Been reading a few topics on here, seems a great place for help and advice, you also seem a nice friendly bunch.
We have had 2 caravans before in the past, and old abi and an elddis crusader. We decided to get another so have been looking for the last few weeks. Couple of nights ago a stumbled across an Sterling Wayfarer 5 Berth Twin Axel on a 2000. It has end bedroom walk in shower, full cooker etc. it also come with full awning with 2 annex and a internal bedroom. It smelt good and not damp, had a good check over every thing seems fine. Has all water/waste tanks etc.
Last night I noticed some bubbling at the front of the van, behind was slightly soft but not bad, I was disappointed checked the outside and realised why, a small repair, I expect from an awning poll. It has been repaired so think there will be no damp. I was happier when I went to bed.
But today I have noticed another area at the back of the van which is bigger, not sure where this is coming in. I can see a small repair like the size of a silicone line, again I expect this is from the awning.
What can I do? Should I get a damp meter? Shall I take you guys photos? Help I am a bit unsure how to deal with this.
It was bought as seen so no calling owner back up and I did bid him on it too, which leads me to my other question, which could depending on you're answer make me happy or sad.
I paid £3000 for it. Have I been ripped off or did I get a good deal?
Not too sure on prices, but get a damp meter and go round the van.
Maybe some re sealing of awning rails ect is in order.
You have come to a good place for advice, also I don't think there is any such thing as bought as seen! Everything has to be fit for purpose, even on a private sale.
But again someone on here will point you in the right direction.
Hope this helps
Don't sound to bad, your main concern is sealing it up, make sure no more water comes in. If it doesn't get worse then the inside repair shouldn't be too big then.
I see from the currentCaravan Club mag that even for a private sale you can go to court if the van is not as described. If it was described as not damp you may have a case. I was advised some time ago to email asking certain questions to get a written desciption where possible.
we bought privately and when we got home (5 hour drive) we found damp, we called them and told them how dissapointed we were, they paid us £600, half the repair quote.
We did manage to do the repairs ourself for a total of £100!
don't loose hope, get it sealed quick!
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This site is brill for advice my last van was a 20 year old abbie lincoln,i was in dispair when i found damp had got in.With the help of the lovely people on here i we fixed it ourselves first took the rails off resealed those then replaced the inside boards it was a great feeling being able to fix it .we now have a bailey ranger series 5 fixed bed this makes life easier as we are both retired.carry on camping,ha ha
I had this with a window leak on my van. I repaired the window seal with sealant, so that stopped any more water coming in for a start.
The water that had come in had softened the board underneath the corner of the window for approx 4" square.
So I took some of the panel off the inside (with a stanley knife! not the best job, but I just cut out the piece where it felt soft, plus a bit) and then I let it dry out. You need to get it dry on the inside as well, it might just dry out naturally, but the damp can sometimes get trapped, leading to a big repair as it will continue to rot.
I used some extra heating (oil filled radiator) to speed up the process. Then replaced the bit of panel with a new piece of ply, once I was sure it was bone dry.
Filled in the gaps with filler and all has been ok since.
I used this method rather than take out a whole panel as it was only a small leak, and I wasn't confident enough to think I could take out a whole panel and refit. So I spliced a new bit in. I was just about to repaint the inside of the caravan anyway, so after I had done that, you couldn't see the repair anyway. And it was behind the curtains!
Although I might add this is on a very old 1982 caravan and I didn't have anything to lose by trying it my way. If it had been worse, I would have had to have someone in to repair it for me.
Quote: ... Everything has to be fit for purpose, even on a private sale.
Not true i'm afraid. If item is bought because if its description then it has to match that unless the seller is running a business then it would be true. Also The op said he bid, if this was by auction, then it would be buyer beware with little or no come back. Lets hope it is easily repairable. I too have been looking to upgrade my van but I learnt my lesson last time, never believe the description, never believe what the owner says on the phone (last time an owner said no damp or spongy walls, I drove for an hour and a half only to find that an entire side was spongy as a 'sponge' I drove 1.5 hours back lol). I take damp meter with me. I would never buy via auction unless viewed before bidding. Hard lessons but I guess most of us have been there at some point.
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Topic: Hi new owner & new member.. Advice please
