Hi folks, are there any other Freedom owners on the forum? Or anyone familiar with these caravans?
I have a 21 year old Microlite which has been 'restored' (inverted commas as I'm not sure this was done by a professional) I bought it a year ago and only just found, during my last outing, two wet patches under the vinolay, in the two bottom corners, under the benches. I only realised there were wet patches because I'd stored my duvet under one of the benches, and when I took it out again the end which had been pushed up against the supporting strut was rather wet! Further examination highlighted the fact that there were wet patches in the ply underneath the supporting struts, and the water had seeped up into the struts.
I cannot imagine how water ingress can occur in a monocoque GRP shell, unless the restorer made extra holes in the GRP during his fixings and didn't seal them. On examination, I found water ingress in the nearside rear as well. At no time have I noticed any damp patches on the wall lining; I just can't imagine how this water has got in!
I have got the 'van booked in to an AWS/NCC approved workshop to give me a quote for remedial work but I thought I'd enquire of you helpful folk here to see if anyone else has encountered water ingress of this type in a Freedom.
Any advice/comments welcome, thank you.
------------- Life without dogs? I don't think so!
Hi Cynth, sorry to hear this. Could be condensation if there's no ventilation and areas with no insulation.
Also, I know it's a GRP shell but think about how many openings there are. Door frame, window frames, roof light, battery box, cassette toilet flush and cassette doors, water inlet, fridge vents, road lights, awning channel fixings etc. etc.
Fridge vents are basically big holes and may have removable covers in summer that need to be in place in winter to keep driving rain out.
I had a Freedom Sunseeker many years ago, towed with a Mini Metro but had no water ingress issues.
Thanks for your reply Navver. Perhaps luckily for me, the Microlite is even more basic than usual, as during its 'restoration' the fridge was removed, I have no bathroom and not even a water inlet! The water container is internal, in the cupboard under the sink. I do have vents with 'sliders' enabling you to close off the ventilation if desired, but I always leave them open.
Every week or so I open up the Freedom to give it a good airing which seems to be keeping it sweet - no fousty or mouldy smells, and it's worked wonders drying out the wet plywood. I'm wondering whether if I got a cover to put over the 'van in wet weather I could still continue to use it regularly without having a huge bill from a workshop?1
------------- Life without dogs? I don't think so!
The monocoque may lack joints but still has a whole bunch of holes in it, doors, windows, inlets and outlets, lockers, vents etc. to some degree which are all potential leak points. Water leaks are often notoriously difficult to trace to actual source, as often the water will track along in hidden places (wall cavities etc.) before emerging and making themselves evident. Quite often the damp spot on floors especially is where water has run along and 'puddled' at that point due to it being the lowest point, often due to the tilt of the caravan.
One 'leak' that is far more common than many realise is where it doesn't enter through a roof or wall hole/joint, but is actually water running down the (external) walls and running under the van, to be 'wicked' UP through the floor!
Another potential leak source is internal plumbing! Unless you take the time to truly drain down and 'blow' the residue out, many systems retain a surprising volume of water. That over time may leak. If you close all taps and drain valves in storage, the system can due to atmospheric and temperature changes become slightly pressurised, it only takes a drip or two to dampen an area if the weather is not conducive to drying.
Navver's suggestion of condensation is quite feasible. If there is a sizeable wall area that is badly insulated from outside cold and/or has poor air circulation, it could well run/drip to the floor.
A cover may well be a solution whilst in storage, but it's not going to help when the van is in use.
Thanks Monty15. I'm thinking of taking off the rear light units; I'm not sure whether they are pre-'restoration' originals or different units altogether. If they are different to the originals and required different holes to be drilled in the shell for fitting, one would hope the original holes would have been sealed. If not, that would be an easy target for rain water...
The bespoke Freedom covers are a bit dear at £483. maybe I'll strike lucky and find a preowned one.
Navver, how long did you have your Sunseeker for? No leakages!? - just shows they CAN be dry units.
------------- Life without dogs? I don't think so!
Hi Cynth, I bought it in 1998 I think and kept it about 5 years.
I think yours has a pop top roof which mine didn't have.
I'd be tempted to have a really good look inside with a torch when it's raining. Make a list from the outside of all the possible openings and fixing points and look inside each of these in the rain.
Bedding pushed up against the inside wall could get damp due to condensation. If the inside wall is cold the bedding will stop any air circulation. I always emptied bedding out over winter and pulled all the seat cushions away from the walls.
Quote: Originally posted by CyberCynth on 13/4/2025
Thanks navver. Good advice. I just need some rain now.... I don't think there has been any more than a bit of drizzle since before Christmas.
Yes, I try to keep the bench cushions away from the caravan walls. I have never noticed any dampness in the wall lining fabric.
With no rain it is hard to envisage water from outside leaking in during the no rain period, which given the cold nights tends to focus attention on a condensation issue.
The construction technique where "inside" air can access the outer skin's inner surface is ideal to create condensation. Here I am assuming there are no vapour seals to keep inside air from the skin.
Have you been using the van with good levels of ventilation, and did the refurbisher keep clear the designed in any permeant vents?
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Topic: Leaky Freedom
