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Hi All

Hubby & I bought a swift challenger 480 in August 2012.  Being caravan virgins we went into the whole thing a little "eyes wide shut" so to speak!  Loads of work done by a great repairer but still a lot to do and finances running low since repairs.  One problem we have is a small area of damp to the floor which we uncovered whilst wishing to replace the carpet (old one stank of dog, muck and other unmentionables)!  My question is why would a caravan have damp along the front  of the cooker and small amount into bathroom area (measuring approx 28% on damp meter)?  No damp registered in upper walls, no repairs to floor done previously and no delamination has yet occurred. Help!!!!

Having looked through various caravan mags & the Haynes Caravan manual (I was desperate so invested in the caravan bible), my brain is telling me it is the awning rail & perhaps lack of mastic/ sealant under the rail.  I am hoping a few of you may be able to make a few suggestions as we are thinking now that selling it on for spares or repair may be the best thing to do, but we never give in so determined not to be beaten!  Any suggestions appreciated as all this caravan thinking is making my brain ache!

Thanks Jeff and Michael for your replies, all suggestions are very much appreciated.  I have to admit that my enthusiasm is 100% to get this caravan right but my practical skills are at about 50%!  We dried the floor out with an electric heater a few weeks ago which seemed to do the trick, but only temporarily, as we are now back to square one with the damp.  We drained down for the winter so there shouldn't be any water on-board and to get our repair guy out again to check everything again (was serviced in November) would be costly so not really sure what to do now.  I guess it has to be a process of elimination starting with the water pipes & connections and work from there! 

Our terrier is most unhappy that his "wheelie holiday kennel" (as it has become affectionately known to us), is not up and running and ready to go, as he loves Barmouth and Harlech beach.  He can't understand when he looks out of the window of the van why he cannot hear seagulls like he did on hols in our trailer tent! 

Many thanks and happy camping for 2013!

CamperLou