Lack of insulation and bad seals

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Lack of insulation and bad seals

deconuts · Veteran Member

I was just reading some posts on another forum (albeit about four years old) on the lack of insulation and leaking seals causing very bad rotting in RVs. Just wondering if this is still a problem in modern/current vans or if anyone has had problems like this.

ozjohn · Guru

Yep! Still a problem, some worse than others.
For instance are no alum clad vans that don't leak, although it may only be a tiny drip from time to time inside the cladding, it's still a leak that will over time cause damage.
Hopefully most of us have vans where the damage won't become evident for a long time after we've (Or our decedents) have disposed of it.
Ozjohn.

deconuts · Veteran Member

That's disappointing news John. The comments on the other forum that I read related to quiet bad damage on RVs that were only about five years old! Not so good news.

GaryKelly · Guru

Mine's aluminium clad, no leaks and 40 years old. It's one of the original Freeways (before they became Winnebago) so maybe they built 'em better back then.

PeterInSa · Guru

A friend had leaks in his 6 year old van, he replaced the foam ( eg between the windows and the cladding) to improve the sealing.

To me this foam is not a 100% seal, like in the good old days when mastick or some goo was used that never dried, but this goo made if very hard to repair caravans etc.

Peter

deconuts · Veteran Member

You're right Gary. The good old days when everything was built to last, not like the crap you get today. But then this generation throws everything away as soon as there is an upgrade. But I digress. (Isn't that another post!!)

dog · Newbie

We have a 19 month old New Age Little Joey.2 months after the warranty expired we found a fair sized water leak in the front corners over the single beds. Contacted the dealer Hinterland Caravans and New Age in Victoria. Reply, Its out of Warranty tough luck. It cost $1800 to repair,which included replacement of a section of timber frame and re-sealing joints. The repair company said it had been leaking for ages. Guess where I wont be buying my next caravan.
john&di

TAJ · Senior Member

SUPREME 2 years old when van was..12months 4 season hatches leaked between them and aluminium roof

got them fixed up at bundaberg qld under warranty .9 months later front one leaked again

rang CAMEC about their product said to take it back to bundy 3 days up and 3 days back (not llikely)

these were made from recycled plastic and sealant would not hold

got a heiki 2 installed read good and bad reports about them cost $1350

keeping fingers crossed for the back one WAS good to be rich

suenray

jetj · Guru

Wow, this is very informative. So is fibreglass better than aluminium clad for not leaking. I have heard that hatches often have to be resealed on motorhomes.

jetj · Guru

Thanks Gerty,

I'm thinking about a slide on and this would very much apply to those as well, very helpful.

Bunkerbob · Senior Member

Just a query. How would you or how do you check to see if a van is leaking if there is no wet spots or marks? Does the leak become evident or does it just suddenly collapse around you?

herbie · Guru

I think it is a mater of pot luck really regarding any problems regarding any fixtures and the seals on any Rv no mater of brand name .

Like all things today nothing is built to last,and more so caravans for some reason.

They are like owning a house you never stop maintaining them.

Anything to do with an Rv can cost a lot more than maintaining a house some times. They kind of seeing you coming and rub their hands together.

PeterInSa · Guru

Re
[Just a query. How would you or how do you check to see if a van is leaking if there is no wet spots or marks? Does the leak become evident or does it just suddenly collapse around you? ]

A good friend had a leak, could well have been since the van was new, only found out when he saw a stain in the wall of a cupboard.

From memory was caused by a screw not being sealed in the AL track along the top edge of his van ie outside wall/roof edging. He fixed the problem.

To me the only way to check if a van is leaking is to use one of those meters that the White Ant people use, checking for white ants/moisture.

Peter

-- Edited by PeterInSa on Wednesday 24th of July 2013 12:10:36 PM

Mark · Senior Member

Bunkerbob wrote:
Just a query. How would you or how do you check to see if a van is leaking if there is no wet spots or marks? Does the leak become evident or does it just suddenly collapse around you?

Another thing you could do is to buy a damp meter, quite cheap at Bunnies.
They have two sharp prongs on the end and you push them into the inner wall (in a discreet area as they will leave "pin prick marks") the meter will measure the moisture levels in that area.
Also, underneath the van, you will find the flooring, always a good place to check as well, especially in the corners where the floor meets the front/back and side panels (the corners)

(typo - fingers bandaged up and hitting wrong keys!!)

-- Edited by Mark on Wednesday 24th of July 2013 12:54:02 PM

TAJ · Senior Member

checked the old hatch that was leaking and not a sign of any adhesive found on

the surface supposed to be fixed by well recommended van repairer by camec

done under warranty ..camec got ripped off and it cost me later

any body need the name of company in bundaberg i will PM you

suenray

ozjohn · Guru

Question: Do fibreglass vans leak?
Yes especially the vacuum bonder type.
Just because a leak is not evident doesn't mean it doesn't have a leak.
In many cases the owner won't have a clue until such time as it becomes clearly evident or they have an accident and the van has to be partly dismantled for repairs.
I have yet to see a van over about 2 - 3 years old that has experiences a few good down pours or is stored outside that didn't have a leak exp

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Thank you Ozjohn, although we didn't want to hear that! Do you have any experience with motorhomes, does the same apply?