Going to see (and possibly buy) a motorhome in Chile tomorrow, help needed!

[Du And Nica]

Hello everyone,

The exact brand and model we're looking for (Sunlight A72) just came up here in Chile:


Being year 2013, it's older than the 2015+ we were planning, and without the extras we want (specially the oven). *BUT*, it already has a Chilean license (so it gets us over the whole damned importing business, which we haven't managed to solve yet) and is available *now*... and the price, after considering the shipping cost, European seaport fees, importing/aduana/licensing costs here in Chile, etc, is equivalent to about 32,000 EUR so it's not terribly expensive (actually, if it doesn't have any issues like water intrusions or corrosion or mechanical issues as we've seen in some units here, it will be the best value we'd have seen so far).

The catch (there's always a catch...) is that it is in far away Osorno to the South (about a 12h bus trip)... I will be calling them at opening time (about 2 h from now) and inquiring, if they *say* it's all good, we will catch the bus tonight and arrive there tomorrow morning to inspect it.

We plan on asking the seller to drive it to a Bosch Car Center that we found with good recommendations nearby, in order to have an engine inspection (and specially to connect it to a scanner and check whether there are any issues being reported by the engine's computer).

Anything else we can do to make sure we're not getting a lemon? Is there a "motorhome self-inspection guide" somewhere?

Your tips are very much appreciated.

Cheers,
--
Du & Nica.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/resources/the-motorhome-buyers-guide.181/

I'd like to come with you to check out your potential purchase but its a little out of my way at the moment.
Best if you browse thru the above link

 

[scotjimland]

.

 

[Popeye]

Strikes me that you've done your homework well and I have to say that looks like a good buy.

12 hour bus ride though, I trust you won't be carrying all that money in CASH.
Best of luck.

oh and Welcome to the mad house.

 

[Zigisla]

Unfortunately my work computer doesn't download the web page fully, but 2013 at 32000 miles, it looks a nice motorhome from what i can see. Mine is only 2 1/2 years old and 26000 miles.
When I had a slight leak in the roof, we went back to the dealers and asked them to re-seal the skylight or fit a new one if it was at fault. After a very long back and forth and after contacting Sunlight HQ in Germany, they stated that in the 11 years they have been a stand alone company, they had never had a leak in any part of the vehicle. Bold statement, but checking records, it seems they had never had one returned under their 6 year warranty - well not from the UK anyway. The water was getting in from somewhere else and not down to the integrity of the MH.
Some on here may say that the mileage is a bit low for the age, but I am unsure about the engine and Fiat. The interior is a lot darker than the '15 and on, but if you can live with this then again it looks good as long as it passes the "Sniff" test. If it smells damp, it may well be from not being used and closed up for too long. Ask that all the appliances work on all settings and fuels i.e. fridge on gas, electric and 12v power with engine running etc as @Popeye said 12 hour bus ride is a long way for a dud.

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[Viennese]

If you buy it and drive it back to Santiago, call in on my niece in Pucon - they have a restaurant at the foot of the Villarricca volcano, and I believe they are also doing AirBNB. It was a friend of hers who had the Chilean (?) motor home we saw but were not impressed with, and he told us he was thinking of selling motor homes in Chile. That was 2 years ago, not sure what happened since then.

My niece's restaurant is on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/elcastillopucon/

Best regards

 

[Mikeco]

We had a bus service like that once until they brought in new ones.

 

[ianthebuilder]

I’ll have a look at it for you,, for expenses only! Lol. Good luck! X

 

[Du And Nica]

Thanks @Viennese, will do!

 

[Du And Nica]

We had a bus service like that once until they brought in new ones.

Sorry @Mikeco, but I do not understand: "bus service"? "new ones"? Can you please clarify?

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[MR. FUSION]

Hello everyone,

The exact brand and model we're looking for (Sunlight A72) just came up here in Chile:


Being year 2013, it's older than the 2015+ we were planning, and without the extras we want (specially the oven). *BUT*, it already has a Chilean license (so it gets us over the whole damned importing business, which we haven't managed to solve yet) and is available *now*... and the price, after considering the shipping cost, European seaport fees, importing/aduana/licensing costs here in Chile, etc, is equivalent to about 32,000 EUR so it's not terribly expensive (actually, if it doesn't have any issues like water intrusions or corrosion or mechanical issues as we've seen in some units here, it will be the best value we'd have seen so far).

The catch (there's always a catch...) is that it is in far away Osorno to the South (about a 12h bus trip)... I will be calling them at opening time (about 2 h from now) and inquiring, if they *say* it's all good, we will catch the bus tonight and arrive there tomorrow morning to inspect it.

We plan on asking the seller to drive it to a Bosch Car Center that we found with good recommendations nearby, in order to have an engine inspection (and specially to connect it to a scanner and check whether there are any issues being reported by the engine's computer).

Anything else we can do to make sure we're not getting a lemon? Is there a "motorhome self-inspection guide" somewhere?

Your tips are very much appreciated.

Cheers,
--
Du & Nica.

My tip once you have looked at everything top side put some old clothes on and a take a torch and go underneath.......right underneath the van, check the waste/water tanks for leaks, check for damage to the suspension units and body (particularly the rear area for grounding) and check for rust on the FIAT body work and that the black sealant on all the wood structures underneath is also good and intact . Pay particular attention to the front wheel arches which are a dirt trap and the front suspension strut mountings . If you can't get right underneath the fiat truck chassis the suspension has most likely sunk

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Sorry @Mikeco, but I do not understand: "bus service"? "new ones"? Can you please clarify?

I think it was a comment on the quality (or lack of) of UK bus services and schedules

 

[Du And Nica]

My tip once you have looked at everything top side put some old clothes on and a take a torch and go underneath.......right underneath the van, check the waste/water tanks for leaks, check for damage to the suspension units and body (particularly the rear area for grounding) and check for rust on the FIAT body work and that the black sealant on all the wood structures underneath is also good and intact . Pay particular attention to the front wheel arches which are a dirt trap and the front suspension strut mountings . If you can't get right underneath the fiat truck chassis the suspension has most likely sunk

Great tip, @campa cola ! Will do! Already setting aside a change of clothes here for my "under the skirt" excursion

 

[Mikeco]

Sorry @Mikeco, but I do not understand: "bus service"? "new ones"? Can you please clarify?

This being Motorhomefun there is the occasional attempt at humour which failed this time so I now officially retire.
Remember the joke about the Yorkshire farmer who was leaning on his gate when an American pulled up and said,” I can jump in my car and drive all day and still not reach the end of my land, the Yorkshire farmer said “ I had a car like that once”.

 

[Du And Nica]

LOL @Mikeco I'm not usually that stupid, but this one flew right over my head ;-) very funny tho, even after having to have it explained to me I must have laughed out loud for at least 2-3 minutes straight, so please don't retire ;-)

-- Du

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[Viennese]

Just heard that no AirBNB at my niece's, sorry!

 

[Du And Nica]

Not a problem, Catherine, on the contrary. We will try to stop by the restaurant for lunch anyway, its reviews are pure praise.

 

[Du And Nica]

We're on the bus and on our way. Hope we can get some shut-eye during the night (not used to sleeping in buses), because tomorrow is the big day! ;-)

Thanks to everyone and we will be sure to keep this thread posted.

Wish us luck!

 

[Theonlysue]

Good luck!!!
Waiting for you to report back

 

[Du And Nica]

Howdy everyone,

We are inspecting the motorhome right now. I just climbed down from the roof, and I think I've found 3 problems:

1) gray stuff (sealant?) oozing from roof/wall joints, please see this picture: https://photos.app.goo.gl/RrAhrV6w6bfPsRjq8
(and also the movie below at about the 20 seconds mark)
This is happening on these and other joints, and also on places where the vents/skylights meet the roof.
I don't think this is too serious, if I understand thinks correctly, it would be just a matter of removing the old sealant and applying new one?

2) now things start getting serious: at the part in the rear where it curves down to meet the rear wall, when I press on it with my hands, I sense it "giving in" a little, and (this is scary) it makes a creaky sound: please see the last 15 seconds of the movie above, and also this one here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/bmzzwSGE8eVXmPc8A

3) finally, there are some "bubbles" on the roof's otherwise level surface: it can be seen at the start of the above movie, and I also marked them in this picture here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/cBpxe7Bcyr8RnWoH7

I went inside and tried pressing the walls at the corresponding spots and felt no "giving", also no damp smell (actually no smell at all).

What do you people think? Is this "normal" for a 5-year old vehicle or should I just run away from this motorhome?

Cheers,
--
Du.

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[MR. FUSION]

Howdy everyone,

We are inspecting the motorhome right now. I just climbed down from the roof, and I think I've found 3 problems:

1) gray stuff (sealant?) oozing from roof/wall joints, please see this picture: https://photos.app.goo.gl/RrAhrV6w6bfPsRjq8
(and also the movie below at about the 20 seconds mark)
This is happening on these and other joints, and also on places where the vents/skylights meet the roof.
I don't think this is too serious, if I understand thinks correctly, it would be just a matter of removing the old sealant and applying new one?

2) now things start getting serious: at the part in the rear where it curves down to meet the rear wall, when I press on it with my hands, I sense it "giving in" a little, and (this is scary) it makes a creaky sound: please see the last 15 seconds of the movie above, and also this one here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/bmzzwSGE8eVXmPc8A

3) finally, there are some "bubbles" on the roof's otherwise level surface: it can be seen at the start of the above movie, and I also marked them in this picture here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/cBpxe7Bcyr8RnWoH7

I went inside and tried pressing the walls at the corresponding spots and felt no "giving", also no damp smell (actually no smell at all).

What do you people think? Is this "normal" for a 5-year old vehicle or should I just run away from this motorhome?

Cheers,
--
Du.

My thoughts, can't see the pics that well on my phone though
1. My Carado has black sealant leaching out slightly around some joints, that's normal, the grey stuff I don't know . I noticed nearby your other finger there was what looked like a collision Mark on one of roof rails (is it ??) it may be some of the original sealant was displaced as part of this collision ???

3. I am not familiar with this model but My Carado has a lot of these 'bulges' where extra reenforcement is built into the body (GRP) sheeting or a wood internal structure meets the aluminium skin. Is the roof the GRP type ?????

 

[Du And Nica]

Thanks @campa cola, I'm having lunch now but as soon as I'm back at the place I will ask them about whether the roof is GRP or done other material.

I will also try creating a thread with just my last post as a way to get more eyes, we will have to make a decision soon and would like to hear as many opinions as possible.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Will the seller give you any sort of warranty with the vehicle?

 

[Du And Nica]

I asked, no warranty..
We have to detect and ask for the fix now (or not to buy it) .

 

[Du And Nica]

Folsk, I reposted this last post about the roof issues here, as a way to get more eyeballs and opinions on it: https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...a-used-motorhome-problems-in-the-roof.182775/

Please post your thoughts either there or here, we will be much obliged.

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[Ridgeway]

Hola Duval,

As you've probably worked out Sunlight and Carado are basically the same brand (all part of Hymer) We had a Carado 464 (A70) and the flex you showed in the video (on the roof at the back) looks typical to me of the light weight construction that they are, no disrespect to them. The grey sealant leakage also looks quite normal to me an many campers, especially in hidden areas like roofs where the manufacturers figure you've never really see it too much.

Hope that helps, saludos

 

[Du And Nica]

Thanks @campa cola, I'm having lunch now but as soon as I'm back at the place I will ask them about whether the roof is GRP or done other material.

I asked them and they were not really sure, but said they thought it was made of aluminum sheet. I pointed it looked exactly like vinyl or similar plastic material to me, and mentioned GRP (Glass-reinforced Plastic AKA Fiberglass, correct?) and was met by a blank stare.

We had a Carado 464 (A70) and the flex you showed in the video (on the roof at the back) looks typical to me of the light weight construction that they are

Even the cracking sound it shows in the video? (you have to click on the video to see it entirely, the page when it loads shows just a short, repeating, mute clip). The flexing doesn't look so bad, but the cracking noise really scared me (it's my first time on the roof of an European motorhome, so please forgive my ignorance).

The grey sealant leakage also looks quite normal to me an many campers, especially in hidden areas like roofs where the manufacturers figure you've never really see it too much.

There's some "gray matter leaking" (just hope it isn't the motorhome 'brains' ;-)) on the side walls too, out of the trimming where it joins the roof. I will post some more pictures tomorrow.

Hope that helps, saludos

it does, muchas gracias! (ou, como dizemos no nosso país de origem, muito obrigado! ;-) )

 

[Du And Nica]

Folks, just a brief update: We finished the underbody inspection suggested here and found some more issues today, but nothing seems really serious.

If the that cracking sound we hear when we press the roof is really normal, I do not think there are any serious issues with the motohome. I will post some more details tomorrow when I wake up (itś almost 11PM here and we are very tired after the 12-hour bus trip).

Tomorrow anyway, before closing the deal, we will pay for a technical revision of the engine and suspension on a nearby mechanic that was well recommended to us, including a scanner diagnostic on the engine's computer to see whether thereś any issues (when we arrived today, before starting our inspection, the seller -- it's a dealership -- told us they were waiting for the arrival of part to replace in the engine (turbo electrovalve) to fix a "check engine" light -- so we will take it to the mechanic *after* they replace the part and the check engine light stops lighting up).

 

[MR. FUSION]

I asked them and they were not really sure, but said they thought it was made of aluminum sheet. I pointed it looked exactly like vinyl or similar plastic material to me, and mentioned GRP (Glass-reinforced Plastic AKA Fiberglass, correct?) and was met by a blank stare.



Even the cracking sound it shows in the video? (you have to click on the video to see it entirely, the page when it loads shows just a short, repeating, mute clip). The flexing doesn't look so bad, but the cracking noise really scared me (it's my first time on the roof of an European motorhome, so please forgive my ignorance).


There's some "gray matter leaking" (just hope it isn't the motorhome 'brains' ;-)) on the side walls too, out of the trimming where it joins the roof. I will post some more pictures tomorrow.

it does, muchas gracias! (ou, como dizemos no nosso país de origem, muito obrigado! ;-) )

Yes it looks like it's GRP.........I didn't realise you were actually on the roof (couldn't play the video). My take is these vehicles are not designed to take weight like this on the roof. The roof structure is a thin wood ply sheet then some insulating material covered by a thin aluminium sheet and then a fibreglass resin. The cracking sound will probably be where the insulating material/thin wood sheet has cracked and is structurally unsound now!!! Not so good . Can you press the ceiling upwards from the same location inside and see if there is any flex or cracking noises ????

You can see the van panels being made here, there is no large internal re-enforcement, the only strength is from the thin aluminium panel, at 24 seconds.

 

[Du And Nica]

@campa cola Thanks for the info. I did press the damned roof up everywhere on the inside of the motorhome and felt no "giving" nor softness -- will do that again today with special attention to that corresponding area in the hear, just to be sure.

The Google Photos tool I used to post my video of the roof inspection *really* sucks -- I just reposted it using Youtube, I hope you and everyone else can see (and hear!) it now:

If you can, please send me what you think.

Another info is that yesterday the dealer's own "master fixer" used this device to probe the roof for moisture/infiltration issues: https://photos.app.goo.gl/eRurAErsfYiizpgu9
He showed the display to me after lightly pressing the device's prongs to the roof at various points and then pushing its button, and it showed a percentage always smaller than 10% (the guy told me that it would have to be over 50% to be a sign of any issues). But then he was the *dealer's* master fixer, and I'm not really familiar with this device or how should be configured (seems it has a different setting for each type of wood) or operated...

I'm feeling really nervous here... this is a big purchase (bigger than anything I've ever purchased, even my previous home) and I really don't want to mess it up :-/

Thanks to everyone for your help,
--
Du.