Chausson + wood construction

[RubyOptics]

Hey guys. We are currently lokoing at a number of different new vans. One that is ticking a LOT of boxes for us right now is the Chausson 627GA. I've read a lot on here about a lot of companies not using wood in their construction and extolling the benefits of a wood free construction process. The Chausson DOES use wood, but their reasons for doing so do seem to make sense to the engineer in me. So....is wood being used something I should really worry about? Or am I worrying about nothing?

 

[Chipster]

Is it structural construction or just lining of the wall panels?

 

[gpat]

I woodn't worry about it one jot.

It's a lot less squeaky for a start. Modern woods are very highly treated against rot

 

[RubyOptics]

Is it structural construction or just lining of the wall panels?

As far as I can see, both. It's shown here

 

[CazPaul]

Those timber brackets in the walls and floor would worry me down the line.

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[andy63]

I've got a 2016 chausson 620..I've cut enough holes in it to know there is wood used in the construction..
It's used along all the joints of walls and roof and also laid into the dense foam sandwich construction to add a bit strength I'd imagine..
Ill just check and see if I've got any cut outs lying around and add a couple pictures
Andy

 

[andy63]

A couple bits I've removed during the various work..
The large cut out is from a garage floor.. but im pretty sure the roof panel has timber inlaid to give secure fixings for the bed hangers ..

And a small section typical of a lot of mh bodies now..

 

[funflair]

Nothing wrong with wood but it needs to stay dry so really the sealing is the most important.

 

[RubyOptics]

Bloody hell andy63 , what were you fitting?! A swimming pool?! I watched the Chausson video with interest as their reasons for using wood do actually make sense. The joins aren't screwed externally, which reassures me, as does the fact that even though they are using wood their hab tightness guarantee is longer than a lot of their competitors (in the same price bracket of course). Thanks for the replies so far...I'm just trying to get an idea if i'm being unduly paranoid or not!

 

[andy63]

what were you fitting?! A swimming pool?

Youer getting confused...its auto trails that have the built in swimming pools
I was fitting a spare wheel carrier in the rear overhang and due to some poor planning and measuring ended up with it been let into the garage floor...
You don't even get a spare wheel with the dam things these days
Andy

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[CazPaul]

Nothing wrong with wood but it needs to stay dry so really the sealing is the most important.

The problem is 10 or 15 years down the line, after various owners, not knowing there has been/is a leak.

 

[RubyOptics]

andy63 as a Chausson owner, could i ask you a few things? Is yours fitted with the diesel heating? If so, what is the power draw like when you are not hooked up? Any little "niggles" you have found...other than a gaping hole in the floor of your garage?! Would you buy Chausson again?

 

[andy63]

hi, yes mine has the blown air diesel heating .. its a wabesto I believe and very effective.. it draws a fair current 10 to 12 amps on start up and then runs at around 4 to 5 amps till the van reaches your set temp.. then the fan slows and it runs at around 2 amps on tickover.. ideal if you can find a setting to keep it like that rather than cycling on and off..
in a nutshell I think the chausson is a well designed van with some nice features if they suit your needs..the finish is a bit bling and cheap and nasty and I found loads of small faults and niggles, but nothing serious.. mine is watertight in spite of the surgery..
ill briefly qualify the cheap and nasty comment by saying that I found sone of the fittings a bit to lightweight and not really fit for purpose and the screw heads holding the fixtures together are hidden with little paper stickers to match,,, not what Id expect spending that sort o money on a new van.. id have another as I love the bathroom and shower , garage and the drop down bed suits my needs...but I doubt id buy new ..
Andy