been using the 'van. A year ago I plucked up the courage to tow it myself for the first time. Was thinking of doing the same again in a few weeks. I'm back to feeling like a complete novice!!!
Now I've got a few questions that I'm hoping you guys can hep me with:
1) How likely is it that this is going to need major repairs?
2) In the event that I can't get it fixed before we're due to go away, will the van be safe to tow?
3) Are water ingress repairs generally expensive?
Any advice will be very welcome!!

 

[Damian]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
I am sorry for your loss, and I fully understand why you have not been to the van for a long time.
Without actually seeing the problem it is difficult to be precise as the water may be getting in from a few places, some of which are well known, such as the roof strap which goes across the roof where the front panel meets the roof.
Unfortunately water leaks are quite difficult to locate without the right tools to do the job and many people spend a lot of time trying to fix what they think is the culprit only to find that it is not.
In your situation I would get a mobile engineer to give you an idea of what the problem is and how much it would cost to repair.
However, if the wall board is soft then it is actually rotten and would need replacing.

As far as safety for towing for your break, it should be fine providing the rest of the front end of the van is sound and not showing signs of being loose or parting company along its length.

As for cost, it can be expensive depending how much damage has been done and what needs replacing.
The parts are not too bad but it is the time that adds up.

Not the kind of news you want to hear I am sure, sorry.

 

[R_374539233]

Hi Damian
Thank you and thank you for the reply and advice.
I'd already contacted a mobile engineer with a view to getting the 'van serviced. I've emailed him again tonight to update him that not only does it need a service now it also has this problem!!
Yes the wall board is soft, so i'd already assumed it would need replacing, but wasn't 100% sure. Hopefully the rot hasn't spread any further into the frame.
If the above mentioned mobile engineer can't get there before we're due to go away i'll need to contact another to get it checked over to make sure its safe to tow. I'm not confident enough to check that myself.
I'll prepare myself for the bill lol!!

 

[R_374539233]

Well I'm gobsmacked and really quite cross today....said mobile engineer has available appointments to come out to my van....but get this....he won't come because our storage facility owners won't let them on unless they PAY to come onto site!!!! Another mobile engineer has also told me the same story....hence I'm now going to have to tow it to a workshop!!!
Anyone else encountered this problem?

 

[Damian]

Sadly this is becoming quite common, especially if the storage owner has an agreement with his or her preferred engineer whereby the owner gets a cut of the price charged by the engineer.

There is one way around it if it fits with you.
Arrange to meet the engineer with your van at a local supermarket car park or similar large open area, even a road layby, let him have a look at the van then take it back to storage.
OR,
Get the engineer to meet you and you take him into the storage and act as if you are just friends who are washing the van, or similar.

There is always more than one way to skin a cat !!!!