Damp issue on rear floor during annual habitation check

[AndyPK]

Just taken the ‘van to Marquis in Tewksbury for the annual habitation check (£234 thank you!), and it has highlighted damp along the rear floor at bumper-level. As the ‘van was registered in May 2019, they (Marquis) are contacting Elddis to confirm a warranty repair - Elddis should respond before Christmas, and the repair will be carried-out early next year………I hope! I’ll be interested as to where the water ingress is from - we don’t use the shower or wash basin, and the toilet is the usual Thetford type so is, in effect, a sealed unit.
The results for the damp check are below:-

 

[Miggs]

If it's anything like my old Bailey, it will be coming in from the join between the floor and the wall.

 

[Dorwyn]

It doesn't sound like a very SOLiD form of construction! This worries me coz I recently bought a 2020 Elddis.

 

[Lenny HB]

It doesn't sound like a very SOLiD form of construction! This worries me coz I recently bought a 2020 Elddis.

Unfortunately they have quite a reputation for it. The SOLID construction sill uses untreated softwood just sales BS.

 

[Dorwyn]

I think I knew that when I bought it, but it looked so good at the dealers and they assured me that they did not have damp problems now. we'll see!

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[AndyPK]

I wonder if they’ll have to replace the entire back of the ‘van……? Depends upon how much the damp spreads between now and when the repair is effected I guess - Marquis told me to keep using it which is good as we’ve got trips booked each month (including December - next week to Salisbury!) up to June, but I suppose some of those may have to be cancelled whilst the repair is being carried out…….

 

[cyberyacht]

I had a Marquis and had to have part of the floor replaced. SOLID is an acronym for "Soggy Or Lets In Damp"

 

[AndyPK]

Harsh!

 

[CazPaul]

Unfortunately they have quite a reputation for it. The SOLID construction sill uses untreated softwood just sales BS.

That seems ridiculous why would they use softwood still? It’s going to eventually get wet.

 

[Lenny HB]

That seems ridiculous why would they use softwood still? It’s going to eventually get wet.

Budget van so penny pinching to keep costs down.
They are some videos made by Elddis promoting their SOLID built on YouTube, it's fairly clear it softwood.

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[AndyPK]

This email just popped into my inbox - good news, I think…….

‘Good Afternoon Mr Kelly

Following your visit to our workshop a Warranty Claim was submitted to Elddis for the Water Ingress repair that is required on your Motorhome. This claim has now been approved and we are waiting for the replacement parts to come in to us. There is also an upgrade on the skirts so Elddis have authorised us to replace all of the side skirts for you at the same time as the repair.

The parts are on order and currently they are showing as due to us W/C 16th January, although these dates can change at any time.

Once we have all the parts required in stock we will contact you and arrange a mutually convenient time for you to come in and have the work carried out. Please note that we would require your vehicle for at least one week for the repairs to be completed.

May I also take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Kind Regards

Rebecca Clack

Warranty Administrator’

I’ll be interested to note what the ‘upgrade on the skirts’ is, and why they need replacing - perhaps the source of the damp??

 

[Dorwyn]

Budget van so penny pinching to keep costs down.
They are some videos made by Elddis promoting their SOLID built on YouTube, it's fairly clear it softwood.

The dealer assured me it was not. I hope so.

 

[AndyPK]

Update:
Marquis ‘phoned to tell me that ‘all of the parts have arrived’, so the ‘van is booked-in for Monday 6th Feb., and will be needed for ‘at least a week’…….
Fingers crossed

(As an aside, we’re seriously considering selling the ‘van after the work has been effected…..and may not replace it……..)

 

[raysalaugh]

Come on Andy, you could be suffering from seasonal affective disorder and once the better weather arrives you'll be enthused
with new vigour.

 

[AndyPK]

I hope so!!!

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[TerryL]

When you get problems like this, especially on a young vehicle, it's natural to feel somewhat jaded and to ask yourself why you do it. Had a couple of problems to sort out on our 16 yr old Swift, nothing too serious, just before we came away and thought at the time why bother, what else is going to go wrong?
But now we're sitting in the warm(ish) sunshine on Costa Calida and those thoughts are forgotten.
Just remember the good times!

 

[Goldfinch]

We had a caravan with SOlid - after struggling to get major damp/inherent frame structural issues fixed under warranty (Elddis don't like paying out!) we mistakenly thought we were in the clear following the repair and could enjoy our hobby. But no... the problem reappeared!. but this time Elddis and Dealer didn't want to know as this would cost them even more money. We so.. so.. wished we had sold after the first repair!!!! SOlid is a misnomer...................and a con...............

 

[cyberyacht]

No it's not. It stands for "Soggy Or Lets In Damp". I had a kitchen floor replaced in my Marquis(Elddis)

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

No it's not. It stands for "Soggy Or Lets In Damp". I had a kitchen floor replaced in my Marquis(Elddis)

"Saturated Old Larch in Design "
Mike.

 

[AndyPK]

Thanks, Guys…….I feel so much better……… ()

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[Basildog]

We had a caravan with SOlid - after struggling to get major damp/inherent frame structural issues fixed under warranty (Elddis don't like paying out!) we mistakenly thought we were in the clear following the repair and could enjoy our hobby. But no... the problem reappeared!. but this time Elddis and Dealer didn't want to know as this would cost them even more money. We so.. so.. wished we had sold after the first repair!!!! SOlid is a misnomer...................and a con...............

Personally I wouldn’t let any dealer carry out a damp repair
As far as I am concerned if it’s leaking it’s scrap .
Might sound extreme but I was amazed how many other owners of a German brand contacted me and warned me not to allow dealers to attempt a repair.
Maybe if the factory agree to a repair but even then fix it and get rid

 

[PaulOH]

Surely if it moves and flexes in the way that our vehicles do, then we're all open to experiencing some level of deterioration and ingress - this is water we're talking about here, it's like a thief - if it wants in then it'll get in.

The good thing is that the material used to repair/reseal our vehicles isn't expensive. It seems tho that depending where you are then there might be a lot of maintenance to do. I completely get that when you pay big money for a fine van, then you expect it to be watertight and stay like that.

I have a very much older vehicle than yours and was a bit devastated when I discovered that it was leaking. I have carried out various repairs on my own, which perhaps aren't to the best standard but I did the best I was able. It isn't entirely watertight now, but is substantially better than it was. I've also renewed quite a bit of structural timber with treated wood that has improved the whole integrity of areas where what had been there had even been sagging.

Despite the shortcomings and imperfections, I am happier with the van now and have absolutely no intention of letting this compromise my enjoyment of it.

 

[AndyPK]

Just dropped the ‘van off at Marquis, Tewkesbury, for its warranty work……only a 2.5 mile tailback to the Air Balloon roundabout this morning….at 0735……C’est La vie….!

 

[AndyPK]

Just back from Marquis, Tewkesbury after collecting the ‘van. All work complete, new side skirts and rear bumper (very shiny - guess I’ll have to clean the rest of the ‘van now…..), and new damp readings provided, shown below…..

 

[Mike800966]

So now , get yourself a damp meter and keep an eye on it!
Best to look for one that has the sharpest spikes as they make tidier holes in the wallboard. I think there are some that are non contact but rather expensive.
Above all enjoy it!
Mike & Ann

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[AndyPK]

Motorhome sold on 20th February…………

 

[Lenny HB]

So now , get yourself a damp meter and keep an eye on it!
Best to look for one that has the sharpest spikes as they make tidier holes in the wallboard. I think there are some that are non contact but rather expensive.
Above all enjoy it!
Mike & Ann

One with spikes is the last thing you want to use on a Motorhome. The non evassive/paddle ones won't do any damage and they measure to a greater depth.

 

[Coolcats]

Harsh!

Maybe true

 

[Shrimp]

AndyPK don’t get downhearted by one van!
Now you’ve tasted the lifestyle go out there and find a good solid used van, don’t give up so easily!

 

[AndyPK]

AndyPK don’t get downhearted by one van!
Now you’ve tasted the lifestyle go out there and find a good solid used van, don’t give up so easily!

Not until Jac gets her knee sorted out - any ‘van we bought now would be sitting on the drive for a few months not being used, so I’ll wait for the ‘price-correction‘ to occur later in the year………

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