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Topic: Awning rail detached, causing rotten wood

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Olliemedsy

via mobile 09/9/2022 at 11:37am
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Hello
I have a Hobby 2002 caravan, which I bought second hand about a year and a half ago. I have noticed the underside back corners are wet. One is not too bad, butnOne in particular is very wet and a lot of the wood has rotted away and you can easily scoop it out.

Ive spend a good few hours trying to find an entry point for water, then discovered that the awning rail has come apart from the body of the caravan. I would guess this has to be the main culprit, as the other side is still attached, and the underside is a bit wet but nowhere near this bad. The wood beneath the caravan is directly through that gap so water has to be getting in through there.

How would I go about reattaching this rail to the body, and then I guess the next step would be replacing the wood.

I've of course looked online a fair bit already but am getting overwhelmed and not really finding answers specifically to this. I'm fairly new to all this so please bear with me.

Thanks!

Olliemedsy

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Oh and ignore the rubbish sealant job haha. Long story.

Andy Higham

09/9/2022 at 2:25pm
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Water has got between the rail and the caravan skin. Two panels join under the rail so the water gets between the panels and into the wood, the wood rots and the screws pull out. By the time the rail became detached it was way too late to stop the problem.
You have a big job on your hands!

Olliemedsy

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Okay, thanks for the heads up!

Fiona W

via mobile 09/9/2022 at 4:45pm
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You say “How would I go about reattaching this rail to the body, and then I guess the next step would be replacing the wood.”
I agree with Andy. I suspect you have this process the wrong way round. First, fix rotten wood problem. Then reattach rail. (Easy for me to say.)

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Olliemedsy

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Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 09/9/2022
You say “How would I go about reattaching this rail to the body, and then I guess the next step would be replacing the wood.”
I agree with Andy. I suspect you have this process the wrong way round. First, fix rotten wood problem. Then reattach rail. (Easy for me to say.)

True haha. I initially assumed the rail was causing the problem because I'd read other posts saying the awning rail can cause problems with water getting in. Have to figure out where the water is getting in in the first place.

birdman101

10/9/2022 at 11:39am
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You will probably find that water runs down panel and underneath soaking the timber instead of dripping off. I have always fitted some plastic angle on with silkafix to give a drip off and keep the underneath dry with every caravan I have owned.

Olliemedsy

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Quote: Originally posted by birdman101 on 10/9/2022
You will probably find that water runs down panel and underneath soaking the timber instead of dripping off. I have always fitted some plastic angle on with silkafix to give a drip off and keep the underneath dry with every caravan I have owned.

I've seen quite a few people say this but don't quite understand. With my caravan at least, it seems water runs down the bumper say and drips off the bottom anyway. Do you have any pictures? I find it hard to visualise to be honest.

birdman101

10/9/2022 at 1:30pm
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Picture of back panel drip strip added also done sides the same. Before doing this every time it rains the wood underneath and floor was wet in the back end corners.

Post last edited on 10/09/2022 13:34:40

Pickled Onion

11/9/2022 at 1:37pm
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Why oh why couldn't manufacturers include this essential item in the original moulding? There was a raised strip right across the rear panel of my van, it may have been there to reinforce the edge but it did the job of deflecting rain running down the rear panel preventing it getting onto the under-floor. However, it it didn't reach the back or side edge which regularly got soaked in the winter. Since doing the mod it has been bone dry.

Dave.

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Olliemedsy

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Ah I see what you mean. Thank you all!

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