I found this forum after reading every website I can find on caravan repairs, they all seem to recommend this site!
I have a 1989 trophy platinum 574/4 with some serious damp problems. The main water seems to have come in above the front windows. The bits right down into the front corners of the van are also rotten. Frame round one side window is half gone...
I have started ripping it all out and keep finding more and more! Im staring to wonder what I am getting myself into.. :(
The gas locker type bit at the front has got to come out to get to the corner bits which means I am going to have to probably take out the other seat box :(
Its obviously been damp for some time, the aluminium side has actualy corroded to the point that when I started poking about, holes just appeared in it.
I have fibreglassed over that and was intending to hide it with an extra fridge vent unles anyone has any better ideas?
Can anyone help with how to get stuff out? How the hell do the top locker cupboards come out? There seems to be no screws anywhere...
Any hints/tips/moral support/valium more than welcome! i am doing this on my drive and realy am begining to wonder if I am going to manage it!
Its a nice old van though (or it was) and I am not in a position to replace it at the moment!
Hi landyworld , first thing i would say is don't try to repair it all in one go ( unless it really can't be avoided ) , small steps would be better , then you can set yourself goals to reach . The cupboards are quite often held in place by either staples or screws or both , from above , one way you can try to remove them is to slide a hacksaw blade between the ceiling board and cupboard , and find / cut thro the fixings . Although some of the wooden spars will look wet they should dry out ( with the help of a fan heater ) ( do not leave a fan heater unattended ) . You may find the awning rail and window will need resealing too . Do have a look at the Fixed it Club members websites http://www.1carpc.co.uk/wcdr/favorites.htm to see how they went about their repairs , and do post as many questions as you like The Fixed it Club members are here to help .
atb
Wizard
Ps pictures help a lot , how about having some graphics made up to cover the fibre glass repair .
Thanks for the tips the hacksaw one is brilliant, I will try that sunday! I am only ripping out timber that comes away in my fingers, way beyond the fan heater treatment I think!
Some graphics will be used to cover the smaller repair, vent over the large one I think.
It seems a bit chicken and egg really at the moment, I cant reseal the awning rail because the timber in the corner that I assume it screws into is completely shot. I cant replace the timber without removing the screws that hold the awning rail. Going to have to rely on duct tape as a temporary seal I think!
The plan is to start with the side wall but to get into the corner of that the gas locker still hase to come out, that seems to mean removing the jointing strip accross the front of the van, more duct tape required and fingers crossed. Every screw bar 3 will need the head drilling on just that strip. Reckon I can finish this sunday night? haha
At the moment I sort of feel like one good gust of wind and the lot might just fall down!
I have already had a flick around most of the fixed it websites, I think I actualy found this site and all the others by first finding your site on google!
Thanks again,
Quite some time later I thought I should update this thread!
Its not pretty but its funtional and its going to get us at least another season or 2! Weve booked a week at the end of may so I have been busy the last few days. Even the missus did her bit!
Used B&Q vents to cover the fibreglass. Had to put them on crooked to cover but its tidier!
My main leak was around the hinges for the front windows#. To be absolutely sure it was cured I have stuck UPVC windowsill stuff over them, it looks factory(ish) :)
I reckon the only important pic is this one!
We are going on holiday!! Its far from perfect but it will do us nicely for the moment!