I was very proud to find a 1995 Bessecarr with only a couple of soft spots (yes I should have known better). Despite having her undercover, the soft spots/soil seem to be spreading.
My instinct tells me its the awning rail, the space ship tv aerial and heaven knows what else in between.
Problem is, I'm DIY inept and have only one pair of hands. And I'm terrified of starting something and can't finish it (which is worse than living with her as she is).
Is there anyone here who's fixed a bessacarr? And who is in the frozen north who might be able to give me some advice?
It appears you have already bought this van and have now discovered these damp issues. On the one hand this van is a genuine Bessacarr, rather than a Swift branded model, and these vans were well built and well regarded in their day.
On the other hand it is now an old van, so that it will be disconcertingly easy to run up a repair bill greater than its value.
If the van appeals sufficiently that you would like to keep it long term to justify the cost, then go ahead. Otherwise dispose of it and find a better van.
To keep the costs under control you would have to do the work yourself, unless the damage is small and localised. So, get yourself a damp meter (loads of inexpensive ones on ebay)and establish the extent of the damp and scale of the works - then go from there.
Thanks for your replies. Unfortunately the damp is more extensibe than I feared so I think she's only worth selling on. I don't have the skills to do it myself and it would cost a fortune to pay someone to fix hree. Far more than she's worth. I think she'll be going back up for sale sadly.