We have lost count how many hours we have spent looking at second hand vans and every single one we have looked at has had damp somewhere in the van.
It's not even private vans, but vans at delears that we are looking at, and the dealer always seems suprised when we point out that the van has damp.
We are starting to think that we are being too fussy, but what does everyone think ? Are there any dry vans available ??? Should we just accept a bit of damp ?
My little van has had a bit of damp in the past round the kitchen window after the seal failed. This was easily fixed and she is nice and dry again (and nearly 43 years old!)
Are you using a damp meter, because all van s have some moisture in them and will pick up slightly. Or are you finding big squishy patches in them?
------------- "I'm a fool for my dogs"
Adopt a rescue, rescue dogs make great pets, don't support puppy farms.
The road can be tough and rough,but what you put in you get back 10 x more.
We take a damp meter with us everytime now, and we have been picking up some very high readings. The van we went to see today had damp in the rear floor and then about 4 inches up the wall.
You didn't even need a meter as you could see and feel the damp. And again it was from a dealer who sells vans with a damp warranty.
Have a look around for a hymer, it is very rare for you to find any damp in them, but even if you do it will not be damaged as the construction has nothing for dmp to do damage to.
------------- Bill
For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013
Quote: Originally posted by clever on 13/5/2012
Thanks for that but we are 100% sure its a caravan that we want.
We are going to look at yet another van tomorrow, but are trying to not get our hopes up, as it always seems to end in dissapointment!
Reputable Mainstream dealers are unlikely to sell damp vans , smaller backstreet dealers only selling second hand caravans are not always so trustworthy .
Buy Hymer. They use a different system than UK vans - the PUAL system.. Google it and read up on it. They also use anti-condensation boards behind the seat backs.
My own has just come back from its service - 6 years old not even a hint of damp anywhere. Looks brand new inside.
I love my 'van, its been an excellent buy. I got mine from CaravanExtra in Oirschot. 20% cheaper than a UK dealer and much,much better service.
------------- Veni Vidi Velcro.... I came, I saw, I stuck around!
It so much depends on how it's been stored. Our caravan is only ever outside for a max 6 weeks a year (sadly it's often less) and the rest of the time it's undercover in a secure storage unit.
Caravans that are kept on driveways or in outdoor storage are much more likely to develop damp for obvious reasons.
Perhaps have a look at private ads and ask how they've been stored during their lifetime? Other than going around hundreds of vans with a damp-meter (which you are obviously already doing), I can't think of any other solution.
Good luck!
------------- Claire x
Jan 2013 - Skiing, Kühtai, Austria
May - Swiss Farm
Fforest Ffields
Aug - Saumur, France
Oct - Somewhere...
Jan '14 - Skiing, Les Houches
Hmmm surprised you say that, although the last three vans that I have bought have been new, when they go in for their annual service I ask the dealer to check all sealant joints on body (inc roof) and do full damp meter checks . I expect a report sheet given to me with the stamped service book. I have never had a van get any damp doing this. When it goes in for a service the dealer requests everything is taken out of the van including the lockers. When I sell or trade in my caravan I give the service book and yearly damp reports to the new buyer or dealer?
I think the moment a caravan stops having an annual visual on mastic and damp check, then it's take a chance time.
Over the years I had four used vans prior to buying new and never had damp, but only bought used vans that had full annual history. If a previous owner kept their van in superb condition with full documented history (including annual damp checks) these were the ones I tended to look at and buy, unless a seller had the full service documentation i wouldnt even bother to view it , often took months to find the right one but found it worth it.