I am looking at a new van & have been told not to get one with a front window or boot. I have been told that when it rains & you are driving, the combined speed of the vehicle & the rain can force water under the seals of the window & boot. I can see how it could happen, but, does it happen in reality?
Thanks
stuart
iana said
03:02 PM Aug 14, 2019
We have both an opening front window, and an opening front boot. Yes we have had water coming in both, the widow had a seal that had moved from its mounting, and the boot had a seal that was not properly fitted, fixing it is a job still in progress. The front window is fixed and has driven through driving rain with no problems, the boot is still to be reported on.
I note that on our van, the latest models do not have an opening front boot, and only a small tray accessed from the side for storage, and I do wonder if they are trying to reduce the possibility of putting weight in there and increasing the ball weight, bearing in mind they have two water tanks forward of the wheels and a grey water tank behind.
Olive Oil said
03:42 PM Aug 14, 2019
Our front window has never leaked in 100,000kms of travel.
Our front boot has leaked since day one.
deverall11 said
04:27 PM Aug 14, 2019
Ours has a sticker that advises that the front boot is NOT water proof
STRETCH ARMSTRONG said
07:12 PM Aug 14, 2019
Ive owned two vans with front boots. Both leaked on occasion and both were equipped with a drain hole from factory.
My front boot leaks too but it is lined with galv sheeting & has drain holes ... never a problem.
The front window however is another story & does weep in driving rain. Has after 20 years caused a little damage to the internal sheeting. Not a problem though.
If you are really pedantic then the van 'Bra' in Brickies post is a good idea.
Craig1 said
08:59 PM Aug 14, 2019
Had a leak in front boot on Paramount Pop Top, main cause was a poorly fitted pop rivet, or was it two?. Torch behind them in the dark to spot. Also resealed above top 'hinge' seams to be ok now. A factory acrylic " traditional type" cover over front window seems to work so far.
Radar said
10:17 PM Aug 14, 2019
2 caravans both with a front boot neither was water proof, really don't bother me except when a bit of water pools on the annex flooring and I wear the water.
I plan to have in my next caravan a tunnel boot, I want a longer bed and we can gain the extra there.
Now no1 caravan had a leak after 5years in the front window seal. I think the sealing job was done by the apprentice on a Friday afternoon of a long weekend.
No2 is real good but at the end of the year the caravan will be 7years old, I might just pay the friendly caravan man a visit and have window resealed for luck.
Hope this is a bit encouraging.
Stuarth1953 said
10:44 AM Aug 15, 2019
Thank you to all of the responers.
I will be looking for a van with no front openings.
I am looking at a new van & have been told not to get one with a front window or boot. I have been told that when it rains & you are driving, the combined speed of the vehicle & the rain can force water under the seals of the window & boot.
I can see how it could happen, but, does it happen in reality?
Thanks
stuart
I note that on our van, the latest models do not have an opening front boot, and only a small tray accessed from the side for storage, and I do wonder if they are trying to reduce the possibility of putting weight in there and increasing the ball weight, bearing in mind they have two water tanks forward of the wheels and a grey water tank behind.
Our front window has never leaked in 100,000kms of travel.
Our front boot has leaked since day one.
Ours has a sticker that advises that the front boot is NOT water proof
My front boot leaks too but it is lined with galv sheeting & has drain holes ... never a problem.
The front window however is another story & does weep in driving rain. Has after 20 years caused a little damage to the internal sheeting. Not a problem though.
If you are really pedantic then the van 'Bra' in Brickies post is a good idea.
2 caravans both with a front boot neither was water proof, really don't bother me except when a bit of water pools on the annex flooring and I wear the water.
I plan to have in my next caravan a tunnel boot, I want a longer bed and we can gain the extra there.
Now no1 caravan had a leak after 5years in the front window seal. I think the sealing job was done by the apprentice on a Friday afternoon of a long weekend.
No2 is real good but at the end of the year the caravan will be 7years old, I might just pay the friendly caravan man a visit and have window resealed for luck.
Hope this is a bit encouraging.
I will be looking for a van with no front openings.