I've been sorting out all the little odd snaggy jobs I've noticed on our new to us caravan.
Fixed the heater, then moved onto securing the bunk bed which was missing a lot of screws and loose. I figured the previous owners must have removed it and had quickly reattached it to sell it.
When I pulled on the top bunk support the wall moved with it, there didn't seem to be any support for the bunk bracket. I gave the surrounding area a good push and it was all quite wobbly, not soft, there is just movement. I removed the awning from the shower behind that has been there since we bought it and the sealant has gone at the bottom and there is probably a square foot of the outer wall panel that is really soft.
Back on the other side I noticed the wall panel did not go behind the perpendicular walls at both sides of the side dinette, one side is solid and pretty much the whole other side of the window is loose and the window moves a lot more than I imagine it should. A repair has obviously been attempted here before, few stain marks on the floor but the floor is sound except slight delamination on one side of the single leg table mount.
I wasn't massively concerned at this point until I went outside and pushed from the other side, there is just as much movement and there is a visible bulge that I can't believe I didn't notice that runs almost the full length of the side dinette and from below the window to above it.
So I obviously have a severe delamination problem and possibly a severe damp problem. Gutted is an understatement and I just want rid of the thing now but I wouldn't take the hit on selling it on or sell it on without pointing out the problem. There has been no reply from the one man band dealer I bought it off so it looks like I'm going to have to tackle it.
I have looked up quite a few damp and sidewall delamination repairs but can't see any on the scale of the bulge I have on the outside. If anyone can give any pointers on how to go about this it would be much appreciated.
I'm imagining the skin on the outside is going to have to be left as is and perhaps won't reattach properly? I'm thinking to take the wallboards off, add some battening and a support for the bunk. In the shower, could I cut away the soft board and just replace that and anything behind that looks dodgy or does the whole board need to be replaced?
Can I get away with leaving this bodged for a while until I have more time, money?
If he's a 'dealer' I'd return it to him, point out all the faults, ( research the sale of goods act, )telling him you want a refund or you'll go to Trading standards, Don't be rude or show anger but don't mince your words. State what you want.
Wish it was that simple. The guy operates in space he's rented on a trading estate with no office which is an hour and a half away. I've called him and the ringer is that sound you get when the other person is overseas. He's currently not listing any vans for sale so hopefully is just away and will be back soon but who knows. He's not replied to texts, but I'll keep trying.
We have summer holidays coming up with two trips away planned so we'll be using this van, think I'm just going to seal up the shower for now and see what happens. I also have to find a way to properly secure the bunk for my daughter without the necessary supports on one side.
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Topic: It just gets worse....Damp
