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Topic: Dethless 2003 floor edges rotten in place

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Guy69

via mobile 19/12/2021 at 1:22pm
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I’ve just bought a 2003 Dethless motor home. Low mileage and in good condition. In getting it home on closer inspection the subfloor at the back has some rotten areas. About 6 inches from the edge to the edge. Is this a major issue? I bought from a dealer and gave a warranty and. Consumer law says I can get a refund and return it. Should I return it , get it fixed? or just keep it ? A bit in 2 minds about it. Help !!

marg6

19/12/2021 at 2:22pm
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well its not going to get any better if left, and depends on what the dealer said regarding its condition and could you prove that with the wording of an advert? it also depends on your interpretation of the word "rotten", maybe a picture of the damaged area would be best?

MrWez

19/12/2021 at 2:53pm
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Yes it is a problem. As Marg6 says it's not going to get any better if left, in fact it could get a lot worse if left untreated. I'd be getting onto the dealer to get that sorted out.

Damp can be the death of a motorhome, the rot has been caused by some damp getting in somewhere and you need to find out where, the dealer should sort this out.

Guy69

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Thank you for responding. I suspect it was from the shower. There were some small cracks in it. They did not look too major and I requested this be fixed. The dealer fitted a liner and finish and it looks much better. However it could have been from something else.
I am considering asking to return the vehicle and request a refund but not sure yet if this is possible. Basically the main floor area is solid but the 6 inches at the edge around the back is either soft or very soft in places looking from the under floor lockers. I should have spotted this but didn’t.
What are other likely sources of damp? The dealer completed a habitation check and it passed everything. Should I consider an independent habitation check?

Fiona W

via mobile 19/12/2021 at 4:12pm
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I googled it, there are plenty of YouTube videos but also a Talbot Owners Club thread with someone repairing a 2003 Dethless. It’ll show you what’s involved but also suggest where the rot might have started - their shower tray was cracked, for example, and there was damp behind the fridge (condensation?). I doubt that a 2003 model would have a reversing camera.
Read the sales description carefully, if it doesn’t actually state that there’s no damp or rot, then you may be looking for a goodwill gesture towards the cost, or reject it.

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marg6

19/12/2021 at 4:29pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Guy69 on 19/12/2021
Thank you for responding. I suspect it was from the shower. There were some small cracks in it. They did not look too major and I requested this be fixed. The dealer fitted a liner and finish and it looks much better. However it could have been from something else.
I am considering asking to return the vehicle and request a refund but not sure yet if this is possible. Basically the main floor area is solid but the 6 inches at the edge around the back is either soft or very soft in places looking from the under floor lockers. I should have spotted this but didn’t.
What are other likely sources of damp? The dealer completed a habitation check and it passed everything. Should I consider an independent habitation check?

yes getting an independant one done wouldnt hurt at all. keep that to yourself tho as long as you can, use to compare against the dealers one and see who you trust the most. however dont eave matters too long as there is a time line for you to report this.

with regard to the repair already done, they clearly have only done half a job, no good making it look nice if underneath is lacking in strength for you to use the shower, that alone might sway my mind on how i proceeded on pushing for a full refund

Guy69

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Can you send a link to the you tumble video of the Dethless repair please

Guy69

via mobile 19/12/2021 at 6:34pm
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The dealer has come back to me and is saying he is happy to do repairs and asking fir photos. The Dethless has a double floor with lockers right round and when you lift some of the doors up the ply sub floor is affected. I’m speaking to him tomorrow. He’s saying the lockers are where the waters getting in which is possible even quite likely but I am a bit wary. To be fair he seemed a decent bloke so we’ll see tomorrow. THe vans in pretty good nick all over except this issue.

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