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Can anyone advise please. 

We have a 1995 Peugeot Chausoon which we purchased in March this year.  One of the roof panels was a bit ropey looking and bubbling slightly, however since the bad rain this has worsened considerably and now there is water coming in.  I took it to a dealer tonight who did a moisture probe/test.  He has stated that the majority of the roof needs replacing as there is water getting in along both sides etc.  The roof inside does now look quite bad.  We were told it would cost around £6000 to repair.  Thats a lot Iknow, but I am stuck between a rock and a hard place as its not really sellable in its current condition and we need to get it repaired if we plan to keep it/use it.  Is this price about right or can anyone recomend a cheaper place.  We live in Salisbury, Wiltshire.  Looks like a bank loan I think.........

Well it does sound a bit extreme. When you say the roof is looking a bit ropey are you refering to out side or in?

Why is it leaking? and where from?

I am sure a new roof would be that sort of money but thats not to say it needs a new roof. It may be cheaper to locate where the roof is leaking, have that bit repaired and then reboard the inside. However all this will be subject to the amount of damage already done. Let me say one thing, repairs of this sort, although not particualy difficult are extremely time consuming. I have carried out a minor repair or two before on both my current motorhome and a larger repair on an older caravan. Not something to take on lightly. I would however make sure you get a few quotes for the work, it might well be financialy not viable to spend 6k on a repair, but will be on a simple repair/patch. Have a word with a dealer that's not so big, or oddly enough speak to a chippy or 2.

whalley1 - no bother - we bought a campervan March 2007 too - damp as a wet night on the Titanic. Ok its damp but one weeks work does not cost £6000.00 - is a footballer doing the work - shop around - even in Leicester we found one decent chap who although not cheap was very honest - its always repairable - don't despair - shop around - when we bought ours we were well fed up with leaks - damp - but we like the van and we will use it & we have learnt our lessons - keep smiling - we are looking 4ward to the Spring - and we will use our experiences to make sure the next purchase in years to come are the right ones - you are not alone in feeling downhearted but think how lucky we are to be able to sit here and talk to each other about such trivial things. Happy Vanning. from the Dampervan.  

i think you could get a new roof on a house for less, look around and ask for other quotes.

floppy

Quote: Originally posted by floppy01 on 05/12/2007

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i think you could get a new roof on a house for less, look around and ask for other quotes.

floppy

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OK the second opion is in and in essence on my roof are numerous holes that water has frozen and expanded the holes in the roof and leaked into the inside.  They say areas of my roof look like a colllinder and the second place also say I need a new roof.  A mechanic friend of mine has offered to dry out my van and fibre glass the whole roof in cream (same colour as van), leaving me to sort of the cosmetic damage inside.  Does anyone know if this is likely to work (the fibre glass that is) as I know nothing of this sort of stuff.

Thanks in advance

sounds a good idea to remember.

Your fibreglass man sounds like a decent option. This will depend upon if the seals down each side are ok. when you start taking hte seal rails out the fun really starts. There is a well known caravan member on this site called Wizzard. He appears to be a bit of an expert in what you may have to do in the inside. Like I have said before though, do not expect it to be an easy job, it,s not, its very time consuminng. But the result you get is really satisfying when done yourself.

Also you may need a link to oleary's motorhomes spares for wall board etc.

Good luck and take some pics as you do it to keep us all informed.