Hoping someone out there has some good advice for us. My hubby and I bought a VW Transporter three years ago (1995 4-berth) and have been living and travelling in it ever since. We came over from NZ and we house-sit in between living in the van so are not in it all the time. We have found it has bad damp/rot problems and have an estimate of £5,000 or more to fix. No knowing anything about motorhomes before we bought it, we think we paid over the top at £11,000. Now we are not sure whether to bite the bullet and get it repaired or sell for what we can and buy something else. We can't do the repairs ourselves as we don't have anywhere we can do it, not renting or owning a property. Any advice greatly appreciated! Anything to help hubby's deep depression. We are currently house-sitting near Bath.
Is it a T4 "van conversion" or a "coachbuilt" body on a T4 chassis..?
There doesn't seem to be any shortage of VW "specialist" workshops/bodyshops about (..although, if they're any good or not, is another matter! ), so if it is a "van/bus" it may be worth getting a few more prices/opinions for starters.
There are some Vdub owners on here but it may also be worth you seeking out some VW specific forums for advice...
Hi Pepe
Thanks for the reply.
It's a coach built affair on T4 undercarriage. The repairs would be a rebuild on the pax side to the point of replacing the top side aluminium panel due to some medium damage which was repaired at some stage in a bodgied manner. Probably the partial cause of the leaks. Have rung round a few repairers the least hourly rate being £40 per hour the worst £55. We will keep trying and probably turn to drink to ease my depression.
The problem with the older/traditional build methods of these vehicles, is once rot has set in,it can be pricey or at least, time consuming, to remedy..
What "make/model" is it?...Is it the "overcab" section that is damaged?...and is it "rotten"/damaged to the point of being unusable?.....
I just wonder whether it could be "made good"/resealed?(hide any obvious damage with a decal?)..and maybe just strip out a small section of the inner wallboard, treat the inner timbers with something?...
If you don't want to do it yourself, I wonder if you could source a decent joiner/handyman, who, due to the time of year, may be after some "additional" work..?..it should be well within the capabilities of such a tradesman, as there'll be very little in the way of "specialist skills" that a *motorhome specific workshop would bring to the party.
(*Don't forget that 40-50 pound an hours is helping pay for their flashy showrooms and websites...!)
If you are not too concerned with final appearance, you could consider just repairing the roof enough to be structurally safe and then cover it with some of the relatively "new" domestic flat roofing rubberised sheeting, glued on using either the bitumised "paint" adhesives or a dedicated adhesive to match the rubberised sheet. It may not look too traditional from above but it will keep out the weather. It could if done carefully just look like a matt black or satin finish ?
------------- cramming for my finals in the twilight zone
Sorry, not being as precise as I should be!! It's an Autohome coach build and after a professional appraisal the roof and ceiling appeared to be sound no leaks or damage at all and the floor is ok, the over cab part is fine also but the bad boy is in the walls. Pax side would appear to have very little solid wooden framework for it all to hang onto so subsequently the outer wall flexes at the joints. This occurs along most of it's length so presumably needs all new framing, wallboard and finish. The drivers side is more solid but has that spongy feeling around the large window.We realise there are no real short cuts when it's at the stage it is, just wondering if anyone has any bright ideas. It's basically a toss up between fix or buy something else. Thanks for all your suggestions, next time will get things checked.
Oh well, we'll keep trying. Have had another quote which is cheaper than the first, and also may have someone to take it on as a project. So keeping fingers crossed. Thanks for your comments and support.
Cheers.
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Topic: Motorhome damp repairs
), so if it is a "van/bus" it may be worth getting a few more prices/opinions for starters.
) 
