Same question as elliemike but if it is a Avan camper I have one as well but the sportliner and from what I have been told by other Avan owners it is normal. I now leave a window open a little when I can and due to the design of the window (wind out) I can leave open most of the time, this seems to have sorted the problem with the added bonus of a bit of fresh air all the time. I have only had my Avan for a couple of months and after a bit of a renovation inside (see previous posts) I am more than happy with it. Enjoy saab and jen.

saab and jen wrote:

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Greetings from wet wet wet NSW. We have just purchased our van from a lovely man in QLD and are travelling back to sunny Melbourne when we just happened to be travelling through a wet period along the coast.

Question- Condensation on the metal hinge areas of A frame- is this normal?

Does anyone have innovative ideas re stopping the above?

Also, we have a couple of bubbles in the A frame lining at the join going laterally across the midddle of the wall- this is due to the rain we are experiencing.

Question- Do you think the van (once it has dried out) requires silicone? Is there any regular maintenance we could do, or, do you just throw a tarp over when the rain is incessant and heavy over days.

hope to hear some practical ideas which will be greatly appreciated.

saab and jen 

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 Hi saab & jen and welcome to the forum.

I had an A'Van Aliner camper trailer for 7 years and was also a member of the A'Van Club of WA, one of the cheapest and best RV clubs in Oz.  They have branches in all states and if your travelling you can got to any rally with any of the state clubs.  This is there link;

http://avanclubaust.org.au/ 

Some of my best RV experiences and memories were when we had the A'Van and they are a great unit, sometimes I wish I had kept mine.  Around about 2000 or later they went to the higher side walls and because of the higher wall could put a bigger fridge in it, the earlier model like I had was the smaller fridge.

Regards the condensation, yes the hinges and aluminium edging on the roof does get condensation mainly from the air you exhale in cold/wet conditions and the only way to prevent this that I know is to leave a window partly open like Doug said, or if on power a fan heater on low which should fix that, best to sit the fan heater on a cork tile on the bench so that bedding etc doesn't fall on it during the night. 

Re the bubbles in the roof strip, if that is the wide black one I have not had he leaking problem you had but if water is getting in there I would have it fixed, you should not have to put something over it.   There are A'Van agents in every state some get some advice from them or a good caravan repairer in you area.  Caboolture Caravan Repairs have a very good reputation if that is anywhere near you, or give them a ring and ask to speak to Barry or anyone if he is not there.  It doesn't sound like a major problem and should be an easy fix for someone who knows what they are doing;

I envy the good times you are going to have in your A'Van and wish you Happy Travels.  A couple of links;

http://www.avan.com.au/dealers_qld.html 

http://www.caravanrepair.com.au/ 

 Ooops, I just noticed you had a Chalet, I think they have gone out of production in Oz and the A'Van Club won't have them unless they are an A'Van.   Still a good unit though and any caravan repairer should be able to fix the problem or give advice on what you have with the join or any others.  See my reply to Elle on the Chalet.

Although they don't make them anymore, Kimberely Campers should be able to help you with advice and may even still carry some spares etc.