geebee
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Post by geebee on Feb 20, 2015 10:23:27 GMT
Hello,
My big old Citroen C5 estate is poorly and in the garage and I'm looking to change it for something like a Ford Galaxy or VW Sharan, has anyone had and experiences of these MPV's? As well as a tow car I also need it as a mini-van for my decorating business, plus a big comfy lounge for the wife and kids!
Cheers!
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geebee
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Posts: 24
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Post by geebee on Jan 24, 2015 9:43:43 GMT
I completely agree and was angered by his comments, the fact that caravanning brings so much positive to many so people and enabling those who cannot afford the hefty hotel bills around the UK. I was bought up caravanning in the 1970's when it was a cheap holiday for my parents to take us kids on, and now I do the same with my kids. We just bought an old caravan and I'm tackling damp issues but were going to make good use of it and have amazing times on a budget.
Ray Smear's life will never be the same again and it's our job to remind people of this 'celebrities' attitude to those perhaps less fortunate than himself.
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geebee
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Posts: 24
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Post by geebee on Jan 21, 2015 23:39:04 GMT
Very true Dickers but I really have no idea how I could replace the mastic without pulling the walls apart, not something I want to do! I guess that there has been minimal damage which I'm drying out and now the area is protected until I can work out my best options considering the cost and age of the caravan.
One idea is to lift the side apart somehow but I fear this could cause more issues than resolving them, end of the day I think I'm going for the most straightforward!
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geebee
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Posts: 24
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Post by geebee on Jan 21, 2015 13:05:24 GMT
Thanks, the creeping cure fluid would be great but I can't see it running upwards! The rain seems to run down the sidewall and then hugging the panel it goes back up into the gaps within the seem. Surprisingly I put some white insulation tape along the seam and it sticks well and doesn't look too bad, so i'm considering a stripe to go over the seam that matches the existing decals. First I think I'll try a bead of sikaflex but waiting for the weather to improve is frustrating!
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geebee
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Posts: 24
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Post by geebee on Jan 18, 2015 13:36:05 GMT
I've noticed some water ingress coming in from what I think is a bodywork panel joint. The joint seam is towards the bottom of the caravan and looks like it was sealed with mastic in production although it looks like it's perishing. There is no way to take this apart unless it was done professionally in some caravan centre so I wondering how I could protect and reseal this joint? At the moment I'm going to buy some electrical tape and stick that along the seam all the way down both sides of the van, that should stop any further water getting in but I'm looking for something longer lasting, perhaps a bead of Sikaflex?
Thanks for any advice, Graham.
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geebee
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Posts: 24
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Post by geebee on Jan 12, 2015 20:08:23 GMT
Yes sad tale and I've been reading this all too often. I guess at least the newer Bailey caravans have been designed without wood framing etc so hopefully other manufacturers will follow suit, although it will take quite a few years for them to filter down to those on a budget!
Cheers,
The caravan is now a sweat lodge most evenings now as I'm determined to get on top of all of these issues, and hopefully come out smiling in a year or so when I've stripped it out and rebuilt certain sections. It's kind of a war of patience now!
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geebee
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Posts: 24
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Post by geebee on Jan 11, 2015 17:02:32 GMT
Thanks again, I've been spending time removing all the cushions and now have discovered another damp area reading 50% at the rear. Not a huge area, an area where the mastic was not replaced as the caravan was parked back against the house. So new mastic ordered and hopefully we'll get a nice weekend soon!
People really should be warmed when spending good money on caravans, even if they are only a couple of years old as I've read some nightmare stories. After years of doing van conversions I've never worried about damp, this has been a real eye opener. It's a shame that mastic replacement wasn't advertised as a requirement for every 5 years or something as my heart go's out to those young families who have, and are, falling into the same trap and perhaps not having the skills to repair. I guess like myself you go into holiday mode when looking and get too enthusiastic! Anyway, 2 heaters and and a dehumidifier on the go, it will be ready by April! :-) Cheers.
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geebee
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Posts: 24
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Post by geebee on Jan 11, 2015 11:29:11 GMT
Hi Dickers and thanks,
Yes I have a mains dehumidifier which seems to do the job well, especially when the weather is bad! The caravan cushions etc are still in the van although I have stood them up and most of them are out of the way in the toilet compartment. I think yes it would be a good idea to bring them indoors although space is a premium with the children and I don't think the loft would be a good idea, but I'll try and give it a go.
I think you must learn some amazing things at the RAF, my late father was stationed at Tangmere I think back in the late 50's early 60's and he was always full of good ideas and a very practical person.
The floor in the caravan is carpeted and in reasonable condition, I'm sticking the meter through this and that's what's giving the readings. I'm just wondering if this 16-25% is due to the severe rain that we had here hoping this will improve in better conditions.
Cheers.
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geebee
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Posts: 24
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Post by geebee on Jan 10, 2015 13:42:17 GMT
Hello again, yes another post, hope that's ok!
As I continue to dry out areas in our caravan I've noticed the floor reading around 17% to 25%. Is it top be expected that the readings will be higher during a very heavy period of rain and wind?
I'm constantly running a 700 watt oil heater in the van now although this is leaned close the walls I'm trying to dry, plus this morning I emptied a pint of water from running the dehumidifier all day yesterday. Even when it's not raining in the Welsh valleys, it's still wet!
Thanks for allowing me to share my new caravaner concerns. :-) Cheers, Graham.
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geebee
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Posts: 24
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Post by geebee on Jan 6, 2015 18:06:02 GMT
Thanks,
I had the upper rail of a couple of months ago when I replaced the mastic although yet to tackle the lower rail. But this rail stops before the front fibre glass section so hopefully should not effect the problem although I will be replacing the mastic with the next few weeks. There's some big rain coming so we shall see if the new seal does it's job, looking at the old one it's likely that the water was going under it and into the gas locker.
Bring on the rain!!
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geebee
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Posts: 24
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Post by geebee on Jan 4, 2015 10:37:37 GMT
Great idea about injecting hardener Trooper, thanks for that! Just received locker seal and putting it on today, and after taping the edges up after a day of rain only a few drops got in, so I'm hopefully that the new seal should all but remedy the water.
I seemed to pulled more and more to ripping all the wood out but I'm determined to get at least one spring and summer season without doing that!
I'm also wondering if it's possible for the lower skirt rail track to cause issues on the floor if leaking? I seem to be getting a section where the damp patch is rising although it is dry just below the window it is under!
Thanks, Graham
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geebee
Slightly Hitched
Posts: 24
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Post by geebee on Jan 2, 2015 19:41:46 GMT
Hello again and a happy new year!
I'm still trying to stop the rot in my caravan without removing any wood, so far it seems the soft damaged areas are below the level of the front seating frames. A lot of the wood has gone very powdery on top and some sections are still wet as I continue to dry them out slowly with a oil filled radiator. Also the front floor sections still within the seating frame structure are doing the same.
My question is after I hopefully stop the ingress of water could I use waterproof wood hardened to solidify these areas and re-laminate with fablon?
I've recently found another big leak which seems to be coming in from the front gas locker and pooling in one corner (as the caravan is on a slight slope). Here the water is going through into the floor and it looks like it's been causing damage for some time although luckily I don't think it's too much of a nightmare and maybe possible to repair with the hardener? I've ordered a new seal to go around the locker door and I've cleaned up the loose rusty hinges and used mastic underneath them when replacing.
Although I'm very tempted to rip out the old wood inside, mainly on the walls I just can't find the heart to do it yet as I've only had the caravan for a few months. Yes I'm still gutted and angry with the bloke I bought it from, and embarressed of buying it without properly checking it. Still, Im looking to remove the rotten wood perhaps next autumn before the winter kicks in again and to be completely sure that the re-sealing work that I have been doing will hold.
Thanks, Graham. p.s Best wishes on a new year of caravanning!
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