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Subject Topic: Going to view 2 caravans today Post Reply Post New Topic
Persontetchy100
16/3/2013 at 12:34pm
 Location: Grimsby
 Outfit: Skoda Kodiaq - Elddis 556 Firestorm View tetchy100's Profile View Profile   Reply to tetchy100 Reply   Quote tetchy100 Quote  
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Hi all we are going to view 2 caravans today, the first is a Bailey ranger 550-6 2005 and a Sterling Europa 540 2004 is there any caravan specific things I should be looking out for?

Thanks


Personlittlebasher
16/3/2013 at 12:39pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Bailey Pegasus 534 View littlebasher's Profile View Profile   Reply to littlebasher Reply   Quote littlebasher Quote  
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Damp and spongy floors!


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Persongeoff+emmy
16/3/2013 at 1:16pm
 Location: Huddersfield
 Outfit: swift conqueror 645+jeep commander View geoff+emmy's Profile View Profile   Reply to geoff+emmy Reply   Quote geoff+emmy Quote  
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Service history ? damp report ?


Personmichael
16/3/2013 at 1:17pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold View michael's Profile View Profile   Reply to michael Reply   Quote michael Quote  
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Biggest problem with secondhand vans is the dreaded damp,anything else can be sorted quickly .whatever you buy take damp meter with you and use it in every corner you can find including under beds.if its a dealer ask for a full damp report before you pay over your money.see features above/ buying secondhand.


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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


Persontetchy100
16/3/2013 at 1:25pm
 Location: Grimsby
 Outfit: Skoda Kodiaq - Elddis 556 Firestorm View tetchy100's Profile View Profile   Reply to tetchy100 Reply   Quote tetchy100 Quote  
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I have a stanley damp meter, and both vans are private sales, ive printed a copy of the damp reading so I should be worried if i get anything over 20% then?

 


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Personmichael
16/3/2013 at 1:37pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold View michael's Profile View Profile   Reply to michael Reply   Quote michael Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by tetchy100 on 16/3/2013

I have a stanley damp meter, and both vans are private sales, ive printed a copy of the damp reading so I should be worried if i get anything over 20% then?

 


see caravan hospital for readings

http://www.caravanhospital.com/damp_test_at_caravan_repairs.htm

 

monitor the onset of damp and catch it at the optimum moment.

  • Readings between (0-15%) no cause for concern
  • Readings between (15-20%) dealer to make a note of these readings and re-check at next service.
  • Readings between (20-24%) possible early signs of ingress, look for tangible evidence or ask for a re-check.
  • Readings between (25-30%) moisture evident, remedial work required; may not need stripdown unless surface damage (staining, pimpling, and softness) is apparent. (There is a risk of wallboard deterioration due to retained moisture in the structure if resealed only.)
  • Reading (31 % and above) structural damage is occurring, deterioration inevitable. a full stripdown of the affected area is required.


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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


PersonDaveCoaches
16/3/2013 at 4:42pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Coachman Pastiche View DaveCoaches's Profile View Profile   Reply to DaveCoaches Reply   Quote DaveCoaches Quote  
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I was in a similar position to you a while ago. We ended up with the caravan a year older which had fewer niggly faults. The other one had lots of little things loose or missing. Nothing that wouldn't be easily repaired, but there were a lot of them.


Persontetchy100
16/3/2013 at 5:27pm
 Location: Grimsby
 Outfit: Skoda Kodiaq - Elddis 556 Firestorm View tetchy100's Profile View Profile   Reply to tetchy100 Reply   Quote tetchy100 Quote  
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Hi we really like the sterling, we didn't get time to view the bailey today!
The only thing that has put me off the sterling is in the shower/toilet I got readings of 23 on the wall board nearer the bottom, now the top of the board like everywhere else was 15-16, now could this just be because the caravan hasn't been used and it's stored outside and the weather has been raining or is it damp? It didn't feel spongy or anything to touch but it did feel slightly colder to the touch?
What are your thoughts? Should I run a mile?


Personmillermicm
16/3/2013 at 5:35pm
 Location: west country
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Why would it be damp because it hasn't been used? The rest of the caravan has been stored in exactly the same weather as the damp bit.
You went prepared with a damp meter. Don't ignore what the meter has told you. The caravan has damp/moisture ingress at that point.
Find a better caravan OR negotiate a price taking account of repair costs if you really like the rest of the van.


Personmichael
16/3/2013 at 8:34pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold View michael's Profile View Profile   Reply to michael Reply   Quote michael Quote  
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20/24 is possible signs of water ingress

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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


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Personalpiner
17/3/2013 at 6:20am
 Location: None Entered
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I would suggest you try out your meter on several caravans including brand new, stored in the same location this will give you an idea on how your meter is interpretation its readings

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alpiner


Personjohnks
17/3/2013 at 8:14am
 Location: Hampshire
 Outfit: None Entered View johnks's Profile View Profile   Reply to johnks Reply   Quote johnks Quote  
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Quote: Originally posted by alpiner on 17/3/2013
I would suggest you try out your meter on several caravans including brand new, stored in the same location this will give you an idea on how your meter is interpretation its readings


Doesn't follow that the new ones aren't damp!

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John


Persontetchy100
17/3/2013 at 10:15am
 Location: Grimsby
 Outfit: Skoda Kodiaq - Elddis 556 Firestorm View tetchy100's Profile View Profile   Reply to tetchy100 Reply   Quote tetchy100 Quote  
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I think the meter is reading fine to be honest, when you ran your hand over the place where we got the high readings it felt damp, I've tried it on another van I went to see and was only getting readings of 15-16 all the time, the same with this van apart from the bathroom area! I'm off to look at another van today also so I can let you know my findings!


Persontetchy100
18/3/2013 at 10:18pm
 Location: Grimsby
 Outfit: Skoda Kodiaq - Elddis 556 Firestorm View tetchy100's Profile View Profile   Reply to tetchy100 Reply   Quote tetchy100 Quote  
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We viewed 2 vans yesterday, a lunar zenith that I found damp under the kitchen window, the meter went off the scale and it felt spongey and stuck out, the second van was a elddis firestorm that I found no damp in and we really like it, but it's the most expensive and now we need to see if we can get the money together to buy it, the readings were all around 16 although I did get a reading of 18 at the rear garage comartment under the rear bunk next to the access door but I think that may have been from where they had wellies stood and was the water off them, they had only been away in it last weekend, also comes with everything to get us started, full awning and a sun canopy! Easily the vest we've seen so far and could be the 1,


PersonSilverLiving
23/3/2013 at 5:13am
 Location: Suffolk
 Outfit: Hymer Living 465 View SilverLiving's Profile View Profile   Reply to SilverLiving Reply   Quote SilverLiving Quote  
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Can I suggest you have a look at a Hymer? they use a construction system called Pual. This is much more tehcnically advanced compared to a softwood frame. You wont get damp in one of those, Im sure.

http://www.motorsm.com/aus/caravans/european-hymer.asp

Its tough stuff. So solid you cant press your finger into it. Moisture hasnt a chance. Id certainly go for this construction again. Total peace of mind.

(Front corners and shower areas of a van are the ones to especially look at for dampbtw)

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Veni Vidi Velcro.... I came, I saw, I stuck around!



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