Elddis Autostratus eb se

[Jeffwilliams]

Im picking up a 1998 Elddis Autostratus this friday, not knowing alot about motorhomes is the anything to look out for in the way of problems, i paid £200 deposit and paying the remainder on collection, its a private buy and the hpi check came back ok, perhaps its just me knowing ive got to part with money

 

[Reallyretired]

Check everywhere for damp. Get a meter, they aren't expensive. If there's any damp walk away, it will be cheaper to lose your deposit than the cost of repairs.

Other than that just make sure everything works, get the seller to put the fridge on a few hours before you are due so you can check it gets cold.

 

[chrisgreen]

Im picking up a 1998 Elddis Autostratus this friday, not knowing alot about motorhomes is the anything to look out for in the way of problems, i paid £200 deposit and paying the remainder on collection, its a private buy and the hpi check came back ok, perhaps its just me knowing ive got to part with money

check the cross member behind the radiator for rust,and check in every cupboard at roof level for damp,do this with a damp meter or by pushing the wall board with you fingers if you find a soft spot its damp also check roof lining for sign's of damp around roof lights,ask seller when the cambelt was last done and also check floor for sqeaks if it sqeeks chance's are the floor has delaminated?:thumb:

 

[Jeffwilliams]

Im a Sovereign damp proofing contractor ill be taking my meter with me on friday, cheers

 

[tonka]

Yep, damp will be the main issue in an older van..
If you have a local mobile caravan technician it may be money well spent to have him do a check on it before you complete.. Subject to the seller agreeing, if he didn't then I would be real wary....

This may help
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AH!!! Posted as you did, you can do your own damp check then... Another spot is around the roof vent of the flue, the rubber perishes over time and water can leak in around the pipe..

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[chrisgreen]

Yep, damp will be the main issue in an older van..
If you have a local mobile caravan technician it may be money well spent to have him do a check on it before you complete.. Subject to the seller agreeing, if he didn't then I would be real wary....

This may help
Link Removed

Heavy vans those EB's so watch the weights.. Big vans but have very little payload :Sad:

i have an eb its got a 800kg payload 2.600kg empty 3.400kg loaded:thumb:
good solid vans built to last:thumb:

 

[Reallyretired]

Nice vans, had one once, though it was the ck version.

 

[tonka]

i have an eb its got a 800kg payload 2.600kg empty 3.400kg loaded:thumb:
good solid vans built to last:thumb:

I know you have !!!!

We had one but I recall going to a weightbridge and only having about 20kg spare off the gross... So maybe the scales were wrong, Or we had to much stuff in there.oh:
It was in my early years before I became a "proper" motorhome user...

 

[rainbow chasers]

Great little vans, used them on hire and they lasted very well indeed!

From Crossmembers rot, check under the cab as these are never rustproofed - inner sill areas worst effected (seen them rust on customers models)

Flickering Speedo/Notchy gearbox/difficulty engaging 1st/reverse when cold - suffered with water ingress in gear box. That is the worst of their faults, many other models do also.

Crossmembers are cheap to replace, so use as a bargaining chip. If gearbox is problematic, especially with the flickering speedo - try to find another or negotiate a price discount of around 3k to cover it. You may be lucky and it is just cables and fresh oil - you many not, so go for worst case scenario.

 

[teknik155]

eb autostratus

Another thing to check is the state of the roof seals, there are 2 of them and they sit in the hollow of the roof between front bulge and rear bulge. Rainwater just sits there and unless you put van on an angle (natural or man made)these seals can rot and allow water in. I get mine resealed every 3 years. Oh I have 99 eb climatique. Oh and as everyone else says "got a problem then ask"

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[RS_rob]

Love mine Id like to chat to other 97 Autostratus EB SE owners as mine has extras on it for example I need to know what the switch inside the hab door is supposed to do

 

[teknik155]

switch on right of habitation door

the switch just inside the door switches on the light in the middle of the van, between wardrobe and the toilet door.
It's a courtesy light.
Any problems ask as I've had a 1999 EB for quite a while
Are you going to Peterborough. If you are I'll be there

 

[RS_rob]

ours is a 98 & there is no ight there :Angry:
we have 2 in the rear lounge plus a spot someone has added near the switches
2 in the dinet
1 over the cooker but i think this has been added
1 in the luton
1 outside the hab door

there is also a gas alarm that has been added

I have to check the wiring as the exterior marker lights glow when the outside light is on & the rear spot comes on with the vehicle lights with the outside light on, there is power to the switch but it does nothing
I have been forced to have a day off tomorrow so shall be having a looksee....

We are not doing Peterbourough as im in wales on a White Water Saftey Course but we are going to Newbury as I have nothing else planned.

See you soon hopefully :thumb:

 

[RS_rob]

we also have an AC unit there just forward of the toiled but directly over the partition door

hmmm.......

 

[teknik155]

lights

I've x2spot lights in each rear corner of lounge ,x2 spots over kitchen and x2 spots over dining table, all these mount under cupboards and i've 2 strip lights spaced down centre of roof and it's one of these that is worked off switch. Outside light is an addon and my power supply is in wardrobe on outside wall and switches guages and fuses are under drinks cabinet.
The spot lights are were using car type bulbs and made the cupboards very warm and wore out the battery so I replaced them with LED's which are brighter ,cooler and all 8 led use same power as 1 old bulb. I just converted the bulb and kept the housings the same.

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[teknik155]

too knackere

You have the climatic version of the EB same as mine. That ac unit will only work on mains and will warm and chill. Have used mine quite often (not in this country).
Some where I think i have the manual will try and find it. Neat storage of paperwork etc not one of my better points. Will talk wife into maybe taking van to newbury. Its only been used twice since July Both times to the garage for work and mot. Am hoping to do Croatia and Greece in Sept in it.
Oh dear my beer can is empty I'd better hit the sack . Goodnight

 

[RS_rob]

quite some variations over a couple of years, Im definatly going to have to trace any faults 1st before I upgrade any bulbs. That said the ones I have on order are direct replacements with no modifications whatsoever.
I have olso found that the omninster step has a sensor on it it howerver all I know is someone has cut it off completley, so does the manual step have an audible alarm ?

I think its best to fix the problems before I start Upgrading..............

 

[RS_rob]

You have the climatic version of the EB same as mine. That ac unit will only work on mains and will warm and chill. Have used mine quite often (not in this country).
Some where I think i have the manual will try and find it. Neat storage of paperwork etc not one of my better points. Will talk wife into maybe taking van to newbury. Its only been used twice since July Both times to the garage for work and mot. Am hoping to do Croatia and Greece in Sept in it.
Oh dear my beer can is empty I'd better hit the sack . Goodnight

would love to meet n chat if possible.......... May have some wine ready for drinking if thats your cuppa

 

[teknik155]

autostratus

Will see you at newbury have some handbooks and brochures about the autostratus and some wiring diagrams will copy some but not sure about the elddis handbook as its about 50 pages I think all about the fitting etc.Anyway will dig out what I've got .Will see you there you'll recognise me as I've got the same van just a bit dirtier ( have a building site across the road from me) due at newbury on Thursday.

 

[RS_rob]

Will see you at newbury have some handbooks and brochures about the autostratus and some wiring diagrams will copy some but not sure about the elddis handbook as its about 50 pages I think all about the fitting etc.Anyway will dig out what I've got .Will see you there you'll recognise me as I've got the same van just a bit dirtier ( have a building site across the road from me) due at newbury on Thursday.

I look forward to meeting you& having a good Chinwag :thumb:

Were due Friday between 1600-1800

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