Hi all, I am looking at getting my 1st caravan. Have my eye on a 2nd hand 2018 Lotus( approx 70k). As it is a timber frame model, are there any tell tale signs that I can look at that might say it has had a leak and may in later on rot the timber. Would obviously be looking for and staining on wall or flooring, any silicone in shower area that may have been replaced etc.
Hi all, I am looking at getting my 1st caravan. Have my eye on a 2nd hand 2018 Lotus( approx 70k). As it is a timber frame model, are there any tell tale signs that I can look at that might say it has had a leak and may in later on rot the timber. Would obviously be looking for and staining on wall or flooring, any silicone in shower area that may have been replaced etc.
If you visit the Big Green Shed you can buy a moisture meter for $50. That should help to put your mind at rest, as $70k is not just chicken-feed! Cheerd
Make sure you are not getting a previous flooded version from the floods everywhere in the country, best to take someone along who know what to look for what to inspect, otherwise you quite easily get caught with a piece of rubbish. I would never buy another timber frame myself, they all leak, and rot within a few years.
-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Sunday 26th of November 2023 10:41:32 PM
A moisture meter will detect dampness if present, it will not however detect a previous leak.
Caravans tend to leak at damaged panels or fitments that were not installed correctly (lights, brackets, aerials, etc), sometimes little black ants are an indication of a previous leak.
As Ric suggested the van should be inspected by a person with caravan damage experience.
Colin Young at Caravan Council may be able to assist you in locating a specialist examiner.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
We lost a fortune 8 years ago after a newly purchased used van leaked rain through the skylight on day one. Water ran through inside the walls and over the next 6-8 months a lot of interal walls turned soft and mould everywhere. The dealer promised a refund then disappeared leaving behind a business that had huge debts and no assets. We had to sell the van as a major reno/parts project.
I looked at a few used vans before we found our next one and one had water damage on the back wall up inside a cupboard which was directly under the solar panels. I thought it was due to a poor installation of the solar panels. Another had a damaged seal around the slide-out.
